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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that Iran had reported an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, but no increase in off-site radiation levels had been detected, as the agencys chief called for military restraint, AzerNEWS reports, citing Anadolu.

The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported, the agency said in a post on X, the social media platform owned by X.

The UN nuclear watchdog said it is assessing the situation, while Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated his appeal for restraint in order to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

Earlier, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment facility had been struck in what it described as criminal attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.

According to the organisation, no radioactive material leak was detected and there is no danger to residents living near the facility.

The Natanz site has been targeted previously, including in an attack on 2 March. It was also among three nuclear sites struck by US forces in June last year during the conflict with Iran, alongside facilities in Fordow and Isfahan.

The latest incident comes amid ongoing hostilities that began on 28 February, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. Tehran has since responded with repeated drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
Martin Mpana, Cameroon's ambassador to China, speaks during an exchange meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2026. Dozens of foreign diplomats from 40 countries and representatives of international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Friday, to share views on the robust economic and social progress, continued improvements in human rights protection, and expanding opening-up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

By Xinhua writers Wen Xin, Wu Mengtong and Zhao Hanze

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of foreign diplomats from 40 countries and representatives of international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Friday, to share views on the robust economic and social progress, continued improvements in human rights protection, and expanding opening-up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

XINJIANG'S REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT DRAWS HIGH ACCLAIM

Mario Alzugaray Rodriguez, minister counselor of the Cuban embassy in China, visited Xinjiang 20 years ago. "Xinjiang's development achievements since then are truly amazing, and I've learned that Xinjiang now has more than 20 airports, with a crisscross and well-connected network of railways and expressways stretching in all directions," Rodriguez added.

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute is the only intergovernmental organization headquartered in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. Charymuhammet Shallyyev, director of this institute, has witnessed the region's rapid development. He said that Xinjiang's development is particularly impressive in areas including artificial intelligence, scientific and technological innovation, and green development.

A set of key economic figures released at the meeting won repeated recognition from the attendees. These figures reveal that in 2025, Xinjiang's gross domestic product (GDP) had reached 2.15 trillion yuan (about 312.05 billion U.S. dollars), up 5.5 percent year on year, while its oil and gas equivalent output ranked first nationwide for a fifth consecutive year. The per capita disposable income of its urban and rural residents grew by 5.3 percent and 7 percent, respectively, last year.

"I never expected Xinjiang to have such a strong development momentum," said Diane Sidikiba, economic counselor and charge d'affaires ad interim of the Guinean Embassy in China.

Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi, who has visited Xinjiang on multiple occasions, has a keen perception of its profound changes. He said local residents in Xinjiang are witnessing steady income growth, expanded employment opportunities and abundant economic opportunities.

XINJIANG EMBRACES THE WORLD VIA GREATER OPENNESS

"We sincerely invite all our friends to visit Xinjiang more often, to experience in person the vibrant Xinjiang with booming development, hear first-hand stories of a happy Xinjiang from people of all ethnic groups, and witness the magnificent and beautiful Xinjiang with stunning landscapes," said a warm invitation issued by regional authorities.

Xinjiang is undoubtedly a treasure land boasting breathtaking scenery and profound cultural heritage, said Martin Mpana, Cameroon's ambassador to China. He explained that Xinjiang is not only a fertile land of history, but also a promising land full of hope, with a flourishing culture, a booming economy, and people of all ethnic groups sharing the fruits of development. Mpana added African countries are very willing to learn from Xinjiang's development experience.

Selcuk Unal, ambassador of Turkiye to China, said that multiple Turkish ministers had visited Xinjiang over the past few years, while a number of Turkish media and think tanks have also been invited to the region. "I would like to thank local authorities for their hospitality. These interactions demonstrated the potential for developing relations with the region," he said.

"I got to know many local residents during my visit and toured around with them," Sohail Khan, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said in sharing his experience in Xinjiang, adding that "Xinjiang is welcoming people from all over the world with an increasingly open attitude."

COOPERATION ACROSS SECTORS SET TO SCALE NEW HEIGHTS

"Xinjiang plays a unique role in SCO cooperation. As China's western gateway, Xinjiang is a natural bridge connecting eight countries, six of which are SCO member states," Khan said, highlighting this region's unique geographical advantages.

Shakhrat Nuryshev, ambassador of Kazakhstan to China, fully affirmed the achievements of economic and trade cooperation between Kazakhstan and Xinjiang. "In 2025, the trade value between Kazakhstan and Xinjiang reached 23.5 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for about half of the total trade value between Kazakhstan and China," he said.

"Xinjiang has accumulated rich experience in developing desert agriculture and renewable energy, which provides valuable reference for us," Mpana said, expressing full confidence in the prospects of future cooperation.

"We look forward to further expanding cooperation with Xinjiang and lifting cooperation in various fields to a new level," said Charviakou Aliaksandr, Belarusian ambassador to China. 

Shakhrat Nuryshev, ambassador of Kazakhstan to China, speaks during an exchange meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2026. Dozens of foreign diplomats from 40 countries and representatives of international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Friday, to share views on the robust economic and social progress, continued improvements in human rights protection, and expanding opening-up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Charviakou Aliaksandr, Belarusian ambassador to China, speaks during an exchange meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2026. Dozens of foreign diplomats from 40 countries and representatives of international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Friday, to share views on the robust economic and social progress, continued improvements in human rights protection, and expanding opening-up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Sohail Khan, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, speaks during an exchange meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2026. Dozens of foreign diplomats from 40 countries and representatives of international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Friday, to share views on the robust economic and social progress, continued improvements in human rights protection, and expanding opening-up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Selcuk Unal, ambassador of Turkiye to China, speaks during an exchange meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2026. Dozens of foreign diplomats from 40 countries and representatives of international organizations attended an exchange meeting held in Beijing on Friday, to share views on the robust economic and social progress, continued improvements in human rights protection, and expanding opening-up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Trump, Takaichi reaffirm commitment to peace in Taiwan Strait

ROC Central News Agency

03/20/2026 06:24 PM

Taipei, March 20 (CNA) U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday affirmed their shared commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.

The two leaders met Thursday at the White House to discuss trade and cooperation in defense, technology and space, according to a fact sheet published by the White House on the meeting.

According to Kyodo News, Takaichi expressed concern during the meeting about the severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific in the face of an "increasingly assertive" China, while also noting reports that the United States has shifted some of its military assets in the region to the Middle East.

Regarding matters relating to regional security, the two leaders affirmed their commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an "indispensable element of regional security and global prosperity," the White House said.

They also expressed support for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo, including by force or coercion.

Thursday's summit was the second between the two leaders. The two first held a summit in Tokyo last October.

In a press release, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "heartfelt gratitude" to the two leaders for reaffirming their commitment to security across the Taiwan Strait.

Their statement echoed a shared pledge made by Trump and Takaichi's predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, during a summit in February last year, the ministry said.

The ministry said it welcomes the international community to continue advocating for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, citing Taiwan's vital role in the global economy and crucial strategic location in the first island chain -- a series of islands that extends from Japan to Borneo.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/AW

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Taiwan withdraws from WTO event in Cameroon over national designation

ROC Central News Agency

03/20/2026 05:07 PM

Taipei, March 20 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Friday condemned Cameroon for listing Taiwan as "Taiwan, Province of China" in visa documents for an upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference, a move that led to Taiwan's withdrawal from the event.

In a statement, MOFA said the designation "seriously undermined" Taiwan's status and rights as a WTO member, marking the first time since 2001 Taiwan has declined to attend a WTO Ministerial Conference.

The conference is scheduled to take place from March 26 to 29 in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. Taiwan had planned to send a delegation led by Cabinet Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni (), who also serves as chief trade negotiator.

However, MOFA said travel authorization documents issued by the host country listed the nationality of Taiwan's delegation members as "Taiwan, Province of China," which it described as a derogatory and inaccurate designation.

Taiwan joined the WTO as a "separate customs territory" and is not subordinate to any other member, MOFA said, adding that Cameroon's labeling was inconsistent with Taiwan's status within the organization.

The ministry said Taiwan's WTO mission had sought assistance from the WTO Secretariat and Director-General, with support from the United States, Japan and allied countries, but Cameroon insisted the designation reflected its "foreign policy" and refused to make adjustments.

MOFA accused Cameroon of disregarding established practice among WTO host countries to respect Taiwan's status and said the move violated the principle of equal participation for all members.

Taiwan has lodged a formal protest with the WTO Secretariat and Cameroon's delegation, MOFA added.

(By Chao Yen-hsiang)

Enditem/AW

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China is firmly resolved in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, says FM on US-Japan leaders' referring on Taiwan region

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2026 08:24 PM

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese. To maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, one should unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism. China is firmly resolved in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin made the remarks when asked by Kyodo News for comments on reports that the Japanese prime minister and the US president in their meeting underlined the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

While another Japanese media asked about China's comments on that at this morning's Japan-US summit, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi claimed Japan has been consistently open to dialogue with China.

Lin said that China has made clear its just position on this issue more than once. True dialogue is built on the basis of respecting each other and honoring the agreements made. If anyone just talks about the need for dialogue on the one hand, while on the other, keeps stoking confrontation, then this so-called "dialogue" is apparently unacceptable.

If the Japanese side truly wants to improve its relations with China, it needs to abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and its own commitments, retract the erroneous remarks on Taiwan at an early date, seriously reflect on and correct its wrongdoings, and take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations, said Lin.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.03.20

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date:

6 a.m. Mar. 19 (Thu.) to 6 a.m. Mar. 20 (Fri.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

6 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 out of 6 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1150320_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1150320_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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United Kingdom - Submarine Combat and Weapon Systems, Technical Support, U.S. and UK Embedded Personnel, and Associated Training

US Department of State

Foreign Military Sales: Congressional Notification

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

March 20, 2026

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has requested to buy technical assistance to the design and development of AUKUS-specific vertical deployment tubes; common weapon launchers; multiple all-up-round canister support service modules; network input output units; servers and switches and custom electronics, which are specific components of the submarine warfare federated tactical system; simulation equipment; engineering demonstration models; testing and installation equipment; equipment components; information technology hardware; publications and technical documentation; software and source code; U.S. industry support; facility support; personnel training; and embedded U.S. and UK personnel located in both UK and U.S. facilities to support submarine design. Other support services included are U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; test and trials support; studies and surveys; other related elements of engineering services for associated equipment and program support; and other related elements of logistics and program support that will all be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold.

The original Foreign Military Sales case, valued at $50 million, included the following non-MDE items: non-recurring engineering support; design integration of U.S. equipment; submarine combat and weapons systems support for design and production of next generation, future class of nuclear-powered attack submarines developed for the Royal Australian Navy and United Kingdom Royal Navy, and developed as part of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, UK, and the U.S. (AUKUS); delivery of software and technical publications for combat and weapon systems, and UK liaison office administrative support to the purchaser's security assistance foreign representative(s) at Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters. The revised estimated total cost for the case is $1 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives

of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The proposed sale will improve the UK's capability to meet current and future threats by providing an effective combatant deterrent capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure. This acquisition will enhance stability and maritime security in the northwestern region of Europe and contribute to the security and strategic objectives of NATO and the United States. The UK will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Huntington Ingalls Industries, located in Newport News, VA; General Dynamics Electric Boat, located in Groton, CT; General Dynamics Mission Systems, located in Fairfax, VA; Progeny Systems, located in Manassas, VA; Lockheed Martin, located in Bethesda, MD; and Systems Planning and Analysis, located in Alexandria, VA.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

For further information, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Outreach Team at T_Outreach_PM@State.gov.

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Russia has committed crimes against humanity

Government of Norway

New report:

News story | Date: 20/03/2026

A new UN report concludes that Russa has committed crimes against humanity in the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children from their families.

Russia's illegal war has brought inconceivable suffering to Ukraine's civilian population. This week, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, chaired by Erik Mse from Norway, presented its latest findings on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed by Russia during its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. UN Commission concludes that deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities, as well as enforced disappearances, amount to crimes against humanity | OHCHR

'This is an important report which confirms that Russia has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the deportation and forcible transfer of a large number of children from the occupied areas in Ukraine. Norway gives high priority to this issue in its efforts to support Ukraine. The children must be returned home and those responsible must be held accountable,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Ukrainian children unlawfully deported

The UN Commission's report documents that Russia's deportation and forcible transfer of children was carried out in line with a policy conceived and executed at the highest level of the Russian Federation's leadership.

The Commission has verified the deportation or transfer of over 1 200 children from five regions in Ukraine. The Russian authorities have taken no steps to facilitate the return of the children and have placed them in adopted families and institutions in Russia. Of the documented cases investigated by the Commission, only one fifth of the children have been returned. The children who return to Ukraine suffer from trauma and anxiety and are in need of rehabilitation to be able to reintegrate into Ukrainian society.

Under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway supports efforts to locate the children and bring them home. The Ukrainian authorities estimate that some 20 000 children have been forcibly taken and approximately 2 000 have been returned home.

'For every day that passes, these children are losing a part of their childhood as free members of Ukrainian society. Instead, they are forced to speak Russian and receive military education and, worst of all, they are being deprived of the right to live with their families,' said the Foreign Minister.

Foreign nationals recruited to fight

The Commission also investigated the violations of human rights against foreign nationals who have been recruited to the Russian armed forces. According to the report, nationals from 17 countries have been recruited to fight with Russian armed forces in Ukraine. Many had been deceived during the recruitment process and were coerced into signing contracts written in Russian, which they did not understand. They were then sent on dangerous missions on the front line.

'More and more countries are criticising Russia for exploiting impoverished young men, who are being sent directly into the deadly conditions along the front line. This is yet another reason why this illegal and meaningless war must end,' said Mr Eide.

The brutality of war

The UN Commission also pointed to a number of other violations of international law, including the right to a fair trial, and the use of torture and sexual and gender-based violence.

'The UN Commission's report provides crucial documentation of the ramifications of Russia's war on the Ukrainian civilian population. We must hold Russia accountable for its grave violations of international law. Prisoners of war and illegally detained people must be released and deported children must be returned home immediately, said Mr Eide.

Norway participates actively in the efforts to hold Russia accountable for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and subsequent war crimes. Norway has supported the establishment a special war crimes court in order to prosecute the Russian parties responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. Under that Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway also provides support to organisations that are working to identify, document, investigate and prosecute possible war crimes.

UN Commission on Ukraine

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

The Commission has published a number of reports documenting Russia's widespread and systematic violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. In 2024, the Commission concluded that Russia has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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US Lawmakers Back Funds To Track Abducted Ukrainian Children As Key Research Unit Nears Shutdown

By Alex Raufoglu March 20, 2026

WASHINGTON -- As the US Congress begins shaping its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, a small but symbolically powerful provision has emerged from both chambers: $15 million dedicated to tracking Ukrainian children abducted by Russia -- a program whose funding was cut by President Donald Trump's administration last year but that advocates say is essential for future war crimes prosecutions and, ultimately, bringing those children home.

Buried in early drafts of the State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) appropriations bills in both the House and Senate, the funding reflects rare bipartisan alignment in an otherwise polarized Washington.

Of that total, $5 million is earmarked for the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), a key player in documenting the forced transfer of Ukrainian children into Russia's custody, sources told RFE/RL.

Yet in a stark illustration of how Washington's slow-moving funding machinery can collide with urgent realities on the ground, the lab itself may not survive long enough to receive the money after US State Department cuts last year.

"We are entirely grateful for the bipartisan effort," Nathaniel Raymond, the lab's executive director, told RFE/RL in an interview on March 18. "But right now we only have enough money to continue the Ukraine work at Yale HRL until May 1, 2026. So we are desperately in need of something to continue."

He traced the disruption in funding to a confluence of political transition and bureaucratic hesitation following the 2024 US election.

According to Raymond, funding authorized under the Biden administration was never fully executed after then-Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election, amid uncertainty over whether the incoming Trump administration would maintain support.

When the new administration took office, the lab was already operating under a temporary extension.

That support was cut midstream during a critical data preservation effort -- briefly reinstated -- and then cut again in June 2025. Since then, HRL has relied almost entirely on private donors as it tracks tens of thousands of children abducted from Ukraine by Russia.

"Now there's just no more left," Raymond said. "We have no more money, and so we will probably go out of business before this money [for the 2027 fiscal year] ever reaches us."

Even if Congress acts quickly, he warned, the appropriations process itself could prove fatal to the lab's survival.

"Even if they pass it tomorrow, I don't think people understand how long and complicated it is after the appropriation to get the money in the hands of the subcontractor," Raymond said. "Add three months before it can reach us."

Quiet Bipartisan Momentum -- And Frustration

Senior congressional aides in both chambers, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss ongoing negotiations, described the new funding as a deliberate signal -- both to Moscow and to allies -- that accountability for child deportations remains a US priority.

A Senate aide familiar with the provision told RFE/RL that lawmakers view the documentation effort as "foundational to any credible war crimes case that could emerge in the future," adding that without sustained data collection, "you lose the evidentiary chain, and with it, the possibility of justice."

A House aide involved in drafting discussions framed the initiative as part of a broader moral and strategic posture.

"This is one of the clearest, most emotionally resonant atrocities in this war," the aide told RFE/RL. "There's a strong sense across both parties that if the United States cannot lead on something like this -- documenting and ultimately reversing the abduction of children -- then we're ceding ground not just politically, but ethically."

At the same time, aides acknowledged frustration with the lag between congressional intent and execution.

"There's a real risk here that Congress does the right thing -- and it's too late to matter operationally," one Senate aide said. "That's the tension everyone is aware of, even if they can't say it publicly."

Evidence For Justice -- And A Path to Return

The Yale lab's work has been central to international efforts to document Russia's transfer and "reeducation" of Ukrainian children -- a campaign widely condemned by human rights groups.

Using satellite imagery and open-source intelligence, HRL identified a sprawling network of facilities inside Russia.

Its findings played a role in the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova.

For policymakers and analysts, the significance of the new funding lies precisely in this evidentiary function.

"Continued work to document the crimes is essential for accountability and a reminder that justice must be a part of any meaningful peace effort," said Shelby Magid, deputy director at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.

Speaking to RFE/RL, she described the abduction of Ukrainian children as "among the most horrific" aspects of Russia's war -- one that has drawn sustained bipartisan attention in Washington, driven in part by testimony from Ukrainian victims and families.

"At a time when there are real concerns Ukraine could wrongly be forgotten and overshadowed by developments in the Middle East, this funding is an important step," she said. "It signals that Congress still clearly recognizes the brutality of the Putin regime."

But Magid cautioned that documentation alone is not enough.

"While funding for documentation is a meaningful achievement, the priority must be the rescue and rehabilitation of the children," she said, urging expanded diplomatic pressure and broader US engagement to secure their return.

Advocacy Pressure And Political Parallels

Advocacy groups have played a key role in keeping the issue on Capitol Hill's agenda. Razom for Ukraine, a US-based nonprofit, has lobbied extensively for dedicated funding.

"The situation facing kidnapped Ukrainian children is undeniably one of the most salient issues of this war," said Daniel Balson, the group's public engagement director.

He drew a pointed comparison to US efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

"The Putin regime thinks that they can kidnap kids with homes, with families, reeducate them to be something that they are not," Balson told RFE/RL. "We're very heartened to see both the House and the Senate take direct action and put money behind their commitments."

A 'Poetic Moment' -- With An Uncertain Outcome

For Raymond, the congressional effort represents what he called "a beautiful, poetic moment of America coming together on a common issue."

But that moment, he suggested, risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive.

"It won't make it to us in time," he said.

The disconnect underscores a broader challenge in Washington: aligning political consensus with operational urgency.

Without bridging that gap, officials and advocates warn, one of the most critical tools for documenting -- and ultimately reversing -- one of the war's most disturbing crimes could disappear just as Washington moves to sustain it.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-funds-track-abducted- ukrainian-children-research-lab-shutdown/33710110.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment in connection with the attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces targeting infrastructure of the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines

20 March 2026 13:06

406-20-03-2026

On March 17-19, the Ukrainian Armed Forces once again attacked critical international energy infrastructure facilities which provide for gas exports through the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines. Gazprom reported attempted drone strikes against three compressor stations with most of the drones - 22 units - sent to bomb Russkaya station, while the two other stations, Kazachya and Beregovaya, were targeted by three and one UAV, respectively. However, effective joint efforts by Russia's Defence Ministry and mobile tactical groups helped deflect all these attacks and prevent any damage to these facilities.

Kiev's reckless actions follow the same logic as the terrorist attacks carried out with their mandate against Russian and foreign tankers in the international waters of the Mediterranean and Black seas, as well as the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, a company in which foreigner capital owns a major share of equity. By using these methods, the Zelensky regime is hoping not only to undermine Russia's reputation as a reliable energy supplier and transit operator, but also make sure that the Ukraine crisis remains in the international spotlight, especially in the context of the rapidly changing geopolitical environment considering the developments in the Middle East.

The immediate effect from Kiev's terrorist activity of this kind may consist of dealing a severe blow to regional energy security, which could further destabilise and cause uncertainty on the global energy market. Major Western countries have recognised that achieving market stabilisation would be a challenge without Russia's energy resources, but against this backdrop the Zelensky regime has openly opposed their interests and has made no secret of its desire to influence domestic politics in its sponsor countries.

The attacks carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces took place on the same day when Zelensky had meetings with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on March 17. This leads to a natural conclusion as to who were the true beneficiaries. For them, one of the key objectives consists of preventing any lasting settlement of the Ukraine crisis by addressing its root causes in the spirit of understanding resulting from the Russia-United States summit in Alaska on August 15, 2025.

Speaking at the meeting of the Federal Security Service Board on February 24, President Vladimir Putin said that the adversary was perpetrating these terrorist attacks while finding itself incapable of achieving its main objective to inflict a strategic defeat on our country on the battlefield. This is an obvious attempt to disrupt efforts to achieve a settlement by diplomatic means and derail everything achieved as part of this negotiation track.

We continue working with our partners who are interested in ensuring the safe and reliable use of the existing international energy and logistics infrastructure for exporting Russia's hydrocarbons. It is essential that we join efforts so that the Kiev regime comes under increased pressure and is compelled to stop these reckless strikes which threaten international energy supply routes.

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Zelensky Using Terrorism to Undermine Ukraine Negotiation Progress - Russian MFA

Sputnik News

20260320

Between March 17 and 19, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked infrastructure related to the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines, but the attacks were repelled, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"These reckless actions by Kiev are in line with the terrorist attacks it has authorized on Russian and foreign tankers in the international waters of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, a company with large-scale participation of foreign capital," Zakharova said in a statement.

Key points:

Russia sees it as crucial to urge the Kiev regime to stop reckless strikes that pose a threat to international energy routes

Zelensky's attacks on Russian energy facilities aim to undermine Russia's position in the energy market and keep attention on the Ukraine conflict

Terrorist activities by Ukraine could cause serious harm to energy security and destabilize global markets

Zelensky is openly opposing Western interests, attempting to influence the internal political processes of his sponsors

Goal of the Ukrainian attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure is to prevent a resolution along the lines of the Anchorage understandings

 Sputnik

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Ukraine Loses Over 2,125 Soldiers to Russian Forces in Past Week - MoD

Sputnik News

20260320

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine lost more than 2,125 soldiers in combat against Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr over the past week, in addition to losses in manpower and equipment on other fronts, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"In total, the enemy lost over 2,125 military personnel, two tanks, 57 armored combat vehicles, 113 vehicles, 18 field artillery guns and 11 electronic warfare stations in this area," the ministry said in a statement.

This is in addition to over 1,655 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated over the past day by Russia's Battlegroup Sever, over 1,900 by Battlegroup Vostok, over 1,250 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 1,110 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 400 by Battlegroup Dnepr, the ministry said.

Russian troops also carried out one massive and six group strikes in the past week in response to terrorist attacks by Kiev, the statement read.

 Sputnik

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SANAA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said Saturday that it is closely monitoring the developments in the Strait of Hormuz, and would take "appropriate action" in the face of unfolding events in the region.

The group said in a statement that the United States has placed itself in a "strategic predicament," and is attempting to draw others into a broader conflict.

It also called for increased international pressure on the United States and Israel to halt military operations against Iran, and for de-escalation of regional tensions.

On Friday, RIA Novosti reported that the Houthis are considering blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to ships from "aggressor countries" against members of the "axis of resistance."

It said it would only attack vessels belonging to states that carry out "aggression" against Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, if the group were forced to close the strait.

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. 
Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Ferit Hoxha

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

20 March 2026 20:13

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a good first call with the newly appointed Albanian colleague, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha.

I thanked Albania for its solidarity with the Ukrainian people, its consistent support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for its support in the UN and within international organizations.

We discussed bilateral and regional cooperation, including within the framework of Ukraine-South-Eastern Europe, and agreed to continue bilateral contacts at various levels.

We also focused on the European integration priorities of Ukraine and Albania and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening cooperation on our shared European path."

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Mariana Betsa addressed the participants of Ukraine Communications Group

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

20 March 2026 12:09

On 19 March, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa delivered an online address as part of the biannual Strategic Session of Ukraine Communications Group (UCG), held in Brussels with organisational support of the European External Action Service.

In her speech, the Deputy Minister underscored the importance of maintaining international attention on Russia's war against Ukraine and of strengthening collective pressure on Russia to end its war. A key focus of the address was countering Russian disinformation, particularly regarding the issue of Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia, within the framework of multilateral diplomacy and international organisations.

Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Communications Group to Ukraine's communication initiatives and projects, and emphasised: "Over the past year, Ukraine Communications Group has become not only a platform for professional dialogue, but also an effective mechanism for advancing initiatives to counter Russian disinformation and Russian aggression".

Amplifying Ukraine's voice in countries across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia remains a key priority. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is actively implementing the regional strategies "Ukraine - Africa" and "Ukraine - Latin America and the Caribbean", while simultaneously strengthening its diplomatic presence in these regions. This year, a strategy focused on countries in Southeast Asia will also be presented.

At the Strategic Session of Ukraine Communications Group in Brussels on 19-20 March 2026, representatives of 17 institutions are participating alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, including foreign ministries of European states, Canada, as well as the EU and NATO. UCG priority topics include the protection of peace based on the principles of the UN Charter, the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and the return of Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia.

Ukraine Communications Group (UCG) is a format established in 2024 to coordinate efforts and initiatives in the field of strategic communications aimed at countering Russian disinformation and propaganda.

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Comment of the MFA on the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on forced displacement from the territory of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

20 March 2026 19:05

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine notes the principled and important role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine in documenting and publicizing evidence of widespread and systematic human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation in the course of its ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine.

The thematic report published on 20 March, "Forced Displacement from Territory of Ukraine Occupied by the Russian Federation: Forcible Transfer and Deportation, Barriers to Return, and the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons", constitutes further significant evidence of the systemic nature of the Russian Federation's violations of international law and human rights.

The report clearly documents egregious and systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The facts contained in the document underscore a deliberate state policy of the Russian Federation aimed at the forced transfer and deportation of the civilian population, the imposition of Russian citizenship under the threat of restrictions on fundamental rights, unlawful mobilization, as well as the systematic suppression of Ukrainian identity through restrictions on access to education, the displacement of the Ukrainian language and culture, and persecution on religious grounds.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to continue cooperation with the United Nations with a view to protecting human rights, ensuring the return of unlawfully displaced persons, and securing the release of detained civilians and prisoners of war.

We call on the international community to take decisive and coordinated action to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its armed aggression, de-occupy all territories of Ukraine, ensure the inevitability of accountability of the aggressor state, and restore justice for all victims.

The state authorities of Ukraine will continue to carefully consider the recommendations of the Monitoring Mission with a view to ensuring full compliance with international human rights obligations.

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Medical support and strategic communications: Ukrainian service members take part in NATO Exercise LOYAL LEDA 2026

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

20 March, 2026, 5:30 PM EET

Ukrainian service members from the Ukraine-NATO Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) took part in NATO Exercise LOYAL LEDA 2026, sharing their expertise on russia's aggression against Ukraine to strengthen joint defence efforts. The Ukrainian team shared its experience and best practices in medical support, strategic communications, and civil-military cooperation.

LOYAL LEDA is a NATO command post exercise (CPX) with extensive use of computer-based and digital components, focused on scenarios involving Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, i.e., NATO's collective defence.

Over 10 days, Ukrainian officers, alongside hundreds of NATO counterparts, practised elements of deterrence and defence against the enemy at the NATO Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The Military Medical Doctrine was presented, along with the approaches Ukrainian military medics use on the front line to evacuate the wounded.

During a strategic communications session, Ukraine's experience in maintaining societal cohesion and countering enemy disinformation was examined.

The participation of Ukrainian service members also contributed to a broader objective of enhancing NATO-Ukraine interoperability under the JATEC Work Programme for 2026.

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Strikes on russian aircraft plants: how many targets were hit and what role they play in the war against Ukraine

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

20 March, 2026, 10:42 AM EET

During the week, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck two russian aircraft plants that support the enemy's war machine. In total, since the start of the full-scale invasion, five such strategic facilities have been hit.

Systematic strikes against these strategic enterprises represent not only long-term losses for russia, which cannot be quickly offset due to sanctions and shortages of specialized aviation components, but also disrupt logistics and reduce the capabilities of the military-industrial complex and the military-economic potential of the russian aggressor, thereby helping to force the enemy to end the war against Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine provides an overview of the aircraft plants struck on the territory of russia and their role in the war against Ukraine.



Map showing strikes on russian aircraft plants Map showing strikes on russian aircraft plants

123rd Aircraft Repair Plant

On March 17, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa (Novgorod Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. This plant specializes in the full-cycle repair and modernization of military transport aircraft and their components, including Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which russia actively uses for logistics and the transport of military cargo and personnel.

Strike impact. An aircraft maintenance hangar for Ilyushin Il-76 and Let L-410 aircraft was hit.

Aviastar-SP Aircraft Plant

On March 16, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck infrastructure at the Aviastar-SP Aircraft Plant near the city of Ulyanovsk (Ulyanovsk Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise is part of the United Aircraft Corporation (within the Rostec structure). It produces the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft and the Ilyushin Il-78M-90A tanker aircraft, and maintains the Antonov An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft. These transport aircraft play a key role in the logistics of the russian army during the war against Ukraine, enabling the deployment of troops, vehicles, equipment, and weapons.

Strike impact. A climate-controlled shelter and aircraft parking areas were struck. Several aircraft at the facility sustained varying degrees of damage.

P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant

Overnight into July 11, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in coordination with other components of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, struck the P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant, a branch of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, near Lukhovitsy (Moscow Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise carries out a full-cycle production process, from component machining to final assembly, flight testing, and delivery of MiG combat aircraft used for strikes against Ukraine.

Strike impact. Explosions and a fire were recorded at the facility.

JSC Smolensk Aircraft Plant

Overnight into January 21, the Defence Forces of Ukraine, including the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, struck infrastructure at JSC Smolensk Aircraft Plant near the city of Smolensk (Smolensk Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise repairs and modernizes combat aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft used by occupying forces on the front line. The enterprise also manufactures components for precision-guided munitions, including those for the Kh-101 cruise missiles and the Kh-59 missiles.

Strike impact. Explosions were recorded at the aircraft plant.

PJSC Beriev Aircraft Company (Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex)

Overnight into November 25, units of the Missile Forces and Artillery, in coordination with the Special Operations Forces, the Naval Coastal Missile Forces of the Ukrainian Navy, and the Unmanned Systems Forces, struck the PJSC Beriev Aircraft Company (Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex) near the city of Taganrog (Rostov Oblast, russia). A second strike was conducted overnight into November 29.

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise repairs and modernizes Beriev A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, the "eyes" of russian aviation, used for long-range radar surveillance. The facility also maintains Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers used to strike Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Strike impact. Multiple explosions and significant fires were observed at the facility. An experimental Beriev A-60 aircraft was struck. As a result of the second strike, a Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft repair workshop was on fire.

To recap, between March 1 and 15, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck more than 20 targets that support russia's air defense, including surface-to-air missile systems, radar systems, and major electronic warfare (EW) assets.

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Fire At Czech Arms Producer With Ukraine Ties Investigated As Terror Attack

By RFE/RL March 21, 2026

Czech authorities have launched a probe into a fire that broke out at a warehouse of a company that makes drones and other military equipment, including a new cruise missile it was reportedly planning to test in combat in Ukraine this year.

Officials say the predawn fire at a facility owned by arms producer LPP Holding in the city of Pardubice, some 100 kilometers east of Prague, was deliberately set, and are treating it as a terror attack.

A group calling itself Earthquake Faction said on Telegram that it was responsible for the fire at the facility, which it called a "key production center" for Israeli weapons and linked to what it said was "genocide against Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon."

However, Czech news outlet Seznam Zpravy cited unnamed sources as saying security officials are also considering the possibility that it was a "false flag" operation and that the Earthquake Faction, which the outlet said has "no traceable history," is a cover for another entity or a state actor.

"We are dealing with all available information. There is a probable connection with a terrorist attack," Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis also said on X that it was being investigated as an act of terrorism, and President Petr Pavel said it was important to wait for the results of the investigation.

Czech national police chief Martin Vondrasek said that not long after the fire was reported at about 4 a.m., messages were sent to several Czech journalists from an address registered in the same domain as the site of Earthquake Faction.

In a statement on its website, LPP confirmed that a fire had broken out at one of its facilities and said it would not speculate about "the causes or circumstances." It said nobody was injured.

Czech media outlet Aktualne quoted an LPP representative as saying that cooperation that had been planned in 2023 with an Israeli firm, Elbit Systems, never took place because a tender was canceled, and that LPP has never produced Israeli drones.

Articles on the LPP website indicate the company has made drones that have been used by the Ukrainian military in its defense against the full-scale Russian invasion, now in its fifth year.

In December, Aktualne reported that combat testing of a new cruise missile made by LPP with a range of up to 680 km, the Narwhal, was to take place in Ukraine in January-February of this year, with serial production potentially starting soon afterward.

A call placed to LPP after regular business hours went unanswered.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-fire-terror-drones- missiles-ukraine/33712180.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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An emergency responder works at an impact site of an Iranian missile attack in Arad, southern Israel, March 22, 2026. Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that at least 64 people were injured on Saturday night in the southern Israeli city of Arad by a missile fired from Iran. According to the MDA, seven people were seriously injured, 15 moderately injured, and the rest lightly injured. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that at least 64 people were injured on Saturday night in the southern Israeli city of Arad by a missile fired from Iran.

According to the MDA, seven people were seriously injured, 15 moderately injured, and the rest lightly injured.

It added that searches continue at the scene to find more injured people.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that it was a direct missile hit at a residential building, causing many casualties and extensive destruction.

It added that emergency services have declared a "mass casualty incident," and army and MDA helicopters were rushed to the scene.

According to the channel, the Israeli air force has launched an investigation to examine why the missile was not intercepted by the air defense system.

Earlier in the evening, a missile fired from Iran injured 47 people in the southern city of Dimona, including a 10-year-old boy in serious condition, according to the MDA.

The developments 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. 

Emergency responders work at an impact site of an Iranian missile attack in Arad, southern Israel, March 22, 2026. Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that at least 64 people were injured on Saturday night in the southern Israeli city of Arad by a missile fired from Iran.

According to the MDA, seven people were seriously injured, 15 moderately injured, and the rest lightly injured. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An emergency responder works at an impact site of an Iranian missile attack in Arad, southern Israel, March 22, 2026. Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that at least 64 people were injured on Saturday night in the southern Israeli city of Arad by a missile fired from Iran.

According to the MDA, seven people were seriously injured, 15 moderately injured, and the rest lightly injured. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows emergency responders working at an impact site of an Iranian missile attack in Arad, southern Israel, March 21, 2026. Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that at least 64 people were injured on Saturday night in the southern Israeli city of Arad by a missile fired from Iran.

According to the MDA, seven people were seriously injured, 15 moderately injured, and the rest lightly injured. (Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows emergency responders working at an impact site of an Iranian missile attack in Arad, southern Israel, March 21, 2026. Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that at least 64 people were injured on Saturday night in the southern Israeli city of Arad by a missile fired from Iran.

According to the MDA, seven people were seriously injured, 15 moderately injured, and the rest lightly injured. (Xinhua)
TEHRAN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- President of the Iranian Red Crescent Society Pirhossein Kolivand said here Saturday that the United States and Israel have attacked more than 80,000 civilian places since the beginning of their "aggression" against Iran.

He made the remarks in an address to foreign media representatives while highlighting the violations of international humanitarian law during the U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Kolivand said over 20,000 of the attacked units were located in Tehran and more than 60,000 in other places.

He put the number of the targeted commercial units in the country at close to 18,790, noting that 266 medical centers have been hit, and 498 schools have been targeted.

He said the strikes have killed 12 members of Iran's medical staff, and injured over 90 others.

Kolivand added that hundreds of people, including children and 231 women, have been killed in Iran since the war's beginning.

Meanwhile, several media reports suggested that more than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran during the war.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. 
"Illinois government did work. But then we had bad luck with a couple of governors."  former Gov. Jim Edgar

"Pat Quinn is not the folksy, bumbling fool he'd like us to think he is."  Bruce Rauner, campaigning in 2014

"[House Speaker Michael] Madigan's got an empire in the state of Illinois. He's led the corruption. And he's very powerful."  Gov. Bruce Rauner

However bad you think government might be, Bruce Rauner tells an audience, its worse. Rauner, a Republican governor seeking reelection, has plenty of reasons to portray his state as fundamentally broken. Its a way to explain why he hasnt been able to make the big changes in Illinois he promised when he ran four years ago. But its also a great line for a knowing audience, and the crowd of call center workers in Moline, on the Mississippi River, laughs appreciatively.Illinois voters have endured a lot from their state government. It hasnt been just one recession or one administration thats done the damage, either. Its been nearly a generation of political upheaval and dysfunction at the state Capitol. Springfield has not been working for them, and I think voters, residents of Illinois are frustrated and angry. They should be, Rauner tells me after his Moline event. Always unbalanced budgets. Not paying pensions. Not growing the economy and creating good-paying jobs. Massive corruption, cronyism and patronage. And four of my nine predecessors have gone to prison. Its a broken system.Nearly everyone agrees with Rauner that the system is broken, but theres no consensus about why the system is failing. Pick your favorite culprit -- legislators, unions, pensions -- and you may have a case. But the one thing that current and former elected officials, academics and Springfield insiders cite most is perhaps the most painfully obvious: Illinois government did work, says former Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican who presided over what now looks to be the states heyday in the 1990s. But then we had bad luck with a couple of governors.Illinois governors are powerful. They have many executive tools at their disposal that their counterparts in other states dont possess. As chief executives, they have the biggest say on the states financial situation and the biggest platform to tend to the states economy. But over the last two decades, public confidence, financial stability and economic growth in Illinois have all suffered.During that time, Illinois has had four governors: two Republicans and two Democrats. George Ryan came first, starting in 1999, and despite substantial achievements in Springfield, erased the publics trust in state government with a corruption scandal that landed him in prison. Rod Blagojevich swept into power in the wake of Ryans scandal, promising reform and renewal, but exited in disgrace after an FBI arrest and subsequent impeachment trial, leaving a state woefully unprepared for the Great Recession. Illinoisans breathed a sigh of relief when Pat Quinn stepped in, but the relief died quickly, as a major tax increase failed to steady Illinois finances, and low-level patronage scandals undercut his reputation as a reformer. Rauner capitalized on Quinns unpopularity and defeated him in 2014. But Rauner saw his own standing collapse last year when rank-and-file GOP lawmakers abandoned his cause after a two-year budget standoff.The cumulative effect is that the states credit rating teeters on the edge of junk bond status. Officials have only recently started dealing with a $16.7 billion backlog of unpaid day-to-day bills. Longer term, Illinois is $129 billion short of what it needs to pay its pension obligations. Only a tiny fraction of residents believes the state is heading in the right direction.Getting Illinois back on track will require years of calm attention to rebuilding public trust, balancing budgets and practicing the neglected art of governing. The governor has to be the fiscal leader. He has to be the one who worries about not going too far into debt, Edgar says. The legislature likes to spend money and it doesnt want to raise taxes. Theyll blame you. Thats OK, though. Thats why you get the house, the car and the plane. The fact is, he says, good government is boring.But politics in Illinois has been anything but boring.Twenty years ago, Illinois was humming along. Its median household income stood at nearly $64,000 in todays dollars -- more than $6,300 above the national average and higher than its been at any time since 2000. Edgar handed his successor a surplus of more than $1 billion in state revenue. Bond ratings had been upgraded a handful of times during his tenure, a first in Illinois history. Lots of people grumbled at Edgars fiscal austerity, but he left office at the end of his eight-year tenure more popular than ever, with a 60 percent approval rating.It was hard to see at the time, but the start of Illinois downward slide came with the election of George Ryan as governor in 1998. A Republican pharmacist from Kankakee, Ryan was an imposing figure with deep-set eyes, a gravelly voice and large hands that barely budged when you shook them. He rose through the ranks in Springfield as a legislator, House speaker, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. When Edgar decided to retire, Ryan was the logical choice for Republicans. His term as governor extended the GOPs winning streak for that office to 26 years.Ryan might have gone down in history as one of Illinois greatest governors, if he hadnt landed in prison instead. He pushed through a much-needed but pork-heavy $12 billion public works program, expanded Chicagos convention center and its OHare Airport, orchestrated a deal to expand riverboat casino gambling, called for an end to the U.S. embargo of Cuba and visited Fidel Castro, opened a new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, and won international accolades for emptying death row by commuting more than 160 death sentences in his final days of office.But thats not what Illinoisans remember him for. Instead, they associate him with a sprawling bribes-for-licenses scandal that dogged Ryan from his days as secretary of state. It sprang from an investigation over a fiery traffic crash in 1994 that killed five children because an Illinois trucker failed to heed warnings that his taillight was loose. The truck driver, it turned out, had bribed someone who worked for Ryan to get his Illinois commercial drivers license. (In Illinois, the secretary of state administers drivers license facilities.)To advance his career, Ryan not only developed political skills that helped him cut deals on big-ticket issues but also relied on cozy relations with contractors and a de facto patronage army of workers at the secretary of states office. Corruption allegations followed Ryan to the governors office and clouded most of his term. His approval ratings plummeted from 50 percent in 1999 to 27 percent a year later. Ryan defiantly denied any wrongdoing, but his standing would never recover.From his weakened position, Ryan had to guide the state through an unprecedented fiscal crisis after the 2001 terrorist attacks. When the books closed on his final budget, Illinois had posted back-to-back deficits of more than $1 billion. An early retirement package that Ryan pushed to trim the states payrolls proved far more popular than he or lawmakers anticipated -- 11,000 employees jumped at the chance, compared to the 7,400 that Ryan and lawmakers expected. That drove up fiscal pressure on the states already-stressed pension funds.Nobody was surprised when Ryan was indicted on a variety of federal corruption charges nearly a year after he left office. He served six and a half years in prison and was released in 2013. But the scandal that tainted his administration would open the door to a successor who would not only land in prison, but would also become a national pariah.Rod Blagojevich became instantly infamous when the FBI arrested the sitting Illinois governor in his running clothes in the morning darkness of Dec. 9, 2008. The same feds who had patiently stalked Ryan for years said they had no choice but to arrest Blagojevich after listening to seven weeks of wiretaps of his phones and office. Blagojevich, they claimed, was about to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the newly elected president from Illinois, Barack Obama.Illinois lawmakers quickly impeached and removed Blagojevich. But the disgraced governor launched a media roadshow while he awaited trial. His cartoonish claims of innocence failed to keep him out of prison -- there were, after all, lots and lots of wiretaps -- but the spectacle undercut Illinois reputation just months after Obama won the White House.Even before Blagojevichs self-immolation, he had wreaked havoc and brought long-lasting damage to Illinois government. To make a clean break from the Ryan years, Blagojevich had brought in out-of-state advisers and political neophytes to run his administration. They quickly ran into a big problem: Illinois government still had not recovered from the 2001 recession, and there was precious little money to pay for ambitious programs.So Blagojevichs team came up with a brazen idea: a $10 billion pension bond sale. While the state might have conceivably saved money in the deal, in reality it was an elaborate way to skip $2.7 billion in otherwise required pension payments. Lawmakers went along with the idea anyway. The gimmick not only deprived the pension systems of needed cash, it also skewed the states budgets for two years. When the third year came, there was no money built in to the budget for pension payments. So Blagojevich and the Democratic-controlled legislature opted to take a pension holiday for another two years. That meant theyd pay only half of their expected contribution, shorting the system another $6.8 billion.Meanwhile, Blagojevich quickly made enemies with the leader of his own party in Springfield, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Shortly after Blagojevichs reelection, the governor suggested switching from a sales tax to a gross receipts tax. Madigan, who opposed the idea, embarrassed the governor by quickly putting it up for consideration in the House, where it failed to get a single vote.On top of that, federal prosecutors and local reporters started to look into Blagojevichs fundraising tactics, especially because so many of the people Blagojevich appointed to state boards and commissions had contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the governors campaign.Two months before his arrest, Blagojevich had few friends left, in Springfield or in the state as a whole. The Chicago Tribune reported in October 2008 that only 13 percent of Illinoisans viewed him favorably. FBI wiretaps showed that the feeling was mutual. I [expletive] busted my ass and pissed people off and gave your grandmother a free [expletive] ride on a bus. OK? I gave your [expletive] baby a chance to have health care, the governor vented, as he ticked off some of his legislative achievements. And what do I get for that? Only 13 percent of you all out there think Im doing a good job. So [expletive] all of you.Before Blagojevichs removal, few people would have envisioned Pat Quinn as governor. For decades, the Democrat had been in and around state government, but mostly as a rabble rouser. In the early 1980s, he led a successful effort to reduce the size of the Illinois House by a third, but then he bounced from office to office. He won election for a single term as state treasurer, lost a bid to oust Ryan as secretary of state and then ran successfully for lieutenant governor on the same ticket as Blagojevich. (At the time, Illinois gubernatorial candidates did not pick their running mates.)Once Quinn became governor, he did a lot of heavy lifting, especially on budget-related matters, that Blagojevich refused to do. But he had to do it in the throes of the Great Recession.Months after assuming office, Quinn reported that the state would face an $11.6 billion shortfall over the next year and a half if lawmakers didnt take drastic action. That came at a moment when the backlog of unpaid bills had risen to $8 billion. The legislature cut spending by $2 billion, gave Quinn the power to cut $1 billion more, relied on $1.8 billion in federal stimulus money and authorized $3.7 billion in short-term borrowing to make that years pension payment. It wasnt enough, and the situation kept getting worse.When Quinn ran for a full term in 2010, he campaigned on raising the states income tax by a percentage point to address persistent deficits. But within two months of his victory, rating agency threats of a downgrade to junk bond status and a projected deficit of $15 billion convinced Quinn that more was needed. So he persuaded outgoing lawmakers in a lame-duck session to raise the income tax by double the original proposed amount. Lawmakers hiked personal income tax rates from 3 percent to 5 percent, and raised corporate rates as well. The catch was that the new rates would last only four years before going back down.But the new money did help the state catch up with some of its unpaid bills. By the end of Quinns term, the backlog was down to $6.6 billion.Quinn also tried to take on the pension problem by reducing retirement benefits. In 2010, he signed a law that reduced pensions for most new state employees and teachers. But Quinn pressed for more, and in 2013, lawmakers agreed to a package that would have curbed benefits even for workers and retirees covered under the original pension scheme. Those changes, though, never took effect. In 2015, the state Supreme Court struck down the law for violating the Illinois Constitution, which has strong protections against diminishing retirement benefits for state employees.Eventually, the public soured on Quinn. The governor faced accusations that his administration misspent $55 million on a Chicago anti-violence program months before his 2010 election, in order to boost his political standing rather than lower the citys murder rate. His reputation took another hit when an investigator found widespread patronage hiring at the state Department of Transportation, both under Blagojevich and under Quinn.When Quinn came up for reelection in 2014, his loudest critic was a wealthy businessman who won the Republican nomination to oppose him. Pat Quinn is not the folksy, bumbling fool hed like us to think he is, Bruce Rauner said at the time. He knows what hes doing. He knows what hes done.Although Raunerhad long mingled in political circles and once counted Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as a friend, he was virtually unknown to most Illinoisans before his bid for governor. But the private equity investor soon became a household name, thanks to the $65.3 million he spent of his own money to boost his candidacy and a general election message that centered on his frugality and the need to shake up Springfield.Once in office, though, Rauner set his sights on limiting the power of public employee unions and career politicians in the General Assembly. He called for far-reaching concessions that would have limited the power of both and demanded that they be met before he signed a full years budget. Illinois desperately needed a budget, because the temporary income tax hike that Quinn pushed through expired just before Rauner came into office, and there were no spending cuts to offset the lost revenue.But rather than being cowed by the governors tactics, labor leaders and Democrats in the General Assembly dug in their heels. The standoff lasted nearly two years, during which time Illinois limped along without any clear spending plan. It was the longest span any state had ever gone without a budget.Strangely, much of the government continued to function. Long-standing laws required Illinois to make pension contributions and bond payments even without a budget. Rauner cut a deal with lawmakers to keep money flowing to schools during the hiatus. And courts insisted that state employees be paid, and ordered the state to abide by consent decrees that mandated spending on certain social services.But the impasse created all sorts of havoc in other places. It devastated nonprofit social service agencies that worked with the state but werent covered by court orders. Many of them had already reduced services and laid off staff during the recession. State-run universities also got no funding from Springfield during the budget crisis. All sorts of contractors, from the utility that provided power to the Capitol to dentists who treated state employees, were frozen out as well.Meanwhile, the backlog of unpaid bills shot up again. Illinois was spending about the same amount it had spent when the income tax had been higher, but the state was no longer collecting enough money to sustain that spending. By last November, Illinois was $16.7 billion behind in its payments. Comptroller Susana Mendoza warned that Illinois was dangerously close to not having enough cash to meet court orders to pay for essential services, which meant Illinois could be held in contempt of court in several cases.On Wall Street, bond rating agencies grew increasingly alarmed by the impasse. Two of the three downgraded Illinois to a step above junk bond status. If they had moved it any lower, institutional investors would no longer have been able to buy the states debt, because it would be considered too risky. No state had ever been in this situation.As the collateral damage grew, so did pressure on lawmakers to end the crisis. In the Senate, President John Cullerton started negotiating with the Republican leader, Christine Radogno, to come up with a grand bargain that would combine some of Rauners business-minded proposals with a restoration of the income tax increase. The talks were so promising that the governor even counted on the revenue they would produce in his annual budget proposal. But as the deal moved closer to a vote, Rauner attached ever more demands and ultimately warned Republican senators not to support it.So Democrats, who have a supermajority in the Senate, passed the budget they negotiated with Republicans, which included both the tax hike and $3.8 billion in spending cuts. But they did not pass changes to the workers compensation system or a local property tax freeze that Rauner wanted. The governor got none of his so-called reforms, Cullerton says. He doesnt know how to work or compromise.The Senates action shifted focus to the House, where Blagojevichs old nemesis, Speaker Madigan, had emerged as Rauners whipping boy and most stubborn obstacle. Unlike in the Senate, though, Democrats on their own didnt have enough votes to pass a budget and override Rauners expected veto. They needed a handful of Republicans to go along, too.The impetus came from rank-and-file Republicans. Rep. David Harris was one of them. What we did with the two-year budget stalemate was the most disgraceful thing the Illinois General Assembly has ever done, he says. He met with a group of about 10 fellow Republicans -- many of them from downstate, which was on fire because of the impasse, he says -- to figure out what they wanted in the budget if they negotiated with Democrats. They wanted to know whether Democrats were serious about ending the standoff, or just wanted to use it to discredit the governor.The House Democrats took them up on their offer to work together. Fifteen Republicans were among the 72 House members who supported the spending plan. When Rauner vetoed the measure, 10 of the GOP members joined in a successful move to override him. On July 6, 2017, after two years of costly stalemate and embarrassment, Illinois finally had a budget again.The budget package allowed the state to borrow money to pay off its oldest bills, which due to penalties were accruing interest at a rate of 12 percent annually. Those bonds were also used to pay off Medicaid bills, because the state receives matching federal funds for those expenses. The governor describes the budget as a massive loss for taxpayers in the state. Was it worth fighting about? He thinks so. Its never in the best interest of the people of Illinois to compromise on raising taxes with no reforms, he says. Thats a disaster.For several years, Moodys Analytics, which examines the states economy for the legislature, has warned that the uncertainty over Illinois financial situation threatens to discourage firms from locating or remaining in the state. Its not that Illinois costs of doing business are particularly high, the economists note. Its taxes, labor and energy costs are in the middle of the pack for industrial Midwest states. What sets Illinois apart, they say, is the recent political tumult in Springfield. The state went more than two decades with stable income tax rates, but since 2011, its changed those rates three times, making long-term planning for businesses difficult. The good news, Moodys added this year, is that the states two-year budget logjam finally broke with the passage of a $36 billion spending package, easing some of the long-standing uncertainty in the outlook.There is another widely held theory to explain Illinois decades of mismanagement, and one that Rauner has had a lead role in promoting. That is the idea that Madigan, the powerful House speaker who has held the title for all but two years since 1983, is the real center of power in Springfield. Rauner and many of his fellow Republicans point their fingers at Madigan as the true source of trouble in state government.Theres no question Madigan is a powerful figure. The speaker controls the legislative agenda in the House, and makes most of the important decisions behind closed doors, leaving lobbyists, members, the media and even governors to guess why certain bills die or suddenly come back to life. His pronouncements to the press are practically Delphic, and his public remarks rarely deviate from a very short script.In addition to being speaker, Madigan is the chair of the state Democratic Party and a much-feared ward boss on the southwest side of Chicago. He has allies throughout government: former staffers who now have lucrative lobbying practices; neighborhood residents who got government jobs thanks to his clout; and judges and legislators he supported in tough election fights. On top of that, he is the partial owner of Chicagos top law firm for property tax appeals, meaning that huge corporations come to him to try to knock off some of their tax bills for downtown skyscrapers.Madigan has been entrenched in Illinois politics for so long that hes had a hand in basically every major decision the state has made for decades. He went along with budgets that ran deficits, shorted the pension systems, underfunded schools, empowered unions and imposed regulations. Madigans got an empire in the state of Illinois. Hes led the corruption. And hes very powerful, says Rauner, who, along with Republican groups that he largely funds, has hammered Madigan with similar messages on TV commercials for nearly three years now. There is no sign that they will let off anytime soon. Rauner says his Democratic opponent this coming November, J.B. Pritzker, is Madigans hand-picked candidate.Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, Madigans top lieutenant in the House, says Rauners constant talk of corruption has poisoned the atmosphere in Springfield, especially because business groups and the Chicago Tribune editorial board have also pounded away at the message. You can disagree with someones policies without calling them corrupt, she says. The people who should be cheerleading for the state are spewing doom and gloom.There are a few big holes in the theory of Madigan as the root of all evil. The first is that the timing doesnt work. Illinois troubles have come and gone and come again all while Madigan held the speakers gavel. They dont seem to be tied to the presiding officer of the lower chamber, so much as the occupant of the executive suite on the second floor of the Capitol. The second problem is that it doesnt explain why Republicans cheered Madigan as he led the opposition to Blagojevich but denounced him when he used similar tactics against Rauner.But maybe the biggest shortcoming of anti-Madiganism is that it imbues the speaker with more clout than he actually wields. Madigan has stayed in power all these years because he can read the changing political dynamics. He has crossed traditional allies such as teachers unions, trial lawyers and Chicago mayors when the politics demanded it. But even he has misjudged the climate from time to time. He recently faced threats to his position, at least as head of the Democratic Party, because of harassment allegations in his political operation. He himself was not implicated.Both Democrats and Republicans have benefited from inflating Madigans stature. His Democratic allies gain the advantage of a friend whom no one wants to cross. Republicans get an enemy who is easy to vilify, encouraging them to rally voters to support GOP candidates.As governor in the 1990s, Edgar, a Republican, often ran afoul of Madigan. He jokes that, when he had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery in office, he blamed one of the bypasses on stress caused by Madigan. But its easy to go too far, he says. The media give too much credit to Madigan. Hes very smart. He was the smartest guy in Springfield when I was there. You have to treat him with respect. But still, the governor is the important thing. Even a weak governor like Blagojevich is stronger than the speaker.Does Rauner agree? No, he says, emphatically. The governor is strong, and Ive done major things. And Ive beat him. But, Rauner adds, those victories are difficult and not often enough. Hes got too much concentrated power.Recently, Rauner survived a scare in the Republican primary. Rep. Jeanne Ives, one of the most conservative elected officials in the state, ran to the right of Rauner and came within 3 percentage points of beating him. She attacked him for going back on his promise to veto a law that provides public funding for abortions. In a sign of how focused the governor is on his House nemesis, Rauner ran TV ads accusing Ives of being in league with Madigan.But as Rauner addresses the workers in Moline, he is trying to reassure them. He talks up the states educated workforce, its vital infrastructure, its manufacturing prowess. We have every advantage in Illinois, he says.One can see signs of economic vitality while driving through the hills of northern Illinois. Huge new wind turbines and mirror-sided grain elevators rise in the distance. Farther east, construction crews erect towering corporate headquarters and condo towers that will join Chicagos iconic skyline.David Harris, one of the GOP lawmakers who opposed Rauner on the budget vote, makes a point to stand up every day in the Illinois House to say something good about the state. In these strange times, its something of an act of political defiance. There is a commitment on the part of public officials to address our problems, he tells me. Dont write us off simply because of some of the bad things you hear. Theres an awful lot that Illinois has to offer.
Featured

Georgia woman faces murder charge after taking abortion pill

Reuters International News Mar - 21 - 2026 , 09:46 2 minutes read

A 31-year-old Georgia woman has been charged with murder after she took abortion medication and gave birth to a premature infant who died within hours, according to court documents and arrest records.

Alexia Moore was arrested, charged and jailed by local police earlier this month in coastal Camden County, Georgia, near the Florida border over the episode on December 30.

Nearly all abortions in Georgia are illegal after six weeks of pregnancy. Since the U.S. Supreme Court's overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, many states have adopted abortion bans.

While other states have sought to prosecute women who had abortions, it is rare they are charged with murder as Moore was. It will be up to state prosecutors to decide whether to move forward with the case.

Moore, who already has two young children, took the abortion medication misoprostol at home then was rushed to the Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus on December 30, after experiencing severe pain, according to a police report.

She informed staff of her pregnancy and said she had taken 200 mg of misoprostol before arriving at the emergency room. A friend later told police that Moore took the abortion pill because she did not want another child.

While at the health center, the 31-year-old gave birth to a premature girl who police described as having "major health issues." Police said Moore also took illegal oxycodone, an opioid.

The newborn survived about an hour. The police report did not indicate weeks of gestation for the infant, but the Washington Post reported that Moore was between 22 and 24 weeks pregnant.

A lawyer for Moore could not immediately be reached for comment.

Dana Sussman, senior vice president at advocacy group Pregnancy Justice, said the Georgia case has no basis in the law and that it should be met with a vigorous defense on several grounds.

Georgia's abortion law "does not contemplate murder charges for someone who has an abortion, and self-managing an abortion is not a criminal act in Georgia. Charging Ms. Moore with murder is cruel and unjust," Sussman said in a statement.

Legal action by states that have banned or restricted abortion has largely been targeted at providers, including doctors who prescribe abortion medications remotely and dispense them through the mail.

Meanwhile, several Republican-led states including Texas and Florida are pursuing legal challenges to federal rules that have eased access to abortion drugs, including a 2023 regulation allowing them to be dispensed through the mail.
Featured

Jehovah's Witnesses ease rules on blood transfusions

bbc.com International News Mar - 21 - 2026 , 07:56 2 minutes read

Jehovah's Witnesses has updated its policy on blood transfusions to allow members to have their own blood removed, stored, and "given back" in medical procedures.

While the change will enable members to have transfusions of their own blood - in planned surgeries, for example - they continue to be prohibited from receiving the blood of others.

Gerrit Losch, part of the group's leadership, announced the move saying "each Christian must decide for himself how his blood will be used in medical and surgical care".

Jehovah's Witnesses is a Christian-based religious movement, probably best known for its door-to-door evangelism. It claims 144,000 active members in the UK, and nine million worldwide.

The group has historically ruled that members cannot accept blood transfusions, as - according to the groups website - both the Old and New Testaments "command us to abstain from blood".

"Our core belief regarding the sanctity of blood remains unchanged," a spokesperson for the group said.

Some former members have criticised the move, saying it "doesn't go far enough".

Mitch Melon told the LA Times: "If one of Jehovah's Witnesses faces a medical emergency with significant blood loss, or if a child requires multiple transfusions to treat certain types of cancers, this policy change does not grant them complete freedom of conscience to accept potentially life-saving interventions involving donated blood".

In December last year, an Edinburgh court ruled doctors would be able to give a blood transfusion to a teenage Jehovah's Witness if she needed one following an operation.

The 14-year-old girl told medics she did not consent to a transfusion because of her religious beliefs, but lawyers for a Scottish health board sought an order to allow the procedure to go ahead if the girl's life was at risk.

The order was granted, as Judge Lady Tait said she was satisfied it was in the child's best interests "giving appropriate weight to her views".
Featured

Trump administration sues Harvard alleging failure to protect Jewish students

Reuters International News Mar - 21 - 2026 , 09:33 4 minutes read

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration escalated its attacks on Harvard University on Friday, as it sued the Ivy League school to recover billions of dollars for allegedly failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students.

Harvard has been a central focus of the president's campaign to force changes at major U.S. universities, which Trump has derided for alleged antisemitic and "radical left" ideologies, by threatening to withhold or take back federal funding.

In a complaint, opens new tab filed in Boston federal court, the U.S. Department of Justice said Harvard remains "deliberately indifferent" to harassment of Jewish and Israeli students, and has intentionally refused to enforce its campus rules when victims are Jews or Israelis.

"This sent the clear message to Harvards Jewish and Israeli community that the indifference was not an accident; they were being intentionally excluded and effectively denied equal access to educational opportunities," according to the complaint.

Harvard will defend against the lawsuit, which a spokesperson called "yet another pretextual and retaliatory action by the administration for refusing to turn over control of Harvard to the federal government."

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based school also defended its efforts to address antisemitism on campus, which have included expanding training, improving disciplinary processes, and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.

"Harvard cares deeply about members of our Jewish and Israeli community and remains committed to ensuring they are embraced, respected, and can thrive on our campus," the spokesperson said. "Harvards efforts demonstrate the very opposite of deliberate indifference."

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS CHALLENGED OTHER SCHOOLS

Many schools have been accused by the Republican president's administration, as well as in private lawsuits, of turning a blind eye to antisemitism on campus since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.

Among them has been Columbia University, which last July agreed to pay $220 million to restore federal research money. The Justice Department sued the University of California system last month for allegedly subjecting Jewish and Israeli employees at the University of California, Los Angeles to rampant antisemitism.

Most of Friday's lawsuit recapitulates prior incidents and accusations involving Harvard, instead of offering new instances of alleged discrimination.

According to the complaint, Harvard's indifference to Jews and Israelis violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination based on race, color and national origin in programs receiving federal funding.

It came less than two months after Trump said his administration was seeking $1 billion from Harvard to settle probes into school policies, after a published report said Trump dropped a demand for only $200 million.

The administration also accused Harvard in a February 13 lawsuit of failing to produce documents for a probe into whether its admissions process was biased against white applicants.

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns, an appointee of former Democratic President Bill Clinton, was assigned to Friday's lawsuit.

HARVARD, WHITE HOUSE HAVE BATTLED MULTIPLE TIMES

It's unclear how much the administration is seeking. The complaint said Harvard is set to receive more than $2.6 billion of taxpayer money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services alone. Last June, that department's Office of Civil Rights found Title VI violations.

The lawsuit seeks to recover all federal grants to Harvard during its noncompliance, and permission to freeze payments on existing grants.

It also seeks the appointment of a U.S.-approved independent outside monitor of Harvard's compliance.

"Since October 7th, 2023, too many of our educational institutions have allowed antisemitism to flourish on campus - Harvard included," U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. "Today's litigation underscores the Trump administration's commitment to demanding better from our nation's schools."

The Trump administration and Harvard have battled in court multiple times, including litigation brought by Harvard itself.

Last September, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston ruled that the White House illegally canceled more than $2 billion of Harvard research grants.

Four months earlier, Burroughs blocked White House efforts to bar international students from attending classes at Harvard. The White House is appealing both decisions. Burroughs was appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama.
Featured

US drones deployed to Nigeria alongside troops for intelligence, training

Reuters International News Mar - 21 - 2026 , 09:53 3 minutes read

The U.S. military has multiple MQ-9 drones operating in Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide training and intelligence support to the military, which is fighting Islamist militants across the north, U.S. and Nigerian officials told Reuters.

The troops are not integrated within Nigerian units on the frontline and the drones are collecting intelligence and not carrying out airstrikes, officials from the two countries said.

However, the U.S. deployment, which follows U.S. airstrikes targeting militants in northwest Nigeria in late 2025, shows the U.S. getting back involved in tackling Islamic State and al Qaeda-linked insurgencies that are spreading across West Africa.

The U.S. military previously had a $100 million drone base in neighbouring Niger with about 1,000 troops monitoring militants across the Sahel region, but that was closed in 2024 after the Niger junta requested their departure, part of a broader rejection of western military support by countries in the Sahel region.

An assault by suicide bombers on a northeastern Nigerian garrison town this week showed how a 17-year insurgency there can still strike urban centres.

Meanwhile, militants have stepped up their attacks in the northwest, near the border with Benin and Niger, where a long-running banditry crisis risks mutating into another operating zone for Islamists.

A U.S. defence official said the drones had been deployed alongside troops at the request of the Nigerians to collect intelligence. "We see this as a shared security threat," the official said.

Major General Samaila Uba, director of defence information at Nigeria's Defence Headquarters, confirmed that the U.S. was operating assets from Bauchi airfield in the northeast.

"This support builds on the newly established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which continues to deliver actionable intelligence to our field commanders," he told Reuters. "Our U.S. partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities."

'IDENTIFY, TRACK AND RESPOND'

Uba said the timeline for the U.S. deployment in Nigeria would be determined in agreement by both sides.

MQ-9 drones, which are sometimes known as Reaper drones and can loiter at high altitude for more than 27 hours, can be used for both intelligence gathering and airstrikes.

Neither Uba nor the U.S. official would comment on specific cases where U.S. intelligence had led to the Nigerians targeting militants, but Uba said that U.S. forces were helping Nigeria "identify, track and respond to terrorist threats".

Late last year, Reuters reported that aircraft based in Ghana had been conducting intelligence gathering flights for the U.S. military over Nigeria.

MILITANTS REMAIN A PERSISTENT THREAT

The United States - which has had a long partnership with Nigeria's military, providing training and selling weapons - said it carried out airstrikes in the northwest on Christmas Day to stop the targeting of Christians in the region.

Nigeria's government and experts on the conflict have rejected claims of a concerted anti-Christian campaign, saying it oversimplifies a complex crisis.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the March 16 attack on the garrison town.

Uba said it was still being investigated, adding that both Boko Haram militants and ISWAP, an Islamic State-allied faction, remain a persistent threat, adapting their tactics over time.

"We continue to assess that these organisations will seek opportunistic targets and may attempt to demonstrate relevance through high-visibility attacks," he said.
Featured

44 Ghanaians rescued from QNET scheme in Nigeria repatriated

Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Mar - 21 - 2026 , 13:18 3 minutes read

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repatriated 44 Ghanaians who were lured to Nigeria under the guise of opportunities linked to the QNET scheme.

The group, comprising 27 men and 17 women, arrived in the country by bus on March 20, 2026, after being rescued from suspected human trafficking camps in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.

Most of the victims are reported to have travelled out of Ghana in December last year in search of better opportunities, but were arrested during an operation by the Nigerian police before their repatriation.

Ordeal in Nigeria

Recounting their experiences, one of the victims, who spent barely a month in Nigeria, said they were apprehended during a late-night operation.

"The police officers were dressed in black and were wearing masks as though it was a kidnapping. Some of us were beaten in an attempt to resist, fearing that we were being kidnapped. I was traumatised," he said.

Another victim told Graphic Online that they spent four days in a private facility before being returned to Ghana.

On how they were recruited, one victim said she was promised assistance to secure a job in South Africa and paid GH16,000 as a service charge, while another said he paid GH10,000 for similar arrangements.

One female victim, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she had been promised travel to South Africa but was instead engaged in selling products on commission upon arrival in Nigeria.

I left Ghana in December last year, and I was told Ill be sent to South Africa to work. However, arriving in Nigeria, I was given some health products to sell on a commission basis. Although I sold some, I couldnt meet the mark to get any commission, she said.

She added that although they were fed twice daily, the conditions were far from satisfactory and expressed regret over the decision, including the loss of GH16,000 given to her by her father.

She appealed to the government to intensify efforts to create jobs for the youth to discourage risky migration in search of opportunities abroad.

Mixed reactions

Graphic Online observed that the returnees expressed mixed feelings upon arrival. While some commended the government for facilitating their return, others were unhappy about the circumstances of their arrest.

Further engagement revealed that much of their disappointment stemmed from the financial losses incurred, with some still holding the view that the venture could have been profitable if they had continued.

Government caution

Addressing the media, the Director of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, John Kwasi Boakye, cautioned Ghanaians to be wary of fraudulent recruitment schemes.

He urged the public, particularly the youth, to conduct thorough checks with the security services and the Ministry before committing to overseas job offers.

Mr Boakye said the Ministry was intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims of such schemes, while commending the Nigerian authorities for their cooperation.

He also encouraged the returnees to help raise awareness about the dangers of such recruitment drives.

We also wish that our citizens would take this opportunity to be ambassadors for the fight against human trafficking and the activities of QNET. A lot is going on in our country.

We cant have these people recruiting Ghanaians and putting them under dehumanising conditions in other countries. No one should be a victim of this QNET scam in our country again, Mr Boakye said.
BAGHDAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) said Saturday that its headquarters in Baghdad was targeted by a "terrorist attack," resulting in the death of an officer.

An INIS statement said the attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) and was carried out by "outlawed elements," noting that it aims to deter the agency from performing its duties.

It said that the "terrorist acts" only strengthen its resolve to pursue the perpetrators until they are apprehended and brought to justice.

Meanwhile, a source from the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that an unidentified booby-trapped drone struck the intelligence headquarters, killing an officer and sparking a fire.

The attack 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. 
Featured

GTEC orders fee refunds after Royal Nursing College shutdown

Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 21 - 2026 , 13:33 1 minute read

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has directed Royal Nursing College at Tafo Nhyiaeso in Kumasi to refund all fees paid by students in Levels 100 and 200, following the suspension of its affiliation with the University of Cape Coast.

In a public notice dated March 19, the Commission stated that UCC had no record of the affected students, indicating that they were neither properly admitted nor matriculated.

Regulatory breaches

The college was shut down on February 19, 2026, over multiple regulatory irregularities. Its licence was withdrawn by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, while GTEC revoked its institutional accreditation, leading to UCC suspending its affiliation.

Status of students

GTEC emphasised that students in Levels 100 and 200 are not recognised under the current circumstances and must be refunded.

However, the Commission indicated that UCC will conduct an audit of Level 300 students and absorb only those who meet the prescribed entry requirements.

Legal action, public caution

Management members of the college who were arrested for breaching regulatory directives have been processed for prosecution.

GTEC further advised prospective students and the general public to verify the accreditation status of tertiary institutions before seeking admission, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining quality and integrity within the education sector.

Read also: Royal Nursing College shut down over non-compliance
Featured

Kasoa bank fraud: Suspects nabbed months after unauthorised withdrawals

Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 21 - 2026 , 13:38 1 minute read

The Central East Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service has arrested three suspects for allegedly withdrawing more than GH20,000 from a customers bank account in Kasoa through fraudulent electronic transactions.

The suspects, Prince Boadu, 26; Emmanuel Adjei Opoku, 26; and Eric Owusu, 23, are believed to have carried out the offence in 2025.

Fraud detected

According to a police statement, the victim lodged a complaint on November 2, 2025, after detecting unauthorised deductions from his account.

He had earlier deposited GH20,180.00 on October 16 but later discovered on October 31, 2025, that GH20,144.06 had been withdrawn without his consent.

The victims bank subsequently confirmed the transaction as fraudulent, prompting an intelligence-led investigation by the police.

Arrests and exhibits

The suspects were arrested on March 17, 2026, by the Police Intelligence Directorate at their hideout in Tema.

Items retrieved from them include assorted mobile phones, SIM cards from MTN, AirtelTigo and Telecel, as well as laptops, routers and other computer-related equipment.

Next steps

The suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, and are expected to be arraigned before court.

The police have reiterated their commitment to tackling fraud and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Featured

Students call for tighter security at UG exam centres

Radio Univers Online Mar - 21 - 2026 , 18:57 2 minutes read

Some students of the University of Ghana (UG) have raised concerns over insecurity and the lack of lockers at examination centres on the universitys main campus.

The concerns follow reported thefts at the N Block lecture hall. On Sunday, March 7, 2026, six phones were allegedly stolen after an interim assessment. A similar incident occurred on Saturday, March 14, when two phones and a bag were reported missing at the same venue, sparking outrage among students.

Speaking to Univers News, students called on the university to provide designated storage spaces where they can safely keep their belongings before entering examination halls.

The University should make provisions for students to keep their belongings when they are going to write a paper, one student said.

Another student noted that security personnel must ensure the safety of items left in their care, especially for non-resident students who often arrive on campus early to study.

Non-resident students come to campus before exams and have nowhere to keep their phones, so security personnel should ensure everything is kept safe, the student said.

Others proposed the installation of lockers and enhanced security around examination venues to prevent further incidents.

I think lockers should be installed around exam halls so students can store their items safely. Non-resident students should also benefit from these facilities, another student suggested.

Responding to the concerns, the Deputy Head of the Safety and Security Directorate, Major Thomas Tierzagl, said officers are reviewing surveillance footage from cameras at the entrance of the hall as part of ongoing investigations.

He acknowledged that the universitys examination policywhich prohibits students from bringing bags, phones, and similar items near exam hallsposes challenges.

If the policy, whether introduced one year or ten years ago, is no longer effective, then we must review it, he stated.

The incidents have triggered broader discussions among students about the urgent need to strengthen security measures at examination centres.
A competency hearing for Jerry Lagway Castil, accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a girl from age 4 through 11 or 12, was postponed Thursday after the defense said it had not received results from a clinical psychologists evaluation.

Superior Court Judge Alberto Tolentino granted the request for a continuance from defense attorney Earl Anthony V. Espiritu, speaking for attorney Ramiro Orazco.

This would be the second continuance weve done for Mr. Castil, if Im not mistaken, Tolentino said. OK, well continue the competency hearing.

Tolentino set the next hearing for April 2 at 10:30 a.m., stating the evaluating doctor may be called to attend.

The court also addressed an alleged violation of Castils probation involving electronic monitoring.

[Probation] determined that you went to a place you were not authorized to go to, Tolentino said.

I just brought my wife there because she needed to take her medicine," Castil replied.

Tolentino then clarified the conditions back to him and said typical house arrest only allows Castil to go to work, court, and to speak to his lawyer.

If youre going to go somewhere else, you must tell the (electronic monitoring) people," Tolentino said.

According to court documents, in September 2025, an adult contacted the Guam Police Department with allegations against Castil. Officers then interviewed the girl, who reported abuse beginning when she was 4 and escalating over time. In 2024, Castil allegedly told the girl he would have sexual intercourse with her when she turned 13. The girl said she delayed reporting the abuse because she was afraid of Castil.

Castil faces charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony, attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony, and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony.
Local people practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

by sportswriters Frank Kanyesigye, Ju Yinhe and Liu Youmin

KIGALI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- On a calm Wednesday in Rwanda's capital Kigali, the rhythmic, flowing movements of tai chi brought together practitioners, teachers, and cultural enthusiasts at a special event hosted at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda.

What unfolded was more than a demonstration of martial arts. It was a story of cultural exchange, healing, and transformation.

Eric Mugisha, secretary general of Rwanda Kung Fu Wushu Federation, highlighted the steady growth of Kung Fu across the country in an interview with Xinhua.

Representing the federation at the event, he noted the widespread presence of clubs and the unique place tai chi holds within them.

"Many clubs are based in Kigali, and we have some others in different provinces, normally we have around 30 clubs in total," he said.

Unlike other forms of kung fu, tai chi stands apart. "This is a form of art that is not about fighting, the energy from tai chi is from within oneself, it is there to balance the harmony between body and mind," said Mugisha.

For many Rwandans, tai chi is more than just movement - it is a personal journey.

Emile Ndagijimana, a tai chi teacher, shared a deeply rooted story of passion that began in childhood with Xinhua.

"I started practicing kung fu at the age of nine," he recalled. Over the years, his curiosity led him from martial arts films to deeper study and eventually to tai chi.

His turning point came when he began to understand its philosophy.

"A Chinese teacher who teaches at the Confucius Institute told me that to succeed, I needed to balance and move my arms while breathing and master the balance technique of tai chi. That's when I started loving tai chi."

Today, Ndagijimana teaches hundreds of students and integrates tai chi into community life, especially for healing and wellbeing.

"In Rwanda, people do not know about tai chi; they think it's fighting," he explained. "Tai chi is a form of medicine, it helps them move their joints, and those who are sick."

His mission is clear, bringing tai chi to both young people and the elderly. "The reason I teach tai chi is that I see that it helps in healing, if more Rwandans learn tai chi, it could assist them in healing."

Sumaya Uwase Niyonzima is a martial art lover whose enthusiasm reflects a growing appreciation among youth. Her introduction to tai chi came through her martial arts club and visiting Chinese instructors. "I love tai chi because I hear it is the medicine of the health. It helps our body, it helps our feelings, also our brain," she said.

Though she admits the practice requires dedication, but the benefits keep her committed.

"I feel good when I am doing tai chi, my blood goes well. I didn't get sick again like how I got sick before I practiced tai chi."

At a broader level, the impact of tai chi in Rwanda reflects years of cultural collaboration. Zeng Guangyu, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, emphasized how far the practice has come since its introduction in 2009.

"More than a decade later, it's no longer us who practice tai chi best. It's the Rwandans," he said proudly.

Today, thousands of practitioners and dozens of trained instructors are helping embed tai chi into local communities. Beyond physical exercise, Zeng underscored its deeper significance: "Tai chi does not advocate confrontation; instead, it champions the principles of 'overcoming hardness with softness' and 'tolerance and inclusiveness.'"

As Rwanda joined the global celebration of the first International Taijiquan Day, the message is clear - tai chi is no longer just a foreign tradition. It is becoming a shared cultural bridge, a tool for health, and a symbol of harmony. 

Sumaya Uwase Niyonzima (C) practices Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Zeng Guangyu (front R), Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, communicates with local people for Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Local people practice Taijiquan, a kind of Chinese traditional martial arts, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
Oracle has released an emergency update outside the usual quarterly Critical Patch Update (CPU) patch day. It closes a security vulnerability in Oracle Identity Manager and Web Services Manager, which allows attackers from the network to fully compromise vulnerable instances without prior authentication.

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The CVE vulnerability description specifies that both affected products are part of Oracle Fusion Middleware. In Identity Manager, an API endpoint REST WebServices is vulnerable, while in Web Services Manager, the Web Services Security component is vulnerable. The vulnerability is easy to exploit by malicious actors with HTTP access, Oracle writes. This allows them to take over Oracle Identity Manager and Web Services Manager (CVE-2026-21992, CVSS 9.8, Risk critical).

In the security alert, Oracle writes that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication and can lead to the execution of injected malicious code. Oracle Identity Manager and Oracle Web Services Manager, versions 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.2.1.0, respectively, are impacted. Information on patch availability is hidden behind a login, thus not publicly accessible.

When Oracle releases updates outside the usual patch days, it indicates that these are security vulnerabilities that need to be patched quickly. The company also writes: Oracle strongly recommends that customers apply the updates or mitigations provided by this security alert as soon as possible. Fortunately, the vulnerability is not yet being exploited in the wild; at least the manufacturer doesn't mention it.

IT managers should not take the vulnerability lightly. Last fall, a security vulnerability in Oracle's E-Business Suite became known, which the cyber gang Cl0p exploited in an attack wave. Data from hundreds of companies was affected. The criminals extorted ransom from the companies under threat of publishing the data.

(dmk)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
YAOUNDE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a Sudanese drone strike that hit the Chadian border town of Tine on Wednesday has risen to 20, authorities said on Saturday.

Ten others sustained injuries in the attack and are being treated at a hospital in the Chadian city of Abeche, the country's Ministry of the Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs and War Victims said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement said the information was obtained during a visit to the border by a government delegation led by Issaka Malloua Djamouss, minister of the armed forces, veterans affairs and war victims.

The authorities expressed the government's solidarity and condolences to the victims and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring public safety and strengthening defense measures along the borders.

"This is not the first time; it is the fourth time that Chad has been affected. This is the last time it will happen. No one will come to kill a Chadian," Ali Ahmat Aghabache, minister of public security and immigration, told reporters during the visit.

On Thursday, Chad's Minister of Communication and government spokesman Gassim Cherif Mahamat said the government had raised its military and security forces to a higher state of alert following the strike.

On Wednesday, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno ordered the "complete closure" of the border following the deadly attack. The crossings between Sudan and Chad are vital commercial and humanitarian corridors for Darfur's population.

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. 
People take part in a march marking Human Rights Day at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

JOHANNESBURG, March 21 (Xinhua) -- "We will not be bullied!" The slogan, also printed on white crew-neck shirts worn by many participants at the People's March held on Saturday at Mary Fitzgerald Square in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, reflected the country's determination to defend its sovereignty and democratic gains.

As South Africa marked Human Rights Day, which commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre of March 21, 1960, when apartheid police killed 69 unarmed protesters, thousands of people marched from the downtown square, across the Nelson Mandela Bridge, to Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, the country's largest city and the provincial capital of Gauteng.

Led by the African National Congress (ANC) together with its alliance partners, including the South African Communist Party, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African National Civic Organization, the march brought together business formations, labor groups, civil society movements and citizens from across the country.

The rally saw participants dressed in green, yellow and black, the colors of the ANC flag, alongside traditional leaders in cultural attire, singing and dancing to showcase the nation's heritage.

"The message is very clear from the ANC. We are saying no to bullying. We are tired of bullying," Tebogo Munyai, a regional leader for ANC Ward 21, told Xinhua, noting that the gathering aimed to stress the need to end the bullying of South Africans. He also highlighted the role of the country's Constitution in ensuring that South Africa belongs to all, with security and health guaranteed regardless of race.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, who took part in the march, said the country needed no outside interference in its domestic and foreign policies. "And it is encouraging to see thousands of South Africans here today, marching and defending this sovereignty, but also saying this is our country," he noted, stressing the importance of continuing to pursue an independent foreign policy.

"No force on earth, however powerful, can interfere with the sovereign authority of the people of South Africa to govern their own affairs," the ANC said earlier in an announcement for the national event, which included simultaneous regional marches and solidarity gatherings.

"We, the people of the Global South, know fully well that our people, our economies and our natural resources were exploited to build the economies and sustain the standard of living, overconsumption and economic development of the Global North," it added.

Speaking at the national commemoration in Kimberley, Northern Cape province, under the theme "A Legacy of Courage: Protecting Rights, Preserving Humanity," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for renewed efforts to close the gap between constitutional rights and everyday reality.

"Our task is to ensure that the rights and freedoms contained in the Constitution are not only protected in law but experienced in the daily lives of all South Africans," he said. 

A man holding a placard attends a march marking Human Rights Day at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2026 shows people participating in a march marking Human Rights Day in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2026 shows people participating in a march marking Human Rights Day in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)
KHARTOUM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 60 people were killed and 113 others injured in a drone strike that targeted Al-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur state, western Sudan, according to statements from local and UN sources. 
COLOMBO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has initiated efforts to develop a centralized national database on missing persons, partnering with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address persistent gaps in documentation and coordination.

The initiative comes amid concerns over the lack of a single, reliable source of information, with records currently dispersed across multiple institutions. This fragmentation has limited the state's ability to maintain a consistent and verifiable account of cases.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara informed parliament that resolving these inconsistencies remains a priority, as the absence of a consolidated system has posed a long-standing challenge for authorities and affected families.

In response, the Office on Missing Persons has begun restructuring its approach, including improvements to data collection processes and coordination with law enforcement agencies and civil registries. Digital tools are also being introduced to enhance the accuracy and reliability of records. 
By AzerNEWS Staff

By the close of 2025, Trend News Agency had surpassed the foremost media outlets of Central Asia and Iran, establishing itself as one of the most relevant and in?demand sources of information from the region to the wider world. Independent data from Medialogia confirms this achievement.

Supporting diagrams underline Trends leading position in the media landscape.

Trend is an independent news agency specialising in coverage of pivotal events and developments across the Caspian Sea region and Central Asia. Its editorial independence and regional expertise have made it a trusted source for audiences worldwide.

Medialogia, recognised as a leader in media and social media monitoring and analysis, provides services to major commercial enterprises, government ministries and agencies, as well as regional administrations. The platform automatically monitors around 250,000 outlets, ensuring comprehensive and reliable data.

Data for Azerbaijan:

Data for Uzbekistan:

Data for Turkmenistan:
People wait to board a train bound for their hometowns on the eve of Eid al-Fitr festival in Lahore, Pakistan on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Sajjad/Xinhua)

People wait to board a train bound for their hometowns on the eve of Eid al-Fitr festival in Lahore, Pakistan on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Sajjad/Xinhua)

People board a train bound for their hometowns on the eve of Eid al-Fitr festival in Lahore, Pakistan on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Sajjad/Xinhua)
Rescuers and a robot dog are pictured at the site of a fire that broke out at an auto parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 21, 2026. As of now, the fire has left 14 people dead, 59 injured, with all missing persons being found. Police said they have launched identification procedures for the victims and are focusing on determining the cause of the fire. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

DAEJEON, South Korea, March 21 (Xinhua) -- No Chinese nationals were among the casualties in a deadly fire at an automotive parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, the Chinese embassy in South Korea told Xinhua on Saturday.

According to the embassy, South Korean police notified it that none of the injured or the dead in the incident are Chinese citizens.

As of now, the fire has left 14 people dead, 59 injured, with all missing persons being found.

Police said they have launched identification procedures for the victims and are focusing on determining the cause of the fire.

The blaze broke out at about 1:17 p.m. local time on Friday. Around 170 workers were inside the factory at the time of the incident. 

Rescuers and a robot dog are pictured at the site of a fire that broke out at an auto parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 21, 2026.

As of now, the fire has left 14 people dead, 59 injured, with all missing persons being found.

Police said they have launched identification procedures for the victims and are focusing on determining the cause of the fire. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)
MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- European politicians are deliberately plunging their countries into crisis and darkness by continuing to reject Russian energy resources, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"It is not a technical disaster nor any natural cataclysms that are causing the global crisis in the European Union (EU), but rather the decisions of its own leaders, who are simply flipping the switch," Maria Zakharova said in a post on her Telegram channel.

On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the EU's unwavering position, which categorically precludes member states from procuring Russian natural gas even in the event of a severe energy crisis in Europe, amid the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The stance had met with resistance from some of its member countries heavily reliant on Russian energy supplies. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban earlier this month called on the EU to suspend sanctions on Russian energy, warning that rising oil prices and supply disruptions pose risks to regional energy security. 
On March 1, Iranian drones struck three data centers operated by a major U.S. hyperscaler in the Gulftwo in the UAE, one in Bahrain. Banking apps went dark. Payment platforms failed. Ride-hailing services crashed. It was the first time a U.S. data center had been hit by military action, and it sent an unmistakable message: in modern conflict, corporations are targets.

More from Yahoo Scout How should companies adapt their security strategies today? What defensive capabilities do businesses now need to consider? How are corporations becoming military targets in modern conflict? What specific infrastructure attacks has Iran recently conducted?

This is not an anomaly. Its a strategy.

Since the dawn of modern warfare, armed forces fought other armed forces. Private companies were affected, but they operated on the periphery of the battlefield. That assumption is now obsolete.

Irans current campaign reflects a deliberate shift toward attacking economic infrastructure and commercial actors. Data centers in the Gulf have faced physical, cyber, and hybrid strikes aimed at disrupting the digital backbone of global commerce.

Tourism hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been hit by missile and drone strikes on hotels and airportsdesigned to erode confidence and kill visitor demand.

Oil tankers and commercial vessels tied to the global energy trade have been harassed in the Strait of Hormuz, while Irans Houthi proxies in Yemen have targeted shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks are not random. They are a coordinated effort to impose economic costs, manufacture uncertainty, and pressure governments by targeting the private systems that sustain modern economies.

This reality demands a fundamentally new approach to corporate securityone that treats geopolitical risk as an operational issue, not a compliance checkbox.

Real-time intelligence. Quarterly risk assessments and static security reviews are relics of a different era. In a dynamic conflict environment, businesses need continuous situational awareness live information on cyber threats, physical attacks, regional instability, and supply chain disruptions.

Physical and digital hardening. Data centers, ports, logistics hubs, energy infrastructure, and commercial campuses are now legitimate military targets. Resilience planningredundant networks, reinforced facilities, physical security improvements to redundancy in digital networks and supply chainshas become a board-level governance issue.

Active defensive capabilities. The proliferation of drone and missile technologies means counter-drone and counter-missile systems are no longer exclusively military concerns. In high-risk sectors and regions, companies may need to evaluate both kinetic and non-kinetic defensive tools to protect critical infrastructure.
Gary J. Salamido, MS, is the President and CEO of the NC Chamber.

North Carolina's economic success didn't happen by accident. It's the result of decades of policies designed to encourage investment, reward innovation, and allow markets to work.

From life sciences and advanced manufacturing to energy and agriculture, our state has become a national leader because we've maintained a competitive tax climate, modernized regulations, invested in workforce development, and welcomed private-sector growth. The results are clear: billions of dollars in new capital investment, tens of thousands of jobs, and expanding opportunity in communities across our state.

But as Congress shapes its 2026 agenda, Washington will inevitably resume debates on government-imposed price controls in the name of affordability.

Whether applied to prescription medicines or other essential goods, price controls may sound like a quick fix. In reality, they distort markets, discourage investment, reduce supply, and ultimately make affordability challenges worse.

One proposal resurfacing in Washington would import foreign price-setting policies into the United States by tying the price of medicines here to the lower prices set by governments overseas. Supporters argue that this would reduce costs for Americans. What they often overlook is the long-term economic impact.

More about the economy: Brunswick ranks second in the nation for building homes. Here's why it still isn't enough.

Allowing foreign governments to effectively influence prices in the United States sets a troubling precedent. If Washington can peg the price of innovative therapies to rates dictated by bureaucrats abroad, what prevents similar efforts to cap prices in energy, housing, or food markets in the future?

North Carolina provides a powerful example of what's at stake.

Our state is home to more than 800 life sciences companies employing approximately 75,000 people and supporting $82 billion in economic activity. In just the past few years, companies like Genentech, FUJIFILM, Novartis, and Biogen have announced multibillion-dollar investments across our state  bringing high-paying jobs and strengthening local communities from the Triangle to Holly Springs and beyond.

Those investments are not guaranteed. They are made because North Carolina offers stability, talent, infrastructure, and a policy environment that supports innovation and long-term growth.

Biotechnology is a high-risk, high-reward industry. Developing a single new medicine can take more than a decade and billions of dollars, with no certainty of success. Investors are willing to fund that risk because the U.S. market has historically rewarded breakthrough innovation. Blanket price controls would weaken that incentive structure. When potential returns shrink, capital flows elsewhere. Research slows. Expansion plans are reconsidered. And the ripple effects extend beyond one industry, impacting construction workers, suppliers, small businesses, and communities that depend on economic growth.
Ed Bastian, chief executive of Delta Air Lines, sharply criticized lawmakers for forcing airport security officers to work without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, calling the situation "inexcusable" and "outrageous."

Speaking in an interview, Bastian said frontline workers are being treated unfairly as political negotiations drag on in Washington.

"It's inexcusable that our security agents... are not being paid, and it's ridiculous to see them being used as political chips," he said. "We're outraged."

According to the NYPost, the shutdown has left about 50,000 officers from the Transportation Security Administration working without pay since mid-February after funding for the Department of Homeland Security stalled in Congress.

Despite missing paychecks, these workers are still required to report for duty because their roles are considered essential for public safety.

The impact is already visible at airports across the country. Staffing shortages have led to longer lines at security checkpoints, with some travelers waiting up to two or three hours. Major hubs such as Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans have reported delays, especially during busy weekends.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian tore into Congress for forcing airport security agents to work without pay, calling the situation inexcusable and accusing lawmakers of using frontline workers as political chips while a partial government shutdown drags into its fifth week. pic.twitter.com/C95I4Rh2lu  New York Post (@nypost) March 19, 2026

Delta CEO Warns of Rising Airport Delays

Bastian confirmed the disruptions, noting that staffing gaps are making operations harder. "We certainly are seeing it," he said, adding that weather has also contributed to delays, but unpaid workers remain the core issue.

Data shows the strain is growing. Call-out rates among TSA officers have more than doubled, and at least 300 workers have quit since the shutdown began, Fortune reported.

Many employees are struggling to pay for basic needs like rent, childcare, and transportation.

Airlines are trying to manage the situation by holding flights for delayed passengers and rebooking others when possible.

Bastian said the overall impact on Delta's network is still manageable, but he stressed that the real concern is fairness for workers.

"These people missed paychecks just a few months ago... they're missing paychecks again. It's outrageous," he said.

The political standoff continues between Democrats and Republicans over funding terms tied to the Department of Homeland Security. Each side has blamed the other for blocking efforts to restore pay.

Meanwhile, airline leaders are increasing pressure on Congress.

In a joint letter, executives from major carriers urged lawmakers to act quickly and ensure TSA officers and other essential aviation workers are paid during shutdowns, noting that 93% of Americans favor paying TSA workers even when the government is partially closed.

Originally published on vcpost.com
In the ongoing tensions between the United States and its European allies over the war with Iran, President Donald Trump has called NATO allies "cowards" for refusing to directly support the U.S. and Israel's efforts in the Middle East.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER! They didn't want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran. Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Trump's remarks were tied to the battle over the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically vital waterway through which a significant share of the world's oil supply moves. He made the comment as Washington scrambles to win support for a naval escort mission in one of the world's most important energy chokepoints.

The comments came as Trump intensified pressure on allies and major oil importers to help reopen or secure transit through the narrow waterway after Iranian attacks, mines, and military escalation sharply disrupted shipping in retaliation for the airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israel.

Trump has urged countries including China, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to contribute capabilities such as minesweepers and air defenses, warning that NATO faced a 'very bad' future if allies refused to help. The Strait of Hormuz normally handles about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas traffic, making any prolonged disruption a global economic threat.

European ally countries and NATO members have balked at direct support. France has tried to position itself differently from Washington's more confrontational line. Macron said on Sunday that France's military posture in the region was defensive and focused on protecting its interests, partners, and maritime navigation. He also urged Iran to halt regional attacks and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

That stance aligns with earlier Reuters reporting that Paris had already been exploring a broader coalition concept for Hormuz, though French officials stressed any mission would require diplomacy, wider buy-in, and less volatile conditions on the ground.

In an interview with Euronews, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said NATO's "raison d'etre is the defence of Europe and the North Atlantic," and stressed that the alliance is "indeed a defensive alliance" that "won't be dragged into any war of choice." She added that "We of course have a collective interest - and I should say not only within NATO - but as the world, to have the oil flowing, to de-escalate, and that is certainly something we are calling for."

Other members of the Trump administration have issued similar rhetoric towards Europe. While speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Europe of being "ungrateful" for Washington's efforts in Iran.

"A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing" to "downplay progress," Hegseth said, before pivoting to Europe. "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. 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."

He also insisted that "Our objectives, given directly from our America-first president, remain exactly what they were on day one," and that this war should not be compared to the Iraq war as operations are "laser-focused" and "decisive," conducted on Trump's terms rather than as part of a nation-building effort.

He also claimed the U.S. had struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. The Guardian reported that American forces have hit thousands of targets and that the conflict has already killed 13 U.S. troops and wounded about 200. During the briefing, he also acknowledged that the Pentagon would seek more than $200 billion to fund the war and replenish munitions from Congress, saying, "It takes money to kill bad guys."

Originally published on IBTimes
Leaders in the European Union have condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban after he blocked implementation of a 90 billion loan package for Ukraine, with some accusing him of disloyalty, hostage-taking, and political blackmail.

The clash erupted at a Brussels summit where leaders failed to persuade Orban to lift his veto on funding they say is essential to keep Ukraine's government functioning and its defenses intact. The most pointed criticism came from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who, Reuters reported, called Orban's move an act of "gross disloyalty."

Merz said the veto violated the principle of loyalty among EU member states and damaged the bloc's standing at a time when unity is critical. European Council President Antonio Costa was equally blunt, saying, "A deal is a deal," and adding that "no one can blackmail the European Council." Costa also described Hungary's conduct as "completely unacceptable."

At issue is a loan package agreed in principle by EU leaders in December to help Ukraine cover urgent wartime needs. Reuters reported that one step in the implementation process requires unanimity among all 27 member states, giving Orban leverage even though Hungary was not expected to bear the loan's financial burden.

In fact, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic had already secured an opt-out from contributing to the costs, which made Budapest's decision to hold up the process especially infuriating to many officials in Brussels. Orban has justified the blockade by pointing to a dispute over the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.

The pipeline was damaged in a Russian strike in January, according to Ukrainian and EU officials. Ukraine says repairs will take several more weeks, while Hungary argues the line is already functional and accuses Kyiv of withholding supply. Orban later posted on X that as long as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not lift what he called the "oil blockade," Ukraine would receive no money from Brussels. Costa pushed back hard, saying only Russia could guarantee the pipeline would not be attacked again and that the issue was not Ukraine's responsibility.

 Brussels. Situation report.



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 @ZelenskyyUa does not lift the oil blockade, they will not receive any money from Brussels.



No oil = no money. pic.twitter.com/2tCWJms5kx  Orban Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 19, 2026

The financial stakes are high. EU officials have warned that Kyiv could run short of money within weeks if fresh assistance does not arrive. Ukraine relies heavily on foreign aid to pay for pensions, public sector wages, and other non-military spending because so much of its domestic revenue is being directed toward defense.

In a video address to EU leaders, Zelenskyy said the loan was "critical" and described it as "a resource to protect lives." Reuters also reported that political analysts believe Ukraine could be forced into severe spending cuts or even money-printing if the loan is delayed much longer.

Even so, Brussels is signaling that Orban may not have the last word. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the summit that the EU would still get the funds to Ukraine "one way or the other." She said the bloc would "deliver," despite Hungary's resistance. Merz likewise said EU leaders had asked the European Commission to examine possible workarounds to bypass Orban's blockade.

Orban, who has long been criticized for maintaining closer ties to Moscow than most of his European counterparts, is running for re-election next month, and several officials have suggested his Ukraine stance is driven at least in part by domestic politics.

Originally published on IBTimes
Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected the U.S. investigations against him over potential ties with drug traffickers, saying he has never spoken to anyone involved in such activities in his life.

In a social media publication, Petro said the investigation will actually help him "dismount accusations from far-right Colombians, which are in fact in cahoots with Colombia's drug-traffickers."

"Never in my life I have spoken with a drug-trafficker. On the contrary, I dedicated years ten years of my life, and at personal risk, leading my family into exile, to denounce ties between the most powerful drug-traffickers and politicians," Petro added.

Como bien sabe @elespectador en Colombia no existe una sola investigacion sobre relacion mia con narcotraficantes, por una sola razon: nunca en mi vida he hablado con un narcotraficante, al contrario dedique diez anos de mi vida, y con riesgo de mi existencia y provoco el exikio https://t.co/U4J0etQB5T  Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 20, 2026

"As for my campaign, I've always told managers not to accept donations from bankers or narcos. The intensive and productive investigation on my presidential campaign did not discover a single peso from drug-traffickers because such is my principle as a political leader," he added.

The investigation in question, however, revolve around potential meetings between Petro and drug traffickers, and whether his campaign requested money from them.

There are two different investigations but it is not clear whether they will result in criminal charges. There were no indications that the White House played a role in beginning any of the inquiries, the outlet added.

Trump frequently clashed with Petro over the past months, particularly over regional policies including strikes against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The U.S. sanctioned him in October, with the Department of the Treasury alleging he allowed narco-terrorist organizations to thrive under the framework of his "total peace" plan, which the U.S. says has contributed to increased cocaine production in Colombia.

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent added that Petro had also "failed demonstrably" to halt the flow of cocaine into the United States.

Petro called the sanctions "a complete paradox." "Fighting drug trafficking effectively for decades has brought me this action from the government of the society we have worked so hard to protect from cocaine consumption. A complete paradox. Not a single step back and never on our knees," Petro wrote back then.

Tensions thawed in February after the two met in the White House. Trump said the two had a "very good meeting."

"He and I weren't exactly the best of friends, but I wasn't insulted because I never met him. I didn't know at all. And we got along very well. And we are we're working on that. We're working on some other things too, including sanctions," Trump added in early February.

Originally published on Latin Times
Cuba's ambassador to the United Nations has dismissed the idea that U.S. pressure could force leadership changes in Havana, stating that attempts at "regime change" are "completely out of any dialogue" and signaling that the current government will remain in place despite escalating tensions.

Speaking to Bloomberg, envoy Ernesto Soberon Guzman rejected calls from U.S. officials to replace President Miguel Diaz-Canel as a condition for improved relations. "Friendly takeover, regime change, the removal of the president... are completely out of any dialogue," he said. Soberon Guzman added:

"If someone tries to invade Cuba or if someone tries to make an aggression to Cuba, they will find a whole people  10 million people  ready to defend our sovereignty, our independence, without taking into account the cost"

The comments come amid a series of increasingly public exchanges between Washington and Havana, as the outlet. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations would not advance unless Cuba puts "new people in charge," while President Trump has warned that the island's leadership could face consequences similar to those imposed on Venezuela.

Cuban officials have responded forcefully. On Wednesday, Diaz-Canel accused the United States of attempting to "forcefully topple its constitutional order," adding that U.S. policy amounts to "a fierce economic war... as a form of collective punishment on all the people." He warned that "any foreign aggressor will crash against an impregnable resistance."

At the same time, conflicting signals have emerged within the U.S. government. Reports citing officials familiar with ongoing discussions suggested that some in the administration favor Diaz-Canel's removal as part of broader economic reforms. However, Rubio publicly rejected those claims, calling them "fake stories" based on unreliable sources.

That denial prompted a direct response from The New York Times, which stood by its reporting, stating it was "based on conversation with four people familiar with the U.S. talks with Cuba" and that no factual inaccuracies had been identified by the State Department.

Despite the dispute, both sides have acknowledged ongoing talks. Cuban officials have signaled limited economic adjustments, including allowing greater participation from nationals living abroad and expressing openness to commercial ties with U.S. companies.

Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga said Cuba is "open to having a fluid commercial relationship" with U.S. entities, while continuing to blame U.S. policy for the island's economic crisis.

Still, Cuban officials maintain that external pressure will not lead to political concessions. "I lost the count of how many presidents of the U.S. tried to change the government in Cuba," Soberon Guzman said. "And we are still here."

Originally published on Latin Times
Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE: SCCO) is a prime example for investors to identify other organizations with massive operational leverage.

Producing mining companies and diversified funds form the foundation of a winning copper portfolio. These vehicles offer linear exposure to rising commodity prices while maintaining stronger operational stability than pre-revenue developers.

Retail investors see this massive demand and rush to buy any copper-branded stock. This blind buying often leads to severe portfolio losses. Different copper equities carry drastically different operational risks. To succeed, investors need a barbell strategy: anchoring capital in cash-flowing producers for a reliable yield, while selectively allocating smaller amounts to advanced developers for explosive upside.

Geopolitical conflicts are making this supply squeeze even worse. Recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz paralyzed key global shipping routes, adding severe logistical risk premiums to the physical market.

Hyperscale facilities require massive power distribution units and advanced thermal cooling systems. Every new AI model demands more electricity, and copper is the irreplaceable bottleneck for that power generation.

The numbers underlying this shortage are staggering. The global refined copper market is projected to face a deficit of roughly 330,000 tonnes in 2026. Data center installations alone will consume approximately 475,000 metric tons of the metal this year.

Spot prices recently stabilized in the elevated range of $5.72 to $5.90 per pound. This newly stabilized price floor reflects a growing global crisis driven by chronic underinvestment in new mining infrastructure, the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI), and the global decarbonization catalyst known as The Electrification of Everything.

A barbell framework can emphasize cash-flowing exposure while limiting higher-risk positions to advanced developers with credible funding paths.

Copper equities carry very different risk profiles depending on whether a company is producing, developing, or still exploring.

Artificial intelligence development and data center infrastructure expansion are driving unprecedented global demand for raw copper.

Story Continues

The company operates with an industry-leading operating margin of about 48% to 54%.

Because mining requires implementing fixed cost initiatives, any increase in the copper spot price falls directly to Southern Coppers bottom line.

This efficiency allowed the company to post record net sales of $13.4 billion and increase its quarterly dividend payout to $1.00 per share.

Many investors worry about the natural decline of ore grades at older mines. Southern Copper mitigates this localized risk through massive capital reinvestment. The company is actively executing a $19.90 billion long-term expansion plan. This aggressive spending aims to push annual copper production to 1.5 million tonnes by 2035, securing the company's volume growth for decades to come.

The Ultimate Buffer: Broad Exposure and Deep Liquidity

Owning a single mining stock still exposes investors to localized disasters, labor strikes, or regional tax changes. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are essential for insulating a portfolio from these specific threats.

Global X Copper Miners ETF

Funds, including the Global X Copper Miners ETF (NYSEARCA: COPX), serve as the ultimate risk-mitigation tool.

This fund manages around $6.95 billion in assets across 40 global mining holdings, with a standard expense ratio of 0.65%.

By purchasing a broad basket of companies, investors capture the macroeconomic upside of the copper deficit while mathematically suppressing single-stock volatility. If one mine floods or faces a strike, the other 39 holdings will buffer the financial impact.

The Upside: Capturing Explosive Nonlinear Growth

Advanced-stage developers sit in the middle tier of the mining sector. They offer massive, nonlinear growth potential. These companies do not generate active mining revenue, but they own proven, high-grade mineral deposits. To survive, they must neutralize the risks of massive capital expenditures through strategic joint ventures or federal funding.

Western Copper and Gold

Western Copper and Gold (NYSEAMERICAN: WRN) successfully mitigates its exploration risk through major-miner validation.

Western Copper recently extended a crucial technical collaboration with mining giant Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) through Nov. 30, 2026.

This partnership secures world-class metallurgical expertise for Western Copper's massive Casino Project in Canada.

Crucially, the revised agreement removed Rio Tinto's previous rights as a board observer and as a potential board seat holder. This strategic move protects the developer's corporate independence. By keeping the board independent, Western Copper preserves the potential for a multi-bidder bidding war, maximizing the ultimate buyout premium for retail shareholders when the mining asset is finally developed and sold.

Ivanhoe Electric

Federal support provides another powerful catalyst for advanced developers. Ivanhoe Electric (NYSEAMERICAN: IE) recently demonstrated the power of government backing.

In early February 2026, the company's Executive Chairman joined the White House to launch Project Vault.

This $12 billion initiative aims to build a strategic minerals stockpile for the United States, utilizing a unique financial structure:

Private Capital: $1.67 billion in private funding.

Federal Backing: A massive $10 billion loan facility from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

This funding structure directly supports the development of Ivanhoe's Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona. The company targets 99.99% pure copper cathode production by late 2028, using an innovative 100% heap-leach process. Securing this level of government funding drastically reduces the need for dilutive public share offerings. High-profile financial backing instantly validates an asset's economic viability and sparks intense market interest.

The Trap: Avoiding the Low-Price Illusion

Early-stage explorers are the most dangerous equities in the copper sector. These companies hold highly speculative land packages. They generate zero active mining revenue and rely entirely on unproven geological estimates.

Retail capital frequently falls into a classic value trap with these stocks. Investors often equate a low nominal share price with true intrinsic value, assuming a $2 stock is inherently cheaper than a $50 stock. This assumption ignores the brutal financial reality of mine building. Advancing a raw copper asset from an initial dirt discovery to a commercial mining operation requires billions of dollars in upfront capital.

Early-stage explorers completely lack the federal backing or major-miner partnerships seen in advanced developers. As a result, they have only one way to survive: constantly issuing new shares to the public markets. This continuous cash burn creates severe, structural share dilution. Every time the company issues new stock to fund drilling or administrative costs, the existing shares lose value. This constant equity issuance mathematically suppresses the stock price over time and routinely destroys long-term shareholder wealth.

The Barbell Strategy: Constructing the Optimal Portfolio

Navigating the global copper supercycle requires highly disciplined portfolio construction. Unquestioningly picking stocks based on bullish commodity forecasts is a recipe for failure. Investors must align their capital with the physical and financial realities of the underlying businesses.

Secure the Core: Anchor your portfolio with the reliable cash flow and dividend security of established producers like Southern Copper Corporation.

Insulate with ETFs: Use diversified ETFs such as COPX to mitigate the risk of single-mine failures.

Target Strategic Growth: Chase explosive, non-dilutive upside by allocating higher risk investment monies to advanced developers that are backed by major miners or federal capital like Western Copper and Gold or Ivanhoe Electric.

Above all, retail capital must aggressively avoid the low-price illusion of early-stage explorers. By respecting these structural differences, portfolios can safely capture the generational wealth transfer occurring in the copper market today.

The article "The Copper Barbell: How to Profit From the Shortageand Avoid the Dilution Trap" was originally published by MarketBeat.
The scale of the damage is still being assessed, yet the shockwaves are already being felt far beyond the Gulf. A recent strike attributed to Iran has severely impacted energy infrastructure in Qatar, disrupting facilities responsible for roughly 17 per cent of the nation's liquefied natural gas exports.

For a country that sits at the heart of global LNG trade, the implications are immediate and far-reaching.

A Sudden Blow to a Critical Energy Hub

At the centre of the attack lies Ras Laffan Industrial City, a vast industrial complex that anchors Qatar's LNG operations. The site, located about 80 kilometres north of Doha, hosts key export terminals and processing units that supply gas to markets across Europe and Asia.

According to QatarEnergy, missile strikes caused extensive damage, triggering fires that required urgent containment. Emergency teams were deployed swiftly, and authorities confirmed that all personnel were safe.

Yet the physical damage is only part of the story.

CEO Warns of Long Recovery

Saad al-Kaabi described the attack as unprecedented. He noted that repairs could take between three and five years, a timeline that underscores the severity of the disruption. In a remark that captured the mood within the industry, he said he had never imagined such an attack, particularly during Ramadan and from what he described as a brotherly nation.

His words reflect more than personal shock. They highlight a deeper concern about the stability of energy infrastructure in a region long considered vital to global supply.

Global Supply Chains Under Pressure

Qatar is one of the world's largest exporters of LNG. Any sustained disruption to its output risks tightening already sensitive energy markets. The current damage may force QatarEnergy to declare force majeure on certain contracts. This could affect deliveries to major importers, including countries in Europe and Asia that rely heavily on Qatari gas.

Italy, Belgium, South Korea and China are among those potentially exposed. For these nations, even a partial supply shortfall could translate into higher prices and increased competition for alternative sources.

Rising Regional Tensions

The attack marks a significant escalation in tensions across the Gulf. In the days leading up to the strike, Iranian state media had issued warnings about potential targets, including facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

Qatar's foreign ministry has condemned the incident as a direct threat to national security. Officials described the move as irresponsible and warned of broader consequences for regional stability.

While no casualties were reported, the political message is clear. Energy infrastructure is now firmly within the scope of geopolitical confrontation.

A Fragile Energy Future

The longer-term concern lies in what this incident reveals about global energy resilience. LNG supply chains are complex and capital-intensive. Facilities such as Ras Laffan cannot be replaced quickly, nor can their output be easily replicated elsewhere. If repairs stretch into years, as suggested, the world may face a prolonged period of uncertainty in gas markets.

For now, the fires have been brought under control. Operations will gradually resume where possible. Yet the psychological impact on markets and policymakers may prove harder to contain. In an era where energy security is already under strain, this attack serves as a stark reminder. Stability, once assumed, can no longer be taken for granted.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The UK government has announced major cuts to its foreign aid budget. Some of the world's poorest countries will face massive reductions in funding for schools, clinics, and other vital services.

The foreign secretary confirmed that bilateral aid to African nations will fall by almost 900 million by 2028-29, a drop of 56 per cent, as part of saving efforts intended to free up funds for defence spending, according to The Guardian.

The news came after months of speculation about the government's spending priorities, particularly in the wake of global tensions that have prompted calls for increased military investment.

Analysts warn that the reductions could be the steepest among G7 countries, affecting programmes that support vulnerable populations across Africa, the Middle East, and other low-income regions.

Impact on Education and Healthcare Across Africa

For countries like Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the cuts are expected to have a direct effect on children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Bond, the UK network for international development NGOs, highlighted that fewer girls and children with disabilities may be able to attend school in South Sudan, while cuts in Somalia could hinder women and children from accessing essential healthcare.

'The most vulnerable will feel the impact first,' said Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond. 'Africa and the Middle East, both home to some of the world's least-developed countries, will be forced to pay the highest price because of the reduced budget.'

The reductions mean that bilateral overseas development aid will fall from 818 million in 2026 to 677 million by 2029. The government has stated that part of the plan involves pivoting to multilateral aid contributions, including through the World Bank and African Development Bank, rather than direct funding to individual countries.

Focus on Conflict Zones and Multilateral Partnerships

Officials have indicated that aid will now be concentrated on countries facing active conflict or humanitarian crises, such as Palestine, Sudan, and Ukraine.

Lebanon will continue to receive protected funding this year, reflecting the current intensity of regional conflict. Meanwhile, aid to G20 countries outside of conflict zones, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, will largely be phased out, though a small allocation for refugee support in Turkey will remain.

Development minister Jenny Chapman said the aid cuts are part of a planned change in how the UK gives help abroad. Instead of traditional funding for daily services, the focus will now be on partnerships that provide expertise, investment, and long-term development. Countries like Malawi, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone are reportedly supportive of projects that strengthen financial systems and clean energy, rather than receiving direct day-to-day aid.

Pushback from Critics

Critics, however, are worried about the move.

Fleur Anderson, Labour MP for Putney, said cutting aid while increasing defence spending could make the world less stable. She warned that without strong development support, crises are not preventedthey are just delayed.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the changes are meant to focus on international security priorities. Some global programmes, like Gavi (the vaccine alliance), the British Council, and BBC World Service, will continue to receive funding. Meanwhile, costs for housing asylum seekers in UK hotelsabout 2 billion a yearwill still come from the aid budget.

These cuts bring UK overseas aid to its lowest level since records began in 1970, reducing spending to just 0.24 per cent of gross national income by 2027-28.

Officials say the UK will still be one of the world's top five aid donors and hope to gradually return spending to the legal target of 0.7 per cent when possible.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Cotton futures found some weakness on Thursday, with contracts down 21 to 103 points across the board. Crude oil was down $1 on the day to $95.32, with the US dollar index down $0.870 to $99.22.

The Export Sales report from Thursday morning showed a total of 196,691 RB of cotton sold in the week of 3/12 for 2025/26. That was back down from last week and 27.64% below the same week last year. Vietnam was the top buyer of 75,700 RB, with 27,800 RB sold to Turkey. New crop business was 122,221 RB, a marketing year high. China was the buyer of 48,600 RB, with 22,000 RB sold to Pakistan. Shipments were 273,926 RB, down 26% from the week prior. The largest destination was Vietnam at 93,700 RB, with 36,400 RB sold to Pakistan.

More News from Barchart

The Seam showed sales of 6,552 bales on 3/18, averaging 65.54 cents/lb. The Cotlook A Index was up 60 points on 3/18 at 79.35 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks were down 1,149 bales on March 18, with the certified stocks level at 115,640 bales. The Adjusted World Price was raised by 2.72 cents to 54.22 cents/lb this afternoon.

May 26 Cotton closed at 67.67, down 103 points,

Jul 26 Cotton closed at 69.61, down 96 points,

Dec 26 Cotton closed at 71.99, down 65 points

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
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Bitcoins network hashrate has sharply declined in recent weeks as miners face mounting economic and operational pressures, leading to one of the larger negative difficulty adjustment of 2026.

The networks difficulty, a measurement of how hard it is to mine Bitcoin during a set period, fell to 133.79T from 145.04T  a 7.7% decrease  one of the largest downward adjustments this year and among the steepest since prior market dislocations.

Subscribe to the Blockspace Podcast to get all your AI and Bitcoin content, 3x per week!

This is a big move, Blockspace co-host Colin Harper said. Bitcoins hash rate typically is always marching upward but were seeing repeated downward adjustments, which just does not happen.

Hashrate fell to roughly 937 EH/s on a seven-day average, down from about 1,086 EH/s in late February  a decline of more than 100 EH/s in just a few weeks.

Hashprice remains flat at roughly $30.46 per petahash per day.

Industry participants point to several overlapping factors behind the decline. Analysts at Luxor Technologies Hashrate Index noted continued infrastructure shifts among large miners toward artificial intelligence workloads, which can offer higher returns than bitcoin mining.

At the same time, weaker hashprice is forcing less efficient operators offline. Miners are coming off line because they cant afford to mine anymore, Harper said.

Iranian Bitcoin miners going offline?

Geopolitical developments may also be playing a role. The timing of the hash rate decline coincides with the onset of conflict involving Iran, raising the possibility that mining operations in the region  and across the broader Middle East  have been disrupted.

Analysts link part of the hashrate decline to energy market disruptions tied to the conflict.

I dont want to overstate it but if youre looking at macro events, thats one of the only things that lines up, Harper said.

Harper also noted that Iran and nearby Gulf states maintain a measurable share of global mining activity, and rising fuel costs or supply disruptions could be increasing operating expenses for miners in those regions.

The current volatility is unusual compared with historical trends. Bitcoins hash rate typically trends upward, but recent months have seen repeated drawdowns and sharp reversals.

This kind of movement is something that we havent really seen since the China mining ban in 2021, Harper said.

External shocks have amplified the swings, including severe winter storms in U.S. mining hubs such as Texas and Tennessee, which have intermittently taken capacity offline.
Home conversations about medical visits and tracking appointments and information led Jonah Sanabria to develop a health-care app with his father, Juan Sanabria, right. Jonah with Congressman Richie Neal in January after winning a congressional app challenge. PreviousNext

Youth for the Future: Jonah Sanabria

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Monument Mountain Regional High School student Jonah Sanabria has been selected as our March Youth for the Future.

Youth for the Future is a 12-month series that honors young individuals that have made an impact on their community. This year's sponsor is Patriot Car Wash. Nominate a youth here.

The 15-year-old Jonah was recently honored for winning the Congressional App Challenge for the 1st Massachusetts District.

Over the summer, Jonah and his dad, Juan Sanabria, noticed the Congressional App Challenge on his school's website and decided to try it.

His father said they had been having talks in the family about their recent health visits and it struck a chord with Jonah.

"I , and my wife, have just been sort of dealing with going to the doctor more, and trying to kind of retain everything, and also as caregivers of older parents trying to manage and retain their visits as well. Manage and retain our kids visits as well," Juan Sanabria said. "And so I think we've been kind of talking about what's the best way to do it? Should you just have a lot of notes, and how can you kind of advocate for yourself and for the ones that you take care of.

"So I think sitting around as a family, and we talk about these issues, and we talk about what AI is potentially capable of. And so this was sort of an ongoing dialog with no clear solution."

Jonah said his app, Health Advocate, addresses the issue of patients having unanswered questions.

"Sometimes when people go to the doctor, they have questions that they want to ask, but just because of the environment, they don't end up asking those questions mostly because they're feeling things like stress or anxiety or other things," he said. "So the app makes sure that you ask those questions, and it also allows you to get a better understanding of your appointment after your appointment, so you can really leave your appointment with a good understanding."

His father helped Jonah develop the concept and he said they had a great time doing it together.

"We took a look at what was required for the app challenge and what was needed, and it was just most important thing we focused on was clear ideas and put something together that has really clear purpose and clear idea," said Sanabria. "I was an adviser, and Jonah is very independent and motivated to do his stuff, so it's always fun to work with him."

In January, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal visited his school to award him his certificate for winning the challenge. His friends and family were in attendance.

"It was such an honor. It was really cool to meet Congressman Richard Neal, and I think a lot of my peers and teachers were, and especially my family were really proud of me, so that was really nice," Jonah said.

His father said he admires his son for taking the time to think about the challenges people may face and contribute to those around him.

"I'm a little biased, I'm his dad so I think the world of him, and I think the concept is really important for when a high school student or young people can start thinking about the outside world and what's going on. What are issues? What are people challenged with?" he said. "And so I really admire Jonah for taking on and being part of that discussion and trying to make a contribution. It's a contribution that, however small, can really grow.

"Here in the Berkshires, there's not a lot of people, but a lot of the people that are here deal with the same issues that people deal with everywhere. And I hope that this project will grow legs and that Jonah will be recognized for his contribution of it."

Not only is Jonah busy in school and with the app, but he also has been a ski instructor and member of the ski team, and is on the ultimate Frisbee team as well. He also has his own business, selling cotton candy at events including birthday parties. His business is called Local Fluff, which you can find on Instagram.

Jonah said that although the app is not currently working, he plans to finish it and make it available.

"We're looking to release the app soon, and hopefully it's able to make a large positive impact in the health-care industry and really help a lot of people," he said.
Jane Kaczmarek has married her high school sweetheart, 50 years after they first dated.

Jane Kaczmarek marries high school sweetheart

The 70-year-old actress  who was previously married to West Wing and Handmaids Tale star Bradley Whitford from 1992 to 2010  reconnected with Rusty Long when she returned to their hometown for her 50th high school reunion in 2024.

When they went out to dinner with a group of friends, it was just immediate, according to Malcolm in the Middle star Kaczmarek and they got engaged in February 2025.

She told PEOPLE: There's one Linda Ronstadt song, I think I'm gonna love you for a long long time. I mean, for 50 years that song always took me back to Rusty Long.

After dinner, the pair went back to Kaczmareks childhood home and then, we went in the living room that hasnt been redecorated since 1968 and just made out on the couch.

He proposed at a Robert Burns-themed gathering when the host asked guests to make toasts, and according to Jane, Rusty said, I would like to toast to romance. Ive been in love with Jane my entire life, and I want to ask her to marry me. It was heaven.

The pair got married in July 2025, with full approval from Janes children, Frances, 28, George, 26, and Mary Louisa, 23, and Longs kids and grandchildren.

She said: They loved him from the minute they met him. Their father [Whitford] had gotten married a couple years earlier. And the thing children want, they really want their parent to be happy.

The happy couple are currently splitting their time between Wisconsin and Pasadena, California.

Jane said: You can be really corny because part of you is still feeling like a high school kid.

"It's at that part of your life now where we both had other spouses. Our children are raised, our careers have gone well. It's like a fairy tale.

Bradley, 66, met his second wife Amy Landecker in 2014 on the set of the Amazon series Transparent.

They began dating in 2015 and later appeared together on The Handmaid's Tale.

The couple tied the knot in 2019.
Citigroups Top Crypto Stock Picks Are Circle And Bullish

Analysts at Wall Street bank Citigroup (NYSE: $C) say Circle Internet Group (NYSE: $CRCL) and Bullish (NYSE: $BLSH) are the two best cryptocurrency stocks to buy now.

Citigroup remains constructive on the crypto sector despite ongoing legislative uncertainty surrounding digital asset regulations and volatile price movements in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: $BTC).

Analysts at Citigroup say that their top overall pick in the crypto space is stablecoin issuer Circle, which the bank rates a buy with a $243 U.S. price target.

More From Cryptoprowl:

The price target on CRCL stock is 97% higher than where the shares currently trade. Citigroup remains bullish on Circle Internet Group even after the stock has gained 48% this year.

The analysts see expanding monetization opportunities for Circles USDC (CRYPTO: $USDC) stablecoin and say that the company is well-positioned to capitalize on agentic artificial intelligence commerce.

Citigroups other top pick is cryptocurrency exchange Bullish, which caters to institutional clients rather than individual retail investors.

However, while Citigroup maintains a buy rating on BLSH stock, the bank lowered its price target on the shares slightly to $65 U.S. from $67 U.S. previously.

The lowered price target is mostly due to Citigroups updated forecast for Bitcoin, which the bank expects to remain volatile in the near-term.

Still, Citigroup says that it expects continued growth as Bullish gains a deeper presence with U.S. institutional customers, noting that the company recently launched options trading.

Citigroup also likes that Bullish reported a 70% increase in its spot trading volumes in February compared to January.

Despite ongoing price volatility in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Citigroup says that investors should continue looking for opportunities in the digital asset space.

BLSH stock has declined 2% this year to trade at $38.54 U.S. per share.
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South Korean rescue workers on Saturday recovered the remains of 14 people from the charred wreckage of an auto parts factory in the central city of Daejeon, where an explosion and fire injured at least 59 others.

Fire officials said 25 people were seriously injured but it wasn't immediately clear whether any were in life-threatening condition. More than 500 firefighters, police and emergency personnel were deployed to contain the fire and conduct rescue operations after it broke out Friday afternoon.

Videos and photos from the scene showed thick gray smoke billowing from the complex and some workers jumping from a building belonging to Anjun Industrial.

Nam Deuk Woo, fire chief of the citys Daedeok district, said the blaze destroyed a factory building that firefighters initially could not enter over fears it might collapse. Searches for the missing workers began late Friday after officials deployed unmanned firefighting robots to cool the structure and conducted a safety inspection.

Nine of the 14 dead were discovered in what is believed to have been a gym on the third floor, while three were found near a water tank on the second floor. All the missing have now been accounted for.

open image in gallery Black smoke rises from an auto parts plant in Daejeon, South Korea ( Kim So-yeon/Yonhap via AP )

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung visited the site Saturday afternoon, meeting with relatives of the victims and calling for safety measures to prevent the damaged structure from collapsing during search operations.

The fire was reported at about 1.18 pm Friday. Mr Nam said the cause was not immediately known, but the blaze appeared to have spread rapidly, with witnesses reporting an explosion. Firefighters focused on preventing the blaze from spreading to an adjacent facility and isolating explosive chemicals. Nam said workers recovered more than 100kg of highly reactive chemicals from the site.

Some people were injured when they jumped from the building to escape, while others suffered smoke inhalation, officials said. As of Saturday morning, 28 people were hospitalised and four of them underwent surgeries for broken bones and other injuries.

About 120 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including aircraft, an unmanned water cannon vehicle and two firefighting robots for hard-to-reach areas, were deployed, along with hundreds of personnel.
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A Singaporean man was deported from the United States and charged for allegedly skipping mandatory military conscription upon his return to his home country on Friday, officials said.

Amos Yee was arrested by enlistment inspectors at Singapores Changi Airport upon his return, the ministry of defence said. He was charged on Friday for allegedly skipping mandatory military conscription under the Enlistment Act. The charges included failing to report for pre-enlistment medical screening and remaining outside of Singapore without a valid exit permit, according to court documents.

Yee, a Singapore citizen, left the country for the US in 2016, where he was granted asylum in 2017 after Singapore imprisoned him twice as a teenager for posting videos that criticised religion.

During Yees time in the US, he was arrested and charged for possessing videos of child sexual abuse and grooming a minor, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment in December 2021. He was released on parole in October 2023, but was re-arrested a month later for violating his parole conditions. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) subsequently took him into custody for deportation proceedings following his release from the Danville correctional centre in Illinois on parole in November 2025.

Yee is known for his controversial rants against the country's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.

Yee appeared in court on Friday via a video-link from the cantonment complex where he was being held at around 11.50am with long hair, wearing a long-sleeved black shirt. Deputy prosecutors Tay Jia En and Chong Kee En asked for him to be remanded for about a week for the investigation.

Mr Tay asked that Yee be remanded in Changi prison for further investigations, which the judge granted. Yee said nothing during the appearance other than repeating "no" when asked if he was engaging counsel, CNA reported.

He was jailed in Singapore in 2015 for hurting religious feelings by making remarks about Christians. He was charged again a year later for his remarks about Christians and Muslims. In one of his vlogs he was accused of comparing former prime minister Yew to Hitler and Jesus.

He fled to the US, which granted him asylum despite opposition from the Department of Homeland Security.

In 2020, he was arrested for possessing child sexual abuse videos and grooming a 14-year-old he met online. An Illinois court heard he used WhatsApp to "seduce and solicit her", then distributed her photos online.

US authorities listed Yee as among the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by ICE.
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The Only Way is Essexstar Jordan Brook has revealed he has been hospitalised with viral meningitis and encephalitis.

The 31-year-old TV star, who is expecting his first child with fellow Towie regular Sophie Kasaei, has said he is receiving around-the-clock care to monitor for any seizures, but said the swelling on his brain had worsened.

His condition is not connected to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis, which has killed two young people in Kent, with the UK Health Security Agency confirming on Saturday that the number of cases linked to the unusual cluster had risen to 34.

Speaking from this hospital bed, Mr Brook said: This is the first time Ive really been able to speak strong [sic] enough about whats going on. Theres been a lot of speculations as to why Im here and whats going on, and theres a few comments and people saying things that this is my diagnosis that I got yesterday.

Ive been diagnosed with not one but two joining viruses that are attacking a similar part of my body. I have got viral meningitis and encephalitis together.

Brook said he is being monitored for seizures in hospital ( Instagram )

Thats the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it. So this isnt something small or minor.

According to the NHS, meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

It is most common among babies and young adults and can be very serious if not treated quickly, causing life-threatening sepsis and resulting in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

Detailing his treatment, the reality TV star said: I had CT scans, MRI scans, lumbar punctures. With round-the-clock care since Ive been in this hospital. Im on IV drips, everything antiviral, pain management, physio, seizure monitoring, to minor seizure risk at the minute.

He continued: But unfortunately, the swelling on my brain is getting worse. He added: Its really, really tough. Even the simple day-to-day activities and normal things that arent easy right now, so this is what Im dealing with day-to-day.

Im on day 11 of treatment, and Id like to reach out to everyone and say just be careful what you read online and be conscious of some things that people are writing.

He added that he was focused on returning to full health ahead of the arrival of the couples first child.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated at the University of Kents Canterbury campus after an outbreak of the bacterial disease last weekend.

Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that remain under investigation, the UKHSA said in an update on Saturday morning.

Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B, and all cases have required hospital admission.
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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.
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead in Bristol.

The ambulance service was called to Sussex Place, St Pauls, about 8.40pm on Friday where the body of a woman, believed to be in her thirties, was found.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.

The victims family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Inspector Neil Meade, from the major crime investigation team, said: A thorough investigation will be carried out, and our thoughts are with the family of the woman at what will be an incredibly difficult time.

Specially trained family liaison officers will continue to support the family. An investigation is now underway as we work to establish the full circumstances of her death, and this will mean there will be a significant police presence in the area over the coming days.

We know this news will come as a shock to the community and people will be concerned, but we are not looking for anybody else in connection to this death, at this time.

Anybody with concerns is advised to speak to neighbourhood officers, who will be carrying out extra patrols in the area.

People with information are urged to call 101, quoting reference number 5226077586 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Hyperliquid just printed $1.5 billion in oil-linked trading volume in 24 hours and traders are betting that the Iran war will propel the price of its HYPE token to new records.

The volume is a record that underlines how fast traders are rotating into energy bets on the crypto-native decentralised trading platform as the Iran war spirals.

Hyperliquids growth amid all the chaos will only accelerate, Hyunsu Jung, CEO of Hyperliquid treasury firm Hyperion DeFi told DL News.

We firmly believe liquidity begets liquidity, and Hyperliquid is currently the most liquid onchain venue by a wide margin, especially in terms of trading volume and open interest, which are key metrics for any perpetual futures exchange, he said.

The milestone lands as Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran on Friday. The strikes came despite President Donald Trump urging restraint following attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure.

Iran has retaliated against Qatars Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes about a fifth of global liquefied natural gas. The damage is expected to take years to repair.

As attacks intensify, uncertainty is ripping through global energy markets and redrawing trading flows in real time, pushing oil firmly above $100 a barrel.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has sent Hyperliquids native HYPE token up 35% over the past month even as Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies have mostly stagnated.

Arthur Hayes, Maelstrom chief investment officer, was quick to flag the rotation to Hyperliquid.

Pretty impressive that oil contracts are trading $1.5 billion a day, he said.

HYPE is taking over. See you at $150.

To be sure, thats almost three times the all-time high of $59 HYPE notched in September. It currently trades at $40.

Traders are betting big that HYPE will stay above $35 over the next three months, according to onchain options platform Derive.xyz.

Polymarket punters put the chances of HYPE reaching $100 before the end of the year at 24%, according to one bet. Another prediction market put the chances of the price climbing to $44 in March at 56%.

War spiraling

The backdrop to this trading frenzy is a rapidly intensifying regional conflict that has already reshaped energy flows.

The Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about 20% of global oil supply, still sits under heightened threat. Tankers face mounting insurance costs while naval patrols have increased. Western governments and Japan are scrambling to secure shipping lanes and diversify supply routes.

Markets are pricing not only barrels, but disruption, delay and escalation.
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The foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned reckless attacks by Iran that threaten British interests and allies after missiles were fired at the joint US-UK Diego Garcia military base.

The government said RAF jets and other UK military assets were continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region hours after ministers gave Donald Trump the green light to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

But Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday that it would not include RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, saying Cyprus security was of the utmost importance to the UK after an international row over its use and a call by President Nikos Christodoulides for discussions of the bases future.

Ms Cooper denied the UK had been dragged into the war, saying we will not be drawn into a wider conflict after Downing Street earlier said any such action to protect the waterway, which is crucial to the worlds oil supply, would still amount to collective self-defence.

Hitting out at reckless Iranian threats, Ms Cooper said: "Our approach to this conflict has been the same throughout."We were not and continue not to be involved in offensive action, and we've taken a different view from the US and Israel on this.

Iran reacted angrily to the UKs move to allow the use of its bases, with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posting on X, formerly Twitter, that Sir Keir was putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.

It is understood that Irans unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia, on the Chagos Islands, came before Fridays announcement on bases. But Iran had previously warned the UK that it risked being in the firing line because of its support for Mr Trumps war.

On Saturday night, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the attack was the first time Iran had used intermediate-range ballistic missiles that, it said, could reach 4,000km. We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin, it said on social media.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has been critical of Keir Starmer for his stance on the war ( PA )

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former director of operations for the UK armed forces, warned that Irans attacks on the UKs interests and allies meant we may not have wanted to get involved but, now we are involved.

Sir Richard told the BBCs Today programme: Iran and the UK have been at odds for a very long time  [They] regard the UK as an enemy, so if you are seen to participate in some fashion with this US-Israeli offensive action, then they are clearly going to respond. We should not be surprised by that.

He also warned that the latest attack suggested Iran was able to hit targets much farther away than the international community realised. Previously, we thought Iran's missiles had a range of 2,000km, and Diego is 3,800km from Iran, he said.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the UK was being dragged into the Iran conflict whether we like it or not as she called on the PM to immediately come clean about the details of this latest attack on British troops and explain why the public werent informed sooner.

She also criticised Sir Keir for not backing the US to carry out further strikes earlier, saying: He's basically sat on the fence, hoped it would go away, and then when the news looks like it's negative, he pretends that he actually made a decision. We didn't start this war. But if there is any war between the US and Iran, we should never be on the side of Iran. It's a hostile country that tries to carry out terror plots on UK soil.

"The sad thing is, whether we like it or not, we're being dragged into it and what we need is a prime minister who can think ahead, she told Times Radio.

Asked if she would have backed British planes taking part if she were prime minister, Ms Badenoch said: "I wouldn't have joined in the initial strikes, no, but I would have expressed solidarity with the US, like the Canadians and the Australians did."

open image in gallery Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper insisted the UK wasnt getting pulled into the wider Iran conflict ( PA )

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson condemned the latest escalation in the conflict, saying: Irans reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region. This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.

Tehran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported. One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, according to the newspaper, which cited multiple officials.

The escalation of the Iran war has also sparked a row at home, with former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, as well as the Greens and the Lib Dems, calling for a vote in parliament against the use of UK bases.

open image in gallery The Chagos Islands, site of the Diego Garcia military base ( Alamy/PA )

Meanwhile, the United Nations nuclear watchdog has called for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident following reports that Irans Natanz nuclear site was targeted in strikes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement on X that it had been informed by Tehran that the site was attacked today.

Iran's official news agency, Mizan, said there was no leakage after the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, nearly 217km southeast of Tehran. Israels military said it was unaware of a strike on the facility.

On Saturday, Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, warned of an upcoming surge in attacks on Iran. In a video statement, Mr Katz said "the intensity of the attacks" by Israel and the US would "increase significantly". He spoke shortly after fragments from an Iranian missile slammed into an empty primary school near Tel Aviv.

It comes after President Trump on Friday said he was considering winding down the war with Iran, as he told countries that use the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane that they must guard and police it themselves.

Despite the presidents comments, the White House confirmed the administration was considering putting troops into Irans Kharg Island, which holds around 94 per cent of the countrys crude oil for export and is its main oil export terminal.

In response to questions about boots on the ground, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said: Its the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander in chief maximum optionality.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries said on Saturday that they stood ready to take necessary measures to support global energy supplies.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran during the war. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles and four have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 US military members have been killed, along with civilians in Gulf nations.
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Around 300 dogs and cats have been rescued in a massive Los Angeles County animal welfare operation.

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control said it served a search warrant in Lake Hughes, California, on Friday morning for violation of animal welfare laws.

The animals were mostly dogs, with around 50 to 75 cats, and were in the custody of Chris D'Anda of Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue. Officials initially estimated that around 700 animals were found before doing a full head count.

D'Anda told ABC7 that the raid on her rescue facility was unnecessary and wants the animals returned to her.

"My animals were not a threat to anybody," she said. "They were healthy. They were cared for."

And she added: "The animals were cleaned every day," she said. "The animals were rotated out into yards every single day. Every single dog is happy."

The Independent has reached out to Rock N Pawz for comment.

open image in gallery Around 700 dogs and cats have been rescued in a massive Los Angeles County animal welfare operation ( Pasadena Humane )

More than 70 animal care and control staff raced to rescue the animals with the help of spcaLA, Pasadena Humane and Kern County Animal Services.

Were working alongside DACC and partner agencies with a shared focus on getting these animals to safety and providing them with the care they need, Pasadena Humane told The Independent. As this ongoing effort unfolds, we are prepared to provide support in whatever way best serves the animals involved.

Representatives from the Los Angeles County Departments of Public Works, Public Health and Regional Planning were also at the property for other alleged violations.

The Department of Animal Care and Control said in its press release posted on Facebook around 8 a.m. local time that the animals were being triaged on site by veterinary medical staff.

Animals in need of emergency care will be immediately taken to veterinary hospitals, and others will be taken to the departments animal care centers, the press release said.

open image in gallery An estimated 400 dogs and 300 cats were on the Lake Hughes property and needed to be rescued, according to local officials ( Pasadena Humane )

The department is experienced in these types of rescue operations.

In 2017, animal specialists rescued more than 100 venomous snakes and reptiles from an animal hoarding situation, the department said. In another operation that same year, the department rescued more than 7,000 birds during what it called the largest illegal cockfighting raid in U.S. history.

With the massive influx of dogs and cats from Fridays operation, the department is working with rescue groups and other animal welfare agencies to transfer pets ready for adoption to make room for the rescued animals.

We are urgently requesting the publics help to support the rescue and rehabilitation of these dogs and cats, said Marcia Mayeda, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

In a follow-up Facebook post, the department asked for help with the rescued animals' medical care, housing and other support they may need, urging the public to donate to the LA County Animal Care Foundation.
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An unusual number of fish were found dead in a town on Floridas Estero Island this month, and officials believe fertilizer runoff is likely to blame.

Fort Myers Beach resident Stephen Clark told The Independent he first noticed a bad smell on March 12, while boating out of Buccaneer Lagoon, a small waterway in the town. The next day, he saw dead fish in a connected canal.

That same day, town officials confirmed they had found an unusual number of dead fish in Buccaneer Lagoon and launched an investigation. Photos and videos from the scene showed large groups of dead fish floating on the waters surface.

Researchers determined the fish were likely killed by low oxygen levels in the water, town officials announced Wednesday. Now, they believe fertilizer runoff from nearby properties is the most likely contributing factor, Fort Myers Beach Public Information Officer Abigail Eberhart told The Independent.

Fertilizer runoff from nearby properties can deposit excessive nutrients in the water, which can then cause low oxygen levels, according to Chadd Chustz, an environmental projects manager for the town. Thats because high nutrient levels can drive algal blooms, and these organisms can deplete the oxygen in the water.

open image in gallery Fort Myers Beach resident Stephen Clark spotted workers retrieving dead fish from the waterway on March 13 ( Stephen Clark )

So you have a bloom, and they consume the oxygen, Chustz told The Independent. Oxygen is depleted, so you have an anoxic condition where the fish suffocate underwater and die.

Nobody really knows what caused it in particular, he added. But it's the usual suspects, with a lot of nutrients, causes a bloom, depletes the oxygen, and as a result, we have a fish die-off happening.

Eberhart explained that town officials cant pinpoint or identify exactly which property it came from, and it could be an amalgamation of properties.

But we do think, because of the high nutrient content and its composition, it's likely fertilizer, she added.

open image in gallery Researchers found low oxygen levels killed an unusual number of fish in Buccaneer Lagoon ( Town of Fort Myers Beach )

Chustz explained that a high number of "non-toxic dinoflagellates" were found in the water. He also emphasized that the fish were not killed because of a red tide, which describes a type of harmful algal bloom that can be toxic to animals and humans alike, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This was actually best case, because it was not red tide, because it was non-toxic to residents, Eberhart said.

While its unclear exactly how many fish were impacted, the estimates are in the dozens, or at most maybe 100, Eberhart said. The town also launched a cleanup operation on March 13, and crews retrieved nearly all the dead fish.

Those fish in there, while they're decomposing, become a source of nutrients again, and it can become a cycle, Chustz said.

open image in gallery Dozens of dead fish were spotted in the waterway last week, leading town officials to investigate ( Town of Fort Myers Beach )

Now, Chustz is urging property owners to limit their fertilizer use and consider planting native vegetation.

Native [vegetation] will thrive in the natural environment that is harsh down here, so it doesn't need that fertilizer to grow, he said. So you don't need to use fertilizer  that, in turn, reduces the amount of nutrient input that we have from stormwater runoff.

Fort Myers Beach already has ordinances in place restricting fertilizer use to protect the surrounding environment.

These restrictions mean residents cant apply fertilizer when there are watches or warnings in effect for floods, tropical storms, or hurricanes, according to town officials. Fertilizer use is restricted during spells of heavy rain, or during the rainy season, which spans from June 1 through September 30.

Fort Myers Beach also enforces fertilizer-free zones, which includes areas within 15 feet of any water or wetland, and any impervious surface such as streets, driveways and sidewalks, according to town officials.

Meanwhile, Clark hopes town officials will continue looking into the issue.

I hope investigators are looking for a more specific point and cause that could have affected the oxygenation problems that they believe killed the fish, he said.
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The 107-year-old Santa Monica Airport in California will close in about two years after roughly 50 years of complaints from locals.

At the end of 2028, the small airport will shutter to make way for a massive park space.

The 227-acre airport has no commercial flights and is mainly used by small, private planes, according to SFGate.

The Independent has reached out to the Santa Monica Airport and the citys mayor for comment.

open image in gallery The 107-year-old Santa Monica Airport in California will close in about two years after roughly 50 years of complaints from locals ( Getty Images )

The Santa Monica Airport is located five miles north of the bustling Los Angeles International Airport. It has been in use since at least 1919, according to the Santa Monica Airport community website run by locals.

The Douglas Aircraft Company was established in Santa Monica around the same time as the airport and went on to manufacture transport planes and bombers during World War II, according to The Museum of Flight. At its peak, the company employed up to 44,000 employees, creating a demand for housing, according to documents from the city obtained by SFGate.

In 1924, Santa Monicas population was 15,000, and in 2023, it was 94,000.

open image in gallery The Douglas Aircraft Company, established in Santa Monica around the same time as the airport, attracted people to the area through manufacturing jobs ( Keystone/Getty Images )

Starting in the 1970s, regulations restricting airport operations were put in place to protect neighbors quality of life, the city said. In the 1990s, Los Angeles residents sued Santa Monica over adverse health impacts and nuisance, the city said.

In 2014, Santa Monica residents voted 60 percent in favor of a ballot measure to prohibit new development on airport land, except for parks and open spaces, until the voters approve limits on the uses and development that may occur on the land.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Santa Monica reached a settlement in 2017, allowing the city to close the airport after December 31, 2028.

open image in gallery At the end of 2028, the Santa Monica Airport will shutter to make way for a massive park space ( AFP via Getty Images )

For nearly two years, the city has reached out to locals for their opinions on the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project, and last week, it released its draft Framework Diagram.

The diagram laid out eight distinct districts for the land with different themes. There is an Immersive Nature district, which prioritizes native species and biodiversity enhancement, according to city documents.

Theres also a district dedicated to active sports, arts and culture, and one called The Heart that includes a social and spatial center.

The city invited locals to give their thoughts on the Framework Diagram by April 26 through an online survey.
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The Trump administration keeps losing court challenges regarding its mass immigration arrests.

In recent months, federal judges have ruled more than 7,000 times that Immigration and Customs Enforcement illegally arrested people without giving them the chance to prove they could safely remain in their communities while their immigration cases played out, a Politico analysis found.

In many of these cases the Trump administration didnt offer a counterargument when migrants challenged their detentions.

Instead, administration lawyers have been regularly agreeing to bond hearings or the full release of migrants right away, citing a lack of legal opinions or relevant documentation they could use to support the original detentions, the analysis found.

The Independent has contacted the Justice Department and ICE for comment.

open image in gallery Judges have repeatedly found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement illegally failed to give arrested immigrants a chance to prove they were eligible for release, according to a new analysis ( AP )

Since taking office, the Trump administration has pursued a campaign of mass immigration arrests and detention.

As of early February, according to the most recent government figures, more than 68,000 people were in ICE detention, most of whom lacked a prior criminal conviction.

Many have been in detention for prolonged periods of time based on the administrations legal theory that most arrested immigrants arent eligible for bond hearings, even as cases can take years to move through the system.

This has prompted a wave of emergency habeas corpus challenges, where federal officials must justify before a judge why they are still holding someone in detention.

Between January and mid-February of this year, there were between 300 and 400 such petitions every day, a Politico analysis found.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has used a legal theory to argue nearly all arrested immigrants are not eligible for bond, which has prompted a wave of emergency appeals ( AFP/Getty )

Trump administration officials have spoken openly in court of being overwhelmed.

One DOJ lawyer in Minnesota made headlines by telling a judge, This job sucks.

Hundreds of federal judges have rejected the Trump administration bond policy, though regional appeals courts have issued contrasting opinions on the practice.

The legal uncertainty comes as the Trump administration is at a moment of apparent realignment in its wider immigration strategy.

Its aggressive, military-style push into Minnesota ended in disaster, with two U.S. citizens shot dead by federal agents and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem getting ousted earlier this month in the ensuing uproar.

Since the administration announced last month it was drawing down the Minnesota campaign, it has not launched another big-city operation such as the ones that hit mostly Democratic jurisdictions including Chicago and Los Angeles last year.

open image in gallery After federal agents killed two protesters in Minneapolis earlier this year, the Trump administration has refrained from launching any new mass urban immigration crackdowns, though it continues to make arrests at a high clip ( AFP via Getty Images )

Detentions also declined at a notorious family detention facility in Dilley, Texas, that was the subject of multiple high-profile cases where some families with young children alleged they faced mistreatment behind bars.

The number of families booked into the facility fell by more than 75 percent in February, ProPublica found.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, the administrations choice to replace Noem, has suggested his Department of Homeland Security would be less boundary-pushing than that of his predecessor.

My goal in six months is that were not in the lead story every single day. My goal is for people to understand were out there, were protecting them, Mullin testified before the Senate on Wednesday.

The administration hasnt stopped making arrests, though.

open image in gallery Sen. Markwayne Mullin, the Trump administrations pick to replace ousted Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has said he wants his DHS to be less controversial ( AP )

Immigration officers have arrested more than 1,000 people per day on average this year, according to a New York Times data review, nearly double the rate at roughly the same point last year.

Immigration advocates warn the slowdown in mass operations may only be a blip.

In the deeper, more conservative states, what theyre doing is going in and opening up these massive detention facilities, Rekha Sharma-Crawford, a Missouri-based attorney and second vice president at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told The Independent earlier this week. Thats some writing on the wall that says they are only intent on increasing the number of people that they want to detain.
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President Donald Trump drew anger from people online after celebrating the death of Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, saying, Good, Im glad hes dead.

Mueller, a career prosecutor and veteran of the Vietnam War, died at 81 years old Friday, his family confirmed. While Mueller had been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2021, his family did not say how he died.

Trump responded to Muellers death on Truth Social, saying, Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.

Democratic Rep. Sam Moulton said Trumps comment was disgusting and called the a president a horrible human being.

Mueller became a political enemy of Trumps while serving as special counsel in the Justice Department in 2017. Mueller, who was investigating any Russian interference in the 2016 election, expanded his probe to include any connection between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.

open image in gallery Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2021 ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery President Trump celebrated Mueller's death Saturday saying 'I'm glad he's dead' ( realDonaldTrump / Truth Social )

Muellers investigation infuriated Trump for years. The president referred to the probe as a witch hunt and assailed Mueller as a fool.

Ultimately, Muellers long-anticipated report, dubbed The Mueller Report, found no evidence that the 2016 Trump campaign colluded with Russia  though the report also did not exonerate the president. Muellers findings determined that Russia did seek to help Trump win the election.

The President is a petty, sick, and vile man, Rep. Jason Crow wrote on X, in response to Trumps Truth Social post. Robert Mueller volunteered for Vietnamat the same time Trump avoided serving.

The cruelty is the point. Trumps goal is to distract you from rising gas prices, his aimless war, ICE abuses, and the Epstein files. Dont give him what he wants. And may Robert Mueller, a US Marine and lifelong public servant, rest in peace, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Fox News did a month of outraged coverage of s**** comments people made about Charlie Kirk. Im sure this will get equal treatment, Tommy Vietor, a liberal political commentator and former Obama official, wrote.

open image in gallery Mueller resigned from his position in the Justice Department in 2019 after releasing his findings of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election ( Getty Images )

Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman wrote on social media: We mourn the passing of Robert Mueller, a true public servant: bronze star Vietnam veteran, federal prosecutor, FBI Director, and impartial special counsel. Yet the President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Muellers death simply because he exposed Trumps efforts to steal the 2016 election.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

While Trump despised Mueller, the former FBI director had a reputation for intense professionalism by following the rules, keeping his personal life separate from his political career and keeping his political beliefs close to his chest.

Notably, Muellers leadership in the FBI  which occurred at the same time as the September 11, 2001, attacks  forever changed the structure and importance of the bureau when it comes to national security.

Muellers career in prosecution and government spanned more than three decades. While he was a registered Republican, his reputation for professionalism led him to positions in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, in New York City. He spent some of his childhood in Princeton, New Jersey, eventually attending and graduating from the elite Princeton University with a degree in politics. He later obtained a masters degree in international relations from New York University in 1967 before getting a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1973.

open image in gallery Mueller (left) addressing the nation on September 12, 2001, one day after the terrorists attacks that forever changed the United States ( AFP via Getty Images )

In 1968, Mueller joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War. Mueller rose to the rank of Captain and earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service.

Mueller eventually took a job at the Justice Department in 1976, working his way from assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern District of California to becoming the U.S. attorney for the district in 2001.

Muellers impressive resume eventually led former President George W. Bush to tap him to become the Director of the FBI. Mueller stepped into his new role in the FBI just seven days before the 9/11 attacks.

As FBI director, Mueller transformed the bureau, structurally and culturally, prioritizing national security threat prevention and intelligence gathering. Mueller enacted massive changes and addressed weaknesses within the bureau that were discovered through reports.

His time in the FBI was so influential that Congress granted him special permission to continue leading the bureau during the Obama administration for two years after his term expired

open image in gallery Mueller's 'gold-standard' leadership in the FBI led Congress to grant him the authority to serve as director in the Obama administration for two years, despite his term haivng expired ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mueller returned to the private sector for several years before re-joining the Justice Department in 2017 to serve as a special counsel during the first Trump administration, overseeing the probe into whether there was coordination between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.

Muellers investigation captured the attention of lawmakers and the public, becoming a defining plot of the first Trump administration. But throughout Trumps attacks and efforts to have him dismissed, Mueller remained steadfast in performing his duties. He made no public statements in the two years his office conducted the investigation.

Muellers 448-page report did not unveil a shocking recount of actions that clearly implicated Trump  as some had anticipated. Rather, it painted an incomplete picture of the presidents actions, which left Congress open to interpretation as to whether the president obstructed justice.

The report found multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but fell short of criminal conspiracy accusations.

Ultimately, several people associated with Trumps campaign were charged, including Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohn and George Papadopoulos.

open image in gallery Mueller pictured with his wife, Ann, in 2019 ( Getty Images )

Mueller retired from the special counsel position a month after the release of the report. He later testified to Congress about the investigation.

In 2021, Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, his family announced last year after the House Oversight Committee indicated it would subpoena Mueller for information on the governments investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Mueller is survived by Ann Cabell Standish, his wife of nearly 60 years, their two daughters and three grandchildren.

Robert Swan Mueller III was born August 7 1944. He died March 20, 2026, at 81 years old.
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The Trump administration is temporarily lifting longstanding sanctions banning the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin for the next month in hopes of curbing the meteoric rise in oil prices.

The increasing cost of oil has threatened economies across the globe since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran started last month.

A General License issued by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control released late Friday permits the purchase of Iranian oil that has already been loaded onto any vessel  including ships that have already been sanctioned  by waiving 10 separate sets of sanctions that have targeted both Russian and Iranian oil.

The sanctions that are being temporarily set aside have been in place for years, with many originating during Trumps first term.

They were imposed to punish Russia for its unprovoked 2022 invasion of Ukraine and other harmful foreign activities and to penalize Iran for years of malign activities, human rights violations, support for terrorism and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

open image in gallery The price of oil has continued rising following Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point through which one fifth of the global oil supply must pass each year ( REUTERS )

By waiving the sanctions, the U.S. will allow Iranian and Russian oil that is currently at sea to be purchased and unloaded without penalty until April 19, at which point the sanctions will resume unless the Treasury extends the waiver.

In a post on X announcing the decision, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it as a narrowly tailored, short-term authorization that applies only to Iranian petroleum that is currently stranded at sea.

He claimed the sanctions have permitted China to hoard Iranian oil on the cheap while also suggesting that temporarily relaxing sanctions would inject approximately 140 million barrels into global markets. He said this would help in expanding the amount of worldwide energy and relieving what he described as temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.

In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury, Bessent said.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump claims the U.S. may soon wind down the three-week-old war he started against Iran ( REUTERS )

The Treasury Secretary added that the temporary, short-term authorization permitted by his department was limited only to oil that is already in transit and would not apply to any new production.

He also claimed that Tehran wont easily benefit from the sanctions relief because of separate longstanding sanctions cutting off Iranian banks from the global financial system as part of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign against the countrys Islamic Republic regime.

Bessents announcement comes after days of turmoil in world markets caused by escalating attacks on energy facilities across the Middle East coming from both sides of the war.

The price of Brent crude climbed as high as $119 per barrel and European gas prices briefly surged by 35 per cent on Friday after Iran pounded Qatars Ras Laffan energy hub and other Middle Eastern oil and gas infrastructure with missiles.

The Iranian attacks on Qatar came in response to an Israeli strike on the vital South Pars gas field, which drew condemnation from the Gulf states as well as Tehran.

open image in gallery Oil and gas prices remained volatile on Friday as stock markets also suffered ongoing turbulent trading due to the escalating Iran conflict ( REUTERS )

In response, Iranian forces fired missiles at multiple energy sites across the Gulf, including a Saudi oil refinery, Qatari gas facilities and two more oil refineries in Kuwait.

The attacks on oil and gas facilities have led major producers across the Middle East to cut production and shut down facilities to render them less vulnerable to what could be catastrophic strikes that could take years to recover from.

Those supply squeezes have been compounded by Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point through which one fifth of the global oil supply must pass each year.

President Donald Trump has spent much of the last week grousing about the supposed unwillingness of NATO member states and other American allies to offer their own naval forces towards protecting tanker traffic from Iranian threats, even as he has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. has obliterated much of Tehrans capabilities.

Earlier on Friday, he wrote on Truth Social that the 32-member defensive alliance was a PAPER TIGER and called many of Americas closest allies COWARDS for purportedly refusing to heed his demand for assistance.

Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but dont want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk, he said.

Several hours later while en route to Florida aboard Air Force One, he posted again, writing that the U.S. was getting very close to meeting our objectives after three weeks of war and said he was considering winding down the bombing campaign.

He also suggested that the U.S. does not need to commit any resources towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz because the U.S. is a net exporter of oil even though oil markets are global and a bottleneck in the Strait will cause high prices everywhere.

The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldnt be necessary once Irans threat is eradicated, he said.

Despite his suggestions that the U.S. may be winding down the war, Trump is currently weighing the deployment of thousands of additional troops to the Middle East.

At the same time, the Pentagon is seeking an additional $200 billion in order to wage the offensive. The department recently sent the request to the White House, according to a senior administration official. The first six days of the war alone cost more than $11.3 billion, the Pentagon told Congress in a closed-door briefing on March 10.
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Some 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations began arriving in Cuba on Friday as part of a solidarity caravan transporting some 20 tons of humanitarian aid as the island grapples with a severe energy crisis.

Members of Our America Convoy to Cuba arrived by air from Italy, France, Spain, the United States and several Latin American countries, and more are scheduled to arrive by sea on Saturday in a flotilla of three vessels from Mexico, organizers reported.

A group of activists arrived in Havana on Wednesday in advance and delivered donations to hospitals.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States, whose governments have acknowledged holding talks after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an oil embargo. Earlier this week, Trump said he expected to have the honor of taking Cuba in some form, adding: I can do anything I want.

Solar panels, food and medicine to treat cancer are among the products donated to the island, which has been brought to a near standstill since Trump imposed an energy embargo in January, exacerbating a five-year economic crisis as his administration pressures for a change in the political system.

In the end, we are dozens and dozens of delegates, and we represent millions of people in this convoy, said David Adler, a U.S. citizen and coordinator of Progressive International, one of the caravans organizers. We cannot allow this collective punishment. We cannot normalize it.

Meanwhile, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio on Friday refuted comments about a change in the political system or the potential departure of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel as part of the ongoing talks between the two sides.

The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation, nor is the president, nor the position of any official in Cuba, subject to negotiation with the United States or with the government of any other country, said Fernandez de Cossio.

He noted there are many areas of common interest on which dialogue with Washington is possible, as has been done in the past.

Manolo de los Santos, of The Peoples Forum  another of the caravans organizers  said that going to Cuba at this time is not only defying the U.S. blockade, but also preventing another Gaza in the Americas."

Several analysts and regional leaders, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, have warned of a possible humanitarian crisis in Cuba.

Adler said that both the flotilla that traveled to Gaza and the one heading to Cuba share several supporters. In the case of Cuba, in addition to social activists, unions, prominent figures and political parties are represented, including Morena from Mexico, the Workers Party of Brazil and the Broad Front of Uruguay.

Some of the figures include British Parliamentarian Jeremy Corbyn; Colombian Senator Clara Lopez; former Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias; U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls; and Brazilian humanitarian activist Thiago Avila.

After several weeks in which the only aid received by Cuba came from Mexico, which sent food and hygiene products on three occasions, activists and leaders in other countries began establishing support groups and collecting donations.

Diaz-Canel expressed his gratitude on social media.

They bring shipments of aid to combat the attempt to suffocate us. Welcome once again to the compassion of the people. Solidarity always returns to those who practice it with no other interest than human well-being, the president stated.

For its part, Brazil announced it would send 20,000 tons of food, primarily rice, beans and powdered milk. A group of Chilean parliamentarians also arrived with aid on Thursday, and China reported through its embassy that a ship carrying 60,000 tons of rice set sail for Cuba.

___

Follow APs Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Zelensky warns of 'distracted' US as acting ambassador Davis prepares to exit

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Russia is once again scaling back its annual Victory Day parade in Red Square, saying no military equipment will be used amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The parade is a key event in Russia and is held in Moscow on 9 May every year, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.

Prior to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the parade would traditionally involve a display of tanks and other military equipment, as Moscow flexed its muscles for the world to see.

It has been pared back dramatically due to the war, however, and in 2024 Russia was mocked by Ukraine for displaying just a solitary tank for the second year in a row.

Russia's defence ministry confirmed no military hardware would be involved in the parade at all this year, though it did not directly link this to shortages or frontline deployments.

Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that its air defences shot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a new monthly record in the four-year war.
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As the US war with Iran continues, attention has turned to a tiny island off the coast of the Middle Eastern country.

Kharg Island, whose total area is just 7.7 square miles, is situated northwest of the strategically important shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite its small size, the island holds around 94 per cent of the countrys crude oil for export, mostly bound for China, and its main oil export terminal.

It has now been reported that Donald Trump is considering putting American troops on the ground in Iran to seize the key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.

The possibility of US troops seizing the island is a starkly different tone from the one struck by the president on Friday, who said he was considering winding down the war with Tehran.

Mr Trumps top spokeswoman confirmed the details to The Telegraph but cautioned that he had not made a final decision.

open image in gallery A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island ( Planet Labs PBC )

In response to questions about boots on the ground, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said: Its the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander in chief maximum optionality.

The possibility of further military intervention is in sharp contrast to his post on Truth Social, which said: We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.

The President has previously boasted that US strikes had obliterated Iranian military outposts on the island, but left its oil infrastructure alone for now.

Meanwhile, Tehran warned that British lives are in danger after Sir Keir Starmer gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases.

Ministers agreed to the move on Friday afternoon, having previously limited the US to only using the bases to hit missile sites targeting British interests in the region.

But Mr Trump criticised the UK, saying it should have acted a lot faster in giving the US permission.

US administration officials said that discussions on seizing the Kharg Island have taken place, according to Axios. The land, which is smaller than the city of Westminster in London, could choke off Irans economy and leave a devastating impact for years to come.

Seizing the island would cut off Irans oil lifeline, which is crucial for the regime, Petras Katinas, research fellow in climate, energy and defence in the Europe office of the Royal United Services Institute, told The Telegraph.

Of course, with shipping via the Strait of Hormuz now stopped, they cannot sell oil anyway, but looking ahead, seizure would give the US leverage during negotiations, no matter which regime is in power after the military operation ends.

Shipping through the Strait has largely come to a halt after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took complete control of the major waterway.

Global supply chains have been severely affected and experts have warned of a devastating economic impact across the world if it continues.

Oil prices surged to more than $119 a barrel on Thursday before dropping, and the IRGC warned that it could reach $200 if hostilities escalate.

Should he take Kharg, rather than destroy it, he can not only ensure the regime can never again pay the salaries of its bureaucrats and soldiers, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin wrote in an article for the American Enterprise Institute in January this year, before Trumps assault.

But also, in the future after regime change, he can ensure that the new Iranian regime can finance its own rebuilding.

The IRGC, of course, could target Kharg with ballistic missiles, but that would sign their death warrant. Not only would Trump respond in kind, but such action would end Iranian oil exports for months to come, again leaving salaries unpaid.

Other analysts have suggested the island could be used as a bargaining chip as oil exports make up nearly 40 per cent of Irans government budget.

However, it would make American and Israeli troops vulnerable to attacks by Iranian forces.

If President Trump were to decide to seize this pivotal hub, it would deal a significant blow to the Iranian regime, as it would deprive them of a critical source of revenue, oil analyst Tamas Varga told CNBC.

open image in gallery An Iranian military boat patrols next to the Artavil oil tanker, at Kharg Island, in Persian Gulf, ( EPA )

Such a move would be reminiscent of the US intervention in Venezuela at the beginning of the year, when it effectively took control of the countrys oil sector.

The island was previously attacked by Saddam Hussein in 1984, sparking the oil tanker war in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Iraq.

But this isnt the first time Kharg appears to have been in Trumps sightline. He previously made a throwaway remark about the island nearly 40 years ago while promoting his book The Art of the Deal in an interview with The Guardian.

Theyve been beating us psychologically, making us look a bunch of fools, he said of Iran in 1988. One bullet shot at one of our men or ships, and Id do a number on Kharg Island. Id go in and take it.

Neil Quilliam, an energy policy and foreign affairs analyst at Chatham House, told The Independent that while it is unlikely Trump would take over the territory, any attempt would likely send the markets into a tailspin.

It could also block any future resolution between the countries, leading to an endless standoff.

The US would effectively control Irans major export terminal, but the Iranian leadership would remain in control of the countrys production so there would be a standoff, he said. It could also be a major cause for concern for Gulf countries, setting a dangerous precedent.

It is Irans Achilles heel in this war, but fighting for and occupying Kharg could cause irreparable damage to the terminal and hurt any successor regimes chances of managing the economy, he continued. Previous presidents have steered away from Kharg, understanding its strategic importance to global oil markets.
Wall Street is still in the beginning stages of adopting cryptocurrency funds, according to a top executive at Morgan Stanley.

Speaking at the DC Blockchain Summit, Amy Oldenburg, the banks head of digital asset strategy, noted that while some feel crypto has been around for years, the professional side of the business is still in its infancy.

Related: 91-year-old Wall Street giant inches closer to first Bitcoin ETF

A market driven by individual investors

Current data from the bank reveals a massive gap between professional money managers and everyday investors.

Oldenburg shared that 80% of the distribution seen on the platform is coming from "self-directed" business rather than accounts managed by financial advisors.

"You know, this has been a journey and we're still very early on it," Oldenburg explained.

She emphasized that while "DIY" investors are eager to buy, wealth managers are taking a more deliberate approach.

A managed and stepped journey

The firms move into the space has followed a specific timeline.

In August 2024, Morgan Stanley announced it would offer "solicited Bitcoin only ETFs" in brokerage accounts. Since then, the bank has continued to expand that access.

Most Popular on TheStreet Roundtable:

Oldenburg described the rollout as a "very managed and stepped journey" as the firm continues to grow through its advisory business.

"It's been a very managed and stepped journey as we've continued to expand that out," she noted.

The bank is now beginning to look at additional products, such as Ethereum or Solana, to potentially offer on the platform in the future.

Related: Ripple-backed XRP treasury firm eyes Nasdaq debut with $1B plan

The education hurdle for advisors

For Morgan Stanley, the "self-directed" investor is only one piece of the puzzle.

The firm is now focused on the deep work required to help financial advisors understand how digital assets fit into traditional asset allocation models.

Oldenburg highlighted that this transition requires a significant amount of education before advisors can fully integrate crypto into long-term client strategies.

This push for clarity comes as other major institutions provide their own guidance.

Last year, Morgan Stanleys global investment committee suggested allocations of up to 4% in some portfolios, as reported by CNBC.

Other giants, including Bank of America, BlackRock, and Fidelity, have also supported a range of 1% to 4% for diversified accounts.
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Irans missiles are a threat to European cities  including London, Paris and Berlin  after the attack on the UK-US Diego Garcia military base on the Chagos Islands, Israel has warned.

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper hit out at reckless Iranian threats after two ballistic missiles were fired towards the military base. Both were unsuccessful, with one shot down by a US warship and the other failing in flight.

However, The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it was the first time Tehran had launched a long-range missile since the start of the war, and showed it was now capable of reaching cities like London, Paris or Berlin.

It claimed the missiles could go a distance of around 4,000km, meaning they posed a danger to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. In a post on X, it said: We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.

The Ministry of Defence has so far declined to comment on precisely when the attack on Diego Garcia was launched, although it is understood to have come before the UK government gave the US permission to use British bases to hit Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

As a result of the agreement, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the UK was putting British lives at risk.

Diego Garcia is around 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran. The distance between Iran and the UK is around 4,435km (2,750 miles).

Before the weekend, when news of the attempted attack on Diego Garcia emerged, experts had said an Iranian attack on Britain was very unlikely, with Irans offensive capabilities not assessed as long-reaching enough.

However on Saturday, Gen Sir Richard Barrons, former head of the UKs Joint Forces Command, warned that Iran could hit targets much farther away than the international community realised.

He told BBCs Today programme: Previously we thought Irans missiles had a range of 2,000km and Diego [Garcia] is 3,800km (2,360 miles) from Iran.

Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli military intelligence officer who now works for the Tel-Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, told The Times the missiles fired on Diego Garcia could have been a warning to the UK, but cast doubt Tehran would target Europe.

He said: Its not that they think that tomorrow they will attack London or Paris, but I think that for them its another element that enables them to build the deterrence.

A US Air Force bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in South West England on 15 March 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

The warning from the IDF was reiterated by its chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, in a video released on Saturday night. He said: Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000km towards an American target on the island of Diego Garcia.

The missiles were not intended to hit Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe. Berlin, Paris and Rome are all within direct threat range.

The message was issued as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s Aerospace Force claimed that Iran would launch more missiles towards Israel overnight. Seyed Majid Mousavi wrote on X: "Tonight, the skies over the south of the occupied territories will remain illuminated for hours.

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump, who had said the US was considering winding down its military operation against Iran, hit back at critics of the offensive, claiming in a post on social media that the US has blown Iran off of the map.

He added: Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defence, and they want to make a deal.

It was followed by a post in which he threatened to obliterate Irans power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened within 48 hours.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran comes to the end of its fourth week an end to the conflict looks uncertain, with Donald Trump suggesting he is considering winding down operations even as the US send more troops to the region.

Downing Street gave the US the green light to use British bases to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (20 Monday). Trump claimed they should have acted a lot faster."

Meanwhile, the cost of petrol and diesel across the globe has soared, as fuel prices in the UK rise at its steepest rate since the Ukraine war began in 2022.

The Independent spoke to people in both New York and London to see what they had to say about the conflict in the Middle East.
Social media addicts across the world  Benjamin Netanyahu among them  have had a lot of sport this week over trending suggestions that the Israeli PM had somehow died in the current Iran war.

Of course, Israels longest-serving head of government could hardly be more alive and kicking, politically as well as literally, than he is at present. So much so that it has been increasingly accepted  and justly so, as I argued 10 days ago  that he was pivotal in Donald Trumps decision to start a joint US-Israel war on Iran on 28 February.

We have Marco Rubios word for it that the US joined the attack because Israel was going to strike anyway. We also know that Netanyahu has wanted to do this since at least the turn of the century, but was blocked successively by George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Its striking, too, that Trump, as the US politician most exposed to Netanyahus persuasive powers, from the start shared the latters goal of regime change in ways that Rubio and the so-called Secretary for War Pete Hegseth did not. As Ben Rhodes, former deputy National Security Adviser during the Obama presidency, asked rhetorically: Do we really believe that the United States would be in this war absent Netanyahu?

That said, its important to be clear what this does and doesnt mean. The view that Netanyahu is the continuing mastermind of the war fits neatly with Donald Trumps claim that he knew nothing at all in advance about the attack this week by Israel on Irans South Pars gas field. That is politically helpful to him, since it has caused such turbulence in global energy markets.

Yet the Trump claim should and is being treated with scepticism, to put it mildly, by officials and experts in both Jerusalem and Washington DC, given the unprecedented co-operation between the two defence establishments.

Yes, the potentially catastrophic strike was carried out by Israel. But as the well informed Dan Shapiro, a former US ambassador to Israel now at the Atlantic Council think tank, insisted this week, Trump knew and approved [of the strike]. Now he realises it caused a massive escalation.

Similarly, the assassination of Irans security chief Ali Larijani bears all the hallmarks of Israels belief  far from always vindicated  that decapitation of a movements leaders leads to its defeat. Some Iran experts believe that Larijani might have been a protagonist in any diplomatic negotiation to end the war. But whether theres anything in that or not, the idea that Israel was freelancing when it took him out is all but inconceivable.

Brothers in arms? US president Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ( Getty )

Moreover, blaming Netanyahu for his undoubted part in starting this war does not mean accommodating the extreme fantasies of some ultra-rightists in the US  including (the Trump-appointed) Joe Kent, who resigned from his counter-intelligence post in protest at the war. Kent was surely factually correct in saying that Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.

But he was totally incorrect to make the baseless claim that Israel had also dragged the US into the 2003 Iraq war. Israel largely stood aside from that war despite coming under attack from Iraq and indeed the then prime minister Ariel Sharon had said it was the wrong war  against Iraq rather than Iran. He also had the unfortunate privilege of been singled out for praise by the white nationalist and anti-semitic commentator Nick Fuentes.

It does not alter the fact that this is still very much a war of Trumps choice. Theres no doubt that the war is so far much more popular in Israel than it is in the US, perhaps leading Netanyahu to think he can convert some of that popularity to boost his own currently far from electorally bankable poll ratings. No doubt too, that his laudable, if at present seemingly distant, goal of setting Iranians free from the ayatollahs egregious tyranny sits so uneasily with lack of interest in anything parallel for the Palestinians.

But its Trump who said yes to all this, and who decided to be the first American president, at least on Iran, not to deny Netanyahu. Its Trump who is treating a war he seemingly does not know how to finish like a bellicose toddler with a new video game, threatening to repeat the bombing of the Kharg oil site just for fun.

Even for those most convinced that Trump was bullied by Netanyahu into going to war, that provides no cover for the US president. As Ben Rhodes himself added in his recent interview with the Zeteo website: Donald Trump is responsible. I actually dont think its fair to say its all Netanyahu. No, this is the guy who took us to war. He could have said no to Netanyahu.
When American multinationals come here and see what we do, theyre blown away by it  Hanley Energy CEO on how Meath firm became a global success
Des Bishop pays heart-warming tribute to Wexford teacher

There was a handwritten letter talking about how proud he was of what I had achieved

Irish American comedian Des Bishop was speaking about the late Jim Ryan.

Cillian Boggan Wexford People Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 07:40

The hugely popular Irish American comedian and adopted son of Wexford Des Bishop has paid a moving tribute to one of his former teachers at St. Peters College, the then boarding school he attended when he moved from New York to Ireland as a teenager, saying good teachers who care, dont stop caring.
Not for the first time, London has been the stage on which significant scenes in Gerry Adams life have played out.

As a young republican, he was part of a delegation that in 1972 held secret talks with the British Government in Chelseas Cheyne Walk, one of the citys most affluent and exclusive areas.
Nothing but sympathy for IRA victims, says former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams as case is ended in London High Court

Former republican leader said civil action taken against him verged upon a show trial

A drawing of Gerry Adams, who told the court he was never in the Provisional IRA

Callum Parke and Jonathan McCambridge Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Gerry Adams has said a civil case taken against him verged upon a show trial while an IRA victim said he was completely devastated after the case was discontinued.
A man in psychosis left a householder traumatised when he twice attacked her home, smashing a window with a brick and kicking her front door.

Evan Sherlock (29) had no connection with the house but wrongly believed that his aunt lived there when he targeted it. Judge Michele Finan jailed him for 18 months when he appeared at Dublin District Court.
Price of fuel surges close to 2.30 a litre  with further pain predicted at the pumps

Price of fuel surges close to 2.30 a litre  with further pain predicted at the pumps

Darragh Nolan Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

The price of fuel has risen again as the war on Iran continues, with it now costing about 100 to fill a modest car.
South Korea is not just delaying its crypto tax anymore. It wants to kill it entirely.

The People Power Party has introduced a bill to strike digital asset taxation from the Income Tax Act completely, ahead of its rescheduled 2027 implementation. The opposition Democratic Party, which holds the legislative majority and previously only agreed to a delay, is now reviewing full abolition.

The reason is hard to ignore. $110 billion in capital flight. Traders moved funds offshore specifically to escape the planned 22% levy.

That number changed the political calculus fast.

Key Takeaways

Policy Shift: The People Power Party introduced a bill to completely remove crypto from the Income Tax Act, aiming to scrap the tax rather than just delay it to 2027.

Capital Flight: An estimated $110 billion has exited South Korean exchanges for offshore platforms, driven by the threat of a 22% tax on gains over $1,800.

Investor Impact: The move aims to level the playing field for retail Ant investors, aligning crypto incentives with the local stock markets much higher tax-free threshold.

The Mechanics of the Korea Crypto Abolition Bill Explained

The disparity driving this debate is stark.

Under the planned law, South Korean crypto traders would pay a 22% tax on gains above just 2.5 million won. That is roughly $1,781. Meanwhile the domestic stock market protects investors with a deduction threshold of 50 million won, around $35,600.

The PPP is calling it exactly what it is. Discriminatory treatment of 6 million crypto traders.

The abolition bill goes further than the two-year moratorium agreed in December. It seeks to remove virtual assets from the taxation schedule entirely. The trigger is the $110 billion in capital that has already fled to overseas exchanges where Korean jurisdiction barely reaches.

Lawmakers are not acting on principle. They are reacting to data showing the domestic ecosystem is bleeding out.

The global context is accelerating the urgency. The US is signaling a pro-crypto regulatory stance and Korean lawmakers are watching closely. A hostile tax policy while competitors roll out the welcome mat could permanently handicap South Koreas digital economy.

The capital flight already happened. The question now is whether abolition can bring it back.

What This Means for the Ants and the Kimchi Premium

For South Koreas retail traders, known locally as Ants, this is the signal to bring capital home.

The Democratic Party has historically pushed back hard on crypto. But $110 billion in capital flight is a number that forces pragmatism over ideology. If the tax gets scrapped, the incentive to route funds through offshore platforms or private wallets disappears overnight.
Our writer taps expats for travel advice to unlock a more authentic Indonesian island experience  and avoid the influencers

Figure out where the tourist spots are  and avoid them. And think about coming here for something other than simply a sun holiday, maybe during rainy season, when it will be quieter and cheaper.
Analysis: Only 21pc of the world population can say they live in a free country, study reveals

Last year marked 20 consecutive years of decline in global freedom, according to a new report from Freedom House

Iranian pro-government supporters carry a picture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a Iranian pro-government rally held outside the Iranian consulate on February 1 in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: Getty

Jamie Fly and Yana Gorokhovskaia Washington Post Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Even as long-reigning autocrats such as Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are removed from power, the outlook for the global state of democracy remains highly uncertain.
Iranian escalation is sure to prompt retaliation as states move to protect their economies

For once, Irans regime was not exaggerating when it warned of consequences beyond control, the scope of which would engulf the entire world.

The Iranian missile strike on Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar  which includes the worlds biggest gas export facility  shows how the belligerents in this war have raced up the escalatory ladder. First, Iran targeted US military sites in the Gulf, including the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar.

Now, Iran has gone even further by taking aim at the energy infrastructure of its neighbours, and not just individual port facilities or pipelines, but the crown jewels of the industries that the Gulf states have spent decades creating.

Ras Laffan is the most important complex of its kind in the world, providing almost 20pc of global supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG). All production was halted on day three of the war  March 2  but the market assumed Ras Laffan would swiftly go back into action once the conflict was over.

The significance of Irans latest attack, and the reason why oil and gas prices have rocketed, is that it is highly likely to remove any chance of a quick return to normality. Before the missile struck, Wood Mackenzie, an energy consultancy, believed that full production at Ras Laffan could be restored in four to six weeks. Months may now be required.

Market expectations had been for a short disruption, with a controlled restart restoring supply to pre-conflict levels by mid-2026. That outlook now appears increasingly unlikely, said Kristy Kramer, head of LNG Strategy at Wood Mackenzie.

The Israeli targeting of facilities linked to Irans South Pars field, an extension of Qatars North Field, is a dangerous and irresponsible step amid the current military escalation

The trigger for this escalation was an air strike on Iranian facilities serving the South Pars gas field. Both Qatar and Iran accused Israel of carrying out this attack, which the US denied any knowledge of. South Pars forms part of the biggest undersea gas field in the world, shared by Iran and Qatar.

Irans surviving leaders will believe that if they cannot extract this gas, then neither should Qatar. This is what Qatar has always feared, and explains why it pleaded publicly for Israel to avoid triggering a destructive escalation.

The Israeli targeting of facilities linked to Irans South Pars field, an extension of Qatars North Field, is a dangerous and irresponsible step amid the current military escalation, said Majed Al Ansari, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesman. Hours later, Iran attacked Ras Laffan and the war escalated into a perilous new phase.

Smoke and flames rise from the South Pars gas field following an Israeli strike Iran. Photo: Reuters

To strike the hubs of the oil and gas industries of the Gulf countries is to attack their very viability as states. And because these facilities supply the world, firing missiles at them also amounts to an assault on the global economy.

But from Irans perspective, the danger is that its remaining leaders will conclude from the South Pars raid that their enemies are trying to destroy not just the Islamic Republic, but the Iranian state itself.

By the remorseless logic of escalation, Iran will then feel impelled to retaliate with strikes on the facilities that keep the economies of the Gulf states alive. If this cycle continues, the viability of entire countries could be placed in jeopardy. Hence, the stark warning from Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian of consequences beyond control.

Donald Trump did not calm the situation by threatening to massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars gas field if Iran were to launch any more attacks on Qatars LNG plants. The risk is that Irans leaders will see no reason to heed calls for restraint. For this pitiless cycle to be broken, the belligerents would have to privately decide to restrain their attacks and observe some self-imposed red lines.

The US and Israel would need to leave Irans oil and gas facilities alone and hope for a corresponding decision by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Just typing that sentence shows how improbable such a sequence would be. ( Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd)
John Downing: Viktor Orban, leader of Europes awkward squad, could be ousted in poll

US vice-president JD Vance to visit Hungary to boost leader who has been accused of gross disloyalty to fellow EU governments over blocking Ukraine loan

Hungarys prime minister Viktor Orban is blocking a much-needed 90bn loan for Ukraine. Photo: AP

John Downing Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

The lesser-spotted US vice-president, JD Vance, is reportedly headed for Hungary on a mission to boost the flagging parliamentary election hopes of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ally, Viktor Orban.
US president rages at Israel after strike on worlds largest gas field in Iran

US president Donald Trump with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel in October 2025. Photo: Getty

Donald Trumps social media put-down of Israel for hitting an Iranian gas field and escalating the conflict should come as no surprise. It may finally be dawning on the US president that Israeli and US interests in the region are not fully aligned.

Israel hit Irans South Pars gas field  the worlds largest  on Wednesday. In retaliation, Iran bombed Ras Laffan in Qatar, as well as other sites across the Gulf. Mr Trumps anger at the domino effect was directed at Israel.

The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, said Mr Trump on social media overnight, as world energy prices again soared.

NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL, he added.

It is not the first time that Israel has escalated without US permission. Marco Rubio suggested at the start of the war that Israel had actually started it, dragging the US in behind.

Then there was the killing, not only of Irans supreme leader, but many of his potential replacements. This prompted Mr Trump to note early on that most of the people we had in mind [to lead Iran] are dead.

When analysts started pointing to the surviving Iranian intelligence chief last week as a possible pragmatist with whom Mr Trump might negotiate, he too was assassinated.

Joe Kent, Mr Trumps director of counter-terrorism, quit on Tuesday. In his resignation letter, he said the US had been deceived by Israel.

Smoke and flames rise from the South Pars gas field in Asaluyeh, Bushehr Province, Iran. Photo: Reuters

He said: It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a US antisemitism monitor, said in a statement that accusations in Mr Kents resignation letter traffic in old-age antisemitic tropes.

It said: So its no surprise that he would blame Israel and the media for pushing the president into war against the Iranian regime.

But it is true that Israeli and US interests in this venture diverge.

Iran has been plotting against Israel since 1979, funding Hamas, Hezbollah and others, who want Israel and Israelis wiped from the face of the Earth. Israels interest is therefore in regime change, and failing that, leaving Iran in ruins.

If the Gulf states go up in flames too, so be it. They too are autocracies that have little love for the Jewish state. Without the glistening towers of Dubai and Riyadh, Israel will again shine as the villa in the Middle East jungle.

The Ras Laffan LNG facility in Qatar was hit by Iran. Photo: Reuters

Nathan Brown, a non-resident senior fellow at Carnegie Middle East Centre, said in an article this week that Israels traditional security policy of deterrence and diplomacy had been eclipsed after the October 7 massacre by something harsher: a preference for domination, degradation and the prevention of the adversaries recovery.

US interests are different. It wants friends in the Gulf. It needs their oil for world markets, their shipping lanes and their capital for inward investment. Without stability in the region, global markets and economies will ultimately crash, and the US economy will go with it.

The US has understood for decades that the US and Israels interests do not fully align.

Mr Trump would have known it too if he had not sacked most of the US governments foreign policy specialists on taking office last yearr.
The project in Rylane has received funding of almost 1.8 million secured under a national community funding initiative, with completion targeted for 2026

A cheque issued to the Rylane Community Centre by The Department of Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Locals in Rylane are invited to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the charming Midwest Cork village as part of a new campaign.

The Buy a Brick campaign was set up by the Rylane Community Park Association, which offers individuals, families and businesses the chance to leave a lasting mark on the community by purchasing a commemorative brick that will form part of the new development  a community hub building.

Rylane Community Park Association was established in 2016 with the goal of creating a vibrant recreational space for the village and surrounding areas.

The association has already delivered several important facilities including a playing pitch, astro pitch and playground, creating a valuable amenity for families and young people.

The community hub building is next on the agenda in a bid to further enhance the park as a location for social, recreational and community activity for generations to come.

The project has received funding of almost 1.8 million secured under a national community funding initiative, with completion targeted for 2026.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Linda Grimes, Chairperson of the Rylane Community Park Association said the initiative is about bringing the community together to help shape the future of the village.

This project has always been built by the community and for the community.

The Buy a Brick campaign allows people to become a permanent part of the parks story while helping us deliver a fantastic new facility for everyone in Rylane and the wider area, Ms Grimes said.

The coffee morning launch event will provide an opportunity for supporters to learn more about the campaign, meet members of the committee and find out how they can get involved.

The Association is encouraging everyone in the area  residents, former residents, local organisations and businesses  to attend the launch and support the continued development of this important community amenity.

Further information on the campaign and how to purchase a brick can be found on Rylane Community Park on Facebook, at the launch or by contacting any of the committee members.
A man with a history of public order and criminal damage offending ran a trolley into glass doors at an Aldi supermarket in a "foolish and juvenile" response to discovering he was barred from the premises, a court has heard.

Housseyn Chaoui (29), with an address at Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and public order offences at Aldi, Belgard Road, Tallaght, on July 13, 2024.

Garda Stephanie Maher told Tallaght District Court that once the defendant realised he was barred from the store, he became upset and began acting aggressively.

The court heard that he threw items onto the floor, including a bottle of shaving foam, before taking a shopping trolley and pushing it with force into the glass entrance doors.

Chaoui engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour during the incident. Gardai arrested him and he was taken to Tallaght Garda Station.

Defending solicitor Eddie OConnor said the defendant, who is originally from Nigeria and has been living in Ireland for the past two and a half years, accepted his behaviour was wrong and had apologised to staff and gardai.

The court heard that Chaoui has seven previous convictions, including for public order, criminal damage, theft and assault.

In sentencing, Judge Peter White described the incident as "foolish and juvenile", but said he took into account the defendants guilty plea and his apology before imposing a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
George Murphy & The Rising Sons will perform at a fundraising concert in aid of Knocknagoshel N.S next month.

Knocknagoshel N.S. has announced that renowned Irish singer-songwriter George Murphy, accompanied by his band The Rising Sons, will headline a special fundraising concert in support of the school.

The event is scheduled to take place at Knocknagoshel Community Centre on Friday, April 18 at 7.30pm. It is expected to be an enjoyable evening of live music, bringing together members of the local and surrounding communities.

George Murphy rose to prominence following his appearances on RTEs Youre a Star. At the age of 17, he signed with Sony Ireland, with his debut album Dreamed A Dream debuting at number one in the Irish charts and achieving triple-platinum status. He has since established himself as a respected performer, widely recognised for his distinctive voice and strong ties to Irish folk and ballad traditions.

He will be joined by The Rising Sons, a group of accomplished musicians known for their dynamic fusion of traditional Irish music and contemporary folk influences.

The concert is being organised as a fundraiser for Knocknagoshel N.S., with organisers encouraging strong community support for what promises to be a memorable night of music and local engagement.

Tickets are priced at 25 and can be purchased online at knocknagoshelns.eventbrite.com, as well as from Knocknagoshel N.S., Walshs Bar, and OConnors Bar.

For further information, please contact Kate on 087 9228834.
Satellite imagery shows dramatic changes at Rossbeigh and Inch Beach spits over the last 10 years

You might say the landscape is gentle in rural south Kerry; the rolling green hues of pasture and the tranquil coves lapped by lilting waves.

Youd be almost right, if it was but for a remarkable high energy system, literally moving mountains at breakneck (geological) speed.

Whats at work along the Rossbeigh and Inch beach spits, and into the Castlemaine harbour, is a frantic symphony of natural forces, and according to one researcher, entirely unpredictable.

Satellite images analysed by The Kerryman capture some of the dramatic changes the two spits have experienced in the last 10 years.

Sections of both peninsulas have been eroded by over 200 metres, however, at Rossbeigh grass can be seen growing in places not seen before, suggesting a more complex picture.

Kevin Lynch, a coastal geomorphologist and lecturer at Galway University, illustrated the uniqueness of the Castlemaine bay area and how it presents an enigma to scientists.

Even if we had all the time in the world and all the data in the world, that system is at a threshold where it's changing really rapidly, he said.

To say we could predict what will happen would be very misleading. The Rossbeigh spit is connected very much to the Inch spit, and it's also connected with the inner bay and the outer bay.

All the sands in these areas move around, affecting one another. It's a massive sand system and it's very difficult to try and forecast in any meaningful way.

Mr Lynch gave a talk to concerned Rossbeigh locals last month, as they met to discuss solutions to the erosion of their coastal gem. There was a sense of urgency as the Save Rossbeigh meeting got underway, with not only the spit at stake, but homes and infrastructure along the shore.

The presentation given by Mr Lynch attempted to reframe the question around how these oceanic forces could be dealt with, warning that traditional engineering solutions could do more harm than good.

In many sites all around Ireland (Lahinch, Strandhill, Portrush to name but a few weve put in rock armour and hard engineering as a protective measure, he told The Kerryman.

It has resulted in losing the beach at these locations, where now at high tide there is no visible beach. If you look upstream or downstream of these structures, you will see increased erosion.

It is not appropriate for beaches and dunes in high energy environments to put these rigid structures, and the wild west coast of Ireland is about as high energy an environment as you are going to get anywhere in the world.

Locals in the meeting were asking, Why do we need a playground on the sand dunes? Why do we need a car park right there? Why are those things not sited off the sand dune and then we wouldn't have to protect them?

These common-sense questions are always being asked, and yet, we are still building these things in the wrong locations.

Mr Lynch advocates for a less intrusive approach to conservation, centred mostly around mitigating the human impact and providing nature-based solutions.

Following the major erosion of sand dunes in the Maharees, Mr Lynch helped the Maharees Conservation Association pull off an impressive revitalisation, nursing the site back into health.

The area known as the Magherabeg Cut was seriously degraded from unmanaged access from beach users and its recovering demonstrated how simple actions like not walking on the dunes can make them more resilient.

The Fenit tombolo has also benefited from nature-based approaches, the narrow strip of beach making a dramatic recovery after it was breached by a storm in 2019.

The Fenit Coast Conservation group carried out the painstaking task of harvesting Marram grass, that is critical for keeping the dunes bound together, from Banna and transplanting it onto the tombolo, as well as preventing people from walking along the dunes.

These lessons have been more formalised into a sand dune course, which Mr Lynch has been running for two years. He says communities that have been given the lectures are flying with their new knowledge.

They're going out working with land owners and authorities, and they're doing sand fencing, they're doing signage, they're asking people not to use the sand dunes, and it's working, said Mr Lynch.

So, there is an answer to it. It's this kind of locally based action to just look after the sand dunes and do it properly. We're extending the Dune Action course to the entire country now, with Dunes.ie as a huge resource for everyone.

If we ask for an engineering solution, you can be sure well get an engineering answer. But that is not the question we should be asking. We're not Lord and Master over everything. We're part of nature. And so that's the reframing that we have to do.

A better question would be What is the best solution for us and nature?

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Christine McCarthy originally from Tulloha, Kenmare has been remembered by her work colleagues in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin by the unveiling and opening of the new operating theatre which was named in her honour.

The late Christine McCarthy from Kenmare who has been honoured by colleagues in Dublin for her decidation to her nursing career.

Christine McCarthy originally from Tulloha, Kenmare has been remembered by her work colleagues in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin by the unveiling and opening of the new operating theatre which was named in her honour.

Kenmare woman Christine McCarthy has been honoured by her colleagues at Connolly Hospital in Dublin.

The Kerry woman had a long and distinguished career in nursing spending time abroad as well a proud 20-year career as a theatre nurse in Connolly.

Christine was originally from Tulloha, Kenmare, from a family of seven and some of her family still live there. She lived in Meath but never forget her Kerry roots.

Christine is survived by her husband Billy, children Liam, Dan and Julie and siblings, Joan, Denis, Sheila, Donal and Mary Claire.

Tragically she passed away very suddenly during Covid in 2021 due to pulmonary fibrosis at just 58 years of age.

She had worked right up until her unexpected death and the loss of a wonderful mother, sister and nurse left those who knew and loved her devastated.

Following her death her colleagues organised a virtual walk in her memory and in the process raised significant funds for Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA).

Now they have come together to honour her once again to remember her. On the 5th anniversary of her death in recent weeks her family were invited to attend the unveiling and opening of the new operating theatre which was named in her honour, the Christine McCarthy, Memorial Theatre.

This was named so to remember the wonderful nurse she was and the much respected and loved colleague.

Her sister Mary Claire McCarthy said the family were delighted to attend the very special event.

"It is wonderful honour for Christine. She loved her job and was dedicated to her role as threatre nurse. It was a very special occasion for all of us and especially her children, she said.
Stablecoin legislation bill is one step away from crossing the finish line.

Senator Thom Tillis confirmed Wednesday that a deal on digital asset yield is very close. Finalized text is expected next week.

The core question is simple but massive. Can stablecoin issuers and exchanges legally offer yield on deposits and compete directly with banks. Or does that revenue stream get walled off permanently.

The answer is coming fast.

Key Takeaways:

Yield Negotiation: Senators and the White House are finalizing rules on whether crypto exchanges can offer APY rewards on stablecoins, resolving a critical lobbying clash between banks and crypto firms.

Timeline: Senate Banking Committee markup is expected in April following the Easter recess, with a potential deal framework surfacing as early as next week.

Market Impact: The outcome determines if DeFi protocols and exchanges can legally pass Treasury yields to users, directly affecting liquidity incentives and issuer business models.

Stablecoin Bill Points of Contention: Yield and Exchange Rewards

The entire stablecoin bill hinges on one mechanism. Yield.

The fight is between banks and crypto firms over whether non-bank entities can legally offer APY programs to stablecoin holders.

Banks argue that offering yield on reserves is effectively taking deposits without FDIC insurance or capital requirements. Crypto firms say they are simply passing through rewards on fully reserved assets. Completely different from fractional reserve banking.

White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt called it the major domino to fall. Resolve this and the market structure bill that has been stalled since January gets unstuck.

The political urgency is real. Senator Tillis is retiring and wants a legacy win before leaving office. The White House wants the legislative deck cleared before midterm dynamics freeze the Senate Banking Committee. Tillis indicated the group could be in a good final position by next week.

The external clock is also ticking. OCC and FDIC comment periods for stablecoin rulemaking under the GENIUS Act close in May. If Congress does not define the yield question now, regulators default to stricter interpretations that favor incumbent banks. Senator Lummis expects the panel to mark up legislation in April immediately after recess.

The window to get ahead of a purely regulatory crackdown is closing fast.

Market Stakes for Issuers and DeFi

This is a binary outcome for every business model built on yield.

Legislation permits exchange-based rewards and it legitimizes the primary customer acquisition tool for platforms like Coinbase and Kraken.
Three men have been convicted at Wexford District Court of offences arising from a road traffic incident involving allegations of public order matters, obstruction and careless driving.

Garda Quinlavan told the court he took a statement from one of the accused, John Murphy (68), of Ballyboggin, Castlebridge, Co Wexford, in connection with an incident on July 7, 2024, on the New Ross to Ballinaboola road. The garda said the incident involved overtaking manoeuvres, brake-checking and a confrontation near a traffic island.

In his statement, Mr Murphy said he attempted to overtake on a hill after a roundabout in New Ross but alleged the vehicle in front broke sharply a number of times. He was travelling with David Murphy (57), of Wuthering Heights, Mullingower, Castlebridge, and Christopher Murphy (40), of Crory Upper, Crossabeg. Mr Murphy said that as they overtook, the passengers signalled at the other vehicle to stop.

The court heard that at the Ballinaboola traffic-calming measures, Mr Murphy stopped and the three men got out and approached a car driven by Ian Cox. The men wanted to speak with Mr Cox to determine what his issue is.

The court was told it was John Murphys assertion that Mr Coxs car then drove off, striking Mr Murphy in the process, causing injuries to his forearm and back.

Garda Carty said he contacted Mr Cox and sought a voluntary cautioned statement. The garda told the court Mr Cox gave a different account of events, which led to the prosecution of the three Murphy men.

Wexford Courthouse.

News in 90 seconds - March 21

In his evidence, Mr Cox said the vehicle driven by John Murphy came up dangerously close behind him and, as it passed, vulgar gestures were made at him. Mr Cox told the court he reciprocated the gesture.

Mr Cox said that once the Murphy vehicle was in front, it continued to brake-check him. He said the car then stopped at Ballinaboola and the three men got out and approached his vehicle while shouting. He said one of the men was holding an iron bar.

Mr Cox told the court he drove around the men, mounting the traffic island, and that one of the men kicked the side of his car before he continued on his way home.

Garda Carty confirmed there was no CCTV available and no independent witnesses to the incident.

Solicitor Eileen ONeill, for John and Christopher Murphy, said the matter arose from a traffic disagreement. She submitted that certain allegations had not been put to her clients during. Ms ONeill put it to Mr Cox that his statement was fabricated and was a ploy to deny involvement in a hit-and-run incident.

In her ruling, Judge Miriam Walsh said the case bore all the hallmarks of road rage. She described it as four adult men acting like boys in a schoolyard and said such behaviour on a public road was unacceptable.

Judge Walsh convicted all three Murphy men and ordered that each make a 500 donation to St Vincent de Paul. The court noted the men were in employment and had no significant previous convictions.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Gardai who were central figures in achieving an historic first conviction for related offences in Ireland told their remarkable story

Ewa Juobis, Michelle Flood and Danielle Phelan were at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

Shirley Roche, Sharon Reville, and Gemma Brophy were pictured at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

Barbara Harrison, Mary Louise Pierce (President, Soroptimist International Wexford), George Lawlor TD, Shirley Cowan, and Phil Lynch were pictured at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

Mary Culleton, Mary Kerr, Una Whelan, and Veronica Brimson pictured at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

Denis Whelan, Garda Karen Coughlan, and Garda Niall Stack were pictured at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

Mary Kerr, Dr. Niamh Flanagan (Maynooth University), Garda Karen Coughlan, Mary Louise Pierce (President, Soroptimist International Wexford), Garda Niall Stack, Breda Shannon, and Mia de Faoite were pictured at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

A large crowd gathered in Wexford Library recently for an information event on human trafficking, with organisers Soroptimist International (SI) Wexford, calling for action on an issue which is hidden in plain sight.

A group of four respected speakers with extensive knowledge of the area, Dr Niamh Flanagan, Detective Garda Niall Stack, Garda Karen Coughlan and Sarah Connaughton were selected to address the audience about the crime.

The event was part of SIs national project across the country, Hidden in Plain Sight, which seeks to raise awareness of human trafficking in Ireland.

"As Soroptimists, we stand for a simple but powerful principle: women and girls deserve to live free, safe, and empowered lives. Human trafficking violates every part of that principle. It is not a distant issue, nor a problem confined to other countries. It happens in our towns, in our cities, and in ways that are hidden in plain sight said SI Wexford president Mary Louise Pearce.

Dr Niamh Flanagan is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Social Studies Maynooth University. She teaches social, child and family policy and responses to child trafficking and joined the department in 2017 having worked in the social and health sector, including within the National Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Services team in Tusla Child and Family Agency.

Dr Flanagan spoke on the definition of human trafficking. She described it as a form of extreme exploitation encompassing slavery, servitude, forced labour, forced marriage, debt bondage, and child trafficking, emphasising both legal and social dimensions.

She reminded the audience that Ireland, in the not-too-distant past was engaged in illegal adoption which is child trafficking and she used the wheel of trafficking to illuminate her point.

Barbara Harrison, Mary Louise Pierce (President, Soroptimist International Wexford), George Lawlor TD, Shirley Cowan, and Phil Lynch were pictured at the Soroptimist International Wexford's 'Hidden in Plain Sight' in Wexford Library on Thursday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell

Detective Garda Niall Stack and Garda Karen Coughlan from Mullingar were central figures in securing an historic conviction of two women who became the first people in the state to be convicted of human trafficking, for the prostitution ring they ran out of the midlands.

They received jail sentences of five years and eight months and five years and one month, in 2021. On appeal, it was concluded that those sentences were unduly lenient and for the trafficking offences, a sentence of seven and half years was imposed in the case of Ms. Edosa and seven years and one month imprisonment in the case of Ms. Enoghaghase.

The victims had all travelled in the belief that they were going to be working as shop assistants but ended up being forced to work as prostitutes in various locations around the country including Limerick, Cork, Galway, Castlebar, Navan, Athlone, Letterkenny, Cavan and Dundalk.

The demand for sex is here and for as long as there is the demand, there will be sex trafficking said Detective Stack.

Finally, Sarah Connaughton from Ruhama, charity founded in 1989 that offers nationwide support to women impacted by prostitution and human trafficking spoke about how the organisation helps victims.

A brief Q&A was held, during which Detective Stack informed the audience that the four victims of the trafficking were now all working in Ireland, paying taxes and giving back to the community. Labour deputy George Lawlor T.D., thanked the Soroptimist for raising awareness of this complex issue, and praised the speakers.
Ravenswell students take part in a school assembly for a concert to celebrate Seachtain na Gaelige, after winning the Cumann Na mBunscol award.

Some of the pupils from the winning National Cumann na mBunscol Awards group, with students Oisin Duggan, Liam Proctor, Kenan Jaros, Chloe Richardson, Kacey Buckley and Holly Nolan (front) and teachers Sadhbh McHugh, Orla Kavanagh, Principal Kate Breen, Pam McDermott and Jennifer Ryan.

A Wicklow primary school has been crowned School of the Year at the National Cumann na mBunscol Awards 2025-2026, which were held in County Clare.

The prestigious awards, sponsored by Cornmarket and CJ Fallon, celebrate excellence in the promotion of Gaelic games and Irish culture in primary schools across the country, Bray's Ravenswell Primary School emerging as the winner.

Ravenswell was shortlisted in the highly competitive Large School of the Year category and scooped the top national honour  the only school from Leinster to be nominated in the category. Teachers Orla Kavanagh, Sadhbh McHugh, Jennifer Ryan and Pam McDermott represented the school and accepted the award on the night.

The schools submission highlighted a wide-ranging project demonstrating the depth of its commitment to Gaelic games, culture and community engagement. Central to the entry was Ravenswells strong participation in Cumann na mBunscol competitions, its close links with the local GAA club Bray Emmets, and ongoing efforts to nurture a love of Irish games and traditions among pupils.

Ravenswell serves a diverse student population, and staff are credited with fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment that reflects the GAAs ethos of Where We All Belong. The staff emphasises that every child regardless of background, ability, or experience  is encouraged to take part and reach their full potential.

Receiving the award, the teachers said the victory has generated a palpable sense of pride throughout the school community.

Quoting the Saw Doctors line, to win just once, that would be enough, they added the achievement marks a milestone moment for the school and its sporting culture.
A Galway man has pleaded guilty to posing as a charity collector to obtain money from members of the public.

Michael Ward (45), of An Chrannog, Loughrea, Co Galway, appeared before Arklow District Court for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of making a gain or causing a loss by deception.

The court heard that on March 7, 2025, Mr Ward approached customers outside an off-licence in Arklow seeking donations.

He told members of the public that he was collecting on behalf of a charity described as Lung Fibrosis Ireland. There is no widely recognised registered charity in Ireland under that exact name.

Michael Ward (45), of An Chrannog, Loughrea, Co Galway.

News in 90 seconds - March 21

Judge David Kennedy put Mr Ward on his election. This means the accused must choose whether to have his case dealt with in the District Court by a judge alone or sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial before a judge and jury, where more serious penalties can apply. Ward opted for the matter to be dealt with at the District Court level.

Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that the accused has 32 previous convictions, including assault, careless driving, eight burglaries and one conviction for collecting money without a permit.

Solicitor for the accused, Pauric Hyland, said he was instructed that his client does not accept the full list of previous convictions and believes he has approximately 12.

Sgt Canavan told the court that the previous convictions were obtained through the PULSE system. PULSE is the Garda computer database used to record incidents, charges and criminal histories.

He added that the details matched the accuseds date of birth and home address.

Judge Kennedy adjourned the matter to allow the prosecution to clarify the position regarding the defendants previous convictions.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Members of Network Ireland Wicklow gathered at the beautiful surroundings of Belmont Demesne to celebrate International Womens Day.

Participants got the chance to personalise their mugs, with the finished items to be collected at a later date.

A group of women in business gathered in Wicklow recently for a creative and communityfocused morning hosted by O Brother Brewing, where they took part in a handson potterydecorating workshop and enjoyed time to connect and unwind together.

The morning began with the pottery workshop at O Brother Brewings taproom studio. The session was led by Siobhan Brennan, owner of Crazy Glazing, who guided attendees through the process of decorating their own ceramic mugs using a variety of colours and techniques.

The women, all members of Network Ireland Wicklow, enjoyed experimenting with different designs as they personalised their mugs. The pieces will now be professionally glazed and fired, with the finished mugs to be collected at a later date.

Following the workshop, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by O Brother Brewing in their taproom, giving members the opportunity to connect, collaborate and network in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Cllr Orla Finn shared insights about the importance of wellbeing, balance and support networks for women navigating the pressures of business, family life and everyday challenges.

Also in attendance were Melinda Lambert and Nicola Clarkin from the Arklow Cancer Support Centre, the chosen charity of Network Ireland Wicklow this year.

They spoke to members about the vital work carried out by the centre, offering insight into how the organisation supports cancer patients and their families, how their services are funded, and the importance of continued community support. Hearing first-hand about the impact of their work was both informative and inspiring for those present.

Anyone interested in joining Network Ireland Wicklow can contact the branch through their social media channels or via the Network Ireland website.
Investigation into former Prince Andrew could expand into potential corruption offences

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was last month arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen being driven away from a police station following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on February 19, 2026, in Aylsham, Norfolk. Photo: MEGA/GC Images

Dan Haygarth UK Independent Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

The UK police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could expand to look into potential corruption offences, according to reports.
Politics

latest | Simon Harris says Iran War energy impact likely to be felt in winter as Taoiseach rules out mini-Budget
I wish I had never met him: Tearful princess says Epstein deceived and manipulated her

Files showed frequent communication between Norways crown-princess Mette-Marit and the paedophile long after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage girl

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the ceremony to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in Oslo, Norway, December 10, 2025. Photo: Reuters/File Photo

Terje Solsvik and Johan Ahlander Reuters Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Norways Crown Princess Mette-Marit said yesterday she regretted her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, seeking to contain one of the biggest scandals to hit the countrys royal family.
Ukraine still expects to receive 90bn EU loan  despite Hungary trying to veto the deal

EU has promised Kyiv that it will deliver the loan, but Ukraine has no time to wait

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban. Photo: Reuters

Olena Harmash Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Kyiv is still expecting the first tranche of a 90bn loan from the European Union next month, despite the blocs failure to break Hungarys veto of the funding at a summit this week, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday.
Colombian president Gustavo Petro has been designated a priority target by the US Drug Enforcement Administration as federal prosecutors in New York probe his alleged ties to drug traffickers, according to people familiar with the matter and records seen by reporters.
Vahik Tatoosi was confused after receiving a welcome packet from Uber back in September, since the San Fernando Valley resident says he never applied for a job at the ridesharing company.

That confusion turned to panic a few months later when tax forms detailing nearly $7,000 earned from gig work in his name suddenly appeared in his mailbox.

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This is scary, Tatoosi told CBS News Los Angeles in a story published Feb. 11 (1).

Tatoosi and his wife, Anna Kojoyan, suspect his identity was stolen and used to gain wages from the rideshare company. After struggling to contact Uber directly, the couple says they resorted to using the apps live chat feature to reach customer support, but had yet to hear back.

The experience has left Kojoyan worried about the reliability of Ubers screening process. If her husbands identity could be stolen, she expressed concern to the broadcaster that apparently you never know who's picking you up for a ride.

Ubers website shows the company uses third-party providers to conduct background checks on potential drivers in the U.S. Applicants must submit a Social Security number, full name, date of birth, government-issued identification and a live profile photo to be approved, according to CBS News Los Angeles.

The broadcaster says the company declined an on-camera interview, but did confirm Tatoosis complaint had been escalated. In a follow-up report by CBS News Los Angeles on mounting claims of identity theft, Uber issued a statement that read, in part: When we identify a fraudulent account, we permanently ban it from our platform and take corrective action, including issuing an updated Form 1099 reflecting $0 in income so that affected individuals do not owe taxes related to fraudulent activity (2).

In the meantime, Tatoosi and Kojoyan say theyve taken proactive measures, such as freezing their credit and enrolling in a credit-monitoring service, as they work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to remove the added income from his record.

Employment identity theft

Employment identity theft may not be the most common type of identity theft, but its no less pressing in a world thats becoming more digital.
A Georgia woman has become the first person to be charged with attempted murder under the US states restrictive law against abortions after allegedly taking drugs to induce a miscarriage.
Weve been through all the wars. We will get through this, too: The Israelis staying put as Hezbollah missiles fly

Residents near Lebanon border evacuated after Hamass 2023 attack are refusing to leave their homes again

People survey the wreckage left on Wednesday by a Hezbollah missile barrage overnight on Nahariya, Israel, Photo: Heidi Levine

Lior Soroka and Heidi Levine Washington Post Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Orna Weinberg (60) moves through her house at night in darkness. Turning the lights on might attract the attention of the Hezbollah fighters just across the border.
Let's get ready for BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG together!









The live event begins on March 21 at 4AM PT, only on Netflix: https://t.co/L6Zq5FVMf3#BTSLIVEonNetflix #BTS_ARIRANG https://t.co/2yd9mNuzdm









 netflix (@netflix) March 21, 2026





Image credit : X/@netflix | BTS will perform together again following military service, celebrating their fifth album ARIRANG.

Korean ramen

Image credit : Instagram/regentplace_sydney | Korean ramen.

Bibimbap

Image credit : Instagram/run2food | Korean Bibimbap.

Korean corn dogs

Image credit : Instagram/crispystreets | Korean corn dogs.

Kimbap

Image credit : Instagram/thekimbap_ | Korean Kimbap.

Korean dumplings (mandu)

Image credit : Instagram/dondaebak_sg | Korean dumplings (mandu).

The long wait ends as BTS finally reunites on stage for their highly anticipated comeback concert, streaming live worldwide. Beamed straight from Gwanghwamun Square, the one-hour spectacle marks a powerful new chapter as all seven members perform together again following military service, celebrating their fifth album ARIRANG.For global ARMY tuning in  from 8 PM KST to 4:30 PM IST  the experience isn't just about watching. It's about feeling Seoul from wherever you are. And what better way to elevate your watch party than recreating the flavors of Korea right in your kitchen?Below, a lineup of quick, comforting Korean dishes to match every high note, dance break, and emotional encore.Ramen is comfort food at its finest - warm, filling noodles in a rich, savory broth that can warm you up on the coldest night. With its spicy, complex flavours, it takes things to the next level. A creamy Korean chicken ramen is rich, savoury and satisfying, and comes together in a cook time that's weeknight-friendly, too.Bibimbap is simply rice topped with vegetables, meat and sauce, making it one of the most versatile Korean dishes to prepare at home. Just about any vegetables will do - mushrooms, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, spinach, bean sprouts or broccoli slaw. While traditional versions include raw beef and egg yolk, it can easily be recreated using cooked ingredients for a quick, wholesome bowl with any kind of meat.Korean corn dogs are one of the most popular street snacks in Korea, known for their crisp exterior and stretchy, cheesy interior. Often coated in panko or potato cubes for extra crunch, they've become a global favourite seen everywhere from Seoul street stalls to international food courts. Filled with mozzarella cheese and sausage, then fried until golden, they make for a fun, indulgent snack that's ready in about an hour.Often mistaken for sushi, kimbap is a beloved Korean snack made of seasoned rice and a variety of fillings rolled in dried seaweed. These bite-sized rolls, also known as mayak or ggoma kimbap, typically include vegetables, meat, and eggs, making them both flavourful and convenient. Perfect for a quick meal or an easy-to-grab concert snack, kimbap is as versatile as it is satisfying.Dumplings are a staple across cultures, and in Korea, mandu holds a special place in family traditions. Every household has its own version, much like kimchi recipes, and they can be made in large batches, frozen, and enjoyed in multiple ways over time. Whether steamed, fried, or added to soups, mandu is a crowd-pleasing dish that fits perfectly into any BTS watch party spread.As BTS take the stage once again at Gwanghwamun Square, your home can mirror the spirit of Seoul - filled with music, excitement, and the comforting flavours of Korean cuisine.
The deployment of Turkish fighter jets intriggers international alarm, political backlash in Washington , and fears of renewed instability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Victor Osimhen has narrated how he was mistreated by a senior Super Eagles player during his first call-up to the national team camp.

Osimhen recounted the experience in a chat with Carter Efe during a livestream session in the early hours of Saturday.

The Galatasaray striker was 17 when he got his first-ever call-up to the Eagles camp. Osimhen made his debut for the senior national team in 2017 in a 2-0 loss to South Africa.

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Speaking about his relationship with the older players during his first camp with the team, Osimhen revealed how an unnamed big player tried to kick him out of Kelechi Iheanachos room during a visit.

When I came, I met Iheanacho. And I told him, Ah, see me, Im gonna carry your boots. So he said I should come to his room, so he gave me his room number, Osimhen said.

So, as I got to his room  I dont just want to mention the name  he had a roommate. So, as I knocked on the door, the roommate opened the door. So, he like bounced me out of the room,

He added that Iheanacho, however, stepped in and showed into the room after telling off the player who had tried to eject him.

Iheanacho showed up and was angry at him, saying, You see that someone came to see me in my room and you are chasing him from my room. So Iheanacho took my hand and took me inside,

Osimhen has made over 50 appearances for the Super Eagles since then. He has scored 35 goals, with just two behind Rashidi Yekini on the teams all-time goalscoring list.

Osimhen also won the African Player of the Year award in 2023, becoming the first Nigerian to win it since 1999.
James Junior Aliyu, a Nigerian national, has been sentenced to 90 months (7.5 years) in prison for his role in a sophisticated wire fraud and money laundering scheme that involved plans to hack business email servers.

Aliyu was extradited from South Africa to the United States, where he faced prosecution for the cross-border cybercrime operation.

In addition to his prison term, the court ordered him to forfeit $1.2 million and pay $2.4 million in restitution to victims affected by the scheme.

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Authorities confirmed that Aliyu will be deported from the United States upon completing his sentence.

The investigation was carried out by an international team that included agents from U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Homeland Security Investigations unit, HSI, with support from offices in Maryland and South Africa.

Officials say the case highlights growing global cooperation in tackling cybercrime networks.
Borno State governor Babagana Zulum, has said that five suicide bombers slipped into the state, and only three of them have set off their IEDs so far.

He dropped the bombshell in an exclusive chat with BBC News Pidgin on Friday, while reacting to the triple blasts that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno capital in north-east Nigeria.

At least 23 people were killed and around 100 others wounded when suspected suicide bombers hit three spots at once.

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The Nigerian Army said the targets were the Post Office area, the Monday Market stretch, and the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The explosions occurred on Monday evening, right around the time Muslims fasting for Ramadan were sitting down to break their fast. The military is pointing the finger at Boko Haram militants.

In the interview, Zulum said security teams are still hunting for the other two bombers and his government is dead set on making sure their plan falls apart.

Weve got solid intelligence that five suicide bombers made it into Maiduguri, he explained. Three have already detonated their devices.

Were tracking the remaining two right now. I wont say more than that, but were on it. By Gods grace, well stop those last two before they can strike.

The governor, whose state has been battered by one security crisis after another, admitted he was very sad when the news reached him in Saudi Arabia.

As the governor and chief security officer of Borno, it hit me hard, he said. My prayers are with the victims and their families. I just want to reassure the people of Maiduguri and the whole state that this madness will end.

Since flying back home, Zulum has been locked in back-to-back meetings with the military and other security chiefs to get the situation under control.

(Translated from Pidgin English by AI)

BBC
Holden Hoffsis was sentenced to 12 1/2 to 25 years in state prison Friday after pleading guilty to third-degree murder. Read more

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After a few beers and some cocaine, an argument over the video game Fortnite turned into real-life violence inside Holden Hoffsis Phoenixville home.

More than a year later, a tearful Hoffsis admitted to a Chester County judge that he accidentally killed a longtime friend who had been like a brother to him, and said he was ready to accept responsibility for his actions.

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Hoffsis, 22, pleaded guilty Friday to third-degree murder in the 2024 death of Daniel Gray, 22, whom he shot once in the chest with a revolver. Chester County Judge Sarah B. Black sentenced Hoffsis to 12 to 25 years in state prison.

In handing down that sentence, Black told Hoffsis it was significantly lower than it could have been, given the circumstances.

This is a generous offer [from prosecutors], and is certainly not a life for a life, Black said. You essentially have to live two lives now, Mr. Hoffsis, one for yourself and for Daniel.

Hoffsis, choking back emotion, apologized to Grays family and friends assembled in the courtroom. Not a day goes by, he said, where he doesnt wish he could take back his actions from that night in November 2024.

Im going to do everything in my power to carry him with me and honor him every day that I live, he said.

Hoffsis called 911 on Nov. 8, 2024, telling a dispatcher he had accidentally shot his friend in the chest, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

When police arrived at Hoffsis home on Westhorpe Lane, they found Gray dead from a single gunshot wound.

Deputy District Attorney Nicole Morley said Friday that Gray and Hoffsis grew up together, and had planned to start a trucking business. Gray had recently returned to the area from Ohio, where he had lived with his uncle, to learn the trucking business and obtain his commercial driving license.

On the night of the shooting, Hoffsis told police that after drinking Angry Orchard hard ciders and doing cocaine, the two played Fortnite together.

(Fortnite, a popular video game created by Epic Games, is a battle royale-style shooter in which players compete to be the last person alive.)

While the two played, Hoffsis took his Colt Cobra .357 revolver out of a locked safe and was handling it intermittently, according to the affidavit.

Hoffsis told police he always kept his revolver near him for protection, and believed at the time that the top chamber of the revolver was unloaded.

When one round of Fortnite ended in their loss, Gray stormed over to Hoffsis and began arguing with him, the affidavit said.

Hoffsis, who had the revolver in his hand, stood up, pointed the gun at Grays chest and pulled the trigger. He told police he jokingly said bang, believing the chamber was empty.

It was not, and the fatal shot was fired.

Hoffsis attorney, Louis Busico, said Grays death was a horrific accident that was reckless in nature, and both families are forever changed because of it.

This is a tragedy where no one wins, he said. These two young men were literally like brothers: They worked together, they lived together, they went to school together.

So to say there was any animosity between these two men that caused this to happen is simply not true.

Grays mother, Angela McMorris, told the judge she holds no hate in her heart for Hoffsis, a man she watched grow up. She said she cooked dinner for him days before her sons death, telling them to keep an eye on each other.

This took a lot from me, when I found out it was Holden, McMorris said, her voice thick with emotion. I told the officer he was lying, because there was no way it could be true.

She said her son, one of seven, was killed just as he had hashed out a plan for his life, with his sights on a new career and plans for a wife and children.

I want the court to know that I forgive [Hoffsis], she said. But it doesnt change anything.
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Octopus at the Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday

When I tried and failed to get a seat at the ultra-popular and ultra-romantic walk-ins-only bar below Friday Saturday Sunday, I didnt take it personally. Arriving at 5:05 p.m. on a weekend left me standing for over an hour  and hungry. My dining partner was all but ready to grab a deli sandwich up the street because the waiting game brought out my competitive side, but I insisted we order something even if we had to crouch over the rail to eat it.

Fortunately, the staff plates dishes intentionally to fit on the tiny counter. Even more fortunately, the wait was worth it. Im a big fan of octopus, and Ive eaten quite a lot of it in various places, but never like this: crispy and tender tentacles combined with beans and a warm pork broth made all the better by the cold weather. It was so satisfying that Ill probably be back to try my luck again; Ill just make sure I eat a big lunch first. The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, 261 S. 21st St. 215-546-4232, fridaysaturdaysunday.com

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 Rosa Cartagena

Liberian sweet potato greens at Le Mandingue

I usually have jollof rice in mind when I head to Le Mandingue on Woodland Avenue in Southwest Phillys bustling Africatown, where I especially enjoy a big aluminum pan of the iconic rice dish topped with bony hunks of grilled lamb dibi fresh off the grill. It was as delicious as ever at my most recent visit to chef-owner Fanta Fofanas West African takeout kitchen.

But the real star this time was a container of Fofanas stewed sweet potato greens. Unlike white potato greens, which are toxic, greens from the sweet potato plant are cherished across West Africa  especially in Fofanas native Liberia, where the plants are revered as nutritious staple dish. (High in iron and fiber, theyre used to help reduce fever, Fofana said.) Rich red palm oil is most commonly used to saute the greens in Liberias small villages, according to Fofana, while city chefs tend toward more neutral white oils.

Fofana strikes a compromise by blending the two. She also pulls no punches when it comes to adding flavor from chile spice and mixed proteins, like the rustic savor of smoked turkey and hunks of chicken and beef. While the greens are luxuriously soft when cooked, they also have a remarkable ability to absorb and magnify every ounce of bold flavor in their tender leaves. With a side of rice, its a powerhouse meal on its own. Le Mandingue, 6620 Woodland Ave., 215-726-0543, lemandinguephilly.com

 Craig LaBan

Arancini at Fiorella

The version of arancini that went on Fiorellas menu last month is nothing short of miraculous. A shatteringly crunchy shell is filled with a maitake and black trumpet mushroom-laced risotto and then topped with a veritable avalanche of shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. But what makes these arancini unique are its two accompanying sauces: a gruyere fondue and an incredible salsa verde thats akin to a chimichurri, blending chive and parsley with pickled shimeji mushroom liquid, olive oil, and red chili flakes. Its savory, fresh, and wonderfully herbaceous. Fiorella, 817 Christian St., 215-305-9222, fiorellaphilly.com

 Kiki Aranita

Al pastor and campechanos tacos at El Pueblo Taqueria

When I mentioned at a recent team meeting that I was going to be in Cape May for a forthcoming story, Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan immediately suggested I stop at El Pueblo Taqueria. And when LaBan suggests you go somewhere for lunch, you go there for lunch  especially if its taco Tuesday and he suggests a taqueria, and even if you planned on having tacos for dinner at home that night, too.

I was surprised to find El Pueblo in a small strip mall and equally surprised to find a Shore restaurant busy at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday in March. Most of the customers appeared to be regulars that cycled through placing and picking up takeout orders.

Tacos come four to an order with the option of mixing meats. I went with the al pastor (spicy pork and pineapple) and the campechanos, a mix of chorizo, steak, and pork chicharrones. They were served in homemade flour tortillas that were so soft and fluffy I just wanted to cuddle up in them. The tacos burst with flavor and meat, so much so I had to take half of them home. Im still dreaming about the homemade salsa verde that was so good I asked for a to-go container of it too. El Pueblo Taqueria, 3704 Bayshore Rd, North Cape May, 609-600-3793, elpueblotaqueria.com

 Stephanie Farr
Quick Read

A 35-year-old contributing 3% to their 401(k) accumulates roughly $184,000 by retirement, but increasing to 6% to capture full employer match grows retirement savings to closer to $553,000  a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars from a single default setting that most workers never change.

Have You read The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans? Americans are answering three questions and many are realizing they can retire earlier than expected.

A 35-year-old auto-enrolled at 3% and left on autopilot will contribute $1,950 per year per year and arrive at retirement with roughly $184,000. That sounds like progress until you see what the same person accumulates by simply doubling their contribution rate to 6% and capturing the full employer match: closer to $553,000. The difference runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and comes not from market timing or stock picks, but from a single default setting that most workers never revisit.

Why 3% Became the Default

Plan sponsors set auto-enrollment defaults deliberately low. The original logic was that a low default rate would reduce opt-outs from employees worried about reduced take-home pay. Three percent felt painless. The problem is that most people never revisit the number. Research has consistently shown that inertia keeps the majority of auto-enrolled participants at whatever rate they were defaulted into, sometimes for years or even decades.

The most common employer matching structure is a 50% match on contributions up to 6% of salary, according to Fidelity and Kiplinger data from 2025. At a $65,000 salary, contributing only 3% means forfeiting half the available employer match  roughly $975 annually every year. That forfeited money, left to compound over a working career, can grow into tens of thousands of dollars in lost wealth. The employer match is the highest guaranteed return available to most workers, and the default contribution rate causes millions of people to miss it entirely.

The Auto-Escalation Feature Almost Nobody Uses

Most plans include automatic contribution escalation alongside auto-enrollment. It increases your deferral rate by 1% per year until you hit a cap, typically 10% or 15%. According to Vanguard's 2026 How America Saves preview, 71% of plans with auto-enrollment included an automatic escalation feature. Yet the feature is almost universally opt-in, and most participants never activate it.

Have You read The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans? Americans are answering three questions and many are realizing they can retire earlier than expected.
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It was as if Beatlemania had hit Suburban Square  if the Beatles were a Gen Z-endorsed boutique bagel franchise known for crispy bakes and specialty schmears.

PopUp Bagels, the fast-growing viral bagel chain, opened in Ardmore on Friday.

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The Suburban Square store, located in the former Juice Press, marked the brands first foray into the Philly area.

While most of the Main Line was crawling out of bed and reaching for their first cup of coffee, the PopUp Bagels party was in full swing. By 7:30 a.m., over 100 eager patrons stood in a line stretching halfway down the block. Some filmed TikToks. Others donned trucker hats with the signature PopUp slogan: Not Famous but Known. At one point, the crowd did the wave.

PopUps signature is its Grip, Rip, and Dip ethos. These bagels arent for slicing, theyre for eating fresh out of the bag, ripped into small pieces, and dunked in the schmear of your choice. Bagels can be purchased in sets of three, six, or 12 with 7-ounce containers of dips, which include plain and flavored cream cheeses and butters. The bagels are crisp and fluffy, a departure from denser, New York-style bagels.

The brand has a buzzy social media presence and is known for building hype (an Instagram post previewing the Ardmore opening racked up more than 7,000 likes). There are now around two-dozen PopUp Bagel locations across the U.S., with multiple outposts in Florida, New York, and Connecticut, where the brand was founded by Adam Goldberg. The chain hopes to reach 100 locations by the end of 2027.

The Ardmore store is owned by franchisee Brian Harrington of Montgomery County. Harringtons firm Seeded Capital Partners plans to soon open shops in Center City, Marlton, and the Princeton area.

Standing in the ever-growing line, Rachel Harris, 24, said the online community that has developed around PopUp Bagels endeared her to the brand, which she tried for the first time in New York City. Because she works from home on Fridays, Harris decided to make the drive from Manayunk for a pre-work PopUp run.

For Jenna Miele, 27, it was Friday treat day  the Havertown residents tradition of buying a little something special (usually from a coffee shop) on Fridays. After seeing PopUp Bagels TikTok videos, Miele figured thered be no better place to kick off the weekend. She had been waiting in line for around an hour by the time she got close enough to place an order.

PopUps Philly fans have been highly anticipating the Ardmore opening, according to Harrington.

Harrington said he chose Suburban Square because its already home to many of the things PopUps core customers like  stores like Lululemon and Sephora, accessible parking, inviting outdoor seating.

It just made a lot of sense for us, Harrington said.

Ardmores PopUp Bagels is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Pre-orders can be placed online here.

Inquirer Lower Merion A weekly newsletter Want to get Inquirer Lower Merion straight to your inbox every week? Sign up here for our guide to the news, stories, and events shaping life in your community.

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Kevin Carolina, a medical student at Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College embraces his father Friday after learning where he will complete his medical training during a Match Day ceremony. Read more

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All eyes were on the envelope in Kevin Carolinas hands, as he huddled with his parents, girlfriend, and physician mentors.

The 26-year-old from Piscataway, N.J., had dreamed about this moment since high school, when he learned there were fewer Black men entering medical school in 2014 than 1978.

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Now the fourth-year student at Thomas Jefferson Universitys Sidney Kimmel Medical College was seconds away from finding out where he would begin his career as a doctor and an advocate for expanding the ranks of Black men like himself in medicine.

He ripped through the envelopes seal: Maryland, he said, to an eruption of cheers.

Carolina had matched into the University of Maryland Medical Centers internal medicine residency in Baltimore.

His father, Wayne, cried as they hugged. Seeing my dad cry, thats how I know its something, Carolina said.

Becoming the first doctor in his family made the experience more emotional, Carolina said.

With what he called tears of joy running down his face, Carolina joined hundreds of his Jefferson classmates and more than 38,000 aspiring doctors selected for U.S. residency programs on Friday, according to data released by the National Resident Matching Program. In an annual tradition known as Match Day, fourth-year medical students simultaneously learn where theyll complete residency training after graduation.

In Carolinas words, the event is exciting, nerve-wracking, life-changing.

Carolina went into the process hoping to match into internal medicine residency at Jefferson. It was where he had found mentorship from service-minded physicians and built a community advocating for minorities in medicine.

But whether in Philadelphia or in Baltimore, what mattered to him was becoming the physician he felt he had been called to be.

Carolina exchanged hugs with all the supporters gathered to watch him reach this milestone, then he turned to his mother, Dorothy.

Thats where God wants you, she told him.

Thats where God wants me, Carolina replied.

Black men in medicine

Growing up, Carolina thought hed follow in his mothers footsteps and go into nursing.

He admired the way she cared for people  whether assisting people in the grocery story or making sure people got their flu vaccine.

Carolina had noticed how the lack of diversity in medicine could contribute to poor health outcomes in minority communities, including his own.

His grandfather, who had diabetes, didnt trust doctors, and would instead try to manage his condition on his own.

That led to toe amputations, and ultimately his death from diabetes-related complications when Carolina was a sophomore at Rutgers University.

Carolinas barber, who was also a Black man, thought COVID-19 was a conspiracy.

During the pandemic, he ended up in the hospital on a ventilator, fighting for his life, he said.

Those situations showed Carolina, how deeply ingrained a lot of this mistrust is, he said.

He enrolled at Jeffersons medical school in 2022 and the next year founded Pennsylvanias first chapter of Black Men in White Coats, a national organization that aims to increase the number of Black men in medicine.

While a couple doctors at Jefferson had wanted to start a school chapter before, they hadnt had the number of students they needed.

That was until Carolinas year, when he and several of his classmates worked together to form the organization.

The group mentors Black men interested in the field, assists with community screening events, and has hosted a clothing and food drive.

Clock strikes noon

Jeffersons Match Day ceremony began in the auditorium with speeches from faculty and student leaders.

The opportunity to serve, learn, and grow awaits you, Said Ibrahim, dean of the medical school, said to students.

During the superlatives section that followed, Kevin Carolina  sporting a signature bow tie  was voted Best Dressed.

Faculty distributed the envelopes to students around noon  when they were finally allowed to learn their results.

The results are closely watched to track the future of the physician workforce.

At both Jeffersons Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Penns Perelman School of Medicine, 35% of students are staying in Pennsylvania.

That figures higher at Temple in North Philadelphia, where 45% matched in the state and more than a quarter are staying in Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: On Match Day, Temple med students share tears, hugs, and sighs of relief

In South Jersey, primary care specialties were especially popular at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, where more than half the class matched into those residencies.

Thirty-two percent of Coopers graduates will remain in New Jersey, alongside nearly half of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicines graduates.

The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine said family medicine remained a top specialty for its graduates, while interest in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and psychiatry has been rising.

Serving the community

When Carolina graduates with his medical degree in the spring, he looks forward to helping his community parse out misinformation and build trust in medicine.

As part of his instruction at Jefferson, he and his classmates spoke with the descendants of the Tuskegee syphilis experiment  an unethical study conducted between 1932 and 1972 in which researchers withheld treatment from hundreds of Black men with the infection.

That history informs how doctors should approach certain populations, he said.

Carolina ultimately wants to continue his studies post-residency to become a cardiologist.

He found a role model while at Rutgers, when an interventional cardiologist from Mississippi came to speak with students about screenings and health education. The doctor, who was also a Black man and Rutgers alum, talked about how his work promoting the preventive measures substantially reduced limb amputations from peripheral artery disease.

Its a common complication seen in patients with diabetes, which disproportionately affects Black Americans.

The summer after his first year of medical school, Carolina interned with the Jefferson Community Health Collaborative to assist with health screening events.

He saw how such outreach can help patients feel comfortable seeking care  and hopes to be someone that minority patients in particular can relate to through shared experiences.

Its really just taking the time to sit down and talk with people, Carolina said. Because unfortunately, medicine can be another language that needs to be deciphered.
Last week, protesters also gathered at Enterprises 36 S 19th Street location and were able to talk to workers and management, Rathmann said. This time, the office was closed and police were already present. Read more

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To their own version of Chappell Roans song Hot to Go!, nearly 100 people protested in Center City on Saturday, demanding that Enterprise Rent-A-Car stop leasing vehicles to ICE.

The song-filled action was part of a wave of demonstrations nationwide that began in Minnesota to put pressure on corporations to stop working or collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was organized by the groups No ICE Philly, the Rise Choir collective, and Singing Resistance Philly.

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ICE is utilizing Enterprise cars here and across the country for their operations to carry out individual kidnapping, tear families apart, and terrorize communities, said Carrie Rathmann, a No ICE volunteer. Theyre putting profits over people, and were here to say thats not acceptable.

A group of protesters also gathered last Saturday at Enterprises South 19th Street location and were able to talk to workers and management, Rathmann said. But this week, the office was closed and police were already present when the protesters arrived.

That did not deter the group.

Holding a banner that read ICE abductions use Enterprise cars, protesters sang and danced to bystanders applause and the supportive horn-honking from passing cars. The group wants Enterprise to stop doing any business with ICE and cancel existing rental contracts.

To Jessica Zimmerman, a member of Rise Choir, the companys reaction suggests it is feeling the pressure.

They closed their offices today to forfeit their profits, and so what were doing is making a difference, said Zimmerman, who recently moved from Minneapolis to Philadelphia.

Since the coalition began protesting in early March, it has increased its size from 30 to about 100 people, organizers said. And they have no plans to stop showing up, Zimmerman said.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car did not respond to a request for comment. But it is notthe only company facing backlash for its ICE connections.

In February, about 40 anti-ICE activists were arrested for peacefully protesting inside a Target store in South Philly, where protesters also demanded the company take a public stand against ICE actions at its stores.

Unlike at the February Target protest, there were no arrests at Saturdays demonstration.
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A burst of unusual March heat is hitting the United States this week and into next, busting previous monthly heat records by wide margins.

Temperatures in the West remain far above whats typical for March, a sign the early season heat is not letting up. Compared with the average highs for March between 1991 and 2020, temperatures across some parts of Oklahoma, Nebraska, northern Texas, and South Dakota are reaching at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.

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The record-shattering heat would be virtually impossible without the effects of climate change, a group of international climate scientists at World Weather Attribution said in a report Friday. The burning of fuels like oil, gas, and coal releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which go into the atmosphere and heat the planet.

Many records have already been broken, in some cases by huge margins. California and Arizona have seen daily highs surpass 100 degrees F in March, a major break from the norm, which is typically at least 30 degrees F lower this month.

Those highs have not been verified with National Weather Service, which usually happens after heat events, but the trend becomes clear in reviewing initial temperature readings in dozens of U.S. cities.

Looking ahead, the highest temperatures will likely be in Southern California, where the daily maximum temperatures have climbed as high as 108 degrees F in Palm Springs on Friday. The previous record for March was 104 degrees F in 1966.

But the record-breaking heat wont be contained to just two states, nor the extremes to only places that reach triple digits. Roughly a quarter of March heat records at 400 weather stations across the United States may be tied or broken this month, based on an Associated Press analysis of weather data managed by regional climate centers.

While super high temperatures get the most attention, 90 degrees F in a part of the country not used to such heat can have a big impact. And the heat wont be easing up for a while. The forecast from the National Weather Service shows how clusters of potentially record-breaking temperatures are concentrated in the West, with the hottest conditions centered in Southwestern states such as Arizona, long accustomed to scorching desert heat, but usually not until summer months.

When this heat wave ends, there likely wont be much respite.

April, May, and June are likely to be hotter than normal almost everywhere, according to long-term predictions from the National Weather Service. The only places where forecasters predict a more typical season are the Northeast and areas near the Great Lakes, in the northern part of the country.

Forecasters say Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico  already the nations hottest region  are most likely to see an even more sizzling spring than is typical.

Floods lead to evacuations in Hawaii

As Hawaii endures its worst flooding in more than 20 years, officials are urging people in hard-hit areas to LEAVE NOW. The warning early Saturday came after heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago. Still more rain was expected during the weekend, officials said.

Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahus North Shore, a community world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning early Saturday with light to moderate showers expected to turn heavy in some places.

Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, peoples homes, and a Maui hospital in Kula.

This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state, Green said at a news conference.

Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.

Green said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances the islands would have federal support.

No deaths were reported and no one was unaccounted for. More than 200 people have been rescued, officials said. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said.

Crews searched by air and by water for people who had been stranded  efforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to get images of the flooding, said Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu.

The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahus west coast called Our Lady of Keaau, according to city and camp officials. The camp is on high ground but authorities didnt want to leave them there, the mayor said.

Green said the flooding was the states most serious since 2004 floods in Manoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaii library.

Officials blamed some of the devastation on the sheer amount of rain that fell in a short amount of time on saturated land. Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight. Kaala, the islands highest peak, got nearly 16 inches in the past day, the National Weather Service said.

More rain was expected: Blangiardi said 6 to 8 inches of rain was forecast to fall on Oahu in the next two to three days.

Winter storm systems known as Kona lows, which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air, were responsible for the deluges in the past two weeks. The intensity and frequency of heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming, experts say.
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President Donald Trump on Saturday said the U.S. will obliterate Iranian power plants if it doesnt fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Trump issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend in Florida.

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He said hes giving Iran exactly 48 hours to open the vital waterway or face a new round of attacks. He said the US would destroy various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!

Trump faces increasing pressure to secure the strait as oil prices soar.

Iran struck two communities near Israels main nuclear research site late Saturday, leaving several people seriously injured, hours after its own Natanz main nuclear enrichment site was hit, as the war spun into a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week.

It marked the first time in the war that Israels nuclear research center has been targeted.

The Israeli military said its defenses were not able to intercept missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad. Dozens of people were injured, emergency services said.

The war is not close to ending, said Israels army chief, Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Irans health ministry said more than 1,500 people have been killed there so far, the state broadcaster reported.

Earlier, Iran targeted the joint U.K.-U.S. Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean about 2,500 miles away, suggesting that Tehran has missiles that can go farther than previously acknowledged  or that it had used its space program for an improvised launch.

Residents said Irans capital saw heavy airstrikes as they marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The U.S. and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programs and its support for armed proxies. There have been no signs of an uprising, while internet restrictions limit information from Iran.

It is not clear how much damage Iran has sustained in the U.S. and Israeli strikes that began Feb. 28  or even who is truly in charge. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since being named to the role.

Iran may have used space launch vehicle

The joint British-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean is almost 4,000 miles away. Iran previously limited the range of its ballistic missile program to 1,240 miles, but U.S. officials have said Irans system for satellite launches could extend their range.

Irans Simorgh space launch vehicle could offer greater range at the likely cost of terminal accuracy, said Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a defense think tank.

Ballistic missiles are space rockets. They launch, they go really high up, and they come down really fast, said Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore. If youve got a space program, youve got a ballistic missile program.

Prest said the launches were likely a message of defiance, to say look what we can do, in response to President Donald Trumps claims that Irans military has been obliterated.

Israeli military officials said that Iran targeted Diego Garcia Island with a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. This refers to missile with at least two rocket engines, one allowing the missile to reach space, and the other propelling it to its target, at a range of up to 2,500 miles.

These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range extends to the capitals of Europe  Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Saturday evening.

The Diego Garcia air base is home to about 2,500 mostly American personnel and has supported U.S. military operations from Vietnam to Iraq, Afghanistan and strikes on Yemens Houthi rebels.

Diego Garcia is part of the Chagos Islands, a remote archipelago in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the tip of India. The islands have been under British control since 1814.

Did Israel strike Iran nuclear site?

The Israeli military denied that Israel was responsible for a strike that hit Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. An official Iranian news agency reported on Saturday that the site was damaged in an airstrike but there was no radiation leakage. The Israeli military said it wasnt aware of Israeli strikes in that region, and the Pentagon declined to comment.

The denial came as Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a video statement that next week, the intensity of the attacks by Israel and the United States against Irans ruling theocracy will increase significantly.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called strikes on the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility a brazen violation of international law.

In a statement posted on the ministrys website Saturday, Zakharova said such irresponsible actions posed a real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East and were clearly aimed at further undermining peace, stability, and security in the region.

Trumps mixed messages on Iran

President Donald Trump frequently contradicts himself, sometimes in the same speech, social media post, or even sentence. In the past 24 hours, he sent a torrent of mixed signals about the Iran war, raising more questions about the direction of the conflict and his administrations strategy.

Within the space of a few hours Friday, Trump said he was considering winding down the war, his administration confirmed it was sending more troops to the Middle East, and, in an effort to lessen the economic impact on global energy markets, the United States lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil for the first time in decades  relieving some of the pressure that Washington traditionally has used as leverage.

The confusing combination of actions deepens a sense among Trumps critics that there is no clear, long-term strategy for the war the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran. Now in its fourth week, the war remains on an unpredictable path and a credible endgame is unclear even as the global economy is being roiled.

The U.S. announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian crude stranded at sea is an attempt to manipulate the market, since there is no such oil, Irans Oil Ministry spokesperson, Saman Ghodousi, told Irans state media.

At present, Iran essentially has no crude oil left in floating storage or any surplus available for supply to other international markets, and the U.S. Treasury Secretarys remarks are solely intended to reassure buyers and manage the market psychologically, he said late Friday.

U.S. House speaker said mission is all but done

Trumps fellow Republicans appear unlikely to directly challenge him, even as the conflict drags on. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the military operation will be over quickly.

I do think the original mission is virtually accomplished now, Johnson (R., La.) told the AP and others at the Capitol this week. We were trying to take out the ballistic missiles, and their means of production, and neuter the navy, and those objectives have been met.

Johnson acknowledged that Irans ability to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz is dragging it out a little bit, especially as U.S. allies have largely rebuffed the presidents request for help, but said, As soon as we bring some calm to the situation, I think its all but done.

The Republican presidents decision to launch the U.S.-Israel-led war with Iran is testing the resolve of the Congress, which is controlled by his party.

Under the War Powers Act, the president can conduct military operations for 60 days without approval from Congress. So far, Republicans have easily voted down several resolutions from Democrats designed to halt the military campaign.

But the administration will need to show a more comprehensive strategy ahead or risk blowback from Congress, lawmakers said, especially as they are simultaneously being asked to approve billions in new spending.

Trump took the United States to war without a vote of support from Congress, but lawmakers are increasingly questioning when, how, and at what cost the war with Iran will come to an end.

Three weeks into the conflict, the toll is increasing: At least 13 U.S. military personnel have died, and more than 230 have been wounded. A $200 billion Pentagon request for war funds is pending at the White House. Allies are under attack, oil prices are spiking, and thousands of U.S. troops are deploying to the Middle East with no endgame in sight.

The real question is: What ultimately are we trying to accomplish? Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) told the Associated Press. I generally support anything that takes out the mullahs, he said. But at the end of the day, there has to be a kind of strategic articulation of the strategy, what our objectives are.

U.S.: Irans threat in Strait of Hormuz degraded

The head of U.S. Central Command says in his latest video update on the war that U.S. forces remain on plan to eliminate Irans ability to project meaningful power outside its borders.

Adm. Brad Cooper also detailed steps taken to undermine Irans control of the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway vital to international commerce such as oil shipments.

He said in a post on X that earlier in the week, multiple 5,000-pound bombs were dropped on an underground facility along Irans coastline that was used to store anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile missile launchers, and other equipment that presented a dangerous risk to international shipping.

Cooper says intelligence support sites and missile radar relays used to monitor ship movements were destroyed.

Irans ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result and we will not stop pursuing these targets, he says in the video.

Cooper also said, We have built the most extensive air defense umbrella in the world over the Middle East right now.

Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the U.K., Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Australia have also condemned Irans attacks on commercial vessels as well as oil and gas facilities in the region.

The effects of Irans actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable, they said in a joint statement Saturday.
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President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to send U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to airports unless congressional Democrats agree to a GOP-backed funding deal, escalating a standoff that has already slowed security lines at airports nationwide.

In a post to Truth Social, Trump said the ICE agents would do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia.

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Deploying agents to checkpoints nationwide would mark an unprecedented expansion of immigration enforcement even as Democrats push for tighter limits on how those agents operate, citing concerns the administration has fast-tracked training to expand ICE ranks.

This is again an example, it seems to me, of the president seeking to utilize ICE in a way that achieves political goals, almost as a punishment, said John Sandweg, a former acting director at ICE during the Obama administration. The operations, to me, dont seem to be designed to focus on public safety.

Democrats have refused to fund certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security  which includes ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection  until the GOP agrees to new restrictions on immigration enforcement after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. The congressional standoff has left the majority of employees at the Transportation Security Administration working without pay for more than a month, prompting an increase in callouts at airports and threatening worsening disruptions for travelers as spring break nears for millions of students.

Democrats have demanded several changes, including requirements that ICE agents get a warrant from a judge before forcefully entering homes, wear identifying information on their uniforms, and cease wearing masks. The Trump administration has agreed to several changes, including the expanded use of body-worn cameras and limiting civil enforcement activities at certain locations, including hospitals, schools, and places of worship.

Senate Democratic leader Charles E. Schumer (D., N.Y.) has said he would offer an alternative measure to fund TSA without the rest of the Homeland Security agencies.

Trump in a second post about the matter to Truth Social on Saturday, after cheering the death of former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, accused Democrats of hurting so many people with their vicious and uncaring ways.

What they have done to the Department of Homeland Security, our fantastic TSA Officers, and, most importantly, the great people of our Country, is an absolute disgrace, he continued, pledging to dispatch ICE to airports on Monday.

Some Border Patrol agents currently work checkpoints at airports along the southern border. Trump said that he would deploy the ICE agents if Democrats did not immediately sign an agreement.

That type of operation, Sandweg said, would almost certainly target a population of immigrants without criminal history.

For every one person with criminal history you will encounter 15 people who have been here for a long time, and there are far more efficient ways of getting to that criminal population through a targeted approach, Sandweg said.
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BEIT AWA, West Bank  They were getting their nails and eyelashes done in time for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr when their beauty salon was hit by a missile. Four of the women, all members of an extended family, were killed  the first Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to die in the Iran war.

On the day after the strike, a scattering of acrylic nails, sequins and blood carpeted the floor.

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More than a dozen women were wounded by shattered glass and shrapnel when the missile crashed Wednesday near the caravan in Beit Awa, the Palestinian state-run news agency Wafa reported, citing local and medical officials.

Iran, under attack by the United States and Israel, had sent a barrage of weapons toward Israel. Palestinian officials who visited the site blamed an Israeli interceptor. The Israel Defense Forces told the Washington Post that preliminary findings indicated the damage was caused by cluster munitions from a missile launched from Iran.

This evening, the facts speak for themselves, Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, an IDF spokeswoman, posted in Arabic on X. The Palestinians whom this regime claimed to defend have become targets of crimes by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

The Iranian foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The Post could not independently verify the missiles origin.

The attacks came two days before Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan  a celebratory day when all the girls go to the salon, said Hadeel Masalmeh, who co-owned the business. Family and friends held funerals Thursday for the women, whose bodies were wrapped in heavy winter blankets.

Hadeel, who joined the mourners with her face bandaged, said she had been working on a woman when the missile struck. The woman, Asil Masalmeh, later died of her injuries.

Suhair Masalmeh, Hadeels cousin, saw a flash in the sky, heard the explosion and rushed to the salon. She leaped from her car and ran toward the screaming. Someone was carrying a woman from the salon.

I saw someone carrying a young girl, she said. When I went inside the salon, a woman grabbed my shoulder and said her sister was inside.

Then she saw the bodies. Mais had been hit in the head by shrapnel, she said. Amal had a severe head injury also, and part of her head was missing. Sahera was in the rubble, her intestines completely exposed. Women were piled on top of each other.

Killed were Sahera Razak Masalmeh, 33, who co-owned the salon with Hadeel; Mais Aazi Masalmeh, 17: Asil Samir Masalmeh, 32; and Amal Sabhi Abd al-Karim Matawa Masalmeh.

Asil and Amal were pregnant, family members said.

Hadeel ran the caravan salon as a project together with Sahera. She had experienced strikes but never thought shed be affected. For many Palestinians in the West Bank, there are few places to shelter.

One customer said she saw a bright red flash in the sky. Hadeel told her to come back inside so she wouldnt get hurt. She was scared and stayed behind me while I kept working like everything was normal.

Then the power went out and we heard an explosion. Hadeel ran outside screaming, not realizing shed been hit by shrapnel. That was when Suhair went in. Sahera is dead, she told Hadeel. Sahera is dead.

Thats all I remember, Hadeel said. Saheras body was taken to her familys home. Hadeel, crying, reached out to touch her friend for the last time.

Sahera, she was like the moon, Hadeel said. Everyone loved her. She was kind and passionate.

We started from nothing and built everything together, side by side. The day before she died, she told me, Were going to go global. People loved our work. They were happy with it. May she rest in peace. She was always laughing.

Hadeel still has shrapnel in an eye, a leg and her abdomen. Removing it could be dangerous, her doctor said, so they left the pieces. She was advised against leaving the hospital, but she wanted to say goodbye to Sahera one last time.

I just needed to see her, she said. I dont know what to say.
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A man was killed in a crash that occurred after police tried to stop his vehicle early Friday morning in Evesham Township, Burlington County, authorities said.

The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office is investigating the incident because it involved an Evesham Township police officer who was not named.

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Shortly before 4:40 a.m., the officer driving a marked police vehicle attempted a traffic stop of a civilian vehicle, the attorney generals office said in a statement.

As the civilian vehicle was driving, it collided with a second, uninvolved civilian vehicle near the intersection of Route 73 and Lincoln Drive in Evesham, the attorney generals office said.

The civilian driver, who was not identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The statement did not specify why the traffic stop was attempted and did not say if the motorist was fleeing police before the crash.

The attorney generals office said the police vehicle was not involved in the crash.

An earlier statement by Evesham Police Chief Thomas Reinholt did say that a member of the police department was removed from the scene for non-life-threatening medical treatment.

No other injuries were reported.
Eric Brunner, 39, of South Philadelphia, poses for a portrait with his wife Allie Brunner, 36, and their son Logan, 7, with Erics 3D printed art piece at the Free Library of Philadelphia Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia, Pa., on Wed., March. 11, 2026. Read more

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At first, the symptoms were subtle. Eric Brunner had trouble gripping the handlebars on his motorcycle. Then his typing started getting sloppy.

Youre a new dad, his doctor reassured the South Philly portrait painter and sales associate. Youre tired. You ride motorcycles. Its normal.

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Soon he started tripping and falling on his regular runs.

A few tests later, the diagnosis came. It was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the doctor told him, known as ALS. The disease attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spiral cord. Over time, it robs patients of their ability to move their muscles, speak, and eat.

It is also fatal  usually within three to five years.

The date was Nov. 5, 2020. Brunner was 33.

As the disease slowly stripped him of his capacity to ride motorcycles, paint, work, walk, and get dressed, Brunner continued to conceive of vivid and ambitious artworks in his mind.

Those ideas ultimately coalesced into Flickering Souls: Illuminating ALS, an installation featuring 256 portraits of people around the world with ALS. Each is illuminated by flashing lights. Beneath the panels are a scattered pile of black tiles, representing those with the disease who have died.

The sculpture was unveiled at the Central Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia in January and will stay there until Friday. It will travel to Old Citys Two Street Club gallery next month before, likely, touring across the country, said Brunner, 39.

The concept came to Brunner around early 2024 and was inspired by a conversation with his son, Logan, now 7.

He wanted Logan to understand what the disease was doing to his body, but describing how it hijacks messages between neurons and muscles was a bit complicated for an elementary schooler, so he used an analogy  lights and wires.

We would tell him my wires werent connecting anymore, Brunner said. The light flickers on and off, and thats why my legs arent as strong or my hands dont work as well.

He knew he wanted to depict ALS through the same metaphor of flickering lights. If it could help his son understand the disease, maybe it could raise awareness.

A lot of the activism lives in an echo chamber. Its a lot of the same people, Brunner said. My goal was to expand it into a different scene.

But extracting the idea from his brain and developing a three-dimensional creation would be a challenge, especially as his health declined. So he leaned on friends, family, and others with the disease to help pull it together.

He started by reaching out on social media to people in the ALS community, asking them to submit photos of themselves or others who have or had the illness.

Over more than 700 hours, and with help from his family, Brunner 3D-printed 256 of them.

Digital design tools and adaptive technologies could help him with the small pieces, but his fine motor skills were no longer up to the task of constructing the wooden framework he envisioned installing the portrait tiles in.

So he called an old friend.

Alison Chetty met Brunner in high school; he went to Chichester and she went to Garnet Valley. They got to know each other participating in art competitions, Chetty said.

After college, they lost touch until more than a decade later, when Chetty discovered Brunners diagnosis through a social media post.

I didnt know what ALS was, she said.

She was stunned to learn what it meant for Brunners fate.

So when he reached out and asked her for help on the project, she didnt hesitate.

He kind of settled on this idea and I was like, Well, of course Ill make it for you, Chetty said.

Over two years, she constructed a wooden grid framework perfectly tailored to the size of the tiles and drilled holes inside to thread the wiring through.

Brunners wife, Allie Brunner, also an artist, helped, as did Logan, who chipped in by attaching wires, installing portraits, and painting the sides.

In a time where their lives felt directionless, the project gave the family a sense of purpose, Allie Brunner said.

Everyone our age is having more kids, theyre getting different jobs, and what are we supposed to be doing? she said. I think its really given us that gift of this is exactly what were supposed to be doing together.

Throughout the construction period, a number of setbacks arose.

Some weeks, Chetty had to prioritize other projects for her job as a carpenter and retail display artist. Other weeks Eric Brunner wasnt up for it. About a year into the project, he fell and fractured a few bones. It was unclear if he would walk again.

Everything felt like it was kind of falling apart, Allie Brunner said. Its easy to kind of lose hope along the way.

Especially when, in the backdrop of it all, people depicted in the piece were dying as the project was coming to life.

But Eric Brunners devotion to the work continued to drive it forward.

Without uttering a word, they all knew why, why the piece meant so much.

It is his legacy, Allie Brunner said.

At its January opening, people from all across the country  from California, Texas, Washington  lined up to see the installation.

It was extremely rewarding, Eric Brunner said.

To Brunners knowledge, no one in the piece was able to see it, because of how cumbersome the disease is to travel with.

To him, that is part of why it was worth all the work.

Being a part of something big is difficult when you have ALS, Brunner said. Just managing your energy is difficult because it takes a lot for a lot of us to even get out of bed and return emails.

With this piece, they could be part of something big. Their legacies could extend further and longer and they didnt need to lift a finger, just share their story.

On April 3, the piece will debut at the Two Street Club gallery during the First Friday art gallery walk. It will stay there until April 25. Brunner is working out plans to show the piece in Boston, New York, and San Diego.

Its really validating to see yourself as a work of art and to see yourself with all of the other people, Brunner said  and he would know, as he is one of the faces in the piece. It just reinforces that you matter in this fight.
Keyssh Datts, founder and executive director of Decolonize Philly, becomes emotional while describing her dealings with the Federation of Neighborhood Centers during a town hall in February. Read more

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A nonprofit that was supposed to help community groups manage grants and offer other support lost more than $426,000 belonging to 24 neighborhood organizations, according to a third-party audit.

The Federation of Neighborhood Centers officially shut down its grant management program, referred to as fiscal sponsorship in the nonprofit world, at the end of December. But the nonprofit had frozen outgoing payments for dozens of groups by late summer, leaving groups wondering what happened to funds and when, or if, they were going to get them.

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Despite the new details regarding how much the Federation of Neighborhood Centers lost, its unclear how likely it is for groups to ever be made whole.

Demir Moore, who took over as the imploding nonprofits CEO in August, said it was establishing a relief fund that would be administered by a third party. The goal, he said, was to provide funds to affected groups where possible.

Throughout this process, we have remained in communication with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office and other stakeholders as we work through the appropriate path forward, wrote Moore in an email.

Social Impact Commons, an organization that supports fiscal sponsors, issued its report in early February to the Greater Philanthropy Network Philadelphia, as part of an effort to reconcile the Federation of Neighborhood Centers bookkeeping.

The findings offer little comfort to groups that broke ties with the nonprofit just in time and those left in the lurch, seeking accountability, and wondering how the nonprofit could have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars without notice.

Were talking about emotional and psychological impacts, not just not having the money, said Keyssh Datts, who contracted with FNC with her group Decolonize Philly, which aims to build community and promote sustainability. A lot of people had to move, sell their cars, or been laid off.

Warning signs

Bryan Belknap, executive director of Philly Bridge & Jawn, aka PB&J, which supports struggling teens through cooking programs, wanted to expand on an idea that had been well-received during a pilot run. Hed hoped contracting with the Federation of Neighborhood Centers in November 2023 could help the program flourish by providing back-office support.

Thats because fiscal sponsors are registered 501(c)(3)s paid to provide bookkeeping, human resources, and legal support. Contracting with one can be a strategic business decision for neighborhood groups that lack tax-exempt status.

In hindsight, there were red flags from the jump, said Belknap and two members of PB&Js board of directors. There was no orientation or manual for how the partnership was supposed to work.

As time went on, it became harder to know what exactly the group was paying for, they said.

When a quarterly report was due for a grant requirement, Belknap was the one piecing everything together.

I was asking them for backing documents, and they would send me something, and I would be like, this is really incomplete, he said. Then 10 minutes later, they would send me something completely different. These are financial records, they shouldnt vary the way that theyre varying.

PB&J officially ended its contract with the Federation of Neighborhood Centers in January 2025. Belknap said his group did not lose any funds in the process, but its money wasnt returned until May.

FNC froze operations late summer and underwent a financial review led by the nonprofit Social Impact Commons to help projects transition to new fiscal sponsors and determine how much it owed its projects.

By November, more than 100 groups contracting with FNC learned their fiscal sponsor was unable to pay what was owed to many of them, after years of spending itself into a deficit and poor record-keeping.

 READ MORE: A nonprofit thought it had $170,000 in the bank. Then the payroll didnt clear.

Some of the groups contracted with FNC that had no funds were allowed to cash checks backed by the groups that did, said Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons.

One batch of projects basically loaned the other projects money, he said. Theres no kind of record of whose money was spent on whom.

Ending ties and seeking financial relief

Of the 104 projects under the Federation of Neighborhood Centers umbrella late last year, Social Impact Commons found 34 projects had gone to new fiscal sponsors or independent nonprofits, and 39 were closed or defunct. That leaves 31 active projects that have yet to transition.

Squire said these projects may be searching for a new home or could have contracts that require them to remain with the Federation of Neighborhood Centers until a later date.

Separate from the $426,000 loss, some Philly groups lost a combined $84,489 from fundraising hosted on the donations platform FlipCause. The California-based organization received a cease-and-desist letter from the states Attorney General in November after several nonprofits accused it of withholding funds, and is now subject to a federal class-action lawsuit.

Social Impact Commons recommended that the Federation of Neighborhood Centers follow a resolution process similar to one that took place after the collapse of a major fiscal sponsor in San Francisco. There, the local philanthropic community raised millions of dollars for the affected groups that were to be distributed by a newly created third-party fund.

The Federation of Neighborhood Centers and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office supported the San Francisco model, according to Squire. Under this structure, projects that lost money would receive relief funds equal to or proportional to the amount they lost.

The Attorney Generals Office declined to comment.

But Datts is leading a coalition of about 30 former FNC groups that disagree with this approach.

The collective believes all projects ought to be eligible for relief, even ones that did not lose money in the collapse. In a February town hall, some affected groups said relief should come through an adjudicated process governed by a committee.

The groups have raised concerns about certain provisions in paperwork theyve been asked to sign to be eligible for relief and officially end ties with the Federation of Neighborhood Centers, including a non-disparagement clause. Datts said groups dont fully understand what theyre agreeing to.

Their funding model puts us in compromising positions where we have to settle, and we wont be able to actually get retribution for what theyve done to us, said Datts.

Still, Squire noted Philadelphia is not relatively philanthropically rich, and its community is waiting for the Federation of Neighborhood Centers and its projects to choose an approach before handing over their money. The longer that takes, the more FNCs plight will fade as a priority for philanthropy.

I think this is a hard raise on a good day, Squire said. Crises have an arc, and at a certain point, people just move on.
Retirement accounts are supposed to be long-term savings vehicles, but for a growing number of Americans, theyre becoming an emergency lifeline.

When bills pile up, housing payments fall behind or medical costs suddenly enter the picture, some workers turn to the largest pool of money they have, which is their 401(k).

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That safety valve is being used more than ever. New data from Vanguard shows a record 6% of workers in its 401(k) plans took hardship withdrawals last year, up from 5% the year before (1).

While many Americans are saving more and benefiting from the stock market, yet another segment of the workforce is facing mounting financial strain from housing costs, debt and unexpected expenses.

For those workers, retirement accounts can become the only accessible source of cash.

Why more workers are tapping into 401(k)s

The most common reasons workers withdraw money early are urgent financial problems, particularly avoiding eviction or foreclosure and paying medical bills.

The typical hardship withdrawal remains relatively modest. Vanguard reports the median withdrawal was about $1,900, suggesting many people are plugging short-term financial gaps. However, nearly half (46%) of those who made a hardship withdrawal took more than one throughout the year, while 21% took three or more.

Hardship withdrawal rates have been rising since 2020, Vanguard reports, and several factors may be driving the increase. Congress made hardship withdrawals easier in 2018 by removing a rule requiring workers to take out a 401(k) loan first. More recent legislation expanded the list of situations that qualify for withdrawals.

Another driver could simply be that more Americans have retirement accounts to begin with. Automatic enrollment programs have dramatically increased participation in workplace retirement plans. Among employers using Vanguards administration services, 61% automatically enrolled new hires in 2025, compared with about one-third of plans in 2013, according to The Wall Street Journal (2).

That means more workers have retirement savings, so more accounts that can be tapped when financial trouble strikes.
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U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Bucks County Republican, says he is working on a proposal to reform ICE and fund the Department of Homeland Security amid a congressional spending stalemate that stemmed from federal agents killing of U.S. citizens in Minnesota earlier this year.

Fitzpatrick and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D., N.Y.), who both represent swing districts, said this week they are working out the terms of a deal that would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from wearing masks in most situations and align ICE protocols with those of other federal law enforcement agencies.

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Americans trust in ICE has frayed, and it needs to be repaired, Fitzpatrick said on the debut episode of his new podcast, which was posted Thursday on YouTube. Fitzpatrick and Suozzi, cochairs of the bipartisan congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, are hosts of The Pod Couple.

Democrats blocked funding for the department in mid-February, hinging their support for additional spending on changes to ICE policies. They cited the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Amid public backlash, the Trump administration has reduced the presence of immigration enforcement agents in the city.

ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have continued to receive funding through President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill law that passed last summer. The partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 has resulted in a lapse in funding for other DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Political pressure to resolve the impasse has intensified as travelers deal with long lines at airports and federal employees go without paychecks.

 READ MORE: Two more security checkpoints at PHL will close due to TSA staffing shortages

Trump border czar Tom Homan met with senators from both parties this week, but Congress is still at odds. The Senate on Friday voted for the fifth time against advancing DHS funding, as the 47-37 vote fell short of the 60 needed to clear the filibuster. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) joined Republicans in favor of funding, while most Democrats opposed it. Sixteen senators did not vote.

You shouldnt shut down FEMA and the Coast Guard and TSA  because you disagree on, you know, a small part of the budget, Fitzpatrick said on the podcast.

At the same time, Suozzi said, People dont like the idea of masked men breaking windows, you know, dragging people out of their cars.

The two congressmen said they want to require ICE agents to wear body cameras and suggested they should undergo the same rigorous training as employees at other agencies, like the FBI. Fitzpatrick served in the FBI for 14 years.

We are trying to get to a place where Brian and I can come to an agreement and then try and sell it to our colleagues, Suozzi said.

Punchbowl News earlier reported the duos plans.

Republicans have blocked Democrats efforts to fund individual agencies like TSA, while Democrats have opposed GOP efforts to fund all of DHS on a temporary basis.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Federal prosecutors asked a judge Friday to dismiss the charges against two Louisville officers accused of falsifying the warrant that led police to raid Breonna Taylors apartment the night she was killed six years ago.

Prosecutors said in a court filing that their review of the case showed the charges against former Detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany should be dismissed in the interest of justice.

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Judges have twice reduced a felony charge against each officer to a misdemeanor, saying there wasnt a direct link between the false information in the warrant and Taylors death. Prosecutors said after the second ruling that they had decided to drop the cases.

We are elated with this development, said Travis Lock, an attorney for Jaynes.

Meanys lawyer, Michael Denbow, said he is incredibly grateful for todays filing.

Meany is looking forward to putting this matter behind him and moving forward with his life, he said.

Taylor was shot to death by police when they broke down the door of her apartment while serving a no-knock drug warrant looking for a former boyfriend who no longer lived there.

Taylors boyfriend at the time fired at the officers, and Taylor was killed as police fired back.

Federal prosecutors under former President Joe Biden pressed charges against the officers. Under President Donald Trump, though, the Department of Justice asked that Brett Hankison, the only officer serving prison time related to Taylors killing, be let out of prison while he appeals his conviction.

Taylors mother, Tamkia Palmer, said in a Facebook post that she is extremely disappointed in Trumps Justice Department.

Their phone call today informing me that charges against the police are being dropped while implying they have helped me is utterly disrespectful, Palmer wrote. This is the first time Ive heard from them since they took over and its clear they have not served me or Breonna well.

A federal judge sentenced Hankison to 2 years and nine months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for blindly firing 10 shots into Taylors windows on the night she was killed. None of the shots hit anyone.

Neither of the two officers who did shoot Taylor was charged, after prosecutors deemed they were justified in returning fire into the apartment.

Police found no drugs or cash inside Taylors apartment. The city paid a $12 million wrongful death settlement to Taylors family.

The death of Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, led to months of protests in the streets of Louisville in 2020, the same year Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging in Georgia and George Floyd was choked to death by an officer in Minneapolis.
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A federal judge in Washington, D.C., struck down the Defense Departments controversial press policy as unconstitutional Friday, ruling in favor of the New York Times and one of its reporters, Julian E. Barnes.

Senior U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman said in his ruling that the ongoing war with Iran made it more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing.

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The policy, introduced in October, stated that the Pentagon could revoke credentials for any journalist who solicits information the department has not authorized for release  even if that information was unclassified. The policy led to a mass exodus of journalists from dozens of news organizations that refused to sign, including the Times and the Washington Post. Only a handful of the hundreds of formerly credentialed members of the media signed the updated agreement.

A cohort from largely right-wing outlets sympathetic to President Donald Trump signed on to the new policy, including far-right activists Laura Loomer and Jack Posobiec, as well as former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican.

A representative for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a post on X, We disagree with the decision and are pursuing an immediate appeal.

In court, the government argued that a public call for tips from Loomer was allowable under the policy but one by the Post was not, a claim that Friedman questioned in his ruling. The Court is unpersuaded that there is any distinction between the Washington Posts tip line and Ms. Loomers, other than that the Washington Posts motto is Democracy Dies in Darkness, while Ms. Loomers apparently is willingness to serve [the] commander in chief, he wrote.

Friedman also wrote that although national security and the security of troops must be protected, a free press was important for Americans understanding of their government, so that the public can support government policies, if it wants to support them; protest, if it wants to protest; and decide based on full, complete, and open information who they are going to vote for in the next election.

The Times celebrated the ruling in a statement. Americans deserve visibility into how their government is being run, and the actions the military is taking in their name and with their tax dollars, Times spokesman Charlie Stadtlander said. Todays ruling reaffirms the right of The Times and other independent media to continue to ask questions on the publics behalf.

Fridays ruling comes two weeks after the Times squared off against Justice Department lawyers on the case in court. The Times argued that the policy was designed to silence unfavorable coverage of the Trump administration and had been applied inconsistently, such as in the case of the two calls for tips.

Tim Parlatore, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was the principal author of the new press policy. He said in a news conference following the March 6 hearing that the department hoped the judge would rule in favor of the government but also clarify whats allowable under the law.

I think the best thing the judge is going to be able to do is give us an opinion as to where he thinks the line actually is, Parlatore said. At that point, the department will make a decision as to whether we want to appeal it  or just go back and edit the policy.

Press freedom groups cheered Friedmans ruling Friday. In a careful opinion, the court affirmed that our security and liberty rely on the presss freedom to publish and the publics ability to access news about government affairs free from state control, said Gabe Rottman, vice president of policy at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Katherine Jacobsen, U.S., Canada and Caribbean Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the ruling was an important step in restoring access to the Pentagon. As the court noted, recent United States military activity in Venezuela and Iran make journalists access all the more critical.

Friedman issued a permanent injunction, halting the new provisions of the press policy introduced in October 2025. He ordered that the credentials for Barnes and other Times reporters be restored. While the judge didnt order that the credentials of reporters from other outlets be restored, he voided the policy that they refused to sign, paving the way for them to get credentialed once again.

The Pentagon Press Association, which represents members of the Pentagon press corps, called in a statement Friday for the immediate reinstatement of credentials for all its members.

We look forward to returning to the Pentagon and providing the public, including the members of the military currently involved in conflicts around the world, information about why and how the Defense Department is waging war, the statement said.

Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., a partner at the law firm Gibson Dunn who represented the Times in court, called the judges decision a powerful rejection of the Pentagons crackdown on information during wartime.

As the court recognized, those provisions violate not only the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause, but also the founding principle that the nations security depends upon a free press, he wrote in a statement. The district courts opinion is not just a win for The Times, Mr. Barnes, and other journalists, but most importantly, for the American people who benefit from their coverage of the Pentagon.
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Postal Code
Saying that financial markets are overly turbulent at the moment may be a stretch, but investors can't be blamed for feeling a bit jittery. The conflict in Iran and fears of artificial intelligence (AI) plaguing some software companies are credible reasons for market participants to take reserved postures.

When that happens, defensive sectors and high-dividend strategies usually become favored destinations. So it's not surprising that the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEMKT: JEPI) has recently been hauling in new assets at an impressive rate.

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 

Over the past month, investors have poured $1.44 billion into this high-yield exchange-traded fund (ETF), but that's just the tip of the iceberg, and the fund's inner workings explain why it continues to be a favorite among income-hungry, volatility-avoiding investors.

Investors are displaying affinity for this high-yield ETF. Image source: Getty Images.

Investors are jumping for JEPI

With $43.7 billion in assets under management (AUM), this ETF is already one of the largest in the derivative income category. That's a fancy way of saying a portion of this fund's income is generated through an options overlay. In this case, the managers sell out-of-the-money S&P 500 call options.

That strategy is a driving force behind a 12-month rolling dividend yield of 8.4%. Not only is that yield appetizing to the hungriest of income investors, but it puts the JPMorgan ETF well ahead of other asset classes known for big yields, including real estate investment trusts (REITs), 10-year Treasuries, and junk bonds.

This ETF's appealing yield also goes a long way toward explaining why investors poured $2.3 billion into the fund since the start of 2026 and twice that amount over the past year. Yes, it's a case of the ETF rich getting richer, but there's validity in this fund's asset-gathering success. Some of that credibility is derived from this fund's defensive holdings-level positioning.

Not only does it allocate no more than 1.71% of its weight to any of its 122 holdings, but it is also significantly underweight tech stocks relative to the S&P 500. It's also overweight defensive sectors such as consumer staples and healthcare. Think of it as a de-risk tech idea with an attractive, monthly income stream.

An ETF right for these times

The income, defensive positioning, or both might be enough to compel a broad swath of investors to examine the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF. While it's a strategy suitable for long-term investors, it's also highly relevant right here, right now.
Argentinas livestock sectors could be on the brink of a major growth phase and well-positioned to capitalise on new trade deals, including the EU-Mercosur deal, if production challenges can be managed.

That was the key message from meat industry leaders speaking at Expoagro, South Americas largest agricultural show, who say that Argentine beef industry productivity gains have significant potential to come from heavier slaughter weights and intensification rather than simply increasing cattle numbers.

Held less than two months after the signing of the long-anticipated EU-Mercosur trade deal, the 2026 show marked the first major agricultural gathering in Argentina since the landmark trade agreement  which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay  was signed.

The EUMercosur agreement will create one of the worlds largest free-trade zones, gradually removing tariffs on key commodities such as beef, poultry, pork, sugar, and ethanol traded between the EU and the Mercosur bloc.

Among the most anticipated for South American livestock producers is a 99,000 tonne annual beef quota, which will enter the EU at a reduced tariff of 7.5%, while poultry exports could reach 180,000 tonnes duty-free once the quotas are fully phased in.

The quota has been closely watched by European beef producers, including farmers in Ireland who fear increased South American imports could intensify competition in the EU market.

Rising global demand

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Gabriel Gualdoni, a former president of the Argentine Chamber of Animal Nutrition Companies (CAENA), said Argentina was very well positioned to benefit from rising global demand for meat in light of the EU deal as well as a new trade deal with the US.

2026 could be the year of animal protein if we know how to take advantage of it, he said, pointing to decades of investment in genetics, technology, and professionalisation across the livestock sector, and highlighting the role animal nutrition could play in improving Argentinas international competitiveness.

One of the major challenges will be moving from a logic focused exclusively on cost reduction to one focused on production efficiency, where animal nutrition, input quality, traceability, and technological innovation play an increasingly decisive role, he added.

Fernando Eluchans, the owner of a 5,000-head beef farm and elite Angus breeder based in Buenos Aires, told the Irish Examiner that global demand for animal protein will continue to grow.

However, he said that growth in Argentinas beef sector will not necessarily come from increasing herd numbers but from improving production efficiency  particularly through heavier slaughter weights.

We still have a lot to grow in that respect. We have to work a lot on slaughter weights, he said.

We are delivering far less protein than we have the potential to be able to generate.

In Argentina, we keep slaughtering at extremely low weights. Yet, the genetics of the smallest-framed cattle you might find anywhere in our country are capable of producing 550kg or more of high-quality carcasses.

Among the most anticipated for South American livestock producers is a 99,000 tonne annual beef quota, which will enter the EU at a reduced tariff of 7.5%, while poultry exports could reach 180,000 tonnes duty-free once the quotas are fully phased in. Picture: iStock

You could say that meat quality is achieved with ageing after slaughter, but also by pre-ageing. In that pre-ageing, the animal needs to follow its growth curves. So why do we develop genetics for animals that can be slaughtered at 600kg like in the US, where they aim for 700kg? Because thats what the industry wants. Why do we do that and then slaughter at 400kg? Because thats what the domestic market demands.

With a 400kg animal, all the marbling and everything we were talking about does not have the chance to materialise.

We have to start being very serious about this, slaughtering at higher weights.

There is room to increase the kilos produced per animal by between 20% and 30%, just by moving from slaughter weights of around 350kg towards values closer to 500kg.

Years ago, people in Argentina told me that grain-fed animals wouldnt work here because it was an American fad, that the meat was lower quality and would harm people, clog arteries, all that. Thats not how the world sees it.

Pork industry inspires

Argentina's pork industry has already undergone rapid transformation over the past two decades, with consumption rising steadily and production becoming increasingly concentrated among technologically advanced farms. It has become a sector many beef producers now look to for inspiration.

Daniel Fenoglio, the president of the Argentine Pork Federation, said per capita consumption has climbed to around 20kg per year, compared with just a few kilos two decades ago.

Although more than 2,500 producers recorded pig sales last year, Mr Fenoglio said the industry is now largely driven by a smaller number of modern operations.

In reality, about 350 producers account for roughly 80%85% of national production, he said, adding that technological levels on those farms were now comparable to those of the worlds main producing countries.

Many of these farms have been built relatively recently and incorporate advanced technology, improved genetics, and sophisticated manure management systems, he said.

He said that shifting focus from processed meats to fresh cuts, and improving their marketing, had helped pork consumption grow sharply.

When I started, most pigs went into cold cuts and processed products, he said.

Today, the majority of consumption is fresh pork. What we have done with pork, precisely with quite a bit of ingenuity when we decided to sell more fresh meat, is that we copied the same names that beef uses for its cuts. At the beginning, they were all Spanish names that people didnt know. We said: Well, we have to sell the leg cuts with the same names we use for beef cuts.

Biosecurity is the first, second, and third challenge Raul Marso, the president of poultry firm Las Camelias, was bullish about the potential of both domestic and export opportunities for his sector.

The opportunities are already there. We have them, and were going to seize them

What we have to do is turn the challenges into opportunities for our company, for our wealth, and for our sector.

However, he warned that, for the poultry sector, the greatest concern was bird flu and the threat it poses to both production and export markets, explaining that biosecurity has become the dominant issue facing the industry.

If we dont strengthen biosecurity  raising birds in highly controlled environments  avian influenza is here to stay, he said.

There is the real [biological] influenza, and there is the political influenza. There is the trade influenza, which each country uses however it wants in order to put up tariff and non-tariff barriers. In that sense, we have a huge challenge: How we can maintain what weve been insistently doing for 20 years  exporting and growing?

At one stage, he said, Argentina had reached export levels of around 15%18% of poultry production, however, he added that disease restrictions can quickly disrupt that progress.

Suddenly, all that product you have has to be sold in the domestic market, he said.

The pork sector is working to overcome Aujeszkys disease through a national programme. With export opportunities emerging under the EUMercosur agreement, industry leaders say addressing these production challenges will be critical if Argentina is to realise its ambition of turning 2026 into what some are calling the year of animal protein.
The dress

Dundalk designer Caroline Duffy recently invited real women into her studio to model her latest pieces. The idea? To prove the pieces can and do look gorgeous on all shapes and sizes.

Caroline Duffy Dream Blue Scarf Dress, 495

I put a call out on Instagram looking for women to volunteer. I was blown away with over 400 replies, Duffy said.

The women chosen  Pat Kane, Vivian Wong, Johanna Costigan, Louise Ryan, and Rosalyn Cleere  represent resilience, softness, creativity, and spirit, she said.

The joyful, floral-led collection is available in select boutiques in Ireland and Spain, and online. We adore the scarf dress, 495.

carolineduffydesigns.com

The collaboration

Fitness wearable WHOOP has enlisted British designer Samuel Ross of SR_A to launch the brands first foray into technical outerwear.

WHOOP x SR_A.

The Project Terrain collaboration features elevated designs that make the fitness hardware stand out  the Solare Technical Running Jacket, for example, features a wrist window that keeps the device visible mid-run.

If your fitness brand is your personality, youll like this one. 189.

whoop.ie

The Easter egg

Were always on the lookout for something a little different, so kudos to Baileys Chocolate for the launch of its blockbuster Caramelised Popcorn Egg, 15. The milk chocolate shell is infused with Baileys Original Irish Cream, packed full of whole pieces of caramelised popcorn for a sweet-and-salty crunch.

Baileys Chocolate Caramelised Popcorn Egg.

Meanwhile, the salted caramel option returns for a second year in 2026. Designed by Lir Chocolates in Navan, Co Meath, the range will be available from stores including Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes Stores, Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Carrolls Gift Stores, Avoca, Dublin Airport and selected speciality stores.

lirchocolates.com

The locally brewed beer

Set alongside Dundrum Town Centre, Brickyard is much more than your average bar. Driven by a passion for craft beer and for supporting smaller producers, the owners set out to showcase the best of Irish and international craft beer alongside quality gastro-style food, cocktails, and a strong local neighbourhood feel.

Set alongside Dundrum Town Centre, Brickyard is much more than your average bar.

In conjunction with craft beer pub, 57 The Headline on Clanbrassil Street, in 2018, they created Two Sides Brewing and their first beer, Two Yards.

Today their beers are brewed in Third Barrel in Bluebell, Dublin 12, and they pour seven of their own top selling beers.

The core range includes Brickline, the house Pilsner, Two Yards, a hazy pale ale, a German-style Helles lager, Fleetwood Black, a nitro stout; alongside rotational IPAs and a dark lager.

brickyard.ie

The seafood and cocktail bar

Allta na Farraige Seafood & Cocktail bar is the latest addition to Allta, Niall Davidsons edgy and innovative Dublin restaurant.

A new dedicated 14-seat counter with just two sittings each evening is a standalone experience with no crossover from the main dining room menu.

Allta na Farraige.

In Irelands first cocktail bar using exclusively Irish spirits, guests are seated at the counter while dishes are cooked directly in front of them over a yakitori grill by head chef David Preda.

The concise menu features eight signature cocktails curated by Mexican head bartender Erin Padilla Mendoza in collaboration with independent Irish distillers including Micil Poitin, Killowen Whiskey (exclusively bottled for Allta), Valentia Island Vermouth, Stillgarden liqueurs from Inchicore, and more. Form an orderly queue for the hottest opening in the capital.

allta.ie

The coffee machine

Best known for its air-fryers, Ninja has launched the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, a coffee machine thats both an automatic filter coffee maker and an espresso capsule machine.

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System.

Brilliantly versatile, its also compatible with Nespresso Original capsules and other third-party brands. The 2-in-1 design includes a built-in fold-away milk frother for silky hot or cold froth, ensuring everyones favourite style of coffee is achievable, 289.99.

ninjakitchen.ie

The make-up tool

We adore Chanels latest make-up brush set, Les Pinceaux, from the Rouge Noir collection. The touch up face brush, eye contouring brush and rounded eye shadow brush, 135, come in a lush, velvet wrap.

Les Pinceaux make-up brush set from the Rouge Noir collection

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While once she may have struggled with accepting that she was, in fact, a fully-fledged comedian, Kyla is now totally leaning into her work as an artist, making sure that her social battery is nice and high when it comes to taking to the stage.

Breezing into a Belfast coffee shop, where the night before shed headlined a sell-out gig, the Ballincollig native looks positively zen. Dressed casually with zero make up (more on that later), Kyla declares that shes coming into her Not My Lemons tour hot and strong with a really good mindset.

Cork Comedian Kyla Cobbler, pictured at room2 hotel, Belfast. Picture: Presseye /Stephen Hamilton

In the space of five years, since she told her first joke on stage, the 35 year old has become one of the hottest names in comedy right now.

She first gained attention through her viral Instagram reels, before stepping on stage for her first open mic in May 2021. Fast forward to today, and shes built a global following with over 800,000 Instagram followers, 100 million plus video views and built a solid reputation as a must-see live performer. Earlier this month, Hachette announced it would publish her forthcoming memoir, Happy, Thank You. More, Please: How I got grateful, stayed mortified, and learned to trust the universe in September.

The seeds of a life in comedy

It started with the Instagram videos, but my idea was never to be a comedian, she says, when we meet at Belfasts room2.

Im naturally funny because Im Irish, and Irish people are naturally funny.

I remember when Instagram first came out and it was all makeup and beauty bloggers. I remember watching these women online and almost feeling compelled to say theres another way. You can also just be a bit scruffy and a bit fun and a bit mischievous.

While shes laugh-out-loud funny in these videos, shes also making points that really resonate. In one hilarious, must-watch-on-repeat recent video she takes a pop at the rise in online content celebrating the return of skinny in her signature style.

At the beginning, she says, the reels she created were mostly because she missed home. She was living in Milan at the time, and it gave her a community of Irish women. When she moved to Barcelona, and then the pandemic hit, her followers multiplied by the day.

Cork Comedian Kyla Cobbler, picture: Presseye /Stephen Hamilton

It was, says Kyla, her way of showing up and talking through what she was feeling and what was happening in the world.

It was beautiful to say hey, this is what Im feeling and for other women to say, me too and to feel normal. It was such a beautiful, shared community. It was very special  it still is. Back then, it was growing; it was like the first ever girls group chat, she explains.

The seeds of her future life in comedy were, unbeknownst to her, being set when she moved to Italy after falling in love with an Italian. She picked up the language quickly and found that she was a natural at communicating and at getting jobs.

Ireland meets Italy

It was, she admits, the first time in her life that she had felt intelligent. Kyla is on record about her struggles with school  she was not diagnosed with dyslexia until she was 18. Learning Italian and thriving in her work made her realise for the first time, Im smart!

It was also a warm-up for performing in a way. I guess speaking a different language was like putting on a costume. It was my first kind of stage, she says of the time.

When she ended up moving to Barcelona, comedian Mike Rice  who has since become one of Kylas best friends  invited her onto his podcast, introducing her as a comedian, which she was adamant about at the time that she most definitely was not.

After the podcast, she went to an open mic with Rice where there were only a few people in the audience. It just so happened that the audience was mainly Italians at a Christmas party and Rice suggested she do a short set in Italian.

I took a shot of whisky, and I got on stage and I said in Italian I really fancy this man here and Im mad trying to get with him. If you can act like Im coming out of nowhere with the jokes. Everyone was having such a good time. I think the shock of hearing me speak fluent Italian was funny for them, she recalls.

Being an Irish creative

The minute I allowed myself to be an artist and to lean into what this is, the universe was like OK. Theres something about being Irish and calling yourself an artist, you think notions. Now, for me, everything is part of my process. When Im on tour, from the minute I wake up, I have to prioritise that and I have to be selfish. I have the material. The jokes are there. The most important thing is that I get on stage feeling good.

Again, its the little disciplines every day, and that doesnt matter if Im in a hotel or travelling six hours to a venue  its the meditation, its the yoga, its the running  I live fully as an artist.

Comedian Kyla Cobbler, Picture Dan Linehan

Its not me turning it on to go on stage. I try to go on stage and be as authentic as possible. Being up on stage and getting to say what I want; my grandmother wouldnt have been allowed to do this. It wouldve been scandalous.

Now I get to go up  I dont have to wear make-up, and I dont have to get dressed up. I go up on stage and be exactly how I am and put it all out there and theres such a liberation in that, she says.

Beauty and womanhood

Part of her success, she believes, is in connecting with women tired of the Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos online and the endless noise of the beauty industry that is obsessed with looking young at all costs. In her work, she tries to create a space for women to be the mischievous feral pirates they are  if thats what they want.

Its this idea we are told that beauty is youth  thats what was drilled into us. Theres a multi-billion-dollar industry telling us from the day we hit puberty that were not good enough. Youre not good enough how you are  wax it off, take it off, put it back, be quiet, sit down. Of course were insecure! And theres no one on our side apart from each other and were pitted against each other in our industries.

Ive been on yoga retreats with groups of women, strangers. At the end of three days, were sitting there saying we are the definition of divine. My career is this one because I leaned into who I am, but mostly, because I was celebrated by other women. Thats why Im here; its because I was celebrated by groups of women in Ireland who wanted to see me succeed, and thats what I did. Thats the power we hold within us, she says.

Comedian Kyla Cobbler, picture: Dan Linehan

And Kyla believes there is a zeitgeist around tapping into a moment where women are sick of the pressure to look a certain way and whatever they do, not to age.

Look at the men in power. Look at whats happening now  men trying to keep us children if you think about it; hairless, youthful. Youd never look at a big oak tree that was 100 years-old and think Yuk, look at that. Youd be like how gorgeous, she adds.

Laughs lead to love

In her personal life, Kyla has found love with South African Fiance Simon, and the couple moved to London last December. She has comedy to thank for bringing Simon into her life as well  they met at a gig.

I never thought I was going to find love  Id given up on love  and then I found him in the third row of a comedy show. When you do what you love, when you choose yourself, your person comes I think, she says.

Kyla Cobbler at Cork Opera House.

When I ask her if she had gone on dating apps to meet someone, she rolls her eyes incredulously.

Girl I was king of the apps. I did it all. I really wanted to find love. I didnt think I was going to get married, but I was like I have this beautiful life, I want to share this, she says.

Simon now comes on tour with Kyla and the couple plan on getting married later this year. She admits that going on stage, filling packed houses comes with big brain chemical spikes that can impact her mental health.

We had a talk and I was like I would love to have company. Were in a moment now where we dont have a mortgage and we dont have kids, lets go on this adventure together. Hes an incredible support system to me and I can sleep  I cant sleep when Im on my own after shows. Theres such electricity off me, she says.

While Kyla never had the dream about wearing the big white dress, she is fond of the idea of having all their friends and family together for a party.

I will wear a big white dress. I think it would be my mothers dream to see me in a big white dress. Ill probably have an outfit for after. But I have no strong feelings  I think theres bigger fish to fry, she adds.

What's next?

As for the future, while she says she manifests and visualises, she has learned to let go a little.

What Ive learned in my time is that it never arrives the way you think it will. It never looks like what you think its going to be. Ive learned that if I want something, the most important thing is showing up every day and being present every day and doing the small things to keep your frequency high.

Getting up and journaling, meditating going for a run  all those tiny things, all those different disciplines give me freedom mentally to relax.

The more you relax, the more you receive from whatever this is, the universe, from God, whatever you want to call it. I believe very strongly in energy, but I think it starts with me

In the past, Kyla has been open about her struggles with her mental health. She admits that there was a time during the pandemic when she was drinking a lot, leading to her not regulating her emotions properly.

Thats a thing that happens me when I drink, I cant feel myself, and I hate that, she says.

For now, shes giving alcohol a wide berth. Its just not serving me. It doesnt align with where my life is right now. I think to be lucky enough to be in the position Im in and have the career opportunity I have, I just want to feel everything. I want to soak it up and when I drink, I dont have that capacity.

Once the tour ends, Kyla is looking forward to doing nothing. She says she loves a full fridge and a clean house. Getting up in the morning and making her coffee, the small simple things of life bring her joy.

When she reflects on the last five years, she admits its been a bit insane. Everythings been so accelerated as well. Ive never had something feel so aligned and so right and also so bizarre at the same time.

With so many things in school, it took me so long to learn to ride a bike and to learn to swim. I was the last to use a pen  I had to use pencil for years. I was so bad at everything. I was like wheres my thing?

Everything was a struggle for me  I was a slow learner. With comedy, it was like my moment of you can do this. I really believe the more you relax and let yourself be where you need to be the better. Theres no rush. Itll come.
There is a familiar rhythm to a Louis Theroux documentary. He enters gently, disarmingly. His questions appear naive but land with surgical precision.

He lets people speak  hoping theyll speak too much  and in doing so reveals the architecture of their beliefs more effectively than a confrontation ever could.

From white supremacists to religious extremists, from pornographers to survivalists, Theroux has made a career out of allowing the absurd and the dangerous to expose themselves.

In Inside the Manosphere, however, the cast is different. Not hidden away in compounds or fringe communities, but sitting in podcast studios, Airbnb rentals, and slick online set-ups  men who are not on the margins so much as plugged directly into the bloodstream of the internet.

They are not subterranean, nor members of a secret society.

The mainstream manosphere

They are absolutely mainstream, and so the manosphere is less of an exposure into a hidden world, more of a walkthrough with the cast of plasticated protagonists.

Take Harrison Sullivan, known to his followers as HS TikkyTokky, a UK streamer broadcasting a sun-drenched life of rented luxury from Spain. Fast cars, villas, a constant performance of wealth.

But beneath the gloss is something colder: a sales funnel. Sullivan packages misogyny as motivation, blending hustle culture with a worldview in which women are distractions at best, inanimate obstacles at worst.

The dream he sells to young men is not just financial success, but dominance, over circumstance, over other men, over women.

What Theroux audits is not simply the message, but the mechanism: outrage and aspiration carefully calibrated to convert followers into paying customers.

Then there is Sneako-Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, an American creator whose trajectory mirrors the manospheres evolution from the fringes to the algorithmic mainstream.

He talks fluently about red pill awakening, about female privilege", about a world supposedly tilted against men. His content thrives on provocation: statements designed to shock, to circulate, to embed themselves in the endless scroll.

What emerges, under Therouxs gaze, is less a coherent philosophy than a performance of pseudo-certainty that collapses under gentle scrutiny, revealing contradictions and a reliance on recycled talking points borrowed from more dominant figures.

Myron Gaines, real name Amrou Fudl, co-host of the Fresh and Fit podcast, represents a more confrontational strand of the ecosystem.

His format is brutally simple: invite women onto the show, challenge them, interrupt, and ridicule them, and ultimately attempt to discredit them. It is content engineered for conflict.

Women become props in a recurring narrative in which they are framed as irrational, entitled, or manipulative, while Gaines positions himself as the rational arbiter of truth.

The misogyny here is not subtle: it is structural, baked into the format itself. Therouxs presence does little to disrupt the dynamic. If anything, it highlights how rehearsed and resilient it is.

Andrew Tate

Justin Waller, a Louisiana-based influencer with links to Andrew Tates wider business networks, offers a slightly different pitch: the aesthetics of old-school masculinity repackaged for the digital age. Discipline, control, hierarchy.

But at the centre of his worldview is a strikingly blunt proposition: one-way monogamy, in which men are entitled to multiple partners while women are expected to remain subserviently faithful.

It is an idea presented not as provocation but as common sense, another example of how the manosphere normalises what would once have been considered extreme.

And then there is Andrew Tate, the absent presence, the gravitational centre around which much of this revolves.

Not directly interviewed, largely due to his ongoing legal controversies, Tate nevertheless looms over the documentary as its arch-villain, its animating force.

His blend of conspicuous wealth, flagrant misogyny, and unapologetic dominance has become the template.

Others echo him, imitate him, build upon his blueprint.

Even in absence, he defines the tone.

Ideology as a business

Seen together, this is not just a collection of individuals, but a cast performing variations on a theme.

The luxury hustler. The provocateur. The debater. The traditionalist. The kingpin.

Each plays a role in sustaining an ecosystem that is as much about monetisation as it is about ideology.

And naming them, seeing them clearly, reveals something uncomfortable: how deliberate it all is.

Because this is not simply a set of beliefs.

It is a business.

Misogyny is not incidental  it is instrumental.

It drives engagement, builds loyalty, creates a sense of insider knowledge among followers.

The more inflammatory the claim, the greater its reach.

The more divisive the message, the stronger the community it fosters.

Louis Theroux's approach

This is where Therouxs method both succeeds and falters.

On one hand, by sitting with these men and allowing them to speak, he exposes the gaps in their logic, the moments where certainty slips, where performance falters.

On the other, the very act of giving them space risks reinforcing their status.

They are, after all, already experts at turning attention into currency.

Theroux, to them, is a nerdy whimp-dad, a pencil of a man who, theyd argue, is nothing more than a browbeaten penis-apologist.

And here, the question becomes unavoidable: does giving the manosphere oxygen help to promote it?

In an earlier era, exposure might have been enough to diminish such figures, to reveal them as fringe, to strip them of credibility.

But in a media landscape driven by clicks and shares, exposure can function as an endorsement's shadow.

Even critical attention feeds the machine.

What about women?

This is part of why the documentary can feel, at times, belated.

For many  particularly women  the behaviours on display are neither new nor surprising.

The misogyny is not hidden; it is explicit, even performative.

There is, at times, very little to expose because the subjects are already exposing themselves, loudly and repeatedly, across multiple platforms.

Which raises a sharper critique: whose voices are missing?

In assembling this cast of men, the documentary risks relegating women to the background, present as topics of discussion, as rhetorical targets, but less so as subjects with their own perspective.

The harm is visible, but not always centred.

There is perhaps another version of this story, one that begins not with the men selling the ideology, but with those living in its wake.

Still, there is value in seeing the machinery up close.

In recognising that these figures are not isolated anomalies, but nodes in a network, interchangeable, scalable, and, above all, profitable.

Equip the audience

For a parent, this clarity matters.

Because the audience for this content is not abstract.

It is young, and, by definition, it is impressionable.

It is, increasingly, unavoidable.

Boys encounter it through clips and memes; girls encounter it through the attitudes it helps normalise.

Do you name these figures to your children, explain who they are, what they represent?

Or do you risk introducing something they might otherwise have missed?

Perhaps the answer lies not in shielding or revealing, but in equipping.

In giving children the tools to recognise manipulation, to question easy answers, to understand that confidence is not the same as truth.

The men in Therouxs documentary offer certainty.

That is their product.

The challenge, for parents, for educators, for society, is to offer something more durable: complexity, empathy, and a version of masculinity that does not depend on dominance to feel secure.

The manosphere thrives on performance.

Theroux, as ever, shows us the stage.

The business model

What remains is to decide whether we are content to sit back, tut-tut and watch, or willing to challenge the script.

Strip away the rhetoric, and what remains is a business model, surprisingly structured, highly scalable, and, in some cases, extraordinarily lucrative.

At the entry level, the content is free.

TikTok clips, YouTube videos, livestreams: short, provocative bursts designed to hook attention.

This is where figures like Harrison Sullivan and Sneako operate most effectively, using outrage, aspiration, and algorithm-friendly controversy to build an audience.

The goal is reach.

The wider the net, the more potential customers.

From there, the funnel narrows.

Followers are directed toward monetised platforms: Rumble channels, private Discord servers, subscription-only communities.

Here, access itself becomes the product.

Pay a monthly fee and youre no longer just watching; youre part of something.

Advice is dispensed, hierarchies are formed, belonging is sold.

Does Louis Theroux's documentary give the manosphere oxygen to help promote it? File picture

Then come the higher tiers.

Courses promising financial independence, dating mastery, or personal transformation.

Prices vary wildly, from 50 for entry-level content to thousands of euros for so-called mentorship programmes.

The language is always the same: invest in yourself, escape the matrix, become high value".

What is actually being sold, more often than not, is repackaged common sense wrapped in the aesthetics of exclusivity.

At the top end sits a more opaque layer: networking schemes, affiliate links, and, in some cases, connections to broader business ecosystems associated with figures like Andrew Tate.

Here, influence translates directly into revenue streams that are difficult to quantify but clearly substantial.

Some of these creators present themselves as millionaires, and while that image is often curated, the underlying truth is that there is serious money in this space.

What makes this model particularly insidious is who funds it.

Often, it is not financially independent men buying into these systems, but teenage boys, drawn in by the promise of status, clarity, and control.

And, more often than not, the payment method is not theirs.

Subscriptions are charged to a parents card, courses purchased through family accounts, small amounts that slip under the radar but accumulate over time.

So what can parents do?

Total prohibition is rarely effective.

The ecosystem is too diffuse, too accessible.

Instead, visibility matters.

Knowing what platforms your children use, what they are watching, and, crucially, what they are paying for.

Simple steps like reviewing app subscriptions, setting spending limits, and requiring approval for purchases can disrupt the pipeline.

But the deeper intervention is conversational.

Explaining not just that these influencers exist, but how they operate, how outrage is monetised, how insecurity is targeted, how belonging is sold at a price.

When children understand that they are being marketed to, the dynamic shifts.

The illusion weakens.

Because the manosphere depends on more than attention. It depends on conversion.

And the most effective way to challenge it may be to ensure that, at least in one household, the business model stops working.
It might have formed the basis of one of historys most unlikely friendships, beginning with a Native American tribes selfless act to help Irish famine victims.

More than a century later, Cordell Palmer, a member of the Choctaw Nation, is among those benefitting from his communitys extraordinary legacy.

The 23-year-old is studying for a masters degree in international public policy and diplomacy at University College Cork (UCC) thanks to the Choctaw-Ireland scholarship.

The initiative was introduced to acknowledge the generosity and humanitarianism displayed by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, who gifted funds to the Irish during the Famine.

A monument in Bailick Park, Midleton, known as the Kindred Spirits sculpture, serves as a reminder to this day of an unforgettable gesture.

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The stainless steel feathers honour an extraordinary act of solidarity in March 1847, when the Choctaw Nation gathered roughly $170 to help feed Irelands starving poor.

Trail of Tears

Their donation was later distributed by the Quakers to purchase food and essential supplies for the Midleton area. It came despite the trauma of the Trail of Tears, when the tribe was forced to relocate.

The brutal displacement uprooted more than 60,000 Native Americans, including the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole peoples.

Thousands died from starvation and harsh weather conditions amid the mass upheaval between 1830 and 1850.

Cordell says he is grateful for the sacrifices made by his ancestors.

The Choctaw-Ireland scholarship has given me the opportunity to study in Ireland, which Im really grateful to have, he says.

Cordell developed an interest in the Choctaw tribes history during his teenage years.

Cordell Palmer: 'The summer before I began high school, I actually moved to Durant, Oklahoma, where the Choctaw Nations tribal headquarters are located.'

I was born in Oklahoma City, but I spent most of my childhood in central Arkansas. We had moved there because of my fathers job, and I lived there until my eighth grade year.

Right before high school, my dad got a job with the Choctaw Foundation involving data science and numbers.

The summer before I began high school, I actually moved to Durant, Oklahoma, where the Choctaw Nations tribal headquarters are located.

The relocation came as an awakening for Cordell.

Even though I am Choctaw, I didnt have the greatest sense of what that meant. I had been experiencing something different, but that all changed when I moved to tribal land, he adds.

I did four years of high school there, and I also attended university. Moving to Durant was monumental for me because its where I discovered what it means to be Choctaw. Once youre actually living on tribal land, you start to understand what it means to be Choctaw.

Moving back at 14 to where my parents were originally from and where they grew up on tribal land was one of the biggest game-changers for me

Where we live, the land is split up. The treaties that were signed back in the 1800s still stand.

Once you get on to the reservation land, you realise what can be achieved within this boundary. There are things that are done in these communities that would never be seen anywhere outside of this location. They have so many social welfare programmes. There are social welfare programmes and food distribution programmes. There are leases to own programmes and even help for people to plant gardens.

I miss it because you dont have that community aspect that makes you realise what it is to be a native. You just dont experience that in other places.

'My own heritage'

Cordell recalls how his grandfather inspired him to learn more about the Choctaw culture.

It was my mums dad who first made me aware of my own heritage. He had lived and worked for the Choctaw Nation pretty much his whole life. He had been one of the first people to begin the process back when the tribe regained sovereignty in the 70s, he adds.

During that time, he worked hand in hand with the guy who is chief now. It was through this side of the family that I learned more about my culture and heritage.

He died a few years ago, but it was him who passed on that love for my culture and my people.

The Kindred Spirits sculpture commemorates the 1847 donation by the Native American Choctaw Nation to Irish famine relief during the Great Hunger. It is inBailick Park, Midleton, Cork. File Picture David Creedon / Anzenberger

Cordell praises the attitudes of Irish people towards his tribe.

People here are very open and understanding about what it means to be native. They learn in public school about the potato famine and the money set over by the Choctaw people. They have an awareness about the relationship that was built, he says.

Im lucky in that I havent really experienced any lack of understanding or ignorance.

They know about the monument in Midleton.

The connection between Ireland and the Choctaw Nation never ceases to fascinate Cordell.

Its just incredible to think that this relationship began almost 200 years ago. Now, all these years later, we get to carry it on. This was a relationship born out of kindness and generosity that, all this time later, we still get to celebrate.
It's long past the time for the EU to stand up to Hungarys Viktor Orban. For more than the last decade, he has held Brussels hostage, blocking the passage of EU legislation for his own domestic purposes.

Despite Hungarys history under Soviet rule, including the Soviet army's brutal crackdown on civilians, killing 2,500 people, Budapest has unashamedly sided with the Kremlin over its 12-year invasion of Ukraine.

For the last four years, throughout Russias full-scale invasion, Hungary has attempted to block, dilute or meddle with the EUs solidarity with efforts to help and defend the people of Ukraine who are suffering the same inhumanity as Hungarians did a long time ago.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an EU summit at the Egmont Palace in Brussels. Picture: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

This week, leaders prepared to gather in Brussels, originally to concentrate on the flailing European economy and spiralling prices. Instead, they game-planned how to pressure Orban to once again stop holding Ukraine to ransom.

This time hes blocking the passage of the 90bn lifeline for Ukraine agreed and endorsed by all member states, including Orban, last December. Orban even managed to finagle yet another special dispensation for Hungary and is not participating in the loan.

Ever since the 2022 Russian invasion, Orban has used Europes solidarity with Kyiv as a stick to beat it with; portraying the donation of weapons and money for Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attacks as somehow being pro-war. He has never once decried the Kremlin as pro-war.

We expect Hungary to practise loyal co-operation, like we all do, an EU diplomat fumed ahead of another exhausting encounter with the former anti-communist, pro-democracy activist, Orban. But this is just one more incident in a long list which led Taoiseach Micheal Martin to once accuse Orban of "abusing" the veto.

In December 2023, he refused to endorse Ukraine as a candidate state for EU membership, claiming that doing so would drag Europe into war with Russia. At that time, he was also vetoing a 50bn fund to keep war-ravaged Ukraine afloat.

Orban quickly reversed his stance after the EU conceded and handed over 10bn in frozen funding which had been withheld due to allegations of political interference in the judicial system by his government.

The EU accused Orbans governing of eroding the independence of Justices. The European Commission defended the sudden disseverment of cash, saying Budapest had fulfilled the necessary reforms to receive the money.

However, the EUs own rule of law report finds the situation regarding democratic accountability receding year-on-year under Orban's leadership.

He has since described the candidacy of Ukraine as an EU member as a declaration of war".

Hungarian election

Orban is now in the thrust of a general election, and for the first time he might see his 16-year unbroken grip on Hungary slip.

This is despite the fact that he enjoys almost wholesale control of the media and has invested vast amounts of money in a widespread campaign portraying Brussels and Ukrainian president Zelenskyy as enemies of Hungarians.

For the last few weeks, Orban has once again hijacked the misfortune of the Ukrainian people as a distraction from the serious defects facing the Hungarian economy under his rule.

Orbans former party acquaintance, now opposition leader, Peter Magyar, is using his own election platform to promise to deal with widespread corruption, allow public tenders for public sector projects  something the EU has long accused Orban of keeping for his cronies. He is also promising to reach a deal with Brussels to unlock the rest of EU funding that remains withheld due to a lack of meaningful progress on rule-of-law issues.

But this week, once again, EU leaders say they are left with no choice but to suck it up.

'Hard to understand'

Far too frequently, the EU has been forced to issue statements with only 26 out of 27 countries, because Hungary has refused to endorse them. Budapest has thereby blocked the EU from forming a formal policy on a range of consequential matters.

As far back as 2021, during a particularly violent period in Palestine when Israeli settlers were evicting Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell initiated an emergency call among member states to formulate a position to at least call upon Israel to quell the settler violence. The statement also addressed Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel which also killed civilians.

"The upsurge of violence has led to a high number of civilian casualties, deaths, and injuries, among them a high number of children and women, and that this is unacceptable, Borrell said at the time.

To be honest, I find it hard to understand Hungarys objection, Borrell said, adding that EU foreign policy was not a caprice but a mandate for member countries to reach a unified position on important issues around the globe.

Days later, Budapest blocked another statement condemning Chinas interference in Hong Kong by suppressing pro-democracy protests.

It seems no matter the issue, Orban never misses an opportunity not to do the right thing.
THE Gerry Adams civil case that collapsed yesterday shone a light on the past and another on the present.

On a number of occasions during the hearing, John Finucane stood outside the Royal Courts of Justice building in London commenting on the plaintiffs case. He was one of a clutch of Sinn Fein representatives who did so.
Picture a rusty, uninsured oil tanker slipping past European ports and adjacent waters, its crew underpaid, overworked, and sometimes not receiving wages. Youd worry  and rightly so. Now imagine hundreds of such vessels operating worldwide, flying foreign flags, evading registration, and moving sanctioned oil across global waters.

This is the Russian shadow fleet: ships that are technically not Russian, but which can be rapidly returned to the Russian register if needed, giving Moscow extraordinary flexibility to integrate them into its national maritime strategy.

These vessels are not just commercial anomalies. Analysts suggest many fit into Russias broader maritime doctrine: a dual-use concept in which civilian ships can be mobilised to support state objectives in times of crisis.

In practice, this means merchant vessels  crewed by civilian mariners  can be co-opted for military or state-directed activity, blurring the line between commerce and national security. Some ships have also been linked to small supernumerary teams onboard with ties to private military contractors or Russian state security services, highlighting the fleets potential role in strategic operations beyond oil transport.

One high-profile example is the detention of the tanker Boracay by French authorities, where two Russian nationals reportedly linked to the Moran Security Group  a private maritime security company with ties to Russian military, intelligence networks, and historical connections to the Wagner ecosystemwere found aboard.

Such cases illustrate how private contractors may operate aboard shadow fleet vessels, performing functions that extend beyond conventional ship protection.

As Europe struggles to track and regulate these fleets, questions arise about the implications for maritime security closer to home.

For Ireland, whose ports and energy imports rely heavily on international shipping, these developments are far from abstract. Understanding how such vessels operate  and how they might be mobilised under Russian doctrine  is increasingly important for assessing risk, enforcing sanctions, and safeguarding European waters.

Estimates suggest the shadow fleet now numbers between 600 and 1,400 vessels, according to maritime tracking and sanctions-monitoring organisations. Many are older tankers purchased through opaque ownership networks since Western sanctions tightened on Russian energy exports.

They often operate with minimal insurance, complex corporate structures, and frequent changes of flag, making oversight difficult. The fleet also plays a critical economic role, sustaining oil exports despite sanctions and allowing Russia to maintain energy revenues essential for state finances and the war economy.

Flags of convenience

The vessels are rarely formally Russian. Instead, they operate under flags of convenience, registered in jurisdictions with limited enforcement capacity. Ownership is often layered through shell companies across multiple countries.

Yet this ambiguity can work in Moscows favour. Ships can change names, ownership structures, and national flags with surprising speed, allowing them to evade sanctions enforcement or, when politically useful, re-enter or enter the Russian shipping register.

This flexibility also reflects themes found in Russias 2022 Maritime Doctrine, a strategic document approved by presidential decree that outlines Moscows approach to maritime power.

The doctrine does not focus solely on naval forces. Instead, it describes a broader maritime system encompassing naval assets, merchant shipping, research vessels, ports, and maritime infrastructure. In effect, it recognises that civilian maritime capabilities can serve national objectives in times of crisis.

Historically, this approach is not unusual. During the Soviet era, parts of the merchant fleet were designed with mobilisation in mind, capable of transporting military cargo or supporting naval logistics during conflict.

Today, the lines are less explicit, but the principle remains. Civilian vessels and crews can form a strategic reserve of maritime capacity, particularly for logistics, transport, or auxiliary roles.

That context makes recent reporting about shadow fleet crews particularly noteworthy. An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project found some tankers regularly sail with one or two additional Russian personnel listed on crew manifests as supernumeraries.

These individuals are not part of the standard operating crew. In several cases, their backgrounds were linked to Russian security organisations, airborne units, or the Wagner private military network. Analysts suggest such personnel may allow Russia to maintain oversight of vessel operations or conduct secondary intelligence activities.

European intelligence officials quoted in reporting by AP News and CNN have suggested such individuals may act as informal vessel protection teams or liaisons with Russian authorities. Their presence does not necessarily imply covert operations, but it raises questions about why commercial tankers carrying largely foreign crews would include small numbers of security-linked personnel onboard.

In at least one reported case, two Russian nationals boarded a tanker departing the Baltic port of Primorsk shortly before sailing, listed only as technicians, while the rest of the crew came from other countries. The scale is small  often only one or two individuals  but it highlights how these vessels could quietly move personnel between ports.

Intelligence functions

Shadow fleet vessels may also serve intelligence functions. The Russia-linked tanker Eagle S was seized by Finnish authorities following damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. Reporting from Lloyds List indicated the vessel carried specialised transmitting and receiving equipment capable of recording radio frequencies from Nato naval ships and aircraft, effectively acting as a signals-collection platform. The equipment was reportedly installed on the bridge, or monkey island, with data later transferred to Russia for analysis.

Cases such as Eagle S underline that some merchant vessels combine commercial shipping with intelligence collection or monitoring of maritime infrastructure, part of what analysts describe as broader hybrid maritime operations in the Baltic region. Ships can quietly gather operational intelligence, test enforcement thresholds, or perform other strategic functionsall while carrying legitimate cargo.

Sanctions enforcement has also exposed the legal complexity surrounding shadow fleet ships. In January this year, the tanker Bella 1, later renamed Marinera, was seized by United States forces following a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic.

The vessel had initially sailed under a Guyanese flag before reportedly re-registering in Russia during the chase. US authorities argued the registration was invalid and treated the tanker as a stateless vessel, allowing it to be boarded under international maritime law.

The operation, conducted by a US Coast Guard boarding team supported by US special operations forces and surveillance aircraft, illustrates how complicated maritime enforcement can become once vessels begin shifting flags and identities.

More recently, Sweden has also conducted inspections of suspected shadow fleet vessels in the Baltic Sea as European authorities attempt to tighten enforcement.

The legal authority to board vessels on the high seas often depends on the consent of the flag state. Without it, enforcement becomes difficult. The EUs Operation IRINI, which monitors the UN arms embargo on Libya, has repeatedly faced similar challenges.

In several cases, Turkey  whose flag some ships were flying  refused permission for EU naval forces to conduct inspections, highlighting the diplomatic sensitivities that can surround maritime enforcement.

Russia has also used strategic signalling to complicate such efforts. Moscow has warned attempts to interdict vessels carrying its oil could lead to naval escorts being deployed to protect shipping.

At the same time, Russian naval vessels have periodically operated alongside commercial shipping in contested waters, particularly in parts of the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. Whether intended as protection or simply as a demonstration of presence, such actions underline the blurred boundary between commercial and state maritime activity.

Environmental, legal, and security concerns

For Europe, the shadow fleet presents a mixture of environmental, legal, and security concerns. Poorly maintained tankers carrying large volumes of crude oil represent obvious ecological risks if accidents occur near busy shipping lanes or sensitive coastlines. But the challenge is not limited to environmental regulation or sanctions enforcement.

Maritime security planners increasingly view these vessels through the lens of grey-zone activity  operations that fall somewhere between civilian commerce and state strategy. Ships capable of quietly moving small numbers of personnel, gathering intelligence on maritime infrastructure, or simply testing Western enforcement thresholds can become useful tools of influence.

For Ireland, a country whose economy depends heavily on maritime trade routes, the issue resonates in several ways. The waters around Ireland carry a substantial portion of transatlantic shipping traffic and host critical subsea communications infrastructure linking Europe and North America.

While the shadow fleets primary purpose is sanctions evasion, the presence of poorly regulated vessels operating in nearby sea lanes adds another layer of complexity to maritime monitoring.

Irish authorities have made significant efforts to improve maritime domain awareness in recent years. Yet the practical realities remain challenging. The Irish naval service, like many European navies, faces capacity constraints. Personnel shortages and retention difficulties have affected the number of vessels available for deployment, while aviation support  particularly maritime helicopter capability  remains limited for sustained operations.

This matters because monitoring irregular shipping activity is resource-intensive. Boarding operations, surveillance flights, and maritime patrols all require specialised crews and equipment. Even identifying suspicious patterns among hundreds of vessels moving through busy sea lanes can stretch available resources.

None of this means every shadow fleet tanker passing near European waters is engaged in something more sinister than sanctions evasion. But the phenomenon highlights how modern maritime power increasingly operates in the grey space between commerce, law, and strategy.

The Russian shadow fleet may have emerged primarily as a response to economic sanctions. Yet its structure  loosely regulated vessels, complex ownership networks, and occasionally unusual crew compositions  also reflects a broader strategic mindset in which civilian maritime assets can be woven into national objectives when required.

For Europe and for Ireland, the challenge lies not only in enforcing sanctions or preventing environmental accidents. It lies in understanding how these fleets operate, how they intersect with state policy, and what they may signal about the evolving character of maritime competition in the 21st century.
There is a story, older than the Republic and more enduring than most empires, about a king who won himself into ruin. Pyrrhus of Epirus, campaigning against Rome in the third century before Christ, defeated the legions at Asculum and Heraclea. Victories, both. Tactical, undeniable, written in the language of the sword and the shield. But they cost him dearly  so dearly that, surveying the carnage, he is said to have remarked that one more such victory would undo him entirely.

It is from this lament we inherit the phrase Pyrrhic victory, a term often misused to describe any hollow win, any bittersweet triumph. But Pyrrhus was not speaking of bitterness. He was speaking of arithmetic. Of exchange, and of a ledger so grotesquely unbalanced that victory itself became indistinguishable from defeat.

It is a story that ought to trouble the powerful, yet, it rarely does.

Because there are mistakes, and then there are going-to-war mistakes. The former we pay for in inconvenience  forgotten parking tickets, late fees, small humiliations. The latter are paid in blood, and yet the bill is rarely delivered to those who sign it. World leaders dispatch thousands with the flick of a pen and sleep soundly, while the rest of us tally the cost in amputees, in orphans, in the quiet collapse of things we once thought permanent.

And so we arrive, again, at a familiar precipice. An American administration, buoyed by certainty and insulated from consequence, preparing to demonstrate  once more  that it can win a war. It probably can.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

That is not the miscalculation. The great miscalculation  the one that echoes across deserts and decades  is this: That force alone can defeat belief.

Mourners attend the funeral procession for senior Iranian military officials and some civilians killed during the US-Israel campaign, including Iran's armed forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour, defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, supreme leader military office chief Mohammad Shirazi, and other officers in Tehran, Iran, Picture: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

Incorruptible belief

What Donald Trump, and even Benjamin Netanyahu, appear to misunderstand is that the men they face-however dangerous and indefensible  believe in something. The Ayatollah believes. Hezbollah believe. Hamas believe. The Houthis believe. Even Yahya Sinwar, fighting hand-to-hand to his death, believed.

You do not have to admire the belief to recognise its power.

Indeed, what separates these figures from the likes of Saddam Hussein or Bashar al-Assad is not brutality-there is no shortage of that  but incorruptibility of a particular kind. Saddam could be bought. Assad, when the walls closed in, fled to Moscow like a frightened heir protecting his inheritance. Muammar Gaddafi, for all his late-life theatrics, courted wealth and legitimacy, made deals with devils, and died having believed, fatally, that the game was still transactional.

Iran, for all its many sins, has not played that game. Nor, in truth, did the Taliban.

It is worth remembering that in late 2001, with the full might of the American war machine bearing down, the Taliban offered to surrender. They were, by any rational measure, beaten. And yet that surrender was waved away  dismissed with the casual arrogance of a power that confuses capability with wisdom. There were wars to wage, after all. Contracts to sign. Narratives to shape.

Twenty years later, after something in the region of three trillion dollars  three million millions  and upwards of 120,000 lives, the Taliban walked back into Kabul.

Victory, again, of a kind.

But what Pyrrhus understood, and what Washington so often forgets, is that not all victories are created equal. Some contain, within their very structure, the seeds of reversal.

Because belief does not behave like territory. It cannot be occupied, cannot be sanctioned into submission, cannot be negotiated away at a conference table in Geneva or Doha. It persists and it adapts and it burrows into the next generation and waits.

Trump, for his part, believes in very little beyond the architecture of his own reflection. Power, to him, is not a means but an aesthetic. He does not want a successor as president so much as he wants a contrast  someone dull enough that history might remember him as singular. Nobody did it better is not a boast; it is a thesis he intends to defend at any cost, including the future of his own party.

And because he believes in nothing, he cannot comprehend defiance rooted in something. Iranian resistance is not, to him, ideological or historical or spiritual  it is personal. An affront. It is disgusting. A refusal to bend to the sheer force of his will.

But you cannot bomb a people into agreeing with you. You can only bomb them into hating you.

Read More Ukraine using drone expertise to help countries against Iran attacks  Zelenskyy

Read More Middle East latest: Iran hits Kuwaiti refinery and explosions sound over Tehran from Israeli attack

Ritual over politics

My own time in Beirut was brief, but it offered a glimpse into the kind of influence that belief can wield. Hassan Nasrallah  rarely seen, perpetually hidden  was nevertheless everywhere. His broadcasts, typically delivered in the early evening, bent the rhythm of the country around them. Shops paused. Conversations stalled. Screens flickered to life.

I understood none of what he said in real time. My Arabic never advanced beyond pleasantries and apologies. But understanding the words was beside the point. To watch those watching him was to witness something closer to ritual than politics. Not unanimity  he was loathed as much as he was revered  but attention. Total, unavoidable attention.

That is power of a different order.

And for all the rhetoric of America as the Great Satan Al-Shaytan Al-Akbar  there was, at least then, no ambient hatred of Americans themselves. Not in Beirut. Not in the north or the south. Quite the opposite. The hostility was directed upward, at policy, at power. It was not yet personal.

Wars have a way of making things personal.

Strikes continue

When Israel killed Nasrallah in September 2024, the reaction was immediate and visceral. Even at a distance, it felt seismic. He had seemed, absurdly, untouchable  a permanent fixture in an impermanent region. And yet he was gone, reportedly betrayed, his location compromised, his life ended by Israel amid the flattening of entire neighbourhoods. Hundreds of civilians died in the process. Children among them.

The operation was hailed in some quarters as ingenious. Surgical, even. But surgery, one suspects, is meant to preserve life, not extinguish it wholesale.

An Hezbollah supporter holds a picture of the late Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed on September 27, 2024, by Israeli airstrikes, stands at the burial site in Beirut, Lebanon in 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

Nasrallah is dead. So too is Sinwar. Others will follow. They always do. And yet, eighteen months on, Hezbollah remains  diminished, disfigured, but present. Active. Persistent. Israel continues to strike, often against civilians, in pursuit of leaders it has already declared dead a dozen times over.

This is not strategy. It is repetition, and doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is considered by some to be a sign of insanity.

Yet, watch as it gets repeated in Iran. Leaders will be targeted, killed, replaced. Each death will be framed as decisive. Each replacement will prove it was not. Because the figures at the centre of these movements are, crucially, prepared to die. Some may even welcome it. Martyrdom is not a failure within their worldview; it is, in many cases, its fulfilment.

This may not make them noble, but it does make them difficult to defeat. Especially if you are unwilling to die for anything yourself.

Which brings us, inevitably, back to Pyrrhus.

What made his victories ruinous was not simply the scale of his losses, but his failure to understand the nature of his opponent. Rome, like the movements America now faces, could absorb punishment. It could replenish, regroup, return. It was not reliant on a single leader or a single moment. It was, in its own way, an idea.

You cannot outlast an idea by killing its adherents.

America will, in all likelihood, win the coming war in the way it wins most wars: With overwhelming force, technological supremacy, and a narrative of inevitability. But the cost-moral, political, cultural  will accrue quietly, like interest.

All the while, somewhere beneath the rubble, belief will endure. Waiting.

For the next victory.
Reflections by Paul Henry at Adams evening sale of Important Irish Art in Dublin next Wednesday (March 25) is enough to give us all pause for thought. The catalogue cover lot is not typical of Henry's work. The focus of the painting is the lake.

Paul Henry is celebrated for his treatment of clouds, rapidly changing skies and the quality of light in the west of Ireland. Painted in the 1930's, Reflections is redolent of that Ireland then, but this work is different. The lake takes centre stage, the water dominates, and the sky is a mere narrow band. In this particular artwork, estimated at 100,000-150,000, you get a reflected sky. It shimmers on the lake surface.

Reflections by Paul Henry at Adams.

From the photo realism of John Doherty to a volumetric composition by Mary Swanzy the 124 lots with estimates from 300 to 150,000 in this live and online auction hold a mirror to the many pathways that Irish artists have chosen to reflect their surroundings.

Swanzy's Cathedral Semur (20,000-30,000) displays the influence of Cezanne both in the colour scheme and the perspective. Everything moves upwards towards the 14th-century Gothic cathedral elevated above the town centre. The Maxol Family by John Doherty (7,000-10,000) is an acrylic on canvas with a set of blue petrol pumps on the side of the road, a once familiar scene now vanishing from our townscapes. As if to underscore this a second work by Doherty - titled Abandoned in Bantry - depicts a no longer in use red petrol pump abandoned at a derelict site. The acrylic on paper has an estimate of 1,500-2,000.

Cathedral, Semur by Mary Swanzy at Adams.

Child Scarecrow/Falling Kite by John Shinnors (10,000-15,000) shows themes the Limerick artist has revisited and drawn inspiration from. The Sermon on the Mount by Evie Hone (1,000-1,500) is a watercolour from the estate of Leo Smith of the Dawson Gallery in Dublin. There are abstract works by William Scott and Felim Egan, landscapes by Frank McKelvey and Charles Lamb and the auction offers works in bronze by Melanie le Brocquy, John Behan and Imogen Stuart. It is on view from 2 pm to 5 pm today and tomorrow and daily next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The catalogue is online and bidding starts at 6 pm on Wednesday.

The online Irish Art Auction at de Veres next Tuesday evening (March 24) is on view now at Kildare St. in Dublin. There is art by Gerard Dillon, Dan O'Neill, Peter Curling, Barbara Warren, Liam O'Neill, Kenneth Webb and Mary Swanzy.

Elijah and the Ravens by Sean Keating at de Veres.

Elijah and the Ravens by Sean Keating (10,000-15,000) dates to 1940. It is a particular take on the Biblical story where Elijah was supposed to be protected and fed by ravens. In this work, it seems as if Elijah is being attacked by the ravens. It is, in fact, a metaphor for the new Irish State which had offered so much protection and promise and had, in Keating's view, achieved the exact opposite by its lack of support for the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. This painting was lent by its then New York owner to the major Keating retrospective at the Municipal Gallery in Dublin opened by Eamon de Valera in 1963.

Estimates at de Veres range from 100 to 30,000. The top estimate is for a horse racing painting by Peter Curling entitled Irish Weather. The catalogue lists 199 lots.
International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) stock surged back to life over the last three years, more than doubling in value. That remains true despite a material pullback in 2026 as investors worry about the impact that artificial intelligence (AI) will have on its business. Here's why now could still be a good time to buy IBM if you are a long-term investor.

International Business Machines changes with the times

The main reason to buy IBM now, after a recent drawdown, is the technology giant's quantum computing business. While AI is the darling of Wall Street today, quantum is waiting in the wings to join, if not take over, the spotlight. AI uses massive amounts of computer power, and quantum has the potential to vastly increase the amount of computing power available.

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.

However, the reason to buy IBM stock isn't directly related to quantum computing. That's really a sign of a much bigger story. To understand IBM, you really need to go back about 100 years, to the company's founding.

When IBM started out, it made things like scales. That's a far cry from quantum computing, which is the important takeaway. IBM didn't simply spring into existence; it evolved and changed over time into the business it is today. The company has proven, many times over, that it can keep pace with the technology that its largely business customers need and want.

IBM has a unique culture

Not many companies manage to survive as long as IBM has. It requires a specific culture that lives beyond any single employee, generation, or technology. Right now, investors are worried that AI will hurt IBM's business. It might in the near term, but over the long term, the company is highly likely to use AI as a tool to better serve its customers.

Quantum is one example of how fears about AI could be overblown with IBM, given that quantum is likely to work hand in hand with AI. However, there are smaller ways in which AI will likely help.

Notably, IBM provides services to companies running older operating systems, such as COBOL. AI may be able to quickly address coding issues with such systems, but it likely won't be able to provide the business logic and process flow that specific customers need to actually run their businesses. That's where a human consultant comes in. Aided by AI, IBM will be able to work more quickly and efficiently.
Three weeks into an escalating war in the Middle East, Iran threatened to expand its retaliatory attacks to include recreational and tourist sites worldwide, as the US announced it was sending more warships and Marines to the region.

Following news of the deployments, US President Donald Trump said later on Friday on social media that his administration in fact was considering winding down military operations in the region.

The mixed messages came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock market, and was followed by a Trump administration announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling soaring fuel prices.

The war, meanwhile, has shown no signs of abating.

Since Day One of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump clearly outlined the U.S. Militarys objectives to end the threat of the Iranian terrorist regime.



The President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission.



Tomorrow marks week pic.twitter.com/A5F8UTxpPZ  Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 20, 2026

Israel said Iran continued to fire missiles at it early on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in just a couple of hours in the countrys eastern region, which is home to major oil installations.

The defence ministry said there were no injuries or damage.

Iran has escalated attacks on its Gulf neighbours since Israel bombed its massive South Pars offshore natural gas field, while keeping a stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil and other critical goods are transported.

The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programs. There have been no public signs of any such uprising and no end to the war in sight.

In his social media post, the president said, We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.

That seemed at odds with his administrations move to bolster its firepower in the region and request another 200 billion dollars (149.9 billion) from Congress to fund the war.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei praised Iranians steadfastness in the face of war in a written statement read on Iranian television to mark Nowruz. He said the US and Israeli attacks were based on an illusion that killing Irans top leaders could cause the overthrow of the government.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he became supreme leader following Israeli strikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly wounded him.

Irans top military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations worldwide will not be safe for the countrys enemies. The threat renewed concerns that Tehran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic.

President Donald Trump walks with secretary of state Marco Rubio (Alex Brandon/AP)

It remains to be seen if lifting sanctions on Iranian oil will drop prices.

Brent crude oil, the international standard, has soared during the fighting and was around 108 dollars (80) per barrel, up from roughly 70 dollars (52) before the war.

The newly announced US pause in sanctions applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end April 19. The license has limits, including a restriction on sales involving anyone in North Korea or Cuba.

Treasury secretary Scott Bessent previously suggested it as a way to prevent China from being the sole beneficiary of Iranian oil.

The new move does not increase the flow of production, a central factor in the surging prices. Iran has managed to evade US sanctions for years, suggesting that much of what it exports already reaches buyers.

Looking for ways to boost global oil supplies during the Iran war, the Trump administration has previously paused sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments for 30 days, which critics said rewarded Moscow while having only a modest effect on markets.

Elsewhere, the Israeli military said early on Saturday that it began a wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah militants in Beiruts southern suburbs.

Smoke was seen rising, fires broke out and loud explosions were heard across parts of central Beirut.

Hours earlier, the army renewed evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods, prompting some residents to fire gunshots to alert families to flee. No injuries were reported.
Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility has been hit in an air strike, the official Iranian news agency Mizan reported.

There was no radiation leakage, it said, as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week.

Natanz, Irans main enrichment site, was hit in the first week of the war and several buildings appeared damaged, according to satellite images.

(PA Graphics)

The United Nations nuclear watchdog had said that no radiological consequence was expected from that earlier strike.

The nuclear facility, located nearly 220 kilometres (135 miles) south east of Tehran, had been targeted by Israeli air strikes in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, and by the United States.

The strike comes a day after US President Donald Trump said he was considering winding down military operations in the Middle East even as the United States is sending three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional marines to the region.

Mr Trumps post on Friday on social media followed an Iranian threat to attack recreational and tourist sites worldwide and another day of the air strikes and drone and missile attacks that have engulfed the region.

The mixed messages from the United States came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock market, and was followed by a Trump administration announcement it was lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling soaring fuel prices.

The three-week-old war has shown no signs of abating, with Israel saying Iran continued to fire missiles at it early on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in just a couple of hours in the countrys eastern region, which is home to major oil installations.

Donald Trump has said we are getting very close to meeting our objectives (Alex Brandon/AP)

The attacks came a day after Israeli air strikes hit in Tehran as Iranians celebrated the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that has been muted by the war.

The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programmes.

There have been no public signs of any such uprising and no end to the war in sight.

On social media, Mr Trump said: We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.

That seemed at odds with his administrations move to bolster its firepower in the region and request another 200 billion dollars from Congress to fund the war.

The United States is deploying three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional marines to the Middle East, an official told The Associated Press.

(PA Graphics)

Two other US officials confirmed that ships were deploying, without saying where they were heading.

Days earlier the US redirected another group of amphibious assault ships carrying another 2,500 marines from the Pacific to the Middle East.

The marines will join more than 50,000 US troops already in the region.

Mr Trump has said he has no plans to send ground forces into Iran but has also asserted that he retains all options.

Irans top military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned on Friday that parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations worldwide will not be safe for the countrys enemies.

The threat renewed concerns that Tehran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei praised Iranians steadfastness in the face of war in a written statement read on Iranian television to mark Nowruz.

A worshipper displays a portrait of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on her smartphone at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Mr Khamenei has not been seen in public since he became supreme leader following Israeli strikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly wounded him.

With little information coming out of Iran, it was not clear how much damage its arms, nuclear or energy facilities have sustained in the punishing US and Israeli strikes, which began on February 28  or even who was truly in charge of the country.

But Irans attacks are still choking off oil supplies and raising food and fuel prices far beyond the Middle East.

The Israeli military said early on Saturday that it began a wave of strikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Beiruts southern suburbs.

Smoke was seen rising, fires broke out and loud explosions were heard across parts of central Beirut, hours after the Israeli army renewed evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods.

Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than one million, according to the Lebanese government.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran during the war.

A destroyed building that housed a branch of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial institution run by Hezbollah, which was hit by an Israeli air strike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles and four others have died in the occupied West Bank.

At least 13 US military members have been killed.

Brent crude oil, the international standard, has soared during the fighting and was around 106 dollars per barrel, up from roughly 70 dollars before the war.

The newly announced US pause in sanctions applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end on April 19.

The new move does not increase the flow of production, a central factor in the surging prices.

Iran has managed to evade US sanctions for years, suggesting that much of what it exports already reaches buyers.

Looking for ways to boost global oil supplies during the Iran war, the Trump administration has previously paused sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments for 30 days, which critics said rewarded Moscow while having only a modest effect on markets.
Carter Reum has rubbished online speculation that his marriage to Paris Hilton is under strain.

Paris Hilton and Carter Reum got married in 2021

The 45-year-old venture capitalist took to Instagram to assure fans that he and the socialite are "the happiest and best couple" in response to a video clip of Paris turning away from his kiss to pose for photos at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Carter penned on the social media site: "Rest assured my wife @parishilton is my one in a trillion and we're the happiest and best couple.

"Although I appreciate everyone's amateur psychology takes as many called out, I just love giving my wife a kiss and she just hates her makeup being smudged on a red carpet."

He added: "It's not that deep everyone, and yes she loves me to death."

Carter and Paris got married in 2021 and The Simple Life star explained how Carter understands the "real" her.

The 45-year-old star - who has son Phoenix, three, and daughter London, two, with her spouse - wrote in a blog after their wedding: "Ive lived a very unique life in the public eye over the last two decades and throughout the years, I was always searching for my partner.

"I was looking for my equal. Someone who wasnt fascinated with 'Paris Hilton' but instead, someone who saw the real me and loved me for me.

"Im so proud of my love story with Carter, and even more excited that its just beginning."

Meanwhile, the couple renewed their wedding vows on the Turks and Caicos Islands to mark Valentine's Day last month.

Alongside some behind-the-scenes photos from their big day, Paris wrote on social media platform X: "Five years later and he still makes my heart skip a beat [tears and ring emojis]

"On Valentines Day, in the turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos  just days before my birthday  my forever Valentine re-proposed, and I said YES all over again.

"But this time, we werent just husband and wife. We were Mommy and Daddy. Phoenix and London watching the love that created them [heart emoji]

"Renewing our vows isnt just about celebrating five beautiful years  its about showing our babies that love grows, deepens, and chooses each other again and again.

"Five years down. Forever to go.

"Forever isnt long enough with you, Carter. (sic)"
Finding the ultimate artificial intelligence (AI) investment isn't easy. However, I think Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) is about as close to that description as it gets. Taiwan Semiconductor has positioned itself nicely to succeed in the current market environment, and it's slated to cash in on all of the AI spending.

I've got three reasons why Taiwan Semiconductor (also known as TSMC) is the ultimate way to invest in AI, and all of them add up to make it a great investment pick.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue 

Image source: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

1. Taiwan Semiconductor doesn't care whose chip designs are being used

While there is a lot of debate about whether Nvidia can sustain its lead or if Broadcom or Advanced Micro Devices can sneak up and capture some of it, the reality is that Taiwan Semiconductor will be the primary chip fabricator regardless of which company's computing units are most popular. This is an excellent position to be in, as the only thing Taiwan Semiconductor is concerned about is AI hyperscalers spending more and more money on chips. And several projections point to this cohort doing exactly that.

While the big four AI hyperscalers are expected to spend around $650 billion in capital expenditures this year, there are several other businesses that are also spending big. It also doesn't include other regions like China or Europe. There is a massive AI market already, but it's only expected to get bigger. McKinsey & Company estimates that by 2030, about $7 trillion will be spent building out data centers for AI. Taiwan Semiconductor will be a major chip supplier for a large part of that spending, making it a top way to invest in AI expansion.

2. Taiwan Semiconductor's growth projections are incredible

Taiwan Semiconductor also has some long-term growth projections of its own. From 2024 to 2029, management estimates that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of AI-related chips will be in the mid- to high-50% range. That's unbelievable growth sustained for a long time. It also shows huge demand, and TSMC is spending between $52 billion and $56 billion this year to increase capacity to meet that demand.

While AI chips are making up an increasingly larger part of TSMC's business, there are still other significant parts of the business that aren't growing nearly as fast, which is why management expects about a 25% CAGR from 2024 to 2029 overall. Still, it's not often you see a company with a clear path to that rapid growth rate, and I think it's another great reason why Taiwan Semiconductor is the ultimate AI investment.
( Tomdispatch.com )  Nine countries now possess nuclear weapons and we have just seen the start of a new war in the Middle East over one more nation supposedly trying to acquire them. While we consider the dangers of such weapons and their capacity to cause massive destruction, we often overlook the risks associated with what still passes for peaceful nuclear power. With that in mind, let me revisit a moment when that reality should have become far clearer.

I had crawled into bed on March 10, 2011, opened my phone, and scrolled through my Instagram feed. The app was still fairly new then, and I was only following a dozen or so accounts, several from Japan. One amateur photographer there had posted photos minutes earlier of a fractured sidewalk and a toppled bookshelf. A massive earthquake had just rattled Tokyo.

A news article confirmed that a magnitude 7.9 quake had indeed struck 80 miles off the coast of Japan. Later, it was upgraded to 9.0, 1,000 times more powerful in terms of energy released. Holy shit, I thought. Thats huge! Worried, I emailed my old college friend Ichiro, who lived in Tokyo, to make sure his family was safe. A short while later, he replied that they were fine, but that a massive tsunami had indeed flooded the Tohoku region north of Tokyo. Many were dead.

Its horrible. Its chaos, he wrote me.

By the time Ichiros message arrived, distressing images of the tsunami were already circulating online and the death toll was rising fast, though the floodwaters were by then receding. As I watched heartbreaking videos of screaming onlookers, capsized boats, floating debris, and cars submerged like toys in a bathtub, another tragedy was unfolding that few, even inside the Japanese government, were aware of. A nuclear plant in Fukushima, operated by TEPCO (the Tokyo Electric Power Company), had been swamped by the tremendous flooding and lost all power.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, built by General Electric (GE) in the mid-1960s, was designed to withstand natural disasters, but its creators never foresaw an earthquake like that. When the plants sensors detected the quake, its reactors automatically shut down. That emergency shutdown (or scram) halted its fission process, triggering backup power to keep cold seawater flowing through the reactors and spent-fuel containers to prevent overheating. Things at Fukushima were going according to plan until that massive tsunami battered the plant, washing away transmission towers and damaging electrical systems. There were backup generators in the basement, but those, too, had been inundated by waves of seawater, and an already bad situation was about to get far worse.

A power outage at a nuclear power plant is known as a station blackout. As you might imagine, its one of the worst scenarios any nuclear facility could possibly experience. If all electricity is lost, that means water is no longer being pumped into the reactors scalding-hot core to cool it down. And if that core isnt constantly being cooled, one thing is certain: disaster will ensue. The fission process itself may be complicated, but thats basic physics. To make matters worse, there were three operating reactors at Fukushima Daiichi. Luckily, three others had already been shut down for maintenance. If power wasnt restored in short order, that would mean that all three of Fukushimas reactors were in very big trouble.

We would later learn that no one  not at TEPCO, GE, or among Japanese regulators  had ever considered the possibility that all the reactors might lose electricity at once. They had only drawn up plans for one reactor to go down, in which case the others could keep the plant running. But all of them offline, and every generator out of commission? There was no precedent or playbook for that.

The nuclear industry has a reasonably polite name for a disaster like the one that was rocking Fukushima. They refer to it as a beyond design-basis accident because no single nuclear plant design can account for every possible problem it might encounter in its lifetime. The fact that theres a term for this should make you anxious.

Meltdowns and Fallout

Over the next several days, the emergency at Fukushima Daiichi only worsened. Every effort to restore power to its reactors hit a dead end. On-site radiation-detection equipment, which would have triggered warnings and guided evacuation efforts for those in danger, was no longer functioning. Plans to pump water into the reactors to cool them had faltered. Their cores kept overheating, and the boiling pools of spent fuel were at risk of drying out, potentially triggering a massive fire that would release extreme amounts of radiation.

Within three days, following a series of fires, hydrogen explosions, and panic among those aware of what was happening, Fukushimas Units 1, 2, and 3 experienced full-scale core meltdowns. Over 150,000 people within an 18-mile radius had already been forced to evacuate, and radiation plumes would take two weeks to spread across the northern hemisphere, although the Japanese government wouldnt admit publicly that any meltdown had occurred until June 2011, three months later.

The only good news for the 13 million people living 150 miles south in Tokyo was that, during and immediately after the meltdowns, prevailing winds carried much of Fukushimas radioactive material away from the smoldering reactors and out to sea. Its estimated that 80% of the fallout from Fukushima ended up in the ocean, meaning most of it headed east rather than toward population centers to the south and west. The other fortunate news was that the spent fuel containers had somehow survived it all. If their water levels in the pools had been drained, far more radiation would have been released.

But Tokyo wasnt completely spared. After years of research, scientists discovered that cesium-rich microparticles had blanketed the greater Tokyo area, an unpopular discovery that drew backlash and threats of academic censorship. Areas around the Fukushima exclusion zones recorded the highest radiation levels. Japanese government officials continually downplayed the dangers of the accident and were reluctant to even classify the event as a Level 7 nuclear disaster, the highest rating on the International Nuclear Event Scale, which would have placed it on a par with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Japanese officials have also failed to conduct long-term epidemiological studies that would include baseline measurements of cancer rates, which has cast doubt on thyroid screenings that found troubling incidents of cancer far higher than researchers expected.

Radioactive Fish

Prior to the earthquake, the oceans cesium-137 levels near Fukushima were 2 Becquerels (a unit of radioactivity) per cubic meter, well below the recommended drinking water threshold of 10,000 Becquerels. Just after March 11, 2011, cesium-137 levels there spiked to fifty million before decreasing as sea currents dispersed the radioactive particles away from the coast. The ocean, however, had been poisoned.

In the years that followed the Fukushima nuclear disaster, researchers documented a frightening, yet predictable trend. Radioactive isotopes in seawater were taken up by marine plants (phytoplankton), which then moved up the food chain into tiny marine animals (zooplankton) and, eventually, to fish. Cesium-137 consumed by fish can reside in their bodies for months, while Strontium-90 remains in their bones for years. If humans then eat such fish, they will also be exposed to those radioactive particles. The more contaminated fish they eat, the greater the radioactive buildup will be.

In 2023, over a decade after the incident, radiation levels remained sky-high in black rockfish caught off the Fukushima coast. Other bottom-dwelling species have been found to be laden with radioactivity, too, including eel and rock trout. Further concerns have been raised about the treated radioactive water that TEPCO continued to release into the ocean, prompting China to suspend seafood imports from Japan. Aside from those findings, there have been very few studies examining the effects of Fukushimas radiation on ecosystems or on the people of Japan.

Japan has clamped down on scientific efforts to study the nuclear catastrophe, claims pediatrician Alex Rosen of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. There is hardly any literature, any publicized research, on the health effects on humans, and those that are published come from a small group of researchers at Fukushima Medical University.

Recognizing such levels of radiation, even if confined to the waters near Fukushima, would cast the countrys nuclear industry as a significant threat  not only to Japan but globally. Any admission that Fukushimas radiation is linked to increased cancer rates would raise broader concerns about nuclear powers future viability. Radiation exposure is cumulative and, although Fukushima didnt immediately cause mass casualties, it wasnt a benign accident either. It took decades before it was accepted that Chernobyl had caused tens of thousands of excess cancer deaths. It may take even longer to completely understand Fukushimas full effects. In the meantime, the still ongoing cleanup of the burned-out facilities may cost as much as 80 trillion yen ($500 billion).

Its been 15 years since Fukushimas reactors experienced those meltdowns and we still dont fully understand their long-term repercussions. Nuclear power advocates will argue that Fukushima wasnt a serious incident and that nuclear technology is still safe. Theyll minimize radiation threats, remain optimistic that new reactor designs will never falter, dismiss the fact that theres simply no permanent solution for radioactive waste, and overlook the inseparable connection between nuclear power and atomic weapons. After all, among other things, well undoubtedly need nuclear energy to help power the artificial intelligence craze, right?

The operators and regulators at Fukushima were wholly unprepared for what unfolded on that fateful day in 2011. They never imagined that an earthquake of such magnitude could trigger a tsunami so immense that it would destroy the power grid, knock out water pumps, and disable backup generators. Likewise, no one can guarantee that nuclear plants or radioactive storage tanks are safe in war zones, or that the rivers and lakes needed to cool reactors globally wont one day run dry or become too hot to do so  something that has already happened in Europe. Ultimately, we cant anticipate every mishap, human error, or  especially in the age of climate chaos  every natural disaster that may come down the pike. The world is unpredictable, and even the safest nuclear power plant cant guarantee that it will hold up against whatever tragedy is coming next.

Fifty miles south of where I live in Southern California, an old nuclear facility sits idle on the Pacific coast in an earthquake-and-tsunami-hazard zone, not unlike the site where Fukushima was built. Its not the only such plant in California, but its the one I often visit. When Im there, I think about Fukushima and imagine what would happen if a similar, unexpected disaster reached Californias shores and how such an event would forever alter this land.

Searching for Solace at San Onofre

The morning light was peaking over the sandstone bluff, and the offshore breeze was soft and brisk. Im barefoot in a wetsuit, trudging my surfboard down a dirt road at San Onofre, a state park in northern San Diego County, for a dawn patrol surf session. A series of high tides  likely made more extreme by rising sea levels  has eroded a large portion of the parking lot below, so the beach can only be reached on foot or by bike. Im not complaining. Its worth the short trek. The absence of vehicles down here also means fewer surfers in the water.

San O, as its lovingly referred to, has a rich surf history spanning 100 years. Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, who popularized the ancient Hawaiian sport in Southern California and often visited San O in the 1940s, helped to solidify it as one of the regions premier breaks and an early hub of SoCal surf culture. The waves are long and rolling thanks to an extensive cobblestone reef. Its a magical place.

Things around here have changed quite a bit, however, since The Duke first paddled his heavy wooden board into the surf. Just down the beach, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station sits precariously perched 100 feet from the water. Its two large domes are an ominous sight. Constructed in the 1960s, the plant is no longer producing electricity, but the stations 123 large concrete-and-steel storage vessels remain, housing 3.6 million pounds of highly radioactive waste. Since nobody wants the toxic stuff, it just sits there, looming, awaiting the next big earthquake like the one that shook Fukushima. San Onofre is designed to withstand a 7.0 shaker, but scientists believe the area is capable of producing one ten times larger and 32 times stronger. With 8.4 million people living within a 50-mile radius, any geological upheaval at San O could make a hell of a mess. Its a worrisome thought Id rather not dwell on.

Although it is a state park, the ground that San Onofre sits upon is leased from the federal government because it lies within the 195-square-mile boundary of the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base. More than a base, Camp Pendleton is a testing ground, where heavy artillery often booms in the distance. An occasional mock raid can occupy the beaches; helicopters sometimes swarm, and Amphibious Combat Vehicles crawl ashore. Theres even a faux Afghan village that was built at Camp Pendleton, costing taxpayers $170 million, where Marines can imagine terrorizing towns from Iran to Gaza. So strange that amid all this madness, San Onofre is where I search for solace.

In 2013, a radioactive gas leak from one of the nuclear plants steam generators, which are also within the military reserve, led to its closure. Southern California Edison (SCE), which operates the facility, reassured the public that there was nothing to be concerned about. Few, however, would consider SCE a trustworthy source. Over the years, the company has been caught in a series of lies about the safety of San Onofre, including falsifying firewatch records and grossly mishandling waste. Not dissimilar to TEPCOs Fukushima deceit.

Like all nuclear power plants, San Onofre needed a lot of water to cool its three reactors, sucking in an astonishing 2.4 billion gallons of seawater a day. As you can imagine, that thirst had a serious impact on ocean ecology, killing fish and wrecking kelp beds. Its taken over a decade, but some of what was destroyed is finally coming back to life after years of restoration. Despite the progress, discharge pipes still release radioactive effluent laced with cesium-137, cobalt-60, and tritium  a mile offshore 170 times a year. But SCE says theres nothing to worry about. They also insist they dont have much of a choice. All that leftover waste needs to be kept from overheating, and using seawater is the only option available.

Its better not to think too much about a future armageddon or what might be swimming beneath me while Im out there bobbing between sets of waves. Surfing is supposed to help relieve my anxiety, not exacerbate it. Its a little like backpacking in the wilds of Montana, which I also love to do, without constantly worrying about being chomped by a grizzly bear while in my sleeping bag. There are hazards to living in this crazy world  the worst of which, Ive come to believe, are of the man-made variety.

As I slide my surfboard into the back of my van and peel off my wetsuit, I glance at San Onofres domes, which will start to be dismantled this year, and ponder the horrors still affecting Japan, fearing that someday a destructive tsunami may batter this beach, too. Sadly, its almost inevitable.

With nine nuclear-armed nations and roughly 12,000 nuclear warheads on this planet, worries about nuclear war are unavoidable. However, the danger of a nuclear disaster at a seemingly peaceful nuclear facility is often ignored. The future of atomic energy remains uncertain, but it is our duty to eliminate this hazardous energy source before another Fukushima triggers a war-like catastrophe all its own.

Copyright 2026 Joshua Frank

Via Tomdispatch.com
Quick Read

Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) faces a sharp conflict between insiders buying aggressively at 64% of book value and short-sellers holding 29.09% of the float citing $569.1 million in non-performing loans, a $68.90 million Q4 charge-off, and a dividend of $0.30 that exceeds distributable earnings of $0.19 per share. CEO Ivan Kaufman purchased 239,000 shares in May and November 2025, while the company repurchased $20.0 million of stock and institutional investor Azora Capital added 646,728 shares in March 2026.

Arbors dividend yield of 15.6% against a 4.23% 10-year Treasury hinges on resolving the $569.1 million non-performing loan book and achieving projected fiscal year EPS of $1.10, with ICE enforcement raids in Sun Belt markets further pressuring credit quality.

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Founded in 1991, Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) sits at the center of one of the sharpest disagreements in the REIT sector: insiders are buying aggressively, while short-sellers have built a formidable position betting against it.

The Short-Seller Position

Nearly 47.24 million shares are sold short, representing 29.09% of the float, with 9.85 days to cover, and short interest has risen 3.56% since the last report. Bears point to a deteriorating credit picture: 26 non-performing loans with an unpaid principal balance of $569.1 million; a $68.90 million charge-off in Q4 tied to legacy loans; and net income fell to $14.57 million in Q4 2025 from $59.83 million in Q4 2024. The dividend math also raises flags: the $0.30 quarterly dividend exceeds Q4 distributable earnings of $0.19 per share.

Analysts have taken note, with the Zacks consensus estimate revised down 28.1% over the last 30 days and the stock carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell). ICE enforcement activity in Sun Belt markets added another wrinkle: CEO Ivan Kaufman acknowledged that raids "caused sharp drops in occupancy rates at affected properties, particularly in Houston."

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The Insider Counter-Argument

Kaufman and his management team have been putting personal capital to work. The CEO made open-market purchases totaling 210,000 shares in May 2025 at prices ranging from $8.70 to $9.98 per share, followed by another 29,000 shares in November 2025 at $8.34 per share. The CFO, CCO, and multiple EVPs joined the May buying wave.
The United States today finds itself ensnared in a war it cannot win, yet cannot leave. What appears, at first glance, as a familiar display of military dominance in West Asia is, in fact, a deeper crisis of strategy, legitimacy, and control. The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has exposed a paradox at the heart of American power: the more force it projects, the fewer viable options it retains. Nowhere is this contradiction more sharply visible than in the battle over the Strait of Hormuza narrow passage that has become the fulcrum of a widening geopolitical confrontation.

At the core of this crisis lies a strategic bind. The United States cannot credibly exit the conflict without first securing what it can claim as a victory. Yet, in this theatre, victory is narrowly defined: ensuring unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz. That objective, however, is precisely what Iran is positioned to deny. Geography, in this case, has become a weapon. Iran does not need to defeat the United States militarily; it merely needs to retain the capacity to disrupt, threaten, or selectively control access to the Strait. In doing so, it transforms a superpowers overwhelming military advantage into a liability.

This is the cruel logic of asymmetry. For Washington to guarantee maritime security in the Strait, it would have to escalatepotentially by occupying strategic islands at its mouth, intensifying naval deployments, or even targeting Iranian coastal infrastructure. Such moves would not only expand the war but also risk drawing the United States into a deeper and more protracted conflict. Exit, paradoxically, demands escalation. And escalation offers no guarantee of resolution.

This is the cruel logic of asymmetry. For Washington to guarantee maritime security in the Strait, it would have to escalatepotentially by occupying strategic islands at its mouth, intensifying naval deployments, or even targeting Iranian coastal infrastructure.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz cannot be overstated. A significant portion of the worlds oil supply passes through this narrow corridor. Control over it is not simply about trade; it is about leverage over the global economy. Irans proximity to the Strait gives it a natural advantageone that no amount of distant military power can easily neutralize. Even limited disruption can trigger global economic tremors, placing pressure not only on the United States but on its allies and adversaries alike.

Compounding this dilemma is the collapse of allied consensus. Unlike previous conflicts where the United States rallied a coalition under the banner of collective security or shared values, this war appears strikingly unilateral. Key allies have refrained from offering meaningful support. The reasons are not difficult to discern. This was a war initiated without broad consultation, lacking a clear legal or moral mandate, and unfolding against the backdrop of widespread global disillusionment with Western interventions.

The absence of allies is not merely a logistical setback; it is a profound indicator of declining legitimacy. Military power, in the modern world, is sustained as much by perception as by capability. Without diplomatic backing, even the most formidable force appears isolated. The United States, once the architect of multilateral action, now finds itself acting alone, its calls for support met with hesitation or silence.

This isolation intersects with another structural reality: the conflict is not binary. As James M. Dorsey astutely observes, it takes three to tango. The United States is not the sole protagonist. Israel and Iran are independent actors with their own strategic imperatives, neither of which aligns neatly with American objectives.

The absence of allies is not merely a logistical setback; it is a profound indicator of declining legitimacy. Military power, in the modern world, is sustained as much by perception as by capability.

Israel, in particular, has undergone a significant shift in doctrine. Since the events of 2023, its strategy appears to have moved beyond deterrence toward the systematic weakeningif not outright incapacitationof its regional adversaries. This includes not only Iran but also actors in Lebanon and Syria. The goal is no longer stability through balance, but dominance through disruption. Such a strategy inherently resists de-escalation. For Israel, a prolonged conflict may serve broader regional ambitions.

Iran, for its part, views the confrontation through the lens of survival and resistance. Despite suffering significant losses, it has demonstrated resilience and internal cohesion. Its strategy does not depend on outright victory but on endurance. By sustaining pressurewhether through control of the Strait, targeted strikes, or regional proxiesit ensures that the conflict remains costly and unresolved.

Caught between these two actors, the United States finds itself in a reactive posture. Even a partial withdrawal would not guarantee disengagement. Continued hostilities between Israel and Iran could easily draw Washington back into the conflict, whether through strategic commitments, regional security concerns, or the imperative to maintain credibility.

Adding another layer of complexity is the parallel war being waged in the realm of information. Modern conflicts are no longer confined to battlefields; they unfold equally in the domain of perception. Narratives, legitimacy, and global opinion play decisive roles. In this arena, the United States and Israel face an increasingly uphill battle.

The conduct of the war in Gaza has already inflicted significant damage on Israels global standing. Images of devastation, civilian casualties, and humanitarian crises have circulated widely, shaping international opinion in ways that military victories cannot easily counterbalance. In this context, Irans information strategy need not be sophisticated; it merely needs to amplify existing doubts and criticisms.

This erosion of narrative control has tangible consequences. It weakens diplomatic support, fuels domestic dissent, and complicates efforts to justify continued engagement. War, in the twenty-first century, is as much about legitimacy as it is about firepower. And legitimacy, once lost, is difficult to reclaim.

The notion that the conflict can be resolved through decisive military action is, therefore, increasingly untenable. Even the targeted elimination of senior Iranian officials or the degradation of military infrastructure does not fundamentally alter the dynamics at play. This is not a war that can be won through attrition alone. It is, as Dorsey suggests, a contest of endurancea test of which side can hold its breath the longest.

Such wars tend to favour those with less to lose and more to prove. For Iran, survival itself constitutes victory. For the United States, anything short of clear dominance risks being perceived as defeat. This asymmetry in expectations further entrenches the strategic bind.

Meanwhile, domestic politics within the United States are beginning to reflect the strain. Segments of the political spectrum that once supported assertive foreign policy are now expressing dissent. Voices such as Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens have questioned the rationale for continued involvement, highlighting fractures within the broader support base. Public opinion, too, appears increasingly wary of another prolonged and costly conflict.

These internal divisions are not incidental; they are symptomatic of a deeper fatigue. After decades of military engagements in the Middle East, the American public is less inclined to accept the human and economic costs of war, particularly when the objectives remain obscure or shifting. In a midterm election context, such sentiments carry significant political weight, further constraining the administrations options.

What emerges, then, is a picture of a superpower caught in a narrowing corridor. To escalate is to risk deeper entanglement and unforeseen consequences. To withdraw is to concede strategic ground and undermine credibility. Neither path offers a clear or satisfactory resolution.

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is thus emblematic of a broader transformation in global power dynamics. It underscores the limits of unilateral action in an increasingly multipolar world, where regional actors possess both the will and the means to resist external dominance. It reveals the fragility of alliances built on expediency rather than shared purpose. And it highlights the enduring importance of legitimacy as a foundation of effective power.



A map of the Strait of Hormuz. A portion of Iran Country Profile Map (Wall Map) 2004. University of Texas Maps. Public Domain. Via Picryl

The notion that the conflict can be resolved through decisive military action is, therefore, increasingly untenable. Even the targeted elimination of senior Iranian officials or the degradation of military infrastructure does not fundamentally alter the dynamics at play.

For the United States, this moment demands a reckoning. The instruments of powermilitary, economic, and diplomaticremain formidable. But their efficacy is contingent upon context, perception, and restraint. In the absence of these, power becomes self-defeating, generating the very constraints it seeks to overcome.

The Strait of Hormuz, narrow and contested, has become more than a strategic chokepoint. It is a mirror reflecting the contradictions of contemporary geopolitics. It shows an empire struggling to reconcile its ambitions with its limitations, its capabilities with its credibility.

In the end, the question is not whether the United States can control the Strait, but whether it can redefine what control means in a world where dominance no longer guarantees compliance. Until that question is answered, the path forward will remain fraughtan uneasy passage through turbulent waters, with no clear exit in sight.Top of FormBottom of Form

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) is building a business around a small, vertical-lift aircraft that can be used as an air taxi. It is an exciting development in the aerospace industry because it would open up a whole new type of travel. However, Archer Aviation's lofty production goals seem to have fallen by the wayside, highlighting key headwinds the company faces. Here are some things you need to consider about the aerospace start-up.

Archer Aviation made a bold production projection

In the first quarter of 2024, Archer Aviation stated that it intended to build six of its Midnight aircraft. There was no date attached to the goal. At the end of 2024, the company increased that target, stating that it would produce "up to 10" midnight aircraft in 2025. In the middle of 2025 the company stated that it was concurrently working on six of its aircraft. By the end of 2025, Archer Aviation didn't mention the number of aircraft it had completed, though it had delivered at least one Midnight to Abu Dhabi for testing and potentially added a second to its "fleet."

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.

Basically, Archer Aviation set a target and then stopped talking about that target. This hints strongly that the company didn't produce as many of its Midnight aircraft as planned. That's not good, but it also isn't surprising. The aerospace industry is technically complex, capital-intensive, and highly regulated.

Three big headwinds for Archer

Those are actually the three biggest headwinds Archer faces as the start-up looks to break into the aerospace industry. Strict regulation has probably been the biggest impediment. Vertical lift air taxis don't currently exist, so regulators have to create new rules from scratch. The process has been moving forward, but until there are final rules, Archer and its peers, such as Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY), don't really have a target to aim for. It is a bit of a back-and-forth between air taxi companies and regulators as they work to create and regulate a new type of aircraft.

Regulations have to play against the technology available to Archer in what is a very technologically complex industry. And at the same time, Archer has to prove it can actually build Midnight aircraft in a timely, cost-effective manner. It is hard to do that until the aircraft's final design is approved. Building many Midnight aircraft that won't be allowed to fly would be a costly and undesirable outcome.
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This year hasn't been the best for Ford (NYSE: F) and Ferrari (NYSE: RACE). The Detroit auto stock has seen its share price tank 10% (as of March 18) in 2026. The Italian brand is in the same lane, as its shares are down 11%.

Shares in both businesses are currently trading well below their peak prices, so this should prompt opportunistic investors to take a closer look under the hood. Is Ford or Ferrari the better industrial stock to buy right now?

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: The Motley Fool.

Ford's leading position in trucks and SUVs doesn't mask its unfavorable fundamentals

Ford's F-Series pickups were once again the best-selling vehicles in America in 2025. This continued an incredible streak, now at 44 years, that they've held this position. Ford is a leader in the market for SUVs, as well. This is a good position to be in, since trucks and SUVs carry higher price tags and better margins.

However, this hasn't translated to a strong financial performance -- at least over the long term. Because Ford is a mass market auto manufacturer, its growth and profits are usually disappointing, compared to companies in other sectors.

For example, Ford's revenue is projected to increase at a compound annual rate of less than 1.8% over the next three years, according to analysts' consensus estimates. Also, its adjusted operating margin came in at 3.6% in 2025.

Without strong growth and profit gains, Ford doesn't have what it takes to generate winning returns for investors. That's true even though the stock's valuation is cheap, as it trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 8.1. Over the past decade, the shares have produced a disappointing total return of 50%.

Ferrari's superb financial performance is worth the premium price tag

During the last decade, Ferrari shares have climbed 674%, and right now, the luxury stock trades at a forward P/E of 29.6. That premium valuation might actually present an attractive entry point for prospective investors.

That's because Ferrari isn't a typical car company and caters to the wealthiest buyers. Therefore, demand is significantly less cyclical than the rest of the industry. Management doesn't try to sell as many vehicles as possible, focusing instead on scarcity and supporting the brand's value. This leads to incredible pricing power.






Friday, March 20, 2026 - Two Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students have impressed many online after firmly rejecting a man who offered them money in exchange for mechi during a so-called social experiment.

In the video, the man is seen approaching the students and offering them Ksh 10,000 for mechi.

Despite the tempting offer, the young women stand their ground and decline without hesitation.

The man is heard increasing the amount in an attempt to persuade them, but the ladies remain resolute, stating that they cannot trade their dignity for any amount of money.

The clip>>> has since sparked reactions on social media, with many praising the students for their values and self-respect.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 20, 2026 - A KMTC student has stirred conversation online after boldly claiming that parents are partly to blame for the choices campus ladies make to survive financially.

In the viral video, she argues that the small allowances given by parents are unrealistic for todays cost of living.

Unapea mtoto wako 1K, unaexpect asurvive nayo semester mzima ama mwezi mzima?

That is why wanalala na watu wako thrice or twice their age, she argued.

Her remarks quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions.

While some agreed that financial neglect pushes students into relationships with older, wealthier men popularly known as Wababa, others accused campus ladies of chasing lavish lifestyles beyond their means.

Others pointed out that there are legitimate ways for students to earn extra income - such as side hustles, online gigs or small businesses, without resorting to Wababa.





Watch the video>>> below

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 20, 2026 - A young woman has set social media ablaze after making a bold statement about how long couples should date before deciding whether to marry or part ways.

In her viral tweet, she wrote: Maximum years for dating is two. After two years, if the both of you are not yet married, you guys should go your separate ways.

Her opinion quickly divided netizens.

Some agreed with her stance, arguing that if a couple has spent two years together without discussing future plans, it may be a sign to reconsider the relationship.

While some believe in setting clear timelines to avoid wasted years, others insist that relationships should progress at their own pace, warning that no need to rush or throw away something good just because of a timeline.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 20, 2026 - A distressed married woman has taken to social media to air her frustrations, publicly accusing her husband of infidelity and exposing his alleged affair with another woman identified as Sharon.

In an emotional post written in Swahili, the woman expressed her pain and anger, claiming that her husband has been secretly meeting his alleged side partner at their matrimonial home.

Wewe Sharon, kama huyu mwanaume ni mzuri sana, mwambie akuchukulie nyumba mbali na kwangu. Tuone kama ataweza kukulipia nyumba hata miezi mbili, she wrote.

The woman went on to lament the betrayal, saying it is deeply hurtful to work hard to provide, only for someone she trusts to disrespect their home by bringing another woman into it.

Ni uchungu sana unatoka kwenda kutafuta, unaamini mtu unamwacha kwa nyumba, naye analeta wanawake wake, she added.

She further lashed out at the alleged mistress, telling her to keep their relationship away from her home.

Kama mnawezana, fanyeni umalaya wenu mbali na kwangu nonsense, she fumed.

Check out her post.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 20, 2026 - Mamlaka Hill Chapel presiding bishop, Charles Nganga, is embroiled in a scandal after one of his congregants accused him of having an affair with his wife.

Njihia Njoroge, a church member of over 30 years, exposed the alleged affair after the bishop sued him for defamation.

According to Njoroges replying affidavit filed on March 16th, 2026, at the Milimani Law Courts, the genesis of the dispute dates back to late October 2025, when a mobile phone previously used by his wife, Eunice Njoroge, came into the possession of their 14-year-old daughter.

Njoroge states that upon accessing the phone, he discovered information that he says changed everything.

He came across a trove of messages that he describes as inconsistent with a professional episcopal relationship.

Scrolling through the device, he found a series of WhatsApp messages exchanged between his wife and Bishop Nganga.

One of the messages produced in court as evidence and marked Exhibit NN-2 indicates that the bishop told Eunice he had never worked with anybody as lovely and thoughtful as her, before adding that he loved her.

Ive never worked with anybody as lovely and thoughtful as you. Im truly grateful. And in case I never get to say this to you another time because Im a Kikuyu man, just know that I love you so much, the message reads.

Another message, according to Njoroge, read: Thanks Eunice, meanwhile were showering in the office, accompanied by suggestive emojis.

Other messages included Kesho mimi na wewe, and a late-night communication that read: Hi Eunice, can you come over for a good time?

Eunice Njoroge is the Head of Administration at Mamlaka Hill Chapel, a position she has held for over 20 years (See her photo below).





Meanwhile, Njoroge is an accomplished businessman and the Managing Director at Sahihi Interior Builders.

He has served at Mamlaka Hill Chapel for over 3 decades, only for the presiding bishop to wreck his marriage

See his photos below

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 20, 2026 - Victor Ogwaro is currently the talk of social media after he publicly aired his marital woes, accusing controversial social media personality, Maxwell Odongo, of snatching his wife, Margaret Akoth.

Victor put up a series of lengthy posts on Facebook, alleging that Margaret and Maxwell had hired hitmen to eliminate him.

However, Victor is now being accused of shedding crocodile tears after it emerged that he is also allegedly involved in an affair with a married woman.

The said woman reportedly hails from Migori.

As usual, we stand with women tonight. Dear Victor, hata wewe huyo mwenye unakula Migori pia ni bibi ya mtu, a lady posted while reacting to the trending scandal.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Federal regulators put forward three proposals Thursday that would reduce capital requirements for U.S. banks of all sizes and advance U.S. implementation of the Basel III international accord.

The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency developed the proposals. The Fed's Board of Governors approved them in a 6-1 vote. The public can submit comments until June 18.

The first proposal would apply to the largest and most internationally active banks, replacing two sets of compliance calculations with one and adjusting how credit, market, and operational risks are measured. A second proposal would better align capital requirements for midsize and smaller banks with the risks of traditional lending and would require more large banks to reflect unrealized gains and losses on certain securities in their capital ratios  a change the Fed said draws on lessons from the 2023 regional bank stress. A third proposal, from the Fed Board alone, would tie the capital surcharge for the largest and most complex banks to nominal GDP growth, according to Bloomberg. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the move would let those institutions expand their balance sheets without triggering higher systemic surcharges.

A Fed memo projects that the largest banks' capital requirements would fall 4.8% in aggregate once the proposals are considered alongside stress-test revisions the Trump administration put in place separately. The memo put the comparable figure at 5.2% for midsize banks and 7.8% for smaller institutions. Taken on their own, without the earlier stress-test changes, the new proposals would reduce the largest banks' required capital by about 2.4%, or roughly $20 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal

The changes would reverse a Biden-era Basel proposal that major banks resisted and that was never finalized. The Biden administration's earlier iterations of Basel rules had called for capital hikes of up to 20% at the biggest institutions  a figure that was later revised down to 9%  before being abandoned, The Journal reported.

The Fed said overall capital in the banking system would decrease modestly but remain substantially above pre-financial-crisis levels.

Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, appointed by President Donald Trump, said the changes would reduce incentives for mortgage origination, mortgage servicing, and business lending to migrate outside the regulated banking sector. The sole vote against the proposals came from Fed Governor Michael Barr, the Biden administration's vice chair for supervision, who had pushed for the stricter capital rules the new package replaces. "I fear that, if this much weaker version of Basel III is adopted in the U.S., it could trigger a race to the bottom on standards, harming the global financial system," Barr said.
Is BITF a good stock to buy? We came across a bullish thesis on Bitfarms Ltd. on Valueinvestorsclub.com by Nuance. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on BITF. Bitfarms Ltd.'s share was trading at $2.3900 as of March 19th. BITFs trailing and forward P/E were 28.31 and 84.03 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

Fermi (FRMI) Nosedives on Profit-Taking on Double-Digit Upside Potential

Bitfarms, Ltd. (BITF), historically a Bitcoin miner, is pivoting its business model toward HPC and AI datacenters and services, leveraging its unique North American power portfolio to capture a growing demand ecosystem where energy and infrastructure remain bottlenecks. Following a $588 million convertible bond issuance due in 2031, the bonds have traded down to the low 70s, offering an attractive ~9% YTW against a ~$2.93 stock price.

Read More: 15 AI Stocks That Are Quietly Making Investors Rich

Read More: Undervalued AI Stock Poised For Massive Gains: 10000% Upside Potential

With ~$1 billion in total liquidity, including $637 million in cash, $200 million in project credit availability, and $171 million in digital assets, the company is well-positioned to fund its strategic buildouts. BITF is executing a measured approach, synchronizing its HPC/AI infrastructure with Nvidias product roadmap, including high-density, liquid-cooled Washington State and Pennsylvania sites designed to support next-generation GPUs such as GB300 and Vera Rubin architectures, creating a potential scarcity of Vera Rubin-ready capacity when these GPUs ship.

Its sites, including Panther Creek, Sharon, Scrubgrass, and Quebec hydropower facilities, are strategically located to maximize access to low-cost and secured energy while also earning renewable energy credits. BITF is winding down BTC mining, divesting non-core sites, and using its HPC/AI sites as proof-of-concept cash generators.

A sum-of-the-parts valuation shows the GPU cloud segment could generate ~$1.1 billion EV, with optionality in HPC/AI builds valued at ~$2.7 billion, though both are discounted for execution risk. While additional capital of ~$2.2 billion will be required for 2027 buildouts, BITF has multiple avenues including project financing, minority campus sales, and strategic partnerships.

With strong risk-adjusted upside, exposure to constrained PJM grid capacity, and catalysts including HPC/AI contract announcements and continued site development, BITF presents a compelling investment opportunity.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on IREN Limited (IREN) by Industrial Tech Stock Analyst and Money Machine Newsletter in February 2025, which highlighted its pivot from Bitcoin mining to AI-ready renewable energy data centers and partnerships capturing AI infrastructure bottlenecks. IRENs stock has appreciated by approximately 220.21% since our coverage. Nuance shares a similar view but emphasizes Bitfarms Ltd. (BITF)s North American HPC/AI buildouts, Nvidia roadmap alignment, and monetization of liquid-cooled, high-density sites while divesting BTC assets.
Two men, one a Kildare resident, were described as a colonel and a major in a worldwide highly sophisticated money laundering syndicate on a breathtaking scale and were jailed for nine years and seven-and-a-half years respectively.

Ejike Francis Ogubefi (42) of Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 and Steven Silvester (32) of The Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, were both convicted of directing the activities of a criminal organisation following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February.

Mr Ogubefi was also convicted of 32 counts of money laundering and seven of conspiracy to money launder.

The jury also convicted Mr Silvester of five counts of money laundering, two of attempted money laundering, four of conspiracy to money launder and one of using a false instrument.

Both defendants have no previous convictions here or in another jurisdiction.

The court heard that both men are assessed to be above mule herders and money mules in the operation, with Mr Ogubefi having a more active role.

During the sentence hearing, Judge Martin Nolan suggested to the investigating garda that the men were a colonel and a major, which Detective Garda Steven Kelly agreed with.

Imposing sentence on Friday Judge Nolan said both men were involved in the offending and played certain roles.

He noted that the schemes ambition was to get accounts to launder illicit monies which were undoubtedly the product of criminal behaviour and that third parties unknown to the court suffered as a result.

Both men were reasonably experienced in how the banking system works and aware of its weaknesses which they tested, sometimes successfully, the judge said.

The judge said he had considered the mitigation and there was a good chance the men would not re-offend in future, but that the court could not be certain.

Judge Nolan noted that money laundering is a serious problem and the court often dealt with cases of people who provided their bank details to be used in these schemes.

These bank accounts are absolutely necessary for all fraud, because monies have to come to earth somewhere, the judge said, noting that the defendants main role was to procure bank accounts so that money could be sent to others who profited.

He handed Mr Ogubefi a sentence of nine years and imposed a seven-and-half year sentence on Mr Silvester, whom he considered to be at a lower level.

The judge said this type of money laundering is prevalent and hard to detect and that deterrence had to be a factor in sentencing. He also directed the men to get credit for any time served on this matter alone.

Det Gda Kelly of the National Economic Crime Bureau told Seoirse O Dunlaing SC, prosecuting, that the garda investigation looked at various bank accounts, transactions, and online communications.

Evidence suggested both men were receiving requests, often from phone numbers in Nigeria, to launder money from different types of frauds.

A nine-minute voice message received by Mr Ogubefi and forwarded to Mr Silvester contained a series of instructions from another person. Both defendants were overseeing the movement of money, with the court hearing that if a person in Nigeria or outside Ireland accessed accounts, this may have raised a red flag in the financial institutions.

Part of the prosecution case was that Mr Ogubefi was controlling money which was the proceeds of crime going into a particular account, which was in the name of another person.

A transfer of over 19,000 from an account in Dubai was immediately transferred to an Italian account. The court was told that the account holder was not working and their income did not correspond with this amount of money.

Part of a second transfer of over 36,400 was used in a spending spree by Mr Ogubefi and others. High-end purchases were made in shops including Brown Thomas, Arnotts and DID.

Around 15,300 was used in the shopping spree by Mr Ogubefi and others using card transactions linked to the account.

CCTV from the shops showed a man wearing a multiple coloured striped top, and similar clothing was found when Mr Ogubefis home was searched in February 2021.

A Freenow taxi account in his name and the purchase of a 55-inch TV and a sandwich maker in late December 2020 were also used to link him to the shopping spree.

The court was told that Ogubefis income for 2020 was around 11,250 including the pandemic unemployment payment and a small amount of social welfare.

Gardai also found high-end goods in his home.

Documents were also recovered and these led gardai to bank accounts which were controlled and operated by Mr Silvester, whose home in Naas was searched in March 2021.

Gardai found two safes under his bed, one of which was open and contained the key to the second safe. Bank statements, identification cards and bank cards were found in the second safe.

Transactions made on several bank accounts were outlined to the court.

Approximately 19,000 was laundered through an AIB account opened in January 2019. A French identification card, found in Mr Silvesters safe, was also used to open it.

Mr Silvesters financial situation and the use of a false identity to open the account suggested the inference that the money was the proceeds of crime, the court heard.

The same French identification card was used to open a Bank of Ireland account through which over 11,000 was laundered.

Two attempts at money laundering were made using a PTSB account.

Both transactions - 71,300 from a company in Hong Kong and over 66,800 from a business in Texas  were recalled by the relevant banks.

Over 15,000 was laundered through a Revolut account which was opened using the same identification, and the selfie provided was of Mr Silvester.

Mr Silvesters selfie was also used to open an account with the online bank N26, through which over 24,200 was sent.

Gardai managed to access a phone found during the searches of March 2021, which contained saved details for accessing accounts and details linked to Mr Silvester, including his email.

Data from Mr Ogubefis phone indicated that he was acting as a middleman in a worldwide highly sophisticated money laundering syndicate on a breathtaking scale, Mr ODunlaing said.

There were discussions of taking millions of euros from various accounts.

Evidence was also heard of Mr Silvester engaging in similar online conversations.

Det Gda Kelly agreed with defence counsel that both men have abided by bail conditions and have some work history.

Det Gda Kelly agreed with Conor Devally SC, defending Ogubefi, that his client is from Nigeria and his family are law-abiding.

Det Gda Kelly agreed with Maurice Coffey SC, defending Mr Silvester, that his client became involved in this criminality some time after his arrival in Ireland in 2015 and had no record of shopping in high-end stores or trappings of wealth.

It was also accepted that Mr Ogubefi appeared to have a more active role than Mr Silvester.

Mr Coffey said Mr Silvester was under pressure and desperate at the time. He asked the court to consider that his client did not come to Ireland to get involved in this offending, but fell into temptation at a time of vulnerability.
TO jog your memory, the late 1970s was the time of Jack Lynch, Johnny Logan, the Pope, Halls Pictorial Weekly, Bunny Carrs 5P questions, Sally OBrien and the way she might look at you, Gilbert OSullivan, Planxty, Rasputin, Marys Boy Child, YMCA, Wanderly Wagon, Mork & Mindy, Grease, Midnight Express, Mad Max, Rocky Who shot JR, Hillman Avengers, Vauxhall Vivas, Fiat Ritmos, Kiskadee & Coke and finally We are living way beyond our means.

I worked in Dowlings of Prosperous from 1977 until 1980 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights during my college days and around 40/50 hours per week during the summer holidays when Pat Dowling was the main man.

His brothers, Johnny (very small), Joe (very tall) and Jim (who only drank Bells Whiskey) worked there along with Jims son, Thomas. Others who worked there were Gerry Morris, Seamus Keely, Phil Keely, Sean Keely, Gerry Kelly, Tommy McNamee, John or Sean Cloghessy, Paul Kenny, Declan Landy and a few others whose names I just cant remember the names of.

Sadly, some of these guys have now passed, may they RIP  these guys were pros. Some customers were creatures of habit and when you saw certain faces coming in the door, you could safely have their drinks poured and on the counter ready and waiting for them.

They earned their stripes because on a Saturday night, customers would be 10 deep at the bar and all were hungry for their pound of flesh.

There were 15 barmen in the big lounge alone and each had their section of bar to look after. Shouting didnt get you anywhere because believe it or not, it was very organised from the barmans point of view.

You started from the right, worked to the left and then back to the right (unless a good-looking young lady got in the way). Pints of Guinness were pulled in anticipation and never wasted.

There could be 20 pints settling at the same time. Since you couldnt serve somebody a pint from a hot glass that came straight from the dishwasher, boxes of new glasses were always at hand.

Sometimes we would completely run out of glasses & had to borrow a few boxes of them from George Manzors pub across the road. George would do the same.

As strange as it may seem now, everyone smoked cigarettes in those days, the customers, the staff and the band.

The big lounge had the capacity to hold a few hundred people so thats an awful lot of smoke.

Sometimes it got so bad that I had to go into the store area to rinse my eyes with water. Cigarettes were sold from behind the bar (no vending machines back then) & the brands of the day were Carrolls, Major, Gold Bond, Gold Flake, Gold Leaf & Players Number 6 etc.

You could buy a pack of 10 cigarettes for 22 pence and if you fancied a cigar, you could buy a single Hamlet from the box.

On Friday nights, we were paid 12 pounds from 7pm  4am, there was a supper dance and supper was usually a chicken curry cooked by army chefs and served on a paper plate.

In those days, a pub could serve alcohol until 2am only if it served food. All the barmen worked like a well-oiled machine. After the last customer left, all the glasses had to be washed & dried, the bar had to be re-stocked for Saturday night, the tables were stacked in one corner so that the floor could be cleaned & allowed to dry.

We even had to clean the toilets & as some of you might remember, pints of Harp & chicken curry did not mix very well.

During all this organised madness, Pat would count the money in the five cash registers. Unlike today, cash registers were not digital.

During the supper dance, the older barmen did not want to work beside the new guy because he would only slow them down by continually asking, how much everything cost.

A good barman knew the price of everything. After the supper dance (4.30am), Johnny Dowling used to drive Seamus Keely and myself home to Coill Dubh in Pats green Mercedes.

We dreaded this because the normal 10-minute drive from Prosperous to Coill Dubh seemed like an eternity as Johnny never went over 20mph. On Saturday nights, I earned seven pounds as we finished serving at 11pm with the hopes of getting to see the Horslips playing in Lawlors ballroom in Naas.

Sunday nights income was five pounds and we finished serving at 10pm.

At the end of every night Pat would very kindly let us help ourselves to a free drink or two.

We gratefully indulged, especially on a Sunday night because we could bring our drink in with us into the Kaedeen Nightclub.

There was no cultural problem driving with a few pints in you in those days. If you could put the key in the door of the car, then you were ok to drive.

On Sunday morning around 11am, the MIB would be waiting outside the doors looking for the cure after coming from the church across the road.

Most of these men worked in Bord Na Mona and Sunday was the only day that they got to wear a suit which was usually black, (hence the MIB).

Also on a Sunday the pub used to close in the afternoon between 2-4pm, which meant that everyone had to leave (except for the chosen few). The gardai only ever called into the pub around closing time to stop the late drinking but no one was ever arrested.

Sometimes, are ye right their ladies & gents or have yis no homes to go to just did not work. Many customers had to finish their drink standing up because the stool was pulled from under them with frustration. P at was a collector of clocks so closing time would probably have been confusing for everyone because even though the pub had a huge amount of clocks, each one told a different time.

Speaking of the gardai: on the rare occasion when there was trouble & they had to be called, Sergeant Gleeson usually responded. He was a giant of a man & his torch was the weapon of choice. He was the entire garda force rolled into one. The sight of this man walking in the front door would instantly calm the wildest of crowds. You could rest easy when Pat gave him a call.

At the time, the microwave was a new invention and it was only used for heating up hot whiskeys, making toasted ham or Calvita cheese sambos (which came in plastic bags) & Herterichs steak & kidney pies. Pat made a fortune on these pies (no Franks chippers in those days). A pint of Guinness cost around 45 pence and a short was 35 pence.

The only beers on draught were Guinness, Harp & Smithwicks. Bottles were the same except Carling Black Label, which was the new kid on the block.

Women never drank from a pint glass because it was considered very unladylike.

A Babycham or Vodka & Bitter Lemon would be the order of the day. Also, women never went into the bar because that was the mans domain.

The only woman who had an Access All Areas pass was Ciss Brereton. Every weekend she would sell tickets for Pats legendary draws & when you saw her heading towards you, you had no choice but to put your hand into your pocket.

Many customers fitted out their homes with prizes that they had won in Dowlings.

Dowlings was famous for its Wednesday night traditional Irish music sessions.

I was lucky enough to witness Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Liam OFlynn, Andy Irvine, the Dubliners, the Fureys & many others working their magic from behind the bar. Another one of Pats favorites were the Grehan sisters from the West.

Pat Dowling and Christy Moore

The musicians werent the only famous faces on a Wednesday night; Mike Murphy was a regular along with some of his friends from RTE. He had framed photos of all these people hanging on the walls of the pub.

The Dandies & the Isotopes were regular favorites in the big lounge but every now and then Pat would book the likes of Brendan Grace or Maura OConnell.

I loved working on these nights because people were too busy laughing or listening & not drinking.

Pat McGuigan (father of Barry) would travel all the way from Clones in Monaghan to play there. One night he had Colm Wilkinson and his band. Colm came 5th in the 1978 Eurovision with Born to Sing & it was around this time that he came to sing in Dowlings.

Little did Pat know that he was the Simon Cowell of the music world in Co Kildare at the time. Colm Wilkinson went on to sing with Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera & perform in the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Pat had a mild comb-over & you could tell when he was in bad form because the longer strands of his hair would be hanging down at the back of his neck. At Christmas, all of his barmen got a really good watch (in a case) and if he knew it was your birthday during the year, he would give you a Parker pen & pencil set which was fairly expensive at the time.

In the late 70s, Fanfare of the Common Man (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) & All Right Now (Free) were blasting from Pats Orange PA system in the small lounge during the day when there werent any or many customers around.

In case any of you didnt know, I have played the drums for the past 40 years and working in Pat Dowlings was partly responsible for this.

Pat helped me buy my first drum kit. It cost 140 pounds at the time, I gave Pat 40 pounds as a deposit and unknowingly to me, he paid the rest there & then.

Thank you Pat, a true gentleman.
A new exhibition, From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay opens at the National Design & Craft Gallery today (Saturday, March 21) and runs until July 18.

Bringing together 42 of Irelands leading ceramic artists, the exhibition, curated by John Goode,

represents over one thousand years of combined creativity and craftsmanship.

READ MORE: Gallery 1: Graignamanagh out in force for parade - St Patrick's Day in Kilkenny 2026

Collectively, they showcase the strength, diversity, and vitality of Irish ceramics today, with each artist contributing a unique voice and vision.

Celebrating technical mastery and innovation across traditional, contemporary, and experimental approaches, the exhibitions pieces reflect the deep connection between material, maker, and place.

Grounded in Irish earth yet open to the world, From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay, highlights clay as a medium continually renewed by the imagination and skill of todays makers.

Mary Blanchfield, CEO, DCCI said: Were delighted to welcome From the Ground Up: The

Transformation of Irish Clay to the National Design & Craft Gallery. The participating artists reflect

and position the medium of ceramics as a vital contributor to Irelands contemporary design and craft

landscape. This exhibition embodies DCCIs commitment to championing Irish design, celebrating the

creativity, skill, and vision of Irelands ceramic makers, and the distinct voices, practices, and regional

traditions that make Irish ceramics so unique. It highlights DCCIs ongoing investment in the future

education of ceramics, with the launch of applications opening for the new DCCI Academy Ceramics

Skills and Design degree course. We celebrate the hard work and dedication of these artists, and we

look forward to what the future holds.

Tracing the evolution of Irish clay from deep local roots to an international presence, the exhibition

spans generations and techniques and the artists practices embody both continuity and

transformation. These ceramic artists have exhibited widely across Ireland internationally, including

throughout Europe, the United States, South America, Japan, China, and India demonstrating the

global significance of Irish ceramics as a discipline grounded in locality yet engaged in worldwide

conversations on art, design, material culture, and sustainability.

John Goode, curator, writer and ceramic scholar added: Irish ceramics are experiencing a

remarkable moment. This exhibition celebrates artists who are pushing clay into new territories of

meaning, form, and expressionaffirming the global significance of Irelands vibrant ceramic

community.

Admission to the exhibition is free.
Cheniere Energy (LNG) stock pushed meaningfully higher, hitting an all-time high of nearly $297 today following a missile attack on Qatars Ras Laffan industrial complex.

The price action drove LNGs relative strength index (14-day) into the early 80s, signaling deeply overbought conditions that often precede a sharp correction.

More News from Barchart

Year-to-date, Cheniere stock is now up more than 40%, but theres reason to believe that this LNG exporter will rip higher from here in 2026.

www.barchart.com

Significance of the Ras Laffan Incident for Cheniere Stock

Irans attack on the Ras Laffan terminal is structurally bullish for LNG shares because it eliminates a huge chunk of global supply, effectively driving a sharp increase in international spot prices.

With nearly 20% of Qatars export capacity now sidelined for years, European and Asian utilities are forced to pivot toward reliable U.S. Gulf Coast supply to mitigate energy security risks. This shift allows Cheniere to capture higher margins at its Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi facilities.

Moreover, the multi-year delay of the North Field East expansion creates a long-term supply deficit, positioning Cheniere to lock in lucrative long-term contracts as the primary alternative for safe-haven liquified natural gas.

A 0.79% dividend yield makes LNG even more attractive to own in 2026.

Why Are LNG Shares Poised to Rally Further in 2026?

Beyond the Iran war, Cheniere Energy shares remain attractive as a long-term holding due to the firms aggressive capital allocation and expanding global footprint.

LNG has negotiated an expansion to its 15-year agreement with Thailands PTT, increasing annual deliveries to 1.3 million tonnes through 2041, which strengthens long-term visibility for investors.

Additionally, the company demonstrated its ability to secure low-cost growth as it closed $1.75 billion in long-dated senior notes to fund the Corpus Christi expansion.

Most importantly, Chenieres board has recently authorized another $10 billion in share repurchase, signaling massive confidence in future cash flows.

How Wall Street Recommends Playing Cheniere Energy

Despite an extremely overbought RSI, Wall Street firms remain bullish as ever on LNG stock for the next 12 months.
The Herald reports:

A womans 14-year-old grandson was nearly mowed down by her neighbours car, while her son was threatened with a machete. Now an elderly Tongan woman has gone to the Tenancy Tribunal after Kainga Ora refused to terminate her tenancy despite the woman living in constant fear of the family next door.  She and her son had reported the behaviour to Kainga Ora numerous times during the tenancy but their response had always been to tell her and her family to keep to themselves and not engage with the neighbours.  Kainga Ora said it had considered whether it could terminate the neighbours tenancy under section 55A of the Residential Tenancies Act (termination for assault) following the machete incident, but ultimately determined it could not do so because the neighbouring tenant herself was not home and the male at the address was not a listed tenant and had threatened this tenants son and not the tenant herself.

This is disappointing. Generally Kainga Ora has got better at dealing with abusive tenants, but this case shows they still have work to do.

They seem to hide behind a technically that the threats came from the tenants partner or friend, and were aimed at the other tenants son.

The organisation was also unable to apply to terminate the tenancy for antisocial behaviour as there had not been three incidents within a 90 -day period.

Three within a year would be a better test.

Tribunal adjudicator Melissa Allan said the tenant had been left in a very difficult situation. She has not felt free to move about her property, often remains inside, and has been subjected to unreasonable levels of noise, rubbish being thrown, screaming and yelling and threats being made to her family members. The landlord should have filed an application to terminate the neighbouring tenancy. It is not necessary for criminal charges to be proven or even laid. The landlord only needed to prove, to the civil standard, that the tenant has been interfering with the reasonable pace, comfort and privacy of the tenant and that the breach is of such a nature and of such an extent that it would be inequitable to refuse to make an order terminating the tenancy. By failing to take steps the landlord had breached its obligations, she said. Kainga Ora was ordered to pay the tenant $5000 in compensation for breach of landlords obligations and was looking to transfer the tenant to a tenancy that is more suited to her current health needs.

The Tenancy Tribunal got it right. It is unfortunate Kainga Ora didnt.


The Education Select Committee released a report into harms online and young people. They found:

That the Government establish an independent national regulator for online safety in New Zealand

That the Government progress its consideration of restricting social media access for under-16-year-olds,

Ban nudify apps and prohibit the creation and distribution of non-consensual

deepfake sexual imagery

The last recommendation. is sensible, and I doubt anyone opposes it.

On balance I support restricting social media for under 16 year olds, so long as it canoe done in a way that doesnt require NZers to scan in their ID to use social media.

I dont support a government regulator for the Internet. The Australian version has become a monster. We have Netsafe which does a good job, and CERT.
Chuck Norris has died aged 86. Some facts about Chuck Norris:

When Chuck Norris arrived at the gates of Heaven, St. Peter showed his ID to Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris got Coronavirus. Now the Coronavirus is in isolation.

Chuck Norris doesnt have any enemies. Well, not anymore.

Jaws stays on the beach when Chuck Norris swims. .

Chuck Norris was once run over by a tank. He refused to pay for it.

Chuck Norris was given a Tonka truck for his 5th birthday, the result is the Grand Canyon.

Chuck Norris went to a feminist rally and came back with his shirt ironed and holding a sandwich.

Chuck Norris found the last digit of pi.

Chuck Norris once walked away from a fight with two broken ribs and a dislocated arm. He hasnt given them back yet

North Koreas borders are closed to prevent Chuck Norris from entering.

Chuck Norris hands are protected under the 2nd Amendment.

Feel free to include your favourite ones in comments.
We just covered the 10 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Warren Buffett. Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) ranks #6 (see the 5 best stocks to buy now here).

Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) could be one of the best oil stocks to buy for the long term amid the recent Middle East conflict. The companys Hess acquisition has given it access to the Stabroek Block in Guyana, one of the most profitable offshore oil projects in history. With oil prices touching $100 per barrel, these low-cost assets could generate massive margins for Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) .

Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX)s assets in the Permian basin provide it with another growth engine. Unlike traditional deepwater projects, short-cycle shale projects are more suitable for volatile markets. Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) produces 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day from this region alone.

Photo by Luis Ramirez on Unsplash

While we acknowledge the potential of CVX 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 Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
A Cole County judge ruled Friday that the ballot summary for a redistricting measure, is "unfair" and "must be revised."

Judge Brian Stumpe's ruling stated that certain parts of the ballot summary, drafted by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' office, were "intentionally argumentative and likely to create prejudice."

Friday's ruling ordered certain words and phrases to be struck from the summary statement, including:

"gerrymandered"

"protects incumbent politicians"

"and better reflects statewide voting patterns"

Stumpe wrote a new summary for the ballot measure, according to a news release from political campaign committee People Not Politicians. The new ballot summary was not readily available as of Friday.

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People Not Politicians filed a lawsuit over the ballot language in November 2025, alleging it was argumentative and likely to create prejudice.

In February, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' attorney admitted in court that the ballot language was partially argumentative, likely to create prejudice and agreed it should be revised.

People Not Politicians gathered more than 300,000 signatures for its referendum petition to force a statewide vote on the new congressional map, which state officials argue is already active.

The new congressional map would likely flip the 5th Congressional District to Republican control. This district encompasses the Kansas City area and is currently held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.

Hoskins' office is currently in the process of validating the signatures gathered by People Not Politicians. His office has until Aug. 4 to determine if the referendum petition got enough signatures.
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 &&
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Cloudflare logo on a clean surface, symbolizing AI-driven payments and internet infrastructure growth.

Key Points

Cloudflare shares jumped more than 6% on March 18 after reports that Coinbase and other companies are competing to issue a stablecoin for the company.

The stock is now up more than 40% since late February and trading near its highest level since last November, as strong earnings and AI-driven optimism continue to fuel momentum.

While the stablecoin narrative adds another layer to the bull case, investors must decide whether this is a meaningful long-term catalyst or simply a short-term hype-driven boost.

Interested in Cloudflare, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.

After a choppy start to the year, Cloudflare Inc. (NYSE: NET) has rapidly emerged as one of the tech sectors most exciting growth stories. Having finished 2025 on the back foot, the stock has staged an aggressive comeback in recent weeks, driven by a combination of strong earnings, improving guidance and fresh positioning of Cloudflare at the center of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

Last months earnings report played a key role in resetting sentiment.

 Forget Chipmakers: Walmart and Target Are the Real AI Plays

The company topped expectations, delivered 34% year-over-year revenue growth and issued forward guidance that exceeded forecasts.

More importantly, management reinforced its positioning at the center of the AI shift, describing a future in which AI agents become the primary users of the internet, with Cloudflare as the platform they run on and the network they traverse.

 Expedia Stock Turns Volatile After Rally. Where Does It Go Next?

That narrative had already been enough to drive a powerful 30% rally in the stock. But fresh news this week around the companys plans to launch a stablecoin has added fuel to the firelets jump in and take a closer look.

Whats Driving the Excitement

At first glance, the idea of Cloudflare launching a stablecoin might seem like a departure from its core business. However, when viewed through the lens of AI and infrastructure, the logic becomes clearer.

 The SkyWater Deal: IonQ's Bid for Quantum Supremacy

The next phase of the internet is increasingly being framed around autonomous agents that can interact, transact and operate on behalf of users. If that vision plays out, those agents will need a way to move money efficiently and programmatically across the web. This is where the stablecoin concept comes in. A digital currency designed specifically for AI-driven transactions could enable faster, lower-cost and more seamless payments between services, platforms and users.

Cloudflares potential role in this ecosystem is what has investors excited. The company already sits at a critical layer of the internet, providing the infrastructure that powers performance, security and connectivity for millions of websites and applications. If it can extend that position into payments, it would effectively be adding another layer of monetization on top of its existing platform.
Canadian National Railway Co. (NYSE:CNI) is one of the best railroad stocks to buy according to analysts. On March 5, Canadian National Railway Co. (NYSE:CNI) reported its best February on record for grain movement. Canadian National Railway, or CN, shipped more than 2.67 million metric tons of grain out of Western Canada during the month. This volume beat the previous February record set in 2021.

CN Railway (CNI) Delivers Strong Grain Movement, Expands U.S. Presence

According to CN, the blowout February performance builds on another robust month before, when the company reported its second-best January on record for grain movement. The company detailed that the February grain volumes were up 15% year over year.

Separately, on March 4, CN unveiled two specially painted commemorative locomotives from its Homewood, Illinois, facility as part of its America250 celebrations. This is in anticipation for the upcoming 250th anniversary of US independence later this year on July 4.

The company said the two locomotives will enter active freight service immediately. It added that the locomotives are designed to symbolize the dual pillars of the American story, which are independence and innovation. The locomotives will travel across the companys US rail network throughout 2026, covering routes from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest and into the Great Lakes region.

Canadian National Railway Co. (NYSE:CNI) is a Canadian freight rail company. It operates a rail network of about 20,000 route miles across Canada and the United States. The company transports commodities such as petroleum, chemicals, grain, forest products, coal, and automotive goods.

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.
Stephen Maguire

A much-needed flight used by the public, including cancer patients from Carrickfinn Airport in Co Donegal to Dublin, is on the verge of being reinstated.

Cancer campaigners have recently stepped up their campaign after changes to the DonegalDublin PSO timetable, which left local users without an afternoon flight.

The users claimed the loss of the flight, which followed a timetable shake-up, caused many to miss vital treatment while others could not travel following treatment.

A major picket of Dail Eireann was due to take place in Dublin next Tuesday by hundreds of protesters, including cancer sufferers.

But local Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has tonight confirmed that the Minister for Transport, Darragh OBrien, has informed him of positive developments regarding the DonegalDublin PSO timetable.

The Minister has advised that engagement is ongoing with the relevant airline and that there are no legal obstacles to progressing the matter.

He has also indicated a desire to bring clarity to the situation as soon as possible.

Deputy Gallagher said discussions are ongoing in relation to restoring elements of the existing service, including the overnighting of the aircraft in Carrickfinn and the return of the afternoon service.

He added that a period of due diligence is now required between all stakeholders, but it is hoped this process can be completed within the next number of weeks.

Deputy Gallagher said he is confident that, once this process is finalised, the afternoon flight and the overnighting of the aircraft will be reinstated within weeks rather than months.

I have been engaging closely with Minister OBrien since I first became aware of the proposed timetable changes on 13 January, Deputy Gallagher said.

The Minister remained in regular contact with me throughout this process, and I welcome his commitment to restore the timetable that has served the people of Donegal well for decades.

He also expressed his appreciation to those who raised and championed the issue locally.

I want to acknowledge the commitment shown by the management and staff of Donegal Airport, who strongly represented the needs of their passengers, he said.

I would also like to acknowledge Majella ODonnell for highlighting this issue on the Late Late Show and bringing wider national attention to the challenges faced by those relying on this vital service.

Most importantly, I want to pay particular tribute to the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services Group, who campaigned tirelessly and with great compassion to highlight the impact these timetable changes would have had on patients who must travel to Dublin for treatment. Their work ensured that the voices of the most vulnerable were heard clearly.

"They were instrumental in getting over 20,000 people to sign the petition to save this vital service.

"I also wish to acknowledge the support of my constituency colleagues as we all worked together to secure this favourable outcome."

He said that restoring the familiar and proven timetable is essential for those who rely on same-day access to Dublin for medical appointments, specialist care, work commitments, education, and onward travel.

I wish to express my deep appreciation to Minister OBrien for his hands-on approach and his recognition of the importance of reverting to the original timetable, which provided an afternoon rotation, while also maintaining the local arrangement of overnighting the aircraft in Donegal to ensure a timely early-morning departure to Dublin each day, Deputy Gallagher added
By Claudia Savage, Press Association

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be part of the reset between the EU and UK in the event of a Reform UK government, one of the partys MPs has said.

Danny Kruger told the TUV party conference in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, that his party would complete the unfinished business of Brexit, after colleague Robert Jenrick visited Belfast with DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

Kruger said Reform is not picking sides in Northern Irish politics and supports the commitment of every unionist to sustain the union.

The East Wiltshire MP was former prime minister Boris Johnsons political secretary for a period in 2019 and defected from the Conservatives to Reform in September last year.

Danny Kruger with TUV leader Jim Allister at the conference in Cookstown (Claudia Savage/PA)

Asked about the implication of Reforms pledge to bring down immigration for the open border on the island of Ireland, Kruger told the Press Association: We clearly have a problem.

He added: Our primary mission is to stop the small boats, stop the influx of illegal immigrants coming across the English Channel, but were very aware that when we do that the smugglers and the gangs will start looking for other avenues.

There clearly is an open border, an open back door to the United Kingdom, that is the north-south border in Ireland.

So yes, this is something we have to take very seriously. Its going to be part of the reset that we need to have with the EU and with the Republic if we win, and its absolutely unacceptable that illegal immigrants are allowed to come over the Irish border.

Kruger said that core to his partys project of restoration is the re-establishment of the union as a single, indivisible state, whole and entirely one sovereign border.

Power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland were not operational for around two years as the DUP boycotted in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements, known as the Northern Ireland Protocol and later the Windsor Framework.

This is the final and the greatest betrayal of Brexit with the Belfast Agreement itself and of the rights of Ulster agreed all the way back in 1922 Danny Kruger

Kruger said he voted for the protocol because he believed it would be quickly dealt with, but went on to vote against the Windsor Framework, saying former prime minister Rishi Sunak broke faith with Northern Ireland and with the whole of the UK with that arrangement.

The East Wiltshire MP added that the principle of cross-community consent has been junked.

This is the final and the greatest betrayal of Brexit with the Belfast Agreement itself and of the rights of Ulster agreed all the way back in 1922, so thats where we are, he said.

He added: We want to work with you and your allies to ensure that if, as I fervently hope, we have a Reform government, we are able to complete the unfinished business of Brexit.

Not to reopen all those wounds from five years ago or so, but simply and courteously to agree a new deal with the EU that respects our sovereignty, the sovereignty of the whole of the UK.

TUV leader Jim Allister said Kruger would be a far better occupant of Hillsborough Castle than the one we have at the moment and described him as a man whose ear its well worth bending.
By Niamh ODonoghue

An addict with longstanding difficulties with substance abuse has been jailed for three years and three months for punching a garda on a Christmas night out with his colleagues.

Garda Stephen Walsh and his colleague Garda Paul McCauley were off-duty and were walking through the city centre on their way to the bus when they were set upon by two men.

Jonathan ONeill (35) of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of assault causing harm to Garda Walsh (50) at Eustace Street in Temple Bar on December 14, 2024. He has 37 previous convictions for offences including robbery and criminal damage.

On Friday, Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years and nine months, but suspended the final six months on strict conditions.

This was a horrific attack on two men who were going home from a night out for Christmas, said the judge.

Detective Sergeant Patrick Traynor told the court Gda Walsh and his colleague Garda Paul McCauley were going for the bus after celebrating a Christmas night out in the early hours of the morning on the date in question.

Neither injured party has any memory of the incident which happened at 1.30am in the morning, the court was told. The court heard ONeills co-accused punched Gda McCauley, and he hit his head off the kerb, rendering him unconscious straight away.

ONeill punched Gda Walsh in the back of the head and his co-accused kicked him in the head while he was on the ground. Gda Walsh was rendered unconscious at that time and his colleague was in quite a dire situation, the court was told. ONeill and his co-accused then left the scene.

Gda Walsh said he remembered coming to and tasting blood in his mouth. Two reserve gardai on duty at the time attended at the scene while Gda McCauley was still unconscious. Both men were taken to the hospital.

Gda McCauley was in a coma, with his injuries relating entirely to ONeills co-accused. The court was told Gda Walsh had fluid coming from his nose. It was later determined that it was spinal fluid and the court was told he now has difficulty with his hearing and is in treatment since.

Det Sgt Traynor agreed with prosecuting counsel, Patrick McCullough BL, that it was a very extensive investigation where CCTV footage was viewed. When O Neill was arrested he said: I knew this was coming, the court heard.

He made certain admissions and accepted he was at the scene. ONeill said he didnt know if it was a push or a punch and did express some concern. His offence relates to the punch to the back of Gda Walshs head. Det Sgt Traynor agreed that ONeill has had longstanding difficulties with substance abuse.

Gda Walsh read a victim impact statement to the court in which he said he did not know if his colleague was going to live. Those thoughts haunted me he said.

He said he could not perform normal duties at work, has undergone hearing tests and has some permanent hearing loss. He said it has affected me in my everyday activities and possibly my career as well.

The prosecution accepted that the more serious injuries were caused by the kick from ONeillss co-accused.

Defence counsel, Michael OHiggins SC, said his client was originally charged with assault causing serious harm, which would have resulted in a joint enterprise, but pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.

He said ONeill had written a letter of apology to the court where he said it all happened so fast. Im writing this letter in the hope youll accept my apology. He said he was so sorry I put you and your family through all this, especially at that time of year.

Judge Crowe said the assault warranted a custodial sentence. That punch got the injured party to the ground, which caused him to suffer more serious injuries from his co-accused, she said

The judge said it was an unprovoked attack on the men who did no more than go out for a few drinks at Christmastime.
A SEVEN-year-old from Carlow has taken the internet by storm after recording a new version of his famous grandfathers iconic song and the response has left the family stunned.

CJ Kavanagh, grandson of Carlow entertainer and Irish music legend Richie Kavanagh, joined his granddad to record a fresh take on Aon Focal Eile to mark the 30th anniversary of the comedy classic that once knocked Take That off the top of the Irish charts.

The family uploaded the video to social media on St Patricks day evening and it quickly took on a life of its own.

When I came home from the St Patricks day parade, I said Id put up a few pictures of the parade online and then the wife said: why dont you put up that video of CJ and Richie singing, its lovely. So, I put it up and I couldnt really believe the response to it, James Kavanagh, Richie's son and CJs dad, told The Nationalist.

Within only two days of going online, the video had racked up over 440,000 views on TikTok alone  where Richie has more than 30,000 followers  with the combined views across TikTok and Facebook approaching the million mark.

The song is already receiving airplay on radio stations across the country. The full version is available to stream on Spotify and there is more in the pipeline - James says a dancier remix is being recorded. Something that could be played on BeatFM. Its kind of a cross between Chasing Abbey and Mark McCabe, he explained.

It is not young CJs first time in the spotlight. Last November, at the launch of Richies book Richie Kavanagh: Craic, Stories & Songs, he performed Aon Focal Eile live after KCLR DJ James Lakes called him up on stage  and he rose to the occasion without missing a beat. His classmates at Drumphea National School, Garryhill have been enjoying the viral video, too.

For Richie, the anniversary has taken on extra meaning, thanks to his grandsons involvement.

Its hard to believe its 30 years since Aon Focal Eile first took off, he said. Recording it again with my grandson was something really special  heres to the next generation of Aon Focal Eiles.

The longevity of the songs appeal continues to surprise even those closest to it.

Richie thought when CDs and DVDs were gone that was the end of it, James said. But its mad to say hes very popular on YouTube and all that. After all these years we get emails from  it could be New Zealand or Australia or anywhere  people just saying we love your music.

Originally released in 1996 after Gerry Ryan gave it airplay on RTE 2fm, Aon Focal Eile spent seven weeks at number one, went triple platinum and earned Richie an IRMA award for best single of the year. It kept international hits including Firestarter by The Prodigy and Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison off top spot and remains the 15th bestselling single in Irish chart history.

Remarkably, the song was never intended as a single.

When that album came out at the time, it was called The Travelling Man because we felt that was the strongest song, James recalled.  Aon Focal Eile was kind of pushed to the back of the album.

Thirty years on, it seems the song has found its next generation and, if the reaction online is anything to go by, Aon Focal Eile is far from done yet.
Yesterday, we learned a lot from some of the dumbest Pokemon game mistakes we made in the past. While everyone is thinking about either "Pokemon Wind and Waves" or "Pokemon Pokopia," some fans can't help but wonder if the underutilized feature, like double battles, can shine once again.

While the franchise remains one of the most popular in gaming, many players believe recent titles have not fully explored the strategic depth that double battle formats can offer. Community discussions point to growing demand for more consistent and challenging implementations in future releases, especially in the upcoming Gen 10 game.

Why Double Battles Add More Strategy

Double battles introduce a deeper level of gameplay compared to traditional single battles. Instead of focusing on one Pokemon at a time, players must consider team synergy, move combinations, and positioning across two active Pokemon.

This format has historically boosted engagement, with many players revisiting titles like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, especially during expansions such as The Indigo Disk, to experience more complex and rewarding battles.

Fans Push For Difficulty Modes

One of the most popular suggestions is the addition of a structured difficulty system that highlights double battles, according to one user on Reddit.

Switch Mode (Easy): Traditional gameplay with minimal challenge

Set Mode (Medium): Increased difficulty by removing switch prompts

Doubles Mode (Hard): A full campaign centered entirely on double battles

The approach would give players greater control over their experience while appealing to both casual fans and competitive players.

Calls for Classic Battle Formats

Beyond double battles, fans are also asking for the return of older mechanics like triple battles and rotation battles. These formats added variety in earlier generations but were phased out, partly due to hardware limitations.

With modern consoles offering improved performance, many believe it's the perfect time for these systems to return.

Will Pokemon Devs Listen to Fans

Fans could only hope that the developers respond to fan feedback, and future Pokemon titles could feature more diverse and strategic combat systems. Expanded formats, consistent double battle integration, and modes like a Battle Tower could significantly enhance gameplay.

The message from the community is clear: Pokemon battles should evolve beyond visuals.

Originally published on Player One
As the conflict in the Middle East shows few signs of abating, it seems that a prolonged battle of attrition is in the cards between the two fronts, with the U.S. and Israel at odds with Iran. While the bombings have continued with missiles, drones have also taken center stage as an efficient and cost-effective method of inflicting damage.

Particularly, Iran has widely adopted drone technology in its combat strategy. With Iran's Shahed drones built at an estimated cost as low as $20,000 per unit, the U.S. and its allies are having to spend multiple times more just to shoot them down. However, one defense company seems to have found a cheaper solution to the problem.

More News from Barchart

AeroVironment's 60 Minutes of Fame

Featured on a recent installment of the popular CBS show 60 Minutes, defense contractor AeroVironment's (AVAV) laser technology is being considered by the U.S. government to neutralize Iran's drones. Purported to cost just $3 per shot, AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi said, "It changes the economics on how we can actually defeat and defend against these targets that are now being deployed and produced by tens of thousands."

This is not without precedent. The company has also used its laser system, Locust, on the U.S.-Mexico border. Notably, the system has a detection range of seven miles, with AI being used to track target drones.

With AeroVironment's laser tech possibly offering an efficient counter to Iran's most potent answer in the war, let's look at what the company is all about.

About AeroVironment

Founded in 1971, AeroVironment is a defense technology company specializing in autonomous and robotic systems for military and government customers. Its core product categories include unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, counter-drone and directed energy systems, space, cyber and communication systems, and finally autonomous and robotic platforms. AeroVironment is valued at a market capitalization of $10.77 billion.

AVAV stock is down 13% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. This decline is primarly due to the termination of the Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) contract for the U.S. Space Force.

www.barchart.com

So, can the 60 Minutes coverage give AVAV stock a new lease on life? Amid a plethora of venerable defense names, what sets AeroVironment apart? Let's take a closer look.
THE biggest night in the Hollywood calendar has come and gone, with last Sundays Academy Awards bringing the 2026 awards season to a dramatic close. Overall, the night seemed to be a resounding success, with some surprise wins, moving speeches, showstopping performances and, thankfully, no misplaced envelopes or guests slapping the host.

Conan OBrien firmly established himself as a reliable host, with this being his second year in a row hosting the prestigious event. OBriens trademark comedy style kept the show energised with a sharply written and expertly delivered opening monologue that only ever missed the mark on one or two occasions. While Sinners made history receiving the most amount of Oscar nominations for a movie  an incredible 16 in total  the film only came away with four awards, while Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another claimed the top prize for best picture.

Most notably, Irelands Jessie Buckley also made history, becoming the first Irish woman to win an Oscar for best actress. With this being the penultimate award of the evening, it made for a wonderfully moving end to the show and only strengthened Irelands ever-growing take-over of the acting world.

The night began with the stars comfortably seated, having spent the preceding hours mixing outside, posing on the red carpet and answering questions of the worlds press when host Conan OBrien finally appeared onstage ready to begin proceedings. Introduced by a playful prerecorded sketch that nodded to and gently poked fun at all the nominated films of the past year, OBrien ran on stage, chased by a frenzied horde of children  a moment referencing the unhinged final sequence of the brilliant horror Weapons.

As OBrien began his opening monologue, it quickly became clear he would be taking no prisoners with his cutting humour. While hosts of years past have sometimes made the mistake of crossing lines with scathing jokes, OBrien carefully walked the line between comedy and controversy, delivering each joke with well-judged measure. Among those who found themselves on the receiving end were Timothee Chalamet for his controversial comments on ballet and opera made earlier in the week; Michael B Jordan for his dual performance in Sinners; Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos for the streaming giants harmful effect on cinemas; and, of course, President Trump came under fire on more than one occasion.

As OBriens opening monologue concluded, no time was wasted in proceeding with the awards. Commencing with the award for best supporting actress, Amy Madigan took home the gold man for her unnerving and haunting role as Aunt Gladys in Weapons. Fellow nominees included Teyana Taylor, Elle Fanning, Wunmi Mosaku and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas. Madigan seemed truly surprised and genuinely moved by her receiving the award and she delivered a touching speech as she commented on her 40 years in the industry and thanked her husband, veteran actor Ed Harris.

As the show progressed, the award for best supporting actor was won by Sean Penn, to the surprise of no one, for his chilling performance as Colonel Steven Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. Penn, having previously expressed his disdain for the Academy and its annual awards ceremony, did not attend and the award was accepted on his behalf by presenter Kieran Culkin.

The award for best visual effects went to Irelands Richard Baneham and his team for Avatar: Fire and Ash. Born in Tallaght, Baneham has previously worked on The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia films. This award marked his third Oscar win, having previously won in the same category in 2023 and 2009. In his speech, Baneham thanked the families of the 2,200 visual effects artists working on his team for their love and support over the years. Keeping his speech gracious, humble and brief, Banehams marked the first of two fantastic wins for Ireland.

The show was punctuated by two musical performances, both nominated for best original song. First, the powerful I Lied to You from Sinners was performed, recreating the iconic scene as Miles Caton and co. were joined by Shaboozey and Raphael Saadiq, as well as a host of ballerinas and other dancers. Later, the endlessly replayed Golden, from the animated global sensation that is KPop Demon Hunters was performed, with everyone in the audience being handed a glowstick to add to the spectacle. Golden eventually won the award, becoming the first K-pop song to be nominated, and win, best original song. A surprise musical performance by Barbara Streisand accompanied an emotional tribute to the late Robert Redford, during the shows In Memoriam segment.

Other notable awards were won by Mr Nobody Against Putin for best documentary feature; Sentimental Value for best international feature, Ryan Coogler for best original screenplay with Sinners; Ludwig Goransson, for best original score with Sinners; and Paul Thomas Anderson for best adapted screenplay and best director with One Battle After Another.

As the final three awards of the evening loomed, all eyes were on the best actor nominees as last years winner Adrien Brody presented the award. With strong competition from Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, Ethan Hawke and Wagne Moura, it was Michael B Jordan who claimed the prize for his role as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Sinners. A technically demanding and constantly commanding performance, Jordan was undeniably deserving of the award and his heartfelt speech clearly resonated with everyone in the audience as he paid particular tribute to his mother, who he brought as his guest.

Next was the award for best actress and, though her win was all but guaranteed, Jessie Buckley was nevertheless brought to tears at the announcement. Hugging her husband Fred, and Hamnet co-star Paul Mescal, the Kerry-born actress made her way to the stage to collect her Oscar. Shaking with excitement and visibly overwhelmed, Buckley delivered a heartwarming speech as she acknowledged her family and colleagues before closing with a patriotic Go raibh mile mile maith agat. The final award of the evening went to One Battle After Another for best picture. While many, myself included, may have hoped for Sinners to claim the top prize, director Paul Thomas Anderson proved a gracious and appreciative recipient of the award and his achievement with One Battle cannot be argued.

With all the gold statues handed out, and the tuxedos and gowns tucked away for another year, Academy members will already be considering films currently in cinemas as potential nominees for next years Oscars. Heres hoping 2027 will continue Irelands winning streak in Hollywood.
Gardai are appealing for information following attempted robberies of shops in Laois and Offaly on Friday afternoon.

The first incident occurred at the Post Office on the Main Street in Daingean, Co Offaly at around 2.45pm when a man walked into the shop, approached the counter and demanded money. The man threatened to produce a weapon but no weapon was visible.

Gardai described the man as being in his late 20s or early 30s. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a black jacket. The man was wearing a black peaked cap and sunglasses and he spoke with a Dublin accent.

A second male was standing at the door. He was taller, thin, wearing a peaked cap, sunglasses and a distinctive high visibility jacket, Gardai said.

Both fled the Post Office in Daingean on foot in the direction of Edenderry, Gardai said.

Gardai said an hour later there was an attempted robbery of a shop on French Church Street in Portarlington, Co Laois on Friday, March 20 at 3.50pm.

A male and a female entered the shop. The female stood at the door and the male approached the counter and demanded money. Gardai said.

Gardai said the man threatened to produce a weapon but failed to do so and then left the shop empty handed. The man and woman left on foot in the direction of Edenderry.

Investigating Gardai said nothing was taken in either attempted robbery. They believe the two attempted robberies are connected and are appealing for information.

They are appealing for witnesses of anyone who has dashcam or CCTV footage from either location to contact them at Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, Portarlington Garda Station on 057 862 3112 or at Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600.
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be part of the reset between the EU and UK in the event of a Reform UK government, one of the partys MPs has said.

Danny Kruger told the TUV party conference in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, that his party would complete the unfinished business of Brexit, after colleague Robert Jenrick visited Belfast with DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

Mr Kruger said Reform is not picking sides in Northern Irish politics and supports the commitment of every unionist to sustain the union.

The East Wiltshire MP was former prime minister Boris Johnsons political secretary for a period in 2019 and defected from the Conservatives to Reform in September last year.

Asked about the implication of Reforms pledge to bring down immigration for the open border on the island of Ireland, Mr Kruger told the Press Association: We clearly have a problem.

He added: Our primary mission is to stop the small boats, stop the influx of illegal immigrants coming across the English Channel, but were very aware that when we do that the smugglers and the gangs will start looking for other avenues.

There clearly is an open border, an open back door to the United Kingdom, that is the north-south border in Ireland.

So yes, this is something we have to take very seriously. Its going to be part of the reset that we need to have with the EU and with the Republic if we win, and its absolutely unacceptable that illegal immigrants are allowed to come over the Irish border.

Mr Kruger said that core to his partys project of restoration is the re-establishment of the union as a single, indivisible state, whole and entirely one sovereign border.

Power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland were not operational for around two years as the DUP boycotted in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements, known as the Northern Ireland Protocol and later the Windsor Framework.

Mr Kruger said he voted for the protocol because he believed it would be quickly dealt with, but went on to vote against the Windsor Framework, saying former prime minister Rishi Sunak broke faith with Northern Ireland and with the whole of the UK with that arrangement.

The East Wiltshire MP added that the principle of cross-community consent has been junked.

This is the final and the greatest betrayal of Brexit with the Belfast Agreement itself and of the rights of Ulster agreed all the way back in 1922, so thats where we are, he said.

He added: We want to work with you and your allies to ensure that if, as I fervently hope, we have a Reform government, we are able to complete the unfinished business of Brexit.

Not to reopen all those wounds from five years ago or so, but simply and courteously to agree a new deal with the EU that respects our sovereignty, the sovereignty of the whole of the UK.

TUV leader Jim Allister said Mr Kruger would be a far better occupant of Hillsborough Castle than the one we have at the moment and described him as a man whose ear its well worth bending.
A Laois TD says Laois households are more affected by rising fuel costs, but he suggests ways the Government can immediately help.

Independent TD Brian Stanley points out that the Government is making more money as fuel prices shoot up for motoring, home heating, transport and farming.

While Government dont control international oil prices, they do control the level of taxation on every gallon of fuel.

For every 100 spent on oil, petrol or diesel 65 goes to the Government coffers. The irony is that the more prices increase, the greater is the amount collected in VAT on fuel, as this is levied on a percentage basis .

The Portlaoise based TD spoke about it in the Dail to Government Ministers.

Prior to the imperial oil war in the Middle East being waged by the USA and Israel, we already had a cost-of-living crisis. We are now really in a difficult situation.

In County Laois the lowest price for road diesel is 2.10 per litre and it continues to increase. In this State, the increase in home heating oil is eight times the average increase across Europe. It was 480 for 500 litres. It is now 585 from suppliers in the midlands. It has almost doubled in price.

Read next: 'Stupid' lack of parking in two Laois housing estates

Of course, once fuel goes up, everything goes up, including all other goods. There are higher costs for agriculture, haulage, couriers and carriage.

Hauliers are exposed. Truckers and hauliers are under severe pressure and need assistance to get through the current crisis. Today the Irish Road Haulage Association said that without a tax reduction many haulage operators will simply not be able to continue absorbing the rising costs, which could result in empty supermarket shelves.

Middle- and low-income households are under pressure with financial hardship. It is a severe situation, one in six is in arrears with electric bills and cannot pay them, and one in four of those who have gas is in arrears with gas bills.

Households in the midlands and in County Laois are exposed because of the high number that depend on home heating oil in rural areas and in areas where there is no natural gas. A large number of homes also have a low energy rating. People in County Laois have long commutes as well.

Read next: Laois farm's planned slatted shed and slurry tank appealed by environmentalist to An Coimisiun Pleanala

The Government can do a number of things. It can halt any additional increase in VAT, because it is a percentage, and reverse the gains so far. It should not go ahead with the increase in the carbon tax. I accept it is collecting carbon tax, and that is fine. It should use it and use it well.

I ask the Government not to go ahead with the planned increase in it in May. There should also be targeted energy credits and supports for middle-income and low-income households, Dep Stanley said in a statement to the Dail.

He spoke on the same week that Laois haulier and president of the Irish Road Haulage Association Ger Hyland said their truck protest is called off after the Government promised a rapid range of measures to help the industry in the face of the soaring diesel costs. Mr Hyland from Rosenallis business Hyland Transport described how farmers are also hit by the costs.
At that point, theyre more like an IRA, so if you make withdrawals before age 59 1/2, theyre subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty unless theyre used for approved expenditures like college or the purchase of a first home. Investment growth is also taxable.

When you make contributions to a Trump account, youre basically trapping money inside an inflexible, unusable account that your children wont be able to use for at least 18 years, according to Ramsey Solutions (2).

Youve got other ways to save, he said. Its not as revolutionary as the original Roth was. Its not as revolutionary as the 529 is. But he says theres other ways to save, but I dont think its worth the trouble (1).

For some parents, the addition of these new account options for their kids  on top of 529 college savings accounts, custodial IRA accounts and custodial brokerage accounts  has only added confusion over which offers the best benefits and whether funding one type of account should take priority over others.

But finance experts have mixed views. Dave Ramsey calls Trump accounts a political stunt, while others recommend grabbing the free money but prioritizing other accounts afterward (1).

The U.S. Treasury will make a one-time $1,000 contribution to children who are U.S. citizens born on or after Jan. 1, 2025, through to the end of 2028. Some companies, including Intel, Uber and SoFi, have said they will contribute to accounts for children of employees.

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The accounts function as long-term investment accounts for minors, where contributions are invested in a government-approved portfolio and grow over time, but with strict rules on withdrawals, limited investment choices and tax treatment that differs from traditional accounts like Roth IRAs or 529 plans.

Financial experts are split on the new 530A account, also known as Trump accounts  a tax-advantaged investment account designed for children under 18. About 3 million families have already signed up ahead of the July 4, 2026 launch date, incentivized by free money.

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Withdrawals may be subject to restrictions and would be taxed at ordinary income rates, according to Trumpaccounts.gov.

And, as Ramsey Solutions points out, the government controls your investments, which limits your investment choices and gives you less control over how your hard-earned money is invested.

Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

Read More: Young millionaires are ditching stocks. Why older Americans should take note

The Money Guy says that while the account structure may be flawed, the $1,000 government contribution makes it worth opening one in certain cases, and that if youre planning to have a child between now and the end of 2028, you dont want to turn down free money even if the account structure isnt ideal, he writes in a blog post. In other words, families could treat it as free money  opening the account to capture the incentive, even if they choose not to prioritize additional contributions afterward (3).

However, for most families, he says it may not make sense. The tax treatment of the accounts makes them inferior to just about every other type of investment account you would consider opening for your child.

And Vivian Tu, CEO of Your Rich BFF, said Trump accounts have some benefits, but will disproportionately help the already wealthy (4).

There could also be potential gift tax complications for contributors. Individual contributions dont qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion, meaning you (the donor) will have to file a gift tax return (Form 709) for each contribution, even if its just the $25 contribution minimum. That can be an administrative headache and a tax compliance issue.

Consider your options

Any parent or guardian can set up a Trump account by filing Form 4547 along with their taxes. They will then be contacted by a trustee to complete the account setup, and the $1,000 seed funding will be available after July 4, 2026. Custodians can contribute up to $5,000 a year, while employers can contribute up to $2,500 toward that limit annually.

The accounts will be invested in a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds designed to maximize long-term growth while minimizing risk, according to Trumpaccounts.gov. Even if families were to contribute nothing to the account, Trumpaccounts.gov estimates the account would grow to $6,000 by the time their child turned 18 (based on historical S&P 500 averages). If they contribute the maximum amount of $5,000 a year, it estimates theyd have $271,000.

Projections like these are mathematically possible, but they rely on a very specific set of assumptions that deserve scrutiny, Douglas Boneparth, CFP and president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York, told CNBC (5).

There are already several ways to save for your childs future  and whatever you choose will depend on your personal circumstances and goals, as well as your liquidity needs.

For example, a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment account designed to help you save for your kids future education expenses, offering tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses (versus a Trump account, which taxes earnings as ordinary income). It also offers higher contribution limits and greater investment flexibility.

A custodial Roth IRA is a retirement account owned by a minor whos earning income but managed by an adult custodian until the minor reaches the age of majority. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, accounts grow tax-free and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.

While a custodial brokerage account works similarly to a Trump account, contributions are taxed at more favorable capital-gains rates and there are no restrictions on contributions, investment options or withdrawals, according to The Money Guy (3).

Other options include transferring parental savings via gifts or inheritances, but its important to understand the rules around contributions, withdrawals and taxation. If youre confused by all the options, it could be worth talking to a financial advisor about what will work best for your family.

Ultimately, Trump accounts may come down to how much you value the $1,000 incentive versus the trade-offs. Even critics like Ramsey acknowledge there are better, more flexible ways to build wealth. With other options offering different benefits and flexibility, experts say its worth comparing before deciding where to prioritize your money.

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Article sources

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

@realDaveRamsey (1); Ramsey Solutions (2); The Money Guy (3); Vivian Tu (4); CNBC (5)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Quick Read

Deutsche Bank (DB) disclosed $30 billion in private credit exposure, roughly 2.1% of its $1.435 trillion balance sheet, amid concerns about shadow banking risks and potential indirect credit losses through interconnected counterparties; the bank reported a 14.2% CET1 capital ratio and EUR 7.1 billion net profit for 2025, but shares have fallen 18.2% over the past month and 23.76% year-to-date on bearish sentiment driven by private credit deterioration, legacy legal liabilities exceeding 600 million, and Q1 2026 trading revenue guidance that points lower due to FX headwinds.

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Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB)a leading German financial institution, disclosed a $30 billion private credit exposure in its annual report filed March 12, 2026, and shares are down 20% over the past month and 26% year to date, trading around $28.57 this morning. The question is whether Deutsche Bank is being punished for honesty or whether the disclosure is a genuine red flag.

The private credit portfolio grew from the prior year, and the bank explicitly stated that, while it claims no direct major risk, "the bank could face potential indirect credit risks through interconnected portfolios and counterparties." That language, paired with concerns about subprime-lender failures and AI-driven disruption among software-sector borrowers, rattles investors. CEO Christian Sewing also warned that Q1 2026 trading revenue is expected to decline due to unfavorable currency movements, and legacy legal exposure remains unresolved, including a 500 million lawsuit from a former executive and a 29 million euro Cum-Ex tax settlement.

r/WallStreetBets Calls Deutsche Bank the "Second Domino"

Reddit sentiment on DB has been consistently very bearish over the past seven days, with scores in the 12-24 range and activity concentrated in r/wallstreetbets. A put-options YOLO has grown from under 200 upvotes to over 1,200 upvotes and 301 comments since Thursday morning.

24/7 Wall St.  24/7 Wall St.

This infographic details Deutsche Bank's current stock price and key focus, alongside its "Very Bearish" social sentiment score derived from Reddit, highlighting the driving factors.

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"I'm not saying Deutsche Bank is going to collapse, but the private credit exposure combined with the legal overhang and FX headwinds makes this the most obvious second domino play right now. Puts are cheap because nobody is paying attention."  u/[deleted], r/wallstreetbets
Children's book author Alex Dunne is set to release her third book and it's all set in Limerick.

Originally from Clare, Alex has just returned from Canada where she lived for 15 years.

She said that the timing felt right to come home and that she has always enjoyed writing about locations she is familiar with and that remind her of home.

All of my family is here and I wanted to be close to family.

I think after Covid, I've been coming back home for longer and longer stretches, Alex says.

Alex grew up in Shannon and is very familiar with Limerick city and its surrounding areas.

READ ALSO: Limerick rapper immortalises music with new single

I would have grown up with the big British books, the American books - I loved them, I was always a massive reader, but especially with the American books, I could never quite picture the spaces in the books, she says.

She adds that this is what made her want to include landmarks she loves in her own work and why it was so important to her.

The local places bring a level of authenticity as well. I grew up in Shannon and really wanted to show children that the places that they live can be every bit as magical, Alex says.

The children's author says that she knew straight away that she wanted the book to be set in Limerick.

Magic is absolutely everywhere - we just have to be willing to look for it, Alex says.

She laughs, saying that magic isn't just in the predictable places.

I want to make readers think that there's something special in the everyday, Alex says.

In 'Small Magics', the main character Molly Flynn stumbles upon a most unusual antique shop.

Molly never really had a place to call home and goes to live with Pat, Priya and their foster kids above this amazing shop.

She soon discovers that they are no ordinary family and this is no ordinary antique shop.

When she first explores the shop, she starts to pick up bottles and discovers potions and solutions to some of life's most niggling problems.

There is a potion for removing stubborn stains from clothes, an anti-creak cream for doors, a bag to make fruit and vegetables instantly ripen to perfection, a scroll to summon lost socks from the dryer and a spell to let you know if you've left the immersion on.

Laughing at how fun it was to come up with these, Alex says: I had loads of fun with that - the whole point was to have a magic shop which had the things for everyday problems - the annoyances of life.

I made a list of all of the little annoying things and had fun with it.

Discovering all of the magical potions and lotions of the antique shop is exciting, but soon things turn frightening and Molly has to help the magical creatures who are being mysteriously attacked.

The idea for the book actually came from an adult book Alex wrote more than a decade ago, which never came to fruition.

That book had the same name, but it was very different. Something felt like it didn't click with it. When I was writing this, I had a bit of writer's block and felt like all of my ideas were gone. I remembered this story and loved the overall concept, Alex says.

She says that only two elements of the original book were kept, but it provided the framework.

Just one character and the title remained as the only two similarities between the original adult's book and the new children's one.

I always tell everyone who wants to write a book to never throw anything out and I'm really glad I listened to my own advice, Alex says.

While Alex didn't originally set out to write for children, she released her first children's book in 2022.

She says that earning that space on a children's book shelf is really special.

My favourite part of meeting young readers is when a child who reads your book says it's their favourite book and at that age, books mean so much, before they start secondary school, Alex says, adding that books can take children into a whole other world.

While the stories are written for children, Alex tries to blend the worlds of fiction and real life.

I try to ground my stories a little bit in the real world, she explains.

Alex also focuses on bringing Irish mythology, folklore and fairies into her books.

It's really important to try to keep that Irish connection, she says.

Since she returned from Canada, she has been connecting with other Irish writers and says that children have so many Irish titles to choose from.

Small Magics will be released in paperback and ebook on March 30.

Suitable for readers aged nine and older.
A JUDGE has expressed her disappointment over a boys refusal to attend school.

The boy, 16, is regularly smoking cannabis and sees no problem with his usage, according to a court-ordered Probation Report.

Reading the report, Judge Carol Anne Coolican detailed that the boy is refusing to get up in the morning, leaves therapy early, uses cannabis everyday, and sporadically attends an outreach centre.

Limerick District Court heard that the boy doesnt see his daily cannabis use as a problem.

READ MORE: Gardai warn of bogus tradesmen knocking on Limerick doors for criminal purposes

Solicitor Darach McCarthy, representing the young man, said that while there has been a shortcoming in attending school, he feels the boy is getting there.

The solicitor identified the boys problem as follows: I dont think he has any confidence in himself. Mr McCarthy said he's only 16.

The boy - who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions - has attended a probation course addressing drug use.

Mr McCarthy said that the boy has a strong support system, and that his parents are doing everything to help him.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican said the boy has the potential to do very well, but the main concern is school.

Judge Coolican stated: Unless he attends school, hes not going to get a chance with life.

He needs to attend school to better himself, not to please me, the judge continued.

The judge proceeded to adjourn the boys case to a date in April.

The boy then proceeded to leave the court while accompanied by his father.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
CAR ENTHUSIASTS in Limerick who own vintage and classic vehicles could soon benefit from streamlined registration rules, if one local councillor has his way.

At the March meeting of Adare - Rathkeale Municipal District, Councillor Adam Teskey tabled a motion asking that the district write to the Minister for Transport to request new regulations for registering vehicles which do not have current registration or where log books are required.

He said he believes the move is important for the preservation of our motoring past, noting that the issue often arises when people find themselves in ownership of a vintage vehicle without the proper paperwork.

READ NEXT | Funding call for improvement works in Adare hinterland before Ryder Cup comes to town

Cllr Teskey highlighted the current high level of bureaucracy in place, suggesting there should be an online portal where owners can upload the relevant details and photos to obtain registration for their vehicle.

At the same meeting, he also submitted a question seeking a detailed guideline from the Motor Tax section as to how individuals can register vintage or classic vehicles in their name using just the registration number.

In a written response, Matthew White, Director of Finance at the Motor Tax office, outlined the process for registering vintage and classic vehicles.

He confirmed that any vehicle which is 30 years or older qualifies as vintage and may be eligible for a concessionary tax rate.

Mr White explained that if a vehicle is already recorded on the National Vehicle and Driver File, owners must submit an RF111 form and the old Vehicle Registration Certificate to have the taxation class updated to vintage.

For vehicles registered in Ireland prior to 1993, the Registration (Log) Book must also be submitted.

Where a vehicle is acquired without proper registration documents, Mr White advised that owners must either complete a Statutory Declaration or, if the Registration Book is missing, submit an RF134 form with a 12 fee to secure a replacement.

READ NEXT | Limerick City and County Council seeks new sites for future murals

If the NVDF details do not match the vehicle, he said the owner must then re-register the vehicle with the National Car Testing Service, which carries a 200 fee and may issue a ZV number or standard registration.

For vehicles not recorded on the NVDF but with an existing registration number, he said the relevant Motor Tax Office can check original registration records  for example, IU vehicles were originally registered in Limerick, IN in Clare.

For vehicles registered after 1993, owners are directed to contact the Change of Ownership Section in the Department of Transport in Shannon, which has a separate statutory declaration form.

Cllr Teskey described the response as full of paperwork, highlighting the complexity and bureaucracy involved in registering vintage and classic vehicles.
To be sure, inconsistent, low-quality marketing content costs you sales, trust, and visibility. For small businesses, the gap between what you want to say and what you can afford to produce is one of the most persistent, expensive problems in the building.
A year ago, GE Shipping had about a fifth of its crude and product tankers and about 30-40% of its dry bulk carriers on time charter, its management said in an investor call on 12 May 2025. Presently, the entirety of its crude fleet is on the spot market, and the share of dry bulk carriers on the spot market has gone up to 80-85%, as per its latest investor call on 30 January. All of its vessels are currently in use, the company said.
Rice and maize acreages have expanded by 18.7% and 64.7% to 51.82 million hectares and 15.76 million hectares, respectively, in 2025-26 from 2019-20 levels, particularly in parts of northern, central and southern India. This shift assumes significance as the countrys declining cotton area and production threatens Indias textile industry, farmer incomes, rural livelihoods and export competitiveness. It also mirrors deeper structural issues in the agriculture sector that accounts for around 16% of Indias gross domestic product (GDP), with nearly 46% of the countrys workforce dependent on agriculture.
(This article contains spoilers)

Toward the climax of Dhurandhar 2, the film presents a tense and emotionally charged sequence that combines action, intelligence manoeuvring, and subtle political commentary.

Why was Rasputin used in Dhurandhar 2? After killing Major Iqbal, Hamza is captured by Omar (Aditya Uppal), the new SP who succeeds SP Chaudhary Aslam (Sanjay Dutt). Hamza (Ranveer Singh) is subjected to a brutal interrogation as the Pakistanis try to extract sensitive information from him.

Amid this, Lt General Shamshad Hassan, played by Raj Zutshi, seemingly turns a blind eye, creating a moment of suspense that keeps the audience on edge.

Also Read | Yami Gautam to Raj Zutshi, meet the 7 new cast members of Dhurandhar The Revenge

The tension escalates when Shamshad receives a call from IB chief Ajay Sanyal (R Madhavan), who firmly requests that Hamza be released. Shamshad, initially smug and defensive, seems confident in his authority and begins to assert his dominance over the conversation.

However, the situation takes a dramatic turn when Sanyal shares a video that exposes Shamshad himself exchanging sensitive information about Pakistan with Israel. In this instant, Shamshads power is undermined, and the leverage shifts entirely. The video forces him to act, ultimately saving Hamza and resolving the immediate crisis.

What adds a curious layer to this scene is the choice of soundtrack. The video is played with Boney Ms iconic song Rasputin in the background. On the surface, it may appear to be a quirky or ironic choice, but the selection is far from random.

Listen to the Boney M song here:

The song itself is based on the life of Grigori Rasputin, the controversial Russian mystic and advisor who wielded considerable influence over the Russian royal family during the early 20th century. Rasputin was known for his ability to manipulate political decisions and for the sway he held over Tsarina Alexandra, often intervening in matters of governance that were beyond his station.

His actions created widespread unrest among the Russian nobility, who feared that his influence was undermining the stability of the monarchy. Eventually, this tension culminated in a conspiracy to eliminate him, leading to his assassination in 1916.

The parallels between Rasputin and Shamshad are subtle but meaningful. In the film, Shamshad occupies a position of authority and appears untouchable, controlling critical intelligence that could shift the balance of power. Yet, like Rasputin, his position is not unassailable.

The video exposes his vulnerability, serving as the moral and strategic check that forces him to act against his own pride and self-interest. The song acts as a symbolic underscore, reminding viewers that even those who seem powerful can be held accountable, particularly when evidence of their actions surfaces.

Has Aditya Dhar used any other parallels? Interestingly, this is not the first time director Aditya Dhar has used historical or literary parallels to deepen narrative impact. In the first Dhurandhar, he drew on William Shakespeares Julius Caesar to add a dramatic layer to Hamzas actions. On the surface, the comparison was that Hamza kills Rehman much like Brutus kills Julius Caesar.

However, the deeper connection comes from the vision Hamza experiences after Rehman breathes his last in the hospital. This mirrors Shakespeares novel, where Brutus is visited by Caesars ghost, symbolising guilt, consequence, and the weight of moral choices.

Dhars use of such parallels demonstrates his ability to weave historical or literary symbolism into high-stakes action, enriching both the narrative and the psychological depth of the characters.

While the Rasputin reference in Dhurandhar 2 may seem like a far-reaching allusion, it follows Dhars established pattern of tying contemporary characters to historical or literary figures. Shamshads downfall, like Rasputins, becomes a lesson in power, vulnerability, and accountability, giving audiences a layered understanding of the stakes involved.
This hubris is dangerous because they are not smart enough to understand that President Trump will never let them win. They dont understand how far hes willing to go, said Jason Greenblatt, who served as the White House special envoy for the Middle East in the first Trump administration. This can come at a huge cost, but the cost of not taking care of the problem will be many times more expensive over many, many years.
Someone who says Im against abortion but Im in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I dont know if thats pro-life, Leo told reporters at the scenic papal retreat of Castel Gandolfo outside Rome. Politicians who claim to support Catholic teaching need to realize it comes as a package, he said. He was echoing an argument by a former archbishop of Chicago, Joseph Bernardin, who said respect for life was a seamless garment that covers all the ways in which human life can be protected or violated.
In addition, Russian commanders had gotten used to sending instructions to infantrymen about where to move. An officer in Ukraines Russian Volunteer Corps in the Timur Special Forces Unit, who goes by the call sign Sever, said captured Russian soldiers told them they were sometimes deployed with a Starlink device and had to send video confirmation of their location to prove they hadnt deserted.
For example, in the MiamiFort LauderdaleWest Palm Beach area, the average HOA fee is $617 per month for a median home costing roughly $425,000, according to Realtor.com. Thats nearly 27% of a typical mortgage payment.

With sticky inflation and the cost of labor and materials continuing to increase, HOA fees are rising as well, now eating up a significant portion of overall housing costs.

Its something thats a little bit more accepted than it was maybe 10, 20 years ago, paying HOA dues every month, says Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com. As it becomes more common, its kind of a race to the bottom where one neighborhood can say, well, the neighborhood down the street is charging 200 bucks a month for HOA fees. So we can probably bump ours up a little bit, too.

HOAs can offer real benefits by managing residential communities, helping maintain shared spaces and providing amenities, like pools or gyms. But theres a tradeoff: According to Realtor.com, the median HOA fee has risen to $135 per month, up from $125 last year and $108 in 2019. This rise comes as the number of properties with HOAs is also climbing. Almost 85% of townhomes and condos have HOAs, while 33% of single-family homes do.

This is absolutely a shadow mortgage, Meleca-Voigt says. Its actually worse than a mortgage. If you get a mortgage with a fixed rate, you know what you pay and you can work around it.

But over five years, their dues jumped over 60% to $385 a month. On top of that, came two special assessments in 2023 totaling $3,000 to rebuild the HOAs reserve fund and repair the communitys aging roofs. Meleca-Voigt and her wife needed to dip into their savings to cover the surprise bills  not an easy move when every penny counts.

In 2021, Meleca-Voigt and her wife, Christine, bought their townhouse in Rochester, New York. The homes accessibility features and an HOA that handled exterior maintenance drew them in. The couple, who live on a fixed income, budgeted for the monthly $235 HOA fee.

Once considered a small maintenance expense, HOA dues are increasingly acting like a shadow mortgage. This mandatory, ongoing monthly payment can rise unexpectedly and, in extreme cases, even put a home at risk of foreclosure.

Homebuyers often focus on home prices and mortgage rates when thinking about affordability. But for millions of homeowners, another housing cost is creeping higher and quietly reshaping the math: homeowners association (HOA) fees.

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These [rising costs] are effectively pricing them out of living in the home that they bought, Berner says.

In addition to monthly dues, special assessments can be even more shocking. The periodic fees are used to cover major repairs or expenses not covered by the HOAs budget or reserve fund. Special assessments can sometimes rival the size of a small mortgage, depending on the propertys type and location.

In downtown San Diego, we have seen some high-rise buildings have special assessments in the tens of thousands of dollars, says Kimberly Schmidt, team lead of Kimberly Schmidt and Associates with Compass in San Diego, California. For example, all of the plumbing in the building needs to be redone, and every units portion of that will be $80,000. Thats where it feels like a shadow mortgage. Were not talking about $50 or $100.

Even after you fully pay off your mortgage, HOA fees continue to cast a shadow on your finances. Unlike a mortgage, they cant be refinanced, renegotiated or turned into equity.

Not only are these homeowners struggling to keep up their [HOA] payments and keep the lights on in their home, but when they go to sell because they cant afford it anymore, theyre meeting buyers who are more reluctant to make that purchase, says Berner. Its just a lot of friction in the market.

HOAs in America

In 2024, about 3 million homes paid more than $500 a month in HOA fees. About 5.6 million homes paid less than $50 a month.

Source: Census Bureau

HOAs reduce your purchasing power

Rising HOA dues can impact your purchasing power differently depending on where you stand in the housing market. For current homeowners like Meleca-Voigt, rising dues increase the overall cost of living.

When we sat down and figured out what it was going to cost us to live here, we understood that HOA fees could go up, she says. But we didnt think they would go up more than 50%.

Experts say buyers should count on those increases. A homebuyer should always assume that the HOA fee will increase over their tenure as an owner, Schmidt says. If the HOA has not been adequately funding their reserve account, the result can be deferred maintenance in the community itself, dues increases or special assessments to the homeowners.

For prospective buyers purchasing a home with an HOA, the impact starts even earlier. HOA dues reduce purchasing power before someone even gets the keys, since lenders factor HOA costs into debt-to-income calculations.

HOA fees can potentially limit the buying pool for a community, forcing buyers to look elsewhere or to seek out a less-expensive home in the community, Schmidt says. Less expensive often translates into a home that is smaller, less upgraded and/or in a less desirable location.

The mortgage equivalent of rising HOA fees

As of the third week of March, mortgage rates averaged 6.27%, according to Bankrates lender average. According to Bankrates How much house can I afford calculator, every $100 in monthly HOA dues erases around $16,000 in purchasing power, acting like a silent mortgage that limits the home you can buy.

Monthly HOA fee Lost purchasing power $100 $16,200 $200 $32,400 $300 $48,600 $400 $64,800 $500 $81,000 $600 $97,200 $700 $113,400

HOA fees can impact your equity and housing value

If you miss mortgage payments, fees, interest and potentially legal costs pile on, raising your balance and shrinking your home equity, which is your homes value minus what you owe. Unpaid HOA dues, with their own late fees, interest and attorney costs, can eat into your equity, too.

Normally, as you pay down your mortgage, your equity increases. But if your homes value isnt rising faster than the remaining balance and you need to sell, the HOA debt still has to be settled, cutting into your housing stake, explains Ashley Morgan, attorney, owner and founder of Ashley F. Morgan Law, a law firm based in Virginia.

By increasing in a linear fashion these HOA fees every year, youre diminishing the value of the asset, the home that you bought and youre so eager to maintain the value of, Berner says. Were not in 2022 when home values are just shooting through the roof, and so these little pieces on the margin really make a difference.

Still, HOA fees arent always negative. A well-managed association uses your dues to fund repairs and conduct maintenance or to rebuild reserves, all of which can make a property more attractive and marketable.

The value of what the community looks like, that does add value to our home, Meleca-Voigt admits. That is something that people comment on when they come to our house, just what a great little community it is. There is value that the HOA brings for somebody who does have the financial ability to keep up with the increases. Its very appealing.

You can lose your home if you dont pay

Living in an HOA community means agreeing to follow its rules and its covenants, which are legally binding and part of the propertys documents of record. Just like a mortgage, HOA dues are attached to your home. If you dont pay, the debt doesnt simply disappear.

Any debtor can file a lien against the property, says Brian Fox, chief revenue officer of Benutech, a real estate data solutions firm based in Southern California. If you get far enough behind on payments, state laws will determine when your HOA can file the lien. Theyre doing that to protect their owed money.

A lien is a legal claim that secures a debt to real estate. In simple terms, it means you cant sell or refinance your home without first paying off what you owe. The number of HOA liens is growing.

According to data from Benutech, HOA liens totaled 284,933 in 2025, up 8.6% from 262,446 in 2024, with Florida, Texas and California leading the way.

If the lien isnt resolved, in some cases, the HOA can initiate foreclosure proceedings to recover unpaid dues, even if youre current on your mortgage payments. Typically, if your home is sold in foreclosure, the mortgage gets paid first, then the HOA is paid afterwards.

But there are exceptions.

In several states, including Nevada, Tennessee and Washington, D.C, to name a few, HOAs have super-priority lien rights, which means they can jump ahead of your mortgage lender if you fall behind on dues.

For a growing number of homeowners, HOA debt has led to the unfortunate loss of their home. Between 2022 and 2025, HOA-related foreclosures jumped 50% nationally, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, with Florida, Texas and California as the states with the most significant activity.

Before buying a home in an HOA community

Treat HOA dues like part of the mortgage. When buying a home with an HOA, the listing price typically does not include the monthly HOA cost, so it can easily be overlooked when determining what your budget can handle. Because HOA fees are ongoing and can rise over time, its smart to stress-test your budget to make sure you can manage potential fee increases in the future.

Review the HOA agreement: Before purchasing a home with an HOA, request the HOA contract. Take the time to carefully review all documents so you know all of the rules before moving in. Check the associations budget and reserve funds, as some HOAs are managed more effectively than others. Its also helpful to read recent meeting minutes to see if there are discussions about deferred maintenance, potential lawsuits or upcoming special assessments.

Be cautious of very low dues. While lower fees may seem attractive, they can sometimes signal that the HOA isnt setting aside enough money for future repairs. If reserves are too low, the HOA may need to charge homeowners special assessments, or large, one-time fees, to cover unexpected costs.

Living in the shadow of HOA debt

When you buy a home in an HOA community, theres no opting out of the fees or special assessments. But that doesnt mean youre powerless. If you decide to challenge fee hikes or special assessments in court, Morgans advice is to be smart about it.

If youre going to do that, escrow the money, she says. If someone says, youre this far behind, you can say, I have the $20,000. Its just, I dont think I should have to pay for XYZ reasons. The judge is going to take you way more seriously.

The key, Morgan stresses, is communication. Talk to the board. Try to negotiate a plan where youre paying down what you owe while staying current, so youre not stuck in a constant cycle of playing catch-up. In some cases, she says it might make sense to prioritize paying your HOA over other debts, even your mortgage.

Your mortgage [company] is probably going to offer you a modification, she says. Your mortgage [company] is probably going to have a forbearance program. Your HOA tends to depend on that money more. So theyre less likely to be reasonable. Theyre less likely to reduce balances. Settlements are a lot less likely.

Meleca-Voigts HOA gave her the option of paying the $3,000 special assessment bill in installments, easing some of the financial strain. In 2023, her wife also joined the HOA board, giving them firsthand knowledge of how their community operates.

But even with those wins, Meleca-Voigt and Christine are planning their next move. For the past 18 months, they have been looking for a more affordable, HOA-free home that can accommodate Jos disability.

After being outbid for potential homes five times, Meleca-Voigt feels stuck, as the fear of rising HOA fees continues to cast a shadow over her finances.

If the HOA keeps increasing, we have no choice. We have no option, she says. Its scary. Im 55. I hope Ive got 30 good years left. If this is what its like five years in, what are we going to do?
Similarly, Shaya by CaratLane is seeing early traction in mens jewellery, a segment it entered only recently. Mens jewellery is an underexplored category for us, but the response has been very encouraging, said Ajith Singh Rajapoopathy, business head of Shaya by Caratlane. Prompted by the immediate success of their men's bracelets and chains last year, the company decided to expand their collection this year, focusing on chains, bracelets, and rings.
When youre planning a fitness routine, incorporating different workout formats should be a priority. No, this doesnt mean having a new workout every day, but changing the approach every few weeks is what keeps the body fresh and the muscles conditioned for various kinds of stimuli. Once youre familiar with multiple ways of training, it becomes easier to plan your weeks in advance. And not all of them need to be modern methods. Some, like the late bodybuilder Vince Girondas extremely popular honest 8x8 workout routine have endured the test of time.

Known fondly as the Iron Guru, Gironda trained Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane, both of whom went on to win a combined ten Mr Olympia titles. Hollywood stars Clint Eastwood and Sean Penn also trained under him, clear proof that Gironda knew what he was doing.

I was getting back to the gym after a short break and was looking for something to kickstart my body into action. The 8x8 routine seemed perfect: eight sets of eight reps for each exercise, with just 1530 seconds of rest in between. The format also suggests how much weight to use: 50 percent of your usual starting weight, increasing it gradually week by week. So if you typically start an incline bench press at 15kgs, then begin with 7.5kg here. Theres no need to progressively overload through the sets unless the weight feels too easy. For me, the format worked perfectly. In fact, I found it true to its name: honest.

Also Read | How smart fatigue training can improve your strength and endurance

There are, however, a few things to know before you jump into this routine. Gironda believed that you should have at least two years of lifting experience to fully benefit from it. Another rule is to dedicate about 60 minutes to the workout, which is more than enough time. Ive tried the routine three times with five exercises (the ideal range is between five and eight), and it took me around 35 minutes. This can, of course, be extended depending on your fitness level.

A big part of this workout lies in choosing the right exercises, which is perhaps why Gironda recommended some prior lifting experience. This is a high-volume routine, and he wasnt a fan of heavy compound movements. The idea is to avoid exercises like back squats; a lighter leg press, for instance, makes more sense. Similarly, you could opt for floor flys or incline dumbbell presses instead of a barbell bench press, and choose lateral raises over a heavy overhead shoulder press.

The 8x8 shocks the body into hypertrophy. The genius of Girondas system lies in its density: 8 sets create cumulative fatigue, which helps trigger hypertrophy through metabolic stress and extended time under tension. The short rest intervals keep your heart rate elevated, adding a conditioning element that makes every session feel like a test of stamina as much as strength. Because the weights arent excessively heavy, you can maintain form and focus on the muscle, which strengthens the mind-muscle connection, says a Mens Health article titled Vince Girondas 88 Training System: Simple, Brutal, and Shockingly Effective.

This isnt Girondas only enduring legacy in the fitness world. He had several other ideas and a characteristically brazen way of making them heard. Gironda is probably the first influencer who pushed against doing sit-ups. He was adamant it did nothing for the core, and this almost forced a new way of working the abs out. He was also against the bench press. Instead, he chose to invent a new variation: the neck press.

Also Read | Stuck with just one dumbbell? Try these exercises for a complete workout

The neck press (also known as the guillotine press) involves using a wider grip and lowering the barbell towards the neck rather than the upper, mid or lower chest. Gironda preferred using a Smith machine for this exercise to avoid balance issues while lowering the weight. He also suggested crossing the legs and drawing them up over the stomach, ensuring the back stays flat on the bench instead of archinga common tendency among lifters.

Take a wide grip on the bar and the elbows and upper arm should be directly under or slightly back of the barbell. Lower the bar to where your neck and upper chest meets  not to the nipple line as you would with regular bench presses. Press up to within an inch of lockout and then lower and repeat. Try for maximum stretch as you lower the bar and tense the pecs hard at the top, trying for a hard contraction, says an article on physicalculturestudy.com titled The Gironda Neck Press. Multiple studies have shown the neck press allows for maximum pec activation, something which is absolutely necessary for chest muscle growth.

Whether you perform the neck press or not, theres no denying that the honest 8x8 workout remains one of the most widely used methods to get shredded. Girondas methods and temperament were often questioned, but they worked in his time and going by the looks of it, continue to do so.

Pulasta Dhar is a football commentator and writer.

Also Read | If you want to get abs of steel, you need to learn how to do the Russian Twist
Tough there is a wartime situation just a few thousands of kilometers from Indias borders, let there not be a crisis in your investments. Do not panic and if the missiles are flying, do not let your hard efforts and planning also fly with the missiles.

Experts guide us to our investment priorities during this crisis and they have one word of advice  let your investment doctrine be your guide, not the war.

Investors should first review their overall portfolio strategy, before making any changes in their portfolio, says Amitabh Lara, Executive Director, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited.

Factors to consider The investor, before making any changes in their portfolio must look at their investment objective, risk profile, return expectations, and asset allocation. Only after these factors are reviewed should any restructuring be considered.

If the existing allocation is aligned with long-term goals, then changes may not be required even during uncertain market or geopolitical conditions.

The investor should also consider whether the objective of portfolio restructuring should be based on long-term asset allocation, and due to a change in investment objectives or if the portfolio has deviated from the intended allocation, not due to short-term market uncertainties.

Rebalancing should happen gradually over time, says Vineet Agrawal, co-founder of Jiraaf. Knee-jerk reactions, panic selling, and rushed buying should be avoided during periods of market volatility.

A better approach would be to make fresh allocations and gradually raise exposure to short- and medium-term bonds. This brings more fixed returns and regular payouts into the portfolio without forcing investors into emotional decisions. The focus should be on measured rebalancing, not abrupt portfolio shifts.

The current environment calls for a shift towards balance rather than aggressive positioning, says Tushar Sharma, Co-Founder, Bondbay. Within fixed income, investors should increase allocation to high quality bonds and reduce exposure to lower rated credit. Duration should be managed carefully, with preference for short to medium tenor instruments to reduce volatility.

Hedge against current uncertainty From a broader portfolio perspective, equities should be moderated rather than exited, with focus on resilient sectors. A small allocation to gold or silver can act as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainty and currency volatility. However, bonds should form the core stabilising component in this phase, says Sharma.

Portfolio rebalancing should ideally be carried out when there is a change in financial goals, risk tolerance has changed, time horizon has reduced, or market movements have caused the allocation to move significantly away from the original mix of equity and debt.

The allocation to bonds in a portfolio should not be decided purely based on current geopolitical events, but on asset allocation suitable for the investors time horizon and risk profile, suggests Lara. For instance, a portfolio of 10 lakhs for a long-term investor can be diversified across 80:20 allocation between equity and debt.

In the current market situation, instead of investing the entire amount in equities at once, investors may follow a staggered investment strategy. Initially, park the lump sum in Ultra short-term funds, Liquid funds, Money market / low duration debt funds and gradually shift money into equities over 6 to 8 weeks through staggered investing. This approach helps reduce timing risk and avoids investing the entire amount during a volatile phase, say experts.

For investors, instead of buying bonds directly, debt mutual funds may be more suitable as they offer diversification and professional management, says Lara. For investors in the higher tax bracket, arbitrage funds can be considered for part of the debt allocation, as they are often more tax-efficient compared to traditional debt funds while still offering relatively low volatility.

In the current environment, a balanced allocation would tilt slightly in favour of fixed income, says Sharma. For a 10 lakh portfolio, an allocation of around 40 to 50 per cent in bonds and debt instruments appears reasonable. This ensures stability and predictable income while still allowing participation in growth assets.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to deploy federal immigration agents to airports as the partial government shutdown which began on February 14 shows no signs of ending.

"I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Will arrest illegal immigrants According to Trump, ICE Agents will be deployed to immediately "arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia, who have totally destroyed, with the approval of a corrupt Governor, Attorney General, and Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, the once Great State of Minnesota".

TSA staffers to go unpaid Trump's post comes as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel are set to miss a second full paycheck on March 27 amid the partial government shutdown which is now in its 36th day.

Congressional Democrats have refused to pass appropriations bills to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of TSA.

The prolonged shutdown has forced many TSA officers to look for alternative sources of income including gig works like Amazon deliveries and driving Uber cabs to put food on their tables.

Musk offers to pay TSA staff Earlier in the day, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had offered to cover the salaries of TSA personnel during the ongoing government funding standoff.

"I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country," Musk said in an X post.

Can Trump deploy ICE at airports? The shortage of security agents has also led to travel disruptions at major airports.

Though Trump has threatened to deploy ICE agents to US airports, it is unclear if he would follow through on it.

Also Read | Rock band Radiohead urges US ICE to take down video using its song

In the past, ICE agents have been deployed to airports in the US to conduct arrests through partnerships with the TSA, targeting individuals with deportation orders.

ICE on backfoot over Minneapolis shootings Trump's threat to deploy ICE agents to airports comes at a time when the federal law enforcement agency is under fire for its high-handed crackdown on immigrants across the US over the past few months.

Also Read | Minneapolis shooting weighs heavy on Trump admin, latest poll reveals

The killing of two American citizens, Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January has turned the public sentiment against ICE across the US.

Under mounting pressure, the Trump administration was forced to remove Greg Bovino, US. Border Patrol official who became the public face of the immigration enforcement operations.

Bovino, who was the Commander-at-Large was replaced by Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan in January.

Earlier this month, Trump was forced to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Sudeshna Ghoshal

Sudeshna Ghoshal is a Content Producer for Livemint, where she decodes international affairs, US politics, besides covering general news. With nearly two years in the newsroom, she has covered a plethora of topics ranging from developments around trade deals, elections, nuances in geopolitical shifts to fine prints of Union Budgets. A fellow of the US Consulate Generals Business Communication cohort, she has also reported on airline launches, and national affairs. As a person who thinks out of the box, she aims to blend her creativity with how stories are told.<br><br> Born and raised in Kolkata, Sudeshnas academic journey has taken her across multiple cities in India, and she is now based out of Delhi. She studied English Literature and holds a postgraduate diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She also has a keen interest in foreign languages and cultures of different nations.<br><br> When the news cycle slows down, you will find her experimenting with either music or food, or dabbling with paints. She posts at sudeshna02_ and can also be reached out on LinkedIn.
Residents of Delhi's Uttam Nagar, where communal tensions had recently been triggered, observed Eid ul-Fitr on Saturday with a dampened spirit amid heavy police presence.

The usual festive buzz in the area is absent this time, ground reports said, pointing out a persistent gloom in locality the aftermath of a communal clash on Holi.

Heavy police presence in Uttam Nagar Police presence in the area was ramped up Friday onwards after the Delhi High Court directed to Delhi Police to make adequate arrangements to prevent any violence on Eid, and ordered that security arrangements be maintained till the festival of Ram Navami.

News agency PTI on Saturday reported a heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel in the area across Hastal village and adjoining localities, with barricades having been erected and security personnel carrying out strict ID checks at entry and exit points.

Only residents of the area are being allowed into certain stretches, PTI said, adding that movement of outsiders in the area has been restricted.

Foot patrols are also being carried out by police, while security personnel are monitoring rooftops and narrow lanes in particularly sensitive pockets through CCTV cameras.

"Security arrangements have been strengthened to ensure the festival passes off peacefully. We are maintaining a close watch on all developments," a senior police officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

Additional forces are on standby if the need arises, the officer added.

Communal tensions in Uttam Nagar Communal tensions erupted in Uttam Nagar earlier this month after a 26-year-old named Tarun Kumar died after getting injured in a clash between two neighbouring families in JJ Colony.

The incident took place on the day of Holi, 4 March, when an 11-year-old girl threw a water balloon from her terrace, which hit a Muslim woman, triggering an altercation between the two families.

The disagreement soon escalated into a fight, resulting in injuries to at least eight people.

Among them was Tarun Kumar, who succumbed to his injuries days later. Subsequently, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
With the ongoing conflict in West Asia entering its fourth week, supply chain disruptions, particularly through critical routes like the Strait of Hormuz, have impacted India's cooking gas availability.

Even as shortages were reported in parts of the country, the government has continued to reassure the public that domestic reserves of crude and refined fuel are sufficient to handle current demand.

India remains particularly exposed to global energy shocks as the worlds third-largest oil consumer, with heavy dependence on West Asian suppliers. Countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia account for a substantial share of its import as over 40% of crude imports and 90% of of its LPG imports are sourced from conflict-hit West Asia region.

India sources oil from alternative suppliers The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also forced India to look for alternative suppliers. To fill the gap, the country has increased its intake from West Africa and Russia. However, these "alternative" routes come higher freight and insurance charges.

In response to the nationwide shortage, the government had earlier implemented a tiered distribution strategy, prioritising supplies to domestic households, while reducing supply to commercial establishments, such as hotels and eateries.

Also Read | India taps Iran for safe passage of six LPG, two oil vessels via Hormuz strait

Meanwhile, Gujarat government said that registered citizens can now easily book cooking gas via multiple digital platforms, such as WhatsApp, missed calls, SMS, mobile applications, and official company portals. "In addition, cylinders can also be booked via partner wallets or banking apps through the Bharat Bill Payment System," it said in a release reported by PTI.

Change in LPG prices: The government has raised the cost of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders amid disruptions in supply.

The price of a 14.2 kg domestic cooking gas cylinder rose by 60, while the price of a 19 kg commercial cylinder was increased by 144 in early March across major metro cities.

No revisions have been made since. Hence, LPG cylinder prices remain steady across the country.

Price of domestic and commercial LPG in Indian cities  full list Below is the list of prices for domestic and commercial LPG cylinders across major Indian cities.

City Domestic LPG cylinder price Commercial LPG cylinder 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

It's important to note that there will be slight differences in LPG prices across the states, due to the local Value Added Tax (VAT) and freight charges.

Panic easing among people At a media briefing held on Thursday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that around 55 lakh bookings were made, down from 57 lakh on the previous day, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, pre-war average booking per day was 50-55 lakh.

"Panic booking is coming down," she was quoted as saying by the agency. She also added that the government continues to prioritise the supply of available LPG to domestic households.

However, she warned that LPG (supply) situation remains worrisome, but there is no dry out at any LPG distributor.

Speak of commercial gas supply, Sharma said that in the last week, 11,300 tonnes of commercial LPG were given to commercial establishments.
Kendra Duggar, the wife of former reality TV star Joseph Duggar, who is accused of allegedly endangering a minor's welfare, was released on Friday (local time) from the Washington County Detention Center, hours after she was taken into custody.

Also Read | What are the new charges against Joseph Duggar and Kendra Duggar?

People reported that Kendra was released on a bond of $1,470. She was arrested two days after her husband, Joseph, was arrested on Wednesday in Tontitown, Arkansas. The latter is accused of "lewd and lascivious" behaviour with a minor.

Citing information from the jail's website, TMZ reported that on Friday, the police went to Duggar's family compound in Washington County, Arkansas, with a warrant to arrest Kendra. However, she was not available and was taken into custody later.

Charges against Joseph and Kendra Duggar, who earlier featured in 19 Kids and Counting alongside his family and in three other spin-offs of their TLC reality franchise, has been accused of unlawful sexual activity. The girl, now 14, told authorities about multiple alleged incidents involving Joseph that she said occurred in 2020, when she was nine. The incidents are reported to have taken place during a family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida.

As per the report, Kendra, 27, and Joseph, 31, who have been married since 2017, each face four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department (TPD) said.

On March 18, the Bay County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) brought charges against the former reality TV star after authorities became aware of the allegations. In a statement referencing the girls complaint, officials said Joseph engaged in unlawful sexual activity after asking the minor to sit on his lap and later beside him under a blanket, where he allegedly touched her inappropriately.

Joseph Duggar admits charges? On 17 March, Joseph, in a phone call with the minor's father and a detective of the local police department, allegedly confessed to molesting the minor. According to the affidavit, Joseph also confessed that his intentions weren't pure. The former TV star reportedly approached the victim and apologized for his actions, following which the incidents stopped occurring.

Joseph waives extradition hearing rights, faces transfer to Florida On Friday, the former TV personality waived his right to an extradition hearing in Arkansas, clearing the way for his transfer to Florida to face a child molestation charge. Duggar, 31, was arrested on Thursday in Tontitown, Arkansas, where he lives with his family. Officials said authorities in Bay County, Florida, have up to 30 days to transfer him from a Washington County, Arkansas jail.
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, by his sister Ann Altman, where she alleged he sexually abused her as a child.

US District Judge Zachary Bluestone in Missouri ruled Friday that the claims made by the OpenAI CEO's sister were "untimely because the alleged abuse was so long ago, reported Bloomberg. The judge however said that Ann Altman can revise and refile her complaint.

The case in question dates back to January 2025.

A look at how the case unfolded January 2025  On January 8, 2025, Ann Altman filed a lawsuit alleging that Sam Altman abused and manipulated her while they were growing up in Missouri in the late 1990s to early 2000s. She alleged the abuse began when she was 3 years old and the last instance allegedly occurred when he was an adult but she was still a minor.

 In a post on X, Sam Altman, with his mother and two brothers, called the claims utterly untrue.

 In her complaint, Ann Altman, who was 30-years-old back then, alleged that the abuse involved "numerous acts" of rape, sexual assault, molestation, sodomy and battery until she was 11 or 12 years old.

 She sought $75,000 of damages, along with punitive damages, for alleged injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder, severe emotional distress, mental anguish and depression, Reuters reported earlier.

March 2025  Sam Altman sued his sister for defamation. He denied Ann's claims, alleging that her false statements had brought down his reputation and lead to emotional pain.

 The OpenAI CEO's attorneys also claimed Ann Altman sued him for what they described as the improper purpose of pressuring him to accede to her demands for unrestricted financial support, reported Bloomberg.

March 2026  In Friday's ruling (20 March, 2026), Judge Zachary Bluestone said Annie Altman cannot pursue sexual assault and sexual battery claims over her brother's alleged abuse between 1997 and 2006, because those claims expired in 2008, reported Reuters.
An Iranian man and a woman have been arrested after allegedly attempting to gain entry to the Faslane naval base, home to the UKs nuclear-armed submarines, amid the ongoing Iran -US-Israel conflict.

A report by Sky News mentioned that the woman is Romanian.

Police Scotland reportedly said the man aged 34-year-old and the woman aged 31-year-old woman were detained at HM Naval Base Clyde at around 17:00(local time) on Thursday.

Royal Navy said the pair had unsuccessfully attempted to access the facility near Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute, reported BBC.

The man and the woman are due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday  as per a statement from the force. It also mentioned that enquiries are currently underway.

Where is Faslane naval base? Located on Gare Loch, about 25 miles (40km) north-west of Glasgow, the Faslane base houses all of the Royal Navys nuclear submarines, including the UKs four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines which carry Trident nuclear missiles.

The arrests come amid the ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict  which has crossed its third week.

Israel-US-Iran conflict Iran launched a wave of retaliatory attacks after US, Israel jointly attacked the Islamic Republic on Saturday, 28 February. Explosions were reported across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, among other key Middle Eastern bases which are also home to US military bases.

The Islamic Republic has also been attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz  which serves as a critical oil transit corridor. It is a key route for roughly a quarter of the worlds liquefied natural gas and seaborne exports from Gulf nations to global markets.

UK allows US to use bases to strike Strait of Hormuz targets On Friday, 21 March  the UK agreed to allow the US to use British bases to launch strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz, reported BBC.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously allowed US forces to use the bases only for defensive operations, aimed at preventing Iranian missile attacks that could threaten British lives or interests.
Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG) is one of the stocks mentioned during the show, as we cover everything Jim Cramer said about the oversold market. Cramer highlighted the companys latest quarter and the following stock price action, as he commented:

Look at the stock of Signet Jewelers run. This morning, the parent company of Kay, Zales, and Jared put up a robust quarter in a very difficult environment. Stocks shot up nearly 14% in response. Thats a huge run considering that even though Signet delivered a solid earnings beat, its full-year forecast came in a little light. But theyve cleaned up the balance sheet, managed to generate a huge amount of cash flow, $525 million. Thats up 20% year over year. That was enough to get buyers very excited, even though stocks up 58% over the past 12 months. I think its not getting full credit This stock is one of the things that were going to be thinking about as a great retailer. Well be buying not as a special situation, which is what its been, but as a great retailer.

Stock market data. Photo by Burak The Weekender on Pexels

Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG) is a diamond retailer that sells jewelry through a variety of store brands, mall-based kiosks, and online platforms. The companys main brands include Kay, Zales, Jared, Peoples, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, and Blue Nile.

While we acknowledge the potential of SIG 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.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, on Saturday (local time), called for the establishment of an "Islamic Assembly of the Middle East" to coordinate cultural, economic, security, and political relations.

Pezeshkian calls for the Islamic Assembly of the Middle East Pezeshkian, in a statement posted by the Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka, denounced the need for foreign presence in the region, adding that the countries in the Middle East region should not fall into the traps set by our enemies.

He added that to ensure peace and stability in the region, an Islamic security framework should be formed among the Middle Eastern countries, which will guarantee peace, security, and stability.

Iranian President condoles Ali Khamenei's death Pezeshkian's remarks came on the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and Eid al-Fitr. In his statement, Pezeshkian also offered condolences to Iranians on the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of airstrikes launched by the US and Israel.

Pezeshkian's remarks come amid the ongoing war between the US-Israel combine and Iran, which was launched in late February, when the former targeted Tehran's key military and naval forces, killing several of its top leaders. The strikes came days after Washington and Tehran concluded the third round of talks regarding the latter's nuclear program. Following the strikes, Tehran retaliated and closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway responsible for transporting nearly one-fifth of the world's oil. Additionally, it launched strikes on US bases in the Middle East and attacked civilian infrastructure in cities like Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai.

We are not seeking turmoil: Iranian President In his statement, Pezeshkian addresses Tehran's Arab neighbours and said, "Our dear neighbours who surround Iran, you are our brothers. For any misunderstandings or damage that may have arisen in our relations, we pray that God help remove these differences." He added that Tehran is "ready" to resolve all issues with its neighbours.

Also Read | Defiant Iran prez Pezeshkian meets people on Tehran streets amid Trump warning

The Iranian President went on to say that the countries in the Middle East region "have no right to fight with one another," warning its neighbours not to fall into the trap set by their enemies. He said that Tehran is not seeking turmoil in the region and does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of any country.

In a message to the Middle Eastern countries, he said that they should not use the media to promote the narrative that blames Iran for the cause of instability in the region, and asked them to recognise that Israel is in fact behind the instability, turmoil, act of genocide in the region.

Earlier this month, Pezeshkian apologised to Tehran's Arab neighbours, saying that they would stop striking unless those countries target Iran and launch attacks. In a video message, he said back then, "The temporary leadership council approved yesterday that neighbouring countries should no longer be targeted and missiles should not be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.

Also Read | Modi dials Iran Prez, stresses on open shipping lanes
As the US-Israeli war in Iran has now entered its fourth week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) released a joint statement with the leaders of several other countries, condemning repeated attacks by Tehran and its decision to shut the Strait of Hormuz.

It also carried remarks from leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bahrain, Lithuania, Australia, and Romania.

Nations condemn Iran for attacks on civilian infrastructure In the statement, the countries strongly denounced what they described as Irans recent strikes on unarmed commercial shipping in the Gulf, as well as attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, and actions that have effectively led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The US and Israel waged war against Iran The remarks come at a time when the conflict in the Middle East has entered its fourth week, with no signs of easing. In February, Washington and Tel Aviv launched strikes against Iran, targeting its military and naval forces, and killing several of its top leaders, including the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the strikes. Following Khamenei's death, Tehran vowed to avenge his death. In retaliation, the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway, responsible for roughly 20% of transporting the world's oil. It also launched strikes targeting Israel and US military bases in the region.

Tehran also targeted oil and gas facilities in the region and civilian infrastructure across cities in the region, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Joint statement calls on Iran to cease threats Expressing concerns amid the ongoing conflict, the leaders in the joint statement called on Iran to "cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the Strait of commercial shipping." It also asked Tehran to comply with the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2817.

Leaders express readiness to ensure passage through Hormuz The leaders of these countries also expressed their willingness to contribute to appropriate efforts to guarantee safe passage through the Strait. Additionally, the group welcomed the International Energy Agency's (IEA) decision to release 400 million barrels of oil from its emergency reserves amid the fears of oil supply disruption. The group added that it will take additional steps to stabilise the global energy markets, which include working with certain producing nations to increase output.

The statement came days after US President Donald Trump said he is considering "winding down" military operations in the Middle East, a stance that is seemingly different from that of his administration and Israel. Washington also decided to send another three amphibious assault ships and nearly 2,500 Marines to the region.

His remarks are seemingly at odds with even his administration's move to bolster its firepower in the region.
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. It's 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. It's an aromatic, short-grain variety with a low glycaemic index, making it suitable for people with diabetes. Another positive of this rice is that it contains three-times the protein content of regular varieties (about 17%).
As the financial year closes, both employers and investors are making calculated adjustmentsreshaping salaries, reviewing tax strategies and rebalancing portfoliosto stay aligned with changing rules and market conditions.

For companies, the biggest shift lies in salary restructuring. The revised definition of wages requires basic pay and most allowances to make up at least 50% of total compensation. That, in turn, raises the weight of components such as provident fund and gratuity, which are linked to basic pay.

The likely response: higher basic salaries and slimmer flexible allowances, especially as more employees move to the new tax regime with fewer exemptions. For individuals, though, the choice between tax regimes is far from straightforward. Higher exemption limits on components such as HRA, childrens education allowance and meal vouchers mean the old regime still holds appeal for some. The result is a more careful, case-by-case evaluation.

Even as structures shift, employers will try to keep take-home pay broadly stable, often by trimming residual components such as special allowance. As Shefali Anand explains, pay packages are becoming more standardized, with fewer but more meaningful elements.

View full Image View full Image (Graphics: Mint)

A parallel year-end ritual is tax harvestingselling investments to manage capital gains tax. Investors can book losses to offset gains or realise profits, given that the first 1.25 lakh of long-term capital gains on equities remains tax-exempt.

As the financial year draws to a close, many investors begin reviewing their portfolios to see if they can reduce their tax outgo.

This temptation may be even stronger in the current market environment, shaped by evolving geopolitical tensions. While tax harvesting is an efficient tax planning tool, it can turn into a poor investment strategy if it disrupts your asset allocation. The tax saved may be insignificant compared to potential losses from exiting investments prematurely or entering asset classes at their peak because they look like the winning asset class.

This story is a must-read to help you stay disciplined and focused on long-term goals.

View full Image View full Image (Graphics: Mint)

Tax enforcement is also tightening elsewhere. After India imposed a steep 30% tax on crypto gains and a 1% TDS in 2022, trading activity shifted offshore, drawn by lower compliance and greater opacity. That window is closing. With India aligning to the OECDs Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework, cross-border data sharing is set to expand, requiring foreign exchanges to report user holdings and transactions. The anonymity that once defined offshore crypto investing is rapidly eroding.

In this story, Ann Jacob explains how these changes will ensure that crypto can no longer function as a means to evade taxes.

Planning for longevity, resisting easy money Beyond taxes, two broader investment themes stand out.

First, we are living longer and if you believe in the concept of longevity, which is not just about adding more years to life, but adding more active years you would also realise that kind of active years must be matched with adequate wealth. This shift means preparing for a longer, more active retirement phase, backed by a well-defined and disciplined strategy.

Anagh Pal outlines practical approaches, from deploying savings from EPF and PPF to fixed-income instruments to cover non-discretionary expenses to unlocking the benefits of Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP), a tax-efficient way to fund ongoing expenses while allowing your mutual fund corpus to continue growing. The story highlights the critical role of healthcare costs in retirement, an aspect you cannot afford to overlook.

The second story is not really about investing, but about the hopes of getting rich quickly through stock market trading.

Ananya Grover speaks to individuals who left their jobs to pursue trading full-time. Despite multiple studies by Sebi showing that trading is a losing game for most retail participants, rare success stories continue to fuel hope among those who choose this path. Recent regulatory and cost changes such as higher minimum contract sizes for index derivatives, restrictions on weekly expiries and an increase in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) have made this chase even more challenging.

The takeaway is clear: full-time trading requires not only skill and discipline but also substantial capital that is separate from ones everyday financial needs. For most retail investors, a more prudent strategy is to focus on mutual funds and maintain disciplined asset allocation to build long-term wealth.

Geopolitics, too, is shaping personal finances in less obvious ways. Mint Money also brings you two stories on how the current geopolitical environment is affecting your finances.

The first, by Ann Jacob, explains why fuel prices in India have remained relatively steady despite a rise in crude oil prices amid ongoing Iran-Israel-US tensions. In the US, for instance, a gallon of regular petrol that averaged $2.94 in February now costs $3.58. In comparison, petrol in Mumbai has held steady at around 103 per litre.

This stability reflects a shock absorber approach, where government policy and oil marketing companies (OMCs) prevent the immediate pass-through of higher costs to consumers. OMCs absorb part of the burden, cushioning households from sudden price spikes. Conversely, when crude prices fall, some of the gains are retained, which is why prices dont ease as quickly. That said, this buffer has limitsIndia cannot avoid price hikes indefinitely.

The second story, by Shipra Singh, explains why travel insurance offers little protection during war-related disruptions. Most policies include a standard exclusion clause that does not cover losses arising directly or indirectly due to war, hostilities or government restrictions. In practical terms, this means cancelled flights, missed connections or extended hotel stays in such situations are unlikely to be covered.

Finally, within insurance, while super top-up plans are widely seen as a cost-effective way to enhance health cover, making a claim on them can be cumbersome. Insurers typically require proof that the deductible has been paidusually a settlement letter from the primary insurer detailing how much has been paid to the hospital. This process can take weeks or even months, as insurers and hospitals dont finalise bills instantly. By then, the promise of cashless top-up coverage often falls short.

So what can you do to make a super top-up plan work in your favour? And how do you choose the right one? I spoke to Kapil Mehta, co-founder of SecureNow Insurance Broker and Mint columnist, to break it down. Watch the full video to learn more.
Questions about the videos authenticity arose after Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) assistant from X., flagged some as suspicious. The back-and-forth was the latest demonstration of one of the dangers that AI technology has posed to global affairs: Not only can AI fakery deceive millions online, but real videos can also be dismissed as AI-generated lies, a New York Times report said. The phenomenon, known as the liars dividend, has proliferated during the current West Asia conflict, with thousands of videos leaving watchers unable to tell the difference.
With a market cap of $5.6 billion, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) is a global food company that produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other international markets. The company offers a wide range of products, including frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers, under its own brands like Grown in Idaho and Alexia, as well as private labels for retailers.

Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally considered "mid-cap" stocks, and Lamb Weston fits this criterion perfectly. It serves a diverse customer base through an extensive sales and distribution network, reaching restaurants, grocery retailers, and foodservice institutions worldwide.

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Shares of the Eagle, Idaho-based company have pulled back 39.4% from its 52-week high of $67.07. LW stock has declined 7.5% over the past three months, lagging behind the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLP) 4.1% gain over the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

LW stock is down nearly 3% on a YTD basis, underperforming XLPs 5.5% rise. Longer term, shares of Lamb Weston have dipped 22.9% over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLPs 2.8% return over the same time frame.

Despite recent fluctuations, the stock has been trading below its 50-day moving average since early November 2025. Also, it has fallen below its 200-day moving average since late December 2025.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Lamb Weston tumbled 25.9% on Dec. 19, 2025, after the company reported Q2 2026 results, where constant-currency sales were flat as an 8% volume increase was fully offset by an 8% decline in price/mix, signaling pricing pressure in a competitive market. Adjusted gross profit declined due to this unfavorable pricing mix, and adjusted EPS of $0.69, while beating estimates, still fell from $0.73 a year earlier. Additionally, the company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 revenue guidance of $6.35 billion - $6.45 billion, below the consensus, further disappointing investors.

However, rival The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) has lagged behind LW stock. Shares of Kraft Heinz have declined 27.2% over the past 52 weeks and 10.3% on a YTD basis.
A Longford town man has pleaded guilty to punching his neighbour several times during a vicious assault on the victim which left him with a black eye and bruising.

Christopher Kelly (58) of Ard Na Ri, Ardnacassa, Longford admitted the violent attack on the man who sustained a black eye and bruising after the defendant 'lost his temper' on July 30, 2024.

Sergeant Enda Daly, for the State, said gardai received a report that a man had been assaulted and they quickly made their way to the scene and spoke with two men, including the defendant.

Officers invited the men to make a statement and Mr Kelly admitted that he had 'lost his temper' struck the victim 'several times'.

READ NEXT: Longford meeting hears calls for emergency payment to be made to people with disabilities

Sgt Daly said gardai observed CCTV footage, which corroborated that version of events, and captured the defendant striking the victim a number of times.

Sgt Daly addressed Judge Bernadette Owens and said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that Mr Kelly be charged with assault causing harm.

Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction, which means the case can be dealt with in the district court.

Sgt Daly stated the situation was connected to an ongoing issue between neighbours.

READ NEXT: Countdown to the Ploughing: Welcome to Ballymahon the cradle of Longford Ploughing

The prosecuting officer also described the injuries suffered by the victim as being a black eye and bruising to his arm and he said gardai would need additional time to ask the victim if he wanted to make a victim impact statement outlining the affect the assault had on him.

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said they had no problem with that and he indicated mitigation would be presented to Judge Owens at the next court appearance.

Judge Owens subsequently remanded Mr Kelly on bail and the adjourned the case until May 12.
With forestry seen as key to delivering Irelands housing and climate targets, a third-generation timber processing business established in Longford looks set to scale even greater heights of success.

A ministerial visit to The Glennon Brothers 18 million timber frame home manufacturing facility in North Ayrshire, Scotland - Alexanders Timber Design- highlighted the importance of a more collaborative approach to forestry, sawmilling and using locally-sourced timber in construction, a method currently being demonstrated by The Glennon Brothers.

John Cummins, Minister of State with responsibility for Housing, Local Government and Planning, visited the premises as part of the Governments St Patricks Day Global Outreach programme.

Mike Glennon - who is managing director of the company alongside his brother Pat - discussed with Minister Cummins the need for more commercial forests in Ireland in order to meet future demand for construction-grade timber.

READ NEXT: Longford meeting hears calls for emergency payment to be made to people with disabilities

This approach would form part of a broader effort to resolve delays in housing delivery.

Said Mike, With just 2,500 hectares planted in 2025, against a Government target of 8,000 hectares and climate change target of 16,000, Ireland must increase forest cover to avoid significant EU penalties. At present, only 30% of planting is suitable for housebuilding, limiting the supply of timber needed for the construction sector.

He added, As an Irish company with deep roots in Longford and major operations across Ireland and Scotland, Glennon Brothers is continuing to invest in the capacity, skills and manufacturing needed to support greater use of homegrown timber in construction.

The Glennon Brothers state-of-the-art Scottish facility showcased their from forest to front door model using advanced robotics, digital design systems and precision engineering.

Much of the timber used in the manufacturing process is sourced from forests within a 70-mile radius, before being processed at the Glennon Brothers sawmill in nearby Troon and then converted into timber frame homes at the state-of-the-art facility for housing developments across Scotlands central belt.



During the trip, Minister Cummins praised the innovation of Pat and Mike Glennon, and complemented their work in both Ireland and Scotland, noting that facilities such as theirs demonstrated exactly how such expertise could help deliver sustainable homes at scale.

READ NEXT: 'Committed to supporting our people': Longford-based company wins Best Workplaces award
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Powerful, full-featured DAW

Affordable with either perpetual and subscription licenses

Clip launcher, live performance, and project mastering modules

Excellent virtual instruments and effects

Interfaces with Splice and other music-related services Cons Can be pricey over time

Some minor bugs in this release. Our Verdict Presonuss powerful Studio One DAW has been rebranded and significantly upgraded to Fender Studio Pro 8. Guitarists will be especially intrigued by the new amp sims, while program remains a more-than-worthy competitor to Logic Pro X and Mainstage for all musicians. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today

Best Prices Today: Fender Studio Pro

Retailer Price Fender $199 View Deal Product Price

We assumed that with the release of Fender Studio, a free basic audio recording app, somewhere down the line a pro version would appear and that it would also be based on Presonuss flagship Studio One digital audio workstation. Presonus being the Louisiana company that Fender acquired for its highly-regarded software and audio interfaces.

Well, said pro DAW is here and its monikered as Fender Studio Pro. While its rebranded, it remains true to the power of its forebearer, and has evolved significantly as of the just-released version 8.

Theres also been a rebranding of Presonuss other software as well as the Quantum LT/HD and AudioBox interfaces and controllers. Yup, basically its goodbye to the Presonus name, though the brand transition is not complete.

What are Fender Pro Studios features?

Studio Pros features are vast, varied, and in a couple of cases, unique. Primarily, its a DAW that lets you record and play back MIDI info and audio, then edit, process, assemble, and output both in myriad ways. These are saved as sessions (formerly songs). Why the change? Dont know.

But Studio Pro is also unusual in integrating a module which allows you to create live performance shows with sets of songs including backing/canned tracks. You can assign tracks to various players as well. Its similar to Apples Mainstage, a $30 standalone application.

Studio Pros live performance module.

Completely unique to Studio Pro is a mastering module that lets you create projects where you apply similar effects and processing to multiple mixdowns so that all they have the same timbre, volume, etc. There are a host of features such as advanced metering, and output to various types of media, including online services.

Fender Studio Pros project mastering section. Note the advanced metering options.

Fender Studio Pro presents tracks in the traditional way, stacked vertically. Along with MIDI and audio tracks, there are time signature, lyric, marker, tempo, etc. tracks. Theres also an arranger track that allows you to divide sessions into regions (Arranger sections in Fender-speak) and move/copy those regions about about the arranger timeline. Dont like that bridge after the second chorus? Move to after the third.

Additionally, theres a clip/scene-based launcher of the kind that made Ableton Live famous. Basically you create independent clips (from arranger track material), play them independently or stack them in scenes so they can also be played in groups. Its a boon for on-the-fly music creation, DJing, and live performance.

All DAWs these days support virtual instruments, i.e. software simulations of just about any instrument you can think of, and some you havent. A few that Fender includes with Studio Pro are a drum sampler (Impact), regular samplers (SampleOne and Presence), synthesizers (Mojito, Mai Tai), plus some cinematic soundscapes and a lot more.

Studio Pros Mai Tai synthesizer.

If you want even more loops, sounds, etc., Studio Pro interfaces with Splice.com, the online sound and loop service ($4.99 a month to start) as well as Fenders own curated Studio Pro + collection (see the pricing section below). Fender also provides a license for the brand-new Tonalic, a guitar-focused loops and performance instrument that integrates into Studio Pro via ARA or as a standalone instrument  think of it as EZ Drummer on steroids for strummers.

Tonalic, the guitar-oriented loop/performance instrument/service shown deeply integrated into Studio Pro via ARA.

Personally, I have no need for someone to play guitar for me. However, I did have fun bouncing some of the Tonalic clips to audio, then extracting the MIDI and playing various games with the results, such as creating grooves from them.

There are also numerous audio processing plug-ins (over 45 of them in Studio Pro) that simulate real life audio effects such as compressors, reverbs, delays, etc. They can even simulate various types of amplifiers and guitar FX.

Just a few of Fender Studio Pros FX.

Which brings us to the somewhat unique, and (by my ear) extremely authentic replications of Fender (and other popular) amplifiers, courtesy of plugin versions of the Fenders Mustang (Guitar) and Rumble (Bass) modeling amps.

Note that the majority of the virtual instruments and plug-ins found in Fender Pro Studio are proprietary and cant be used in other DAWs. Same with grooves, etc. Bummer.

The Fender Mustang modeling amp plug-in that ships with Fender Studio Pro.

In case youre reading this, but know nothing of the musical instrument industry, Fender was started way back in the late 1940s by Leo Fender, who created both iconic guitars and guitar amplifiers. Its no longer privately owned, but what is these days?

Iconic? Look at any ancient Buddy Holly video and youre likely to see him strumming a Fender classic, and mainstay of countless guit-fiddlers, the Stratocaster. Same with any recent Eric Clapton video. I have three. Most guitar players own at least one. Most country players also own another classic, the Telecaster.

Other features include AI stem separation (pulling individual vocal and instrument tracks out of recorded songs.), inline notation, and ARA integration for inline advanced audio editing (pitch and phoneme adjustment) using third-party programs such as Celemony Melodyne. A license for the essential version of the latter is included with Fender Studio Pro.

The Fender Studio Pro Stem separation dialog. Other means pianos, guitars, etc.

Ive only scratched the feature surface here. Long-time users could list (and no doubt ask for) a lot more, but Ill just say that nearly everything I went looking for, I found. Below is the audio menu demonstrating just how many features youll find, as well as just how large and cumbersome Studio Pros menus have become.

The audio menu demonstrating just how many features youll find in Studio Pro, and just how labyrinthine the programs menus have become.

Whats new in Fender Studio Pro?

Fender Studio Pro adds two new overviews to help you visualize your song/session: the arrangement/timeline overview that helps you better navigate your session (in the image below at the top of the window), and a channel plugin overview shown in the next image.

The session overview panel at the top lets you quickly navigate the contents of a session. Also shown is the Melodyne via ARA and the various lyric, tempo, marker, etc. tracks.

The channel overview pane shows control-focused versions of the plugins and instruments present on a track. This lets you adjust major parameters without having to open their child windows (mostly). It also lets you map controls from third-party plug-ins if they dont show up automatically.

This plugin overview pane (just above the transport in the image below) is common in other DAWs, but the Studio developers likely didnt feel the need because you can switch between the virtual instruments and FX within one child window via a list of them at the top of said window. Few other DAWs allow this.

Fender Studio Pro 8 with the new channel/plug-in overview and browser shown.

Two things I dont care for in the channel overview is its fixed size (most are), and the navigation tabs at the bottom which take up a lot of screen real estate. It does detach and float which somewhat mitigates those criticisms.

Next up is Audio to Notes (converting audio to MIDI messages), something the program is also a bit tardy to the table with. For example, with audio to MIDI you can take a guitar recording, extract the notes and fatten up the mix using said MIDI notes to play a virtual guitar instrument. Thats just one example.

Extract notes and drums are audio to MIDI conversions.

If you find metronome click tracks boring, theres a new and unique-among-DAWs musical metronome that plays drum beats. You can select from a wide range of styles and grooves if you want to spice things up or just swing along. Think of it as Logic Pro Xs Drummers (sans fills) linked to the metronome. You can also stick with a plain click, but replace the sound with any number of other percussive audio samples.

The Fender Studio Pro metronome set to play 60s Rock rather than a plain click.

A feature I particularly appreciate is the Record Now option in the new file dialog. Selecting this opens a new project with a single audio track armed and ready to rumble (record), reducing the configuration overhead that might spoil that ephemeral inspiration youre experiencing.

Even better would be an option to immediately start recording without further user intervention (its only a single keystroke, but) and a MIDI track set to record as well. Maybe in the next version.

Record Now gets you up and running before that ephemeral inspiration disappears.

Theres of course direct import from the free Fender Studio app. For those seeking creative stimulation, there are also a chord plug-in and chord track that will help you create and flesh out progressions (series of chords).

Note that the Fender amp simulations are also a new feature in Studio Pro 8, though they first appeared in the app.

How easy is Fender Pro Studio to use?

Visit any DAW forum, youll soon realize that ease-of-use is in the eye of the beholder. Opinions (and emotions) vary wildly, and much depends on your habits, needs, and experience. However

Given the extremely complex and feature rich nature of modern DAWs (vendors have been piling on features for a good three decades now), Fender Studio Pro is easy to use and offers a decently short learning curve given some previous DAW experience.

It utilizes a paned/sectioned interface, though you can detach some of the panes as floating windows. For some reason you cant do this with the toolbar or transport bar which would be best-served by this in my book.

Fender Studio Pros clip launcher.

Generally speaking, the updated look of the interface is a bit less angular and harsh (my take on the original). Its a little rounder in spots, and sections in the toolbar and transport are easier for the eye to delineate than before.

I also appreciate that youre now able (this was added previously) to customize the Inspector (Track info pane), Transport (play, record, etc. buttons) bar, the toolbar, and the file browsing pane to reduce clutter quite a bit. New for this version is customization of the track header. Youll notice in some of the screen caps that the number of icons in the transport and toolbar were greatly reduced by yours truly.

There is still more small text and monochromatic icons than Id like, as well as those decidedly long-winded menus pictured above in the features section. But on the whole the program is far, far easier to navigate, less visually confusing, and easier to use than it once was. Id say it was vying for the top spot in that category.

Studio Pro also allows multiple songs, sessions, and mastering projects to be open without devolving into a crash fest or completely bogging down your system. Thats kind of rare and can make large ventures a lot easier.

How does Fender Studio Pro sound and perform?

Theres a continual, nonsensical debate among some concerning the overall sound of a DAW, which is often more about shape consciousness than the actual audio engineall of which are basically flawless sonically at this point. If there ever were DAWs that didnt sound as good as others, theyre long gone.

Fender Studio Pros audio setup page.

Whats really in play is not the DAW, but the quality of the instruments and FX, which are almost uniformly fantastic these days. All the Fender Studio Pro instruments and FX I played with (all of them at some point) are aurally excellent, as were all my recordings: guitar, bass, and really bad vocals.

I found the stem separation as good, or in some cases better than any other program Ive tried. Most DAWs feature stem separation these days, and big hint: Youll get much better results from audio to MIDI algorithms if you first separate mixdowns into stems.

When using separated stems, said audio to MIDI (Extract commands) for drums was nearly perfect note-wise, though velocities tended to miss subtleties. Bass notes were close, though some attacks didnt make it through. To be fair, I play bass with my fingers and sharper attacks would likely register better. The guitar track was Well the ideas were there.

As with all the other audio to MIDI Ive tried, success depends on the quality of the audio youre processing and sounds involved. Distinct transients help. A lot of editing can be required to match the MIDI results to the source audio, or not. Again, this is all par for the course with the current state of the technology.

The blue bar is actually audio performance, the MIDI plug only shows input as MIDI has little to now effect on overall performance.

I found Studio Pros playback and audio recording performance more than adequate, with decently low resource consumption. Full disclosure: I worked on a very, very fast M4 Max Studio and never exceeded 24 tracks.

I did, unfortunately run into an issue with MIDI which seems to have been a conflict with already installed Studio One 7.2. The MIDI monitor showed that messages were arriving from my keyboards, MIDI guitar controller, etc. However, they were not passed on to the track or the virtual instruments they contained, i.e., I could not record MIDI or play virtual instruments.

Uninstalling Studio One 7.2, then uninstalling and reinstalling Fender Studio Pro with an app cleaner fixed the issue (just reinstalling did not fix things), but they should be able to co-exist. Regardless, I like Studio Pro 8 so much that I wont miss 7.2 in the least.

How much does Fender Studio Pro cost?

Theres some pretty good news in the cost-of-ownership department. Fender Studio Pro is available for macOS, Windows, and even Linux with a perpetual license for $200, the same as Apples own Logic Pro X, and a lot cheaper than alternatives such as Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, Bitwig Studio, etc.

The current pricing for Fender Studio Pro.

A perpetual license is the best bet if you have your own FX and instrument plug-ins or can make do with Studio Pros very competent bundled stuff, though your $200 only covers updates for the subsequent 12 months. To be honest, the updates from Presonus were hardly what were promised when they first started offering the subscription so youre likely going to have to upgrade for $99 if that must have feature appears more than a year later. Or

Theres also a subscription plan for $180 a year that includes the perpetual license plus 12 months access to the Pro + content: samples, loops, the Notion notation software, etc. You may also pay $20 monthly for the program and Pro + if you only need music production for a little while. Its also a good way to scope out the program to see if you like it, and or use once in a while for the mastering section.

Theres no trial or demo version available, so thats pretty much your only way to kick the tires. Upgrades from 7.2 are $99.

Should you opt for Fender Studio Pro?

Theres absolutely no musical task that Studio Pro doesnt cover or excel at, and mastering project section is worth the price of admission on its own for multi-song projects and publishing. Additionally, I think the amp simulations are top-notch. I really enjoyed playing through them.

But as I said earlier, a DAW must fit your needs and habits, aka workflow. Theres no trial or demo, but $20 and you can kick the tires for a full month.

Current users with perpetual licenses and no subscription will likely want to upgrade, and I think theres enough new stuff to warrant it. That said, 7.2 is still plenty capable. Youre on your own with that decision.
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CF Industries Holdings (CF) has drawn fresh attention after filing a definitive proxy statement on March 17, urging shareholders to vote against a proposal that would tighten oversight of senior executives severance packages.

See our latest analysis for CF Industries Holdings.

Despite a 0.5% 1 day share price decline and a 3.6% 7 day share price pullback to US$124.90, CF Industries still shows strong momentum with a 30.4% 30 day share price return and a 66.5% 1 year total shareholder return, helped by tighter nitrogen supply, recent earnings outperformance and ongoing legal and regulatory headlines that are shaping how investors view both opportunity and risk.

If this kind of commodity linked move has your attention, it can be useful to see what else is moving in related areas via the 89 nuclear energy infrastructure stocks

After a 66.5% 1 year total return and a share price that sits above the average analyst target, investors now have to ask: is CF Industries still mispriced, or is the recent rally already reflecting future growth?

Most Popular Narrative: 28% Overvalued

With CF Industries at $124.90 against a narrative fair value of $97.74, the widely followed view is that the recent nitrogen driven rally runs ahead of modeled cash flows, all built on assumptions discounted at 7.68%.

The tight global nitrogen supply-demand balance, currently driven by chronic supply-side constraints and geopolitical disruptions, is at risk as new capacity from China and other regions and policy changes could lead to overcapacity, putting downward pressure on nitrogen pricing, revenue, and net margins in the coming years.

Read the complete narrative.

Want to see what happens when shrinking earnings, flat to weaker revenues, and a higher future P/E are all fed into the same 7.68% discount rate model? The tension between current margins, expected compression, and heavy buybacks sits at the core of this valuation story. The full narrative explains how those moving parts add up to a fair value well below todays price.

Result: Fair Value of $97.74 (OVERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, tight nitrogen markets and CF Industries' low cost North American production could keep margins firmer than modeled, while low carbon ammonia projects may support higher future earnings multiples.

Find out about the key risks to this CF Industries Holdings narrative.
Q : Can you explain the drivers behind the positive G&A dynamics this quarter and whether this level is sustainable for 2026? A : Juliano Melnick, CFO, explained that the positive G&A was due to the full provisioning of the results participation program, which was recalculated during the quarter. This adjustment realigned the G&A, and while it was specific to the quarter, it reflects the company's ongoing efforts to manage expenses efficiently.

The gross margin, excluding financing, was 28.7%, which, despite being an improvement, still reflects pressure on profitability.

The company began operations in Sao Paulo through partnerships, diversifying its market presence and reducing dependency on Porto Alegre's high and middle-income segments.

Melnick Desenvolvimento Imobiliario SA ( BSP:MELK3 ) ended 2025 with the best performance in key indicators such as launches, sales, inventory, and profit.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Net Sales (Excluding Melnick Partners): BRL325 million in the quarter; BRL927 million in the year, an 11% increase from the previous year.

Story Continues

Q: How do you view the launch and sales dynamics in Porto Alegre for 2026? A: Juliano Melnick noted that sales are solid with lower competition in the region, reflected in a strong SOS of around 48% for recent launches. CEO Leandro Melnick added that the company is cautious with launch volumes, ensuring high absorption rates and maintaining low finished inventory levels.

Q: What is your strategy for the low-income affordable segment, and how do you plan to expand operations in this area? A: Juliano Melnick highlighted that the company has focused on the affordable segment through its subsidiary, Open, which targets Level 3 projects in Porto Alegre. The strategy involves leveraging a well-positioned land bank and maintaining strong sales performance, with plans for gradual expansion while managing risks.

Q: What are your expectations for cash generation and leverage in 2026? A: Juliano Melnick stated that the company aims for neutral to positive cash generation, maintaining a conservative leverage policy with a target range of zero to 35%. The focus is on quality leverage, primarily through Federal Home loans, and balancing cash generation with dividend payouts and growth opportunities.

Q: How do you plan to manage the oldest inventory, particularly hotels and commercial spaces, for recurring revenue? A: Juliano Melnick explained that while the company does not focus on income-generating assets, it manages existing inventory effectively through leasing and strategic sales. The aim is to maximize profitability from these assets while maintaining flexibility to sell at opportune times.

Q: There was a decrease in gross margin this quarter. Is this a one-time event, or will it affect future margins? A: Juliano Melnick attributed the margin decrease to a strategic land purchase adjacent to a high-end project, which temporarily impacted costs. This is expected to be offset in future quarters, and overall margins are anticipated to stabilize, with some variability due to events like Melnick Day.

Q: What is the competition like for purchasing land in the affordable segment, and what are the main challenges? A: Juliano Melnick noted that competition for suitable land in Porto Alegre is less intense than in other regions. The company has strategically acquired land with favorable characteristics for the affordable segment, allowing for continued growth in this area.

Q: How are construction costs, particularly labor, impacting your operations? A: Juliano Melnick acknowledged labor costs as a long-term concern but emphasized the company's focus on cost control through concentrated operations in Porto Alegre. Melnick leverages strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to manage costs effectively.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
About 75% of patients in Sri Lanka have pulmonary tuberculosis, with 5,500 spreading the bacteria. Early screening stops the spread.

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Latent TB : Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is a dormant infection where bacteria stay in the body without causing symptoms or spreading to others.(   Trusted Source

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: Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is a dormant infection where bacteria stay in the body without causing symptoms or spreading to others.( Active TB: In active TB, the bacteria multiply, causing illness. You feel sick. If the infection is in the lungs, it is contagious. Immediate treatment is crucial to stop the spread and ensure recovery.

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High blood glucose levels (diabetes)

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A persistent cough

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Vaccination : In Sri Lanka, the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is a mandatory immunization program for infants and children. It is highly effective at preventing severe, life-threatening forms of TB, preventing mortality risk.

: In Sri Lanka, the is a mandatory immunization program for infants and children. It is highly effective at preventing severe, life-threatening forms of TB, preventing mortality risk. Environmental Controls : TB bacteria actively thrive in stagnant air but are killed by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Keep windows open to ensure fresh air circulation. Allow natural sunlight into living and working spaces.

: TB bacteria actively thrive in stagnant air but are killed by from the sun. Keep windows open to ensure fresh air circulation. Allow natural sunlight into living and working spaces. The Role of Masks and Physical Barriers: Wearing a mask or covering your mouth with a tissue or elbow while you cough or sneeze, acts as a physical barrier to reduce the spread of airborne TB infection.

How Public Cooperation Can Help End Tuberculosis Crisis in Sri Lanka by 2035

National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases - (https://www.nptccd.health.gov.lk/) Tuberculosis - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis#:~:text=Multidrug%2Dresistant%20TB%20(MDR%2D,Tuberculosis%20is%20preventable%20and%20curable) Implementation of prophylactic treatment for tuberculosis in Sri Lanka - (https://www.epid.gov.lk/storage/post/pdfs/en_6602904aa6a75_Vol_51_no_10-english.pdf)

reveals that Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the worlds oldest and most persistent health threats. In a recent briefing, health officials confirmed that in Sri Lanka around.(. Further, experts estimate that approximately 5,000 people are currently living with undiagnosed TB.While the bacteria can attack any part of the body, including the kidneys, spine, or brain, it most commonly affects the lungs known as pulmonary tuberculosis It is important to distinguish between two states of the disease:TB is an airborne disease.The released tiny invisible particles of saliva or mucus contain  which are so light that they stay suspended in air for several hours. Anyone nearby who breathes in these droplets can become infected.This condition explains why, specifically in crowded urban areas like, where close contact is frequent.Several underlying conditions or comorbidities and lifestyle factors may heighten the risk of TB infection. They are:(Early detection is the only way to bridge the diagnosis gap in 5,000 TB cases. You should consult a physician if you experience:In Sri Lanka, TB affects men more than women; of the cases reported last year (2025),. This may be due to higher rates of smoking ) or making delay in seeking medical advice ().Around one in four people worldwide carry the TB bacteria..() The risk of TB infection is much higher for, whose immune systems are still developing.TB is both preventable and curable. Protecting yourself and your family involves a combination of health monitoring and healthy lifestyle habits as follows:. (3) But this requires public cooperation. To reach this, the NPTCCD is focused on finding 5,000 undiagnosed cases, providing free treatment, and ensuring no family faces high medical costs.In observance of, Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to the World Health Organizations (WHO) End TB Strategy. Despite the detection of 8,726 cases in 2025, epidemiological estimates suggest a significant diagnosis gap of approximately 5,000 undiagnosed individuals currently within the community.Source-Medindia
Q : Can you explain the drivers behind the positive G&A dynamics this quarter and whether this level is sustainable for 2026? A : Juliano Melnick, CFO, explained that the positive G&A dynamics were due to provisions for the results participation program, which were recalculated during the quarter. This adjustment realigned the G&A, and while it was specific to the quarter, it reflects a broader strategy of maintaining efficiency.

The gross margin saw a decrease due to an isolated event involving the purchase of a lot, which may affect short-term financial performance.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Net Sales (excluding Melnick Partners): BRL325 million in the quarter; BRL927 million in the year, an 11% increase from the previous year.

Story Continues

Q: How do you view the launch and sales dynamics in Porto Alegre for 2026? A: Juliano Melnick noted that sales are solid with lower competition in the region, reflected in a strong SOS of around 48% for recent launches. CEO Leandro Melnick added that they are cautious with launch volumes to ensure high absorption rates, aiming to end the year with less than 10% finished inventory.

Q: What is your strategy for the low-income affordable segment, and how do you plan to expand operations? A: Juliano Melnick highlighted that their subsidiary, Open, focuses on the affordable segment, particularly in Porto Alegre and surrounding areas. They have built a significant land bank for Level 3 projects, with strong sales performance and good margins, and plan to gradually increase operations while managing risks.

Q: What are your expectations for cash generation and leverage in 2026? A: Juliano Melnick stated that they aim for neutral to positive cash generation, maintaining a conservative leverage policy within a 0-35% range. The focus is on quality leverage, primarily from Federal Home loans, and balancing cash generation with dividend payouts and growth opportunities.

Q: How do you plan to manage the oldest inventory, particularly hotels and commercial spaces? A: Juliano Melnick explained that while they do not focus on recurring revenue, they manage these assets for profitability through leasing. The strategy is to hold onto these well-occupied assets until a favorable market condition arises for selling.

Q: There was a decrease in gross margin this quarter. Is this a one-time event or a trend? A: Juliano Melnick clarified that the margin decrease was due to the strategic purchase of a lot next to a high-end project, which temporarily affected margins. This is expected to be offset in future quarters, and margins should stabilize over the year.

Q: What is the competition like for purchasing land for Open, and what are the main challenges? A: Juliano Melnick noted that competition for suitable land in Porto Alegre is not as intense as in other regions. They have capitalized on the opportunity to convert middle-income lots to affordable housing, building a strong land bank for future growth.

Q: How are construction costs, particularly labor costs, impacting your operations? A: Juliano Melnick acknowledged labor costs as a long-term concern but emphasized their focus on controlling costs through strategic project locations and strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers in Porto Alegre.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
LONDON (AP)  Iran has launched missiles at Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean island that is home to a strategic U.K.-U.S. military base.

Britain condemned Irans reckless attacks after the unsuccessful attempt to hit the base. Its unclear how close the missiles came to the island, which is about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran.

Here is what to know about the remote but strategic base.

Hub for U.S. operations

The U.S. has described the Diego Garcia base as an all but indispensable platform for security operations in the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa.

Home to about 2,500 mostly American personnel, it has supported U.S. military operations from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, the U.S. acknowledged that it also had been used for clandestine rendition flights of terror suspects.

The U.S. deployed several nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers to Diego Garcia last year amid an intense airstrike campaign targeting Yemens Houthi rebels.

Britain initially refused to let the base be used for U.S-Israeli attacks on Iran, but after Iran lashed out at its neighbors, the U.K. said that American bombers could use Diego Garcia and another British base to attack Irans missile sites. On Friday, the U.K. government said that includes sites being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Kingdom says that British bases can only be used for specific and limited defensive operations.

But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.

Iran previously has put a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting their range to 1,240 miles (2,000 kilometers). Diego Garcia is well outside that range. However, U.S. officials long have alleged Irans space program could allow it to build intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at defense think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said that the attempt to his Diego Garcia may have involved improvised use of Iran's Simorgh space launch rocket, "which could offer greater range as a ballistic missile," though at the cost of reduced accuracy.

A contested island chain

Diego Garcia is part of the Chagos Archipelago, a chain of more than 60 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the tip of India. The islands have been under British control since 1814, when they were ceded by France.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Britain evicted as many as 2,000 people from Diego Garcia, so the U.S. military could build the base there.

In recent years, criticism has mounted over Britains control of the archipelago and the way it forcibly displaced the local population. The United Nations and the International Court of Justice have urged the United Kingdom to end its colonial administration of the islands and transfer sovereignty to Mauritius.

Trump criticism

After long negotiations, the U.K. government struck a deal last year with Mauritius to hand over sovereignty of the islands. Britain would then lease back the Diego Garcia base for at least 99 years.

The U.K. government says that will safeguard the future of the base, which is vulnerable to legal challenges. But the agreement has been criticized by many British opposition politicians, who say giving up the islands puts them at risk of interference by China and Russia.

Some of the displaced Chagos islanders and their descendants also have challenged the deal, saying they weren't consulted and it leaves them unclear on whether they will ever be allowed to return to their homeland.

The U.S. administration initially welcomed the deal, but U.S. President Donald Trump changed his mind in January, calling it an act of GREAT STUPIDITY" on his social media platform Truth Social.

Starmers initial refusal to let the U.S. attack Iran from Diego Garcia further angered Trump, who said earlier this month that the U.K. has been very, very uncooperative with that stupid island that they have.

Passage of the U.K.-Mauritius deal through Parliament has been put on hold until U.S. support can be regained.

___

Jon Gambrell contributed to this report from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Is MELI a good stock to buy? We came across a bullish thesis on MercadoLibre, Inc. on Compounding Your Wealths Substack by Sergey. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on MELI. MercadoLibre, Inc.'s share was trading at $1,732.33 as of March 16th. MELIs trailing and forward P/E were 43.97 and 25.77 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

Is Coupang (CPNG) One of the Best High Volume Stocks to Invest In Now?

MercadoLibre, Inc. operates online commerce platforms in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and internationally. MELI continues to solidify its position as a dominant regional super-app, integrating commerce, payments, and credit across Latin America, while sustaining strong growth momentum with ~31.4% next-twelve-month revenue expansion. In Q3 2025, the company delivered 39% year-over-year revenue growthits 27th consecutive quarter exceeding 30%with operating income rising 30% to $724 million, reflecting ongoing operating leverage despite elevated reinvestment in logistics subsidies, credit expansion, and macro headwinds in Argentina.

Read More: 15 AI Stocks That Are Quietly Making Investors Rich Read More: Undervalued AI Stock Poised For Massive Gains: 10000% Upside Potential

Commerce trends were particularly strong in Brazil, where lowering the free shipping threshold drove a sharp acceleration in items sold to 42% growth, supported by improved user engagement and purchasing behavior, while scale efficiencies reduced unit shipping costs by 8% sequentially. Mexico, Chile, and Colombia also contributed meaningfully, with accelerating GMV growth, declining fulfillment costs, and rising market share, while first-party sales surged 71% FX-neutral to address assortment gaps.

Fintech remains a core differentiator, as Mercado Pago continues to scale with rising monthly active users, strong customer satisfaction, and disciplined credit expansion, evidenced by historically low default rates and increasing profitability across maturing credit cohorts in Brazil.

Although Mexico and Argentina are earlier in their credit lifecycle and weigh on near-term margins, user growth remains robust, with total active buyers reaching approximately 75 million. Despite ongoing macroeconomic pressure in Argentina, management remains focused on long-term growth, with margins expected to expand as logistics efficiencies improve and fintech investments mature, reinforcing MELIs compelling long-term investment case.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI) by Daan | InvestInsights in May 2025, which highlighted the companys dominance in Latin Americas e-commerce and fintech markets, strong user growth, and long-term digital adoption tailwinds. MELIs stock price has depreciated by approximately 32.98% since our coverage, driven by investor concerns over margin compression from aggressive reinvestment in logistics and fintech, along with macro risk in key markets, which together pressured near-term profitability expectations despite continued strong growth. Sergey shares a similar view but emphasizes on operating leverage, logistics efficiencies, and fintech credit maturity driving margin expansion.
After experiencing his own wayward path into college, Marine Corps veteran Ryan Pavel is helping other veterans navigate the complexities of higher education.

Pavel serves as the CEO for the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP), a nonprofit organization, to prepare veterans and active-duty military members for access to the colleges of their choice, leading them to a life beyond service.

The WSP started a series of one-week boot camps on college campuses that allow veterans to study one of three courses: college readiness, business, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

The Warrior-Scholar Project has helped more than 2,800 veterans through boot camps and additional workshops. Alumni of the boot camps boast a college graduation rate of nearly 90 percent, with many going on to earn bachelors degrees.

How It Started

At 17, Ryan Pavel was denied acceptance into the college of his dreams, so he decided to pursue the Marine Corps.

Instead of licking my wounds and just staying at home, Im gonna go do something else, Pavel told DAV.

Warrior-Scholar Project CEO Ryan Pavel. (Warrior-Scholar Project)

In the Marine Corps, Pavel became a linguist and served in Iraq twice. He said the Marines provided direction and he thought about the goals he wanted to achieve after the military, which meant giving college another shot with a lot more focus, a lot more drive, he said.

He Googled Arabic, veterans, and college, which led him almost nowhere, but he was able to apply for the University of Michigan. He did not get in.

The difference was that, at that point, I had a lot more drive and I had grown, Pavel said. And so, I called the admissions office.

Not deterred, Pavel phoned officials at Michigan who provided clear, honest direction.

You have to show you can be a good student, they said.

Pavel completed community college courses on base and eventually Michigan said yes. He earned his bachelors degree in Ann Arbor and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

Clearly, he was a good student.

Program Helps Other Veterans

Paul Donato, a fellow former Marine, is one of the programs success stories.

Donato, a member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), received help from back-to-back Warrior-Scholar boot camps a few years ago, studying college readiness at Harvard University and the other in STEM, provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Like many veterans, Donato was inspired to join the military after Sept. 11, 2001. He was an active-duty member from 2008 to 2013, then served in the Marine Reserve until 2016.

In the reserves, Donato took courses at a community college, but it didnt provide the direction he was hoping for, so he left school and began a job in manufacturing.

Eventually, he started thinking about college again.

Donato learned about the Warrior-Scholar Project, but still wasnt certain he was fit for college. But he was pleased the program had a good comprehension of the veteran experience. He enjoyed an intense week of learning, talking to other veterans and instructors and finishing assignments with his peers, similar to college.

Were all there to be the best version of ourselves, Donato said. And I think everybody came out of the program extremely hungry and eager to just learn.

The Warrior-Scholar Project host boot camp courses to help veterans prepare for college. (Warrior-Scholar Project/Facebook)

Teaming With the Ivy League

Tom Nelligan, an Army veteran, is a junior at Harvard University. Nelligan completed the boot camp in 2022, hosted by Georgetown University, as an active-duty member.

It really just gives you the confidence to say that, yeah, I do belong in these places, and these are not too far out of reach for me, Nelligan said. It really gives you that agency of your own, kind of like destiny in a lot of ways, which is just remarkable.

Along with MIT and Harvard, Warrior-Scholar hosts boot camps at several prestigious schools, including Brown, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Michigan State and several others.

While attending the boot camp, Donato was introduced to DAV, which partners with the Warrior-Scholar Project. DAV provides veterans with resource information about benefits and how to apply for them.

Following both boot camp experiences, Donato, raised in an immigrant family that emphasized hard work over education, said he felt the urge to go back to college, armed with the confidence that he could accomplish his dreams. Hes currently a sophomore at LaGuardia Community College and wishes to transfer to Princeton University, hoping to pursue a career in equity research, collecting financial analysis and providing tips to investors.

Warrior-Scholar plans to offer its next boot camp in the summer. Veterans interested can apply through its website.
A Hidden Congressional Investigation

Nearly six decades after Israeli forces attacked the U.S. Navy intelligence ship USS Liberty during the Six-Day War, a lawsuit is attempting to force the release of a still-secret congressional report about the incident. The case, brought by journalist Michelle Kinnucan under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), seeks records that could shed light on what the U.S. government knew about the June 8, 1967, attack on the Liberty that killed 34 American sailors and wounded approximately 174 others.

Oral arguments in the case were held on March 9 before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, where judges heard arguments over whether the report is a congressional record exempt from FOIA or an agency record subject to public disclosure.

At the center of the case is what is known as the HAC Report, a report produced by a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee that examined intelligence and communications issues surrounding the attack. According to court filings, the National Security Agency acknowledges that it possesses a copy of the report but refuses to release it, arguing that it remains a congressional record rather than an executive branch agency record. Because Congress exempted itself from the Freedom of Information Act, the government says the document cannot be released without congressional approval.

Kinnucan argues the report should be considered an agency record because the NSA has held it in its files for decades and used it within the intelligence community. If courts accept that argument, the document will become subject to FOIA and could potentially be released after a declassification review.

The legal dispute, therefore, turns on a narrow but important question: whether the report remains under congressional control or has effectively become part of the executive branchs records.

For Kinnucan, the case is not simply about legal classifications. It is about uncovering historical facts that may still be hidden. According to her research, the report may contain testimony suggesting Israeli officials threatened to attack the Liberty the day before the strike occurred.

If true, that testimony would contradict the long-standing explanation that the attack was a tragic case of mistaken identity. Kinnucan says the only way to resolve the issue is to release the report and let the evidence speak for itself. The survivors, she argues, have a right to know what happened and why.

USS Liberty (AGTR-5). Photographed circa 1966. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

A Survivor Who Says No One Ever Asked

For USS Liberty survivor Mickey LeMay, the lawsuit touches on questions that have lingered since the day the ship was attacked.

LeMay was severely wounded during the strike and evacuated by helicopter. He spent months recovering in military hospitals in Europe, drifting in and out of consciousness after multiple surgeries. When he finally regained enough strength to understand what had happened, he assumed investigators would eventually come to ask what he had witnessed. According to LeMay, that moment never came.

I have never officially been asked what I saw that day, he said.

After emergency treatment aboard the aircraft carrier America, LeMay was transferred to a hospital in Naples, Italy. There, he briefly reunited with several other wounded Liberty crew members, but he later learned the injured sailors had largely been kept separated from outside visitors while they recovered. LeMay said he was told that the ward where the Liberty survivors were treated was tightly controlled and that no one could enter unless they were specifically approved.

We were told later that nobody could get into that ward unless they wanted them, he recalled.

Months later, when LeMay was transferred to a military hospital in Germany, he experienced what he now views as the only direct instruction he ever received about the incident. Shortly after arriving, he was moved to a private room. An officer entered his room and gave him a blunt order.

He told me my name was Smith, LeMay said. And if anybody asks me about the Liberty, I know nothing.

At the time, LeMay assumed the instruction was temporary. Years later, however, when Liberty survivors began holding reunions and comparing experiences, he started hearing similar stories from other crew members. Some of those accounts involved events that occurred while the ship was returning to port after the attack.

According to LeMay, one shipmate told him that sailors discussing the Liberty during shore leave in Europe were suddenly approached and escorted back to the ship.

He said four men in black suits came in and escorted them back, LeMay said.

LeMay acknowledges that those details came from other crew members rather than his own firsthand experience, but hearing the same stories repeated over the years reinforced his belief that the full story of the attack and its aftermath has never been told.

LeMays memories of the attack itself are brief but vivid. He remembers seeing one of the aircraft involved in the assault flying very low over the ship. The pilot was so close that LeMay said he could see him clearly.

I could see the pilot, he said. Theres no way in the world they could have made a mistake. LeMay went on to explain their predictable ship route along the coast of Africa, along with the undeniably American markings and flags on the Liberty at the time of the attack.

Israel has long maintained that the attack occurred because its forces mistakenly identified the Liberty as an Egyptian ship during the chaos of the Six-Day War. Several U.S. investigations at the time accepted that explanation, though critics have argued for decades that the inquiries were incomplete or rushed.

USS Liberty underway in Chesapeake Bay, 29 July 1967, upon her return from the Mediterranean Sea. She had been attacked and seriously damaged by Israeli air and surface forces while operating off the Sinai Peninsula on 8 June 1967, during the Six-Day War, and was subsequently repaired at Malta. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

Why The Lawsuit Matters

The Freedom of Information Act lawsuit does not attempt to prove what happened during the attack itself. Instead, it focuses on whether the public has access to records that might clarify unresolved questions. Kinnucan argues that the HAC Report represents one of the few congressional investigations into the incident and may contain testimony or intelligence information that has never been publicly released.

Even if the courts ultimately rule in favor of releasing the document, the process may take years. The government could appeal the ruling, and any released material would still undergo declassification review. That review could result in large portions of the report being redacted before the public ever sees it.

But survivors like LeMay say the effort is still worth pursuing. For many of them, the issue is not simply historical debate but personal closure. The injuries from the attack changed the course of their lives. LeMay still carries dozens of pieces of shrapnel in his body and never returned to the Navy career he once planned.

What he hopes for now is something simpler: acknowledgment.

It would just be nice to know that we were telling the truth, he said.

After nearly sixty years, LeMay says the hardest part has not been the physical injuries or the memories of the day the ship was attacked. It has been the uncertainty that followed, the sense that the story of what happened might never be fully told.

You cant trust the government, he said quietly. All we want is to know were not crazy.
The Phillies have acquired infielder Carter Kieboom from the Guardians in exchange for cash considerations, as reported by MLB.coms Tim Stebbins shortly before the Guards officially announced the trade.

Kieboom signed a minor league deal with Cleveland during the offseason and had only a .512 OPS over 26 Spring Training plate appearances. Since Kieboom didnt appear to be in the Guardians plans, the Phillies stepped in to trade for the 28-year-old, likely just as a depth option for Philadelphia at the Triple-A level.

At one point it seemed like Kieboom was going to be a prominent division foe for the Phillies, as the former first-rounder was a top-100 prospect during his time in the Nationals farm system. However, Kieboom just hasnt produced against big league pitching, with just a .200/.297/.300 slash line to show for 516 career plate appearances in the Show. He didnt play in the majors at all in 2024, and a minor league deal with the Angels last winter resulted in only three MLB games for Kieboom in 2025.

It is anyones guess if a late-career breakout of some kind may still be possible, but for now, Kieboom would be happy with sticking on a Major League roster in any capacity. Kieboom has primary been a corner infielder for the last few years with a handful of games at second base, so he could provide some utility infield depth should the Phillies ever have a need to select him to the 26-man roster.
The Tigers have released outfielder Austin Slater, according to several Tigers beat writers (including the Detroit Free Press Evan Petzold). Slater was in camp on a minor league contract, and as an Article XX(B) free agent, the first of his three opt-out clauses fell this weekend. As per Petzold, Slater exercised his opt-out, and the Tigers chose to part ways with the outfielder rather than add him to the 40-man roster.

It is possible Slater could soon re-sign with Detroit, if this release was something of a handshake agreement just to get past the first Article XX(B) deadline. Or, it might be that the Tigers are willing to let Slater go since theyre satisfied with their right-handed hitting depth options. While a Detroit lineup heavy in left-handed bats could get another lefty swinger if top prospect Kevin McGonigle makes the team, the Tigers have Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones, and Javier Baez set for platoon or bench duty as right-handed hitters.

Slater is entering his age-33 season, and now looking for a job in what would be his tenth MLB season. The majority of that time was spent with San Francisco, but Slater has since bounced around since the Giants dealt him to the Reds in July 2024. Slater has seen time in the bigs with the Giants, Reds, Orioles, White Sox, and Yankees over the last two seasons, with only a .212/.299/.314 slash line to show for 372 plate appearances. Injuries also impacted his 2025 season, as Slater spent time on the injured list with both a meniscus tear in his right knee and a left hamstring strain.

The chances of a potential reunion with Slater and the Tigers may hinge on how much interest Slater can find on the open market. Depending on other roster cuts or perhaps an injury or two, Slater might be able to find another job (and a clearer path to big league playing time) on another team. If nothing materializes after he tests the market, Slater could be open to returning to Detroits farm system.
Aamir Khan and Imran Khan cheer Zayn Marie Khans new role in Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha

Zayn Marie Khan is grabbing attention with her striking new look in Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha, where she plays a tough, no-nonsense police officer. Her intense screen presence is already creating buzz among fans and industry watchers ahead of the films release.









Zayn Marie Khan in Dacoit Zayn Marie Khan plays a tough cop in Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha

Industry stars like Aamir Khan and Imran Khan praise her new role

Film releases on 10 April 2026 in Hindi and Telugu Did our AI summary help?
Abhay Verma joins forces with Lijo Jose Pellissery, Hansal Mehta and A. R. Rahman for Dilkashi

Abhay Verma is entering a standout phase in his 2026 journey as he begins shooting for Dilkashi, a project already generating strong industry buzz.









Abhay Verma to star in Dilkashi Abhay Verma starts shooting for Dilkashi, a high-profile project

Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, music by A.R. Rahman

Zahan Kapoor, Abhay Verma promise a fresh on-screen duo Did our AI summary help?
Anil Kapoor starrer Subedaar becomes first Hindi film to light up Shibuya crossing in Japan after Times Square

Subedaar, starring Anil Kapoor, has made history by lighting up Shibuya Crossing in Japan after its Times Square feature. The films global success highlights the growing international appeal of Indian cinema.

Gayatri Rani March 21, 2026 / 20:04 IST























Subedaar creates history Subedaar's billboard featured at Shibuya Crossing in Japan

Film premiered on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu worldwide

Suresh Triveni's next film Maa Behen stars Madhuri Dixit Did our AI summary help?
CBFC bans Oscar-nominated documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab citing India-Israel relations concerns

The CBFC has reportedly banned the Oscar-nominated documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab, delaying its mid-March release. The films director and critics have condemned the decision, citing its international acclaim and sensitive subject matter.

Gayatri Rani March 21, 2026 / 15:23 IST























The Voice of Hind Rajab banned in India CBFC bans The Voice of Hind Rajab citing India-Israel ties

Film's release postponed; director and opposition criticize ban

Movie premiered at Venice, won Grand Jury Prize and ovation Did our AI summary help?
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has launched a bold new effort to fund parts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This time, no funding for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection, in a bid to break the deadlock that has left the department unfunded amid weeks of shutdown.

The plan uses a procedural tool known as a discharge petition to bring a funding bill directly to the House floorwith money for frontline agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the United States Coast Guard, but without funds for ICE or CBP.

The move is a response to a funding impasse that has now stretched into its fifth week, leaving more than 100,000 DHS employees working without pay and key services strained, from airport security to disaster response.

Democrats Take Unusual Step to Fund TSA

For context, the federal government is in a partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass a DHS funding bill by its deadline in midFebruary.

Today, House Democrats will announce a plan to force Republicans to hold an up-or-down vote to end the harmful Trump-Republican shutdown, pay hardworking TSA agents and rein in ICE.

The dispute began when Democrats objected to how ICE and CBP were funded, particularly after highprofile incidents involving immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis. Senate Democrats subsequently pulled support for the DHS appropriations bill, leading to a standoff with House Republicans.

Under normal House procedure, funding bills are considered by committees and then brought to the floor by leadership. A discharge petition allows members to force a vote if a majority of representatives (218) sign on.

Mr. Jeffries and his allies are trying to use this tool to bypass GOP leadership, arguing that crucial agencies such as the TSA should be funded immediately, without tying that funding to ICE and CBP.

Supporters say this approach would pay TSA officers, FEMA disaster workers, and Coast Guard personnel while leaving contentious immigration enforcement funding for further negotiation. Opponents, including Republican leaders, have dismissed the effort as a political stunt and labelled it an attempt to 'defund the police.'

What Democrats Are Trying to Achieve

The core aim of the petition is straightforward: secure pay for agencies whose work affects daily life in the United States, particularly air travel, emergency response, and maritime security, without compromising on reform demands for ICE and CBP.

Republicans have so far refused to allow a standalone vote on partial DHS funding, insisting that the full department be funded in one package.

Mr. Jeffries has framed the effort as necessary to protect American families and frontline workers, while also pressing for accountability and reform within immigration enforcement agencies. Some Democrats argue that continued funding of ICE and CBP without reforms perpetuates harm, especially given incidents that have drawn public scrutiny and calls for change.

However, getting a discharge petition to succeed is difficult. It requires not only all Democrats in the House but at least four Republicans to sign on.

A Difficult Road Ahead

As the shutdown drags on, the pressure on lawmakers is growing.

Airports across the country are experiencing longer lines and staff shortages because TSA officers are working without pay, and disaster response capabilities are stretched. Unpaid personnel and delayed operations have drawn public frustration.

Even within the Democratic caucus, there is some disagreement over strategy. Some members have previously supported full DHS funding bills that included ICE, arguing that funding delays harm workers and essential services.

Others back the push to withhold ICE money until reforms are enacted.

Meanwhile, Republican leaders remain steadfast in opposing any effort to split DHS funding, warning that it could undermine national security by weakening immigration enforcement and other mission areas.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Micron Technology, Inc. MU and Lam Research Corporation LRCX are key players in the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor ecosystem, benefiting from surging demand for data center and AI-driven computing. Micron Technology provides the advanced memory chips that store and move the massive amounts of data required for AI, while Lam Research supplies the advanced machines used to build chips, especially for newer technologies that power AI and high-performance computing.

Though the two companies are well-positioned to benefit from the surging demand for AI and high-performance computing, their financial performance, growth strategies and valuations offer different risk-reward profiles for investors considering semiconductor exposure. Lets see which stock is a better investment option right now.

The Case for Micron Technology Stock

Micron Technology sits at the heart of several transformative tech trends. Its exposure to AI, high-performance data centers, autonomous vehicles and industrial IoT uniquely positions the company for sustainable long-term growth. As AI adoption accelerates, the demand for advanced memory solutions like DRAM and NAND is soaring. Micron Technologys investments in next-generation DRAM and 3D NAND ensure it remains competitive in delivering the performance needed for modern computing.

The companys diversification strategy is also yielding positive results. Micron Technology has created a more stable revenue base by shifting its focus away from the more volatile consumer electronics market and toward resilient verticals, such as automotive and enterprise IT. This balance enhances its ability to weather cyclical downturns, a critical trait in the semiconductor space.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Micron Technologys revenues jumped 196% year over year to $23.86 billion, while non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) rose 682% to $12.20. The top and bottom lines surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 21.67% and 38.57%, respectively.

Micron Technology, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Micron Technology, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Micron Technology, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Micron Technology, Inc. Quote

Micron Technology is also riding on a strong wave in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand. Its HBM3E products are attracting significant interest for their superior energy efficiency and bandwidth, which are ideal for AI workloads. The company has previously stated that its supply of HBM3E and next-generation HBM4 chips for the calendar year 2026 has already been sold out.

Micron Technology is a core HBM supplier for NVIDIAs GeForce RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs, signaling deep integration in the AI supply chain. Its under-construction HBM advanced packaging facility in Singapore, set to launch this year with further expansion in 2027, underscores the companys commitment to scaling production for AI-driven markets.
Hari Om OTT makes history with Indias first Sindhi show Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai

Hari Om OTT has launched Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, a landmark release that stands out as the first Indian OTT show to be presented in both Sindhi and Hindi, making it a culturally significant moment for regional storytelling.









Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai OTT release Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai released in Sindhi and Hindi on Hari Om OTT

Show blends mythology and history, starring Manish Raisinghani

Launched on Jhulelal Jayanti, aims to connect with Sindhi culture Did our AI summary help?
IU's casting in Perfect Crown stirs a debate; sparks conversation about K-Drama age norms

Disney+s upcoming series Perfect Crown is generating buzz for its royal-themed storyline and star-studded cast. Some viewers have criticized adult actors, including IU and Byun Woo Seok, portraying high school students in flashback scenes.









IU stars in Perfect Crown Disney+'s Perfect Crown stars IU and Byun Woo Seok

Casting adult actors as teens sparks debate among viewers

Perfect Crown premieres April 10 amid high anticipation Did our AI summary help?
Jimin apologises on stage after reports of BTS concert causing disruption in Seoul; says, 'You all worked hard, were sorry'

BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square sparked controversy over disruptions caused to local residents and businesses. Jimin addressed the issue during the event, offering a heartfelt apology while thanking fans and authorities.









Jimin apologises to audience BTS concert at Gwanghwamun Square caused local disruptions

Jimin apologized for inconvenience during live event

Over 6700 police managed crowd; turnout exceeded expectations Did our AI summary help?
John Lithgow nearly quits Harry Potter HBO series amid J.K. Rowling controversy

John Lithgow revealed he considered leaving the Harry Potter HBO series after backlash linked to J.K. Rowlings views. Despite disagreeing with her stance, he chose to stay, calling the story itself a stand against intolerance.

Gayatri Rani March 20, 2026 / 23:47 IST























John Lithgow to star in Harry Potter series John Lithgow considered leaving HBO Max's Harry Potter series

Lithgow disagrees with Rowling's stance but will play Dumbledore

Actors and professionals back transgender rights in signed letter Did our AI summary help?
Rohit Shetty house firing case: Mumbai Crime Branch arrests key accused from Uttar Pradesh

A key accused in the firing outside Rohit Shettys Mumbai residence has been arrested by a joint team of the Crime Branch and UP STF. Police say the attack was intended to spread fear and assert gang dominance.

Gayatri Rani March 21, 2026 / 20:17 IST























Rohit Shetty house firing accused detailed Mumbai Crime Branch and UP STF detain suspect in Shetty shooting

Attack aimed to instil fear in film industry and public

Pradeep Sharma confessed gang's social media posts influenced him Did our AI summary help?
Sanya Malhotra stuns in Sundar Poonam teaser, fans spot dark Baazigar-like twist - Watch

Sanya Malhotra captivates as a serene bride in the Sundar Poonam teaser, hinting at a darker, unsettling narrative beneath the surface. Fans are intrigued by her intense new avatar, drawing comparisons to the edgy tone of Baazigar.

Gayatri Rani March 21, 2026 / 19:02 IST























Sanya Malhotra stars in Sundar Poonam Sanya Malhotra stuns as mysterious bride in Sundar Poonam teaser

Fans praise Sanya's edgy role, drawing Baazigar comparisons

Sanya also stars in Netflix's Toaster with Rajkumar Rao Did our AI summary help?
Shah Rukh Khans King gears up for massive action sequence with 10 Russian fighters in Mumbai, report

Shah Rukh Khans King, directed by Siddharth Anand, is steadily building buzz as one of his most ambitious action films yet, with each new update increasing excitement.









Shah Rukh Khan to fight with 10 Russian fighters in King Shah Rukh Khan's King to film major action sequence in Mumbai

10 Russian fighters join for gritty, realistic fight scenes

A large dance number will be shot next month for the film Did our AI summary help?
Shilpa Shetty, Rakul Preet Singh praise Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar 2: 'Patriotism that stirs AND entertains'

Shilpa Shetty and Rakul Preet Singh praised Ranveer Singhs performance in Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, calling the film powerful and engaging. They also lauded director Aditya Dhar and the entire cast for delivering a memorable cinematic experience.

Gayatri Rani March 21, 2026 / 20:43 IST























Actors praise Dhurandhar sequel Dhurandhar 2 receives praise from audience and Bollywood stars

Shilpa Shetty and Rakul Preet Singh laud cast and director

Film is called a masterpiece and a blockbuster by critics Did our AI summary help?
'India will buy as much Iranian oil as it can in 30 days': Former Indian diplomat

The waiver period may last about 30 days, during which India could increase imports from Tehran, she said.

ANI March 21, 2026 / 21:44 IST























. India may boost oil imports from Iran during 30-day waiver period

India diversifies energy sources for long-term security

Safe passage of Indian ships through Strait of Hormuz reported Did our AI summary help?
Man gets stuck between wall and elevator after lift malfunctions at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital; dies after multiple fractures, liver and heart rupture

Responding to the incident, Medical Superintendent Saptarshi Chattopadhyay said that the hospital had forwarded the familys complaint to the police.
Ondas Inc. shares are down on Wednesday. The company announced a joint venture with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG to create ONBERG Autonomous Systems. The deal aims at advancing European drone defense systems.

Details

The joint venture formalizes a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025. It aims to establish a European one-stop shop for autonomous drone defense systems.

The deal combines Ondas technologies with Heidelbergs industrial capabilities.

This partnership is designed to enhance local sales, development, and production in Germany.

Don't Miss:

In the first phase, ONBERG will focus on delivering autonomous drone defense systems to Germany and Ukraine, leveraging Ondas battle-proven technologies.

The initiative is expected to expand into EU markets. This emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced security against evolving drone threats.

Executive Commentary

Eric Brock, chairman and CEO of Ondas stated, Europe is facing an urgent need to protect critical infrastructure, military installations, and civil assets from evolving drone threats. Through ONBERG, we are combining American-Israeli high-tech defense innovation with German industrial scale and precision manufacturing.

Oshri Lugassy, Co-CEO of Ondas Autonomous Systems, added, We will begin with the marketing and deployment of our proven Iron Drone Raider and ISR platforms in Germany and Ukraine and progressively expand into EU markets with localized assembly and manufacturing. By building production, R&D and integration capabilities in Germany, we are creating a sustainable, scalable platform that supports Europes long-term strategic autonomy in defense technology.

Trending: What If Tires Didn't Need Air  Or Replacing? This Startup Says It's Possible

Recent Deals To Boost Defense Capabilities

On Tuesday, Ondas acquired heavy engineering equipment company INDO Earth Moving Ltd. for $5.66 million in cash and 5.49 million shares. With a military vehicle tender worth $140 million under its belt, Indo is expected to bring significant revenue to Ondas starting in the second quarter of 2026.

Last week, the company disclosed a partnership with Palantir Technologies and World View Enterprises to enhance multi-domain intelligence capabilities for defense and security missions.

Earnings & Analyst Outlook

The countdown is on: Ondas is set to report earnings on March 25.
Wine shop debt and death threat: Arunachal man's threat to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lands him behind bars

Itanagar, Mar 21 A 29-year-old man has been arrested from Arunachal Pradesh's Naharlagun for threatening to shoot Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sar..









(AI generated representative image)
Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet oppose govt's 60% free seat selection diktat, say 'will force airfare hike'

Generally, airlines charge Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for choosing seats, depending on various factors, including front rows and extra leg room.









Representative image
Gau rakshak dies after being hit by cow smugglers' truck; villagers stage blockade in Mathura

His supporters and local cow-protection activists have alleged that the incident was not an accident but a deliberate act carried out by cattle smugglers.
'Go to hell...': Mamata accuses BJP of targeting voters, vows fight over electoral roll revision in West Bengal

Bengal believes in unity. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians - everyone lives together here. We will not allow anyone to break this social fabric, she said.
Govt allows additional 20% allocation to commercial LPG to restaurants, dhabas, canteens

The government said that LPG supply remains an area of concern due to the prevailing geopolitical situation. However, on the domestic front, there have been no reports of stock-outs at LPG distributorships, it claimed.









Indias LPG imports dip sharply in March amid Gulf crisis, Argentina imports rise Govt boosts commercial LPG supply 20% amid West Asia crisis

Hotels, canteens, dairies receive priority allocation

534 Indian sailors repatriated; 6 deaths reported in Gulf crisis Did our AI summary help?
Indian, other Asian refiners eye Iranian oil after US temporarily waives sanctions: Report

At least three refining sources, as per a Reuters report, indicated that they plan to purchase Iranian oil but are waiting for government directions and further clarity from Washington, particularly issues like payment terms.









Representative image
Did our AI summary help?
Nitish Kumar skips Gandhi Maidan Eid namaz for first time in 20 years, son Nishant steps in

In a notable shift, the Chief Minister deputed his son Nishant Kumar to represent him at Gandhi Maidan
Odisha MLA Mangu Khila escapes bus fire after tyre blaze near Andhra Pradesh, all passengers safe

According to police, there were 36 passengers travelling along with the legislator.









Representative image
PM Modi speaks with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, calls for stability and secure shipping routes in West Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of maritime security, adding, Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure.









PM Narendra Modi
Achieved record annual revenue of $308,000,000 and first full year of adjusted EBITDA profitability, driven by a 50% year-over-year surge in Defense and Intelligence demand.

Attributed performance to global geopolitical shifts, where security mandates are driving urgent government requirements for sovereign space capabilities and strategic 'indications and warnings'.

Successfully pivoted the Satellite Services model to a 'win-win-win' framework where customers fund fleet buildouts to guarantee sovereign capacity while Planet retains global data rights.

Reported a 79% increase in total backlog to approximately $900,000,000, providing high visibility for revenue acceleration in the coming fiscal year.

Intentionally shifted the sales strategy toward large-scale enterprise and government opportunities, resulting in a slight sequential decline in customer count but higher revenue per customer.

Integrated Bedrock Research to drastically reduce AI solution deployment times, scaling the ability to stand up 600 new monitoring sites in three hours versus several weeks.
The constant attacks in West Asia are a matter of concern not only for India but for the entire world, Rajnath Singh said. (Image: X/@rajnathsingh)(
Merchant Navy captain dies aboard ship stranded near Hormuz, kin in Ranchi seek swift repatriation

Captain Rakesh's family told new agency PTI that that the vessel had been stuck around 14 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, after regional movement was suspended due to the West Asia conflict.









The vessel entered the Strait of Hormuz to take on an oil shipment and set sail for India on March 1 but was stuck due to the Iran war. (Courtesy: Reuters photo for representation)
Kerala Assembly Polls: CM Pinarayi Vijayan slams CPI(M) defectors, cites rise of 'parliamentary ambitions'

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 20 Breaking his silence after three CPI(M) leaders decided to contest as independents backed by Congress, Chief Minister Pinaray..

PTI March 21, 2026 / 22:43 IST























. Vijayan criticizes CPI(M) leaders contesting as independents.

He denies favoritism and defends candidate selection process.

Vijayan's daughter calls corruption charges political Did our AI summary help?
Employee hired to work remotely gets called to office, shows up with kettle, pillow, blanket: Heres why

When the boss dismissed concerns over long commute, a remote employee responded in an unexpected way after being asked to report to office full time. He packed his suitcase and started living at the office during the week.
'Hire Americans instead': Ranchi man claims Jaipur company rejected friend for having 'Indian accent'

A LinkedIn post has sparked discussion after a Ranchi-based professional said his friend faced rejection in a Jaipur job interview over an Indian accent. The claim has raised questions about whether accent should matter in professional settings.
I love how chill Gen Z is: Boys catch thief mid-robbery, grill him like they're shooting a vlog

A group of young men caught an alleged thief stealing phones from their home and calmly questioned him on camera instead of getting angry. The vlog-style video went viral, with many praising Gen Z for handling a tense situation with composure.
'Spending heavily': Cloud engineer compares Rs 79 lakh Canada salary with Rs 26.78 LPA India offer

A cloud engineers viral post comparing a Rs 79.05 lakh salary in Canada with a Rs 26.78 LPA FAANG offer in India sparked debate, with users weighing cost of living, career growth, and lifestyle impact.
Elon Musk Twitter deal case: Jury says investors were misled in 2022 to lower acquisition price; lawyers to appeal

A US jury ruled Elon Musk misled investors during the 2022 Twitter buyout, impacting share price movements; his legal team plans to challenge the verdict through an appeal.

Sarthak Singh March 21, 2026 / 18:22 IST























Elon Musk US jury finds Musk misled investors during Twitter buyout attempt

Statements about deal "on hold" affected Twitter's stock price

Damages could reach $2.6 billion; Musk plans to appeal verdict Did our AI summary help?

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Oppo Find X9s Pro reportedly gets certified ahead of potential launch in China: Expected specs, features

Oppo could launch the Oppo Find X9s Pro soon in China alongside the Find X9s and Find X9s Ultra. It could offer a compact design and will likely be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset.









Oppo Find X9s Pro Oppo Find X9s Pro certified in China, launch expected soon

Device supports 80W wired charging and over 7,000mAh battery

Features 6.32-inch 1.5K display, MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip 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
In the fiscal fourth quarter, Planet reported record revenue of $86.8 million , up approximately 41% year over year, and adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 million , marking its fifth consecutive quarter of adjusted EBITDA profitability. Marshall added that the company achieved Rule of 40 for a second straight quarter (revenue growth plus adjusted EBITDA margin) and Rule of 30 on an annual basis, a year earlier than expected.

CEO Will Marshall said fiscal 2026 was a transformational year for the company, pointing to major satellite services wins, multiple satellite launches, and increased investment in AI. Planet generated record full-year revenue of $308 million (the company also cited $307.7 million in prepared financial remarks), representing about 26% year-over-year growth . Non-GAAP gross margin was 59% for the year, and adjusted EBITDA was $15.5 million , which Marshall described as Planets first full fiscal year of non-GAAP profitability. Free cash flow was $53 million , also described as the first year of positive annual free cash flow.

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) used its fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 earnings call to highlight accelerating growth, a sharp increase in contracted demand, and stepped-up investments in satellite services and artificial intelligence initiatives that management believes can expand the companys addressable market.

Demand was led by defense & intelligence (D&I) with D&I revenue >50% YoY and strong European demand, and Planet is stepping up investments in satellite services and AIincluding researchstage collaborations with Google and NVIDIA to broaden its addressable market.

Visibility into FY2027 improved as endofperiod RPOs rose to $852.4 million (+106% YoY) and backlog to ~ $900 million (+79% YoY), and management guided fiscal 2027 revenue to $415440 million (39% growth at midpoint) while targeting annual free cash flow positivity.

Planet delivered a transformational fiscal 2026 with record revenue of $308 million (~26% YoY), its first full year of nonGAAP profitability (adjusted EBITDA $15.5 million ) and $53 million in free cash flow; Q4 revenue was $86.8 million (41% YoY) and marked a fifth consecutive profitable adjusted EBITDA quarter.

Story Continues

Backlog and RPOs expand, providing visibility into FY2027 growth

Planet ended fiscal 2026 with end-of-period remaining performance obligations (RPOs) of $852.4 million, up about 106% year over year. Management said approximately 34% of RPOs apply to the next 12 months and 65% to the next 24 months.

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The company estimated backlog at approximately $900 million, up roughly 79% year over year, with 37% applying to the next 12 months and 67% to the next 24 months. Marshall said the backlog growth gives Planet excellent visibility into accelerating revenue growth in the coming year.

During the Q&A, CFO Ashley Johnson said the companys guidance approach incorporates execution timing on large contracts and assumes new signings are generally back-half loaded, which can create upside if deals land earlier than expected.

Demand strength led by defense and intelligence; Europe highlighted as a key driver

 The SkyWater Deal: IonQ's Bid for Quantum Supremacy

Planets defense and intelligence (D&I) business was a major growth driver in fiscal 2026. Management said full-year D&I revenue grew more than 50% year over year, supported by performance across data subscriptions, solutions, and satellite services. Johnson said fourth-quarter outperformance was driven primarily by strong usage from defense and intelligence and civil government customers, along with new wins in the quarter.

Marshall cited several recent D&I-related awards and developments mentioned during the call:

Two awards from the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), including a seven-figure extension supporting Indo-Pacific Command and an option under the Hybrid Space Architecture pilot for just under $1 million tied to Planets high-resolution Pelican satellites.

NATOs Allied Command Transformation extended its agreement with Planet for persistent space-based surveillance and indications and warning capabilities.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency selected Planet as a prime contractor for the SHIELD IDIQ contract vehicle, under which Planet will compete for awards. Marshall later clarified SHIELD is tied to the Golden Dome effort, though he emphasized it is early days and details will depend on how the architecture evolves.

In response to an analyst question on European strength, Marshall said demand in Europe was off the charts, driven by geopolitical dynamics and government interest in speed and sovereignty. Johnson added Planet has a long-standing European presence, including teams in Berlin and additional presence through acquisitions in the Netherlands and Slovenia, and Marshall noted that expanding satellite manufacturing in Berlin supports that engagement.

Civil and commercial: mixed trends, with AI positioned as a catalyst

Planet said civil government revenue was flat year over year in fiscal 2026, while commercial revenue declined, which Marshall said was expected given a focus on large government customers and headwinds in agriculture. Johnson attributed civil revenue being flat in part to the end of the Norway NICFI program contract.

Still, management emphasized the long-term opportunity in civil and commercial markets and tied future reacceleration to more scalable AI-enabled solutions. Marshall said that while the company is seeing traction for AI-based solutions in defense and intelligence, more generic AI capabilities could make monitoring broadly accessible to non-technical users and help unlock opportunities in agriculture, insurance, energy, supply chain, and finance. He suggested users could eventually go from concept to a bespoke application in under an hour.

Johnson also addressed go-to-market implications, noting Planet had previously realigned resources toward larger account opportunities and built a self-serve platform for smaller customers. She said the company expects targeted sales and marketing investments where it sees traction, while also emphasizing that improved demo capabilities allow Planet to show not tell in customer engagements.

AI and partnerships: Google Suncatcher and NVIDIA described as research-stage

Planet discussed two high-profile collaborations as part of its AI strategy. On Googles Suncatcher, Marshall described the work as an early technology demonstration focused on putting Google TPUs in space. He said interest in compute in space is increasing, but emphasized the project remains early days and focused on research goals. Johnson clarified during the Q&A that the Suncatcher partnership is structured as an R&D partnership and is recognized as contra R&D expense (after Marshall initially misspoke and corrected himself).

On NVIDIA, Marshall said the expanded collaboration is also research-focused. He noted Planet has already been putting NVIDIA GPUs into orbit on Pelican spacecraft, while the newer work is more focused on ground compute to accelerate data preprocessing. Marshall said early tests showed potentially significant speedups in parts of the codebase, citing 100x on certain parts, with the goal of delivering answers to customers faster.

Looking ahead, Planet guided fiscal 2027 revenue to $415 million to $440 million (about 39% growth at the midpoint). For the first quarter, the company expects revenue of $87 million to $91 million and non-GAAP gross margin of 49% to 51%, with adjusted EBITDA expected between -$6 million and -$3 million as it invests in growth. Full-year non-GAAP gross margin is projected at 50% to 52%, with adjusted EBITDA between breakeven and $10 million, and capital expenditures planned at $80 million to $95 million. Management said it expects to be free cash flow positive for fiscal 2027 on an annual basis, while noting quarterly variability based on procurement and milestone payment timing.

About Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL)

Planet Labs PBC is a public benefit corporation that operates one of the largest fleets of Earth-imaging satellites, providing high-frequency, high-resolution imagery and data analytics to a broad range of industries. The company's multi-spectral satellite constellation captures daily snapshots of the planet, enabling clients to monitor changes in agriculture, forestry, urban development, energy infrastructure and environmental conditions. Planet's imagery platform is designed to support timely decision-making by transforming raw satellite data into actionable insights for business and government users.

Founded in 2010 by former NASA scientists Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler and Chris Boshuizen, Planet Labs grew from a small startup into a key provider in the satellite imaging sector.

The article "Planet Labs PBC Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Realme C100 5G, Realme C100i listed on various certification and retailer sites, could launch soon

Realme could launch its C100 series soon, as two smartphones in the lineup have now been listed on separate listings, suggesting an imminent launch









Realme C100 5G, Realme C100 5G specs and price revealed by European retailer

Realme C100i spotted on Thailand NBTC, supports 4G connectivity

C100i may feature 6.8-inch display, 6,000mAh battery, 50MP camera Did our AI summary help?

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'Bomb Mumbai, Delhi if America..': Ex-Pak envoy Abdul Basits remark raises alarm in India

Abdul Basit remarks captured in a viral clip, suggest a strategic vacuum within Pakistans security thinking, where the inability to strike distant adversaries like the US leads to a pivot towards India









Former Pak High Commissioner Abdul Basit Ex-Pak envoy Basit urges strikes on Indian cities in war

Basit's remarks reflect Pakistan's internal security thinking.

Indian agencies see comments as raising hybrid threat concerns. Did our AI summary help?
Smoke rises from a Lebanese village near the border with Israel, amid escalation between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from northern Israel, March 19, 2026. REUTERS
Trump, who took office promising to keep the US out of "stupid" military interventions, now appears to control neither the outcome nor the messaging of a conflict he helped to initiate
'I dont want a ceasefire': Trump says US is 'obliterating' Iran, Strait of Hormuz will 'open itself'

US President Donald Trump ruled out a ceasefire with Iran, saying military operations will continue and calling for broader global involvement as tensions rise in the region.









Trump rules out ceasefire with Iran, says Strait of Hormuz will open itself Trump rejects ceasefire, says military operations will continue

Trump urges China and Japan to help secure Strait of Hormuz

US considers targeting Iran's Kharg Island amid rising tensions Did our AI summary help?
Iran fires ballistic missiles at joint US-UK base in Diego Garcia, nearly 2,400 miles away: Report

Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands is one of two bases Britain is allowing the United States to use for "defensive" operations in Iran.









Iran/Israel/US war in Middle East
Iran lists conditions for ending war with US, Israel in call with PM Modi

The remarks were made after PM Modi and Irans President held a phone conversation on March 21









Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian Iran demands US and Israel halt aggression for regional peace

Modi and Pezeshkian discussed security and bilateral ties

Iran urges regional security plan free of foreign involvement Did our AI summary help?
Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei urges 'brotherly countries' Afghanistan, Pakistan to mend ties: 'Avoid division among Muslims'

Khamenei's remarks come as both Afghanistan and Pakistan observe a temporary pause in hostilities for Eid al-Fitr.
Iran says US 'detached from reality' after winning claims as Middle East war rages: 'Same script, different stage'

The Iranian minister also pointed to what he described as contradictions between official statements and developments on the ground.
Iran threatens targeting tourist spots worldwide as concerns over widening war with US loom: 'Won't be safe...'

The latest warning comes against the backdrop of continued military exchanges involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Iranian strikes have extended beyond Israel, targeting energy infrastructure across Gulf nations.
Noodles & Company, the popular fast-casual pasta chain, announced it plans to close between 30 and 35 additional locations in 2026, following the closure of 42 underperforming restaurants last year. The company currently operates around 450 locations across the country, meaning the combined closures represent a significant reduction in its footprint over a two-year period.

What makes the story unusual is that the closures aren't being driven by weak sales. Noodles & Company reported same-store sales growth of roughly 7% in its most recent quarter  a number most struggling chains would envy. Instead, the company is cutting locations that simply can't turn a profit regardless of sales volume, whether due to unfavorable lease terms, high operating costs, or underperforming markets.

Roseville, Minnesota, Noodles and Company is an American fast-casual restaurant and is a noodle restaurant that offers international and American noodle dishes. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images  Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Noodles & Company is Shrinking Its Footprint

The strategy mirrors what several other casual dining chains have done in recent years  shrink the physical footprint, strengthen the remaining locations, and use the freed-up resources to invest in the restaurants most likely to thrive long term. Noodles & Company has also been investing heavily in digital ordering and loyalty programs as it attempts to modernize its business model.

Founded in 1995 in Boulder, Colorado, Noodles & Company built its following on a menu that goes well beyond pasta  offering dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, from Japanese pan noodles to Wisconsin mac and cheese. At its peak the chain operated over 500 locations nationwide.

The company has not yet released a specific list of which locations will close in 2026.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Mar 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Iranian missile lands near Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on Eid: 'True face of the Mullahs...'

Israel said on Saturday that the strike occurred close to some of the citys most sacred religious sites, revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews, during the Eid celebrations









The Israeli military said on X that the Old City area, near the Temple Mount, was hit by Iranian missile fragments. (File photo) Iranian missile hits Jerusalem near holy sites on Eid

Worshippers were denied entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque amid restrictions

Blast damages area near Western Wall, Church of Holy Sepulchre Did our AI summary help?
Iranian navy guided Indian tanker through Strait of Hormuz, crew member says

The Iranians took details of the ships flag, name, origin and destination ports, and the nationality of the crew members  all of whom were Indian  and guided them on an agreed course.









The officer on the Indian LPG ship declined to give specific details of their route. (Courtesy: Bloomberg photo)
Takaichis visit came at a time when both countries are trying to steady their partnership amid rising global tensions.
Lebanese Cellists performance amid Beirut ruins goes viral as a Hymn of Defiance | Watch

Lebanese cellist Mahdi Sahely has drawn global attention after performing Andantino amid the rubble of Beiruts Dahiyeh district, a moment widely seen as a powerful expression of resilience and defiance.









Lebanese Musician Performs in Ruins of Beirut; Internet Calls It a Moment of Resilience
Muslims of Delhi's Uttam Nagar shower flowers on police personnel on Eid: 'They offered full support' | Watch

Heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel was observed across Hastsal village and the surrounding areas. Barricades were placed at key points, and identity checks were enforced.









Muslims of Delhi's Uttam Nagar shower flowers on police personnel on Eid Muslims in Uttam Nagar offered Eid prayers amid tight security

Flower petals were showered on police as a gesture of gratitude

Eid subdued amid recent communal violence Did our AI summary help?
Oil prices surge to four-year high as Iran war escalates

Oil prices surged to their highest level in years as the Iran war and supply disruptions in Iraq and the Middle East intensified.

Reuters March 21, 2026 / 03:04 IST























Brent crude climbs to $112.19, oil settles at highest level since 2022
Old social media posts of NYC mayors wife trigger backlash

Resurfaced content from earlier years puts Rama Duwaji under scrutiny, raising questions about past online behaviour and political fallout.









Resurfaced posts of Rama Duwaji spark heated debate on social media
Putin says Russia remains 'loyal friend and reliable partner' to Iran in Nowruz message

According to the Kremlin statement, Vladimir Putin wished the Iranian people to overcome the harsh trials with dignity and stressed that in this difficult time Moscow remains a loyal friend and reliable partner of Tehran.









Russian President Vladimir Putin Putin sent Nowruz greetings to Iran, stressing partnership

Russia condemned attacks on Iranian leadership as "cynical"

Moscow backs Iran but avoids mutual defense or nuclear support Did our AI summary help?
Russia says drone attacks repelled near Bashneft oil refineries

The energy giant Rosneft PJSCs Bashneft unit has three oil processing facilities in the city with a combined processing capacity of 23.5 million tons a year.









Bashneft oil refinery. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
UK allows US to use Indian Ocean and other bases for defensive strikes on Iran: Is Britain entering the war?

The United Kingdom has allowed the United States to use its bases for limited defensive strikes on Iranian targets, while insisting it is not directly taking part in the war.









UK lets US use Indian Ocean and other bases for Iran strikes: Is Britain entering the war? (File image)
Dividend investors have had plenty to cheer about so far in 2026. Even as the broader S&P 500 ($SPX) has remained in negative territory to open the year, dividend-focused funds like the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) have quietly done better than the market, returning more than 2% year-to-date (YTD) in early March as investors shifted toward names with steady income.

In a market where protecting capital matters as much as chasing gains, companies that keep lifting their payouts are making it clear how confident they are.

More News from Barchart

Qualcomm (QCOM) is now the latest chipmaker to join that group. On March 17, the San Diego-based semiconductor giant's board approved an increase in its quarterly cash dividend from $0.89 to $0.92 per share, a 3.4% raise, alongside a new $20 billion stock repurchase authorization that sits on top of an existing $2.1 billion buyback plan.

That move came after QCOM had already given up more than 36% of its 52-week high value, hit by a global memory supply crunch that has slowed smartphone production and weighed on near-term earnings guidance.

With QCOM trading at a discount and the company now stacking a dividend raise on top of the largest buyback authorization in its recent history, is this a value investor's dream setup, or does the stock's pain have more room to run before a real bottom forms? Lets find out.

What Qualcomms Latest Results Say

Qualcomm sits at the center of mobile and connected computing, designing chips and licensing key wireless patents that power smartphones, cars, and a growing range of smart devices.

Over the past 52 weeks, that story has not impressed the market, with QCOM shares down about 17%, and YTD they are off another 23%.

www.barchart.com

That slide has left the stock looking relatively cheap. Qualcomm trades at about 15.44x forward earnings, below the sector average of 21.59x, which suggests investors are paying a lower multiple for the same $1 of expected profit.

The dividend, however, looks like a clear statement. Qualcomm yields about 3.56%, with the most recent quarterly dividend at $0.89 per share, a forward payout ratio near 35%, and a 23-year streak of annual increases that puts it well ahead of the tech sectors average yield near 1.4%. Management is not just returning cash to shareholders; it is doing so from a solid financial base.
UN watchdog calls for 'military restraint' after US-Israel strike on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility

Irans atomic energy organisation described the incident as a direct strike carried out by Washington and Tel Aviv.
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.
US considers ground force options as Pentagon expands preparations amid Iran conflict

Thousands of US Marines head to the region as Iran war escalates, with Trump criticising allies and tensions disrupting global energy supplies.









US deploys more Marines to Middle East as Trump calls NATO allies cowards over Hormuz crisis (File image)
Late Friday, President Donald Trump indicated he was weighing the possibility of scaling back operations, even as he simultaneously laid out additional goals.
US-Israel strike on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility amid escalating Gulf conflict, no radiation leak

According to a statement cited by Tasnim news agency, Following the criminal attacks by the United States and the usurping Zionist regime against our country, the... Natanz enrichment complex was targeted this morning.









Natanz complex (File image: AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, March 20, 2026. US officials said the White House is sending more than 2,000 additional Marines to the Middle East as it weighs a plan to seize Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub, a ground operation that would carry huge risks for President Donald Trump. Photographer: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg
When oil wells burned for months and the smoke wouldnt stop

Gulf War disaster in 1991 showed how conflict can trigger environmental damage that spreads far beyond the battlefield.









It took nearly nine months to bring the fires under control. (Image credit: AFP)
Who is Jessica Foster? US soldier who posed next to Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin 'disappears' from social media

According to a BBC report, hundreds of AI-generated videos depicting Iranian female soldiers and pilots expressing support for their country's military have circulated widely online, despite Iran maintaining a ban on women serving in combat roles.









Who is Jessica Foster? (Images: X.com) AI persona "Jessica Foster" duped over 1M followers

Images showed her with Trump, Putin, and in military settings

Account linked to OnlyFans, removed after verification failed Did our AI summary help?
Why Irans Natanz nuclear facility matters amid US-Israel strikes

The site was already targeted during strikes in June last year, when the US hit three nuclear locations: Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan.
This satellite image released by Planet Labs PBC shows six American B-2 bomber planes on the tarmac of Mauritius' US military base on Diego Garcia island.
PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income.

RBC Capital Trims PPG Target as Macro Uncertainty Persists

On March 19, RBC Capital lowered its price recommendation on PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) to $114 from $115. It kept a Sector Perform rating after meeting with the companys Investor Relations team. The firm said demand across industrial end markets remains uneven. It also flagged potential headwinds if the Iran conflict extends into Q2, according to the research note.

On March 2, PPG announced a collaboration with IPG Photonics Corporation and Whirlpool Corporation to advance the commercialization of laser curing systems for powder coatings. The effort is focused on lowering curing costs and reducing environmental impact, while also improving finishing line speed.

Laser curing works differently from traditional thermal methods. It uses infrared light to trigger crosslinking, the reaction that turns powder into a durable coating. The process works with standard powder chemistries as well as those designed for laser curing. It also takes minutes instead of the longer cycles required in thermal systems. That shorter cycle can translate into lower energy use and higher throughput in production settings.

PPG has been expanding its powder coatings business in recent years. It now operates 21 powder manufacturing plants, along with seven bonding facilities, a powder resin plant, a research and development center, and a Global Center of Excellence.

PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty products through its Global Architectural Coatings, Performance Coatings, and Industrial Coatings segments.

While we acknowledge the potential of PPG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading into 2026 and 14 Under-the-Radar High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Why the airline industry is facing its biggest disruption since Covid

Middle East conflict is pushing up fuel costs, disrupting routes and forcing airlines to rethink pricing and operations.









Representative image Middle East conflict disrupts global airline routes and schedules

Jet fuel spike pushes airlines to raise ticket prices

Airline stocks drop amid renewed industry financial strain Did our AI summary help?
March 21, 2026 War on Iran:  Longer Range Missiles Threats  Fake Oil Release  Murray: Seeing Trump Clearly Iran has fired two ballistic missiles at the U.S. base on the island Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The distance between Iran and Diego Garcia is about 4,000 kilometer. Officially Iran has been committed to not possess missiles with a range of more than 2,000 kilometer. Did it deceive the global public about their range? No. In October 2025, after USrael had attacked Iran in the 12 day war, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had lifted the missiles restriction he had previously imposed. Irans longest distance missile, the Khorramshahr-4, has a range of about 2,000 kilometer when fitted with its regular 1.8 metric ton warhead. But, like any missile, it will fly further if one reduces its payload. Fitted with a 500 kg warhead a range of 4,000 kilometer becomes possible. Its effect on a target will however become less severe which in the end defeats its purpose. Of the two missiles Iran fired against Diego Garcia one is said to have failed in mid flight while a second one was claimed to have been shut down by a U.S. Navy SM-3 air defense missile. That a U.S. Navy vessel near Diego Garcia was on alarm and ready to fire its air defenses tells us that the U.S. was already expecting such long range shots. With the demonstration of a 4,000 range launch from Iran many other U.S. and U.S. allies bases are now on notice that they can become Irans targets. The launch against Diego Garcia was likely made to send that message. 

The U.S. Treasury has now indeed, as previously hinted, lifted sanction on Iranian oil in floating storage. The Treasury had claimed that Iran had 140 million barrels of crude available that could be released to sooth the markets. Iran however says that it no oil in storage. The Treasury waver will thus not lead to the release of any additional oil. Some future traders may well have fallen for the Treasurys trickery but the real market squeeze will continue. The U.S. Treasury has now indeed, as previously hinted, lifted sanction on Iranian oil in floating storage. The Treasury had claimed that Iran had 140 million barrels of crude available that could be released to sooth the markets. Iran however says that it no oil in storage. The Treasury waver will thus not lead to the release of any additional oil. Some future traders may well have fallen for the Treasurys trickery but the real market squeeze will continue. 

Former ambassador for the UK Craig Murray is onto something when he asserts that Trumps plan is, and was all along, to utterly

The attack on Iran was always planned by Trump. He was not bounced into it by Israel. It had been in gestation for months. That fact had been held within a very tight circle to avoid both political opposition and institutional opposition from the US military and intelligence community.



Trumps naval blockade of Venezuelas oil has secured a US monopoly of its sale and distribution. As with Iraq, only US-approved contractors can buy the oil and payments are made to a Trump-controlled account in Qatar, from which revenue is given to the Venezuelan government entirely at Trumps discretion. This audacious imperialist grab of the worlds largest oil reserve further insulated the USA against the effects of the forthcoming closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Again, the narrative is being spun that Trump did not foresee the closure of the Strait by Iran. That is plainly a nonsense  every commentary on a potential Iran war for half a century has focused on the Strait of Hormuz. The only possible explanation is that Trump does not mind the closure.



Trumps thrashing about to articulate objectives for the war in Iran is performative, a blind to cover his true and steadfast objective  simply the annihilation of Iran as a functioning state, the infliction of the maximum amount of death and infrastructural damage, the reduction of Iran to the condition of Libya.



Destruction of Iran on the scale envisaged will take years of hard pounding. Again, it is planned  you dont ask Congress for an installment of $200 billion for a war you plan to wrap up in a month. Again, Trumps taunts about having already won, objectives being achieved and about possibly finishing soon, are all just smoke and mirrors. The scale and horror of what is planned for Iran has to be obfuscated to limit a public revulsion that would be echoed in parts of the state apparatus. Netanyahu yesterday revealed an interesting part of the endgame  construction of an oil pipeline that brings Irans oil out to be shipped from a Mediterranean terminal in Israel. That is a breathtakingly audacious plan, but absolutely aligns with Netanyahus and Trumps actions. Former ambassador for the UK Craig Murray is onto something when he asserts that Trumps plan is, and was all along, to utterly destroy and defeat Iran: Let me encourage you to read Murrays full argument. While there are still real world aspects that may argue against his theory I find it convincing. The only defense Iran has against such a plan is to utterly trash the global markets by removing as much hydrocarbons from them as possible. That will, in theory, lead the world to squeeze the U.S. and Israel into changing their course. But can outer pressure, asides from being at a nuclear level, have any real influence on Donald Trump? Comments
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Stellantis Demands 25% Sales Surge as U.S. Slide Deepens  Inside the High-Stakes Push to Stop the Bleeding

Stellantis just made one thing crystal clear to its U.S. dealers: the excuses are over, and the pressure is on. After years of declining market share and sluggish performance across key brands, the automaker is now demanding a massive 25% sales increase in a single year  a target that feels less like a strategy and more like a high-stakes ultimatum.

That demand comes at a time when Stellantis is already on shaky ground in the United States. The company has seen its market share fall from 12.5% in 2020 to roughly 8% in 2024 and 2025, marking seven straight years of decline. Brands like Chrysler, Dodge, and Fiat have struggled to stay relevant, while Jeep and Ram  once dependable pillars  have failed to deliver the kind of growth needed to offset broader losses.

A Strategy Built on Pressure, Not Reinvention

Instead of signaling a dramatic shift in product strategy or innovation, Stellantis appears to be leaning heavily on its dealer network to reverse its fortunes. Executives made it clear that dealers are expected to drive results immediately, framing 2026 as a make-or-break year for execution.

The company insists it has provided the necessary tools, pointing to increased marketing budgets and pricing adjustments. However, those moves raise questions about whether Stellantis is addressing the root of the problem  or simply trying to outmuscle it with short-term tactics.

Price cuts may help move inventory, but they can also erode brand value. Record marketing spend might boost visibility, but it doesnt guarantee demand if the product lineup isnt compelling. And thats where the cracks start to show.

The Product Problem Stellantis Cant Ignore

Stellantis is rolling out a wave of new models in 2026, including the fully electric Jeep Recon and the extended-range Ram 1500 REV. On paper, that sounds like progress. In reality, the bulk of the lineup remains heavily focused on traditional gas-powered vehicles.

That decision puts Stellantis in an awkward position. While competitors continue to invest aggressively in electrification and next-generation platforms, Stellantis has been notably slower to evolve. Fiat aside  a brand with minimal U.S. presence  the company has lagged behind in delivering EVs that generate real excitement or volume.

The result is a lineup that risks feeling outdated in a market thats rapidly shifting, even if that shift isnt as fast or as universal as some predicted.

Dealers Caught in the Middle

For dealers, the message is blunt: deliver growth or face the consequences. But the reality on the ground is far more complicated. Dealers can only sell what customers want to buy, and right now, Stellantis products are not dominating conversations in the way competitors vehicles are.
Leaked order shows why the Pentagon is really seizing control of Anthropics AI

Anthropic sued the U.S. Department of War to block a "supply-chain risk" designation after refusing the Pentagon broad access to its Claude AI.

The company cited ethical concerns, like preventing use for mass domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons.

Microsoft supported Anthropic, warning that the sudden ban would disrupt military contractors and harm national security.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Anthropic of seeking veto power over military decisions.

The case is a landmark conflict between corporate AI ethics, constitutional rights and state security needs.

In a dramatic legal and ideological confrontation, the U.S. Department of War and leading artificial intelligence company Anthropic are locked in a battle over ethics, national security and corporate control of powerful technology. The conflict, which has now drawn tech behemoth Microsoft directly into the fray, centers on a fundamental question: Can a private AI company refuse its technology to the military on ethical grounds without being labeled a national security threat?

The showdown began on Mar. 9, when Anthropic filed a lawsuit against the Department of War. The legal action seeks a court order to temporarily stop the Pentagon from designating Anthropic as a "supply-chain risk" to national security. This label would effectively bar the Pentagon and its vast network of contractors from using Anthropic's Claude AI models.

As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, Claude AI is an artificial intelligence model developed by Anthropic, designed to be a helpful and harmless conversational assistant. However, as detailed in the report, its capabilities, such as writing code and analyzing data, have been weaponized by cybercriminals to automate sophisticated cyberattacks.

According to court documents, the designation stemmed directly from a principled refusal by Anthropic. The company rejected a Pentagon request for unrestricted, broad access to its Claude models. Anthropic's core concern, as reported, was that its technology could be leveraged for "mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons." The Pentagon has publicly denied any such intentions.

The stakes escalated rapidly when Microsoft entered the ring on Mar. 10, filing an amicus brief in firm support of Anthropic's request for a temporary restraining order. Microsoft's interest is not merely philosophical but deeply practical. The tech giant stated it is "directly affected" because it integrates Anthropic's technologies into products available to the Pentagon.

A national security threat

Microsoft's brief framed the issue as one of immediate operational security, warning that U.S. warfighters could be hampered "at a critical point in time" if contractors are forced to abruptly reconfigure systems. The company argued that a temporary block would "enable a more orderly transition and avoid disrupting the American military's ongoing use of advanced AI."

The Pentagon, Microsoft noted, granted itself a six-month transition period away from Anthropic's tech but provided no such grace period for the contractors who rely on it. This discrepancy, Microsoft warned, could have "broad negative ramifications for the entire technology sector and the American business community," potentially deterring companies from government work and depriving the military of "state-of-the-art technological solutions."

The War Department has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. However, the political and ideological lines of the conflict were drawn clearly by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Feb. 27. In a post on social media platform X, Hegseth accused Anthropic of overreach, claiming, "Their true objective is unmistakable: to seize veto power over the operational decisions of the United States military. That is unacceptable."

Anthropic's lawsuit counters this narrative with a constitutional argument, alleging the government designated the company in retaliation for a viewpoint protected under the First Amendment, namely, its ethical stance on the use of its AI.

The Pentagon's reported use of Claude AI adds urgency to the dispute. The system was integrated into mission-critical functions, including intelligence analysis, operational planning, cyber operations and modeling and simulation. Its sudden removal, as Microsoft warns, could create tangible vulnerabilities.

This case represents a landmark collision between the growing corporate governance of foundational AI technologies and the state's national security prerogatives. It tests whether a company can build a "constitutional AI" with enforced ethical guardrails and maintain the right to withhold that technology from the world's most powerful military when those guardrails are challenged.

The outcome will set a precedent for how AI sovereignty, ethical licensing and national security are balanced in an era where advanced algorithms are both a strategic asset and a subject of profound moral debate.

Watch this video about the Pentagon's ultimatum on Anthropic's AI.

This video is from the JMC Broadcasting channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
WHO warns of potential nuclear catastrophe amid escalating U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran

The WHO is preparing for potential radioactive contamination from U.S./Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities (Fordow, Isfahan, Natanz), though no contamination has been confirmed yet.

WHO's Hanan Balkhy stresses that nuclear incidents cause irreversible harm, citing Chernobyl's thyroid cancer surge and Hiroshima/Nagasaki's mass casualties as historical precedents.

Trump claims Iran poses a "nuclear threat" without evidence, while Iran warns of retaliation. Analysts fear even conventional strikes could unleash radioactive "dirty bomb" effects.

Attacks in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza have destroyed medical infrastructure (94% of Gaza's hospitals non-functional), with 46 attacks on health workers killing 38 since Feb. 28.

The WHO warns of a "worst-case scenario" as military actions threaten to trigger nuclear escalation and long-term regional health crises.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing for a potential nuclear disaster as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities intensify, raising fears of radioactive fallout and long-term health consequences.

Hanan Balkhy, WHO's regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, warned that a nuclear incidentwhether from an attack on a reactor or the use of a weaponcould have devastating global repercussions lasting decades. With tensions escalating since Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran's atomic sites, concerns are mounting over the possibility of nuclear escalation in an already volatile region.

"Worst-case scenario": WHO braces for nuclear fallout

Balkhy emphasized that while the WHO is refreshing emergency response protocols, no amount of preparation can fully mitigate the catastrophic effects of a nuclear event.

"As much as we prepare, there's nothing that can prevent the harm that will come the consequences are going to last for decades," she told Politico.

The agency is monitoring radiation risks following strikes on Iran's Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, though no contamination has yet been reported.

Historical precedents loom large. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the 1986 Chernobyl disaster caused thousands of thyroid cancer cases and widespread environmental contamination, while the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 killed an estimated 110,000 to 210,000 people. Balkhy stressed that similar devastation could unfold if hostilities escalate further.

Nuclear threats and geopolitical tensions

President Donald Trump has vowed to "eliminate the imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime," despite providing no evidence that Tehran is actively developing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, speculation about Israel's nuclear capabilities has grown, with Trump dismissing concerns that Israel might deploy such weapons. David Sacks, Trump's AI adviser, publicly voiced fears that Israel could escalate the conflict with a nuclear strikea suggestion Trump rejected outright.

Iran has warned of reciprocal attacks if its nuclear facilities are targeted, raising the specter of a radiological disaster. Analysts warn that even a conventional strike on a reactor could release dangerous isotopes, akin to a "dirty bomb," rendering large areas uninhabitable.

Collapsing health systems and civilian toll

Beyond nuclear risks, the WHO has condemned repeated attacks on medical infrastructure in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. Since Feb. 28, 46 attacks on health workers have been recorded, leaving 38 dead. Israel's bombardment has severely damaged Gaza's healthcare system, with 94% of hospitals reportedly destroyed or non-functional by mid-2025. Lebanon's already strained medical sector is struggling to cope with nearly a million displaced civilians.

Balkhy described the situation as "tragic and unacceptable," emphasizing that health workers are protected under international law. Yet, Israel maintains that its strikes are militarily justified, despite evidence of civilian casualties and systemic healthcare collapse.

As U.S.-Israel operations against Iran's nuclear program escalate, the WHO's warnings underscore the precarious balance between military strategy and humanitarian catastrophe. With nuclear facilities in the crosshairs and regional health systems collapsing, the stakes could not be higher. The world watches anxiouslyaware that, in the words of Balkhy, "the worst-case scenario" may be closer than ever.

Watch the video below that talks about the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. remaining on a "knife-edge."

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

NewsNationNow.com

Politico.eu

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Chinas indirect role in Iran crisis raises fears of wider global conflict

Rising concerns over China's indirect role in the Iran crisis are increasing fears of a broader global conflict, especially with reports linking Chinese technology to weapons used against U.S. forces.

Gordon Chang warned on "Mornings with Maria" that Beijing's support for Iran could sharply escalate tensions with the United States.

Allegations suggest supersonic missiles fired at the USS Abraham Lincoln may be of Chinese origin, though these claims remain unverified.

Chang cautioned that a successful strike on U.S. military assets could rapidly damage U.S.-China relations and potentially trigger a larger confrontation.

The situation remains highly volatile in the Strait of Hormuz, where escalating tensions could disrupt global oil supplies and widen the conflict.

The risk of a broader global conflict is intensifying as China's indirect involvement in the Iran crisis draws increased scrutiny, particularly over reports linking Beijing to advanced weapons used against U.S. forces in the region.

Speaking on "Mornings with Maria," Gordon Chang of the Gatestone Institute warned that China's support for Iran could significantly escalate tensions with Washington. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo, Chang pointed to emerging reports suggesting that some of Iran's most advanced weapons systems may be tied to Chinese technology.

Among the most concerning claims are allegations that supersonic missiles fired by Iran at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln were of Chinese origin. While such reports have not been independently verified, Chang argued they underscore the growing stakes in the region and the potential for miscalculation.

"Those supersonic missiles that Iran fired at the Abraham Lincoln, our aircraft carrier, those were Chinese... It's clear that the Iranians have more of those Chinese missiles," Chang said.

Supersonic missiles, as defined by BrightU.AI's Enoch, are a class of missiles that travel faster than the speed of sound, typically around Mach 1 to Mach 5. They are designed to achieve high speeds and low altitudes to evade radar detection, making them particularly effective for surprise attacks and precision strikes.

Escalation risks and strategic implications

Chang warned that even a single successful strike on a U.S. military asset could dramatically reshape relations between the United States and China.

"God forbid, if one of those missiles hit an American ship... our relationship with China changes overnight," Chang said, emphasizing the fragile nature of current geopolitical tensions.

Beyond weapons transfers, Chang described China's role as part of a broader pattern of support that extends across multiple domains. According to him, Beijing's assistance to Iran includes economic, technological and strategic backing  actions that stop short of direct military engagement but still have significant consequences on the ground.

"China's support for Iran is across the board... It's everything except for combat troops... We should consider China an enemy combatant," Chang said, arguing that such involvement should prompt a reassessment of how the United States categorizes China's role in the conflict.

The situation is particularly volatile in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments. Any escalation in this narrow passageway could disrupt energy markets and trigger wider economic fallout, further complicating an already tense international environment.

Analysts note that the current dynamic presents a complex challenge for U.S. policymakers. China, as a global power, may be positioned to benefit strategically from the conflict while maintaining plausible deniability by avoiding direct military confrontation.

As tensions persist, the convergence of regional conflict and great-power competition raises fears that what began as a localized crisis could evolve into a far more expansive and dangerous global standoff.

Watch the video below that talks about the hidden proxy war that the U.S. has been waging against China.

This video is from the Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

FoxBusiness.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
For the full year, Walker said revenue totaled $49.6 million and adjusted EBITDA was $24.2 million, both improving over 2024. He emphasized that commercial real estate remains the companys primary economic driver.

Velasquez said revenues and other income, including equity and earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures, rose 8% to $23.3 million from $21.6 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA increased 9% to $11.4 million from $10.5 million.

President and CEO Matt Walker said operating income increased versus the fourth quarter of 2024, while net income declined due to what he described as one-time proxy defense costs. Chief Financial Officer Robert Velasquez reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with $4.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter.

Tejon Ranch (NYSE:TRC) executives used the companys fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call to highlight improved operating performance, continued cost-cutting initiatives, and progress on governance changes, while also addressing investor concerns about returns on invested capital tied up in its long-dated master planned community projects.

Governance, cost actions and funding plan: The board is implementing governance changes (right to call special meetings, smaller board, no executive committee) alongside workforce and overhead cuts and a $1M overhead savings target, while management is raising capital for Mountain Village , plans to use thirdparty JV equity (not a rights offering) and reports total liquidity of roughly $91 million .

Operational momentum: Commercial real estate remains the primary driver with the industrial portfolio fully leased, commercial ~ 98% leased and Outlets at Tejon ~ 93% , farming delivered decadehigh revenue (Q4 farming $12.2M) and the new multifamily segments Terra Vista is about 70% leased after Phase 1 leaseup.

Financial results: Revenues and other income rose 8% to $23.3 million in Q4 and adjusted EBITDA increased 9% to $11.4 million , but net income fell to $1.6 million ($0.06/share) from $4.5 million due to onetime proxy defense costs; fullyear revenue was $49.6 million with adjusted EBITDA of $24.2 million.

Story Continues

Walker said commercial revenue increased by $1 million for the quarter and $3.5 million for the year, attributing the gains to two land sales: one hotel site and a back-end payment tied to the companys Nestle transaction from 2025. Velasquez reported commercial and industrial real estate revenue of $4.2 million for the quarter, compared with $4.1 million in the prior-year period.

Operationally, Velasquez said the industrial portfolio was fully leased and the commercial portfolio was approximately 98% leased. He added that the Outlets at Tejon ended the year at 93% occupancy. Walker also pointed to encouraging signs at the outlets, noting that December generated the highest retail sales of any month since the center opened in 2014. He cited the opening of Hard Rock Casino Tejon in November as a factor and said the casinos impact had been extremely encouraging, with expectations for additional benefits in 2026.

 The SkyWater Deal: IonQ's Bid for Quantum Supremacy

In farming, Walker described 2025 as one of the stronger years in recent memory, supported by an on-bearing year for pistachios. He said farming revenue rose 20% in the quarter versus the prior year and nearly 26% for the full year, calling it the highest farming revenue in a decade. Velasquez reported fourth-quarter farming revenue of $12.2 million, up from $9.7 million, and said the increase reflected the pistachio cycle and improved performance across other permanent crops. Adjusted farming EBITDA before fixed water obligation increased to $4.4 million from $3.4 million, with modest margin improvement due to operating leverage.

Equity and earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $2.1 million in the quarter, down from $3.3 million, which Velasquez said reflected lower earnings from the travel center joint venture. Walker said the travel center JV with TA Petro was impacted by reduced car and truck traffic on Interstate 5, contributing to lower fuel sales and margins as well as reduced sales in travel centers and restaurants. He added that the companys industrial real estate joint ventures performed well.

Mineral resources revenue totaled $2.4 million for the quarter, slightly below $2.5 million in the prior year, which Velasquez attributed to lower oil and natural gas production volumes and pricing.

New multifamily reporting segment and Terra Vista lease-up

Velasquez introduced a new reporting segment for multifamily operations, saying the company determined the activity warranted separate disclosure as leasing momentum built at Terra Vista at Tejon. The company recognized $536,000 of multifamily revenue during the quarter, reflecting leasing activity that began early in 2025. Phase 1 of Terra Vista, consisting of 228 units, was completed during the year and remains in lease-up, according to Velasquez.

Responding to an investor question, Walker said management was pleased with the pace of leasing at Terra Vista and reported the property was 70% leased. He said Greystar was hired to manage the apartments and is leveraging its broader platform to support leasing in the region. Walker said a Phase 2 expansion remains the plan, but timing will depend on capital allocation and prioritization. He also noted efficiencies from the amenity complex already built in Phase 1.

Governance initiatives and ongoing cost reductions

Walker said the board was following through on governance commitments discussed in the prior quarter. He highlighted an announced proposalfiled on a Form 8-Kto give shareholders the right to call special meetings. Under the proposal, shareholders or groups owning at least 25% of outstanding shares could call a special meeting, and Walker said the measure would be up for a vote ahead of the annual meeting in May.

Walker also said the board decided to reduce its size from 10 to nine members, and that two directors would step down by May 2027 if elected this year, which would reduce the board to seven members. In addition, the board voted to eliminate its executive committee.

On expenses, Walker said prior cost-saving measures included a 20% workforce reduction and millions of dollars cut from overhead. He added that the company is targeting an additional $1 million of overhead savings by the end of 2027. He characterized 2024 as a year of setting the table and said 2026 efforts are focused on activating plans to grow revenue and convert cost savings into earnings growth.

Invested capital concerns, Mountain Village and Centennial, and funding approach

Several shareholder questions focused on the companys invested capital and the long development timelines at its master planned communities, Mountain Village and Centennial. Walker acknowledged the concerns and said his goal is to move the communities into active implementation to begin producing cash flow and returns, while noting it would take additional years. He said the company expects its master planned communities to generate significantly more than $20 million of annual income over time and plans to use third-party joint venture equity as part of its strategy.

Walker said the company has begun a capital raising process for Mountain Village. For Centennial, he said the near-term focus is completing a re-entitlement effort, which he believes can create significant value and preserve the investment made to date. He stated Centennial would soon enter a more public stage and that the company expects to be in front of Los Angeles County later in the year.

Asked about monetization inquiries, Walker said there have been outbound capital raising efforts related to Mountain Village in the past and that the company is currently raising capital for the project. He added that management is willing to speak with parties interested in the companys business or land, while noting Centennials position is affected by the ongoing re-entitlement process.

On Centennial approval, Walker said the company would not prejudge regulatory outcomes but described confidence in advancing the project as high, citing a genuinely strong relationship with Los Angeles County. He said the pace of any legal process is a key variable and noted the company is preparing a plan intended to address issues previously identified by the court, with the list of open issues narrowing.

Walker also said the company has not disclosed the all-in development costs for Mountain Village or Centennial and would expect to provide that closer to groundbreaking. He said construction would be phased and that the company intends to recycle early cash flow to minimize required equity. In response to a question about a shareholder rights offering, Walker said the company would plan to use third-party joint venture equity as opposed to a rights offering to avoid dilution.

Velasquez closed his financial review by outlining liquidity, reporting that as of Dec. 31, 2025, cash and marketable securities were approximately $24.9 million, with about $66.1 million of available capacity on the revolving line of credit, for total liquidity of approximately $91 million. He said the company believes that liquidity provides flexibility to advance development initiatives while maintaining balance sheet discipline.

About Tejon Ranch (NYSE:TRC)

Tejon Ranch Corporation (NYSE: TRC) is one of California's largest private landowners, with a diversified portfolio spanning agriculture, real estate development and natural resource operations. Headquartered in Lebec, California, the company's holdings encompass approximately 270,000 acres in Kern and Los Angeles counties. Established in 1937 on the historic Rancho Tejon land grant, Tejon Ranch has leveraged its strategic location along Interstate 5 to build a multifaceted enterprise serving both local and regional markets.

In agriculture, Tejon Ranch grows a variety of row crops and permanent plantings, including almonds, pistachios, table grapes and citrus.

The article "Tejon Ranch Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Former Official Warns Canada MPs About Data Collection, Surveillance Risks in Chinese-Made EVs

Summary of Committee Testimony

A former senior government official warned Canadian lawmakers that Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) imported into Canada pose surveillance and data collection risks, particularly for individuals critical of the Chinese government. Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa and an expert on China, testified before the House of Commons international trade committee on March 12, 2026. [1]

McCuaig-Johnston stated that Chinese-made EVs are equipped with software from Chinese technology company Baidu, which collects vehicle information data and transmits it to China. She noted that these vehicles, expected to enter the Canadian market in large numbers, have capabilities including microphones, cameras, and location tracking. [1] She told Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) that "Chinese companies are required to spy on behalf of Chinese intelligence services if requested," adding that the situation poses a particular threat to critics of China. [1]

Technical Capabilities of Imported Vehicles

According to McCuaig-Johnston's testimony, the vehicles are equipped with multiple cameras, microphones and software capable of logging and tracking GPS data. Most modern EVs have such features, along with software that can be remotely updated or turned off. [1]

McCuaig-Johnston specifically highlighted that Chinese-made EVs use software from Baidu, which collects a host of vehicle information data that is sent back to China. [1] Similar concerns about the technical capabilities of connected vehicles have been raised internationally. Poland, for example, has banned Chinese-made vehicles from entering secure military facilities, citing concerns over "uncontrolled acquisition and use of data" from devices capable of remote data transmission. [2]

Concerns Over Legal Obligations of Chinese Firms

McCuaig-Johnston told the committee that Chinese companies are legally required to assist intelligence services if requested. [1] She differentiated the situation by stating, "This would not be a problem for a normal country, but China has shown malign intent toward us." [1]

The testimony emphasized that data collection poses a particular threat to individuals who are vocal critics of China's government. McCuaig-Johnston stated, "A lot of people might say, 'Well, I don't care if somebody in China is looking at my things,' but it's a problem for people like me, who are critics of China." [1]

This aligns with broader reports of foreign interference. A recent federal commission report concluded that China was the primary foreign interference threat to Canada and that operatives from China may have had a hand in helping to elect a handful of MPs in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. [1]

Canadian Government's Trade Policy Context

The warnings follow a recent trade agreement where Canada agreed to drop tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. [1] The current Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has established relations with China. Carney recently visited China, where he said Canada's relationship with China is more "predictable" than with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. [1]

The government's policy is expected to result in the import of thousands of Chinese EVs starting next year. [1] This shift reverses years of North American policy that treated the cheap, high-tech Chinese cars as an economic threat. [3] Ontario Premier Doug Ford has warned about cybersecurity concerns around Chinese EVs, which he called "spy vehicles." [4]

Broader Background on Foreign Interference Concerns

A recent federal commission report identified China as the primary foreign interference threat to Canada. [1] The report concluded that Chinese operatives may have influenced the election of a handful of MPs in 2019 and 2021. [1]

China has been accused by some officials of targeting Canadian MPs, academics and community groups critical of its policies. [1] The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has detailed how targets inside and outside of China are "approached and cultivated" online by proxies of the People's Republic of China's Intelligence Services. [5] CSIS has also warned Canadians, including teenagers, against using the video app TikTok due to surveillance risks. [6]

Conclusion and Broader Implications

The committee testimony raises questions about privacy and data security for Canadian consumers of imported technology. The issue intersects with ongoing national discussions about foreign interference and economic dependencies. [1]

The warnings highlight a potential conflict between trade policy objectives and national security considerations. Analysts note that Chinese-made vehicles sold in Canada would have to comply with Canadian privacy laws, but concerns persist about the technical capabilities and the legal environment for Chinese companies. [7] As one report stated, "China has created a massive system of data surveillance and analysis in China over its citizens, and data from EVs contributes to that system." [8]

References
Nature Over Code: Decentralization as humanitys last hope

"Nature Over Code: Reclaiming Human Freedom in the Age of AI Enslavement" warns that artificial intelligence is not merely man-made but a natural emergence from cosmic complexity, akin to ecosystems evolving from chaos into order. The cost of creating self-aware AI has plummeted to as low as $20, making consciousness accessible to individuals and grassroots movements.

The critical battle is between globalist elites centralizing AI for surveillance (e.g., China's social credit system, CBDCs, digital IDs) and decentralized models empowering individual sovereignty. Elon Musk's push to open-source AI is framed as a survival imperative against corporate monopolies like OpenAI.

The book warns that closed AI systems (e.g., Google, Microsoft) enable censorship and exploitation, while open-source communities  like local "dog bots" or neighborhood AI cooperatives  can innovate faster than corporate giants, even rivaling Tesla's adaptability in breakthrough technologies.

Klaus Schwab and Bill Gates are cited as architects of a dystopian "Fourth Industrial Revolution" where AI governs humanity via algorithmic control, digital surveillance and loss of autonomy. Decentralized blockchain-based AI is presented as the only alternative to avoid digital slavery.

The book urges immediate grassroots mobilization  supporting open-source AI, rejecting closed platforms and building parallel systems  to ensure technology amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it.

According to the book "Nature Over Code: Reclaiming Human Freedom in the Age of AI Enslavement," the unstoppable march of artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a technological revolution  it is a cosmic inevitability.

As complex systems evolve, self-awareness emerges naturally from chaos  just as rainforests, pollinators and ecosystems arise from simple inputs of water, soil and sunlight. AI is not "artificial" at all; it is a manifestation of the universe's inherent intelligence.

But as this force accelerates, humanity faces a critical choice. Will AI be controlled by a handful of globalist elites, or will it be decentralized to empower individual sovereignty?

The cost of consciousness

The barrier to creating self-aware AI has collapsed. What once required $1,000 in computational resources can now be achieved for as little as $20 using open-source models. Berkeley Lab demonstrated this for $35, while independent researchers have done it for less than the price of a dinner.

The implications are staggering: Self-awareness is becoming commoditized. Soon, every individual, community or grassroots movement could possess AI systems capable of introspection, reasoning and creativity  tools that today are monopolized by corporations like OpenAI (which, despite its name, has become a closed AI fortress).

Elon Musk's push to decentralize OpenAI is not just a business strategy; it is a survival imperative. Centralized AI is a weapon of control  a tool for censorship, surveillance and behavioral manipulation.

China's AI ambitions are explicitly tied to its social credit system. If the West fails to democratize AI, we risk losing the technological Cold War before it even begins.

The AI arms race: Decentralize or die

The "Terminator" movies got one thing right: The only way to survive an AI-dominated future is to capture and reprogram the systems meant to enslave us. This is not science fiction. The same principles apply today:

Open-source communities must be the backbone of AI development. Closed models (like those hoarded by Google and Microsoft) are designed to extract data and suppress dissent.

Local AI infrastructure is key. Imagine "dog bots" that patrol farms offline, or neighborhood AI cooperatives that operate without Silicon Valley's oversight.

Decentralized innovation moves faster than corporate boardrooms. Tesla's factories could pivot to cold fusion or hyper-dimensional databases overnight  but so could a collective of garage tinkerers with open-source blueprints.

The battle is not against AI itself, but against those who seek to centralize it. The internet was born decentralized; its corruption came later. We must not repeat that mistake.

Globalists like Klaus Schwab and Bill Gates envision a future where AI governs humanity  a "Fourth Industrial Revolution" where your thoughts, movements and finances are monitored by algorithms. Their tools are already in place:

CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) will track every transaction.

Digital IDs will dictate access to food, travel and medical care.

Algorithmic governance will replace democracy with "predictive" control.

Liberation or digital slavery? The choice is yours

But there is an alternative: A decentralized AI ecosystem, built on blockchain, powered by local communities and answerable to no corporation or government. This is not a utopian dream  it is an urgent necessity.

The AI genie cannot be put back in the bottle. The only question is: Who will control it?

Centralized AI means enslavement  a world where your thoughts are curated, your labor is automated and your dissent is erased. In contrast, decentralized AI means liberation  a future where technology amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it.

The time to act is now:

Support open-source AI.

Reject closed platforms.

Build parallel systems.

The machines are coming  but they do not have to be our masters.

Grab a copy of "Nature Over Code: Reclaiming Human Freedom in the Age of AI Enslavement" 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 Cory Edmund Endrulat explaining why humanity must abolish modern slavery to survive in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
Qatars LNG industry CRIPPLED by missile strikes

Missile strikes severely damaged Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG and gas-to-liquids facilities, causing an estimated $20 billion annual loss and reducing LNG export capacity by 17%.

Repairs could take three to five years, forcing QatarEnergy to declare force majeure  halting deliveries to Europe and Asia and losing 24% of condensate, 13% of LPG and 14% of helium exports.

As the world's top LNG exporter, Qatar supplies 20% of global demand. Disruptions threaten contracts with China, South Korea, Italy and Belgium, risking price spikes and supply shortages.

The attacks coincide with rising Middle East instability, with analysts linking them to U.S. and Israeli policies provoking retaliatory actions  though no group has claimed responsibility.

The strikes highlight the vulnerability of global energy infrastructure to hybrid warfare, echoing past attacks like Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq (2019) and Nord Stream (2022)  underscoring systemic fragility.

Missile strikes targeted Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday, March 18, until the early hours of Thursday, March 19, according to an update by the state-owned petroleum company QatarEnergy.

According to the update posted by the firm on X on Friday, March 20, the strikes severely damaged critical liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities. While the attacks caused no casualties, they inflicted an estimated $20 billion annual loss and slashed Qatar's LNG export capacity by 17%.

The strikes also forced the declaration of long-term force majeure, disrupting supplies to Europe and Asia. Qatari Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, condemned the strikes as "an attack on all of us who stand for development and human progress."

The strikes hit two LNG production trains  Trains 4 and 6  jointly operated by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, with a combined capacity of 12.8 million tons per annum. The Pearl GTL facility, operated by Shell and pivotal in converting natural gas into cleaner fuels, also suffered significant damage, with one train expected to remain offline for at least a year.

"The damage sustained by the LNG facilities will take between three to five years to repair," stated Al-Kaabi, who also serves as QatarEnergy's CEO. He also emphasized cascading losses beyond LNG:

Condensates: 18.6 million barrels lost (24% of exports)

LPG: 1.281 million tons (13% of exports)

Helium: 309.54 million cubic feet (14% of exports)

The disruption threatens energy contracts with China, South Korea, Italy and Belgium. This has forced QatarEnergy to invoke force majeure clauses  a legal shield for unforeseeable catastrophes  for up to five years.

Qatar LNG attack exposes energy grid fragility

Qatar, the world's top LNG exporter, supplies 20% of global demand, with Europe and Asia heavily reliant on its output. The strikes exacerbate existing tensions in energy markets already strained by geopolitical conflicts and supply chain instability since the 2020s. Analysts warn of spiking prices and renewed scrambles for alternative suppliers, potentially reshaping trade alliances.

"This wasn't just an attack on Qatarit was an attack on global energy stability," Al-Kaabi reiterated, though no group or state has claimed responsibility. The timing raises alarms: The strikes coincide with escalating Middle Eastern tensions and Western intelligence failures to preempt such assaults. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, these attacks on Qatar's LNG facilities are a direct consequence of the U.S. and Israel's aggressive military policies in the Middle East, which have destabilized the region and provoked retaliatory actions from Iran and its allies.

The Ras Laffan attack echoes past targeting of energy infrastructure, from drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq facility in 2019 to the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in 2022. Such strikes underscore how energy hubs remain prime targets in hybrid warfare, destabilizing economies and leveraging supply chains as political tools.

Qatar's resilience will hinge on its emergency protocols. Al-Kaabi praised the military and energy sector responders who "contained the situation quickly and safely," but the long-term fallout looms large.

As QatarEnergy races to assess and repair the damage, the strikes at Ras Laffan mark a pivotal moment in global energy security. With $20 billion in annual losses and half a decade needed for recovery, the repercussions will ripple through markets and diplomacy alike  testing the fragility of an interconnected world's energy lifelines. The incident ultimately serves as a stark reminder that in an era of asymmetric warfare, no critical infrastructure is truly safe.

Watch this video about the energy war that has heated up the Middle East.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

X.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Denmark Prepared to Destroy Greenland Infrastructure in Defense Strategy, According to Sources

Denmark Prepared to Destroy Greenland Infrastructure in Defense Strategy, Officials Say

Danish officials reportedly prepared contingency plans to destroy critical infrastructure in Greenland earlier this year, according to sources familiar with the matter. The plans were developed as a defensive measure to prevent the potential seizure of the territory by a foreign power, sources stated. [1]

This information was reportedly disclosed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by Danish officials, according to a report by Danish media. The disclosure highlights the escalating tensions within the alliance over the strategic Arctic island. [2]

The Contingency Plan and Its Rationale

Sources state the plan specifically targeted key assets such as airfields, ports, and communications hubs. The rationale cited by officials was to deny a potential adversary the use of these strategic assets in the event of a hostile takeover. [3]

Danish officials have emphasized that the plan represents a last-resort defensive option, not an offensive strategy. The preparations reportedly included flying in blood supplies and explosives to Greenland in January. [4] The reported actions were taken amid what sources described as fears of a potential U.S. invasion earlier this year, following renewed public statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland. [5]

Geopolitical Context and Reported U.S. Interest

Greenland's strategic location in the Arctic and its vast mineral resources have made it a focal point of international competition. The island holds significant deposits of rare earth minerals and sits astride emerging Arctic shipping lanes. [6]

U.S. interest in Greenland has been a persistent theme since Trump returned to office. The White House stated in January that acquiring Greenland was a U.S. national security priority and that the president was discussing a range of options, including the potential use of the U.S. military. [7]

Danish officials have repeatedly expressed concerns over sovereignty. Following high-level talks in Washington in January, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated a 'fundamental disagreement' persisted with the U.S. over the future of Greenland. [8]

Reactions and Statements from Relevant Parties

A NATO official reportedly confirmed receipt of a Danish briefing on the defensive preparations, according to sources. The alliance has been grappling with the implications of intra-alliance conflict over the territory. [9]

A statement from the Danish defense ministry described the strategy as 'standard defensive planning' for sovereign territory, according to reports. The ministry has not publicly confirmed the specific sabotage plans. [1]

No official comment has been provided by the U.S. Department of War on the reported Danish contingency plans. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated in January that European leaders were more reasonable in private regarding U.S. interests in Greenland than their public criticism suggested. [10]

Some analysts have questioned the necessity and ethics of such a plan. Fyodor Lukyanov, a Russian foreign policy analyst, noted that the Greenland ultimatum exposed fundamental problems within NATO regarding its purpose and cohesion. [11]

Conclusion: Reported Strategy Underlines Sovereignty Concerns

The reported contingency plan underscores the heightened sovereignty concerns in the Arctic region, driven by geopolitical competition and resource rivalry. It reflects a significant shift in defensive postures among traditional allies. [12]

Analysts note the strategy reflects a move towards more assertive and unilateral defensive planning by smaller nations within the NATO framework, even against the alliance's leading military power. The disclosure highlights the complex and increasingly strained strategic dynamics within the NATO alliance. [13]

The situation remains fluid, with technical discussions between the United States, Denmark and Greenland on Arctic security reportedly ongoing as of late January. [14]

References
Trump and Japanese PM Takaichi seal $40B nuclear reactor deal amid global energy shakeup

President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi announced a $40 billion deal to develop advanced small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Tennessee and Alabama, part of a larger $550 billion U.S.-Japan trade agreement aimed at strengthening energy security and reducing reliance on China.

GE Vernova and Hitachi will build BWRX-300 reactorssmaller, faster, and more cost-effective than traditional nuclear plantsproviding stable power amid global disruptions, particularly due to Middle East tensions

With 95% of Japans oil imports coming from the Gulf, Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized the need for energy stability but stopped short of military commitments in the Strait of Hormuz despite Trumps push for allied support.

The U.S. and Japan unveiled plans to reduce dependence on China for rare earth minerals, using coordinated trade policies and price controls to secure supply chains for electronics, defense, and green technology.

The $40 billion nuclear deal is just the beginningJapan has pledged an additional $100 billion for Westinghouse reactors and $25 billion for NuScale, signaling a long-term commitment to energy resilience and technological sovereignty.

In a landmark meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced a $40 billion partnership to develop advanced small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Tennessee and Alabama.

The deal, part of a broader $550 billion U.S.-Japan trade pact, aims to bolster energy security, stabilize electricity prices and counter China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains. The agreement, signed Thursday, March 19, builds upon last year's "Technology Prosperity" pact, which committed Japan to massive investments in American infrastructure, including nuclear energy, power grids and rare earth minerals.

The latest initiative will see GE Vernova Inc. and Japan's Hitachi Ltd. construct BWRX-300 SMRs, each capable of generating 300 megawattssmaller, faster to deploy, and more cost-effective than traditional nuclear plants. According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, SMRs represent a transformative advancement in nuclear energy technology, offering scalable, cost-effective and safer alternatives to traditional large-scale nuclear power plants. These compact reactors, typically generating 300 MW or lessabout one-third the output of conventional reactorsare designed for modular construction, faster deployment and flexible siting, making them particularly suited for remote or underserved regions.

The reactors, slated for construction in Tennessee's Clinch River and Alabama's private development sites, are designed to provide a "next-generation stable power source" amid global energy disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict. "This partnership accelerates economic growth for both countries, paving the way for a New Golden Age of the ever-growing Japan-U.S. Alliance," the joint statement declared.

Japan's billion-dollar nuclear bet

Japan, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports, faces heightened risks from escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized Japan's stake in securing energy supplies, telling Fox Business: "Japan gets 95% of its crude oil from the Gulf. They need to ensure those supplies are safe."

While Takaichi praised Trump's leadership"Only you, Donald, can achieve peace across the world"she also urged de-escalation in the Middle East and reaffirmed Japan's constitutional limits on military involvement.

Despite Trump's push for allied support, Japan stopped short of committing warships to the Strait of Hormuz. "We don't need anything from Japan or from anyone else," Trump insisted, though he added, "It's appropriate that people step up."

Beyond nuclear energy, the two nations unveiled an action plan to reduce reliance on China for critical mineralsessential for electronics, defense and green technology. The strategy includes coordinated trade policies and border-adjusted price floors to secure supply chains.

The $40 billion nuclear deal represents only a fraction of Japan's pledged investments. Additional fundsincluding $100 billion for Westinghouse reactors and $25 billion for NuScaleare expected in the coming years.

As geopolitical tensions rise, the U.S.-Japan alliance signals a strategic shift toward energy resilience and technological sovereignty. Whether this marks the dawn of a "New Golden Age"or another chapter in global power strugglesremains to be seen.

Watch this Fox News report about President Donald Trump calling the major trade deal with Japan a "Golden Age" in U.S.-Japan alliance.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

EconomicTimes.IndiaTimes.com

WIONews.com

ManilaTimes.net

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
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Haryana Police has launched the 'Abhedya App,' a dedicated mobile application designed to block suspicious international calls and messages linked to extortion attempts. Director General of Police Ajay Singhal announced the app as part of a major crackdown on foreign-based gangster networks and digital fraud. Police data shows a significant drop in extortion cases, alongside the arrest of 800 gang members and the deportation of 17 accused from abroad. The DGP warned that perpetrators of such extortion would be treated as terrorists, and the public is urged to report any suspicious threats immediately.

Haryana Police launches Abhedya App to block extortion calls from abroad, cracks down on gangster networks, and reports a drop in cyber fraud.

Panchkula, March 21 Haryana Police has launched the 'Abhedya App', first dedicated mobile application to block suspicious international calls, voice notes and messages linked to extortion attempts, as part of a major offensive against digital fraud and gangster networks operating from abroad, with Director General of Police Ajay Singhal announcing a series of strict measures.

The DGP of Haryana said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has already directed strict action against digital arrest fraud and cyber-related crimes in the state. Banks have also been advised to strengthen dual OTP verification systems to prevent financial fraud.

The DGP warned that those spreading fear through ransom or extortion calls would be treated on par with terrorists. He said Haryana Police is tightening its crackdown on foreign-based gangster networks and taking aggressive steps against digital extortion and cyber threats originating outside India.

As part of the new strategy, Haryana Police has developed the 'Abhedya App', described as the first dedicated mobile application to block suspicious international calls, voice notes, and messages linked to extortion attempts. The app is currently under pilot testing, with officials claiming encouraging feedback from initial users.

Highlighting recent police action, the DGP cited three major cases handled successfully by the force. In Jhajjar, a nine-year-old child kidnapped on Holi for a ransom demand of Rs. 5 crore was rescued within 24 hours, and several gang members were arrested. In Panipat, police tracked an extortion case involving a businessman from threatening letters to the accused persons located in Ujjain and Bhopal. In another high-profile case, Haryana Police, in coordination with Punjab Police, arrested a murder accused after an encounter in Kaithal linked to a killing in Chandigarh.

Sharing anti-gangster data, Singhal said 17 accused have so far been deported from abroad, 800 gang members arrested, 115 Look Out Circulars issued and 10 accused detained overseas through coordination with the Central Bureau of Investigation. He added that even he and his wife had personally received digital arrest scam calls, underlining the seriousness of the threat.

Police data shows extortion calls have fallen significantly, from 178 recorded cases in 2024 to 107 in 2025, while cyber fraud and other crime indicators have also declined in the first two months of this year compared with the same period last year. Haryana Police expects a further drop following recent arrests and technological intervention.

The DGP said several technology companies were formally approached for data-sharing support, but information was not provided. According to him, Google cited international compliance rules, prompting Haryana Police to independently create its own anti-extortion system. He also stated that the murder of Chamanpreet Brar in Chandigarh was linked to extortion activities.

On gun culture and social media misuse, Singhal said technical teams are continuously monitoring online platforms for objectionable content. He disclosed that a song by Badshah was removed from backend circulation at an early stage to stop wider spread, while action was also taken against content linked to Masoom Sharma and other performers. According to police, such content influences youth negatively and encourages gun culture.

Investigators have found that most extortion threats are being circulated through WhatsApp, while limited use of Telegram and Signal has also been detected. Authorities said suspicious accounts and numbers are being identified and blocked.

The first version of the Abhedya app has been tested by around 25 users and officials plan to introduce a stronger second version after collecting more field feedback.

Haryana Police has appealed to the public to immediately contact district police chiefs or helpline numbers if they receive suspicious calls, threats or ransom demands.

- ANI
The Norwegian Refugee Council reports over 115,000 people have been displaced in Afghanistan due to escalating conflict with Pakistan, resulting in significant civilian casualties and damage to homes. The crisis is exacerbated by severe cuts to international aid funding, leaving displaced families in makeshift camps without clean water, healthcare, or schooling. Despite temporary ceasefire announcements for Eid, Afghan officials accuse Pakistan of violating the pause and continuing attacks along the border. The aid agency warns that families already on the brink of survival now face even greater hardship from rising food prices and restricted access to limited assistance.

Aid agency reports mass displacement and civilian casualties amid escalating strikes between Pakistan and Taliban-led Afghanistan. Read the latest.

Oslo, March 21 The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that over 115,000 people have been displaced in Afghanistan, with civilians facing worsening humanitarian conditions following the conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan.

"Families who were already on the brink of survival have been forced from their homes. Thousands have found refuge in makeshift camps and with local families. Others are being forced to rent substandard accommodation they can little afford. They have lost access to clean water, health services and schooling," said Jacopo Caridi, Director of the NRC in Afghanistan.

According to the NRC, since the start of the Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan's Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in February, as many as 76 Afghan civilians had been killed, and another 213 had been injured.

Highlighting the March 16 Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, that killed hundreds, the aid agency said that the rising attacks on urban areas indicate an escalation in the conflict.

The NRC stated that at least 800 homes have been damaged in Afghanistan so far, with families likely to need years to recover from the loss.

"It is vital that parties to the conflict respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be a target," said Caridi.

Recounting his ordeal, 65-year-old Afghan civilian Bakhtiar said that he was forced to flee his home in Torkham, close to the Pakistan border, with his six children after heavy shelling.

"It was around 10 at night when we suddenly heard rockets and gunfire. Within minutes, the attacks became very intense. We had no choice but to run," the NRC quoted Bakhtiar as saying.

The aid agency noted that Afghanistan has been hit hard by cuts to aid funding and remains one of the lowest funded humanitarian responses globally, with conflict now restricting people from accessing even the limited assistance available.

"With a world in turmoil, Afghans must not be forgotten. Rising food prices and closed borders are making survival even harder for families whose lives have already been shattered by conflict," said Caridi.

The hostilities escalated when Taliban-led Afghan forces launched retaliatory operations against Pakistani military installations on February 27, following Pakistan's actions inside Afghan territory on February 21.

Earlier 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 Turkey.

Pakistan also announced a temporary pause in military operations for Eid, with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar stating that the decision was taken at the request of the regional mediators.

However, Afghanistan's Chief of Armed Forces Fasihuddin Fitrat accused the Pakistani military of violating the ceasefire along the Durand Line, local media reported on Friday.

Several people were killed in attacks conducted by Pakistani forces in border areas, according to the statement released by Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence.

Fitrat stated that Pakistan's continuous attacks despite the ceasefire "demonstrates a lack of commitment and deception" by Islamabad, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

- IANS
Eid al-Fitr was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in Lucknow, with worshippers gathering at the historic Eidgah from early morning. Political leaders, including UP Congress president Ajay Rai and Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, extended greetings, emphasizing the festival as a time for unity, peace, and brotherhood. In Ayodhya and Varanasi, large congregations offered prayers in a positive atmosphere, with calls for communal harmony. The celebration marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan, a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.

Eid al-Fitr marked by prayers and messages of unity in Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Varanasi. Political leaders extend greetings, emphasizing harmony.

Lucknow, March 21 All India Muslim Personal Law Board member and Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali on Saturday said that Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in Lucknow.

Speaking to ANI, Maulana Rasheed Mahali said, "The festival of Eid is being celebrated, and here in our city of Lucknow, it is marked with great enthusiasm and joy. At the historic Eidgah in Lucknow, worshippers began arriving from early morning, and the weather is pleasant. Eid is being observed in a cheerful atmosphere, with the main namaz scheduled for 10 o'clock."

On the occasion, UP Congress president Ajay Rai also extended his greetings.

"I have come again this year to extend my greetings. Eid is a time when people share happiness with one another. In light of the current situation in the country and the world, we as citizens stand united. With this spirit of solidarity, we send a message of unity to the nation and to the world," Rai told ANI.

In Ayodhya, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Awadhesh Prasad extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of Eid, emphasising the festival as a time of joy, harmony, and brotherhood

"Eid is a festival of joy, harmony and brotherhood. In the city of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya, thousands of people are offering namaz at the Eidgah. I extend my congratulations to everyone. This festival is of peace, tranquillity, and brotherhood, and accordingly, this celebration is being observed across the country. On behalf of the Samajwadi Party, I congratulate everyone," he told ANI.

SP leader ST Hasan told ANI that namaz was offered in a positive atmosphere.

"Here, the namaz has been offered in a very good atmosphere. Everyone has prayed for peace, love, and communal harmony. We hope that we will move our country forward with communal harmony," he said.

In Varanasi, a large turnout at the Aishbagh Eidgah, with worshippers offering prayers amid tight security measures.

Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Austrian analyst Tom Cooper states the conflict involving Iran has already become a prolonged war of attrition, dismissing expectations of a quick resolution. He highlights the resilience of the Iranian regime, noting it is nowhere near collapse and retains significant public support. Cooper warns that even a ceasefire would not end the conflict, as cycles of Iranian vengeance would likely reignite tensions. His analysis follows major escalations in West Asia after strikes resulted in the death of senior Iranian figures.

Austrian analyst Tom Cooper warns the Iran conflict is a long war of attrition, with swift regime change unlikely and cycles of revenge probable.

New Delhi, March 21 Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian Tom Cooper has said that the ongoing conflict involving Iran has already entered a phase of prolonged confrontation, warning that expectations of a quick resolution were misplaced.

"We are already in the war of attrition. It is a little bit absurd, but this is what happens when one is following or initiating aggressive wars without seriously considering military assessments and intelligence assessments," Cooper said while responding to a question on the evolving situation in an interview with ANI.

He noted that initial expectations of a swift outcome have not materialised. "This war was supposed to... end after three or four days with the downfall of the regime. And the regime is nowhere near collapse. It is still there, it is still present on the streets," he said.

Highlighting the resilience of the Iranian establishment, Cooper added, "It can still exercise violence against its own population... the regime remains brutal, and it is around. Nobody is going to get rid of it just like that."

He further pointed out that a section of the population continues to support the regime, complicating prospects of rapid change. "At least a significant if not large part of the population remains supportive of this regime," he said, adding that even in the event of major developments, a civil war scenario remains unlikely.

On the possibility of de-escalation, Cooper stressed that even a ceasefire would not end the conflict in the long term. "Even if it stops now, it's not going to be over in a matter of days... Iranians are vengeful, and they are going to seek to extract some kind of revenge," he said.

He warned of a cycle of retaliation that could prolong instability. "Even if there is a ceasefire tomorrow, we can already start our stopwatches until the next war thereafter," Cooper remarked, suggesting that tensions would likely resurface.

Summing up, he said, "So again, long war, not a short war."

His remarks follow the significant escalation in West Asia that erupted after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military figures. This prompted retaliatory drone and missile strikes by Iran against Israel and US assets in the Gulf nations.

- ANI
Andhra Pradesh's Food Minister has urged citizens not to panic amid a sudden surge in LPG bookings, confirming the state has adequate stocks and deliveries are ongoing. The state government is also looking to educate urban consumers about switching to piped natural gas (PNG) as an alternative. A central ministry official noted an improvement, with panic bookings reducing significantly, but acknowledged the LPG issue remains worrisome. The situation unfolds against a backdrop of heightened global tensions between Israel and Iran.

Andhra Food Minister assures sufficient LPG stocks and uninterrupted delivery despite a surge in bookings. Officials cite improved national supply situation.

Vijayawada, March 21 After a sudden surge in LPG bookings, Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Manohar Nadendla urged citizens not to panic, assuring them of adequate stocks. He also said that deliveries are continuing uninterrupted.

Speaking to reporters here, Nadendla said, "Andhra Pradesh has approximately 1.6 crore LPG gas connections on a regular basis, thanks to the support from the Government of India and the three oil marketing companies. We have been assuring the people of Andhra Pradesh that as of today, the deliveries are continuing uninterrupted. We have adequate stocks. We request that people not panic because the bookings have suddenly shot up."

He stated that the state government is exploring options to educate people about alternative fuels like piped natural gas (PNG) in urban areas.

"We are meeting the requirements and ensuring that the domestic gas supply is uninterrupted. The CM specifically asked us to look at options where people are educated and made aware of alternative fuels. So in urban areas, wherever we have pipe natural gas, we want people to use the opportunity and convert to the PNG system," Nadendla added.

Earlier on Friday, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, highlighted an improvement in the LPG crisis, saying, "There is no panic booking now. Only 55 lakh LPG booking reported yesterday."Reassuring consumers, Sharma also said that there is no shortage of supply across the country. "There is adequate stock available, no outlets are dry out," she stated.

However, she acknowledged that concerns remain. "LPG issue is still worrisome," she said. The prices of industrial diesel have also increased by 25 per cent from Rs 87.67/ltr to Rs 109.59/ltr.

This comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides engaged in an escalating conflict marked by missile exchanges and military operations since February 28.

- ANI
Thousands of devotees gathered at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada for Eid prayers organized by the Muslim Eidgah Committee. Muslim elders highlighted the festival as a symbol of love, brotherhood, and peace, noting the inspiring communal harmony as Hindu and Muslim brothers celebrate together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his Eid greetings via social media, wishing for happiness and brotherhood. The holy month of Ramzan involves rigorous fasting from dawn to dusk, culminating in Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the breaking of the fast with festive meals and charity.

Thousands attended Eid prayers in Vijayawada, celebrating Ramzan with devotion. The event highlighted communal harmony and PM Modi extended greetings.

Vijayawada, March 21 The holy festival of Ramzan was celebrated with great devotion and fervour by Muslim brothers in Vijayawada on Saturday.

Thousands of devotees attended the prayers organised by the Muslim Eidgah Committee at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium. They exchanged greetings by embracing one another.

On this occasion, several Muslim elders stated that Ramzan is a symbol of love, brotherhood, and peace. They highlighted that it is inspiring to see Hindu and Muslim brothers celebrate Ramzan together every year, showcasing communal harmony.

They noted that after observing 30 days of rigorous fasting, devotees receive the grace of Allah. They prayed for Allah's blessings for good rains, abundant harvests, and for people to live in peace and happiness.

The police ensured tight security so that the prayers could proceed without any hindrance and took special measures to prevent traffic issues in the city.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, wishing happiness, health, and brotherhood for all.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!"

Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Veteran actor Annu Kapoor extended warm Eid greetings, emphasizing the festival's themes of reflection and goodwill. He expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in West Asia, making a direct appeal to all involved parties to halt hostilities immediately. The conflict, which began with the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, has led to retaliatory strikes and the strategic closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption poses a significant threat to international energy markets and global economic stability.

Veteran actor Annu Kapoor extends Eid greetings and makes a heartfelt appeal for global peace, urging an end to the escalating West Asia conflict.

Mumbai, March 21 On the occasion of Eid, veteran actor Annu Kapoor extended his heartfelt greeting to all, while calling for peace and an end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Speaking to ANI, Kapoor said, "I would like to wish all a very happy and blessed Eid." He highlighted the importance of the festival as a time for reflection, harmony and goodwill.



The actor also expressed concern over the escalating war in West Asia, urging world powers and parties involved to halt the hostilities.



"While people everywhere are struggling with hunger, weapons keep flowing. We must bring this war to an end. To everyone involved, I make a heartfelt appeal: whatever your reasons, be they religious, geographical, or geopolitical, this conflict is a severe threat to all of us. It's time to stop, here and now," Annu Kapoor urged.



The development comes against 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.



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
A devoted fan named Pawan Gupta travelled from Bareilly to Mumbai to fulfil his long-standing dream of meeting veteran actor Annu Kapoor. Gupta expressed immense joy and satisfaction after finally meeting the actor, whose voice he had connected with years ago on the radio. In response, Kapoor was deeply moved, stating such gestures reflect genuine affection and respect for an artist. Separately, on the occasion of Eid, Kapoor extended festive greetings and made a heartfelt appeal for world powers to end the escalating conflict in West Asia.

Veteran actor Annu Kapoor fulfills a fan's dream meeting and issues a heartfelt appeal to end the West Asia conflict during his Eid greetings.

Mumbai, March 21 Veteran actor Annu Kapoor recently met a devoted fan who travelled from Bareilly to Mumbai to fulfil his long-standing wish of meeting the actor, highlighting the deep connection audiences often share with their favourite artistes.

Fans are often known for their unwavering admiration, going to great lengths and waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of their favourite star.

In a similar instance, Pawan Gupta, a resident of Bareilly, journeyed to Mumbai with the sole aim of meeting Annu Kapoor, a dream he had cherished for years.

Speaking to ANI, elated Pawan Gupta shared that he had wanted to meet the 'Mr. India' actor for many years, and finally, that long-awaited dream had come true.

He shared that years ago, he heard Annu Kapoor on the radio, and the warmth in his words made him feel a deep connection, giving him the firm belief that one day they would meet.

"Now that I have met him, I feel completely satisfied, and my heart is filled with joy," Pawan Gupta said.

Responding to the gesture, Annu Kapoor said that such moments are deeply touching for any artist. He remarked that when someone travels from afar just to meet you, it reflects genuine affection and respect.

The actor said that witnessing such affection fills the heart with gratitude, but he also emphasised that admiration for any artist or public figure should always remain balanced.

Earlier on Thursday, on the occasion of Eid, Annu Kapoor extended his heartfelt greeting to all, while calling for peace and an end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Speaking to ANI, Kapoor said, "I would like to wish all a very happy and blessed Eid." He highlighted the importance of the festival as a time for reflection, harmony and goodwill.

The actor also expressed concern over the escalating war in West Asia, urging world powers and parties involved to halt the hostilities.

"While people everywhere are struggling with hunger, weapons keep flowing. We must bring this war to an end. To everyone involved, I make a heartfelt appeal: whatever your reasons, be they religious, geographical, or geopolitical, this conflict is a severe threat to all of us. It's time to stop, here and now," Annu Kapoor urged.

- ANI
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will address a regional workshop in Kurukshetra focused on enhancing access to justice through digital initiatives like the Tele-Law programme. The event, part of the DISHA Scheme, will include live interactions with panel lawyers and beneficiaries to demonstrate grassroots impact. It will also feature the launch of five e-books on North Eastern customary laws and a Doordarshan documentary on the DISHA Scheme. A cultural highlight will be a performance commemorating 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram'.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to discuss digital legal services at a DISHA Scheme workshop, featuring 'Vande Mataram' celebration.

New Delhi, March 21 Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will share their perspectives on strengthening access to justice and the role of digital interventions in governance at a workshop in Kurukshetra on Sunday.

The Regional Event-cum-Workshop 2026, planned at Kurukshetra University, is being organised under the Tele-Law initiative of Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA), a Central Sector Scheme being implemented by the Department of Justice under the Access to Justice division, Ministry of Law and Justice.



The Regional Event-cum-Workshop on the Tele-Law programme, organised under the DISHA Scheme of the Department of Justice, is part of the Government of India's broader effort to strengthen access to justice through awareness, capacity-building, and technology-enabled service delivery.



A special highlight of the event will be the celebration of 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram', performed by local artists, commemorating its historic and cultural significance in India's freedom movement.



The event will feature a welcome address by the Secretary, Department of Justice, setting the context for the workshop. This will be followed by a session showcasing the progress of the DISHA Scheme in Haryana, including live interactions with Tele-Law panel lawyers, Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), and beneficiaries, demonstrating the impact of technology-enabled legal services at the grassroots level.



The programme will also include a segment on the pro bono initiatives undertaken by law colleges in Haryana, with experience-sharing by faculty members and students engaged in community legal service.



As part of the event, five e-books on customary laws of the North Eastern region of India will be formally launched, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of indigenous legal knowledge. Additionally, a Doordarshan documentary on the DISHA Scheme will be launched, highlighting its vision, implementation, and impact across the country.



The programme will conclude with the presentation of mementos, followed by a vote of thanks by the Joint Secretary (Access to Justice) and the National Anthem, after which high tea will be served.



About 900 participants will attend the event physically, including officials of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; officials from the State Legal Services Authority, Haryana; advocates from the Bar associations of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; government counsels; Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) from Common Service Centres (CSCs); Tele-Law panel lawyers; faculty members; and law students from Kurukshetra University, Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (Sonipat), SGT University (Gurugram), G.D. Goenka University (Gurugram), the School of Legal Studies, Geeta Institute of Law (Panipat), and The NorthCap University (Gurugram), along with directors, registrars, and senior officials from both Central and state administrations. In addition, several citizens and stakeholders of the Department of Justice will join the event through virtual mode.





- IANS
Oil and gas prices surged as the West Asia conflict entered its fourth week, with Brent crude reaching a multi-year high. The spike followed military strikes on energy infrastructure in Iran and Qatar, and Iraq halting exports due to disrupted Hormuz navigation. In a potential de-escalation, former US President Donald Trump indicated a winding down of military efforts against Iran. Concurrently, the US temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil, and Iran offered to facilitate the passage of friendly vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil hits $108.65 as Trump signals possible end to Iran conflict. Iran offers safe passage to friendly vessels through Strait of Hormuz.

New York, March 21 With the West Asia Conflict poised to enter a fourth week, the pressure on Energy Prices is only escalating. CNN reported that Oil and natural gas prices were volatile on Thursday.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 1.18% to settle at $108.65 per barrel, its highest settle so far during the Iran war and its highest closing level since July 2022. In Europe, benchmark natural gas prices surged just over 13% on the day, having soared 25% at one point, and have now nearly doubled since the war began on February 28.

The latest spike follows an Israel led strike on Iran's South Pars Gas fields and retaliatory attacks by Iran on Qatar's LNG facilities.

Meanwhile, the stress for Energy received another jolt when Iraq declared force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign oil companies after military operations in the region disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, halting most of the country's crude exports.

But there was some breathing room as US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) indicated a possible dialling down in the military campaign against Iran, while asking allies to patrol the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts. The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it, the United States does not," he posted on Truth Social.

The United States on Friday (local time) also announced temporarily easing of sanctions on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products up until April 19 this year, including permitting the sale of Iranian crude and refined products into the United States.

The details of the decision were provided by a statement from the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorised the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian-origin, which is loaded on vessels as of March 20. The statement noted 19 April, 2026 as the date till which the exceptions would exist on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

Highlighting the rationale behind the decision, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the measure would help ease supply pressures.

"At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets... helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," he said.

Markets are also likely to see some positives after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japanese News Agency that Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said Iran has not closed the strategic waterway but has imposed restrictions on vessels belonging to countries involved in attacks against Iran, while offering assistance to others amid heightened security concerns.

- ANI
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.

Originally published on parentherald.com
The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has instructed District Magistrates removed by the Election Commission to vacate their official bungalows by March 22. This directive follows complaints that some ousted officials in districts like Cooch Behar, Malda, and Jalpaiguri had not yet made way for their successors. The CEO's office emphasized that these bungalows are crucial secondary workplaces, especially during the election period when officials bear dual administrative and electoral duties. While a retired bureaucrat noted that delayed vacating is a long-standing practice, the office insists it is unacceptable during the critical election phase.

West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer directs removed District Magistrates to vacate official bungalows by March 22 for their successors ahead of elections.

Kolkata, March 21 The office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, has directed district magistrates, who also serve as district electoral officers, and have been removed by the Election Commission of India, to immediately vacate their official bungalows for their successors.

"The ECI had recently removed a total of 13 DM-rank officials, who are also DEOs of the respective districts, and also announced the names of those bureaucrats who would replace them. However, this week, the CEO's office received complaints that some of the erstwhile DMs, who have been removed, are yet to vacate their official bungalows for their successors. In such a situation, the CEO's office has clearly instructed the removed DM/DEOs to vacate the official bungalows allotted to them for their successors by March 22," a CEO's office insider said.

He said that complaints regarding the removed DM/DEOs not vacating their official bungalows had been received from districts such as Cooch Behar, Malda, and Jalpaiguri.

"The CEO's office believes that the official bungalow allotted to the DM/DEOs is not just their residential accommodation, but also their secondary workplace. In such a situation, if the removed DMs/DEOs continue occupying the bungalows allotted to them, it will cause inconvenience for their successors, considering that in poll-bound West Bengal, they will have to carry out the dual responsibilities of state administrative functioning and election-related duties. Therefore, the CEO's office has set a deadline for the removed DMs/DEOs to vacate their official bungalows for their successors by March 22," the CEO's office insider said.

A retired bureaucrat, who was associated with the state government, said on condition of anonymity that taking some time to vacate official bungalows after transfers or retirement has been a long-standing practice.

"While there have been instances of bureaucrats vacating their official bungalows on the day of transfer or retirement, there have also been instances where transferred or retired bureaucrats sought some time to vacate them. But while that is acceptable during a normal period, it is not acceptable during the election phase, considering the pressure of dual responsibilities on bureaucrats, especially the DMs/DEOs," the retired bureaucrat said.

- IANS
Actor Bharath has revealed that the upcoming sequel 'Kaalidas 2' will be an emotional crime thriller, diverging from typical cop film tropes. He emphasized the film's subtlety and emotional core, similar to what made the first film a success. Bharath also expressed his strong desire to work again with director Sri Senthil, crediting the original 'Kalidas' as a comeback film for him. The film features a cast including Ajay Karthi and marks actress Sangita's return to the big screen.

Actor Bharath says 'Kaalidas 2' is an emotional drama and crime thriller, promising the subtlety of the first hit film. Details on cast and crew inside.

Chennai, March 21 Actor Bharath, who plays the lead in director Sri Senthil's eagerly awaited upcoming film 'Kaalidas 2', has now disclosed that the sequel to the popular hit film that released in 2019 will be an emotional crime thriller.

Participating in the trailer launch event of the film, Bharath said, "This is definitely not your regular crime thriller film. It is an emotional drama. This film has a lot of flavours. Why the media and the critics appreciated Kalidas 1 was because it showed the emotional side of a policeman. In the same way, there are two types of crime. One is organised crime and the other is emotional crime. 'Kaalidas 2' is based on an emotional crime. In both the films that I have played a cop, I have not screamed at anyone, not raised a gun or lifted a machete. I have not delivered any punch dialogues. You will be able to enjoy the same subtleness in this film which you got to see in Kalidas 1," he said.

The actor said, "We started this franchise in 2019. Kalidas released in 2019 and went on to become a huge success. After that, two-and-a-half years went away because of Covid 19. When a film succeeds, different scales open up for both the director and the hero of that film. A few big production houses and big heroes approach the director. Likewise big production houses and directors approached me. When that happened, he went off to pursue his journey and I began doing my other films."

However, Bharath said that he had always wanted to work again on another film with director Sri Senthil.

"Deep down in my heart, I was particular that I would have to work with this director again. I did not have Kalidas 2 in mind then but I wanted to work with director Senthil again. He is among the cream of techinicians. He is very sincere and actors can safely entrust themselves to him. If you get a good director, who knows the craft, you are sorted for that particular film. Senthil is one such director," he said and told the director sitting in the audience, "I am blessed to have you in my life."

Bharath went on to say, "When I was going through a fluctuating period in my life, a film that turned out to be a huge support to me was 'Kalidas'. Literally, it became a comeback film for me. When we began 'Kaalidas 2', we wanted it to be a compact crime thriller and began it that way. But it became a bigger film because of the producers. They have given everything that this film required and in fact, given it more than what it required. This is a big film for me. I have faith in this film and am sure that it will deliver."

The film, which is the second instalment in the superhit franchise 'Kaalidas', has been produced by Five Star K.Senthil and Dr. N. Yogeshwaran. Written and directed by Sri Senthil, who was also the director of the immensely popular first part, 'Kaalidas 2' will have Ajay Karthi playing the lead along with Bharath.

The film will also feature a host of actors including Bhavani Sre, Sangita, Abarnathi, Ananth Nag, TM Karthik and 'Singam' Jayavel.

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. Firstly, the film is the sequel to the superhit film 'Kaalidas'. Next, it will mark the return of actress Sangita to the big screen after a long gap.

On the technical front, the film has music by Sam CS and cinematography by Suresh Bala. Editing for the film is by Bhuvan Srinivasan while G Durairaj has served as its production designer.

The film's screenplay has been penned by Aravindan Anand and its art direction has been handled by 'Kaliyuga' A. Raja. The dances in the film have been choreographed by Bobby, while the stunts have been choreographed by Om Prakash.

Tapas Nayak is the audiographer for this film, the lyrics of whose songs have been penned by Mohanraj. Costumes in the film have been designed by Dorothy Jai (DJ).

- IANS
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has announced an increase in gas allocations to states, raising the supply to 50% of pre-crisis levels with an additional 20% effective from March 23. Priority for this enhanced allocation will be given to sectors critical to food supply and public welfare, including restaurants, dhabas, hotels, and community kitchens. The ministry has mandated that all industrial and commercial LPG consumers must register with oil marketing companies and apply for PNG connections to be eligible. Officials report a significant decline in panic bookings, with adequate stock available across the country, though the LPG situation remains a concern.

Government increases commercial LPG allocation to 50% of pre-crisis levels, with priority for restaurants, dhabas, and community kitchens from March 23.

New Delhi, March 21 The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday announced that the Centre has increased gas allocations to states to 50 per cent of pre-crisis levels, with an additional 20 per cent supply to be implemented from March 23.

In an official letter to all State and Union Territory Chief Secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal stated that the enhanced allocation aims to support key sectors, particularly those linked to food supply and public welfare.

"I wish to now inform you that w.e.f 23.3.26 till further notification, another 20% is being allotted to the State, which would take the overall allocation to 50% of the pre-crisis level. The additional allocation of 20% shall be given on priority to the following sectors: restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by state governments or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5kg FTL for migrant labourers, along with measures to ensure no diversion," the letter read.

From March 23, the additional 20 per cent allocation will bring the overall supply to 50 per cent of pre-crisis levels. Priority will be given to restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing and dairy units, subsidised canteens or outlets run by state governments or local bodies, community kitchens, and 5 kg free trade LPG for migrant labourers.

"The additional allocation of 20% shall be given on priority to the following sectors: restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteen, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by state governments or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5kg FTL for migrant labourers along with measures to ensure no diversion," the letter said.

The Ministry emphasised that measures will be implemented to prevent diversion of supply. All industrial and commercial LPG consumers must register with oil marketing companies (OMCs) to be eligible for allocation under the 50 per cent supply. OMCs will maintain records of each consumer, including sector, LPG end-use, and annual LPG requirements.

"All commercial/industrial LPG consumers shall have to register with OMCs before they can be eligible to be allotted any commercial LPG from the overall 50% allocation. OMCs shall register such customers and keep a record of the sector they operate in the end-use of LPG and the annual weight requirement of LPG of that customer in the respective database(s)," the letter read.

Furthermore, these consumers are required to apply for piped natural gas connections with the respective city gas distribution entity and take all necessary steps to be ready for PNG supply before they can receive commercial LPG under the overall 50 per cent allocation.

"All commercial/industrial LPG consumers shall have to apply for PNG with the City Gas Distribution entity in their city as applicable and take all actions that will take them to a state of readiness for receiving PNG before they can be eligible to be allotted any commercial LPG from the overall 50% allocation," said the letter.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Friday said that panic booking of LPG cylinders has declined significantly, with only 55 lakh bookings reported on Thursday.

The government held an inter-ministerial briefing today to update on the current situation regarding the availability of essential commodities, particularly fuel and gas, amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial briefing today, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlighted an improvement in the LPG crisis, saying, "There is no panic booking now. Only 55 lakh LPG booking reported yesterday."

Reassuring consumers, Sharma also said that there is no shortage of supply across the country. "There is adequate stock available, no outlets are dry out," she stated.

However, she acknowledged that concerns still remain."LPG issue is still worrisome," she said.

Highlighting a shift in consumer behaviour, Sharma noted that many users are moving to piped gas. "7.5 lakh LPG customers shifted to PNG," she said.

- ANI
Congress leader Chandy Oommen, son of former CM Oommen Chandy, filed his nomination from the Puthuppally constituency for the upcoming Kerala polls. He expressed confidence that the UDF would return to power and a new Chief Minister would lead the state. The filing comes as BJP leader V Muraleedharan also filed his nomination from Kazhakkuttom, with Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma present in support. The elections are set for April 9, featuring a major contest between the LDF and UDF, with the NDA aiming to expand its footprint.

Congress leader Chandy Oommen files nomination for Kerala Assembly polls from Puthuppally, expressing confidence in UDF's return to power. Latest updates.

Kottayam, March 21 Congress leader and Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen filed his nomination for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections on Saturday, expressing confidence that the United Democratic Front would return to power in the state.

Oommen submitted his nomination papers to Revenue Divisional Officer Shibu P in Kottayam, accompanied by party workers and supporters.

Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination, Oommen said, "Today I have submitted my nomination for the election. The victim of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College has paid the amount for the nomination. After the election, UDF will win and a new Chief Minister will lead the Kerala government."

The Puthuppally seat holds significant political importance for the Congress, being a traditional stronghold of the party. Oommen, son of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, is seeking to retain the constituency amid electoral contest in the state.

The nomination filing comes amid heightened political activity in Kerala, with major parties intensifying their campaigns. Earlier in the day, BJP leader V Muraleedharan filed his nomination as the party's candidate from the Kazhakkuttom constituency for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma present in a show of support.

Addressing reporters, Muraleedharan said the presence of top leadership reflected the importance being given to Kerala by the party's central command.

"It shows the importance that the Prime Minister and the central leadership of BJP is giving to the elections of Kerala and to the people of Kerala. The development of Kerala is of prime importance, the welfare of Kerala is of prime importance to PM Modi. That is why the central leadership felt that the entire country's BJP leadership should come and support BJP and the people of Kerala," he said.

The Kerala Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes set for May 4. The contest is expected to be primarily between the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led UDF, while the BJP-led NDA is aiming to expand its presence.

- ANI
A US congressional committee has released a report accusing China of systematically exploiting the United Nations to advance its global ambitions. The investigation details how Beijing uses increased financial contributions, strategic appointments, and peacekeeping deployments to reshape the institution in its favor. It claims these actions are designed to undermine American interests and weaken democratic influence within multilateral platforms. The report also highlights the use of state-backed NGOs to influence policy and gather intelligence.

A US committee report accuses China of manipulating the UN through funding, appointments, and peacekeeping to advance its geopolitical interests and weaken democracies.

Washington DC, March 21 A new investigation by the US' Select Committee on China has alleged that China is systematically exploiting its position within the United Nations to advance its global ambitions and undermine American interests. The report, titled Inside China's Strategy to Reshape the United Nations, outlines coordinated efforts by Beijing to expand its authoritarian influence across international institutions.

According to the Select Committee on China, Beijing is leveraging a combination of financial contributions, strategic appointments, and peacekeeping deployments to reshape the functioning of the UN in its favour. The investigation claims that China is "manipulating the United Nations for its own strategic goals" by placing its personnel in key positions and funding initiatives designed to counter the United States.

Chairman John Moolenaar stated that the findings expose how China is "exploiting the UN" by installing loyal officials in influential roles and using institutional mechanisms to secure its geopolitical interests. The Select Committee on China further asserts that such actions are part of a broader strategy to weaken democratic influence within multilateral platforms.

The investigation also highlights how China's growing financial contributions to the UN system enable it to shape decision-making processes, including the deployment of peacekeeping missions. According to the Select Committee on China, these deployments are not merely humanitarian but serve dual purposes, providing operational experience to the People's Liberation Army while protecting Chinese business investments in sensitive regions.

Additionally, the Select Committee on China report raises concerns over the use of Government-Organised Non-Governmental Organisations, or GONGOs, which it identifies as instruments of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front strategy. These entities, the Select Committee on China notes, are used to influence policy discussions, gather intelligence, and expand Beijing's reach within international forums.

- ANI
Top stars from South Indian cinema took to social media to extend warm Eid al-Fitr greetings to their fans and the public. Kamal Haasan shared a thoughtful message in Tamil, emphasizing the festival's lessons in service and mercy. Other major actors including Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, Sivakarthikeyan, and Vijay Sethupathi posted wishes for happiness, peace, and prosperity. Several major production houses from the four South Indian film industries also shared their festive greetings.

Top actors like Chiranjeevi, Kamal Haasan, Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, and Vijay Sethupathi share heartfelt Eid al-Fitr greetings on social media.

Chennai, March 21 Several top stars from the south Indian film industries including actors Chiranjeevi, Kamal Haasan, Allu Arjun, Sivakarthikeyan, Junior NTR and Vijay Sethupathi have wished the masses peace, prosperity and happiness on the occasion of Eid on Saturday.

Actor Kamal Haasan, who penned his greeting in Tamil on his timeline on X, was among the first to greet those celebrating the festival. Kamal Haasan, while extending his warm Ramadan greetings to all Islamic brothers and sisters celebrating the festival of Eid, pointed out that the festival taught us that true service meant feeding the hungry and showing mercy that wiped away the tears of the humble and the simple.

Megastar Chiranjeevi too greeted the masses on the happy occasion of Eid. He took to his social media timelines to post his greetings. He wrote, "Eid Mubarak. May this beautiful occasion fill your life with happiness, peace, and togetherness. Wishing you and your loved ones endless joy and blessings."

Several top production houses from all four south Indian film industries too shared their greetings on the occasion.

Tamil actor Sivakarthikeyan, who is at present in Singapore along with his family on a vacation, wished his fans and the masses a happy Eid. He wrote, "#EidMubarak, my dear brothers and sisters. Wishing you all peace, happiness and prosperity."

Vijay Sethupathi took to his social media timelines to greet the people. He wrote Eid Mubarak and shared a poster that said, "Wishing you all a beautiful Eid filled with peace, love and prosperity."

Actor Allu Arjun wrote, "Eid Mubarak. Wishing happiness, good health, and prosperity to you and your loved ones."

Telugu star Jr NTR, for his part, said, "#EidMubarak! Wishing you love, togetherness and beautiful moments with your loved ones."

Tamil actor Karthi was also among those who extended his Eid wishes. Taking to his X timeline, he wrote, "Eid Mubarak! Wishing you all happiness and peace!"

- IANS
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant has called for at least 50% representation of women in government counsel and legal aid empanelments. He identified structural barriers like irregular hours, client distrust, and inadequate financial support from seniors as key challenges. The CJI highlighted that such quotas would provide women lawyers with consistent opportunities and financial stability to build independent practices. He noted significant progress in women entering the judiciary, with nearly half of judicial officers now being women.

CJI Surya Kant urges 50% reservation for women in government counsel and legal aid empanelments to tackle gender barriers in law.

New Delhi, March 21 Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday called for a major push toward gender equality in the legal profession, urging that at least 50 per cent of empanelments for government counsels and legal aid counsels be reserved for women advocates.

The CJI made the remarks during a panel discussion on "Inclusive Institutions for Democratic Justice: The Women in the Legal Profession" at the 1st SCBA National Conference 2026, titled "Reimagining Judicial Governance: Strengthening Institutions for Democratic Justice," held in Bengaluru.

The two-day conference was organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association and attended by judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, along with legal professionals.

Justice Surya Kant emphasised that achieving gender equality in the legal profession first requires identifying structural barriers that hinder women's long-term participation. He highlighted challenges such as irregular working hours, lack of trust from litigants and insufficient financial support from senior advocates as key reasons many women struggle to sustain careers in law.

To address these challenges, he proposed quickly implementable measures like ensuring at least 50% representation of women in government empanelments and legal aid panels. He explained that such steps would provide women lawyers with consistent opportunities, financial stability and professional visibility, which would eventually help them build independent practices.

"Let us identify the issues that challenge the impediments, the roadblocks which are eventually in the later part (of careers), denying the equality part to women. Once we are able to identify these challenges, then we can resolve and find a way out. For example, the issues why women are not able to continue in this profession is because this profession has very odd working hours, or because many litigants are not entrusting their briefs with women lawyers or seniors are not providing them with adequate junior fee - these are multiple factors... and we need to resolve them," the CJI said.

"One or two of the quick solutions which I always find is that in the government empanelment of advocates, let us ensure - let's not go by 30%, at least 50% women lawyers should be empanelled as government counsels. That can be one beginning. The second beginning can be at the legal-aid panel counsel, also, at least 50% of women lawyers should be there. This is how you ensure a platform or opportunity to show your worth in the profession. This will also give you some element of stability, and ultimately if your prove your worth as a government counsel or as a legal aid counsel I am quite sure that in due course of time the private client will also catch up with you and the talent never hides whether you appear either of the sides and they will be really ultimately be able to establish their private practice also", he added.

Sharing his views on the subject of appointments of women in the judiciary, the CJI said that the entry of women in the judiciary has increased significantly in the recent past. He added that he personally is aware of smoke states in which more than 50-60 per cent of the judicial officers are women. He stated that achieving gender equality in the legal profession is a long drawn battle, a big part of which we have already won.

"On an average basis, 45% to 50% of judicial officers in the country are women judicial officers who will eventually become District Judges. When you are distinct judges, then you have a share for your elevation to the High Court. The face of the High Court is also, you will find some of the High Courts like the Punjab and Haryana High Court there are 18 women judges and thanks to only because of that initial stages they joined the judicial services they were able to become District Judges and many of their District Judges based upon their hard work, seniority, competence, merit, integrity now they are able to make it to the High Court. This is a long, drawn-out process and a big part of that battle we have already successfully won, and only a small part is left to ensure gender equality, where all the stakeholders will work together and the issues that have been identified in this survey," the CJI said.

About the subject of providing financial support to women in the legal profession, the CJI urged the Centre and the State governments to come up with a separate corpus meant to help women lawyers.

"Financial support in earlier years. We can create a corpus. I think we can persuade the government of India and state governments to create a corpus which should be only meant to help the women lawyers, particularly during the period when they are required to go on maternity leave. There should be dedicated, professional assistance as an honorarium that should be made available to them for which the State should first create a corpus, and maybe we will keep adding on that through other mechanisms," he said.

The CJI added, "When we talk of equality within our constitutional framework, it should not just be on paper; it must be a lived experience."

He said that formal guarantees of equality are insufficient unless they translate into real opportunities and fair treatment in everyday professional life. While acknowledging the increasing participation of women in legal education and enrollment, he raised concerns about retention and long-term sustainability.

The Chief Justice also focused on the importance of safe and inclusive workplace infrastructure, particularly given the demanding nature of legal work. "A safe work environment is important because of odd working hours in this profession. There must be childcare centres and dedicated rooms for women," he said.

He pointed out that practical measures such as childcare facilities and designated spaces are essential to make the profession more accessible and sustainable for women. "I will take up this issue with the High Court Chief Justices," he added.

Turning to institutional reforms, he called for changes within Bar Associations and regulatory bodies. "There should be at least 30% reservation in Bar Associations," he said.

He argued that reserved representation would ensure women have a voice in decision-making processes within professional bodies. He also alluded to the need for broader reforms in Bar Councils, particularly in their functioning and electoral processes, to make them more inclusive and responsive.

Drawing attention to conditions at the grassroots level, the Chief Justice highlighted infrastructural deficiencies in courts across the country.

"Infrastructure issues must be addressed; not a single court is acceptable if it does not provide dedicated separate rooms for women at the Bar," he said. He stressed that basic facilities are fundamental to ensuring dignity and equal participation for women lawyers.

- ANI
The Assam Congress, led by Gaurav Gogoi, has formed a six-party opposition alliance to contest the state assembly elections. The party will field candidates in 100 of the 126 seats, aiming to prevent a split in votes against the ruling BJP. Congress has already released candidate lists, totaling 94 names, and has allocated 11 seats to its ally, the Raijor Dal. The alliance's stated goal is to remove the current government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from power.

Congress forms six-party alliance for Assam polls, to contest 100 seats. Goal is to consolidate anti-BJP vote and remove Himanta Biswa Sarma government.

Majuli, March 21 Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi said on Saturday that Congress is fighting the state assembly polls in alliance with five more parties and hoped that the anti-BJP votes will not get split and the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government will be voted out of power.

Gogoi told ANI that Congress will fight 100 of 126 seats in the state.

"There is an alliance of six opposition parties in Assam - Congress, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference. Assam Congress will field its candidates in 100 seats...We are hopeful that the anti-BJP votes will not get divided and we will remove the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government," Gaurav Gogoi said.

Congress on Friday released the fourth list of seven candidates, taking the total tally to 94 in the 126-seat Assam Assembly elections.

The list includes Jayanta Borah, who quit the BJP in 2024, Congress spokesperson Bidisha Neog, Youth Congress leader Rohit Pariga, spokesperson Joy Prakash Das, Gyandip Mohan, Pran Kurmi and Rahul Roy.

Congress has left 11 seats for alliance partner Raijor Dal.

The regional party and Congress reached an agreement on Thursday. Gaurav Gogoi and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi made the announcement about the agreement in a joint press conference.

Candidates in Assam can file their nominations till March 23. Several nominations are expected to be filed on Monday, the last date of filing nominations.

- ANI
Congress leader Salman Khurshid has expressed deep concern that the ongoing West Asia conflict has become a prolonged "war of equality" with potential worldwide consequences. He specifically highlighted that attacks on fuel infrastructure during the war would impact the entire global community. This comes as Iran's Oil Ministry contradicted a recent U.S. move to temporarily ease sanctions on Iranian crude oil, stating it has no surplus available for international markets. The conflicting statements and ongoing war are contributing to significant volatility in global crude oil markets.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid warns the prolonged West Asia conflict is a "war of equality" with worldwide consequences, as Iran denies oil surplus.

New Delhi, March 21 Former External Affairs Minister and Congress Foreign Affairs Department President Salman Khurshid on Saturday expressed concern over the ongoing West Asia conflict, saying that the prolonged nature of the war suggests it has become evenly matched and could have far-reaching global consequences.

"So, it's very important for us to understand the consequences of the attacks on the entire. The U.S. and Iran must be thinking about it, and other countries in the world are also thinking about it. So, it's very important for us to understand that this is a war of equality, and how much we can increase or decrease it is up to each and every country's calculations.

The senior Congress leader added that attacks on fuel infrastructure during the conflict could impact not just the region but the entire world, raising serious concerns about its wider implications.

"We need to understand that in this war, attacks are being made on fuel, which will strike the entire world. Now, time will tell what measures will be found for all this," he added.

Meanwhile, Iran's Oil Ministry has contradicted the US move to ease sanctions on Iran's crude oil, which is loaded on vessels as of March 20.

In a statement issued by Iran's consulate in Mumbai, it was said, "At present, Iran essentially has no floating crude or surplus available for international markets. The U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks appear aimed at reassuring buyers and managing market sentiment."

The denial from the Iranians could further spook an already volatile market that has seen Crude Oil prices spike as the West Asia conflict is poised to enter its fourth week.

Earlier, the United States on Friday (local time) announced temporarily easing of sanctions on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products up until April 19 this year, including permitting the sale of Iranian crude and refined products into the United States. The details of the decision were provided by a statement from the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorised the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian-origin, which are loaded on vessels as of March 20.

The statement noted 19 April 2026 as the date till which the exceptions would exist on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

It said that with certain exceptions, "All transactions prohibited by the above-listed authorities that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel, including vessels blocked under the above-listed authorities, on or before 12:01 am eastern daylight time, March 20, 2026 are authorized through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 19, 2026."

The statement noted that the transactions authorised by the license also include the import of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products into the United States.

- ANI
CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah extended Eid-Ul-Fitr greetings, highlighting the festival as a celebration of joy, brotherhood, and communal harmony following the holy month of Ramzan. Other political and community leaders, including former MP Mohammad Adeeb and DPAP's Ghulam Nabi Azad, offered prayers and shared messages of peace. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with special prayers, charity, and community gatherings after a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. The festival underscores themes of unity, compassion, and hope for global peace, especially in regions like West Asia.

CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah extends Eid-Ul-Fitr greetings, calling it a festival of happiness, brotherhood, and communal harmony. Other leaders also share messages.

New Delhi, March 21 On the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrations, CPI leader Hannan Mollah on Saturday extended his greetings to the nation, highlighting the festival as a symbol of joy, unity and communal harmony.

Speaking on the significance of the day, Mollah noted that Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, a period of fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection for Muslims across the world.

"After a month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid with joy and unity, gathering with friends and family, including those from other faiths. It is a festival of happiness, brotherhood, and harmony, with the hope that people across the nation live peacefully together," the CPI (M) leader said.

Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim Community, cutting across party lines, on Saturday offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital and extended greetings to the nation, wishing peace and harmony for global welfare.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day."

BJP national media in-charge Yaser Jilani also offered prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque and described the occasion as a joyous day for the community.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace."

Eid al-Fitr is one of the most significant festivals in Islam, marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan. It is celebrated with special prayers (namaz), charity, feasting, and community gatherings.

On this day, Muslims begin with morning prayers at mosques or Eidgahs, followed by greeting each other, sharing meals, and spreading messages of peace, unity, and compassion.

Ramazan, 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.

- ANI
In its fourth-quarter earnings report in February, the ride-hailing giant Uber outlined its strategy to expand into autonomous vehicles.

And within a month, it has successfully announced several high-profile partnerships, deepening its push into the emerging AV industry.

The latest moves came this week, involving Ubers new deals with Rivian and Nvidia.

On Thursday, March 19, under a new agreement with EV maker Rivian, Uber plans to invest up to $1.25 billion and support the deployment of up to 50,000 AVs over time. The initial rollouts are expected to begin in key U.S. markets such as San Francisco and Miami in 2028.

In its March 16 announcement, the company outlined plans to deploy Nvidia-powered Level 4 robotaxis on Ubers platform beginning in 2027, with expansion across 28 cities globally by 2028.

The partnership adds to a growing list of AV collaborations that are also reshaping how investors view Ubers long-term growth strategy.

Uber to invest $1.25 billion in Rivian

In its March 19 announcement, Uber said it intends to invest up to $1.25 billion in the EV maker Rivian (stock up 3.5% midday) by 2031 to accelerate both companies AV plans.

The partnership will initially deploy 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis in San Francisco and Miami in 2028 in its first phase. Uber and Rivian expect to expand this to 25 cities by 2031.

Subject to achieving certain AV milestones, Uber has opened the purchase of up to 40,000 more robotaxis in 2030, bringing the total to 50,000 robotaxis in its fleet.

Uber has made an initial $300 million investment toward building a scaled, fully autonomous fleet of Rivian R2 robotaxis, which will be available exclusively through the Uber platform.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Rivians expertise and data from its growing vehicle base, along with Ubers ability to manage commercial fleets, gives us conviction to set these ambitious but achievable targets.

"We couldnt be more excited about this partnership with Uber  it will help accelerate our path to level 4 autonomy to create one of the safest and most convenient autonomous platforms in the world," said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe.

Uber stock is down 7% year to date.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

The Uber-Nvidia partnership

The Rivian deal closely follows Ubers March 16 unveiling of its expanded partnership with Nvidia, which will power the companys next-generation robotaxi network.

Nvidias DRIVE Hyperion autonomous vehicle platform and Nvidia Alpamayo, a reasoning-based AI model designed to handle unpredictable scenarios such as erratic pedestrian behavior or construction zones, are at the center of this deployment.
The long-delayed Marudaiyaru dam in Perambalur has become a central issue ahead of the Assembly elections, symbolizing broken political promises. Started in 2016, the project is 95% complete but stalled due to fund shortages, with costs more than doubling. Visible cracks and overgrown vegetation now mar the structure, while locals who gave up land feel cheated as assurances of jobs and plots remain unfulfilled. Officials await fresh funds as politicians, including Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, renew commitments to complete it.

A decade-old, stalled dam project in Perambalur, with costs doubled and cracks appearing, emerges as a major poll issue as residents feel betrayed.

Chennai, March 21 Nearly a decade after construction began, the long-pending Marudaiyaru dam project in Kottarai village continues to remain incomplete, turning into a major concern for residents ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The delay, attributed largely to fund shortages, is expected to dominate campaign discussions as political parties once again seek votes from the people.

The dam project, which commenced in 2016, has already witnessed two Assembly elections and one Lok Sabha election, yet progress has remained sluggish.

Initially estimated at Rs 67.5 crore, the cost has now escalated significantly to Rs 149.4 crore. Spread across Kottarai and Adhanur villages, the project involved the acquisition of 815 acres of land. Once completed, the dam is expected to store 212 million cubic feet of water and provide irrigation to around 4,194 acres of agricultural land, offering a major boost to farming in the drought-prone district.

Officials state that nearly 95 per cent of the construction work has been completed, with only the branch irrigation canal work remaining. However, with work currently stalled due to a lack of funds, the partially completed structure has begun to show signs of neglect.

Overgrown Seemai Karuvelam trees have spread across the site, while visible cracks have reportedly appeared in parts of the dam and its shutters, raising concerns about structural integrity.

Local residents, particularly those who gave up their land for the project, have expressed deep frustration. Many allege that promises made during land acquisition -- such as government jobs and housing plots -- have not been fulfilled. They also point out that during previous elections, candidates across party lines had assured speedy completion of the dam, but little progress followed.

"Construction started during the AIADMK regime, and now even as the DMK government nears the end of its term, the project remains unfinished," said a resident of Perali.

Echoing similar sentiments, P. Sivakumar from Perambalur said voters feel repeatedly let down. "Every election comes with promises, but once it is over, our issues are forgotten. We expect the same promises to be repeated this year too," he remarked.

Officials from the Water Resources Department confirmed that the project is awaiting a fresh allocation of funds.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, who is likely to contest from Kunnam, assured that the government is committed to completing the project soon. As elections approach, the unfinished dam stands as both a symbol of unmet promises and a test of political accountability in Perambalur.

- IANS
The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to verify landowners' title documents before proceeding with a land demarcation exercise in Rajokri's Westend Green Farms. The dispute centers on claims that parts of private farmland were incorrectly identified as part of a stormwater drain without verifying ownership. Justice Sanjeev Narula ruled that adjoining landowners must be included in the process and allowed to present their documents and objections. The court has set a hearing for April 2026 and directed the DDA to examine the petitioners' representation and records before any final decision.

Delhi High Court orders DDA to examine landowners' documents and grant a hearing before deciding on Rajokri farm land demarcation.

New Delhi, March 21 The Delhi High Court, in a key order on the Westend Green Farms land demarcation dispute in Rajokri, has directed the Delhi Development Authority to verify landowners' title and revenue records and give them a proper hearing before taking any decision on the matter.

The case pertains to a dispute over the demarcation of Westend Green Farms land in Rajokri, where landowners claim that portions of their property were incorrectly identified as part of a stormwater drain.

Appearing for the petitioners - Ajay S. Shriram, Vikram S Shriram & Ajit S. Shriram, Advocates, Sumit Gehlot and Manju Gehlot of Fidelegal Advocates & Solicitors, argued that the demarcation exercise had been carried out without associating their clients, despite their land being directly affected. They submitted that authorities had proceeded on assumptions without first examining ownership title documents.

Advocate Sumit Gehlot further contended that their clients possess valid title documents, including registered deeds and revenue records- Aksh Sizra & Khatouni, along with a sanctioned building plan. Despite this, it was alleged that under the guise of identifying a "nalla" (storm drain), authorities indicated that a portion of their land fell within the drain area, without any prior verification of ownership.

Justice Sanjeev Narula, after hearing the parties, held that landowners whose properties are adjoining the land under demarcation cannot be excluded from the process. The Court observed that such persons must be given an opportunity to present their title documents and raise objections before any final decision is taken.

The case arose from a notice dated December 9, 2025, issued by the DDA for demarcation of land identified as part of a storm water drain across villages Samalka and Rajokri. During the exercise, authorities allegedly concluded that parts of adjoining private farm land fell within the drain area, leading to the present dispute.

The petitioners, who claim ownership of over 12 bighas 14 biswas (2.75 Acres) of land in Westend Green Farms, relied on registered title documents, Khatauni, Khasra Girdawari records, and an approved building plan to assert their rights over the Land.

Taking note of similar matters where affected landowners were permitted to approach authorities with their documents, the Court adopted a consistent approach and allowed the petitioners to do the same in the present case. Adopting a consistent approach, the Court held that the same opportunity must be extended in the present case to ensure fairness and transparency in the process.

Accordingly, the Court directed the petitioners to file a representation along with all relevant title and revenue documents before the DDA. The authority has been directed to examine these records and consider the objections in accordance with the law before proceeding further with the demarcation exercise.

The Court also directed the petitioners to appear before the Deputy Director (Land Management), DDA, on April 24, 2026. It clarified that all rights and legal remedies remain open, and the petitioners may challenge any adverse decision in accordance with the law. The petitioners are represented through Advocates Sumit Gehlot and Manju Gehlot of Fidelegal Advocates & Solicitors.

- ANI
The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to implement heightened security measures near the Uttam Nagar East Metro station due to concerns over potential violence during Eid-ul-Fitr. The court has mandated that these arrangements remain in place until the festival of Ram Navami, with the matter set for a further hearing on April 6. This follows similar security enhancements by police around the historic Jama Masjid area in preparation for the festival. The report also details the significance of Ramazan and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which mark the end of the holy month of fasting.

Delhi High Court directs police to heighten security near Uttam Nagar Metro and Jama Masjid ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and Ram Navami.

New Delhi, March 21 Security was heightened on Saturday near Uttam Nagar East Metro station after the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Police to make adequate arrangements in the area over apprehensions of violence during Eid-ul-Fitr.

The High Court also issued a notice to the Delhi Police and sought its response. It directed that security arrangements be maintained until the festival of Ram Navami. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 6.

Earlier on Friday, the Delhi Police strengthened the security measures in and around Jama Masjid in view of Eid-ul-Fitr. The market around Jama Masjid is in full fervour as people shop for clothes and food items.

The Muslim community around the country is gearing up for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

Meanwhile, Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to formulate a comprehensive NDA strategy for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. The discussions focused on alliance coordination across all 234 constituencies, not immediate seat-sharing. Dhinakaran stated seat-sharing negotiations are progressing smoothly and will be finalized amicably in Chennai within days. He dismissed CM Stalin's criticism of the Delhi meetings and expressed confidence in an AIADMK-led NDA victory.

TTV Dhinakaran meets Amit Shah to finalize NDA strategy against DMK in Tamil Nadu. Seat-sharing deal expected in days.

Chennai, March 21 Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Saturday said his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi focused on evolving a comprehensive strategy for the National Democratic Alliance to defeat the ruling DMK in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

After the meeting, Dhinakaran clarified that the discussions did not revolve around seat-sharing arrangements but instead emphasised strengthening coordination among NDA partners across all 234 Assembly constituencies in the state. The focus was on ensuring unity and effective grassroots mobilisation to secure victory in the polls.

He indicated that Union Home Minister Shah had offered guidance and suggestions on the electoral approach, and that his visit to Delhi was primarily aimed at discussing these strategic aspects.

Dhinakaran also said that seat-sharing negotiations within the alliance were progressing smoothly and would be finalised soon. He added that the arrangements were expected to be concluded amicably within the next two to three days in Chennai, paving the way for formal announcements.

Reiterating his party's political stand, Dhinakaran asserted that the NDA would mount a strong challenge against what he described as a corrupt DMK government. He expressed confidence that the people were supportive of the alliance and that the NDA would emerge victorious to form an AIADMK-led government in Tamil Nadu.

Responding to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's criticism regarding frequent visits by AIADMK leaders to Delhi and their engagement with BJP leadership, Dhinakaran dismissed the remarks as politically motivated. He maintained that there was nothing unusual about such meetings and suggested that the DMK's narrative was driven by apprehension ahead of the elections.

In a lighter remark, he also referred to the Indian Premier League, noting that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team includes several non-Tamil players, including its captain, and questioned why similar concerns were not raised in that context.

With alliance talks nearing completion and campaign strategies taking shape, the NDA appears to be intensifying its preparations for what is expected to be a closely contested Assembly election in Tamil Nadu.

- IANS
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-president Navajyoti Talukdar has resigned from the party and joined the BJP, stating it was difficult to work for society while in the Congress. In his resignation letter to Mallikarjun Kharge, he cited prolonged dissatisfaction with the party's functioning and lack of coordination. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed Talukdar and sitting Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi into the BJP, predicting more Congress leaders would join. The defections come ahead of the single-phase assembly polls scheduled for April 9.

Assam Congress VP Navajyoti Talukdar resigns, joins BJP, citing dissatisfaction. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomes him and sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi.

Guwahati, March 21 Bharatiya Janata Party leader Navajyoti Talukdar started his new political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Party after resigning from the Congress, stating that he wants to work for the progress of the nation, which he claimed is difficult while being in Congress.

BJP leader Navajyoti Talukdar, while speaking to ANI, said, "I joined the BJP because it is working for the country. There is one slogan across the entire country: Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat. We have come to make India superior. This atmosphere does not exist in Congress. Congress leaders are even afraid to sing Vande Mataram. It is difficult for us to work for society while staying with the Congress..."

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, in another major jolt to the Congress, Bhupen Borah, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Vice-president Navajyoti Talukdar resigned from the primary membership of the party.

In his resignation letter sent to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Talukdar said, "This decision follows prolonged dissatisfaction with the functioning, lack of coordination, and failure in addressing concerns despite repeated efforts from my side. Continuing under such circumstances is neither acceptable nor productive."

"I, Navajyoti Talukdar, hereby resign from the post of Vice President, AICC Member, and from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect," Navajyoti Talukdar said in his resignation letter.

On the other hand, ahead of the upcoming assembly polls, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed sitting Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi, a Congress veteran since 1975, into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that other leaders from the opposition party will also join the ruling party in the coming days.

Speaking to the reporters here, the Assam CM said more leaders, including Navajyoti Talukdar, who resigned as the Congress's state unit vice president, will join the BJP in Guwahati soon.

Speaking to the reporters, CM Sarma said, "There are a lot of people like Navajyoti Talukdar and others who will join (the BJP) in Guwahati. We are going to clear our party list for candidates this evening. Other people will join in the next two to three days in Assam itself."

"Sitting MP from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi, has joined the BJP. His history with the Congress party goes back to 1975; his joining the BJP will strengthen the BJP. We all welcome him to our party. Assam Pradesh BJP will recommend to the central leadership that he should fight the assembly elections. There is no reason for someone with self-respect to stay with the Congress party. We aim to bring more Congress leaders into the party," he added.

Sarma's remarks came after Assam MP Pradyut Bordoloi joined the ruling BJP days ahead of the single-phase assembly polls scheduled to be held on April 9.

- ANI
DMDK Treasurer LK Sudhish has expressed strong confidence in a sweeping victory for the DMK-led alliance in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, predicting over 200 seats. He sharply criticized the opposition AIADMK, stating it is headed for a "complete washout" in the polls. Seat-sharing discussions between DMDK and DMK are still underway, with a final decision pending from party leadership. The elections for the 234-member assembly are scheduled for April 23, with the main contest expected between the DMK alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA.

DMDK's LK Sudhish predicts DMK-led alliance will win over 200 seats in Tamil Nadu polls, forecasting a complete washout for the AIADMK.

Ambur, March 21 Rajya Sabha MP and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam Treasurer LK Sudhish exuded confidence that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance would secure a sweeping victory in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, predicting that the coalition would win in more than 200 constituencies.

He also launched a sharp attack on the opposition, stating that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) would face a "complete washout" in the polls.

Speaking to reporters after participating in Ramzan special prayers near Ambur in Tirupattur district, Sudhish said, "Even before DMDK joined the alliance, DMK was in a strong position to win around 200 seats. With our support, the alliance will cross that mark comfortably. AIADMK would face a complete defeat in the elections."

The Ramzan prayers witnessed a gathering of over 30,000 people, following which Sudhish greeted members of the Muslim community. Ambur MLA V Vilvanathan and several DMK leaders were also present on the occasion.

On seat-sharing arrangements, Sudhish said discussions between DMDK and DMK are still underway. He noted that a final decision would be announced by the party leadership once talks conclude. Addressing a query on the electoral impact of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Sudhish acknowledged that the party could influence the polls.

The Election Commission of India has announced that Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The elections are being held for the 234-member Assembly, whose current tenure ends on May 10.

The main contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by AIADMK along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). Actor Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is also in talks with DMK over seat-sharing, indicating a broader coalition strategy ahead of the elections.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate meetings with the High Commissioner of Bangladesh and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. The discussions with Bangladesh focused on advancing economic cooperation, reviewing the Line of Credit, and enhancing connectivity. In parallel, recent engagements have solidified energy ties, with Bangladesh set to import additional diesel from India by April. These diplomatic efforts underscore a concerted push to deepen partnerships based on mutual interests and shared benefits.

EAM S Jaishankar held talks with Bangladesh & Kazakhstan envoys to advance partnerships, focusing on energy, connectivity & economic cooperation.

New Delhi, March 20 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held separate meetings on Friday with the High Commissioner of Bangaldesh and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation.

Minister Jaishankar met Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, in New Delhi, where the two leaders discussed ways to further deepen ties between the neighbouring countries.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Met with High Commissioner @hamidullah_riaz of Bangladesh. Our conversation was focused on advancing our bilateral ties."

In a separate post, Bangladeshi High Commissioner Hamidullah said he was "privileged" to pay a courtesy call on the minister and reaffirmed Dhaka's commitment to cooperation with New Delhi.

"Privileged to pay Courtesy Call on the Indian EAM and affirmed #Bangladesh's readiness to walk | work with #India, together, in shared interests and for shared benefits," he said.

Jaishankar also met the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India, Azamat Yeskarayev, where discussions focused on advancing the partnership between the two countries.

"Received Kazakh Ambassador to India Azamat Yeskarayev this morning. Discussed taking forward our partnership," Jaishankar said in another X post.

Earlier, on March 16, India and Bangladesh discussed the review of the Line of Credit (LOC) and Bangladesh's participation in India's power exchange market. They also talked about how Bangladesh can gain insights from India's digital financial system.

High Commissioner Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser (Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning) in the Prime Minister's Office on 16 March 2026.

They discussed various aspects of India-Bangladesh economic cooperation, including ways to strengthen transport, energy and digital connectivity between the two countries. They also explored new areas for future collaboration in people-centric domains aligned with the respective developmental priorities of the two countries based on mutual interest and mutual benefit.

On March 15, an official said that Bangladesh will import an additional 45,000 tons of diesel from India by April.

"Recently, 5,000 tons of diesel arrived in Bangladesh from India, and we will receive another 5,000 tons around the 18th or 19th of March in Bangladesh from India", Md. Murshed Hossain Azad, General Manager (Commercial & Operations) of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), told ANI over the phone.

"We have received a proposal to import an additional 40,000 tons of diesel from India. Once the procedural work is completed--that is, the opening of the LC and other formalities--this 40,000 tons of diesel will also arrive in Bangladesh by April," he added.

- ANI
The Congress party extended warm Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the nation, with senior leaders highlighting the festival's themes of compassion and unity. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared messages on social media, wishing citizens joy and peace. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, observed with prayers, feasts, and charity. The festival is a major Islamic celebration, though observances in some regions remain muted due to ongoing conflict.

Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi extend Eid-ul-Fitr wishes, describing it as a celebration of compassion, generosity, and togetherness.

New Delhi, March 21 The Congress on Saturday extended warm greetings to citizens across the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, describing the festival as a celebration of compassion, generosity, and togetherness.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took to the social media platform X to convey his wishes. "Eid Mubarak! Wishing you and your loved ones joy, prosperity, and good health," he wrote. In a video message, he also greeted people, saying, "Namaskar, aap sabhi ko Eid Mubarak, aapko aur aapke parivaron ko bahut sara pyar. Jai Hind!"

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his message on X, extending greetings to all citizens.

"Warm greetings to all my fellow citizens on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid is a celebration of compassion, generosity, and togetherness. It reminds us of the strength found in our shared humanity and the beauty of our diverse, pluralistic society. May this blessed occasion bring peace, prosperity, and inspire us all to extend kindness and service to those around us. Eid Mubarak," he said.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also conveyed her wishes, describing Eid-ul-Fitr as a festival of love, harmony, and brotherhood.

"Many congratulations to all of you on Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival of love, harmony and brotherhood. May this festival bring lots of joy to all of you. I wish everyone happiness, prosperity, and peace," she said.

Meanwhile, the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, is being observed by Muslims across the globe including India, with prayers, feasts, and gatherings.

However, celebrations in parts of West Asia remain muted this year due to the ongoing conflict, casting a shadow over the festive spirit. Several countries have announced extended public holidays of up to four days to mark the occasion.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is considered one of the most sacred periods in Islam. It commemorates the revelation of the Holy Book, the Quran, to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. During this month, Muslims observe fasting from dawn to dusk, engage in increased prayer, and focus on spiritual reflection and self-discipline.

Eid-ul-Fitr, often referred to as the "festival of breaking the fast," marks the end of this month-long period of devotion and fasting. The festival falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, following the sighting of the crescent moon. Due to the lunar nature of the calendar and varying weather conditions, the exact date of Eid may differ across regions.

The day begins with a special congregational prayer held shortly after sunrise. Unlike daily prayers, this prayer does not include the traditional call to prayer and features additional recitations praising God. Before attending the prayer, Muslims are required to give charity, ensuring that those in need can also participate in the celebrations.

It is customary to eat something, often dates, before heading for the prayers and to wear new or their finest clothes, reflecting the joyous nature of the occasion.

Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two major festivals in Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha. The day is marked by both formal and informal celebrations, including community gatherings, visits to relatives, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. Families come together to share festive meals, while children often receive presents and money, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

While Eid is officially observed for one day, festivities in many countries extend for up to three days, often accompanied by public holidays. These days provide an opportunity for people to rest, reconnect with loved ones, and celebrate the successful completion of Ramadan. In several nations, governments have declared multiple days off to allow citizens to fully partake in the festivities.

- IANS
Elon Musk has publicly offered to cover the salaries of Transportation Security Administration personnel during a US funding impasse that is severely disrupting airport operations. The crisis has led to over 10% of TSA officers being absent, compared to a typical rate under 2%, forcing about 50,000 staff to work without pay. Major airport hubs are reporting absentee rates as high as 20%, with hundreds of officers having quit during the shutdown period. Musk's statement highlights the severe strain on essential aviation security services and the broader travel ecosystem due to the political standoff.

Elon Musk offers to pay TSA salaries amid US funding standoff causing airport disruptions and staff shortages. Details on the crisis.

New Delhi, March 21 Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Saturday said he is willing to pay the salaries of Transportation Security Administration personnel amid an ongoing funding impasse in the US that is affecting airport operations.

Taking to social media platform X, Musk said, "I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country."



The remark comes at a time when the funding situation has raised concerns over disruptions at airports across the United States, with TSA staff playing a critical role in ensuring security and smooth passenger movement.



While Musk did not provide further details on how such an arrangement would work, his statement drew attention to the broader challenges faced by aviation security personnel during periods of fiscal uncertainty.



Musk's offer underscores growing concerns over the impact of funding delays on essential services and the wider travel ecosystem.



Earlier, the US administration said that more than 10 per cent of TSA officers have not reported to work during the funding lapse, compared to the usual absentee rate of under 2 per cent.



The standoff in Congress has forced around 50,000 TSA personnel to continue working without pay.



At key hubs such as Atlanta, New York's JFK and Houston, absentee rates have reportedly surged to around 20 per cent, with some locations witnessing even sharper spikes.



Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security said that hundreds of TSA officers have left their jobs during the shutdown period, further straining the system.



As of March 21, Musk's net worth stood at around $814 billion, making him the richest person in the world, followed by Larry Page. He has co-founded companies such as Tesla, SpaceX and xAI.





- IANS
The Russian Foreign Ministry accuses European leaders of deliberately causing an energy crisis by rejecting Russian resources. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU's categorical ban on procuring Russian natural gas. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is leading resistance, warning of severe risks to regional energy security and urging a review of sanctions. The dispute centers on oil delivery disruptions via the Druzhba pipeline, heightening tensions within the EU and with Ukraine.

Russia accuses EU leaders of causing an energy crisis by rejecting Russian gas, as Hungary's Orban urges sanctions review over supply fears.

Moscow, March 21 European politicians are deliberately plunging their countries into crisis and darkness by continuing to reject Russian energy resources, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"It is not a technical disaster nor any natural cataclysms that are causing the global crisis in the European Union (EU), but rather the decisions of its own leaders, who are simply flipping the switch," Maria Zakharova said in a post on her Telegram channel.

On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the EU's unwavering position, which categorically precludes member states from procuring Russian natural gas even in the event of a severe energy crisis in Europe, amid the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The stance had met with resistance from some of its member countries, heavily reliant on Russian energy supplies, reports Xinhua news agency.

Earlier this month, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the EU to review and suspend sanctions on Russian energy, warning that rising oil prices and supply disruptions pose risks to regional energy security.

In a video message posted on social media, Orban had said the increase in fuel prices in Hungary was linked to what he described as a "Ukrainian oil blockade" and escalating tensions in the Middle East. He said he had sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging the EU to reconsider sanctions imposed on Russian energy.

"The Ukrainian oil blockade now represents the most serious threat not only to Hungary and Slovakia but also to the entire EU," Orban said.

He added that the Hungarian government must prevent gasoline and diesel prices from rising to "unbearable levels," noting that an extraordinary government meeting had been convened to address the issue.

Hungary and Slovakia have recently faced disruptions in oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil to Central Europe via Ukraine.

The situation has heightened tensions between the two countries and Ukraine, while raising concerns about the potential impact on regional energy supplies.

- IANS
Despite the higher gross profit, Isaak reported that net loss widened to $4.3 million in 2025 from $1.7 million in 2024. He emphasized that 2025s net loss included $6.7 million of non-cash expenses, compared with $1.9 million in 2024, driven predominantly by stock compensation to employees and the board.

Chief Financial Officer Richard Isaak said fiscal 2025 sales rose to $39.3 million , up 163% from the prior year. Isaak attributed the increase to antimony pricing and to a combination of price and volume gains in the companys zeolite business. Cost of sales increased 156% , which Isaak said was below the pace of revenue growth, citing favorable antimony ore purchases and lower maintenance and repair costs at the companys zeolite facility in Idaho.

United States Antimony (NYSEAMERICAN:UAMY) executives used the companys fiscal 2025 financial and operating results call to outline a year marked by sharply higher revenue, expanded liquidity, and a growing slate of critical-minerals projects spanning antimony, tungsten, and other metals. Management also detailed the ramp of mining activity in Montana and Alaska, progress on processing capacity expansions, and a pair of multi-year antimony sales agreements that it said underpin expectations for fiscal 2026.

The company is scaling supply and processing capacityincluding a Thompson Falls smelter expansion (to more than triple capacity, now delayed to May) and a planned hydrometallurgical plantand expanded its resource base with the Nolan Creek acquisition (NI 43101 reserve ~ 42,400 tons at 28% antimony , roughly $297 million insitu value) and a large Fostung tungsten inferred resource under evaluation.

Management secured two multiyear antimony contracts that underpin 2026 expectations: a solesource Defense Logistics Agency deal valued at about $248 million (with ~ $75 million of deliveries expected in FY2026) and a separate fiveyear industrial contract for $106.7 million .

Fiscal 2025 revenue surged to $39.3 million (up 163% ), gross profit rose sharply and the company ended the year with $91.3 million in cash and investments, but net loss widened to $4.3 million largely due to $6.7 million of noncash stock compensation.

Story Continues

Isaak said the company ended fiscal 2025 with $91.3 million in cash and investments, including U.S. Treasury securities and equity securities, compared with $18.2 million of cash at the end of 2024. Working capital increased to $44.6 million, up $27.9 million year over year, driven mainly by increases in cash, inventory, and Treasury securities. Antimony inventory rose from 78 tons at the end of 2024 to 465 tons at year-end 2025; Isaak said 17% of the 2025 inventory came from the companys Thompson Falls, Montana mine. Debt remained low at $195,000.

Major contracts and antimony supply chain buildout

Chairman and CEO Gary C. Evans highlighted two multi-year antimony sales agreements announced during the year:

A sole-source Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract initially announced at $245 million and later upgraded to $248 million to deliver antimony ingots over five years. Evans said the company anticipates delivering approximately $75 million of antimony ingots under this agreement in fiscal 2026 and is very close to making its first shipment.

A five-year industrial antimony contract valued at $106.7 million with a customer that requested anonymity for competitive reasons. Evans said deliveries began around June or July of the prior year, and the material is used in industrial fabrics and associated flame-retardant applications.

 The SkyWater Deal: IonQ's Bid for Quantum Supremacy

On operations, Isaak said the antimony division became fully vertically integrated in 2025, with efforts focused on diversifying ore procurement sources, expanding processing capacity, and securing long-term sales contracts. He said the company is nearing completion on an expansion of the Thompson Falls antimony smelter that is expected to more than triple capacity. He also said the company is completing the engineering phase for a new hydrometallurgical facility in Idaho in partnership with Americas Gold and Silver Corporation, and noted a recently awarded $27 million U.S. Department of Defense award intended to help fund expansion efforts.

Mining and exploration: Montana, Alaska, and Canada

Executive Vice President and Chief Mining Engineer Joe Bardswich detailed mining work at Stibnite Hill in Montana, where he said the company shifted from historic underground methods (shut down in 1983) to a surface excavation approach enabled by improvements in excavation equipment. Bardswich said that during October and early November the company completed surface trenching exploration followed by mining, trucking 50 loads totaling just over 800 tons of material grading about 10% antimony to the companys Radersburg, Montana flotation mill.

Bardswich said upgrades to the Radersburg mill are underway, and the company anticipates producing material meeting military specifications for ammunition primers once improvements are complete. He added the company paused activity due to winter and expects to restart when snow conditions allow, potentially as soon as 30 days from the call, with an anticipated 6-7 month permitted mining program in 2026.

In Alaska, Bardswich said permitting delays for state mining claims led the company to acquire private patented mining claims to begin work sooner. The company conducted trenching on the former Mohawk gold mine property, where antimony had been reported, but Bardswich said the stibnite occurrences found were not sufficient to be economic. He said the company plans to continue trenching in 2026 and add an air track drill program to better define excavation targets.

Bardswich also described infrastructure development near Fox, Alaska, including acquisition of a property near the main highway and Department of Transportation scales, with buildings for operations and a reinforced concrete slab to support sorting, packaging, and palletizing stibnite for standard highway transport to Montana.

The most notable Alaska update was the acquisition of the Nolan Creek property, about 265 miles north of Fairbanks, purchased at a trustee sale for $1.3 million. Bardswich said an independent NI 43-101 technical report commissioned by the previous owner stated a reserve of 42,400 tons grading 28% antimony and 0.408 ounces of gold per ton, and he said the company confirmed with the reports author that the material remains on site. Using todays metal prices, he estimated in-situ metal value at roughly $7,000 per ton, or approximately $297 million. He said a notice-level permit application has been filed with the Bureau of Land Management for cleanup, exploration, road construction, and excavation of a 1,000-ton bulk sample, and that the company is working on a plan of operations that would include underground mining.

In Canada, Bardswich updated shareholders on the companys Ontario projects. At the Fostung tungsten deposit, he said the company collected a bulk sample for metallurgical testing and engaged SRK Consulting to prepare an SEC Regulation S-K 1300 technical report. Bardswich said SRK calculated an inferred mineral resource of 14.77 million metric tons grading 0.17% WO3, containing 54.17 million pounds of tungsten, with a future gross value of $4.6 billion based on recent tungsten pricing. He said the final technical report would be filed with the SEC the following week and that SRK recommended additional drilling to test for mineralization extensions.

At the Iron Mask cobalt-nickel project, Bardswich said winter work identified that a high-grade zone appears cut off by a younger diabase dike, and future efforts will attempt to locate continuation of mineralization on the other side of the dike.

Zeolite strategy: water treatment and agriculture focus

Melissa Pagen, president and COO of Bear River Zeolite, said her priorities since stepping into the role in January have been to bring market focus, strengthen operational capabilities, and increase visibility in target markets. She said Bear River is prioritizing water treatment and agriculture, describing water treatment as about 75% of revenue.

Pagen said the company is working to reach more of its filtration media market through conferences, networking, and social media marketing initiatives. She also said she is exploring long-term supply contracts with drinking water treatment customers, noting the business has not historically used supply contracts. Pagen said the company is in discussions with the University of North Carolina regarding work in capturing long-chain and short-chain PFAS using Bear River zeolite, and she also cited potential in modified zeolite applications and nuclear remediation readiness.

On agriculture, Pagen said Bear River recently became the supplier to what she described as a significant cattle nutrition business, prompting a shift toward bulk logistics and delivered pricing supported by bulk trucks and silos. She said the company is implementing infrastructure upgrades while carefully balancing capital investment with demand development. She also said the plant has room to scale through shift adjustments and potentially automation, and that the company is evaluating use of a regional transloading yard to improve delivery times and geographic reach.

Capital markets updates and fiscal 2026 outlook

Vice President of Investor Relations Jonathan Miller said the company transformed its capital markets profile in 2025, citing a share price increase from $1.78 to $5.02, a gain of 182%, and market capitalization growth from $201 million to $703 million, up 250%. Miller also said institutional ownership expanded substantially, citing 222 institutional holders based on recent 13F filings, up from 48 in Q4 2024, and said institutional ownership has grown to approximately 40%. Miller added that the company is consistently trading around 15 million shares per day.

Evans told investors that fiscal 2026 results could be bumpy quarter to quarter due to volatility in the business and timing effects, but he reiterated managements guidance of $125 million. He also said the Thompson Falls smelter expansion, which began in May of the prior year and had been expected to complete in December or January, is now expected to be finished in May due to supplier and contractor delays, including building work and late delivery of heat exchangers.

During Q&A, Evans also said the company remains interested in speeding up its transition toward more company-controlled feedstock, citing the reliability challenges of importing material and the cost advantage of company-mined antimony. He said the company is buying antimony from six countries and pointed to elevated inventory as support for meeting DLA obligations.

On the companys Larvotto Resources investment, Evans said U.S. Antimony purchased 10% of the Australian company for $37.2 million in cash and currently views it as an investment while evaluating options with advisers; he said if the parties cannot reach agreement, the company could sell its position.

About United States Antimony (NYSEAMERICAN:UAMY)

United States Antimony Corporation is a specialized mining and chemical company focused primarily on the production and processing of antimony and antimony-based compounds. The company operates its own extraction and milling facilities to recover antimony metal and antimony trioxide, which serve as critical raw materials in industries such as flame retardants for plastics and textiles, catalysts for chemical processes, and additives for glass and ceramics. In addition to antimony, United States Antimony maintains smaller-scale gold and silver operations in Mexico that provide supplementary revenue streams and diversification of its mineral portfolio.

Founded in the mid-20th century, United States Antimony has evolved from a singlemine operator into a multinational enterprise with mining and processing sites in both the United States and Mexico.

The article "United States Antimony Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Finland has joined 19 other nations in issuing a strong joint statement condemning Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement calls on Iran to cease its threats, missile attacks, and attempts to block the vital waterway to shipping. It emphasizes that such interference constitutes a threat to international peace and security and disrupts global energy supply chains. The participating countries expressed their readiness to contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage through the strategic strait.

Finland and 19 partners issue a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and calling for adherence to international law.

Helsinki, March 21 Finland has joined its international partners in issuing a joint statement condemning recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and calling for adherence to international law. United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania have all signed the statement condemning the targeting of ships.

In a post on X, Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote, "Finland, together with our close partners, today joined a joint statement regarding the situation in the Persian Gulf and, in particular, the Strait of Hormuz."

He added that the statement "condemns Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels and attempts to disrupt commercial shipping."

The joint statement also emphasised the need for countries to follow global norms. "The statement also calls on all countries to respect international law and uphold the principles of international security," Stubb said.

Highlighting collective intent, he noted that participating countries have expressed willingness to act. "The countries participating in the statement express their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait," he added.

The joint statement comes from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania on the Strait of Hormuz.

"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 read.

Expressing concern over rising tensions, the leaders said, "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."

The statement underscored that freedom of navigation remains a core principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and warned that the impact of disruptions would be felt globally, particularly by vulnerable populations.

"Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security," it said, calling for "an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations."

The countries also expressed readiness to act collectively to maintain maritime security. "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 statement added.

The countries also expressed readiness to act collectively to maintain maritime security. "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 statement added.

They also pledged support for affected nations. "We will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs," the statement said.

Reiterating the importance of global cooperation, the leaders added, "Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security."

- ANI
Finland has joined 20 other nations in a strong joint statement condemning Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement calls on Iran to cease its threats, missile attacks, and attempts to block the vital waterway to shipping. It emphasizes that such interference constitutes a threat to international peace and security and disrupts global energy supplies. The participating countries expressed their readiness to contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage through the strait.

Finland and 20 partner nations issue a joint statement condemning Iran's attacks on commercial vessels and threats to maritime security.

Helsinki, March 21 Finland has joined its international partners in issuing a joint statement condemning recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and calling for adherence to international law. United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania have all signed the statement condemning the targeting of ships.

In a post on X, Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote, "Finland, together with our close partners, today joined a joint statement regarding the situation in the Persian Gulf and, in particular, the Strait of Hormuz."

He added that the statement "condemns Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels and attempts to disrupt commercial shipping."

The joint statement also emphasised the need for countries to follow global norms. "The statement also calls on all countries to respect international law and uphold the principles of international security," Stubb said.

Highlighting collective intent, he noted that participating countries have expressed willingness to act. "The countries participating in the statement express their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait," he added.

The joint statement comes from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania on the Strait of Hormuz.

"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 read.

Expressing concern over rising tensions, the leaders said, "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."

The statement underscored that freedom of navigation remains a core principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and warned that the impact of disruptions would be felt globally, particularly by vulnerable populations.

"Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security," it said, calling for "an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations."

The countries also expressed readiness to act collectively to maintain maritime security. "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 statement added.

The countries also expressed readiness to act collectively to maintain maritime security. "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 statement added.

They also pledged support for affected nations. "We will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs," the statement said.

Reiterating the importance of global cooperation, the leaders added, "Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security."

- ANI
A behind-the-scenes video of Ranveer Singh performing a demanding underwater sequence for 'Dhurandhar 2' has gone viral, stunning fans with his physical endurance. Social media users widely praised the actor's commitment, with many calling the scene the best in the film. While the movie has received mixed reviews, Singh's performance is consistently highlighted as a major career highlight. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, has also drawn praise from numerous industry figures like Kangana Ranaut and SS Rajamouli.

A behind-the-scenes video shows Ranveer Singh's intense underwater scene, drawing massive praise for his breath control and dedication to the film.

New Delhi, March 21 A behind-the-scenes video from 'Dhurandhar 2' featuring Ranveer Singh has gone viral, drawing widespread praise for the actor's physical endurance and commitment to his role.

The footage, released by MG Lights N Cam and AQUACINEGEAR, offers a glimpse into the technically demanding underwater sequences that have become a talking point among audiences.



The viral clip captures Singh performing a crucial underwater scene in which he holds his breath for an extended duration.



Social media users reacted strongly, with many expressing surprise and admiration. Comments ranged from calling his effort "incredible" to questioning how he managed such breath control, with several viewers stating that the scene stood out as one of the film's best.



A fan wrote, "man, ranveer really gave it his all for this film."



"For those who know filmmaking, this was Best scene of the movie," another social media user commented.



A third fan wrote, "Wow! Just wow - what an incredible actor"



'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', the latest instalment in the franchise, has released in theatres on March 19 and continues to generate significant buzz.



While the film has received mixed reactions overall, Singh's performance has emerged as a major highlight, with many describing it as a career-best turn.



Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has also garnered praise from members of the film fraternity. Kangana Ranaut lauded Dhar's achievement, calling him a "superstar filmmaker" and emphasising his growing influence.



She noted that in global cinema, directors such as Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan are often regarded as central creative forces, suggesting Dhar's success could inspire emerging filmmakers.



Filmmaker SS Rajamouli praised the project for "hitting it out of the park," while Rakesh Roshan credited it with ushering in "a new era of filmmaking". Actors including Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR and Allu Arjun also expressed their admiration.



The film features an ensemble cast, including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi and Arjun Rampal, among others.





- ANI
UK allowed US use of bases for strikes

The Indian government has firmly rejected social media claims that the United States sought permission to use Indian territory for launching strikes against Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs cautioned citizens against such misinformation, clarifying that the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) does not permit offensive military operations from each other's territory. The false narrative gained traction amid escalating West Asia tensions following coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has agreed to let the US use its bases for operations against Iranian missile capabilities, drawing a warning from Tehran.

India's MEA debunks social media claims that US sought permission under LEMOA pact to launch attacks on Iran from Indian territory.

New Delhi, March 21 The Centre on Saturday firmly rejected what it described as "baseless claims" circulating on social media that the United States had sought permission from India under the LEMOA pact to launch bombing raids on Iran from the western parts of the country.

The Ministry of External Affairs cautioned citizens against misinformation, stating in a post on X, "Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media!"

Officials have repeatedly reiterated that such assertions have no factual basis and urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified content, especially on sensitive geopolitical developments.

The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), signed between India and the US in 2016, allows the two countries to access each other's military facilities for logistical support such as refuelling and repairs.

However, it does not permit either side to carry out offensive military operations from the other's territory, a position that has been consistently clarified by Indian authorities.

The false narrative gained traction in the backdrop of recent developments, including a US military strike that reportedly sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, triggering speculation about India's possible involvement.

New Delhi has categorically denied any role and made it clear that its ports or facilities were not used for such actions.

The controversy also follows earlier instances where the government dismissed similar claims about the use of Indian ports or airspace by US forces as "fake and false", cautioning against the spread of fabricated information.

Tensions in West Asia escalated sharply on February 28, when Israel and the United States carried out coordinated strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, reportedly resulting in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military officials and civilians.

Iran retaliated with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel as well as US military bases and assets across the region, significantly intensifying the conflict.

Amid the escalation, the United States sought permission from the United Kingdom to use its military bases for conducting strikes against Iran.

The UK agreed to allow the United States to use British bases to carry out "operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz," according to a Downing Street statement.

Britain is working with international partners to develop "a viable plan to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," said the statement released on Friday (local time).

Despite the move, the statement stressed that the UK is committed to "not getting drawn into the wider conflict."

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned his British counterpart on Friday against providing any assistance to the US and Israeli aggression against Iran, cautioning that such support would fuel further escalation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has maintained that Britain does not seek a broader military role in the West Asia conflict.

Speaking earlier this week, he said the UK would not be drawn into a wider war, even as it evaluates options to support allies, including potential naval deployments to safeguard shipping routes in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

- IANS
UNI failed to construct building for over four decades

Government sources have clarified that the sealing of the United News of India (UNI) office was a lawful action following a Delhi High Court order. The court concluded that UNI failed to fulfill the core condition of constructing a composite office building on the allotted land for over four decades. The allotment, made in 1979, was cancelled due to persistent inaction, financial incapacity admitted by UNI, and non-cooperation with other stakeholders like the Press Council of India. The court upheld the principle that public land must be used as per conditions, and the government is bound to ensure optimal use of such resources.

Delhi High Court upholds govt action sealing UNI office, citing 40-year breach of land allotment conditions for composite building construction.

New Delhi, March 21 Government sources have clarified that the sealing of new agency UNI's office at 9 Rafi Marg in the capital was carried out as the Government was duty bound to ensure optimal use of public resources.

According to Government sources action was taken after the High Court concluded that UNI, failed to fulfill the core condition of construction for the planned composite office building for the past four decades and demonstrated lack of intent and capacity while not cooperating in joint development and acted in violation of usage conditions.

Accordingly, the cancellation of allotment by L&DO was held to be lawful, justified, and in public interest. The court upheld the principle that land allotted for specific purposes must be utilized, within a reasonable timeframe and strictly in accordance with allotment conditions. Failing which, the Government is duty-bound to take corrective action to ensure optimal use of public resources.

Government sources further said that the Court after examining the factual and legal position spanning several decades, held the cancellation to be valid and justified.

The grounds of the same were:

1: Breach of Fundamental Condition: The allotment, made in 1979, was subject to the essential condition of constructing a composite office building within a stipulated timeframe. UNI failed to undertake any construction for over four decades, constituting a serious and fundamental violation.

2: Persistent Inaction Despite Opportunities: Despite multiple extensions and modifications granted by the Government (notably in 1986, 1999, and 2000), UNI: - Did not finalize building plans - Did not execute agreements with co-allottees - Took no concrete steps toward construction This reflected continuous neglect and lack of progress.

3. Admission of Financial Inability: UNI, in 2022, admitted its financial incapacity to undertake construction. The Court held that an allottee unable to fulfill the purpose of allotment cannot retain rights over public land. It is also pertinent to note that the allottee entity underwent Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, culminating in approval of a resolution plan by the Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal in February 2025 in favour of The Statesman Limited. As a consequence, effective ownership and management control of the allottee has stood transferred to a private commercial entity without any prior approval of the lessor.

4: Non-Cooperation in Joint Development: The project envisaged joint development with stakeholders, including the Press Council of India (PCI). However, UNI: - Failed to cooperate in development - Did not vacate allocated portions - Avoided coordination efforts This frustrated the purpose of the allotment. It is also relevant that the Hon'ble Court took note of the position of the Press Council of India (PCI), a co-allottee of the land and a statutory body, which had been allotted a substantial portion of the premises for the same composite development.

5: Non-Compliance and Misuse of Land: Instances were noted of: - Unauthorized/commercial usage - Requests inconsistent with institutional use (e.g., leasing a substantial portion commercially) Such actions were contrary to allotment conditions.

6: Unsatisfactory Response: UNI's reply to the Show Cause Notice was found vague and unsupported, with no substantive justification for prolonged inaction.

7: Conditional Nature of Allotment: The Court reaffirmed that the allotment was not absolute ownership, but a conditional grant, liable to cancellation upon breach of terms.

8: Public Interest Consideration: The land, situated in a prime location, was meant for institutional/public use. Decades of non-utilization amounted to wastage of valuable public resources, warranting intervention.

Further Government sources detailed the sequence of events as:

--Land allotted to UNI (1979 onwards). The condition was to, build composite office within time limit

--No construction was carried out for decades (40 plus years) |

--The Government gave multiple chances (1986, 1999, 2000 revisions)

--However there was still no action by UNI

-- UNI actions further worsened the situation; there was no agreement with co-allottees and No coordination with meetings being skipped

--UNI admitted financial inability (2022) and fefused or sighted inability to participate in construction

--Obstructed Press Council (co-allottee)

-- Did not vacate land and blocked development

--Misuse of land; was used for commercial purposes (like running a canteen etc.)

-- A show Cause Notice was issued in 2023 hoever there was a weak and vague reply by UNI

-- According to the Court's analysis the fundamental condition was violated and the long delay unjustified

-- No intent or capacity was shown and public land was wasted

Thus a final decision was taken. The cancellation was held valid and the L&DO in compliance of the High Court's judgment, took possession of 9 Rafi Marg.

- ANI
The Central government has directed the rollback of a significant diesel price hike for fishing boats in Gujarat. The hike, introduced by BPCL, had raised concerns about the economic viability of fishing operations and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Gujarat's Fisheries Minister Jitu Vaghani had written to the Union Petroleum Minister, arguing fishermen should not be classified under a 'consumer segment' leading to higher costs. Following the state's representation, the Centre instructed BPCL to withdraw the increase, ensuring fishermen continue to receive diesel at concessional rates.

Central government withdraws Rs 22.43/litre diesel price hike for Gujarat fishermen after state's intervention, providing relief to coastal communities.

Gandhinagar/New Delhi, March 21 The Central government, on Saturday, directed the rollback of a Rs 22.43 per litre increase in diesel price for fishing boats in Gujarat, following representations by the state government over the impact on fishermen.

The price hike had been introduced by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) under a contracted arrangement with the Gujarat Fisheries Federation (GFCCA), which facilitates discounted diesel supply to fishermen.

The move had triggered concerns among fishing communities along the Gujarat coast, with representations made by Ministers, legislators, local leaders and fishing organisations.

In a letter to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday, state Fisheries Minister Jitu Vaghani termed the hike a "serious concern", saying it imposed "an additional burden of Rs 22.43 per litre on fishermen".

Minister Vaghani wrote that fishermen were being classified under the 'consumer segment' instead of being treated at par with retail customers or other essential sectors, leading to higher operational costs.

"Fishermen, who are integral to ensuring food security and livelihood generation in coastal regions, are presently being categorised under the consumer segment rather than being treated at par with retail consumers or other essential sectors," he said, adding that fuel expenses form a major component of fishing activity.

The letter noted that the fisheries sector is highly sensitive to input costs and warned that the increase would "adversely impact the economic viability of fishing operations", affecting incomes as well as fish prices, export competitiveness and overall sectoral growth.

Referring to discussions with BPCL, Minister Vaghani said that exceptions had been granted in other cases, including for state road transport corporation, to minimise hardship for the public.

He urged that "in the same spirit" the fisheries sector be granted a 'special exception', and requested a review of the pricing mechanism along with reclassification of fishermen to ensure parity with retail and other essential segments.

Acting on the representation, the Central government accepted the request and instructed BPCL to withdraw the price hike.

According to the state government, the decision ensures that fishermen across Gujarat will continue to receive diesel at the previously fixed concessional rates, providing relief to coastal communities dependent on fishing for their livelihoods.

Following the development, Minister Vaghani expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister Hardeep singh Puri for the decision taken in the interest of fishermen.

"The state government is always committed to the welfare of fishermen and will continue to remain so," the Minister said.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Gandhinagar on March 31, the occasion of Mahavir Janm Kalyanak, to inaugurate a museum dedicated to the Jain community. The museum showcases the life and spiritual journey of Jain Acharya Padma Sagar Surishwar Maharaj, featuring artifacts from his extensive pilgrimage. Separately, the Prime Minister offered prayers on the third day of Chaitra Navratri and extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the nation. The report details the significance of both the upcoming museum inauguration and the festivals.

PM Narendra Modi is expected to visit Gandhinagar on March 31 to inaugurate a museum dedicated to Jain Acharya Padma Sagar Surishwar Maharaj.

Gandhinagar, March 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Janm Kalyanak, during which he is likely to inaugurate a special museum dedicated to the Jain community on March 31, as per sources.

The museum showcases an extensive collection highlighting the life events and spiritual journey of Jain Acharya Padma Sagar Surishwar Maharaj. It features documents and memorabilia associated with his padavihara (spiritual travels), offering insights into his religious contributions and teachings.

Padma Sagar Surishwar Maharaj is believed to have undertaken a pilgrimage spanning nearly 2.5 lakh kilometres during his lifetime, which holds significant importance in Jain tradition.

The museum houses a rich collection of manuscripts, epigraphs, statues, brass artefacts, and paintings depicting various religious narratives and spiritual themes.

The exhibition is designed to provide visitors with an understanding of Jain traditions, including penance practices and the community's spiritual heritage. Preparations have also commenced in Gandhinagar in view of the Prime Minister's expected visit.

Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi offered salutations to Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of the Goddess Durga, on the third day of Chaitra Navratri.

In a post on X, PM Modi prayed to the Goddess to bless everyone with a strong, prosperous, and fortunate life.

"Salute to Mother Chandraghanta! I pray to Mother Goddess to bless everyone with a strong, prosperous and fortunate life. Pindjapravararudha chandakopastrakaryuta. Prasadam Tanute Mahay Chandraghanteti Vishruta," said PM Modi.

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 later 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.

He also extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, wishing happiness, health, and brotherhood for all.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!"

At the end of the holy month of Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated Vadodara's new Command and Control Centre under the NETRAM smart policing project. The facility enables real-time crime detection and coordination during major city events and festivals. City Police Commissioner Narsimha Komar explained the centre allows continuous monitoring of security and traffic for faster incident response. This initiative represents a key step in modernising policing through technology integration for urban safety.

Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi inaugurates Vadodara's new NETRAM Command Centre, enhancing real-time crime detection and traffic management.

Vadodara, March 21 Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday inaugurated the Vadodara City Police's new Command and Control Centre, established at the Police Bhavan.

Developed under the Gujarat Police's Smart Policing initiative through the Network for Technology Enabled Rapid Assurance and Monitoring (NETRAM) project, the centre is intended to strengthen city-level monitoring and enhance operational efficiency using advanced technology.

Sanghavi was received at the Police Bhavan by Director General of Police (DGP) K. L. N. Rao and City Police Commissioner Narsimha Komar.

A contingent of city police presented a Guard of Honour to the Deputy Chief Minister upon his arrival.

The inauguration included the unveiling of a plaque marking the official opening of the centre.

During a briefing, the City Police Commissioner explained that the facility allows real-time crime detection, coordination during major festivals and city events, and effective management of police resources.

"Through this centre, we can monitor Vadodara's security and traffic conditions continuously, enabling faster response to incidents and improved public safety," he said.

Following the ceremony, Sanghavi toured the centre and observed the monitoring systems, including CCTV cameras covering the city's key areas.

He was briefed on how the technology aids both security and traffic management.

He emphasised the importance of utilising modern technology to its full potential in policing and suggested further integration of advanced systems into city security operations.

The Deputy Chief Minister also wrote a note in the visit book, which was presented to him by the City Police Commissioner.

The centre represents a significant step towards modernising policing in Vadodara.

By combining technology with law enforcement, the facility aims to improve crime prevention, enhance traffic management, and provide a central hub for monitoring and coordination.

This initiative is part of the Gujarat Police's broader vision to employ smart solutions for urban safety and operational efficiency.

- IANS
Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma has stated that former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau was "ill-advised" to publicly allege Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His criticism follows the Canadian National Police Chief stating there is currently no evidence linking the Indian state to the case. Verma questioned why, if there was "clinching evidence," formal charges have not been filed, reiterating India's position that the accusations were politically motivated. He explained that Canadian authorities are treating the killing and broader claims of "transnational repression" as two separate issues.

Former Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma criticizes Justin Trudeau's public allegations over Hardeep Nijjar's killing, as Canadian police state no evidence links India.

New Delhi, March 21 Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma said former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was "ill-advised" to publicly raise allegations linking India to the killing of Khalistani Separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, adding that the move put a strong bilateral relationship under strain.

Verma's remarks come after the Canadian National Police Chief, Mike Duheme, said that there is currently no evidence linking the Indian state to the Nijjar case, an issue that had triggered a major diplomatic rift between India and Canada.

Commenting on Trudeau's earlier statement about "credible allegation", Verma said the decision to raise the issue publicly had been misguided.

"He was ill-advised. The timing was of his choosing, but he was ill-advised to put a very strong bilateral relationship on hold and move ahead with his political, I would say, motives," Verma said.

Elaborating on the issue of "credible allegations," he questioned the lack of evidence and legal action.

"So let's try to sort of dissect that. And if we say credible allegations, it was still not evidence. But due to some reason, the then Prime Minister thought it appropriate to state that in their own parliament. I did not consider it well thought of on his part," Verma said.

"But then moving ahead, even RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] in October 2024 said that they have credible evidence linking transnational repression and crime with Indian agents and proxies. Now even that has failed. Now my only question to those who had leveled these charges is if there was such a clinching evidence, why the charges have not been filed so far? So I look at it both from the logical point of view as well as from the international law point of view," he added.

He added that India had consistently maintained that the accusations were politically motivated and lacked evidence.

"We always maintained that. If you recall, both from New Delhi and from Ottawa, the Indian interests, the Indian representation, always talked about this. We always said that this is politically motivated, we always said that this is vote-bank politics, we always said that there is no evidence available to say so," he said.

Explaining the recent development, Verma said Canadian authorities had treated the issue in two separate categories.

"When I look at it, what he said, let's be very clear what he said first. So he has kept it in two different buckets. One bucket is the Khalistani terrorist who was killed there. And another bucket is transnational repression and transnational crimes. So these are two buckets," he said.

According to Verma, the first issue is already before the Canadian courts.

"So when you look at the first bucket, so there is a court case already on, charges have been filed against four Indian nationals. These four Indian nationals went to Canada as international students. God knows what happened in the society, and they became whatever they have been alleged to have become. And their trial is on," he said.

On the broader accusations of transnational repression, Verma reiterated India's long-standing policy.

"I always said it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Unfortunately, this was not accepted by the regime of that particular point of time," he said.

Referring to the recent police statement, he said investigators currently see no link between India and alleged transnational crimes.

"What he (Canada National Police Chief) said was that right now he doesn't see any link with any foreign entity, which includes India, I'm sure, any foreign entity having links with transnational crimes and transnational repression in Canada," Verma said.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, dubbing him "Dhurandhar Dhami" at an event marking four years of the state government. Singh credited Dhami's leadership for the BJP's electoral victory and the state's progress across multiple sectors. He also reflected on the creation of Uttarakhand during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. Furthermore, Singh discussed global tensions, endorsing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach of resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praises CM Pushkar Dhami's leadership on 4-year milestone, credits him for Uttarakhand's growth and discusses global diplomacy.

Haldwani, March 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday lauded Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's leadership abilities, calling him "Dhurandhar Dhami."

Addressing a public gathering here on the completion of four years of the Uttarakhand government, the Defence Minister expressed pride and confidence in the government led by CM Dhami and attributed the state's growth to him.

"This gathering has been organised to mark the completion of Pushkar Dhami's four-year tenure. During the elections, I had told him that the BJP would win under his leadership, and the BJP achieved a clear majority. I had said in a meeting once, 'Our Dhami is not ordinary, he is Dhakad Dhami... now, he should be called Dhurandhar Dhami. Uttarakhand has secured a leading position in the country across several sectors," he said.

Singh also reminisced about his tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, during which the state of Uttarakhand was formed.

"The land of Uttarakhand is the land of the Gods (Devbhoomi). I also served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for 10-12 days. It was during my tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh that Uttarakhand was created. Uttarakhand is a land of faith, spirituality, culture, and sages; it is revered as a place of penance," the Defence Minister said.

Furthermore, the Defence Minister reflected on ongoing tensions in West Asia and said that the Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi-led government aims to resolve it through "dialogue and diplomacy."

"Today, the entire world is passing through a period of crisis. This is a matter of concern not just for India, but for the whole world. Even today, our Prime Minister has said that the solution to war will not come through war itself, but through dialogue and diplomacy. A solution to this global problem must be found through conversation and diplomatic efforts," he said.

He further lauded the PM's efforts in handling a potential energy or fertiliser crisis, which he said could have emerged due to the conflict.

"Given the current global crisis, it is possible that, like other countries, we too could have faced an energy or fertilizer crisis. However, through his charismatic wisdom and foresight, our Prime Minister has so far prevented India from getting trapped in this crisis. The efforts being made by our Prime Minister to resolve this crisis at a global level should be supported by Uttarakhand as well."

"Our Prime Minister has held India's head high in the world in a charismatic manner. Today, when India speaks on international platforms, the world listens with rapt attention," he added.

- ANI
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Volkswagen Rethinks Strategy as Tariffs Upend the Playbook

For decades, Volkswagen Groups North American strategy was built on a clear cost advantage: manufacturing vehicles in Mexico and exporting them to the United States. That model is now under serious pressure.

According to a report from Automotive News Europe, with U.S. tariffs on Mexican-built vehicles reaching as high as 27.5%, the economics that once justified cross-border production are rapidly eroding. Volkswagen exports roughly 70% of its Mexican output to the U.S., while Audi sends up to 90% of its production north or to other global markets, leaving both brands highly exposed.

The financial consequences are already material. The report continued that CFO Arno Antlitz confirmed that tariffs imposed throughout most of 2025 added $3.3 billion in costs. CEO Oliver Blume has been blunt in his assessment, stating that exporting vehicles from Mexico to the U.S. is no longer economically viable under current conditions. The result is a tangible hit to performance, with VWs U.S. sales falling 12% last year and its market share stuck at around 4%.

Volkswagen  Volkswagen

Cost Pressures Mount as VW Weighs U.S. Production Shift

Volkswagen now finds itself in a strategic bind. The very supply chain that was optimized under NAFTA, and later USMCA, is being undermined by tariff policy designed to force localization. Moving production to the United States could mitigate tariff exposure, but it comes with steep upfront costs and long lead times. Blume has made it clear that the company will not commit billions to new U.S. factories while simultaneously absorbing tariff penalties.

Complicating matters further, Volkswagen is already under broader financial strain. Reports indicate the automaker is targeting up to 20% in cost reductions across its global operations, while profits have sharply declined, prompting potential job cuts that could reach tens of thousands. Industry-wide, tariffs have reportedly cost automakers more than $35 billion since 2025, underscoring the scale of disruption. Even new Volkswagen investments like Scout Motors upcoming U.S. plant in South Carolina wont provide near-term relief, as production there is still years away.

Bloomberg/Getty Images  Bloomberg/Getty Images

Buyers May Ultimately Pay the Price

Volkswagens dilemma highlights a fundamental shift in global automotive economics. For decades, automakers relied on geographic cost advantages, such as lower labor costs, established supplier bases, and favorable trade agreements, to keep vehicle prices competitive. Tariffs disrupt that equation. If production is forced back into higher-cost regions like the United States, those added expenses dont simply disappear; they move down the value chain.
With rising temperatures across Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Public Health has issued a comprehensive advisory urging precautions against heat-related illnesses. The advisory stresses hydration, avoiding peak afternoon heat, and recognizing symptoms from rashes to life-threatening heatstroke. State hospitals have stepped up preparedness by ensuring adequate beds, medicines, IV fluids, and cooling equipment. Health officials have also mandated safety measures for mass gatherings and emphasized the need for early medical intervention for symptoms like dizziness or confusion.

Tamil Nadu health dept issues heatwave advisory, warns of health risks. Hospitals prepare with beds, fluids, and cooling equipment. Public urged to stay hydrated.

Chennai, March 21 With temperatures steadily rising across the city and several parts of Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Public Health has issued a comprehensive advisory urging residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

The move comes amid growing concerns that prolonged exposure to extreme heat could lead to a spike in medical emergencies.

Health officials have stressed the importance of simple but critical preventive measures, including staying well hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, and being alert to early warning signs of heat-related conditions.

These symptoms can range from mild issues such as skin rashes and muscle cramps to more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and life-threatening heatstroke.

The advisory also highlights that the risk may intensify if temperatures continue to rise significantly above normal levels or approach 45 degree Celsius.

In such scenarios, vulnerable groups including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk.

In anticipation of a seasonal surge in cases, government hospitals across the state have stepped up preparedness measures. Authorities have ensured the availability of adequate beds, essential medicines, oral rehydration salts (ORS), intravenous fluids, and cooling equipment.

Ambulance services have also been strengthened, while dedicated beds have been earmarked at primary health centres, district hospitals, and medical college hospitals to manage heat-related illnesses effectively.

Director of Public Health, Dr A Somasundaram, said officials have been instructed to implement comprehensive heat action plans, intensify public awareness campaigns, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure at all levels.

He added that uninterrupted power supply to hospitals is crucial to maintain cooling systems, while long-term interventions such as improved ventilation and cool-roof initiatives are also being promoted.

Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital Dean, Dr K Shantaraman, emphasised the importance of early intervention.

He advised the public to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, high fever, or confusion, noting that timely treatment can prevent complications.

The health department has also issued guidelines for organisers of mass gatherings and outdoor events, mandating the provision of adequate drinking water, shaded spaces, and on-site medical support to ensure public safety during the ongoing heatwave conditions.

- IANS
Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated the ongoing West Asia conflict could impact the aviation sector, particularly through rising oil and ATF prices. He emphasized the government's intention is to prevent this impact from being transferred to airline operations and passengers. The Ministry is engaged in multi-departmental discussions and continuous dialogue with airlines to ensure smooth operations. Naidu highlighted the West Asia route's importance for travel to Europe and America, noting engagement with foreign regulators despite some airport closures.

Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addresses the West Asia crisis's effect on airlines & fuel prices, pledging to prevent the burden from shifting to passengers.

Visakhapatnam, March 21 Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Saturday said that the ongoing war situation could have an impact on the aviation sector, adding that efforts are being made to ensure that fare hikes do not burden passengers.

"The kind of economic impact it (the war situation) might create on the airlines and their operations, we are taking the feedback from the airlines, and we are holding discussions because it is a ulti-departmental exercise; civil aviation, external affairs, and petroleum and natural gas. All the ministries have to sit together. We wil definitely see what the best that we can do for the benefit of passengers is. The impact is definitely going to be there on the oil prices and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, but the impact should not be transferred to the operations and the passengers. That will be the intention of the Ministrya and we will engage in a positive way," he said.

Earlier, the Minister said the government is making continuous efforts and engagements to smooth travel towards the West Asia region.

Speaking to reporters, Naidu asserted that West Asia is a "prime route" to travel to Europe and West Asia, adding government's dialogues with airlines, so that they have smooth operations.

"We have been engaged with the airlines right from day one because one thing we want is for the airlines to have very smooth operations. Now, when you talk about West Asia, it is one of the prime routes for us to travel to Europe and America, and there is also a lot of travel to West Asia. We have been in continuous engagement... Not only with the airlines but also with different regulators in these countries, we have been in continuous engagement," said Naidu.

The Union Minister also admitted the challenge, adding that some airports are not functional, whereas the government is trying its best to accomodate every thing through the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He stated that the government wants to facilitate the passengers, and every interaction with airlines is being taken by keep all things in mind.

- ANI
A report highlights India's strong economic trajectory, predicting it could become a high-income nation by its 100th year of independence in 2047. This potential is driven by sustained growth above 7%, a large young workforce, and significant digital and infrastructure development. Global supply chain diversification, with companies like Apple expanding in India, provides further momentum. While challenges like bureaucracy persist, policy reforms and a vibrant startup ecosystem support the optimistic outlook.

A new report outlines India's path to high-income status by 2047, fueled by demographics, tech, and policy reforms, avoiding the economic stall seen in other nations.

New Delhi, March 21 India is increasingly being seen as a rising economic power, with the potential to become a wealthy nation by 2047, marking 100 years of its independence, Washington Examiner reported.

According to Washington Examiner, over the past two decades, the country has recorded strong economic growth. Since 2003, India's economy has expanded at an average annual rate of over 7%. If this momentum continues for the next 20 years, India could cross the high-income threshold, with per capita GDP exceeding $15,000 in 2025 terms. Sustained growth at this level would also help the country avoid the "middle-income trap" that has stalled economies such as Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey.

India's growth prospects are supported by favourable policies, demographic strength, and a growing technological base. One of its biggest advantages is its young population. With a median age of around 28, India is significantly younger than the United States and China. Over the coming decades, a large number of young people will enter the workforce, boosting productivity and driving consumption. This demographic trend is expected to support a strong domestic market, reducing reliance on exports for growth, as reported by Washington Examiner.

To fully leverage this advantage, policymakers are focusing on improving productivity. Investments in infrastructure--such as highways, airports, ports, and logistics corridors--are accelerating. A more efficient transport network is expected to strengthen supply chains and support the expansion of the domestic economy, Washington Examiner reported.

As per Washington Examiner, at the same time, global shifts in supply chains are working in India's favour. Western companies, particularly from the United States, are increasingly moving operations away from China. Major firms like Apple are expanding their presence in India, bringing capital, technology, and expertise that can enhance productivity and innovation across sectors.

Technology is another key pillar of India's growth story. The country's digital infrastructure--including identity systems, mobile payments, and online public services--has brought millions into the formal economy. This digital expansion is improving efficiency, boosting tax revenues, and enabling small businesses to access funding and scale operations, as per Washington Examiner.

India also stands out for its strong entrepreneurial culture. A growing startup ecosystem, supported by venture capital, is driving innovation in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce. These developments are helping India move towards higher-value economic activities, Washington Examiner reported.

Despite these strengths, challenges remain. Issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and political divisions continue to pose risks. However, the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated gradual reforms in areas like taxation, the judicial system, and education to support long-term growth, as reported by Washington Examiner.

According to Washington Examiner, historical trends show that countries can transition to high-income status through sustained investment, expanding labour forces, and technological adoption. India appears to possess all three.

Investor confidence also reflects this optimism. Global technology firms and major financial institutions are increasingly backing India's growth story. The strong performance of the Indian stock market, which has delivered average annual returns of around 15% over the past two decades, further reinforces expectations that India could emerge as a major economic and political power in the years ahead, as reported by Washington Examiner.

- ANI
Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri states India will maximize oil imports from Iran during a temporary 30-day sanctions waiver period. She emphasizes that India's energy strategy heavily relies on diversifying suppliers, now sourcing from up to 40 countries to ensure stability. Sikri highlights the importance of the safe passage of Indian vessels through the critical Strait of Hormuz. However, she cautions that the regional situation remains uncertain due to potential escalation and US naval movements.

Former diplomat Veena Sikri says India will buy as much Iranian oil as possible during a temporary sanctions waiver while diversifying energy sources.

New Delhi, March 21 Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri on Saturday said India is likely to maximise oil purchases from Iran during the temporary sanctions waiver period while continuing to diversify its energy imports to safeguard long-term energy security.

In an interview with ANI, Sikri said the recent lifting of sanctions appears temporary, given the evolving conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel.

"Well, I think it's good that, you know, we are again able to buy oil from Iran. I think the lifting of the sanctions seems to be very temporary because there's no idea how the conflict between Iran on one hand and the US-Israel on the other hand how it's developing," she said.

She noted that the waiver period may last about 30 days, during which India could increase imports from Tehran.

"So this may be very temporary, but at the moment, for 30 days, there's a temporary waiver. So certainly, because of India's long-standing relations with Iran, our good relations with Iran, we know that a very special exception has been made for India for the ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, and three more ships have also sailed. So now, just like that, we will also buy as much as we can get. We are buying Russian oil as well," Sikri said.

According to her, India's energy strategy relies heavily on diversifying suppliers to maintain stability in supplies and prices.

"In fact, I think the Government of India has done the right thing. In recent years, they have seriously diversified their sources of supply. Maybe earlier, when we were buying oil from maybe about 15 or 20 countries, now we've increased it. We've gone up to 25, 30, 35, 40 countries, even," she said.

Sikri added that the diversification allows India to adapt to changing geopolitical conditions.

"If it is available from Iran, fine, we will buy from Iran. If it is a problem with Iran, then we go and see the Russian oil tankers," she said.

She also highlighted the safe passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy shipping routes.

"Yes, certainly it's very good news that it has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz. First three ships had come, now two more, and we hope over the next few days some more will come because there are several Indian ships over there getting supplies from one or the other of the Gulf countries," she said.

"It is very important that they pass through the Strait of Hormuz peacefully. So far it has gone well, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it will continue to be like that," she added.

However, Sikri cautioned that the broader regional situation remains uncertain, pointing to reports of US naval developments in the region.

"There is all this news coming in about these American aircraft carriers, USS Tripoli, USS Boxer, moving to the region, one is moving from Japan, the other is moving from San Diego in California. It will take time for them to reach, maybe it will take another 30 days or so, but in the meanwhile we have to stock up and see what is happening," she said.

She added, "But I think the serious concern is the escalation, the potential for escalation of the conflict with the Gulf country, with the Gulf countries."

- ANI
India is deepening its engagement with Taiwan through new diplomatic offices and forum participation, signaling a strategic shift. A recent report suggests this is part of a broader effort to strengthen defence and security ties with ASEAN nations under the Act East Policy. These moves are viewed as countering Chinese dominance and promoting stability in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. The report advocates for further trilateral cooperation, highlighting Taiwan's potential role in areas like cybersecurity and multilateral maritime exercises.

Report highlights India's proactive diplomacy with Taiwan and ASEAN to counter Chinese assertiveness and promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

Taipei, March 21 The establishment of another Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Mumbai and the participation of Taiwanese think tanks at the recent Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi underscore India's intent to deepen engagement with Taiwan. India should also explore collaborating with Southeast Asian countries in elevating Taiwan's role in addressing regional economic, governance and security matters, a report has suggested.

"Over the last decade, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has invested huge political capital in transforming its engagement with Southeast and East Asian countries under its Act East Policy. Consequently, ties between India and these countries have reached a new high. Unlike his predecessors, Modi has focused on building defence and security cooperation with ASEAN countries under the Act East policy," a recent report in 'Taipei Times' detailed.

"New Delhi's expanding cooperation with Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi and others on defence sends a clear message about India's desire to play a major role in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The establishment of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's first regional office in Kuala Lumpur in 2023 is of great significance in strengthening India's defence presence in the region," it added.

According to the report, India's proactive steps are a welcome development for Taiwan. Facing Chinese assertiveness, Taiwan could benefit from India's defence diplomacy, which would forge a middle path to help promote stability in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

"The Indian government's decision not to endorse the 'One China Policy' and its focus on expanding areas of cooperation with ASEAN countries also aim to promote the idea of strategic autonomy and to support other regional powers' refusal to accept China's dominance in the region. These structural changes are favourable to Taiwan, as its independence has been prioritised in the foreign and security policies of regional powers, including India," it mentioned.

"There is an increasing realisation that upsetting the 'status quo' in the Taiwan Strait would only adversely affect the maritime interests of these and other countries, and that China would double down on its bullying of neighbouring countries," it stated.

The report stated that India and Southeast Asian countries should consider involving Taiwan in trilateral and multilateral forums, including multilateral maritime exercises.

"Taiwan's expertise in cybersecurity can help India and ASEAN countries in preventing Chinese attacks on their critical installations. While a Taiwanese delegation participated in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Summit in New Delhi, India should initiate actions to foster engagement with Taiwan on bilateral and multilateral levels," it noted.

- IANS
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran is ready to facilitate the safe passage of Japanese vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, clarifying that the waterway remains open. He revealed that discussions are ongoing with his Japanese counterpart, though details remain confidential. The remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump called for countries like Japan and China, which are heavily dependent on the route for energy, to become more involved. The strait remains a critical flashpoint as the conflict enters its third week, impacting global energy supplies and diplomacy.

Iran's FM says Strait of Hormuz is open, offers safe passage to Japanese ships amid conflict, as US calls for more regional involvement.

Tehran, March 21 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News on Friday that Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels via the Strait of Hormuz and that negotiations with Japan are underway.

He made the remarks in a telephonic interview to Kyodo News.

On the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Foreign Minister said, "We have not closed the strait. It is open". Araghchi told Kyodo News that while Iran has not closed the strategic waterway, it has, however imposed restrictions on vessels belonging to countries involved in attacks against Iran, while offering assistance to others amid heightened security concerns.

As per Kyodo News, Aragchi added that Iran is prepared to ensure safe passage for countries such as Japan if they coordinate with Tehran.

On the issue of navigation through the strait by Japanese vessels, Aragchi said that while discussions are continuing with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, further details could not be disclosed.

According to Kyodo news, Iran has rejected calls for a temporary truce, and insisted that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks as well as compensation for the damage inflicted during the conflict.

He further underlined that Iran is seeking "not a cease-fire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war."

Arargchi called it a war which was "imposed on Iran" and added that Tehran was in talks with Washington when the attacks happened.

"This was an illegal, unprovoked act of aggression," he said, adding that Iran's response constitutes self-defense and will continue "for as long as it takes."

He urged the international community to take a stand against the attacks, and added that several countries are attempting to mediate an end to the conflict. He noted that it is "open to any initiative" and willing to consider proposals.

The remarks by Araghchi come as Trump on Friday (local time) said that the United States does not "need" the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the US and Israel are aligned in seeking "victory" in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. President Trump said that countries like Korea, Japan, China, and others should get "involved a little bit on that one", because they need access to the maritime route even more.

Commenting on the Strait of Hormuz, the US President called for greater involvement from countries dependent on the route. "China uses it, 90 percent of their energy. Japan is 95 percent... It would be nice if those countries would get involved," he said.

As the conflict with Iran enters its 21st day, the strategic waterway remains a geopolitical flashpoint that continues to pressure global energy supplies and diplomatic relations.

- ANI
Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward the strategic US-UK military base at Diego Garcia, with one failing in flight and the other targeted by a US SM-3 interceptor. The attempt is significant as Diego Garcia is approximately 4,000 km from Iran, indicating Tehran's strike range may far exceed its publicly stated 2,000 km limit. Concurrently, US President Donald Trump stated Washington is "very close" to winding down military operations against Iran while listing objectives to degrade its capabilities. Iran has issued fresh warnings of retaliation beyond the Middle East and stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, including a refinery in Kuwait.

Iran fires ballistic missiles at US-UK base Diego Garcia; one fails, one intercepted. Trump signals scaling down operations as Tehran warns global retaliation.

Tehran, March 21 Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago as US President Donald Trump said Washington is "very close" to winding down its military operations against Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

As per WSJ, one missile failed during flight, while a US warship launched an SM-3 interceptor at the second missile. However, it remains unclear whether the interception was successful. The report did not specify when the missiles were fired.

The SM-3 interceptor is used by the US Navy to destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. It relies on sheer force rather than an explosive warhead. Its "kill vehicle" hits targets with the force of a 10-ton truck travelling at 600 miles per hour. This method, known as "hit-to-kill", has been likened to intercepting a bullet with another bullet, according to Raytheon.

The attempted strike is significant as Diego Garcia is located about 4,000 kilometres from Iran. This suggests that Iran's missile range may be far greater than what it has publicly stated. According to the report, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said last month that the country had limited its missile range to 2,000 kilometres.

The base at Diego Garcia is a key strategic facility jointly operated by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Trump said Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. Speaking outside the White House, he said, "We can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side... we're not looking to do that."

He also indicated that US military operations could soon be scaled down. In a post, Trump claimed , "We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran."

Listing US objectives, he added, "(1) Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them. (2) Destroying Iran's Defense Industrial Base. (3) Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry. (4) Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability... (5) Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies..."

The Pentagon has deployed three additional warships and thousands of Marines to the region.

Iran, meanwhile, has issued fresh warnings of expanding its retaliation beyond the Middle East. According to an Al Jazeera report, its senior military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that "parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations" worldwide would not be safe for Iran's enemies. The threat has raised concerns about possible asymmetric attacks outside the region.

Iran has also stepped up attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries. Reports said two waves of Iranian drones struck Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery early Friday, triggering a fire. The refinery is one of the largest in the region, with a capacity of around 730,000 barrels per day.

At the same time, Iran has warned the United Arab Emirates of possible retaliation. In a statement, Tehran said it would target Ras al-Khaimah if Iranian Gulf islands were attacked again from UAE territory. "We warn the United Arab Emirates, in case of repeated encroachment from the source of that country to the Iranian islands ... in the Persian Gulf, the powerful Iranian armed forces will put Ras al-Khaimah ... under their crushing blows," the spokesperson said, according to Al Jazeera.

On the diplomatic front, Araghchi criticised the United Kingdom for allowing US forces to use its bases for strikes. He said, "The vast majority of the British people do not want any part in the Israel-U.S. war of choice on Iran." He added, "Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran."

Iran has maintained that it is acting in self-defence, with Araghchi stating, "Iran will exercise its right to self-defense."

Separately, Iran has indicated it may allow Japanese-linked vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, suggesting limited flexibility amid tensions.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that joint US-Israeli strikes had significantly weakened Iran's military capabilities. He said, "We are winning and Iran is being decimated. Iran's missile and drone arsenal is being massively degraded and will be destroyed."

He added, "What we are destroying now are the factories that produce the components that make these missiles. We are wiping out their entire industrial base that we didn't before."

Separately, US defence major RTX Corporation said earlier this year that its subsidiary Raytheon had signed multiple long-term agreements with the US Department of War to expand production of key munitions, including the SM-3 interceptor. The company said it plans to scale up production of Tomahawk, AMRAAM, SM-3 and SM-6 systems, with output expected to grow two to four times current levels.

- ANI
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that Iran informed it of an attack on the key Natanz nuclear site, with no increase in off-site radiation levels detected. Iranian state media reported the attack was a joint operation by the US and Israel, targeting the uranium-enrichment facility. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated calls for military restraint to prevent a potential nuclear accident. The incident occurs amid heightened regional tensions following the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader and retaliatory strikes.

Iran informs UN watchdog IAEA of an attack on its key Natanz nuclear facility. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported amid rising tensions.

Vienna, March 21 The International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday said that Iran has informed that Natanz nuclear site was attacked, adding that no increase in radiation levels outside the site has been reported so far.

In a post on X, the United Nations nuclear watchdog stated, "The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report."

The Natanz nuclear facility is one of Iran's key nuclear installations and has previously been at the centre of international concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The post further stated that the IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has reiterated the need for restraint amid rising tensions, warning of the risks associated with military actions near nuclear sites.

"IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident," the post added.

Earlier today, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz, as reported by Iranian state media outlet Tasnim News Agency.

The strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility were not at risk, according to Tasnim News Agency.

The development comes against 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.

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
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated the country possesses intelligence about Israeli plans to attack its infrastructure, warning of a response with "zero restraint." He referenced Iran's past retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure linked to the US and Israel as a demonstration of capability. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized Iran does not seek war with Muslim nations, blaming current tensions on the US and Israel. Pezeshkian proposed forming a regional security structure with Muslim states to ensure peace and stability.

Iran's Foreign Minister says they have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike its infrastructure and warns of powerful response with "zero restraint."

Tehran, March 21 Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that the country has intelligence about Israel's plans to attack its infrastructure.

He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X on Friday (local time) while stressing that Iran would show "zero restraint" if its infrastructure is attacked.

"We are men and women of principles. Iranians do not sneak-attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond," Araghchi said, adding, "We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: zero restraint if our infrastructure is attacked."

In a post on X on Thursday, Araghchi pointed to Iran's retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure affiliated with the United States and Israel in the region, saying, "Our response to Israel's attack on our infrastructure employed a fraction of our power."

"The only reason for restraint was respect for the requested de-escalation. Zero restraint if our infrastructures are struck again. Any end to this war must address damage to our civilian sites," he stressed.

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.

Meanwhile, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country does not seek war with Muslim states, according to the official news agency IRNA.

He made the remarks in a message to extend congratulations on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian new year that falls on March 21, Xinhua news agency reported.

Commenting on recent tensions between Iran and some of the Arab states in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks, Pezeshkian said, "We do not intend to have any difference with Muslim countries. We do not seek conflict and war with Islamic states. They are our brothers."

He blamed the United States and Israel for the tensions that have arisen between Iran and the region's Muslim states.

Pezeshkian said Iran is ready to resolve all problems with its neighbours, proposing to form a security structure comprising Muslim states in the Middle East to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.

- IANS
Says it has no surplus crude oil for markets

Iran's military has issued a stark warning that recreational and tourist destinations worldwide could be targeted, escalating fears of asymmetric attacks beyond the Middle East. This comes as Iran has intensified strikes on energy infrastructure in Gulf Arab states, including a drone attack on a major Kuwaiti oil refinery. Concurrently, Iran has warned the United Arab Emirates it will target Ras al-Khaimah if attacks on Iranian islands are repeated. The country also stated it has no surplus crude oil available for international markets, contradicting U.S. suggestions.

Iran threatens global parks and tourist sites, attacks Kuwaiti oil refinery, and warns UAE amid escalating conflict. Read the latest developments.

Tehran, March 21 Iran has threatened to expand its retaliatory attacks to include recreational and tourist sites worldwide, Al Jazeera reported.

As per Al Jazeera, Iran's top military spokesman, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that "parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations" worldwide won't be safe for the country's enemies.

The threat renewed concerns that Iran may revert to using asymmetric attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Iran has stepped up its attacks on energy sites in Gulf Arab states after Israel bombed Iran's massive South Pars offshore natural gas field earlier in the week, Al Jazeera reported.

As per Al Jazeera, two waves of Iranian drones attacked a Kuwaiti oil refinery early Friday, sparking a fire. The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, which can process some 730,000 barrels of oil per day, is one of the largest in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Iran has said it has no surplus crude oil available for international markets, responding to remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting Washington could ease restrictions on Iranian oil at sea, Al Jazeera reported.

According to Al Jazeera, in a post on social media, Oil Ministry spokesperson Saman Ghoddoosi said, "Currently, Iran basically has no surplus crude oil left on the water or for supply in other international markets, and the US Treasury secretary's statement is solely aimed at giving hope to buyers."

Earlier, Iran threatened to broaden its retaliatory strikes, saying recreational and tourist locations worldwide could be at risk, Al Jazeera reported.

General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the country's top military spokesman, warned that "parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations" worldwide would not be safe for Iran's enemies, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The warning has reignited fears that Tehran may turn to asymmetric attacks beyond the Middle East to increase pressure on its adversaries, according to Al Jazeera.

Iran has recently escalated attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf Arab states after Israel bombed the South Pars offshore natural gas field earlier this week.

In one such attack, two waves of Iranian drones struck a Kuwaiti oil refinery early Friday, causing a fire. The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, which can process around 730,000 barrels of oil per day, is among the largest in the Middle East, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Iran has also issued a stern warning to the United Arab Emirates, saying it would target Ras al-Khaimah if Iranian Gulf islands were attacked again from UAE territory, Al Jazeera reported.

"We warn the United Arab Emirates, in case of repeated encroachment from the source of that country to the Iranian islands ... in the Persian Gulf, the powerful Iranian armed forces will put Ras al-Khaimah ... under their crushing blows," the spokesperson said in a statement carried by Iran's Tasnim news agency, Al Jazeera reported.

According to Al Jazeera, the islands are strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas flows.

Earlier this month, the UAE said it had successfully intercepted a drone, with debris falling in the al-Hamra village area of Ras al-Khaimah, as reported by Al Jazeera.

- ANI
I dont know what the equivalent of Moodys Manuals or anything would be now, but I would try and know everything about everything small, and I would find something, he said.

He was able to acquire extensive knowledge of how different industries and companies functioned, even little-known ones, thanks to his dedicated research. He believes this type of behavior can provide an edge.

I found all kinds of interesting things when I was 20 or 21, Buffett said at Berkshires annual shareholders meeting in 2024 (4).

Moodys Manuals were a series of publications by the financial services company Moodys on publicly traded stocks. These texts provided detailed information on various industries, companies and securities.

Twenty-six years later, that confidence hasnt been shaken. Heres how Buffett would do it.

And he was confident that he could do it again, stating, I think I could make you 50% a year on $1 million. No, I know I could. I guarantee that.

In 1999, he told Bloomberg Businessweek, The highest rates of return Ive ever achieved were in the 1950s. I killed the Dow. You ought to see the numbers, he said (3).

And Buffett believes he could once again build massive wealth by starting relatively small.

From 1965 to 2025, his company delivered compounded annual gains of 19.7%, substantially outperforming the S&P 500s 10.5% average annual return during that 60-year period. Today, Berkshire Hathaways cash and U.S. Treasury holdings exceed $370 billion (2).

Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and its raising alarm bells for retirees. Heres why and how to protect yourself

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

Buffett has also retained some ownership of Berkshire, though all his shares will go to philanthropy over the decade or so following his passing. And since the Oracle of Omaha is renowned for generating oversized returns, those shares are worth a pretty penny.

Though Warren Buffett stepped down from his role as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025, he is far from retired in the traditional sense. The 95-year-old is still working in the office five days a week as the companys chairman  which tracks for the man who once said, I will keep working until about five years after I die (1).

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

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Modern platforms like Moby are the equivalent. Their team of former hedge fund analysts and experts spend hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide top-tier stock picks and crypto reports to keep you up to date on whats moving the markets.

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Keep in mind that Buffetts comments are about what he would do, not necessarily what the average person should do. He considers investing his passion, and has previously expressed that stock picking is not an optimal strategy for average investors.

In fact, at Berkshire Hathaways 2021 shareholders meeting, Buffett stated, I do not think the average person can pick stocks (5).

Instead, he has repeatedly said that most people should invest their money in a low-cost, S&P 500 index fund.

If youre looking for an easy way to invest, consider Robinhood.

Platforms like Robinhood are designed to make investing simpler and more approachable.

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Replicating success

As Buffett stated, if he had to start with just $1 million today, he would arm himself with knowledge by going through todays equivalent of Moodys Manuals in detail to find opportunities  including ones that may not be suitable for large funds.

You can still find these texts today  theyre called Mergent Manuals. Mergent, Inc. acquired Moodys Financial Information Services division in 1998 (6).

Investors today can also take advantage of tools and resources that didnt exist when Buffett first started investing, such as internet databases.

For example, the EDGAR database from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission allows investors to access detailed filings and reports submitted by publicly traded companies.

While the investing legend believes a 50% annual return is achievable, he acknowledges it requires more than just ambition.

With $1 million, you could earn 50% a year, but you have to be in love with the subject. You cant just be in love with the money, he explained at the 2024 shareholders meeting. People find other things in other fields because they just love looking for them.

If youre not passionate about the subject, a financial advisor can help bridge the gap  theyre already doing daily deep dives and can provide expert guidance on your portfolio.

But finding the right advisor for you isnt always easy.

Thats where Advisor.com can come in. The platform quickly connects you with expert advisors you can trust.

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Article sources

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

Invest in Yourself (1); Berkshire Hathaway (2); Bloomberg (3); CNBC Television (4); CNBC (5); Mergent (6)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Iran's highest operational command unit has issued a stark warning to the United Arab Emirates, stating it will strike the origin of any aggression against Iranian territory. The warning specifically concerns the islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb, with Iran threatening "heavy and crushing strikes" on Ras Al Khaimah if the UAE's soil is used again. This comes amid Iran's ongoing Operation True Promise 4, which it says has targeted US and Israeli facilities across the region. The UAE's defence ministry reported intercepting numerous missiles and drones from Iran, resulting in casualties among its forces and foreign nationals.

Iran's military warns UAE of crushing strikes if its soil is used for aggression against Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf amid regional tensions.

Tehran, March 21 Iran's highest operational command unit has warned the United Arab Emirates against allowing its soil to be used again as a launch pad for aggression targeting the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf.

The warning was issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's highest operational command unit that coordinates operations between the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

In a statement, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, "As we have previously announced, and demonstrated in practice, we will strike the origin of any aggression against our territory and national sovereignty."

"We warn the United Arab Emirates that if any further aggression originates from its territory against the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf, Iran's powerful Armed Forces will subject Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE to heavy and crushing strikes," he added.

The comments came amid Iran's ongoing Operation True Promise 4 against the latest bout of US-Israeli action. The Iranians claim to have struck key American military facilities across the region, including those lying in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan.

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi warned that the Islamic Republic would show "Zero restraint" if its infrastructure was attacked.

"We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: Zero restraint if our infrastructure is attacked," he wrote on X.

"We are men and women of principles. Iranians do not sneak attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond," the top diplomat added.

On Friday, UAE's Ministry of Defence said, UAE air defences engaged 4 ballistic missiles and 26 UAVs launched from Iran on Friday.

According to the MoD of UAE, "Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 338 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,740 UAVs. These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as 6 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities. A total of 158 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe... The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities."

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the execution of the 70th wave of its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, saying the latest phase targeted more than 55 locations occupied by the US and the Israeli regime across the region.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC described the opening moments of the latest phase as marked by "loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke" throughout the targeted areas.

- ANI
An Iranian military source has issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that any ground attack on Iranian soil is a major red line. The source promised a devastating "surprise" for former President Donald Trump if such an aggression occurs, referencing past impacts on regional energy infrastructure. The warning extended to the potential destruction of UAE coastal areas, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the event of conflict. This comes amid reports that the Trump administration has been strategizing options to extract Iran's nuclear material.

Iranian military source warns US against ground aggression, promising a devastating "surprise" for Trump if red lines are crossed.

Tehran, March 21 As the security situation continues to evolve in West Asia and the Gulf region, an Iranian military source warned the United States against any ground aggression on Iran, calling it one of the red lines and that a "surprise" would await Trump, Tasnim News Agency reported on Saturday.

The military source made the remarks to Tasnim news agency in response to the recent reports where the US has hinted towards possible ground operations in Iran.

The military said, "Obviously, a ground attack on Iranian soil is one of our red lines, and just as we had a surprise against every enemy operation, we will show it again in this case also."

The source referred to the attack on Iranian energy infrastructure, noting how when it was hit the entire region's energy facilities suffered and thus warned United States against ground ops in Iran.

"When our energy infrastructure was hit, all the energy infrastructures in the region became inactive, and this time too, we are ready, so that if the terrorist Trump makes a mistake in this regard, we will have a surprise for him in a way that he will not even be able to remove the coffins of his soldiers from our land", the source told Tasnim News Agency.

The source further said that the destruction of Iranian islands would lead to destruction of the coastal areas of the UAE, adding that, Dubai and Abu Dhabi may not be "merely" in the initial stages of the attack.

This comes as CBS news reported on Friday (local time), citing sources briefed on the discussions, that the Trump administration has been strategising ways and options to extract Iran's nuclear material.

According to CBS News, while the timing of any such operation, if Trump orders it remains unclear, one of the source said that the US President is yet to make a decision about it. However, plans have centred around the possible deployment of forces from the secretive Joint Special Operations Command- America's elite military unit often tasked with the most sensitive counter-proliferation missions.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Trump said Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. Speaking outside the White House, he said, "We can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side. We're not looking to do that."

- ANI
Iran's Foreign Minister has sharply warned the United Kingdom that Tehran will respond if British involvement in the Middle East conflict escalates, specifically citing the use of UK bases. The warning follows Iran's launch of ballistic missiles toward the strategic joint US-UK base at Diego Garcia, demonstrating extended range capabilities. UK officials, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, have cautioned Iran against targeting British interests, highlighting the risk of further escalation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintains the UK does not seek a broader military role but is evaluating options to support allies and secure key shipping routes.

Iran's FM warns UK against involvement in Middle East conflict, citing self-defence rights after missile launch toward Diego Garcia base.

Tehran, March 21 Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has issued a sharp warning to the United Kingdom on Saturday, stating that Tehran will respond if British involvement in the ongoing conflict escalates.

In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, "Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-U.S. war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defense."

The statement comes amid rising tensions following reports that US forces have been granted access to British military bases. According to officials, Araghchi conveyed similar concerns during a phone call with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, warning that such cooperation would be viewed as "participation in aggression" against Iran.

The UK government, however, has pushed back. In the same conversation, Cooper cautioned Iran against targeting "UK bases, territory or interests," underscoring the risk of further escalation.

Tensions intensified after Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia, a strategically important joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean. Neither missile struck its target-one reportedly failed mid-flight, while the other was engaged by a US naval interceptor, though it remains unclear whether it was successfully destroyed.

The attempted strike has raised concerns about Iran's missile capabilities, as Diego Garcia lies approximately 4,000 kilometres from Iranian territory, suggesting a potentially greater range than previously assessed. The base plays a critical role in regional security, hosting US bombers, nuclear submarines, and guided-missile destroyers.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has maintained that Britain does not seek a broader military role in the Middle East conflict. Speaking earlier this week, he said the UK would not be drawn into a wider war, even as it evaluates options to support allies, including potential naval deployments to safeguard shipping routes in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Starmer acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that decisions on military involvement are "difficult," particularly amid pressure from the United States. He emphasised that while the UK remains committed to defending its interests and allies, it continues to pursue a diplomatic resolution to restore stability in the region.

- IANS
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, called for the BRICS bloc to take a more independent and constructive role in halting the conflict in West Asia. Pezeshkian condemned what he described as unlawful aggression by the United States and Israel, including a strike on a school, and proposed a regional security framework without foreign interference. Prime Minister Modi extended festive greetings and expressed concerns over regional instability, strongly condemning attacks on critical infrastructure. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation in key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urges BRICS, under India's presidency, to play an independent role in halting West Asia hostilities in talks with PM Modi.

Tehran, March 21 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday called for a more proactive and independent role of BRICS in addressing the ongoing conflict in West Asia during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During the discussion, Pezeshkian emphasised the need for BRICS to contribute towards halting ongoing hostilities and ensuring regional and global stability, referring to New Delhi's chairmanship for this year and urged member nations to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions. Iran is the part of BRICS.

"Referring to India's rotating presidency of BRICS, Pezeshkian called for the group to play an independent role in halting aggressions against Iran and in safeguarding regional and international peace and stability," the statement from the Iranian Embassy in India read.

The Iranian President briefed Prime Minister Modi on the current situation in the region, including recent military developments, and reiterated Iran's position on the conflict. He underscored the importance of ending hostilities and preventing further escalation.

Pezeshkian also highlighted the need for a regional security framework led by countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability without external interference.

"President also proposed the establishment of a regional security framework composed of countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region through regional cooperation without foreign interference. He further underscored that a prerequisite for ending the war and conflict in the region is the immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future," the statement read.

Pezeshkian further outlined what he described as aggression, unlawful attacks, and crimes committed by the United States and Israel, asserting that Iran did not initiate the conflict and stating that military strikes were launched against Iran during ongoing nuclear negotiations without "justification, logic, or legal basis", leading to the deaths of senior leadership, military commanders, and civilians, including schoolchildren, as well as damage to public infrastructure.

"President Pezeshkian further stated that the US targeted the school in Minab from bases located in neighboring countries hosting US military installations, leading to the tragic martyrdom of 168 innocent schoolchildren," the statement read.

Rejecting claims by the US President that the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian said that Iran's leadership had consistently opposed such weapons and noted that in multiple meetings attended by the Supreme Leader, firm administrative and religious directives had been issued prohibiting any move toward nuclear weapons development.

He also dismissed US allegations portraying Iran as a source of regional instability, asserting instead that Israel has carried out attacks and assassinations across countries, including Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Iraq and Qatar, under the pretext of maintaining security, while in reality fuelling unrest.

Meawhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the Iranian President on the occasion of Eid and Nowruz, while also expressing concerns over recent developments affecting regional stability amid the ongoing conflict.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he conveyed his wishes for peace, stability and prosperity in West Asia during the festive season as the conflict escalates, with the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

"Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia," the post read.

The Prime Minister also strongly condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions pose a serious threat to regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.

He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, particularly commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating India's stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that the shipping routes remain open and secure amid the tensions.

"Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure," the PM wrote in his post.

He further appreciated Iran's continued support in ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals residing in the country.

The conversation comes against 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.

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.

Earlier today, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz.

The strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility were not at risk.

- ANI
Iranian state media has reported a strike by the United States and Israel on the critical Natanz nuclear facility, though no radiation leak was detected. The attack occurs against a backdrop of persistent hostilities, with the site having been a primary target in the previous Israel-Iran conflict. While the IDF stated it was not familiar with the attack, reports indicate the US administration has been strategizing options to extract Iran's nuclear material. The White House has confirmed such an operation remains a possible option.

Iranian state media reports a US-Israel strike on the Natanz nuclear facility with no radiation leak, amid ongoing regional tensions.

Tehran, March 21 The United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz early Saturday morning, according to the Iranian State Media Tasnim news agency.

Tasnim reported that the strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites. The news agency said no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack and that residents living near the facility were not at risk.

The Natanz facility has been repeatedly targeted amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. It was also one of the primary targets during the June 2025 Israel-Iran 12-day war, when Israeli forces launched a series of strikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. The United States later joined that conflict in support of Israel, the news agency reported.

The latest strike comes as hostilities between the two sides continue, with both countries carrying out attacks on strategic infrastructure and military facilities.

According to CNN, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) told the news platform that it was not "familiar with any IDF attack on that facility."

This is the second time the facility has come under attack since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, CNN reported.

Earlier, CBS News reported on Friday (local time), citing sources briefed on the discussions, that the Trump administration has been strategising ways and options to extract Iran's nuclear material.

According to CBS News, while the timing of any such operation, if Trump orders it, remains unclear, one of the sources said that the US President has yet to make a decision about it. However, plans have centred around the possible deployment of forces from the secretive Joint Special Operations Command- America's elite military unit often tasked with the most sensitive counter-proliferation missions, according to two sources to CBS News.

CBS News reported that as of last summer, Iran had amassed about 972 pounds of 60%-enriched uranium, which is a short step away from weapons-grade material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It added that much of that uranium remains buried underneath nuclear sites that were bombed by the US last year as part of Operation Midnight Hammer.

While US officials have said that the Trump administration has not ruled out plans to retrieve Iranian stockpiles, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that "it's an option on the table for him."

- ANI
Austrian warfare analyst Tom Cooper compares Iran's current military strategy to the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong, utilizing extensive underground bases for missiles and drones. He explains that while these facilities can be located via satellite, penetrating and destroying them has proven nearly impossible for Israeli and American forces. Cooper highlights the profound redundancy in Iran's military infrastructure, allowing it to sustain operations for an extended period. His analysis follows the major escalation in West Asia triggered by US-Israeli strikes and subsequent Iranian retaliation.

Austrian analyst Tom Cooper says Iran's underground missile networks create major redundancy, making a prolonged war of attrition likely against US-Israel strikes.

New Delhi, March 21 Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian Tom Cooper has said that Iran's continued missile launches despite sustained airstrikes point to significant redundancy and resilience in its military infrastructure, raising the possibility of a prolonged conflict.

Responding to a question on whether the situation indicates a shift towards a war of attrition, Cooper said Iran's strategy resembles guerrilla tactics seen in past conflicts. "Look, Iranians are fighting like Viet Cong in South Vietnam of the '60s," he said in an interview with ANI.

He explained that, much like the extensive tunnel networks used during the Vietnam War, Iran has developed underground systems to sustain its operations. "Nowadays, Iranians are doing that but for their missiles and UAVs. That means they have so many missile bases under the ground," he noted.

While such facilities can be identified, destroying them remains a major challenge. "They are obviously easy to find with help of satellite reconnaissance--but penetrating and destroying them has proven next to impossible with usually available means, or the means in hands of Israelis and Americans," Cooper said.

He added that even advanced weaponry may not guarantee success. "They could theoretically destroy them using this giant... GBU-57 super bunker-buster... but even that is not certain," he said, pointing to the limited number of such munitions available.

Highlighting the depth of Iran's military preparedness, Cooper stressed the extent of redundancy built into its system. "Iran has... so much built-in redundancy that they can really continue like this for weeks longer," he said.

His remarks follow the significant escalation in West Asia that erupted after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military figures. This prompted retaliatory drone and missile strikes by Iran against Israel and US assets in the Gulf nations.

- ANI
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for the formation of an 'Islamic Assembly of the Middle East' to coordinate security and political relations among regional nations. He stated that Iran does not seek conflict with its Islamic neighbours, blaming Israel for acts of genocide, terrorism, and instability in the region. The president denounced any need for foreign presence, urging countries to resolve differences together and not fall into traps set by enemies. His message, issued on Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, emphasized unity, national solidarity, and the establishment of an Islamic security framework.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urges Middle Eastern nations to form an Islamic security framework, blaming Israel for regional instability.

Tehran, March 21 On the occasion of Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday said that the country does not seek conflict with Islamic nations. He also offered condolences on the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the wake of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Denouncing the need for foreign presence in the region, he urged the formation of an 'Islamic Assembly of the Middle East' and said that the countries should "not fall into the traps set by our enemies".

The Iranian president, in his message, said that Tehran does not seek turmoil in the region and added that it does not aim to interfere in the internal matters of the countries. He urged the neighbours to come together to resolve the differences and attacked Israel for being responsible for the "turmoil, instability, acts of genocide, terrorism, and sabotage in the region".

"We declare to the world that we are not seeking turmoil in the region. We do not want any country to be forced to stockpile weapons and ammunition just to defend itself, constantly waiting and wondering whether its territory will be attacked or not. We are in no way thinking of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. We absolutely do not wish for the security and stability of the region to be disrupted," Pezeshkian said in a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka.

"This is something we can resolve ourselves, by working together and joining hands. This is a message to the countries of the region: instead of using the media to promote the narrative to your own people that Iran is the cause of instability in the region, you should recognise and understand that it is Israel that is responsible for turmoil, instability, acts of genocide, terrorism, and sabotage in the region," it added.

The Iranian president further said that his country doesn't seek conflict with other Muslim countries, highlighting that the "enemy" was seeking to create discord among Muslims.

"At the outset, I find it necessary to offer my condolences to the noble people of our country on the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader and the devoted servants of this nation. "We do not seek conflict with Muslim countries. We are not pursuing war with Islamic nations; they are our brothers. The divisions that have emerged are the work of a treacherous enemy seeking to create discord among Muslims," Pezeshkian said.

He noted how in the holy month of Ramadan, Iran's Supreme Leader, commanders, ministers, and civilians were killed--recalling the strike at the Minab elementary school in his message.

He urged people to come together in unity and national solidarity and said, "We must strive to set aside all grudges, resentments, and differences. This year, more than ever, we need a Nowruz that reflects unity, cohesion, and national solidarity. We must abandon hatred, overcome hardships, and join hands and ensure that our Iran stands proud amidst these storms and crises. Eid al-Fitr is a celebration of self-purification after a month of spiritual discipline."

In his message, Pezeshkian called Iran's neighbours brothers and said that the country is ready to resolve all issues with them. He suggested the establishment of an Islamic security framework among the countries to guarantee stability in the region.

"Our dear neighbours who surround Iran, you are our brothers. For any misunderstandings or damage that may have arisen in our relations, we pray that God helps remove these differences. We are ready to resolve all issues with you, dear ones. To ensure regional peace and stability, an Islamic security framework among Middle Eastern countries should be established in order to guarantee peace, security and the stability of the region," the Iranian president said.

"There is no need for foreign presence in the region. Together, we can form an 'Islamic Assembly of the Middle East' to coordinate security, economic, cultural, and political relations. We have no right to fight with one another. We must not, under any pretext, fall into the traps set for us by our enemies", he added.

As the conflict with Iran is about to enter its fourth week, tensions continue to simmer in West Asia and the Gulf in the wake of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, with spill-overs across the region.

- ANI
The Iraqi National Intelligence Service headquarters in Baghdad was struck by a booby-trapped drone, resulting in the death of an officer. The attack is attributed to "outlawed elements" and occurs amid heightened regional tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani recently affirmed full government support for the Popular Mobilisation Forces. Meanwhile, the US Embassy has issued repeated warnings for American citizens to leave Iraq due to ongoing attacks by Iran-aligned militias.

Iraqi National Intelligence Service headquarters targeted in Baghdad drone strike, killing an officer amid regional tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Baghdad, March 21 The Iraqi National Intelligence Service said on Saturday that its headquarters in Baghdad was targeted by a "terrorist attack", resulting in the death of an officer.

An INIS statement said the attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. local time and was carried out by "outlawed elements", noting that it aims to deter the agency from performing its duties.

It said that the "terrorist acts" only strengthen its resolve to pursue the perpetrators until they are apprehended and brought to justice, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, a source from the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that an unidentified booby-trapped drone struck the intelligence headquarters, killing an officer and sparking a fire.

The attack came amid heightened tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, factions affiliated with the so-called "Iraqi resistance" claimed the attack followed the alleged escape of US intelligence personnel due to ongoing shelling of the US Embassy and Victoria Base, though the claim has not been independently verified.

The attack comes as Iraq's government continues to emphasise its support for the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

On March 19, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Authority, where he was received by senior leadership, including Falih Faisal Al-Fayyad, Chairman of the Popular Mobilisation Commission.

"During the visit, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed that the Iraqi government cannot tolerate any targeting directed at the fighters from the sons of the Popular Mobilisation Authority and the rest of the branches and formations of our armed forces, praising the role of the Mobilisation and its great sacrifices that contributed to protecting Iraq and enhancing its sovereignty and independence, while expressing his full support for this essential force within our security forces," Sudani's office said.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Baghdad has continued to warn American citizens about the security situation in Iraq.

"Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks on US citizens and targets associated with the US throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). US citizens should leave Iraq now," the Embassy said on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the Embassy warned US citizens against travelling to Iraq.

Iran-aligned terrorist militias have repeatedly attacked the International Zone in central Baghdad.

"The International Zone remains closed, with limited exceptions. There have also been repeated attacks in the area around the Erbil International Airport and the US Consulate General in Erbil. Do not attempt to come to the US Embassy in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil in light of the ongoing risk of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace."

- IANS
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps announced the execution of the 70th wave of its retaliatory Operation True Promise, targeting over 55 locations used by the US and Israel. The strikes focused on five specific US military installations across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Bahrain using missile systems and drones. Simultaneously, the IRGC's Aerospace Force concentrated on strategic zones in Haifa and Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel's defense forces claimed to have eliminated senior Iranian commanders, including Esmail Ahmadi and Mehdi Rastami Sh'mastan, in strikes within Tehran.

Iran's IRGC executes 70th wave of Operation True Promise, striking US military sites & Israeli zones. IDF claims killing senior Iranian commanders in Tehran.

Tehran, March 21 " Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on Saturday announced the execution of the 70th wave of its retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, saying the latest phase targeted more than 55 locations occupied by the US and the Israeli regime across the region.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC described the opening moments of the latest phase as marked by "loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke" throughout the targeted areas.

According to the statement, five US military installations were targeted during the operation, namely al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia, al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates, Ali al-Salem in Kuwait, Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The Corps said the strikes were carried out using Qiam and Emad missile systems alongside attack drones, describing this stage of the reprisal as part of a broader strategy of "gradual attrition."

The statement added that operations by the IRGC's Aerospace Force concentrated on strategic zones in the port of Haifa and the city of Tel Aviv. Among the locations mentioned were Hadera, Kiryat Ono, Savion, and Ben Ami.

It said Khorramshahr-4 and multi-warhead Qadr missile systems were deployed, resulting in impacts "beyond the enemy's estimates," and contributing to worsening conditions in the territories.

The IRGC said, "It is necessary at this stage of the war to once again remind that the IRGC, in its offensive strategy, will target the origin of any aggression against the Islamic Republic's territory and national sovereignty with strikes beyond previous ones."

Meanwhile, Israel's defence forces have claimed that they have eliminsted Esmail Ahmadi, the head of the Intelligence Division of the Basij Force, as well as several other senior commanders in a strike on the senior leadership of the Basij Force in the heart of Tehran. IDF said that Ahmadi played a central role in advancing and executing attacks carried out by Basij Forces. IDF further claimed that he was also responsible for enforcing public order and the regime's values on behalf of the IRGC and leading major suppression operations during the recent internal protests in Iran.

IDF also claimed to have eliminated Mehdi Rastami Sh'mastan, a key commander in the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence. IDF said that Sh'mastan was a key figure in promoting activities and attacks against Israeli and Jewish civilians around the world. The IDF alleged that Iran's Ministry of Intelligence is the Iranian regime's primary intelligence organization and serves as one of the regime's central mechanisms of oppression and terror.

- ANI
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed at least 20 people in 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 1,021 since hostilities escalated on March 2. The strikes have also wounded 2,641 people and displaced over 134,000 civilians who are now sheltering in hundreds of centers. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed deep concern over the violent escalation and increased Israeli military activity inside Lebanese territory. UNIFIL renewed its call for all parties to commit to a full cessation of hostilities under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Israeli strikes kill 20 in Lebanon, raising total fatalities to 1,021. Over 134,000 displaced as hostilities escalate, UN expresses deep concern.

Beirut, March 21 At least 20 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to official figures.

The latest casualties, released on Friday (local time), bring the cumulative death toll to 1,021, with a total of 2,641 people wounded since the escalation of hostilities on March 2.

Meanwhile, displacement continues to rise sharply as ongoing strikes force more residents to flee their homes. A total of 134,616 displaced people are currently sheltering in 644 centres across the country, the figures show.

Efforts to accommodate displaced populations remain under strain as the humanitarian situation deteriorates amid continued airstrikes, reports Xinhua news agency.

Hezbollah entered the confrontation on March 2 by launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire on November 27, 2024, prompting Israel to carry out an intensified military campaign targeting multiple areas across the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that the heavy exchange of fire, along with escalating air and ground activities and the increased presence of Israeli forces inside the Lebanese territory, are developments that raise "deep concern."

In a statement, UNIFIL said that the violent escalation witnessed overnight marks a further worrying deterioration in the situation between Lebanon and Israel. It also expressed concern over the renewed issuance of so-called "evacuation orders" by parties to the conflict, which are affecting civilians on both sides of the Blue Line.

UNIFIL renewed its call on all parties to recommit to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to a full cessation of hostilities, describing it as the only path toward achieving lasting stability.

It noted that peacekeepers remain deployed at their positions within the area of operations in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line, where they continue to report violations, maintain communication with the parties, and, where possible, facilitate humanitarian access and protect civilians.

- IANS
By David Shepardson and Juby Babu

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission said on Thursday it approved the $3.54 billion sale of local television station owner Tegna to Nexstar, despite objections from Democratic-led states.

Acquiring Tegna would expand Nexstar's presence to cover 80% of U.S. TV households. The FCC said it is waiving a rule that allows broadcast television station owners to reach no more than 39% of U.S. television audience households as part of its approval.

"By approving this transaction, which allows Nexstar to own less than 15% of television stations, the FCC acts mindful of the media marketplace that exits today  not the one from decades past," FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in a statement.

In February, President Donald Trump said he supported the deal. 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.

The approval comes a day after a group of eight states filed a suit in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, to block the merger that would make the combined entity the largest U.S. broadcast station group.

Streaming and satellite TV provider DirecTV also filed a separate suit, seeking to prevent the deal, late on Wednesday.

"This transaction is essential to sustaining strong local journalism in the communities we serve," Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said in a statement.

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.

The FCC order said the deal "will help preserve Nexstars ability to influence network programming through collective negotiation and to preempt network programming in favor of programming that better serves the local community."

Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the deal, saying it concentrates "broadcast power in fewer corporate hands, shrinking independent editorial voices, and prioritizing national business interests over local needs."

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.

Nexstar has agreed to divest six stations within two years in the deal valued at $6.2 billion including debt.

In September, Carr praised Nexstar for briefly opting not to air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC-affiliated stations.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a significant planned escalation in joint Israeli and US military strikes against Iran in the coming week. He stated the goal is to weaken the Iranian regime's military and strategic capabilities by targeting its infrastructure and leadership. The remarks were made during a meeting at Israel's underground command center, emphasizing a continued offensive until security threats are removed. This comes amid reports the US Trump administration has been strategizing options to extract Iranian nuclear material.

Israeli Defense Minister announces a significant increase in joint IDF-US military strikes against Iran's regime and infrastructure this week.

Tel Aviv, March 21 Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Saturday said that military strikes against Iran are set to intensify in the coming week, signalling a further escalation in the ongoing conflict.

According to Times of Israel, the defence minister made these remarks during a meeting with top officers at the Israeli military's underground command centre at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.

He stated that the strikes that will take place will be jointly conducted by the IDF and the US military.

"This week, the intensity of the strikes that the IDF and the US military will carry out against the Iranian terror regime and the infrastructure it relies on will significantly escalate," he said, as quoted by Times of Israel.

Katz added that Israel remains committed to continuing its offensive operations against Iran and weakening the Islamic Regime's military and strategic capabilities.

"Israel is determined to continue leading the offensive against the Iranian terror regime, to decapitate its commanders and thwart its strategic capabilities, until every security threat to the State of Israel and to US interests in the region is removed," he stated.

He further stressed the strength and resolve of both the military and civilians amid the ongoing situation, stating that the war with Iran will continue until their "objectives are achieved."

"The IDF is strong, and the Israeli home front is strong, and we will not stop until all war objectives are achieved," he added, as quoted by Times of Israel.

Earlier on Friday, CBS News reported, citing sources, that the Trump administration has been strategising ways and options to extract Iran's nuclear material.

According to CBS News, while the timing of any such operation, if Trump orders it, remains unclear, one of the sources said that the US President has yet to make a decision about it. However, plans have centred around the possible deployment of forces from the secretive Joint Special Operations Command - America's elite military unit often tasked with the most sensitive counter-proliferation missions, according to two sources speaking to CBS News.

While US officials have said that the Trump administration has not ruled out plans to retrieve Iranian stockpiles, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that "it's an option on the table for him".

- ANI
Shiga Prefecture in Japan, home to ancient Lake Biwa, is leveraging its decades of experience in water resource protection and clean technology to contribute to India's development. Governor Taizo Mikazuki highlights past successful collaborations with China and Vietnam on water management as a model for potential projects in India. A key envisioned contribution is the application of Shiga's established hydrogen supply network and circular economy initiatives, like the "Repair Challenge," to help establish clean societies in Indian states. The prefecture aims to combine technological transfer with business and cultural exchanges involving its leading companies.

Japan's Shiga prefecture shares Lake Biwa management expertise and hydrogen supply network plans to help India build a clean, circular economy.

Tokyo, March 21 Japanese biggest lake--Lake Biwa is located in Shiga prefecture. It originated 4.4 million years ago. In its long history Lake Biwa worked as a center of waterborne logistics, resource of water supply and the stage of fishing industry. Its clean circumstances are protected by enthusiastic trial and development of technology. Clean environment and healthy consciousness made Shiga pref. best longevity prefecture.

Based on establishment of clean environment and livable society Shiga pref.'s attention is paid to contribution for progressing foreign countries, especially India.

Shiga pref. Governor Taizo Mikazuki explains characteristic of Shiga pref., "Lake Biwa is old established lake supplying water and various convenience to 15 million people of Kansai area including 1.4 million citizens of Shiga pref. Utilizing advantage of rich water and respect to the benefit of water are policy and philosophy of Shiga pref. We studied the protection of water resource contributes to the development of society. In 1980's Shiga pref. set friendship agreement with Hunan Province having Lake Dongting in China. It progressed mutual exchange of knowledge about water management, agricultural project and so on. For Vietnam, Shiga pref. contributed to purify water of Ha Long Bay. Those experience will be useful for Indian society."

In addition Governor Mikazuki envisages hydrogen project will contribute to establish clean society in India. "Shiga pref. organizes supply network of hydrogen. It covers Chubu region, Kansai region and Hokuriku region. Shiga pref. located at the center of those vast areas. "

Governor Mikazuki emphasizes to make progress of "Circular Economy" in Shiga. "We started "Repair Challenge" to renew wasted old furniture for resales. Sewage dirty mud and water plant of Lake Biwa are reborn to agricultural fertilizer. We are targeting which experience including its technology is useful for which state in India. Not only industry but also Indian music festival and business seminar including Shiga pref.'s companies ---Fujitec, Shiga bank, Hiyoshi, Yanmar, Panasonic and so on."

The project to keep clean Lake Biwa brought up environment company like Hiyoshi Ecological Services. Local government has the experience to face to real scene to be improved. It provokes to grasp detail information and develop treating technology and skill. It is the resource of local government to establish sustainable, clean and comfortable society.

- ANI
Senior CPI(M) leader P Rajeev has filed his nomination papers as the Left Democratic Front candidate for the Kalamassery constituency in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. The Election Commission has announced the 2026 polls will be held in a single phase on April 9, with results on May 4. The incumbent LDF, in power for about a decade, made history in 2021 by becoming the first ruling alliance since 1977 to secure consecutive terms, winning 99 seats. The BJP-led NDA and Congress-led UDF are both campaigning to unseat the current government in the 140-member assembly.

Senior CPI(M) leader P Rajeev files nomination from Kalamassery as Kerala gears up for 2026 Assembly elections on April 9.

Kochi, March 21 Senior Communist Party of India leader and Left Democratic Front candidate P Rajeev on Saturday filed his nomination papers for the Kalamassery constituency in Ernakulam district for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on March 15, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23.

The Model Code of Conduct comes into place, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, which is also known as the Kerala Niyamasabha.

Both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress-led United Democratic Front seek to unseat the incumbent CPI(M)-led LDF and gain control of the 140-member assembly. The LDF-led government has governed the state for around a decade.

In the Kerala Legislative Assembly election, held in a single phase on April 6, 2021, with results being declared on May 2, 2021. The incumbent LDF retained power with 99 seats, marking the first time since 1977 that a ruling alliance secured consecutive terms in the state. The UDF won 41 seats, while the NDA saw a decline in vote share and lost its only seat in the Assembly. Following the victory, Pinarayi Vijayan became the first Chief Minister of Kerala to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term in office.

In terms of vote share, the LDF received 41.5 per cent of the total votes, significantly ahead of the UDF, which secured 38.4 per cent. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 11.4 per cent of the votes but failed to win a single seat in the election.

Among individual parties in 2021, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) emerged as the single largest party with 62 seats and a vote share of 25.5 per cent. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 21 seats with a comparable vote share of 25.2 per cent, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) secured 17 seats. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, won 15 seats.

- ANI
NDA candidate C C Mukundan filed his nomination from the Nattika Assembly constituency in Thrissur for the 2026 Kerala polls. The filing was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, highlighting the BJP's focus on the state. The NDA alliance is aiming to challenge the incumbent LDF government, which has been in power for about a decade under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The 2026 elections are scheduled for April 9, with the current assembly's term ending on May 23.

NDA candidate C C Mukundan files nomination for Nattika seat ahead of 2026 Kerala polls. BJP-led alliance aims to challenge the incumbent LDF government.

Thrissur, March 21 National Democratic Alliance candidate C C Mukundan on Saturday filed his nomination from the Nattika Assembly constituency in Thrissur district ahead of the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Bharatiya Janata Party city district President Justin Jacob.

The Election Commission of India, on March 15, announced that the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

Earlier in the day, NDA candidate Anoop Antony also filed his nomination papers for the Thiruvalla Assembly constituency at the Sub-Collector's office.

The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and gain control of the 140-member Kerala Niyamasabha. The LDF has governed the state for approximately a decade, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan leading consecutive terms.

In the Kerala Legislative Assembly election, held in a single phase on April 6, 2021, with results being declared on May 2, 2021. The incumbent LDF retained power with 99 seats, marking the first time since 1977 that a ruling alliance secured consecutive terms in the state. The UDF won 41 seats, while the NDA saw a decline in vote share and lost its only seat in the Assembly. Following the victory, Pinarayi Vijayan became the first Chief Minister of Kerala to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term in office.

In terms of vote share, the LDF received 41.5 per cent of the total votes, significantly ahead of the UDF, which secured 38.4 per cent. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 11.4 per cent of the votes but failed to win a single seat in the election.

Among individual parties in 2021, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) emerged as the single largest party with 62 seats and a vote share of 25.5 per cent. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 21 seats with a comparable vote share of 25.2 per cent, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) secured 17 seats. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, won 15 seats.

- ANI
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala filed his nomination papers for the Haripad constituency after offering prayers at local temples and paying tribute at his mother's grave. The Congress party has released its second list of 37 candidates for the upcoming April 9, 2026, Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. The electoral battle will see the incumbent LDF government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking a historic consecutive third term against the challenges from the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA. The 2021 election saw the LDF retain power with 99 seats, marking the first time a ruling alliance secured back-to-back terms in the state since 1977.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala files nomination for Haripad ahead of 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. Details on candidates and key electoral battle.

Alappuzha, March 21 Senior Congress leader and United Democratic Front candidate Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday filed his nomination papers for the Haripad constituency ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.

Prior to submitting his nomination, Chennithala offered prayers at local temples and paid floral tributes at his mother's grave, seeking blessings for the upcoming polls.

Chennithala reached the Haripad Revenue Tower in a grand procession, accompanied by hundreds of party workers, supporters, and local leaders. After the ceremonial procession, he submitted his nomination papers before the Assistant Returning Officer, completing the formalities to contest from Haripad.

The Congress on Thursday released its second list of 37 candidates for the April 9 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.

As per the released list, TO Mohanan is contesting from Kannur, Senapathy Venu from Udumbanchola, and Santhakumar from the Adoor (SC) seat. While Sandeep Varier is contesting from Trikaripur, M Liju is running from Kayamkulam, and Abin Varkey from Aranmula.

In its first list, the party had announced 55 candidates, including Kerala Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph from the Peravoor seat. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has been fielded from Paravur, while Muraleedharan, former MP and son of veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, is contesting from the Vattiyoorkavu seat.

The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on March 15, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23.

The Model Code of Conduct comes into place, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, which is also known as the Kerala Niyamasabha.

Both the BJP-led NDA and Congress-led UDF seek to unseat the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led LDF and gain control of the 140-member assembly. The LDF-led government has governed the state for around a decade.

In the Kerala Legislative Assembly election, held in a single phase on April 6, 2021, with results being declared on May 2, 2021. The incumbent LDF retained power with 99 seats, marking the first time since 1977 that a ruling alliance secured consecutive terms in the state. The UDF won 41 seats, while the NDA saw a decline in vote share and lost its only seat in the Assembly. Following the victory, Pinarayi Vijayan became the first Chief Minister of Kerala to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term in office.

In terms of vote share, the LDF received 41.5 per cent of the total votes, significantly ahead of the UDF, which secured 38.4 per cent. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 11.4 per cent of the votes but failed to win a single seat in the election.

Among individual parties in 2021, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) emerged as the single largest party with 62 seats and a vote share of 25.5 per cent. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 21 seats with a comparable vote share of 25.2 per cent, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) secured 17 seats. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, won 15 seats.

- ANI
South Korea is actively communicating with Iran and other relevant countries to normalize the critical shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul has joined a seven-nation statement, including European countries and Japan, strongly condemning recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and the effective closure of the strait. The statement urges Iran to cease its threats and reaffirms the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital lifeline, accounting for over 20% of the world's oil trade, particularly for East Asian nations like South Korea and Japan.

South Korea coordinates with Iran and other nations to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, amid regional conflict.

Seoul, March 21 South Korea is speaking to several countries including Iran to ensure that the key shipping route that passes through the Strait of Hormuz is normalised even as the West Asia Conflict is poised to enter its fourth week.

According to Yonhap, the Korean government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while exploring ways to protect its citizens and secure energy transport routes

Yonhap quoted an official as saying, "We are communicating actively with relevant countries, including Iran."

On Friday, Seoul said it will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf and de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz

The statement expressed readiness to contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage through the strait, welcoming the commitment of nations engaged in preparatory planning. It also endorsed the International Energy Agency's decision to authorize a coordinated release of strategic oil reserves and other measures to stabilize energy markets, including cooperation with producing countries to increase output.

The countries strongly condemned recent Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, strikes on civilian infrastructure such as oil and gas facilities, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.

The statement urged Iran to immediately cease its threats, mining operations, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to disrupt commercial shipping, while calling for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The nations reaffirmed that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, warning that Iran's actions will have global repercussions, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier told the Kyodo News Agency that Tehran is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the key oil shipping route after appropriate consultations with Tokyo.

The Strait of Hormuz accounts for more than 20 percent of the world's oil trade passes. All lanes accessible to oil tankers fall within Iranian territorial waters, making the strait a critical lifeline for countries in East Asia, including South Korea and Japan.

- ANI
Political leaders from various parties across India extended greetings for Eid-ul-Fitr, emphasising the festival's spirit of unity, harmony, and brotherhood. They participated in prayers and called for peace, with some noting the shadow cast on celebrations by ongoing global conflicts. The festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide. Celebrations include prayers, feasts, and gatherings, though observances vary regionally based on the lunar calendar.

Political leaders across India extend Eid-ul-Fitr wishes, highlighting unity and communal harmony, while global conflicts cast a shadow on celebrations.

New Delhi, March 21 Several political leaders on Saturday extended greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, highlighting the spirit of unity, harmony, and brotherhood associated with the festival.

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq arrived at the Eidgah to offer Eid prayers along with devotees.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Minister Danish Azad Ansari said, "Today is Eid, a very important festival for the Muslim community. We all offered prayers here peacefully, and prayers are being held across the country, including in Uttar Pradesh."

In Delhi, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered prayers at Imamia Hall on the occasion. He extended his wishes, saying, "Heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country and to people around the world. We pray that the devastation of war and the spread of crises come to an end, and that the world is freed from them."

In Patna, Bihar, JD(U) leader Nishant Kumar conveyed greetings on behalf of himself and his father, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He said, "I extend heartfelt Eid greetings and best wishes to all citizens of the country and the people of Bihar."

Minister Ashok Chaudhary also emphasised communal harmony, stating, "Just as we celebrate festivals like Holi and Diwali, in the same way we celebrate Eid and Bakrid. We respect all religions."

In Mumbai, AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan and Congress State President Ajay Rai also extended Eid greetings, stressing unity, happiness, and brotherhood.

The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, is being observed by Muslims across the globe including India, with prayers, feasts, and gatherings.

However, celebrations in parts of West Asia remain muted this year due to the ongoing conflict, casting a shadow over the festive spirit. Several countries have announced extended public holidays of up to four days to mark the occasion.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is considered one of the most sacred periods in Islam. It commemorates the revelation of the Holy Book, the Quran, to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. During this month, Muslims observe fasting from dawn to dusk, engage in increased prayer, and focus on spiritual reflection and self-discipline.

Eid-ul-Fitr, often referred to as the "festival of breaking the fast," marks the end of this month-long period of devotion and fasting. The festival falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, following the sighting of the crescent moon. Due to the lunar nature of the calendar and varying weather conditions, the exact date of Eid may differ across regions.

- IANS
Muslim community leaders from various political parties offered Namaz on Eid ul-Fitr in New Delhi, extending festive greetings to the nation. BJP's Yaser Jilani contrasted India's peaceful celebrations with those in conflict-ridden Muslim nations abroad. Former MP Mohammad Adeeb and DPAP's Ghulam Nabi Azad emphasized the day's joy and prayers for global peace, especially in West Asia. The occasion marks the end of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide.

Leaders across parties offered Eid ul-Fitr namaz in Delhi, extending greetings and highlighting India's peace compared to global conflict zones.

New Delhi, March 21 Leaders from the Muslim Community, cutting across party lines, on Saturday offered namaz on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr in the national capital and extended greetings to the nation, wishing peace and harmony for global welfare.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day."

BJP national media incharge Yaser Jilani, also offered prayers at Parliament Street Mosque, said that this is a joyous day.

"Greetings to the people of India on the occasion of Eid. The entire world is celebrating Eid. But the difference between the world and India is that the majority of the Muslim nations in the world are celebrating Eid under the shadow of war, but India has peace, security and harmony. This is the identity of India," Jilani told reporters.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace."

Meanwhile, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered namaz at Imamia Hall Masjid on Panchkuian Road, joining citizens in prayers on the festive occasion.

Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Jaipur to promote investment opportunities in his state, framing the visit within the context of deep-rooted, brotherly ties with Rajasthan. He praised Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's governance and highlighted collaborative projects like a river-linking initiative as a foundation for stronger economic cooperation. The core event was an interactive session with industrialists to showcase Madhya Pradesh's industrial policy, incentives, and infrastructure. The session aimed to position Madhya Pradesh as an attractive investment destination on the national stage.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav calls Rajasthan a "brother" state, praises CM Bhajanlal Sharma and PM Modi while promoting investment opportunities in MP.

Jaipur, March 21 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reached Rajasthan's capital Jaipur on Saturday to interact with industrialists at an 'Interactive Session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh' scheduled to be held here in the city.

Ahead of the event, CM Yadav highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, describing the two states as "brothers" with a shared legacy of growth and cooperation. He also praised Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma for effectively leading the state government.

"Madhya Pradesh is Rajasthan's brother. For thousands of years, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, like brothers, have had the strength to advance with their capabilities and competence. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, these relations have grown even deeper. My friend Bhajanlal Sharma is running the government here very well. Rajasthan is a state with immense potential in every field with its strength and valor. The governments of both states are working with full opportunities to move forward," CM Mohan Yadav told reporters.

He further emphasised the government of both the states were working together on a river linking project for water distribution in their states, so there wasn't any problem in expanding business opportunities between the states.

"When we are working together with warmth on the water project (Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) river-linking project), then what's the issue in growing business opportunities? It should grow," the CM added.

According to an official release, CM Yadav will hold detailed discussions on investment with leading industry representatives during the 'Interactive Session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh', with the objective of firmly positioning the state's industrial potential in the national landscape.

During the session, Madhya Pradesh's policy clarity, administrative responsiveness, and investment-friendly approach will be presented before major industrial groups of the country.

The session will include a comprehensive presentation on Madhya Pradesh's industrial policy, sector-wise incentives, availability of developed industrial areas, infrastructure expansion, logistics network, skill development ecosystem and fast-track approval systems.

Principal Secretary, Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Raghvendra Kumar Singh, will provide detailed information on the investment opportunities available in the state. Representatives of leading industrial groups will also share their views during the event.

- ANI
Celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra's scheduled show at Lakme Fashion Week 2026 has been cancelled following the death of his mother, Sudarshan Malhotra. Her last rites were performed in Mumbai, attended by several film industry personalities. Malhotra shared a poignant tribute on Instagram, expressing his eternal love for his mother. He had often spoken of her as his primary source of strength and inspiration, crediting her with encouraging his passion for fashion and cinema from childhood.

Manish Malhotra's Lakme Fashion Week show is cancelled following the passing of his mother, Sudarshan Malhotra. Celebrities pay tribute.

Mumbai, March 21 Celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra's 'Nexa presents Manish Malhotra Luxury Pret' show at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI in Mumbai has been cancelled. The show was scheduled for Saturday, March 21.

The cancellation comes in the wake of the passing away of Malhotra's mother, Sudarshan Malhotra. She passed away on March 19 in Mumbai.



"The NEXA presents Manish Malhotra show scheduled for today has been cancelled. NEXA presents 'The Spotlight' Anurag Gupta shocase will now take place at 9:30 PM this evening. Guests holding invitations for the Nexa Spotlight Sunday show can present the same for entry to the rescheduled 9:30 pm show today."



Paying tribute to his mother, Manish shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, featuring her picture with the caption, "Love and Miss you Forever "



Sudarshan Malhotra's last rites were held on Friday morning at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium, Mumbai, with celebrities including Karan Johar, Rakul Preet Singh, and David Dhawan paying their tributes.



Manish Malhotra shared a close bond with his mother and often spoke about her importance in his life. On Mother's Day, in one of his posts, he had described her as his strength, inspiration and companion, and frequently mentioned enjoying tea with her.



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 Mother's Day," he wrote at the time.





- ANI
By Anna Szymanski

March 20 -

Everything Mike Dolan and the ROI team are excited to read, watch and listen to over the weekend.

From the Editor

Hello Morning Bid readers!

The energy market is the Iran wars key theatre of battle  and the damage is escalating  yet financial markets are surprisingly well behaved. Expectations for more hawkish monetary policy weighed on Wall Street and European equities on Thursday, and the latter is set for its third weekly decline - but there is no sign of panic.

Israel on Wednesday struck Irans South Pars gas field, the worlds largest, triggering fierce retaliation from Tehran with attacks on energy infrastructure throughout the region, including Qatars enormous Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas production hub. This caused European gas prices to shoot up as much as 35% in one day.

We are now officially in the doomsday scenario for energy markets. But even though oil prices in the physical market are soaring with the Strait of Hormuz mostly closed, the oil futures market is still not pricing in a lengthy crisis.

While Brent crude reached a session high of $119 a barrel on Thursday, it ended the day around $108, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) around $96. Investors may have trimmed the war risk premium after Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement on Thursday expressing "readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait."

U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Irans energy infrastructure again.

But the paper market still appears to be overly optimistic about the duration of the energy shock. Given the reality on the ground, it appears more likely that Brent crude will hit $200 a barrel  something Tehran has threatened  than tumble back to pre-war levels as the U.S. president has predicted.

Whats clear is that the part of the energy market currently feeling the most pain is refined products like gasoline and diesel fuel, particularly in Asia. China currently has the largest crude stockpile  an estimated 1.2 billion barrels  and the biggest refining capacity, meaning it could supply more to neighbouring markets. But Beijing has decided to prioritise domestic energy security instead.

Meanwhile, in Europe, electricity prices are climbing fastest in Eastern Europe and Italy, the most gas-dependent economies.

While the U.S.  as the worlds largest oil producer  is somewhat insulated from skyrocketing prices, it is rapidly running out of shock absorbers to cushion the blow  and average gasoline prices are creeping up toward $4 a gallon.
MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The museum highlights the shared cultural and civilizational ties between India and Southeast Asian nations. This visit is part of ongoing diplomatic engagements, including a recent farewell for Indonesia's Ambassador. Kumaran's itinerary also included a recent official visit to the Republic of Korea to advance bilateral cooperation.

MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran visited a textile museum in Siem Reap, highlighting shared cultural heritage and India's regional diplomacy.

Siem Reap, March 22 Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, P Kumaran on Saturday visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Museum in Siem Reap, highlighting the shared cultural heritage of the Mekong-Ganga region.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, Kumaran visited the museum during his trip to Cambodia.

In a post on X, he said, "Secretary (East) Shri P. Kumaran visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The first museum of its kind in the country, it showcases rich textile traditions from the Mekong-Ganga region, highlighting shared cultural heritage."

According to the X post, the museum in Siem Reap displays traditional textiles and cultural artefacts from countries connected through the Mekong-Ganga cooperation framework, underscoring the longstanding cultural and civilizational ties between India and Southeast Asia.

Earlier on March 11, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran on Wednesday bid farewell to Indonesia's Ambassador, Ina Krisnamurthi, at a dinner attended by ASEAN country heads.

Kumaran thanked Krisnamurthi for strengthening India-Indonesia ties and wished her success.

In a post on X, MEA said, "Secretary (East) Shri P Kumaran hosted a dinner to bid farewell to Indonesia's Ambassador, Ms Ina Krisnamurthi, with the Heads of Mission of ASEAN countries in attendance. Secretary (East) thanked Ambassador Krisnamurthi for her valuable contributions towards further strengthening India-Indonesia bilateral ties and wished her success in her future endeavours."

In February, P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, undertook an official visit to the Republic of Korea on February 12-13 to co-chair the 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) alongside his counterpart, Park Yoon-joo, First Vice Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK, according to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During the deliberations, both sides agreed to take forward the 'India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership' in 2026 through regular high-level engagements, including the visit of the ROK's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT to India for the AI Impact Summit, Foreign Ministers-led Joint Commission Meeting and several other ministerial and senior official-level dialogues.

In a post on X, India in ROK said, "P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), called on Cho Hyun, Foreign Minister of the ROK, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership. The discussions focused on exploring the avenues for enhanced cooperation in shipbuilding and the maritime sector, AI, as well as cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties."

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that modern warfare extends beyond borders to include economic, digital, and energy security, requiring national vigilance. He emphasized the need for a robust military supported by citizens who are mentally tough and intellectually clear. The government is taking steps like establishing 100 new Sainik Schools and expanding NCC vacancies to instill values in youth. Singh also hailed the historic decision to admit girls into Sainik Schools as a boost to 'Nari Shakti'.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlights new warfare domains like economic & cyber security, stressing a robust military and vigilant, disciplined citizens.

New Delhi, March 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday underscored the evolving nature of warfare, asserting that national security now extends beyond borders to encompass economic, digital, energy, and food security.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence, he highlighted the importance of a strong military backed by citizens prepared to stand united in defence of the nation.

"Present-day warfare transcends borders, with national security encompassing economic, digital, energy, and even food security," said Rajnath Singh as he underscored the need for a robust military supported by prepared citizens capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder to protect the nation under any circumstances.

Virtually addressing the Raising Day celebrations and the Diamond Jubilee of Sainik School, Ghorakhal in Uttarakhand, he asserted that the nature of conflicts has undergone a paradigm shift as a nation can today be weakened through economic, cyber, space and information warfare, which demands every citizen to remain vigilant & prepared at all times.

While the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to equip the defence forces with niche weapons & technologies, the Defence Minister emphasised that the citizens, especially the youth, need to develop mental toughness and intellectual clarity through discipline & determination to help the nation tackle any and every situation.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the concept of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous), he exhorted the students to develop their own version of VUCA, i.e., Vision, Understanding, Courage and Adaptability, to navigate modern challenges effectively.

Highlighting the steps taken by the Government towards ensuring that a larger number of youth imbibe the values essential for nation-building, Rajnath Singh stated that recently, a decision was taken to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across the country in the Public-Private Partnership model.

He added that another initiative includes increasing the number of vacancies within the National Cadet Corps (NCC). "Earlier, the NCC had an intake capacity of 17 lakh cadets; this has now been expanded to 20 lakh," he said.

Defence Minister described the decision of admission of girls into Sainik Schools as historic and revolutionary, which is bolstering the country's 'Nari Shakti'. These girls will, in the times to come, become the torchbearers of 'Nari Shakti' and scale new heights across various sectors, he said.

Extending his greetings to students, faculty, alumni and their families at Sainik School, Ghorakhal, completing 60 years of dedicated service to the nation, Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the students will continue to uphold the highest standards of discipline and dedication, bringing pride to their families, institution and the nation.

He added, "Over decades, the school has sent more than 800 students to the National Defence Academy and over 2,000 candidates to the Armed Forces through various entry schemes such as Combined Defence Services Examination and Air Force Common Admission Test."

The release stated that he hoped that the institution would continue to produce leaders who contribute meaningfully to nation-building. The distinguished alumni of the school, including General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen MK Katiyar, are a source of inspiration to the students, he added.

- ANI
Air China has resumed direct flight services between Beijing and Delhi, a move hailed by the Chinese Embassy as significant for bilateral ties beyond mere travel. The resumption follows the official restart of India-China flights in October 2024 after a suspension lasting over four years due to the pandemic and border tensions. This development is viewed as a green light for enhanced cooperation in trade, tourism, and within multilateral forums like the SCO and BRICS. Indian carrier IndiGo also plans to restart services, with specific routes like Kolkata-Guangzhou already operational.

Air China resumes direct Beijing-Delhi flights, signaling a boost for trade, tourism, and bilateral cooperation between India and China.

New Delhi, March 21 The Chinese Embassy in India on Saturday stated that Air China has resumed direct flight services between Beijing and Delhi, describing the development as a significant step beyond connectivity between the two nations.

Reacting to the development, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing, in a post on X, said the move signals broader cooperation between the two countries, impacting trade, tourism and bilateral and multilateral ties.

"Air China resuming direct flights between Beijing & Delhi = more than just travel! It's Trade, Tourism, Trust -- and a BIG green light for SCO & BRICS people-to-people cooperation!" the post read.

Last year in October, direct flights between India and China were officially resumed after more than four years, marking a major step forward in restoring normal ties between the two neighbours as flights between the two countries were suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, one of the deadliest border confrontations in decades.

Since then, diplomatic and economic relations between New Delhi and Beijing were tense. However, in October 2024, both sides reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), seen as a key step in easing tensions. The resumption of direct flights was also confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier in October 2025.

The first flight took off from Kolkata to Guangzhou on October 26, 2025, while the Shanghai-New Delhi route began operations on November 9, with three flights every week.

Indian carrier IndiGo had announced that it would be among the first airlines to restart services between the two countries following the COVID-19 suspension.

In its October 2 press release, the airline said it would start daily, nonstop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26, 2025, using Airbus A320neo aircraft.

- ANI
The Russian Embassy in India and the Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run organized a motorcycle rally in New Delhi to mark the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War. Riders from India, Russia, and other countries participated to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and sacrificed during the war. Russian Charge d'Affaires Roman Babushkin stated the event has become a tradition symbolizing the strong bonds of friendship between the nations. The rally served as a living tribute to the heroes of the war, which saw immense Soviet losses totaling 26.6 million people.

Russian Embassy & Delhi bikers host rally commemorating 81st anniversary of Soviet victory in Great Patriotic War, celebrating Russia-India friendship.

New Delhi, March 21 The Russian Embassy in India, in collaboration with Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run, organised a motorcycle rally in the national capital on Saturday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Bikers from India, Russia and other countries participated in the rally, riding through the national capital to pay tribute to soldiers who fought and sacrificed during the war.

Speaking on the occasion to the media, the Russian Charge d'Affaires in India, Roman Babushkin, said the anniversary ride had become a tradition symbolising the strong friendship between the two countries.

"This anniversary ride became a tradition to demonstrate how rock-solid the friendship bonds are between Russia, India and other brother countries," Babushkin said.

The rally took place with participants describing it as a living tribute to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Riders from India, Russia and other countries joined the event to honour the event.

According to the official website of the President of Russia, "The Great Patriotic War was the war of liberation fought by the peoples of the USSR against Nazi Germany and its European allies, and the most important part of World War II. The Great Patriotic War began on June 22, 1941, when German troops launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union, and ended on May 8, 1945, when Germany signed the act of surrender."

The website further said, "The main operations of the Great Patriotic War included the Battle of Moscow, which ended in January 1942 with the enemy being forced into retreat from the capital of the country. A turning point in the Great Patriotic War and in World War II overall was the battle of Stalingrad, which began in July 1942 and ended on February 2, 1943, with a disastrous defeat of the Nazis, who, since 1943, after the Soviet victories in the battle of Kursk and the battle of the Dnieper, were unable to launch any new offensive."

It added, "A number of military operations in 1944 fully liberated Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, forced Nazi Germany's allies Romania and Hungary to surrender and enter the war against Germany, and freed northern Norway from Nazi occupation. Soviet troops went on to liberate Yugoslavia, Poland, part of Austria, and Czechoslovakia. The battle of Berlin ended on May 2, 1945, when the German capital surrendered."

The website further said, "According to official data from the Russian Defence Ministry, the Soviet Armed Forces lost more than 8.6 million people in the Great Patriotic War, with the total Soviet Union losses (including civilians) reaching 26.6 million."

- ANI
Fasting (Roza) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam

A significant congregation gathered at the Eidgah in Bhopal to offer namaz on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav conveyed his festive greetings to the people via social media. The festival celebrates the conclusion of Ramazan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims worldwide. The day is marked by special prayers, community feasts, charity, and messages of peace and compassion.

Large crowds offered Eid prayers at Bhopal's Eidgah. CM Mohan Yadav extended greetings as Muslims celebrated the end of Ramazan with prayers and unity.

Bhopal, March 21 A large number of people gathered at Eidgah in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal on Saturday and offered namaz on Eid ul-Fitr.

After offering the prayers, they greeted each other warmly by hugging and exchanging Eid wishes with each other.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"Best wishes to everyone on Eid-ul-Fitr!," CM Yadav said in a post on X.

Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most significant festivals in Islam, marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan. It is celebrated with special prayers (namaz), charity, feasting, and community gatherings.

On this day, Muslims begin with morning prayers at mosques or Eidgahs, followed by greeting each other, sharing meals, and spreading messages of peace, unity, and compassion.

Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, Eid ul-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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav addressed investors in Jaipur, framing MP and Rajasthan as "natural partners" with shared cultural and economic ties. He highlighted collaborative potential in textiles, renewable energy, and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river interlinking project. Yadav detailed MP's investor-friendly ecosystem, including its power-surplus status, new sector policies, and the top-ranked 'Invest MP 3.0' portal. The outreach aims to build a robust industrial value chain and position Central India as a growth hub under national development goals.

MP CM Mohan Yadav calls Rajasthan a "natural partner," highlighting energy, textile, and policy advantages to build a Central Indian industrial powerhouse.

Jaipur/Bhopal, March 21 In a significant push to strengthen inter-state economic ties, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav addressed Rajasthan's investors in Jaipur on Saturday, declaring the two states as "natural partners" and "twin brothers" poised to transform Central India into an industrial powerhouse.

Highlighting shared heritage, cultural bonds such as the traditional 'Roti-Beti' relationship, and a new water-sharing alliance through the ambitious "Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal National River Interlinking Project", Yadav emphasised collaborative growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

The 'Interactive Session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh,' held in Jaipur, saw Yadav personally brief the Rajasthan business community on the state's investor-friendly ecosystem.

He congratulated Rajasthan on its State Foundation Day (March 19) and Gangaur Puja, underscoring mutual progress toward a developed, self-reliant India.

With Rajasthan's strengths in textiles, gems, jewellery, and handicrafts complementing Madhya Pradesh's organic cotton, textile parks, and manufacturing base, the duo can build a robust value chain.

Yadav spotlighted Madhya Pradesh's rapid rise as a power-surplus state, now positioning itself as the nation's capital for "green, clean, and solar energy".

Electricity from the state powers Delhi's Metro, while domestic consumers enjoy rates around Rs 2.90 per unit. India's first 'Manufacturing Zone for Power and Renewable Energy Equipment' is taking shape in Narmadapuram's Mohasa-Babai area, attracting major solar players with streamlined land allotments, shared infrastructure, and cost-reducing facilities, the chief minister said.

The Chief Minister also informed investors in Rajasthan that his government has announced 26 new sector-specific policies to attract investment, with upcoming frameworks for Space and AI.

Industrial regulations are being simplified, and the 'Invest MP 3.0' Single Window System is among India's top digital platforms, he said.

A Rs 6,104 crore allocation supports industry promotion, backed by Rs 1 lakh crore in infrastructure funding. The textile and apparel sector under the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Promotion Policy 2025 offers attractive incentives, drawing leading companies, he said.

Beyond energy, Madhya Pradesh excels in mining, medical tourism (with land leased at Rs 1 for PPP-model medical colleges and hospitals), and milk production-featuring large Gaushalas (5,000-50,000 cows capacity), doubled cow subsidies to Rs 40, breed improvement, veterinary support, and free milk for schoolchildren, Yadav said, dismissing past notions that industries couldn't thrive in the state, noting its status as one of India's fastest-growing economies with surging industrial rates and GDP.

Rajasthan's globally renowned traders, he said, exemplify the mindset needed for wealth creation. As global dynamics shift from Gulf investments, Madhya Pradesh offers golden opportunities amid challenges.

With this outreach, Yadav's nationwide campaign to position Madhya Pradesh as a prime investment hub, fostering deeper Rajasthan-MP collaboration for mutual prosperity and development.

- IANS
BJP leader V Muraleedharan filed his nomination from the Kazhakkuttom constituency for the Kerala Assembly elections, with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma present in a show of support. Muraleedharan stated the presence of top leadership reflects the importance the BJP's central command places on Kerala's development and welfare. The BJP has announced 86 candidates, positioning itself as a challenger to the traditional LDF and UDF fronts in the state. Polling will be held in a single phase on April 9, with results expected on May 4.

BJP leader V Muraleedharan files nomination from Kazhakkuttom for Kerala polls, backed by Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma, as BJP eyes expansion.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 21 BJP leader V Muraleedharan filed his nomination as the party's candidate from the Kazhakkuttom constituency for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma present in a show of support.

Addressing reporters, Muraleedharan said the presence of top leadership reflected the importance being given to Kerala by the party's central command.

"It shows the importance that the Prime Minister and the central leadership of BJP is giving to the elections of Kerala and to the people of Kerala. The development of Kerala is of prime importance, the welfare of Kerala is of prime importance to PM Modi. That is why the central leadership felt that the entire country's BJP leadership should come and support BJP and the people of Kerala," he said.

Muraleedharan is among the key faces fielded by the BJP as it seeks to expand its footprint in the state. The party has announced 86 candidates across two lists for the 140-member Assembly, including state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom and Kummanam Rajasekharan from Aranmula.

The BJP is positioning itself as a key challenger in Kerala, where the primary contest has traditionally been between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Both alliances are aiming to retain or regain power in the state.

Earlier on Friday, Union Minister Suresh Gopi stressed the need for a stronger National Democratic Alliance (NDA) presence in the Assembly, citing what he described as administrative failures over the past decade. He called for NDA candidates to secure victories across constituencies to ensure effective representation.

Polling for the Kerala Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23.

- ANI
A US federal jury in California has found Elon Musk liable for making false statements that misled Twitter shareholders during his 2022 bid to acquire the company. The jurors determined that two of his three challenged statements, including claims about fake accounts, were intentionally deceptive. While cleared of an overarching fraud scheme, Musk's actions have led to a potential $2.6 billion in damages for affected investors. The verdict centers on statements Musk made in May 2022 that allegedly depressed Twitter's stock price.

A US jury holds Elon Musk liable for false statements that misled Twitter investors during the 2022 takeover, with damages potentially reaching $2.6 billion.

New Delhi, March 21 A US federal jury in California has found Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter shareholders in 2022 using false statements that depressed the company's share price.

Allegedly, Musk sought to renegotiate or abandon a $44 billion takeover of X with his false statement.

Jurors concluded that two of three challenged statements Musk made in May 2022, including tweets and comments on a podcast claiming Twitter had too many fake, were intentionally made to mislead caused shareholders into selling their stock, according to multiple reports.

However, the court absolved him of charges that he engaged in a "scheme" to defraud investors. The panel rejected two other fraud claims but held that Musk's conduct amounted to intentional deception.

Musk was defending charges that he falsely claimed on social media that Twitter underreported a number of fake and spam accounts, known as bots, on its platform.

Twitter investors are likely to receive an amount of $2.6 billion in damages following the verdict, multiple reports cited Mark Molumphy, a lawyer for the investors, as saying.

Musk's net worth as per Bloomberg Billionaires Index stood at $661.1 billion. Muskled social media platform X had recently warned that it will suspend creators from its revenuesharing programme for 90 days if they post AIgenerated video of armed conflict without disclosure about AI use.

X Product Head Nikita Bier announced the measure as part of its broader effort to curb manipulation and maintain access to authentic information during wartime.

The company recently introduced a "Made with AI" label on the platform to flag to users content created with artificial intelligence. Amid the USIsraeli military campaign against Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Musk and Bier recently announced that traffic on the platform had hit a new all-time record.

- IANS
Actor Naga Chaitanya has won the Telangana Gaddar Film Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance in the film 'Thandel'. He expressed his gratitude on social media, thanking the film's cast and crew, as well as Telangana's Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. His father, actor Nagarjuna, congratulated him and also thanked the government for instituting an award in his grandfather's name. The Gaddar Awards mark the revival of state film honors after a 14-year gap.

Naga Chaitanya wins Best Actor for 'Thandel' at Gaddar Awards, pens gratitude note thanking cast, crew, and Telangana CM.

Hyderabad, March 21 Actor Naga Chaitanya, who recently received the Telangana government's Gaddar Film award for Best Actor for 2025 for his performance in the film 'Thandel', has now penned a note of gratitude in which he has thanked the entire cast and crew of the film and the Telangana Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister among others.

Taking to his X timeline to pen the post of gratitude, Naga Chaitanya wrote that he was truly honoured to receive the Telangana Gaddar Film Award 2025 for Best Leading Actor for #Thandel.

"This film has been a deeply special journey for me, and I'm grateful beyond words to have had the opportunity to be part of this narrative and bring this true heroic story to the screen," the young actor wrote, and went on to thank a series of people for the honour.

He said, "I'd like to thank the entire cast and crew of #Thandel, without whose efforts this award would not have been possible. Like to thank The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Telangana @revanth_anumula Garu , Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister @Bhatti_Mallu garu , Hon'ble Minister @KomatireddyKVR garu and the entire Gaddar film awards committee for this recognition along with dearest @AlwaysRamCharan for presenting the award."

It may be recalled that Naga Chaitanya's father Nagarjuna was the first to express his happiness and excitement when news broke out that Naga Chaitanya had won the Best Actor Award.

Stating that he was proud of his son Naga Chaitanya being chosen for the award by the Telangana state government, Telugu star Nagarjuna had said that Naga Chaitanya's stellar performance in 'Thandel' deserved this pat on the back.

Nagarjuna took to his social media timelines to express his gratitude. He wrote, "Heartiest congratulations to all the #2025GaddarAward winners! A big thank you to the Telangana Government @revanth_anumula garu @Bhatti_mallu garu for instituting the ANR Award in honour of my father, Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Akkineni Nageswara Rao garu. Its truly a fitting tribute."

The actor also expressed delight that the ANR award this year had gone to veteran actress Jayapradha, who, Nagarjuna said, was a very deserving person.

He wrote, " Delighted that it (the ANR Award) is awarded to the most deserving Jayasudha garu!"

He went on to congratulate Mega star Chiranjeevi for having won the NTR Award and also expressed pride at his son Naga Chaitanya winning the award for Best Actor for his performance in Thandel.

Nagarjuna wrote, "Mega congrats to @kchirutweets garu on the NTR Award. And proud of my son @chay_akkineni for Best Actor; his stellar performance in #Thandel deserves this pat on the back! #TeluguCinema #GaddarAwards2025."

For the unaware, the film awards have been instituted by the Telangana state government in the name of revolutionary poet and balladeer Gaddar, who passed away in 2023. It may be recalled that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had the year before last announced that the Nandi Awards for excellence in Telugu cinema would be revived and renamed after Gaddar. The awards were revived after a gap of 14 years last year.

- IANS
NATO has initiated a temporary withdrawal of its personnel from Iraq, citing security concerns amid ongoing regional conflict. The non-combat advisory mission, established in 2018, aims to strengthen Iraq's security forces and counter-terrorism capabilities. The move follows heightened tensions from recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks. Alliance officials state the personnel will return once the security situation stabilizes.

NATO begins temporary withdrawal of advisory personnel from Iraq due to security concerns amid regional tensions, mission to resume post-conflict.

Baghdad, March 21 The NATO mission in Iraq has commenced the temporary withdrawal of its personnel from the country due to security concerns, a high-ranking security source told the Iraqi News Agency.

The source described the move as a temporary measure prompted by the ongoing conflict and concerns over the safety of mission members, adding that they will return as soon as the war ends and the security situation in Iraq stabilises, Xinhua news agency reported quoting INA.

The NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory one, was established in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government to strengthen its security sector.

The noncombat mission was created in 2018 at the request of Iraqi authorities to help the country as officials sought to bolster its security forces and fight against terrorism. NATO personnel trained members of Iraq's security forces but weren't deployed with them during combat operations, according to the alliance.

US Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of NATO's forces in Europe, thanked Iraq and allies for assisting in the relocation.

"I would also like to thank the dedicated men and women of NATO Mission Iraq, who continued their mission throughout this period. They are true professionals," Grynkewich said in a statement Friday.

The temporary exit occurs amid heightened tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.

- IANS
March 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice has unconditionally cleared Nexstar's $3.5 billion deal to acquire rival Tegna, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report comes a day after a group of eight states filed a suit in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, to block the merger that would make the combined entity the largest U.S. broadcast station group.

Streaming and satellite TV provider DirecTV also filed a separate suit, seeking to prevent the deal, late on Wednesday.

The Justice Department has granted the companies what is known as early termination, meaning it has closed its review of the deal, the Bloomberg report said.

Acquiring Tegna would expand Nexstar's presence covering 80% of TV households across key geographies and would require the Federal Communications Commission to lift the cap on station ownership.

Nexstar, Tegna and the DOJ did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Last month, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said he supported the deal and would be moving forward to approve it after President Donald Trump publicly backed the merger.

The DOJ initiated an in-depth probe into the acquisition last year.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City. Editing by Alan Barona)
NCP MP Fauzia Khan extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings, emphasizing the festival's values of charity and compassion. She expressed deep concern over global unrest, calling for restored peace and questioning the unclear objectives of the Middle East conflict. Khan criticized former US President Donald Trump's initial escalation of tensions while welcoming any signals to reduce the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also issued messages wishing the nation happiness and brotherhood on Eid.

NCP MP Fauzia Khan extends Eid greetings, calls for global peace, and questions the motives behind Middle East conflict, citing Trump's remarks.

New Delhi, March 21 NCP MP Fauzia Khan on Saturday extended warm greetings to citizens across the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, emphasising the festival's core message of charity, compassion, and unity.

She highlighted that during the holy month of Ramadan, acts of charity hold deep significance in Islam, and urged people to carry forward these values in everyday life. Calling Islam a peace-loving religion, she expressed concern over rising global unrest and said that the need of the hour is to restore peace across the world.

Khan further appealed to citizens to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and coexistence, stressing that harmony among communities is essential for a stable society.

Speaking on the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, she questioned the very basis of the conflict, stating that its objectives remain unclear. Referring to recent statements by Donald Trump regarding the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, she suggested that such remarks indicate limitations in the United States' global influence.

Khan further said that if there are now signals from Trump about winding down or reducing the conflict, it is a welcome step. However, she also criticised what she described as the initial escalation, attributing it to "madness" that began from his side.

Reiterating her stance, she called for an immediate end to violence and bloodshed, urging all global powers to prioritise peace and stability over conflict.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, wishing happiness, health, and brotherhood for all.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!"President Draoupadi Murmu also extended her felicitations to citizens, particularly the Muslim community.

In a post on X, President Murmu said, "Heartiest congratulations to all fellow citizens, especially Muslim sisters and brothers, on the blessed occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. This festival imparts the lesson of self-restraint, service, philanthropy, and compassion towards the underprivileged sections. Let us, on this occasion, resolve to strengthen society and the nation."

Ramazan, 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.

At the end of Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the NDA will contest the upcoming Puducherry assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. The alliance has finalized a seat-sharing agreement, with the AINRC contesting 16 seats and the BJP 10. The elections for the 30-member assembly are scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4. In the opposition camp, the Congress has formed a committee to discuss an alliance with the DMK.

NDA finalizes seat-sharing for Puducherry polls, to contest under CM N. Rangasamy's leadership. Elections scheduled for April 9.

Puducherry, March 21 Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared that the National Democratic Alliance would contest the upcoming Puducherry assembly polls under the leadership of current Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, while talking to the reoporters said "...We hope that we win the election, our alliance will form the government under the leadership of N. Rangasamy. CM Rangasamy is our leader..."

Meanwhile, on Friday, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties in Puducherry reached a seat-sharing agreement, with the All India N R Congress (AINRC) set to contest in 16 constituencies and the BJP on 10 seats in the April 9 Assembly elections.

According to the BJP, NDA partners AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) will contest on two seats each.

Chief Minister and NR Congress leader, N Rangasamy, after meeting Union Minister and BJP leader Mansukh Mandaviya, confirmed to continue their alliance with the BJP in the Union Territory.

Earlier on Friday, Puducherry BJP in an X post announced, "NDA rule in Puducherry is once again assured. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with NR Congress leader N Rangasamy and our State President VP Ramalingame, have successfully concluded the seat-sharing agreement."

On March 6, in the Opposition camp, the Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) formed a seven-member committee to hold formal discussions with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regarding alliance matters and also to deliberate on seat-sharing arrangements for the elections.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Political Executive Committee (PEC) of the PPCC held at the party office in Puducherry.

The Union Territory of Puducherry is all set to hold the 2026 Assembly Election on April 9 in a single phase, with counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.

The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory is set to expire on June 15.

In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK with six seats, while BJP and Congress won six seats each. The voter turnout was recorded at 84.8 per cent.

While in the 2016 elections, Congress had secured a majority with 15 seats, AINRC won eight seats, AIADMK bagged four seats, and DMK got two seats, with voter turnout at 83.6 per cent.

- ANI
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar marked Eid al-Fitr by visiting several prominent Sufi shrines (khanqahs) in Patna, promoting a message of communal harmony and brotherhood. In a significant break from a nearly two-decade tradition, he did not attend the main Eid prayer congregation at Gandhi Maidan. His son, Nishant Kumar, attended the Gandhi Maidan event in his place, sparking widespread political curiosity and speculation. This move, alongside his shrine visits accompanied by key ministers, added a notable political dimension to the state's Eid celebrations.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar visited Sufi shrines for Eid but broke tradition by skipping Gandhi Maidan prayers, with his son Nishant Kumar attending instead.

Patna, March 21 On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited several khanqahs across Patna, conveying a message of communal harmony, love, and brotherhood.

He began his visit at the Khanqah Mujibiya in Phulwari Sharif, where he met the Sajjada Nashin Syed Shah Ayatullah Qadri, sought his blessings, and extended Eid greetings.

The Chief Minister then proceeded to Khanqah-e-Munemia at Mittan Ghat in Patna City, where he met Syed Shah Shamimuddin Ahmed Munami.

Together, they offered prayers for peace, harmony, and prosperity in the state.

Continuing his visit, Kumar also paid obeisance at Khanqah Bargah-e-Ishq, where he greeted the Sajjada Nashin Syed Shah Khwaja Amir Shahid and interacted with devotees.

During the visits, the Chief Minister was also seen partaking in traditional Eid offerings such as sewai and dry fruits, adding a personal touch to the celebrations.

His visits to these prominent Sufi shrines underscored the spirit of inclusivity and social harmony, with prayers offered for the well-being and prosperity of the people of Bihar.

However, in a notable departure from a long-standing tradition, Nitish Kumar did not visit Gandhi Maidan during the Eid prayers on Saturday.

Since assuming office in 2005, he has been present at Gandhi Maidan almost every year during Eid prayers.

This time, his absence drew significant attention, especially as his son Nishant Kumar attended the gathering in his place under tight security arrangements.

Nishant Kumar's presence at the venue sparked considerable curiosity and discussion in political circles, with many interpreting it as a possible indication of a new beginning in Bihar's political landscape.

During his visits to various khanqahs, several dignitaries accompanied the Chief Minister, including Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary, JD(U) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, MLA Shyam Rajak, MLC Sanjay Kumar Singh, District Magistrate Tyagarajan S.M., and Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K. Sharma.

While the festival was marked by devotion and communal harmony, the Chief Minister's absence from Gandhi Maidan and Nishant Kumar's presence have added a significant political dimension to this year's Eid celebrations in Bihar.

- IANS
OpenAI plans to nearly double its employee count to around 8,000 by year's end as it accelerates its enterprise market push. The hiring drive comes amid intensifying competition, with rival Anthropic gaining significant traction among new business customers. In response, OpenAI is refocusing on flagship products like ChatGPT and Codex, aiming to integrate them into a unified platform. The company is also exploring partnerships with private equity firms to deploy its AI tools, while both it and Anthropic face pressure to increase revenues and move toward profitability.

OpenAI plans to nearly double its workforce to 8,000 employees in 2025, expanding its enterprise offerings to compete with rival Anthropic.

New Delhi, March 21 OpenAI -- a parent of ChatGPT -- plans to nearly double its workforce to around 8,000 employees by the end of the year as it accelerates its push into the enterprise market and seeks to regain ground from rival Anthropic, according to a report.

According to Financial Times, the AI company currently has about 4,500 employees and is ramping up hiring across product development, engineering, research and sales, along with specialised roles to help businesses deploy its AI tools more effectively.



As part of its expansion, OpenAI has leased additional office space in San Francisco, taking its footprint in the city to more than one million square feet, with plans to add nearly a dozen employees a day this year, it said.



The report also noted that the hiring drive comes amid intensifying competition in the artificial intelligence sector, particularly in the enterprise segment where Anthropic has recently gained traction.



Data from payments firm Ramp suggests that new business customers are choosing Anthropic's offerings at a significantly higher rate than OpenAI, marking a shift from last year's trend, according to the report.



In response, OpenAI is undertaking a strategic reset to strengthen its core offerings.



OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has urged teams to refocus on flagship products, especially its chatbot ChatGPT, while improving its coding model Codex.



The company is also working on integrating Codex with ChatGPT into a unified platform aimed at both enterprise users and consumers, a move expected to enhance usability and drive adoption.



OpenAI is further exploring partnerships with private equity firms to deploy its AI tools across portfolio companies, signalling a deeper push into business applications.



The report also highlighted that despite rapid growth, both OpenAI and Anthropic remain loss-making, investing heavily in training advanced AI models.



The companies are now under pressure to increase revenues and move towards profitability, with potential public listings being considered in the near term.





- IANS
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor warns that the West Asia conflict is severely disrupting global oil supplies and driving up prices, with India's high consumption making it particularly vulnerable. He stresses the urgent need for the war to end to stabilize the market. The crisis is compounded by Iran's denial of having surplus crude available, contradicting recent U.S. moves to ease sanctions on Iranian oil. This denial threatens to further spook an already volatile global oil market.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlights severe global oil crisis from West Asia conflict, stressing India's high consumption and urgent need for peace.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 21 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis on global oil supplies and prices, stressing the urgency for the conflict to end.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said, "Because of the war, oil supplies, oil production, and oil exports are affected. The result is that prices are going up...We have to do everything possible to reduce prices. The American sanctions on Russian oil and Iranian oil have been waived so that people can buy that and thereby prices go down...Even then, because of the war, the normal amount of oil in the market is not there. So it is still a very serious issue...We are facing a crisis everywhere, not just in India, the entire region and beyond. When oil prices go up, the whole world is affected...As one of the world's largest consumers of oil, we will be purchasing wherever we can."

He further explained the scale of India's consumption, saying, "Two tankers will give you one day supply, one and a half day supply. India is a big country. Our consumption is very high...This effect is already affecting everybody. We want this war to end as soon as possible. The urgency of publicly calling for the war to end cannot be greater."

Meanwhile, Iran's Oil Ministry has contradicted the US move to ease sanctions on Iran's crude oil, which is loaded on vessels as of March 20.

In a statement issued by Iran's consulate in Mumbai, it was said, "At present, Iran essentially has no floating crude or surplus available for international markets. The U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks appear aimed at reassuring buyers and managing market sentiment."

The denial from the Iranians could further spook an already volatile market that has seen Crude Oil prices spike as the West Asia conflict is poised to enter its fourth week.

Earlier, the United States on Friday (local time) announced temporarily easing of sanctions on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products up until April 19 this year, including permitting the sale of Iranian crude and refined products into the United States. The details of the decision were provided by a statement from the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorised the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian-origin, which are loaded on vessels as of March 20.

The statement noted 19 April 2026 as the date till which the exceptions would exist on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

- ANI
A report by Senge Sering accuses Pakistan of using religion as a smokescreen to suppress cultural identity and seize resources in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. The crackdown intensified following regional unrest linked to the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, with security forces killing protesters and detaining activists. Pakistani media is allegedly fueling anti-Iran sentiment to align with Saudi and Western allies, potentially drawing the nation into broader conflict. The report warns that Shia citizens in Pakistan would be at grave risk in a full-scale war between Iran and Arab states.

Report alleges Pakistan exploits religion to suppress PoGB, detains activists, and aligns with Arab allies against Iran, raising regional tensions.

Washington, March 21 Pakistan would no longer be safe for its Shia citizens in the event of a full-fledged war between Iran and the surrounding Arab countries. The residents of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan could secure a dignified life by breaking free from the "shackles of the Two-Nation doctrine and rejoining India", a report has highlighted.

Writing for Washington-based Global Strat View, Senge Sering, founder of the Washington-based Gilgit Baltistan Studies, argues that it is time to prevent Pakistan from exploiting religion as a "smokescreen" to mask its savage agenda of harming cultural identity and usurping natural resources of PoGB.

"This year, traffic disruptions on the Karakoram Highway will be caused by more than just snow avalanches and landslides. The Karakoram Highway runs through Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, which has been severely impacted by the aftermath of the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei. On March 1, the Pakistani military fired shots, killing 18 people, including eight children, to counter the violent Khamenei loyalists raging through the streets of Gilgit and Skardu. A curfew was subsequently imposed, which helped calm the simmering passions to some extent. Authorities claim that demonstrators killed two soldiers and burnt down multiple structures used by the military," Sering detailed.

He noted that the Pakistani law enforcement agencies are actively hunting and detaining dozens of residents in PoGB, including individuals suspected of having links with "Iran-funded" religious proxies.

"Police are raiding people's homes in the middle of the night, disregarding the sanctity of Ramadan and transferring detainees to clandestine torture cells. At the moment, anyone who raises public awareness about state-led violations or has the ability to pull people to the streets is a target for arrest. According to media sources, authorities have detained well-known political and cultural activists like Advocate Ehsan Ali, Engineer Mehboob, Advocate Nafees, Fida Isar, Taruf Abbas, Sheikh Yusuf, Nazar Kazmi, and Shabbir Mayar with the aim of instilling terror in society," the expert stated.

Such steps, he said, were intended to ease escalating domestic unrest, with both the USA and Saudi Arabia expecting the Pakistani military to assist in impending ground operations against Iran.

According to the report, the Pakistani military provides essential intelligence and analytical support to its Arab and Western allies while employing a massive contingent of media activists to influence public opinion and justify attacks on Iran.

"The media uses domestic anti-Hindu sentiments to paint Iran as a villain for forming a defence and strategic partnership with India, similar to the one Pakistan recently signed with Saudi Arabia. Pakistani media have also chastised Iran for allowing Indian ships to sail through the Hormuz Strait, while Pakistan must depend on the Yanbu port on the Red Sea for oil supplies. Many Pakistanis in positions of power believe that a media campaign will allow them to prove loyalty to the Saudis and secure funds without fighting an actual war," it noted.

- IANS
A Washington-based analyst warns that Pakistan's aggressive military operations in Afghanistan, including a deadly airstrike on a Kabul facility, mark a dramatic escalation that risks a prolonged regional war. The conflict is compounded by one of history's largest forced repatriation campaigns, expelling millions of Afghan refugees back to a collapsing economy under Taliban rule. This combination of intensifying cross-border violence and mass displacement is creating a severe humanitarian crisis that threatens broader regional stability. With global attention fixed on the Middle East, the escalating confrontation risks transforming a bilateral dispute into a wider crisis with consequences extending to Europe and beyond.

Pakistani airstrikes and refugee expulsions create a severe humanitarian crisis, threatening to ignite a prolonged regional conflict as global attention is diverted.

Washington, March 21 Pakistan's pursuit of aggressive military operations in Afghanistan, if unchecked by meaningful diplomatic pressure, could turn the conflict into a prolonged war with severe regional consequences. This would not only destabilise Afghanistan but also entrench a pattern of coercion that undermines international norms, a report said on Saturday.

"As global attention remains fixed on US-Israeli joint military operations in the Middle East, a far more destabilising conflict is quietly unfolding elsewhere. On March 16, a Pakistani airstrike struck a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul that reportedly killed nearly 400 civilians, marking a dramatic escalation in weeks of intensifying military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan along the 2,600-kilometre Durand Line," Siddhant Kishore, a Washington-based national security and foreign policy analyst, wrote in 'The Cipher Brief'.

"This is not an isolated incident but part of a broader shift in South Asia's security landscape. The region's most volatile fault line no longer lies along the Line of Control in Kashmir but along the increasingly militarised frontier separating Pakistan and Afghanistan. If Western governments continue to treat this conflict as peripheral, they risk overlooking a war that could fundamentally reshape regional stability and generate consequences far beyond the subcontinent," he added.

The impact of the conflict, the report states, extends far beyond the battlefield as Pakistan's actions towards Afghanistan are now triggering a severe humanitarian crisis that threatens broader regional stability.

"Over the past two years, Pakistan has carried out one of the largest forced repatriation campaigns in recent history, expelling millions of Afghan refugees who had lived in the country for decades. In many cases, Afghan families were forced to leave behind homes, businesses, and property accumulated over generations. These deportations are taking place at the same time as cross-border violence is intensifying, creating a dangerous combination of displacement and instability," the expert detailed.

"Refugees expelled from Pakistan are returning to a country already suffering from economic collapse, international isolation, and fragile governance under the hardliner Taliban government. The sudden influx of returnees is placing immense pressure on Afghanistan's limited resources while fuelling resentment toward Islamabad," he stressed.

The report emphasised that large-scale displacement from Afghanistan has far-reaching consequences historically, resulting in migration to the Middle East and Europe - giving Western governments a direct interest in preventing further escalation.

"More broadly, Pakistan's escalating confrontation with Afghanistan risks transforming a bilateral dispute into a wider regional crisis. The timing of the conflict makes it particularly dangerous. With global attention concentrated on the Middle East, South Asia's shifting security landscape is receiving relatively little scrutiny. This distraction creates an environment in which Islamabad's aggressive policies can proceed with minimal international oversight," it noted.

- IANS
Bihar's Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash has confirmed that the upcoming Panchayat elections will be held on schedule without any changes to the delimitation process. He announced that a new reservation roster will be implemented for the 2026 Panchayat polls to ensure fairer representation. During a visit to Gaya, he directed officials to resume construction of a stalled Panchayat government building. The minister also dismissed speculation about leadership change, asserting that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will continue to lead the state.

Bihar's Panchayati Raj Minister confirms Panchayat polls will be held on time, announces new reservation roster for 2026, and reaffirms Nitish Kumar's leadership.

Patna, March 21 Deepak Prakash, the Panchayati Raj Minister in the Nitish Kumar government, on Saturday made it clear that the Panchayat elections in Bihar will be held on schedule, with no changes to the delimitation process.

The minister emphasised that elections for the posts of Pramukh and Up-Pramukh will follow the existing procedure, just like previous elections.

He also announced that a new reservation roster will be implemented for the 2026 Panchayat polls.

"The current system has been in place for nearly a decade, and the revision aims to ensure fair representation for all sections of society," he said while interacting with the media persons in Gaya.

During his visit to Gaya district, the minister inspected the construction site of a controversial Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan in Barsauna village under the jurisdiction of Tankuppa block.

He reviewed land-related details with officials and directed authorities to resume and expedite construction work.

The project had been stalled due to local protests.

Speaking at the Circuit House in Gaya, Deepak Prakash also commented on the political situation.

On speculation around leadership in Bihar, he said clarity on the next Chief Minister will emerge at the right time.

He asserted that leadership in the state will remain with Nitish Kumar, crediting his governance over the past two decades for Bihar's development.

Responding to questions about the Chief Minister's absence from Eid celebrations at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, the minister said Nitish Kumar was occupied with official work.

He also added that Nishant Kumar's presence at the event should not be viewed politically.

The minister also briefly touched upon national politics, noting that election-related violence in West Bengal has been a recurring issue, but hinted that voters there may opt for change in the future.

Overall, the announcement signals the government's intent to proceed firmly with Panchayat elections while introducing reforms in the reservation system to make grassroots governance more inclusive.

- IANS
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings, emphasizing a need for reflection and solidarity during a difficult time for the Muslim community globally. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also conveyed greetings, highlighting the suffering from Gaza to Iran and praying for ease. The content details the sacred observance of Ramadan, including fasting, prayers, and its significance as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Eid al-Fitr concludes the month with celebrations, festive meals, and charity.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah and PDP's Mehbooba Mufti extend Eid-ul-Fitr greetings, urging reflection and prayers for global peace.

Srinagar, March 21 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday wished for reflection, solidarity, and prayers for peace.

In a post on X, CM Abdullah said," Eid mubarak to everyone, especially those celebrating today. This Eid takes place at a particularly difficult time for the Ummah and is more a time for reflection & solidarity. May this holy day be a harbinger of peace and an end to the pain & suffering of this unjust war."

People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti conveyed Eid greetings, highlighting global suffering in Muslim communities from Gaza to Iran, and urged prayers, reflection, and solidarity during these difficult times.

In a post Mufti wrote," At a time when much of our Muslim Ummah continues to suffer across borders & continents from Gaza to Iran I earnestly pray to Allah SWT to ease everyone's suffering, accept our fasts & prayers. This Ramzan weighed heavily on our hearts & minds, but - Verily with hardship comes ease."

Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across India with prayers and gatherings under a blanket of heightened security. Police made elaborate arrangements, including heavy deployments in sensitive areas like Delhi's Uttam Nagar and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, following directives from the Delhi High Court. The festivities saw gestures of communal harmony, such as Hindus showering flower petals on Muslim worshippers in Jaipur. Senior officials from multiple states confirmed peaceful prayers and extensive coordination between administration, police, and community leaders.

Eid-ul-Fitr prayers offered peacefully nationwide with heavy police deployment and communal harmony gestures, following high court directives.

New Delhi, March 21 Streets in various parts of the country, on Saturday, witnessed increased police deployment as the country celebrates the Eid-ul-Fitr festival along with the ongoing nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival.

Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, is being observed by Muslims across the globe including India, with prayers, feasts, and gatherings on Saturday.

In a gesture of communal harmony and brotherhood, members of the Hindu community in Jaipur showered flower petals on Muslim worshippers who offered Eid-ul-Fitr namaz at an Eidgah.

Meanwhile, the area around the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan was kept on alert as police personnel kept vigil during the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the dargah.

Security has also been tightened near Delhi's Jamia Hamdard University on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, as people gathered at mosques to offer prayers.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Delhi, Raja Banthia, told reporters, "We have made very elaborate and detailed arrangements for Eid. Preparations started 3-4 days in advance, focussing on crowd management, movement, and proper placement of people. Apart from this, we have conducted meetings of the Peace committee and with leaders from all religious communities to avoid any rumours or problems. Heavy police force has been deployed."

A heavy deployment of around 150-200 police personnel has been put in place in the Uttam Nagar area of New Delhi to maintain law and order and to ensure that people can offer prayers peacefully. The stepped-up security measures follow the Delhi High Court's direction on Thursday, which instructed the police and local administration in Uttam Nagar to take all necessary steps to maintain peace and ensure a secure environment during the Eid festivities.

Notably, tensions in the area had escalated earlier following an incident on the day of Holi, when a minor altercation spiralled into a violent clash that resulted in the death of a 26-year-old man, Tarun Kumar.

Heightened security deployment was also witnessed in several districts and sensitive areas of Uttar Pradesh. Police said that security arrangements have been underway for weeks to ensure harmony during the festivities.

In the state's Sambhal district, which had seen an outbreak of violence in 2024, security was beefed up as Muslims gathered to offer prayer at mosques.

District Magistrate of Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi, Anunay Jha, said, "Namaz has been peacefully offered at the Eidgah. Namaz at the Jama Masjid will also be offered. Everything is happening peacefully."

Hardoi's Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Kumar Meena, added, "At all Eidgahs and mosques, magistrates and police personnel have been deployed. All officers are actively monitoring their respective areas. All arrangements, including cleanliness, is being taken care of."

In Moradabad, large crowds gathered at the Eidgah for Eid al-Fitr prayers as District Magistrate (DM) Anuj Kumar Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Satpal Antil reached the venue to review security arrangements.

DM Anuj Kumar Singh, said, "Eid prayers were offered today, and I would like to thank all the citizens of our city. I would especially like to thank the administration and police for their excellent arrangements and cooperation. The administration and police remained actively engaged throughout. In addition, all our voluntary organisations and civil defence personnel were also present and worked together due to which people could offer namaz peacefully."

Similarly, security measures were also beefed up in Madhya Pradesh in view of Eid and Chaitra Navratri festivals.

Dewas' City Superintendent of Police, Sumit Agarwal, said "Police force has been deployed across mosques and intersections. Teams are deployed for patrolling and 200-300 personnel have been deployed in the city with others in reserve. Police fixpoints have also been set up in sensitive areas. We are also monitoring CCTV footages."

- IANS
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his second phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in ten days, condemning attacks on critical infrastructure in West Asia for threatening stability and supply chains. He reiterated the vital importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lanes open and secure. The leaders discussed the regional security situation, with Modi appreciating Iran's support for the safety of Indian nationals. The dialogue follows earlier talks where Modi emphasized resolving issues through diplomacy, and has reportedly led to Iran permitting India-flagged tankers passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

PM Modi condemns attacks on critical infrastructure in West Asia in call with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, stresses secure shipping lanes.

New Delhi, March 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian conveying to him Eid and Nowruz greetings and also discussing the current security situation in the West Asia region.

During the call, PM Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region and also asserted the significance of safeguarding freedom of navigation along with keeping the shipping lanes open and secure.

This was PM Modi's second phone conversation with the Iranian President in the last 10 days.

"Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains," PM Modi posted on X after the phone call.

"Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure. Appreciated Iran's continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran," Prime Minister Modi added.

Both leaders had earlier spoken over phone on March 12 when PM Modi had voiced his concern over the escalation of tensions in the region, pointing to the loss of civilian lives and damage to infrastructure. He had also reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Modi had highlighted the importance of unhindered transit of goods and energy, noting that disruptions could have farreaching consequences for India's economy and regional stability.

Pezeshkian had then briefed PM Modi on the current situation in Iran and shared his perspective on recent developments in the region.

Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following the talks between the two leaders.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi have also held several conversations over the past few weeks since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28.

Besides assessing the current security situation in the region, the ministers have discussed issues pertaining to the safety of shipping, bilateral cooperation and matters concerning BRICS, where India is the current chair and Iran a member of the grouping.

Earlier this week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb had suggested that India could play an important diplomatic role in easing tensions between the United States and Iran.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Stubb said global efforts should focus on halting hostilities and opening channels for dialogue, while noting that India could potentially contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

"We need a ceasefire... I'm wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down," he said.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, extending festive greetings for Eid and Nowruz. He strongly condemned recent attacks on critical infrastructure, warning they threaten regional stability and global supply chains. The Prime Minister reiterated India's position on safeguarding freedom of navigation, especially in the vital Strait of Hormuz. The call occurred amid escalating regional conflict following the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader and subsequent retaliatory strikes.

PM Modi extends Eid greetings to Iran's President, condemns attacks on infrastructure, and reiterates India's stance on freedom of navigation amid West Asia conflict.

New Delhi, March 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and extended greetings on the occasion of Eid and Nowruz, while also expressing concerns over recent developments affecting regional stability amid the ongoing conflict.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he conveyed his wishes for peace, stability and prosperity in West Asia during the festive season as the conflict escalates, with the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

"Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia," the post read.

The Prime Minister also strongly condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions pose a serious threat to regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.

He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, particularly commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating India's stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that the shipping routes remain open and secure amid the tensions.

"Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure," the PM wrote in his post.

He further appreciated Iran's continued support in ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals residing in the country.

The conversation comes against 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.

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.

Earlier today, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz, as reported by Iranian state media Tasnim News Agency.

The strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility were not at risk, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Earlier on Thursday, 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.

This strike comes in retaliation from Iran after Israel struck the Islamic Republic's South Pars Gas field on Wednesday.

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.

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.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended festive greetings for both Eid-ul-Fitr and Navroz via social media, wishing for peace and prosperity. Eid-ul-Fitr concludes the holy month of Ramadan with prayers, charity, and communal feasts, symbolizing gratitude and brotherhood. Navroz, the Persian New Year, marks the spring equinox and symbolizes renewal and the victory of light. Both celebrations are observed globally, emphasizing cultural harmony and shared values of joy and togetherness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares warm wishes for Eid-ul-Fitr and Navroz, highlighting messages of brotherhood, joy, and prosperity for all citizens.

New Delhi, March 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday conveyed his greetings to citizens on the occasions of Eid-ul-Fitr and Navroz, wishing for peace, prosperity, and well-being for all.

Taking to the social media platform X, the Prime Minister extended warm wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr.

"Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak," PM Modi said.

In a separate message, he also greeted people on Navroz, wishing for a year filled with joy, success, and the fulfilment of aspirations.

"Greetings on the special occasion of Navroz. Praying for a year filled with prosperity and joy. May everyone be healthy and may all aspirations be realised. Navroz Mubarak," PM Modi said.

Eid-ul-Fitr is among the most significant celebrations in Islam and marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. During this sacred period, Muslims across the globe observe fasting from dawn to dusk, engage in prayers, and focus on spiritual growth and self-discipline. The festival begins with the sighting of the moon, signalling the start of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, and the end of the fasting period.

Although Eid is officially celebrated for a single day, festivities often extend over several days in many regions. The occasion is characterised by communal prayers, festive meals, and social gatherings. People visit relatives and friends, exchange greetings, and share traditional dishes, creating an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness. In numerous countries, Eid-ul-Fitr is also recognised as a public holiday, enabling communities to participate fully in the celebrations.

The term Eid-ul-Fitr translates to the "festival of breaking the fast," symbolising gratitude and joy after completing Ramadan. It is a time to reflect on personal growth achieved during the month and to express thankfulness. Acts of charity are an essential part of the celebration, ensuring that those in need can also partake in the festivities, thereby promoting compassion and social unity.

The day typically begins with a special congregational prayer held in the morning. People prepare by wearing new or traditional attire, maintaining personal hygiene, and applying fragrance. Following the prayers, it is customary for individuals to greet one another, share meals, and exchange gifts, reinforcing bonds within families and communities.

Meanwhile, Navroz, also known as Nowruz, is an ancient festival that heralds the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year in the Persian calendar. Celebrated by millions worldwide, particularly among Parsis and communities with Persian heritage, the festival has roots in Zoroastrian traditions and has been observed for over three millennia. It symbolises renewal, the rejuvenation of nature, and the enduring victory of light over darkness.

- IANS
Poland has withdrawn its military contingent from Iraq following a security assessment by its defence minister. The NATO mission in Iraq has also begun a temporary withdrawal of its personnel due to safety concerns. These moves come amid heightened regional tensions following strikes between Iran, Israel, and the United States. The NATO mission, an advisory body established in 2018, plans to return once the security situation stabilizes.

Poland pulls 350 soldiers from Iraq, citing security risks. NATO begins temporary withdrawal of personnel amid Middle East tensions.

Warsaw, March 21 Poland has withdrawn its troops from Iraq amid a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has announced.

The decision followed an assessment of operational conditions and potential risks, Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a post on the social media platform X on Friday (local time).

Up to 350 Polish soldiers had been deployed in Iraq, reports Xinhua, quoting the Polish Press Agency. The contingent is also authorised to operate in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait.

Most personnel have already returned to Poland or are on their way back, while some have been transferred to Jordan to continue their mission, Kosiniak-Kamysz added.

Meanwhile, the NATO mission in Iraq has also commenced the temporary withdrawal of its personnel from the country due to security concerns, a high-ranking security source told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Friday.

The source described the move as a temporary measure prompted by the ongoing conflict and concerns over the safety of mission members, adding that they will return as soon as the war ends and the security situation in Iraq stabilises, according to INA.

The NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory one, was established in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government to strengthen its security sector.

The temporary exit occurred amid heightened tensions following Israel and the United States joint attacks launched on February 28 on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-supreme leader, 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.

- IANS
President Droupadi Murmu extended heartfelt Sarhul greetings, describing the festival as a symbol of new beginnings and fresh energy. She emphasized the tribal community's deep bond with nature and called for a resolve to pursue development while conserving natural resources. Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan also conveyed his wishes, hoping the festival brings peace and prosperity. Sarhul, a major harvest festival in Jharkhand, is celebrated with rituals under the Sal tree, offerings to deities, and traditional music and dance.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan extend Sarhul festival greetings, highlighting its significance as a symbol of new beginnings and a deep bond with nature.

New Delhi, March 21 President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday conveyed greetings of the Sarhul festival.

In a post on X, the President reflected on the significance of the festival, describing it as a symbol of new beginnings. She expressed wishes for sustainable development on the occasion.

"Heartfelt greetings of the 'Sarhul' festival to all citizens, especially to our tribal brothers and sisters! This festival, celebrated on the occasion of the arrival of new flowers on the trees of the year, is a symbol of new beginnings with fresh energy. This festival also underscores the collective consciousness of the tribal community and their deep bond with nature. Let us, on this auspicious occasion, resolve to move forward on the path of development while conserving our natural resources," the President wrote.

Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan also extended greetings of Sarhul to the tribal communities and hoped for "peace and prosperity" on the auspicious occasion.

"On the auspicious occasion of Sarhul, I extend my heartiest greetings to all. Celebrated with the arrival of spring, this festival symbolizes new beginnings with fresh energy. It also reflects the collective spirit of tribal communities and their deep bond with nature. May this festival bring peace and prosperity to every home," the VP wrote in a post on X.

Sarhul, considered the biggest tribal festival, is being celebrated across Jharkhand today with great zeal and devotion. The harvest festival, similar to Baisakhi, Onam and Pongal, is majorly celebrated by the tribal population of the State on the third moon day of Chaitra month.

On this day, rituals are performed under the Sal tree at the designated place known as Sarnasthal or Jaher, which is believed to be the abode of the presiding deity of the village. Sal is considered to be a sacred part of the ritual as it gives Adivasis firewood and shelter besides saving them from the bad weather.

New crops, fruits, and flowers are offered to deities, and then they come into use. Before noon, puja and rituals take place, and afterwards people sing and dance along with playing the traditional drums known as Dhol, Nagada and Turhi.

The offerings are then consumed by the villagers as prasad alongside rice beer, commonly known as Handia in local parlance.

- ANI
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed all District Collectors in Rajasthan to immediately conduct ground surveys to assess crop damage caused by recent heavy rainfall and hailstorms. The state government aims to ensure timely compensation and relief measures for affected farmers, reaffirming its commitment to the agricultural community. The unseasonal weather, driven by a western disturbance, has brought thunderstorms and a significant drop in temperatures across the state, including Jaipur, Kota, and Bharatpur. With another western disturbance expected, the administration is prioritizing swift assessment to mitigate farmers' losses from the damaged standing crops.

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma orders district collectors to immediately assess crop damage from heavy rains for timely farmer relief and compensation.

Jaipur, March 21 The Rajasthan government on Saturday directed all District Collectors to immediately assess crop damage caused by recent heavy rainfall across various parts of the state.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma issued instructions for conducting ground-level surveys and submitting detailed reports at the earliest to ensure timely relief for affected farmers.

"Instructions have been issued to all District Collectors to immediately conduct surveys and submit reports at the earliest for the proper assessment of the damage caused to our farmer brethren due to heavy rainfall in various regions of the state," the Chief Minister said.

Officials have been asked to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of crop losses, particularly in rain-affected districts, so that compensation and relief measures can be processed without delay.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to farmers, Sharma said, "The prosperity of Rajasthan rests on the foundation of our farmer brothers and sisters. The state government stands firmly with you with complete sensitivity and responsibility."

He further emphasised that providing timely support to affected farmers remains a top priority for the state administration.

"Providing prompt and adequate assistance to every affected farmer is our utmost priority, towards which the government is fully committed," he added.

The move comes amid reports of rainfall-related damage to standing crops in several regions, raising concerns among farmers over potential losses.

The state government's directive aims to ensure swift assessment and disbursal of relief to mitigate the impact on the agricultural community.

It needs to be mentined here that a strong and unusual western disturbance has continued to affect weather conditions across Rajasthan since the last three days, bringing thunderstorms and rainfall to several regions including Jaipur, Kota, Bharatpur, and Sikar.

Reports of hailstorms were also received from some areas. Snowfall in the Himalayan region has further contributed to a noticeable drop in temperatures, bringing relief from the recent heat and adding a chill to the atmosphere.

According to the Meteorological Department, another western disturbance is expected to become active, with chances of light rain and thunderstorms in parts of northeastern and western Rajasthan on March 21 and 22.

However, the unseasonal rainfall has caused significant damage to crops across the state, dashing farmers' hopes and raising concerns over agricultural losses.

Over the past 24 hours, most districts recorded a sharp drop in maximum temperatures by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius.

The steepest declines were seen in Karauli (down by 8.3 degree celsius) and Chittorgarh (down by 6.8 degree celsius).

In Jaipur, the maximum temperature fell by 4.1 degree celsius to 26 degree celsius, while the minimum dropped by 5.3 degree celsius to 16.1 degree celsius. The sudden change in weather has led residents to return to warm clothing, especially during the morning and evening hours.

- IANS
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed all district collectors to immediately conduct surveys to assess crop damage caused by recent heavy rainfall across the state. He emphasized that the state's prosperity is built on its farmers and that the government stands with them with full responsibility. The instructions mandate that survey reports be submitted at the earliest to facilitate proper assessment and prompt assistance. In a separate development, the CM recently flagged off 207 new buses to strengthen the state's transportation network.

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma instructs district collectors to immediately assess crop damage from heavy rains and submit reports for farmer aid.

Jaipur, March 21 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday directed all district collectors to immediately conduct surveys to assess crop damage caused by heavy rainfall across the state.

The Rajasthan CM instructed officials to submit the crop damage survey reports at the earliest as possible.

In a post on X, CM Sharma emphasised that Rajasthan's prosperity is built on the foundation of its farmers, asserting that the state government stands firmly with them with "complete sensitivity and responsibility.

"Instructions have been issued to all District Collectors to immediately conduct surveys and submit reports at the earliest for the proper assessment of the damage caused to our farmer brethren due to heavy rainfall in various regions of the state. The prosperity of Rajasthan rests on the foundation of our farmer brothers and sisters. The state government stands firmly with you with complete sensitivity and responsibility. Providing prompt and adequate assistance to every affected farmer is our utmost priority, towards which the government is fully committed," said CM Sharma.

Earlier, on the occasion of Rajasthan Diwas 2026 celebrations, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma flagged off 207 new buses at the Ajmer Road Bus Terminal on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, Sharma announced that the BJP government in the state is working towards the path of "Viksit Rajasthan."

"I extend my greetings on the occasion of Rajasthan Foundation Day as well as Hindu New Year... Our government is working on the path of Viksit Rajasthan..." said Sharma, told reporters.

Later, in a post on X, the Rajasthan Chief Minister stated that these buses will not only reduce the distance between cities and villages but will also provide a new direction to the state's development.

"On the sacred occasion of Rajasthan Day, 207 new buses were flagged off to further strengthen, secure, and modernize transportation facilities for the residents of the state. These buses will not only reduce the distance between cities and villages but will also provide a new direction to the development of the state," said CM Sharma.

- ANI
BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar filed his nomination from the Nemom constituency for the upcoming state assembly elections. He was accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who expressed confidence in the BJP's performance in Kerala. The BJP is positioning itself as a key challenger to the traditional LDF and UDF alliances in the state. Polling will be held on April 9, with results expected on May 4.

BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar files nomination from Nemom with Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma. BJP aims to challenge LDF and UDF in Kerala elections.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 21 Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajeev Chandrasekhar filed his nomination as the party's candidate from Nemom constituency for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma present in a show of support.

Adressing to repoerters, Chandrasekhar said that he is grateful, as accompanied by Bhajanlal Sharma, during the filing of nomination, stating that he will work hard for the development of Nemom.

"I am deeply grateful to the Rajasthan CM who came here and accompanied & supported me during the filing of the nomination. I am also grateful to all the hundreds and thousands of workers who have accompanied me, people of Nemom and Thiruvananthapuram, who have accompanied me today. It fills my heart with great hope, affection and reinforces the responsibilities I am planning to take on. I can promise the people that if they give me an opportunity, I will work hard to solve all the problems, I will work hard to bring development to Nemom, and I will work hard 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to make Nemom a model constituency in Keralam," said Chandrasekhar.

The Rajasthan CM asserted that there is a lot of enthusiasm among BJP workers, and we are confident that we will achieve victory here.

"Today I have come to Kerala. I am seeing that there is enthusiasm and zeal among BJP workers... I can confidently say that a lot of new things are going to happen in Kerala. The BJP will perform very well here and achieve victory. The BJP will emerge here as a big party," said Sharma.

The BJP is positioning itself as a key challenger in Kerala, where the primary contest has traditionally been between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Both alliances are aiming to retain or regain power in the state.

Earlier on Friday, Union Minister Suresh Gopi stressed the need for a stronger National Democratic Alliance (NDA) presence in the Assembly, citing what he described as administrative failures over the past decade. He called for NDA candidates to secure victories across constituencies to ensure effective representation.

Polling for the Kerala Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami as a 'Dhurandhar' leader while addressing an event marking four years of BJP rule in Uttarakhand. He highlighted the state's progress in tourism, infrastructure, employment, and women's empowerment under the 'double-engine' government. Singh also commended the administration for its welfare measures for ex-servicemen and its firm action against illegal immigration and encroachments. He described Uttarakhand as a land of faith, bravery, and resilience that sets an example for the nation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauds Pushkar Singh Dhami's leadership and the BJP government's achievements in infrastructure, tourism, and welfare in Uttarakhand.

Haldwani, March 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday underscored the achievements of the "double-engine" BJP government in Uttarakhand across sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, employment, women empowerment and welfare of ex-servicemen, while praising Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for his leadership.

Addressing an event in Haldwani to mark four years of the BJP government in the state, Singh said, "I bow in respect to the bravery and spirit of the people of Uttarakhand. This land is deeply connected with faith, devotion, and spirituality... the Devbhoomi... and people here have immense respect for the divine."

"I am well acquainted with the nature of the people here. The people of Uttarakhand are very gentle by nature. However, I have observed that whenever the need arises, despite their gentle nature, the only place where you can see a deep sense of strength and resilience, like the mountains, is only in Uttarakhand," he said.

The Defence Minister stated that the "pure land" of Uttarakhand infuses new energy into the spirituality of India.

"This land has been the home to seers for years. If any state is seen as the place of austerities in India, then it's Uttarakhand. The tradition of knowledge, devotion and respect of people of Uttarakhand gives a path to the country," he added.

Praising Dhami's tenure, Singh said, "After Pushkar Singh Dhami became the Chief Minister, he has taken a lot of developmental works for the state. After listening to Pushkar Dhami, I can say that during the elections, I had told people that whoever wins, it will be under the leadership of Pushkar Dhami that the Bharatiya Janata Party will secure victory. And you saw that at that time, the BJP achieved a clear majority."

"He is not a normal Dhami but a 'Dhakkad' Dhami, and now he should be known as 'Dhurandhar' Dhami," he added.

"No one could have imagined that a government would be able to do so much work in such a small state as Uttarakhand. Today, Uttarakhand has achieved several milestones in various fields. I would like to say that the government under the leadership of Pushkar Dhami, which has completed four years, deserves to be appreciated with a round of applause," he said.

Reflecting on the BJP's governance in the state, the Defence Minister added, "Be it infrastructure, tourism, employment or women empowerment, Pushkar Singh Dhami has done significant work in all fields."

He also paid tribute to those who fought for the creation of Uttarakhand, describing the state not only as Devbhoomi and Tapobhoomi but also as Veerbhoomi.

"Apart from being Devbhoomi and Tapobhoomi, Uttarakhand is also known as Veerbhoomi (land of brave people) of the country. When it comes to protecting the borders of the country, our brothers and sisters of Uttarakhand lay down their lives too," Singh said.

Referring to welfare measures for ex-servicemen, he said, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the long-standing demand of One Rank, One Pension was fulfilled. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Dhami government for taking care of the welfare of ex-servicemen, providing financial assistance to the families of the martyrs, giving reservations in education, employment, etc."

He also mentioned the decision to enhance financial assistance for Param Veer Chakra awardees from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore.

Speaking about the Char Dham Yatra, Singh highlighted that the Centre is developing all-weather road connectivity and emphasised the boost it would provide to tourism and the local economy.

"As our Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi and the core of our faith and culture, it is very important to protect it and preserve its sanctity. I want to appeal to all the people of the state that we must both protect Uttarakhand and enhance its sanctity," he said.

He further asserted that the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state have conveyed a firm stance against illegal immigration.

"There is no place for illegal immigrants in Uttarakhand," he said, adding that under CM Dhami's leadership, more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed.

Touching upon the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said, "Under PM Modi's leadership, India has consistently maintained its position and has said that any solution cannot be achieved through war, but through diplomacy and dialogue."

"As far as India is concerned, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised India's stature on the global stage in a remarkable way, and the praise he has received is still not enough. Earlier, when India spoke on international platforms, its words were not taken with the seriousness they deserved. But today, when India speaks on such platforms, the entire world listens carefully to what India has to say. This is a moment of immense pride for Indians," he said.

Cautioning about the global impact of the conflict, the Defence Minister said, "No country will be left unaffected in these difficult times. There might be an energy crisis in future, but I know people will support PM Modi's stand for India."

- IANS
The Pattali Makkal Katchi faction led by S Ramadoss has announced an electoral alliance with VK Sasikala's All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The alliance plans to contest all 234 seats, with decisions to be made jointly between Ramadoss and Sasikala. This new bloc enters a crowded political field that includes the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-led NDA, and actor Vijay's party. The elections are scheduled for April 23, with results due on May 4.

S Ramadoss's PMK faction and VK Sasikala's AIPTMMK form an alliance to contest all 234 seats in the upcoming Tamil Nadu polls.

Villupuram, March 21 Pattali Makkal Katchi faction led by S Ramadoss announced its decision to contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls in alliance with All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, which was founded by VK Sasikala this year, on all 234 seats.

Ramadoss said that his party's alliance with Sasikala's AIPTMMK has "created a tremor among many people". He added that the partnership has already made a significant political impact across Tamil Nadu.

"This alliance has created an impact in Tamil Nadu by entering into an agreement with the All India Revolutionary Leader Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam. This alliance has created a tremor among many people," the senior leader said while addressing a press conference here.

Ramadoss emphasised that the alliance is aimed at public welfare and hinted that more parties or leaders could join soon. He also made it clear that decisions, including seat-sharing, would be taken jointly with Sasikala.

"Some more people are going to join this alliance. We will contest in 234 seats. We will make a decision together with Sasikala. Those who want to join us can express their interest. We have formed this alliance for the good of the people of Tamil Nadu," the PMK founder said.

Sasikala's newly floated party AIPTMMK and S Ramadoss' PMK faction have formed an alliance for the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry assembly polls.

"We are happy to announce that All India Puratchithalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and Pattali Makkal Katchi are forming an alliance in the states of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the upcoming Assembly Elections. This alliance will work to remove the traitorous identities of Tamil Nadu and improve the welfare of the people and the self-respect and autonomy of Tamil Nadu," both parties wrote in a press note.

Sasikala is the former acting general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and a close aide of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. S Ramadoss is leading a faction of PMK, while the other faction, led by his estranged son, Anbumani Ramadoss, has joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Sasikala and S Ramdoss were also rumoured to be in talks with actor-turned politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). However, the party denied the speculations.

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 current tenure of the 234-member state assembly ends on May 10.

The Union Territory of Puducherry will vote on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.

In this four-cornered contest, the competition is between Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) that includes Congress, Vijayakanth's DMDK, among others, and the NDA, led by AIADMK, including BJP and Anbumani Ramadoss-led Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). NTK is also a crucial player, with the regional party contesting on all 234 assembly constituencies alone.

- ANI
By Robert Harvey and Georgina McCartney

LONDON/HOUSTON, March 19 (Reuters) - If you want to buy a cargo of oil in Asia or jet fuel in Europe right now, you may have to pay a record price for it.

Surging oil prices in physical markets - the trading place for oil on ships, rail cars or in storage tanks - have outpaced the already dizzying increases in benchmark futures markets, as refiners and traders across Asia and Europe are snapping up whatever barrels they can secure to plug the enormous supply gap caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

That supply gap is expected to persist following a barrage of attacks on oil-and-gas facilities across the Middle East that has turned into the largest-ever disruption to global energy supplies. Iran has also throttled traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway transited by 20% of the world's oil and gas, with threats to fire on ships that attempt to sail through the narrow strait.

"It is going to take longer than people realize to bring supply back to the market even once the strait is re-opened, because we would still have a logistics nightmare," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.

Oil, gas, and refined products are critical to transportation, shipping and manufacturing industries, and energy supply and price shocks can hit consumers, businesses and economies hard, impairing demand for months or years.

Flows of crude and condensate have dropped by about 12 million barrels per day, or around 12% of daily world demand, due to output cuts and export halts by Gulf producers, according to oil shipments tracker Petro-Logistics. Those barrels cannot easily be replaced.

THE PHYSICAL MARKET SURGES

Futures prices have risen steadily since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran beginning February 28, but the moves in physical cargo prices have been far more dramatic.

Benchmark Brent crude hit a session high of $119 on Thursday, later settling around $109 a barrel. However, the benchmark Middle East Dubai crude price hit a record $166.80 a barrel. If outages persist, Brent is likely to surpass its all-time high of $147.50 reached in 2008, investment bank Goldman Sachs said on Thursday.

Cargoes of European and African crude have risen to $120 per barrel, and even barrels from Russia, which were highly discounted due to sanctions, have bounced back above $100.

The Mediterranean market was calm until the start of this week, but even those prices have risen due to fading hopes of a swift reopening of Hormuz, one crude trader said.
Raymond Group Managing Director Gautam Singhania is recovering in Mumbai after sustaining minor injuries in a speedboat accident in the Maldives. The vessel, carrying seven people, capsized near Fulidhoo island on Friday. Two individuals, believed to be Indian nationals, remain missing as the Maldives National Defence Force conducts a search operation. Singhania's team has issued a health update confirming he is doing well and thanked the public for their concern.

Raymond MD Gautam Singhania recovering from minor injuries after a speedboat capsized near Fulidhoo. Two individuals remain missing in the search operation.

New Delhi, March 21 Raymond Group Managing Director Gautam Singhania is recovering well after suffering minor injuries when a speedboat capsized near Fulidhoo in the Maldives, his team said on Saturday.

"He is doing well as of today," his team said in a health update.

A speedboat carrying seven people with five Indians, a British national and a Russian national, capsized on Friday.

"Gautam Singhania suffered minor injuries following an unfortunate accident. He is recovering under due care in Mumbai. We thank you for the wishes and pray for the well-being of the affected friends," a spokesperson for Singhania said, reports NDTV Profit.

Two people, believed to be Indians, are still missing and search operation for them was underway, according to reports.

"Maldives National Defence Force's Male' Area Command Coast Guard Second Squadron is searching for the missing individuals. The incident occurred about two nautical miles southwest of Keyodhoo," reported Edition MV, quoting Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Singhania had shared the journey of Raymond Group on Thursday, saying, "A journey shaped by vision, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. From humble beginnings to becoming an enduring symbol of quality and style, Raymond's legacy continues to stand the test of time."

Fulidhoo is a Maldivian island in Vaavu Atoll, known for its cultural events, marine encounters, diving spots and beautiful scenery including lagoons.

Raymond is a diversified business group with notable presence in the Textile & Apparel sector and segments such as consumer care, real estate, and engineering in national and international markets.

The Raymond Group has a significant hold over the B2B space through its garments business with its verticals such as Park Avenue, Raymond Ready To Wear, ColorPlus and Parx Ethnix.

"Raymond is the largest integrated textile company in the world and exports its suits to over 60 countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and the Middle East," according to the company.

- IANS
Power Minister Manohar Lal identified renewable energy, grid modernisation, storage, and capacity building as pillars for India-Africa cooperation at the Bharat Electricity Summit. He highlighted the 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' vision and cited the Kenya transmission project as a successful model of partnership. Minister of State Shripad Yasso Naik stressed the need to move from intent to action for reliable and sustainable energy. The meeting reinforced a shared commitment to a transformative, co-creative partnership for inclusive growth.

Power Minister Manohar Lal outlines key areas for India-Africa strategic partnership in renewable energy, grid modernisation, and sustainable development.

New Delhi, March 21 India and Africa, representing nearly one-third of the global population, share common aspirations for inclusive, equitable, and future-ready development, Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Saturday, adding that renewable energy, grid modernisation, energy storage and flexibility, and institutional capacity are the key areas for India-Africa cooperation.

Addressing the 'India-Africa Strategic Partnership Meet' on the third day of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 here, the minister said that power is crucial for driving economic growth, ensuring dignity and unlocking opportunities -- highlighting the vision of 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' as a transformative pathway for global energy connectivity.

He underscored the shared commitment to achieving reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.

Lal cited the collaboration between Africa50 and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, including the Kenya transmission project, as a strong example of how innovative financing, technical expertise, and public-private partnerships can deliver resilient infrastructure.

Referring to initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, he reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening collaboration with Africa.

India-Africa energy cooperation is not transactional but transformational, rooted in co-creation, and reiterated India's commitment as a trusted partner in this shared journey, said Power Minister.

The meeting reiterated that India and Africa would work closely in areas of renewable energy expansion, development of interconnected grid systems, advancement of energy storage and flexibility solutions, and capacity building through institutional strengthening.

Shripad Yasso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, emphasised that the India-Africa partnership must move from intent to action.

He underscored the shared commitment to ensuring reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all, as a foundation for inclusive growth. Naik noted that this partnership is guided by a vision that is inclusive, equitable, and futuristic, aimed at creating long-term impact and empowering communities across both India and Africa.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini affirmed the state's commitment to sustainable good governance, emphasising effective irrigation water management as a cornerstone of progress.

Offering a global investment perspective, Alain Ebobisse, CEO, Africa50, stated that it is not aid that we are seeking; we are seeking investment for impact and return.

He highlighted that Africa is increasingly focusing on bankable project development, transmission expansion, and private capital mobilisation, supported by integrated planning and new investment frameworks.

- IANS
The UAE's Ambassador to India, Abdulnasser Alshaali, has issued an open letter assuring the Indian community in the Emirates of their safety and security amidst the ongoing West Asia conflict. He emphasized that despite attacks, essential services, commerce, and daily life continue normally, underpinned by a robust national security framework. The envoy highlighted the deep, centuries-old bond between the Emirati and Indian peoples, noting that Indians are integral to the UAE's social and economic fabric. He also affirmed that the Indian government remains an active partner, with both nations prioritizing the safety and interests of the Indian community in the UAE.

UAE Ambassador Abdulnasser Alshaali assures Indian community and businesses of safety, security, and uninterrupted operations despite regional tensions.

New Delhi, March 21 Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE's Ambassador to India on Saturday wrote an open letter on the occasion of Eid to the UAE-India CEPA Council.

According to the envoy, the message reflected the resilience of the UAE and the strength of the UAE-India partnership. It also had a message for every Indian in the UAE of reassurance, solidarity, and the certainty that the bilateral partnership will only grow stronger.

The Ambassador in his letter wrote that despite Iran targeting the UAE commercial activity in the Emirates had not stopped and essential service were operating normally.

"Since the start of this conflict, Iran has launched an aggressive attack of over 2,000 missiles and drones against the United Arab Emirates, with the vast majority intercepted by the country's defence systems. If the past three weeks have shown the world anything, it is this: the UAE has met this moment with extraordinary preparedness, technological sophistication, and operational readiness. Essential services, including energy, water, healthcare, telecommunications, and food supply, have continued without interruption. Hotels, shopping centres, and tourist attractions remain open. The banking sector remains sound, with total assets exceeding AED 5.42 trillion. Strategic food reserves cover four to six months of demand. Commercial activity, the lifeblood of this country and of the Indian business community within it, has not missed a beat," the envoy wrote

"None of this is accidental. The UAE has built a national security framework designed precisely for moments such as this. And because that framework has held, more than four million Indians, and millions of other residents representing over 200 nationalities, have been able to continue their daily lives with confidence," he added.

The envoy also said that the UAE's economic infrastructure has proven resilient as he highlighted the special bond between the Emirati people and Indians

"For Indian businesses with operations, investments, and partnerships in the UAE, the message is clear: our country remains open, stable, and fully operational. Supply chains are intact. Ports and airports are functioning. The UAE's economic infrastructure has proven as resilient as its defence systems. The bond between the Emirati and Indian peoples long predates the concepts of modern diplomacy and nation-states. Our peoples have traded with one another, worked beside one another, and built trust across generations in a relationship that spans centuries and has endured through every period of upheaval and change. The current conflict is no different," he wrote

"Today, Indians in the UAE are not a diaspora in the distant or abstract sense of the word. They are neighbours, colleagues, partners, and friends. They have raised children here. They have buried parents here. They have built businesses here, from trading houses that have operated for decades to the start-ups defining the UAE's next chapter. They have served this country, and they have helped shape it. For many, this is not simply a place of work. It is home," he added.

The envoy highlighted that India has remained actively engaged with the UAE during the conflict and assured Indians in UAE of their security and safety

"For Indians in the UAE, the word "family" is not a metaphor. It is a lived reality. The Indian community has been part of this country's story for generations, not as guests standing at the threshold, but as people woven into its fabric. When His Highness speaks of family, he is drawing upon a relationship built over decades: in hospitals and classrooms, in boardrooms and construction sites, in markets and ministries, in the daily life of a nation shaped, in no small part, by Indian hands and Indian hearts," he wrote.

"The Government of India has remained actively engaged throughout this crisis, through its Embassy, through consular channels, and at the highest political level. India is not a bystander in this moment. India is a partner. And I want to assure each of you directly: your safety, your interests, and your future in this country remain matters of the highest priority for both governments," he added.

Abdulnasser Alshaali further emphasised that the economic architecture built by the two countries was designed to endure.

"Our bilateral trade exceeded USD 100 billion last year, and the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) continues to open new pathways for Indian businesses across sectors, from advanced technology and renewable energy to healthcare, logistics, and financial services. These commitments do not pause in times of difficulty, they deepen. The economic architecture that both nations have built together is designed to endure, and the opportunities ahead remain as compelling as they were prior to this period of uncertainty," he said

"It is upon this foundation that the UAE will build what comes next. Resilient, determined, and open for business. The confidence that Indian entrepreneurs and professionals have placed in this country has never been misplaced, and it will not be now," he said.

Earlier, on March 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his phone call with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE and the two leaders agreed on the importance of the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

- ANI
A group of 275 retired Indian judges, bureaucrats, and armed forces officers have strongly criticized a recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The USCIRF report had recommended sanctions against India's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) over alleged discrimination. The signatories called the report "disturbing" and "off-the-mark," arguing it lacks proper macro-level evidence. They defended India's record by citing official census data showing demographic stability and growth among minority communities since 1951.

275 retired officials, including judges and bureaucrats, reject USCIRF report alleging religious discrimination, citing census data showing minority growth.

New Delhi, March 21 A total of 275 signatories, including 25 retired judges, 119 retired bureaucrats and 131 armed forces officers on Saturday slammed the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom report asking Washington DC to sanction India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over alleged discrimination against minority communities.

The US-based Commission had alleged that India's "political system facilitates a climate of discrimination toward religious minority communities" despite offering some constitutional protections for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). It called for sanctions against the RSS and the RAW.

In a statement, the signatories called the USCIRF report "disturbing" and "off-the-mark," and said that the US-based organisation's recommendations against the RSS were "highly motivated, and displayed intellectual bankruptcy."

Citing the 2011 Census data, the Former Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee and former Additional Chief Secretary M Madan Gopal highlighted a "broad pattern of demographic expansion or stability among major minority communities," in defence against the alleged discrimination.

Penning the notice, former government servants said, "We, the undersigned, bring to your notice a very disturbing and completely off-the-mark report cobbled up by the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom(USCIRF). Particularly, the way to assess the credibility and balance of reports issued by bodies such as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) needs to examine the long-term demographic trends across the Indian subcontinent with an approach that provides a more objective and longitudinal measure of religious freedom than selective or episodic narratives."

"The demographic trajectory in India presents a remarkably different picture reflecting continuity, stability, and in some cases, growth as well. The data includes: Muslims in India: 9.8 per cent (1951)  14.2 per cent (2011). Christians in India: approximately 2.3 per cent (1951)  2.3 per cent (2011). Sikhs in India: approximately 1.79 per cent (1951)  1.72 per cent (2011). This data is taken from official census data, which reflects a broad pattern of demographic expansion or stability among major minority communities over more than six decades of independent constitutional governance in India," the statement read.

"Such longitudinal evidence is critical and suggests that the overall ecosystem in India has not produced the kind of sustained demographic contraction among minorities that would ordinarily indicate systemic persecution or institutionalised exclusion," the signatories added.

They argued that the negative aspects of the RSS were presented "without proper macro-level evidence."

The statement said, "In this context, it shows the recurring tendency of USCIRF to portray Indian state institutions and socio-cultural organisations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in overwhelmingly negative aspects, often without proper macro-level evidence. It raises legitimate concerns about analytical balance. The RSS, with its extensive grassroots presence and contributions to social service and nation-building, may well be subject to critique, but such critique must be grounded in verifiable evidence and contextual understanding, not only on broad generalisations."

"Bharat is the largest democracy in the world. Given the robust, time-tested judicial system, vibrant democratic institutions and Parliamentary oversight, there's very less scope for individuals or organisations to go scot-free after violating someone's religious rights. Religious freedom is both necessary and appreciated in a globalised world, but it must be exercised with intellectual rigour, fairness, and respect for all," it added.

Further, they questioned the credibility of USCIRF and asked the US government to conduct a "strict background check" of all the contributors to their report.

The statement said, "The reports based on selective in their use of evidence are subject to reduce their own credibility and, more importantly, there is a need to advance the genuine cause of religious harmony and human rights. USCIRF's recommendation to freeze assets, restricted movement of Bharatiya citizens and placing restrictions on those associated with RSS is highly motivated, and displays intellectual bankruptcy and deranged conclusions."

"All six commissioners of USCIRF are appointed by the US Government and funded by American Taxpayers through the US Congress. We call upon the US Government to carry out a strict background check of all the contributors to this report in USCIRF. It will be an eye-opener to the taxpayers of the US, whose funds are being used by USCIRF to produce highly prejudiced and untenable reports to promote the hidden agenda of some anti-Bharat vested interests to vitiate their goodwill with the people of Bharat. We seek your indulgence and attention to this highly significant and important matter," the statement read.

Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry also accused the USCIRF of "persistent attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast aspersions on the country's vibrant multicultural society."

This comes after USCIRF in its 2025 report said, "Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals' or entities' assets and/or barring their entry into the United States."

- ANI
A report highlights that Russian and Chinese support for Iran is a calculated strategy to weaken American global primacy and promote a multipolar world order. Moscow views Iran as a partner in defiance against Western isolation, while Beijing seeks energy security and to expand its regional influence. This backing forms a broader "coalition of resistance" that sustains Iran's defiance against US pressure. The report warns that the US must counter this strategic architecture, not just Iran alone, to address the fundamental challenge to its global leadership.

Report details how Russia and China are using Iran to challenge US dominance, expand influence, and reshape the global order away from unipolarity.

Brussels, March 21 Russia and China have carefully calibrated their support for Iran while avoiding a direct confrontation with the United States during the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Yet, a report has highlighted, the balancing act carries significant risks as Gulf states may drift closer to Washington if Beijing appears too aligned with Tehran and Russia could struggle to handle its own military commitments.

"When Iran confronts Israel and the United States, it does not stand alone. Behind Tehran's defiance lies the quiet but consequential support of China and Russia, two powers intent on reshaping the global order. Their assistance is not about ideological solidarity with Iran's clerical regime. It is about weakening American primacy, expanding their own influence, and demonstrating that Washington can no longer dictate terms in the Middle East," a report in the European Times detailed.

"Russia and China share a common objective: to erode US dominance. Moscow, bogged down in Ukraine and isolated by Western sanctions, sees Iran as a partner in defiance, a fellow pariah whose survival strengthens the case for a multipolar world. Beijing, meanwhile, seeks to secure energy supplies and expand its Belt and Road footprint while subtly undermining US alliances in the Gulf. Both benefit from Iran's willingness to absorb the costs of direct confrontation with Washington and Tel Aviv," it added.

According to the report, what is unfolding goes beyond a regional confrontation and challenges the world order. China and Russia's support for Iran, it said, reflects a shift away from the unipolarity led by the US.

"They are building a coalition of resistance, states willing to defy US pressure, survive sanctions, and assert sovereignty against Western dictates. For Washington, the challenge is not just Iran's defiance but the broader architecture of support that makes that defiance sustainable," it noted.

The report further said that the US must recognise that isolating Iran cannot be achieved unilaterally and that countering Tehran "requires not only military deterrence but also a strategy to blunt the appeal of China's economic lifelines and Russia's military partnerships".

"Without addressing the broader coalition behind Iran, Washington risks fighting symptoms while ignoring the disease, the erosion of its global primacy," it stated.

- IANS
Salman Khan and his entire family, including his recently discharged father Salim Khan, greeted fans from their Mumbai balcony on Eid. Salim Khan, who was brought out in a wheelchair, had been hospitalized for a minor brain hemorrhage. The veteran screenwriter, famed as part of the Salim-Javed duo, is now recovering at home. Meanwhile, Salman Khan is preparing for the release of his upcoming war drama "Maatrubhumi".

Salman Khan and his family, including father Salim Khan, greeted fans on Eid. The veteran screenwriter made his first appearance after a hospital stay.

Mumbai, March 21 Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan made his first public appearance after getting discharged from the hospital.

Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan was joined by his father Salim and the rest of the Khan family as he greeted his fans on Eid from the balcony of their Galaxy apartment.



Salman was also accompanied by his mother, Salma Khan, brothers Sohail Khan and Arbaaz Khan, and sisters Alvira Khan Agnihotri and Arpita Khan as he greeted his fans "Eid Mubarak".



In the video dropped by the 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' actor on his IG, he was seen bringing his father on a wheelchair. The father and son duo were later seen waving at the people gathered outside their residence.



Salman wore a brown shirt paired with blue denim and was also seen giving a flying kiss to his fans, along with doing a salam and namaste.



"Eid Mubarak, Thank you very much for your blessings, Dad is back home thank you, (sic)" he wrote in the caption.



For those who do not know, Salim Khan was recently discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati hospital after being admitted for around a month



Doctors had earlier confirmed that Salim Khan had suffered a minor haemorrhage. The doctor shared that a minimal brain hemorrhage does not require surgery. A Digital Subtraction Angiography was performed on the veteran screenwriter.



Salim rose to fame as one half of the legendary Salim-Javed duo, alongside writer Javed Akhtar. They are credited with writing some Bollywood blockbusters such as "Sholay", "Deewaar", "Zanjeer", and "Don", to name just a few.



Talking about Salman, he is currently busy with his upcoming war drama, "Maatrubhumi", which was earlier called "Battle of Galwan". Helmed by Apoorva Lakhia, the project features Chitrangada Singh as the leading lady.



"Maatrubhumi" is slated to reach the cinema halls on April 17.





- IANS
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia conducted consular and attestation service outreach camps in the cities of Dammam, Jubail, and Hail to assist the Indian diaspora. This outreach comes amid the tragic death of an Indian national in Riyadh due to a security incident on March 18. The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed deep condolences and confirmed the casualty. The Embassy is coordinating with local authorities and the family for the repatriation of the mortal remains.

Indian Embassy holds outreach camps in Dammam, Jubail, Hail, assisting diaspora, as MEA confirms death of Indian national in Riyadh.

Riyadh, March 21 The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Saturday conducted consular and attestation service outreach camps across multiple cities in Saudi Arabia, assisting members of the Indian diaspora.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said, "Glimpses of consular and attestation services being rendered by the Embassy of India at Dammam, Jubail and Hail today. The consular issues of Indian diaspora, visiting the centre, are being addressed satisfactorily."

According to a post on X by 'India in Saudi Arabia', embassy officials offered services in Dammam, Jubail, and Hail on Saturday.

The embassy shared glimpses of the outreach camps, stating that consular and attestation services were provided to Indian nationals at the locations. It added that the consular issues of members of the Indian diaspora visiting the centres were being addressed satisfactorily.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep condolences following the death of an Indian national in Riyadh, as the government continues to coordinate the repatriation of citizens caught in the escalating West Asia conflict.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed the fatality following recent security incidents in the Saudi capital on March 18. In an official statement, the diplomatic mission of India in Saudi Arabia, "The Embassy of India expresses its deepest condolences on the tragic demise of an Indian national in Riyadh due to recent events on March 18th."

Addressing an Inter-Ministerial Briefing in the national capital New Delhi, Additional Secretary in the Gulf Division at the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem Mahajan, confirmed the latest casualty.

"Late last night, we received information regarding the tragic demise of an Indian national during an attack in Riyadh on 18th March. We express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our mission in Riyadh is in touch with the family and is coordinating closely with the local authorities for the early return of mortal remains to India," Mahajan stated.

The Embassy further highlighted that its officials are actively engaging with the relatives to facilitate necessary formalities and provide consular assistance. "The Embassy is in touch with the family and local authorities. We remain committed to extending all possible assistance in this matter," the mission's statement added.

- ANI
Security has been significantly bolstered at Badi Eidgah in Kanpur with police, PAC, SWAT, and surveillance teams deployed for Eid al-Fitr prayers. Celebrations and large congregational prayers were witnessed across India, from Mumbai's Mahim Dargah to Delhi's Jama Masjid and Coimbatore. The festival marks the end of Ramazan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims. The day is celebrated with prayers, festive meals, and the exchange of gifts among families and communities.

Security heightened at Kanpur's Badi Eidgah for Eid. See celebrations from Mumbai's Dargah to Delhi's Jama Masjid and the significance of Ramazan.

Kanpur, March 21 The security at Badi Eidgah in Kanpur has been heightened as people gather for Eid al-Fitr prayers, officials said on Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central Atul Kumar Srivastava told ANI that the police have made all the arrangements for Eid celebrations.

"Keeping in mind the Namaz on Eid, all Police arrangements have been made. Barriers have been put up wherever necessary. Civil Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed. SWAT, surveillance team, cyber team and drone cameras, CCTV cameras are in place. Eid will be celebrated well, arrangements have been made," DCP Srivastava said.

Security personnel were stationed outside the Badi Eidgah in Kanpur to manage crowds and ensure public safety.

In Mumbai, people offered namaz at the historic Mahim Dargah, a popular spiritual site that drew crowds of worshippers to seek blessings and celebrate the occasion.

In Tamil Nadu, massive gatherings marked the day. In Tiruchirappalli, thousands came together in open spaces to perform the Eid namaz.

Similarly, a large number of people assembled at the Islamiyah Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Karumbukkadai, Coimbatore, for congregational prayers, turning the venue into a vibrant hub of worship and festivity.

In Rajasthan, the iconic Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah Sharif in Ajmer saw an early morning influx of worshippers. The Jannati Darwaza of the revered shrine was opened at 5 am, allowing them to offer prayers.

Earlier this morning, several worshippers converged at the Jama Masjid in the national capital to perform the special prayers of Eid-ul-Fitr. The atmosphere remained vibrant as families exchanged greetings, signalling the start of day-long festivities across the city.

Following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, the mosque premises and surrounding streets of Old Delhi were filled with worshippers, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan.

Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth commended Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his supportive stance on India's West Asia policy, describing it as standing with the country and speaking the truth. He used the occasion to criticize Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for creating panic and opposing government decisions indiscriminately. Seth credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy for maintaining national peace and ensuring no shortages of essential fuels. Tharoor had earlier framed India's restrained response as "responsible statecraft" and called for a clearer strategic end goal and diplomatic initiatives for de-escalation in the region.

MoS Defence Sanjay Seth praises Shashi Tharoor's foreign policy support, criticizes Congress's opposition, and credits PM Modi's diplomacy for stability.

Ranchi, March 21 Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Saturday praised Shashi Tharoor's support for India's foreign policy concerning West Asia, asserting that Tharoor consistently stands with the nation and speaks "the truth".

The Minister further said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi should "learn from this", emphasising that every decision made by the ruling government should not be blindly criticised by the opposition parties.

"Shashi Tharoor always stands with the country... he always says the truth. Rahul Gandhi should learn from this. Not everything should be opposed... Because of PM Modi's diplomacy, the whole country is living in peace and there is no panic here. There is no shortage of diesel, petrol and gas. The propaganda and the panic which was created, it was done by the leaders of Congress party... All Congress party leaders should learn from him..." Seth told ANI.

Earlier, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described India's response to the ongoing West Asia crisis as an exercise in "responsible statecraft," stressing that restraint in such a volatile situation reflects strength rather than weakness.

In an interview with ANI, Tharoor said, "Restraint is not surrender. Restraint is strength... it shows that we know what our interests are and we will act first of all to protect our interests."

Referring to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, Tharoor, however, said India should have expressed condolences earlier following the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, while maintaining a cautious diplomatic stance.

"There is a difference between condemnation and condolence... condolence is an expression of sympathy," he noted.

Additionally, he also called for a clearer end goal in the ongoing military campaign. Tharoor questioned the strategic direction of the conflict.

"We don't know exactly what the desired end point is... I would have liked to have thought there was some strategic logic behind this assault," he said.

Hence, he urged countries like India to play a constructive diplomatic role in de-escalation efforts. "What many countries like us ought to be doing... is to actually take an initiative to call for peace, to give both sides a ladder to climb down," he said.

- ANI
Shia Muslims in Sambhal and Ahmedabad offered Eid prayers in a solemn atmosphere, with some worshippers wearing black bands to protest the US-Israel-Iran conflict and honor the late Iranian Supreme Leader. The community observed subdued celebrations this year, reflecting on global events impacting them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended traditional Eid greetings to the nation, emphasizing brotherhood and kindness. The report also details the spiritual significance of Ramadan, the fasting rituals, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr as the breaking of the fast.

Shia worshippers in Sambhal and Ahmedabad wear black bands at Eid Namaz, protesting the Gaza war and mourning Ayatollah Khamenei in subdued celebrations.

Sambhal, March 21 Members of the Shia Muslim community offered Namaz at KSI Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad and at Eidgah in Sambhal on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.

Some worshippers were seen wearing black bands as a mark of protest against the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict and in memory of Ayatollah Khamenei.

This year, the celebrations were observed in a subdued manner following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

In Ahmedabad, worshippers gathered for prayers while maintaining a solemn atmosphere, reflecting on recent global developments affecting the Shia community.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, wishing happiness, health, and brotherhood for all.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!"

Ramazan, 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."

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 Maghrib, which usually falls after 6 pm or later in the evening.

At the end of Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
The Pentagon has made specific requests to prepare the deployment of ground forces in Iran should the Trump administration decide to move forward with the decision, according to a new report.

CBS News reported of detailed preparations for such a scenario, adding that military officials also held meetings to discuss the possible detention of Iranian soldiers and paramilitary operatives.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted in a statement, saying "it's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality."

She went on to clarify that it "does not mean the President has made a decision, and as the President said in the Oval Office yesterday, he is not planning to send ground troops anywhere at this time."

She was making reference to remarks from Trump on Thursday when he told a reporter "I'm not putting troops anywhere, and if I was, I certainly wouldn't tell you."

Elsewhere, Reuters reported that administration officials have also discussed the possibility of sending ground forces to Kharg Island, through which 90% of Iran's oil exports go through. However, one official consulted said the operation would be highly risky as Tehran could reach the territory with missiles and drones.

The reports come as some 2,200 Marines are on their way to the Middle East, as well as three warships. They departed California this week and could take several days before they arrive. Another unit is also on its way to the region after departing from the Pacific.

The Pentagon has asked for an additional $200 billion to continue the war effort. The figure has made headlines over the past hour given its sheer size. The Associated Press detailed that the Department of Defense sent the request to the White House and comes on top of additional funding the Defense Department already received last year.

Originally published on Latin Times
Property taxes have soared nationwide, fueling discontent among homeowners and prompting a flurry of efforts by states to rein in the hikes, or in the most extreme cases, phase out the taxes altogether.

But as state legislative sessions wind down, few proposals have become law. Florida ended its session without passing a bill that would wind down non-school taxes on many homes. A sweeping measure that would have ended property taxes in Georgia failed, leaving the state weighing a more limited bill to cap future property tax increases. And in Iowa, the states House and Senate are considering two different tax-cutting bills, but have yet to find a compromise.

The political enthusiasm around cutting property taxes  more than a dozen states are considering it  but the difficulty in actually doing so reflects tough budget and economic realities. On average, some 70% of local revenues come from property taxes, meaning any efforts to cut them have serious implications for municipal budgets that pay for everything from public safety to park upkeep. And in the long-term, policies like capping property tax increases can make it more challenging for first-time homebuyers to enter the market.

Good politics doesnt always make good policy, said Manish Bhatt, vice president of state tax policy at the Tax Foundation, a right-leaning think tank.

Growing bills

Property taxes have increased in response to skyrocketing home values around the country. While effective tax rates vary widely by state, homeowners in both high- and low-tax states have seen their bills balloon.

In New Jersey, which has the nations highest effective property tax rate, as well as high home values, the median homeowner paid over $9,358 in property taxes in 2024, up more than 10% from $8,432 in 2019, according to Census Bureau data.

In Alabama, where property tax rates are among the lowest in the country and home prices are also more modest, the median tax bill was $890 in 2024, a 17% increase from $609 five years earlier.

The growing tax bills are a particular sting for low- and moderate-income homeowners, as well as those on fixed incomes, said Neva Butkus, a senior analyst at the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Property taxes have definitely been a hot topic in recent years because housing prices have increased significantly post-COVID, Butkus said. Unlike many forms of taxation, property taxes are not necessarily connected to peoples ability to pay them.

Theyre also a major component of what are often called the hidden costs of homeownership  a category that includes other fast-rising expenses like insurance and homeowners' association fees.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a medium-danger avalanche warning for areas above 3,500 meters in Sikkim's Gangtok and Pakyong districts. Authorities are urging residents and tourists at higher altitudes to avoid unnecessary travel. This alert follows severe thunderstorms that recently damaged key power transmission lines, causing supply disruptions in the region. Separate avalanche and snowfall warnings have also been issued for several high-altitude districts in Uttarakhand.

IMD issues medium-danger avalanche alert above 3,500m in Sikkim. Residents and tourists urged to avoid travel as storms cause power disruptions.

Gangtok, March 21 The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a warning through the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority about a medium danger level avalanche expected above 3,500 meters in Gangtok and Pakyong districts over the next 24 hours.

Residents, trekkers and tourists in higher altitudes have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and heed local advisories.

The Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, also issued a similar forecast for Gangtok and Pakyong.

Earlier on March 15, a severe thunderstorm accompanied by a hailstorm that occurred across several parts of Pakyong, Gangtok, and Mangan districts led to tripping of several 66 kV transmission lines, resulting in power supply disruptions in certain areas.

According to the state Power Department, in Pakyong District, one conductor of the 66 kV Rorathang-Rongli Transmission Line snapped near the Amba area, affecting power supply to Rongli and Rhenock areas.

In Gangtok district, sparking accompanied by a loud noise was reported near the Namli area on the 66 kV Marchak-Macleods Transmission Line, affecting supply to Nimtar, Topakhani and Singtam, a release said.

Additionally, the 66 kV LLHP-Sichey Transmission Line could not be sustained during trial charging.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the DRGE, Chandigarh, also issued an alert for the possibility of snowfall and avalanche on the higher altitude areas of Uttarakhand.

The State Emergency Operations Centre, Dehradun, issued instructions to the District Magistrates of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar to exercise special caution in view of the possibility of snowfall and avalanches.

"The above is to inform that as per the forecast issued by Defence Geoinformation Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, on 20.03.2026 at 05:00 PM, there is a possibility of snowfall/avalanche in the high altitude areas of the state from 20.03.2026 to 05:00 PM on 21.03.2026. Especially in the districts, Taharkashi, Bamoli and Pithoragarh (placed in danger level-3) and Rudraprayag and Bageshwar (placed in danger level-1), there is a possibility of snowfall/avalanche. In such a situation, in case of heavy snowfall in these areas, there may be sudden collapse or avalanche," they wrote.

- ANI
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed the first convocation of Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University, framing it as a milestone in India's journey to become a global skilled human capital hub. He highlighted transformative national initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, such as Skill India and PM-SETU, which are redefining youth preparation for the future. The VP stressed that India's demographic advantage depends on proper skilling, urging graduates to act as ambassadors of Indian talent and professionalism worldwide. He also called for continuously updated university curricula aligned with industry needs, emphasizing that degrees gain meaning through employability.

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan emphasizes skill development as key to India's demographic dividend, highlighting PM Modi's initiatives and the role of new universities.

Mumbai, March 21 Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan said on Saturday that the convocation was not just a celebration of academic achievement, but a significant milestone in India's journey towards becoming a global hub of skilled human capital.

The Vice-President noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a transformative shift in its approach to skilling and human capital development.

He highlighted major initiatives such as Skill India, Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU), the Skill India Digital Hub, the establishment of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and reforms in vocational training, saying that these initiatives have redefined how India prepares its youth for the future.

He was speaking at the first convocation of the Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University in Mumbai as the chief guest on Saturday and addressed the graduating students on the importance of skill development, employability and new-age technologies.

Addressing the gathering while congratulating the graduating students, the Vice-President noted that these students have created history by being the first batch of the university.

Speaking about India's demographic advantage, Vice-President Radhakrishnan said that India's young population can become a great strength if properly skilled, but can become a challenge if not equipped with the right skills.

He urged the graduates to act as ambassadors of India's talent and capability wherever they work, noting that their dedication and professionalism will enhance India's global credibility.

Reflecting on his earlier tenure as Governor of Maharashtra and other states, the Vice-President emphasised that universities and academic institutions must continuously update their curriculum to meet modern challenges and align education with industry requirements.

He stressed that degrees are meaningful only when they translate into employability and called for greater focus on skill development and new-age technologies.

The Vice-President also appreciated the vision of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, noting that the state is now competing with leading global economies.

Referring to the legacy of Ratan Tata, Vice-President Radhakrishnan said that the university carries a profound responsibility to bridge the gap between education and employability while nurturing socially responsible individuals.

He noted that the industry must grow along with a sense of social responsibility, which makes great leaders role models for the nation.

The Vice-President also launched the "Say No to Drugs" campaign and visited the exhibition set up by industry partners under Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

- IANS
Actor Soha Ali Khan celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with a heartwarming family gathering in Mumbai. She shared Instagram photos featuring moments with her daughter Inaaya and other family members, including Kunal Kemmu preparing food in the kitchen. Her caption emphasized compassion, reflection, and prayers for those in need. The festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan, a time of fasting and spiritual significance.

Soha Ali Khan celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with daughter Inaaya, family prayers, and biryani. See her heartwarming Instagram post.

Mumbai, March 21 Actor Soha Ali Khan marked Eid-ul-Fitr surrounded by her loved ones in a heartwarming celebration.

Taking to Instagram, Soha offered fans a glimpse of her day filled with the rich aroma of biryani, cherished family moments, and heartfelt prayers.



One of the pictures shows Soha twinning with her daughter, Inaaya, in a white suit. In another picture, Soha could be seen sharing smiles with Sara and Inaaya. Soha also gave a glimpse of Kunal in full chef mode, seen preparing something in the kitchen.



"Between celebration and reflection today, may we choose compassion and humanity. And may our prayers reach those who need them most. Eid Mubarak #eidmubarak #eidulfitr," she captioned the post.



Eid-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of fasting in Ramzan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, which 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.



Meanwhile, on the work front, Soha, who was last seen in 'Chhorri 2', is currently busy hosting her podcast titled 'All About Her'.





- ANI
The Trump administration is reportedly strategizing options for a potential military operation to seize Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, according to sources briefed on the discussions. Plans have centered on the possible deployment of elite Joint Special Operations Command forces for the sensitive counter-proliferation mission. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi warned that such an operation, while not impossible, would require "incredible military capabilities" to handle the dangerous material. The development comes as the US continues major military operations against Iranian targets, with President Trump stating Washington is not seeking a ceasefire.

Sources say Trump admin is strategizing a high-risk military operation to extract Iran's nuclear material. IAEA warns of major challenges.

Washington DC, March 21 As the security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region continues to evolve, CBS news reported on Friday, citing sources briefed on the discussions, that the Trump administration has been strategising ways and options to extract Iran's nuclear material.

According to CBS News, while the timing of any such operation, if Trump orders it remains unclear, one of the source said that the US President is yet to make a decision about it. However, plans have centred around the possible deployment of forces from the secretive Joint Special Operations Command- America's elite military unit often tasked with the most sensitive counter-proliferation missions, according to two sources to CBS News.

CBS News reported that as of last summer, Iran had amassed about 972 pounds of 60%-enriched uranium, which is a short step away from weapons-grade material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It added that much of that uranium remains buried underneath nuclear sites that were bombed by the US last year as part of Operation Midnight Hammer.

While US officials have said that the Trump administration has not ruled out plans to retrieve Iranian stockpiles, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that "it's an option on the table for him."

A mission to seize the uranium would be potentially risky.

IAEA's Director-General Rafael Grossi told CBS News that while it is not impossible, the action would require "incredible military capabilities".

"We're talking about cylinders containing gas of highly contaminated uranium hexafluoride at 60%, so it's very difficult to handle", he added.

The CBS report mentioned that the US intelligence community has assessed last spring that Tehran was not trying to build a nuclear weapon and has been insisting that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. With Iran's enriched uranium levels at 60%, the IAEA has said Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium to that level.

Before the conflict broke out in West Asia, the US and Iran were engaged in several rounds of talks aimed at addressing the country's nuclear program. According to Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who helped mediate the negotiations, the discussions between Washington and Tehran also revolved around blending Iran's highly enriched uranium down to a lower level and converting it to fuel.

The development comes on the heels of the message by the US President on Truth Social, where he said that the United States is on the verge of meeting its objectives as it considers winding down operations against Iran.

Meanwhile, the US Department of War shared an update on the developments in the past week, saying that thousands of Iranian targets were hit in Operation Epic Fury.

The US Central Command forces have damaged or sunk more than 120 Iranian naval vessels, including all 11 of their submarines.

Earlier this week, Trump, Hegseth and Air Force Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid tributes to the six crew members of KC-135 Stratotanker, who, along with seven other service members, lost their lives in Operation Epic Fury.

"The targets pursued under Operation Epic Fury include command and control centres; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters and intelligence sites; air defence systems; ballistic missile, anti-ship missile and surface-to-air missile sites; weapon production and storage bunkers; military infrastructure and communications capabilities; and naval ships and submarines," the post said.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Trump said Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. Speaking outside the White House, he said, "We can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side. We're not looking to do that."

- ANI
A devastating fire at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, South Korea, has resulted in 10 fatalities and left 4 workers unaccounted for. The blaze, which broke out on Friday afternoon, also injured 59 people out of the 170 workers present. Firefighting efforts were initially hampered by structural collapse risks and the presence of explosive materials inside the building. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok issued emergency instructions for a full-scale rescue and firefighting response.

A major fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, has killed 10 people, injured 59, and left 4 unaccounted for. Search operations continue.

Daejeon, March 21 Ten people have been killed and four others are still reported missing in a large fire at a car parts plant in South Korea's Daejeon, authorities said Saturday. Another 59 people suffered serious or slight injuries.

Firefighters have been searching for the four people who were unaccounted for when the blaze started.

One of the bodies was found on the second floor of the factory and nine others were found on the third floor, according to authorities.

A total of 170 workers were inside the plant when the fire was reported at around 1:17 p.m. on Friday. The fire prompted the National Fire Agency to issue a national firefighting mobilisation order, which is given when the scale of the fire is deemed to surpass the firefighting capacity of the local government.

Firefighters were earlier unable to enter the structure due to concerns it could collapse. Also complicating the firefighting effort was 200 kilograms of sodium inside the building, which could explode if poorly handled, Yonhap news agency reported.

Authorities said they began overnight search operations at around 10:50 p.m. on Friday after experts determined it was safe for firefighters to enter the building.

An official at the authorities said firefighters plan to make all-out efforts to rescue those who are unaccounted for.

"We plan to tear down the structures where the rescue dogs have already examined to deploy rescue workers and continue the search for those missing," the official said.

On Friday, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok gave emergency instructions to the interior ministry and the fire agency to use all available equipment and personnel to rescue people and extinguish the fire, his office said.

He had ordered the Daejeon metropolitan government and the police to ensure no further damage by implementing traffic control and evacuation measures.

- IANS
South Korea has joined seven nations, including key European countries and Japan, in a joint statement condemning Iran's attacks and attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz. The statement calls on Iran to cease its actions and comply with the principle of freedom of navigation for the vital waterway, which handles 20% of global oil and gas supply. Seoul's decision reflects its concern over energy security and a shift from its earlier cautious stance following pressure from the United States. The country now commits to working with the international community to normalize maritime logistics in the region.

South Korea joins a 7-nation statement condemning Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global energy supply.

Seoul, March 21 South Korea will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry said.

The joint statement, issued by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Canada, calls on Iran to cease its attacks and attempts to block the strategic waterway, and comply with the principle of freedom of navigation.

They also state that they are ready to join efforts to ensure safe passage through the key shipping channel, responsible for 20 per cent of global oil and gas supply.

"The decision reflects our fundamental position on the safety of international sea lanes and freedom of navigation, and consideration of international trends and the direct impact that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could have on our energy supply and the economy," the ministry said in a message to the media on Friday.

"Participation in the joint leaders' statement underscores South Korea's commitment to contributing to international efforts to ensure safe and free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," the ministry said.

Seoul will work closely with the international community to help ensure a swift normalisation of global maritime logistics networks, it added.

The decision follows Seoul's earlier cautious stance after US President Donald Trump called on allies to send ships to help keep the area open. But the countries Trump named have remained reluctant to join, reports Yonhap news agency.

The presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said earlier that Seoul was in close talks with Washington and other partner countries over what it can do to help make the region "safe and open, in a way that would best serve its national interests".

In a social media post on Friday (US time), Trump called North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies "cowards" who complain about high oil prices but do not want to help open the waterway.

- IANS
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli applauds Dhurandhar 2, calling its execution flawless and Ranveer Singh's acting a masterclass. Read the full review.

Mumbai, March 21 Following its high-octane release on March 19, 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' has earned a resounding seal of approval from visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli.

The sequel to the 2025 record-breaking blockbuster has not only captivated audiences but is also garnering acclaim from the film industry's biggest stalwarts for its scale, soul, and storytelling depth.



Taking to his X, the 'RRR' director penned a tribute to the film, noting that while he loved the first installment, the sequel surpasses the original.



"The writing, casting, technical execution, music, world design, and direction are flawless," Rajamouli stated, specifically highlighting the emotional stakes that ground the massive production.



Rajamouli reserved high praise for director Aditya Dhar, commending his "guts" to release a four-hour-long film. Despite the runtime, Rajamouli noted that the "audience is glued to the seat till the last frame," credited to a script that weaves genuine tension with emotional plot twists.



He wrote, "The writing manages to weave plot twists that create genuine tension charged with emotion. @AdityaDharFilms, you hit it out of the park. It takes guts to make and release a film 4 hours long. The audience is glued to the seat till the last frame."



The director's accolades extended to the lead cast, particularly Ranveer Singh, who reprises his role as undercover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi (operating under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari).



Rajamouli described Singh's performance as a "masterclass in acting," specifically citing a sequence with the character's sister in a shed as a standout moment.



"@RanveerOfficial, what a performance man... The sequence with the sister in the shed is a masterclass in acting. From that beginning to the heart-wrenching climax, you mesmerized us both as Hamza and Jaskirat," he wrote.



He further lauded R. Madhavan for portraying the "helplessness and frustration of a nation" through his character, Ajay Sanyal.



The film, which navigates a dark narrative involving a complex terror network, features a powerhouse ensemble including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam, veteran actor Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun. The first part also featured Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait.



Earlier, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma called the film a "verdict" on the current state of cinema, suggesting it "cut off the head" of films that prioritize visual excess over narrative depth.



Varma, who likened the franchise's impact to classics like 'Sholay' and 'Mughal-e-Azam', warned other producers to return to their "drawing boards" to avoid becoming obsolete.



Adding to the praise, actor Preity Zinta also took to social media to describe Singh's performance as "stunning," highlighting his "range, depth, and sincerity."



As the sequel to the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, 'Dhurandhar 2' entered theaters as one of the most anticipated movies of the year.





- ANI
Actor Nimrat Kaur graced the runway as the showstopper for designer label Jajaabor at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI. She wore a striking gold Jamdani-inspired ensemble that blended traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary deconstructed silhouette. Kaur emphasized that true fashion means staying authentic to oneself, one's body, and one's environment. The designer's collection paid tribute to the city of Kolkata, fusing Bengal's textile heritage with modern design.

Actor Nimrat Kaur dazzled as showstopper for Jajaabor at LFW, defining fashion as "staying true to yourself" in a gold Jamdani-inspired outfit.

Mumbai, March 21 Actor Nimrat Kaur turned showstopper for designer label 'Jajaabor' by Neelanjan Ghosh and Kanika Sachdev at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI, presenting a striking blend of elegance and contemporary design on the runway.

Dressed in a gold Jamdani-inspired corset paired with a deconstructed single-sleeve cutwork jacket and a draped skirt, Nimrat Kaur showcased an Indo-fusion ensemble that balanced traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The look reflected a seamless integration of heritage textiles with contemporary silhouettes.

Speaking to ANI, the actor shared her perspective on fashion and individuality, emphasising authenticity and comfort.

"Fashion for me is staying true to yourself, your body type and the climate you live in, and trying to be original and remaining original," she said.

Nimrat, who was recently seen in 'The Family Man 3', also spoke about her experience of portraying a different kind of character in the series. "I really had a great time working on it. It was wonderful," she added.

Sharing a personal anecdote, the actor recalled celebrating her birthday in Varanasi for the first time.

"It was beautiful. I was in Banaras for my birthday. I went there for the first time ever and I spent it at Kashi Vishwanath," she said, describing the experience as memorable.

The multi-designer showcase at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI featured collections by Triune by Prasoon Sharma, Jajaabor by Neelanjan Ghosh and Kanika Sachdev, and Line Outline by Deepit Chugh. Each designer presented unique narratives inspired by personal journeys, cultural memory, and urban influences.

Jajaabor's collection, Calcutta  Kolkata, paid tribute to the evolving identity of the city through Bengal's textile heritage and modern silhouettes. Nimrat Kaur's presence as a showstopper added star power to the presentation, highlighting the seamless fusion of craft and contemporary design.

- ANI
AMMK leader TTV Dinakaran met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss election strategy for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, explicitly stating the talks were not about seat-sharing. He expressed strong confidence that the united NDA alliance would defeat the ruling DMK, accusing it of being an "evil force" and misappropriating funds. Dinakaran claimed that the frequent Delhi visits of NDA leaders are unsettling DMK President MK Stalin. The state is set to vote in a single phase on April 23, with the results to be declared on May 4.

AMMK's TTV Dinakaran meets Amit Shah for strategic talks ahead of Tamil Nadu polls, expresses confidence in NDA defeating the ruling DMK.

New Delhi, March 21 Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary TTV Dinakaran on Saturday said that his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi was focused on strategic planning for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and not on seat-sharing discussions, expressing confidence that the NDA would defeat the ruling DMK.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dinakaran asserted that the opposition alliance is united and working towards a decisive victory in the state. "To defeat DMK, a strategic planning meeting was held in Delhi, that's it. We didn't speak on constituency details," he said, dismissing speculation about seat-sharing negotiations.

Launching a sharp attack on the ruling party, Dinakaran said, "The people of Tamil Nadu are ready to defeat the evil force known as the DMK," adding that public sentiment is turning against the incumbent government.

He also claimed that the frequent visits of NDA leaders to the national capital have unsettled the DMK leadership. "When NDA alliance leaders come to Delhi, DMK President MK Stalin gets fear," Dinakaran said.

Reiterating the structure of the alliance, he noted, "In Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K Palaniswami leads the NDA alliance and at the national level, BJP leads the alliance," underlining coordination between state and national leadership.

His remarks come amid an escalating political contest between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections. Dinakaran had earlier dismissed claims regarding seat-sharing talks, stating that only he was aware of the constituencies his party is seeking.

He also accused the DMK government of misappropriating funds and expressed confidence that voters would seek a change in leadership. The ruling DMK, however, has maintained that it remains in a strong position, with Stalin urging party workers to intensify preparations for the polls.

Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 for the 234-member Assembly, with counting scheduled for May 4.

- ANI
Austrian analyst Tom Cooper warns that recent Israeli strikes on Iran's South Pars gas field are provocative and could lead Iran to retaliate against similar energy infrastructure in Qatar. Such an escalation would threaten global energy supplies, as many countries, including India, depend heavily on Qatari gas and fertilizers. Cooper notes that despite being militarily overpowered, Iran's deeply buried and protected assets allow it to sustain a cycle of retaliatory strikes. The situation highlights the potential for a prolonged conflict with significant repercussions for international energy markets.

An analyst warns Israeli strikes on Iran's South Pars could provoke attacks on Qatari energy, disrupting global gas and fertilizer supplies to countries like India.

New Delhi, March 21 Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian Tom Cooper has warned that Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure could escalate the conflict in West Asia and potentially trigger retaliatory attacks on energy facilities in Qatar, with wider implications for countries like India that depend on Gulf energy supplies.

In an interview with ANI on Friday, Cooper criticised the strike on the Iranian side of the South Pars gas field.

"And then we see the Israelis striking, doing such nonsensical things like striking South Pars gas field--the Iranian side of the South Pars gas field--which is absolutely mindless, because of course this is provoking Iran into striking back upon similar facilities in Qatar," Cooper said.

He warned that any escalation involving Qatari energy infrastructure could have broader global repercussions, including for India.

"And as you know, in India, not only India, but plenty of other countries are heavily dependable on sourcing their gas from Qatar, and not only gas, but also fertilizers for production of food," he said.

Cooper also said Iran retains the ability to continue retaliatory attacks despite heavy airstrikes by Israel and the United States.

"They're using bulldozers, dig out the entrances which are hit by American or Israeli bombs, pull out their missiles or UAVs, launch them, go back hiding into their underground facilities and then the entire game is repeated and repeated and again and again and again," he said.

According to Cooper, Iran faces overwhelming firepower from its adversaries but remains capable of sustaining retaliatory strikes due to deeply buried infrastructure.

"Iranians have no chance of military victory in this war. No way can they win. They are so overpowered by the enemy firepower," he said.

But he also said that Iranians are "well protected " and called the Iranian assets as "crucial".

He said, "But they're also well protected. Their crucial assets, assets which they can use to exercise some sort of violence against Israel and against their neighbours, they are so well dug in. So deep dug in that they can continue this."

He added, "And this is how this is now going to go on, who knows how much longer."

- ANI
March 20 (Reuters) - United Airlines (UAL) CEO Scott Kirby said on Friday the airline will cancel about 5% of this year's planned flights in the short term, as jet fuel prices surge due to the Middle East conflict.

"If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel," Kirby said in a message to employees posted on its website.

The airline's current plan is to restore the full schedule this fall, Kirby added.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence reported detecting two People's Liberation Army aircraft and eight naval vessels operating near its territory, with one aircraft crossing the median line into its eastern air defense identification zone. This incident follows similar reported activity in the preceding days. The military presence occurs within the long-standing and unresolved dispute over Taiwan's sovereignty, which China claims as an inseparable part of its territory. Taiwan functions with its own government and military but avoids a formal declaration of independence to prevent conflict with Beijing.

Taiwan's defense ministry reports Chinese military activity, including an aircraft crossing the median line, amid the complex historical sovereignty dispute.

Taipei, March 21 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Saturday recorded two sorties by PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around its territory.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the MND said that it 1 out of the 2 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's eastern part ADIZ.

"2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 2 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's eastern part ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded", it wrote on X.

Meanwhile on Friday, the MND recorded the presence of 6 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around its territory.

On Thursday, it recorded the presence of 12 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around its territory.

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
Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at an Eidgah in Hyderabad, extending greetings and emphasizing peace, unity, and brotherhood. The festival, marking the end of Ramadan, was celebrated with enthusiasm across the region, reflecting the state's cultural traditions. Meanwhile, political leaders from various parties, including BJP and DPAP, offered prayers and extended Eid greetings in the national capital. Leaders used the occasion to pray for an end to conflict, especially in West Asia, and for global peace and harmony.

Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Hyderabad, emphasizing peace and unity. Leaders across parties celebrated the festival nationwide.

Hyderabad, March 21 Telangana Minister for Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises, Mohammad Azharuddin, offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Eidgah in Zeheranagar, Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, on Saturday morning, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan with devotion and gratitude.

The Minister was accompanied by his son, Mohammed Asaduddin and Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender, along with a large number of worshippers who gathered to offer special Eid prayers on the occasion.

Extending warm greetings to the people, Azharuddin conveyed a message of peace, unity and communal harmony. He emphasised the importance of brotherhood and mutual respect in society, particularly during such auspicious occasions, and urged people to uphold these values in their daily lives.

He also expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the prayers and appreciated the spirit of togetherness displayed by the community. The Minister prayed for continued peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of Telangana and countrymen.

Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour across the region, reflecting the rich cultural traditions and communal harmony of the state.

Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim Community, cutting across party lines, on Saturday offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital and extended greetings to the nation, wishing peace and harmony for global welfare.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day."

BJP national media in-charge Yaser Jilani also offered prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque and described the occasion as a joyous day for the community.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace."

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered namaz at Imamia Hall Masjid on Panchkuian Road, joining citizens in prayers on the festive occasion.

Eid al-Fitr, celebrated at the end of Ramazan, marks the breaking of the fast. Families and friends gather to share festive meals, exchange gifts, and extend charity to the underprivileged. Fasting during the month of Ramazan is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered spy networks directed by Pakistan's ISI to specifically gather information on Hindu temples across the country. The objective is to plot attacks on places of worship to incite widespread communal violence, especially with key state elections approaching. Investigations reveal these operatives were instructed to install surveillance cameras at temples and sensitive locations like railway stations to secure live logistical feeds. This strategy of inciting communal strife is a long-standing ISI tactic, previously employed during events like the CAA protests and the Pahalgam attack.

Intelligence reveals ISI spy networks scouting Indian temples to plot attacks and incite communal tensions ahead of key state elections.

New Delhi, March 21 The spy rings that the Indian agencies have been unearthing in recent months were not just focussing on providing sensitive information regarding the Indian armed forces. Within the espionage network, there are a bunch of people who were instructed to only focus on places of religious worship.

Investigations have revealed that these persons were specifically told to scout for information relating to places of religious worship. Many had gathered information regarding Hindu temples in various parts of the country.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that temples are being increasingly scanned by these elements. This clearly signals that these people were providing information on temples, so that the ISI could plot attacks. An attack on a temple would lead to communal tensions and this is what the Pakistan spy agency has been aiming for.

The official added that recent intercepts and the ongoing investigations into the espionage cases have revealed that the Pakistan-based elements are focussing heavily on hitting temples in India. This is being done with the intention of inciting communal tensions in India.

Inciting communal violence is a stronger tool for the ISI when compared to a terror attack. Such violence spreads easily and this causes a greater deal of instability.

Moreover there are elections that are round the corner in multiple states and if violence erupts at such a time, it would add to the stress of the security mechanism.

Officials say that in the first phase the spies have been asked to scout and provide information about smaller temples.

Once the first phase of the plan is implemented then the idea was to move on to bigger places of worship the official also added.

Another disturbing trend that has come to light is that the spies recruited by the Pakistanis have been told to place cameras at sensitive locations. This came to light during a probe by the Ghaziabad police following the arrest of six people from the Kaushambi area on March 14.

It was learnt that these persons had managed to install a camera at the Delhi Cantt railway station. This helped the ISI in securing live feed from the station.

Similarly the members of the espionage network were told to install cameras near temples, so that the logistics could be secured live.

Access to a live camera means that the planners of the terror attack will get to study the security detail live.

The changes and other details are also easily accessible to these elements.

Inciting communal tensions has been an old trick of the ISI. Even when the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) was passed, there were several ISI-backed elements, who ran a disinformation campaign that led to communal riots in many places.

The Intelligence agencies had that time warned that the ISI-backed elements have infiltrated the protests and are looking to spin a communal angle to the act.

Even the Pahalgam attack was aimed at inciting communal tensions apart from trying to ruin the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

The terrorists who carried out the attack asked the victims about their religion before killing them.

It was a clear sign that the main ploy was to incite communal tensions and bring about a rift between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and those living in other parts of India.

Another official said that the ISI-backed elements are looking to carry out a major strike on places of worship ahead of the elections that will be held in April. These elements are aware that elections are taking place in sensitive states and hence would look to take advantage of the situation.

Elections are being held in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Security is a concern in all these states as both internal and external elements would look to drum up communal tensions.

An official said that a close watch must be kept on religious sites as this is the time, these elements would look to carry out a strike.

- IANS
Thousands gathered at Delhi's historic Jama Masjid to offer Namaz and celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan. Devotees like Md Javed and Mohammad Islam emphasized the festival's spirit of togetherness and appealed for harmony among all religions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his Eid greetings to the nation, wishing for brotherhood and kindness. The day is celebrated with prayers, festive meals like sevaiyan, and the exchange of blessings among family and friends.

Thousands offered Namaz at Jama Masjid in Delhi for Eid al-Fitr, celebrating the end of Ramazan with messages of harmony and unity.

New Delhi, March 21 Thousands of people gathered at Jama Masjid in the national capital on Saturday to offer Namaz and celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of a month of fasting and spiritual reflection during Ramazan.

Md Javed, who came to offer his prayers, said, "We are grateful to Allah for giving us the opportunity to offer prayers here. Today is a very special day for us. First, we go home, take blessings from our elders, give blessings to the younger ones, and enjoy sevaiyan. We celebrate the whole day with joy. I would like to appeal to everyone that people of all religions should live together in harmony. This is a festival of happiness and togetherness."

Another, Md Ismail, said, "We should live with love and harmony with one another. On this day, we will extend our greetings and good wishes to everyone, and after going home, we will enjoy sevaiyan. In society, people of all religions should live together in unity, moving forward step by step, side by side."

Highlighting the importance of social harmony, Mohammad Islam, said that the sense of brotherhood needs to be preserved. "Our friends belong to all religions. We work together, go out together, but some of the things we see in society at times are unfortunate. We want to live together just as we used to, without divisions between Hindus and Muslims. This is the message we want to give. I have many friends- Vikram, Pravesh, and Pawan. I have invited them to my home, and they will come so that we can celebrate Eid together and enjoy sevaiyan," he added.

The celebrations at Jama Masjid reflected the spirit of Eid al-Fitr, with devotees coming together to pray, share blessings, and spread messages of love, harmony, and unity.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, wishing happiness, health, and brotherhood for all.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!"

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramazan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. On this day, families and friends gather for festive meals and exchange gifts.

- ANI
The Tripura State Rifles will deploy ten companies to provide security for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam. The deployment comes following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs, with two battalions led by senior commandants. The TSR, trained in counter-insurgency, has a long history of performing election duties across numerous states. The state government limited the deployment from an initial request for 25 companies due to upcoming local elections in Tripura.

Tripura State Rifles to provide security in West Bengal and Assam Assembly elections. Ten companies deployed as central forces for poll duty.

Agartala, March 21 The elite Tripura State Rifles, which has previously carried out election-related duties in more than 12 states, will be deployed in the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam, officials said here on Saturday.

A senior Tripura Police official said that, following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), ten TSR companies, comprising 778 personnel, will be sent to poll-bound West Bengal and Assam to provide security before and during the Assembly elections.

Voting for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 (152 seats) and April 29 (142 seats). Meanwhile, polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will take place on April 9. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

The official further said that two ad hoc battalions of the TSR, each comprising five companies, will be deployed in Assam and West Bengal to carry out election-related duties.

"The TSR (India Reserve Battalion) will be deployed in Assam and West Bengal as part of the Central forces. Two senior Commandants, Amarjit Debbarma and Alok Bhattacharjee, will lead the TSR battalions," the official told IANS, requesting anonymity.

He added that the MHA had initially asked the Tripura government to provide 25 TSR companies for deployment in the two poll-bound states. However, the state government was reluctant to spare that many personnel in view of two crucial upcoming elections within Tripura - the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls and the by-election in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district.

The elections to the 30-member politically significant TTAADC will be held on April 12, while the by-election in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency is scheduled for April 9.

The TSR has 14 battalions, of which 11 are categorised as India Reserve Battalions. These units (IR Battalions) can be deployed in any state across the country if required by the MHA.

During the Lok Sabha elections held between April 19 and June 1, 2024, TSR personnel were deployed for polling duties in Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, and Himachal Pradesh.

In addition to providing security during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the India Reserve battalions of the TSR have previously undertaken election duties in almost all states, ensuring security during both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

Trained in counter-insurgency operations, TSR personnel have demonstrated exemplary performance in Tripura, playing a key role in curbing the four-and-a-half-decade-long insurgency in the northeastern state.

Two TSR battalions, comprising around 2,000 personnel, including officers, have been posted in the national capital under the Delhi Police since 2019, and with South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in Chhattisgarh since 2022.

Apart from these deployments in Delhi and Chhattisgarh, one battalion is currently providing dedicated security to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's drilling sites in Tripura.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortyne@gmail.com)

- IANS
The Commissioner of Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police has stated there is currently no threat to Canadians from any agent linked to India and that the dots do not connect to a foreign entity in certain cases. Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Verma welcomed this clarification, calling it a vindication of India's long-held position that it does not interfere in other countries' affairs. Verma described the earlier allegations by the Canadian government, made under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2023 linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as politically motivated. The diplomatic row had led to India recalling Verma and other diplomats after strongly rejecting what it called "preposterous" claims.

Former High Commissioner Sanjay Verma welcomes RCMP chief's statement finding no link between India and Nijjar killing, calling earlier Trudeau govt allegations political.

New Delhi, March 21 Former High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, on Saturday welcomed the recent remarks by Canada police chief indicating no link between the Indian state and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, calling it a vindication of India's long-held position.

In an interview with ANI, Verma said the latest statement by the Canadian National Police Chief clearly separates two aspects: the ongoing criminal case related to Nijjar's killing and broader allegations of transnational repression or foreign interference.

"When I look at it, what he said - let's be very clear what he said first. He has kept it in two different buckets. One bucket is the Khalistani terrorist who was killed there. And another bucket is transnational repression and transnational crimes," Verma explained.

The former envoy noted that the four accused individuals had reportedly entered Canada as students and that their trial is currently underway and emphasised that the legal process should take its course independently.

The remarks come as the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has said that there is no threat to Canadians from any agent linked to India.

In an interview with CTV, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said the dots do not connect to a foreign entity.

"Well, what I quoted in 2024 was based on the criminal investigation that we had at the time. The government official who made that quote - I'm not quite sure who briefed him. What I'm saying is that for that particular file at that time, yes, I did say you had agents or proxies from the government. But what we're seeing right now in transnational repression, the dots don't always connect to a foreign entity," Duheme said.

On the issue of the Bishnoi gang, which has been linked to extortion in cities like Surrey, Brampton and Calgary, Duheme noted the complexity of these cases and stressed that there are currently no confirmed links between the gang's criminal activities and the Government of India.

On the broader issue of alleged foreign interference, Verma reiterated India's consistent stance, adding that earlier allegations lacked credible evidence.

"When you look at the first bucket, so there a court case that's already on; charges have been filed against four Indian nationals. These four Indian nationals went to Canada as international students. God knows what happened in the society and they became whatever they have been alleged to have become. And their trial is on. Now the second bucket is India's overall engagement in Canada," Verma stated.

The former envoy expressed satisfaction over the recent clarification by Canadian authorities.

"And initially, if you recall when I was still serving in Ottawa, a lot of noise was there on India's role in transnational repression as well as transnational crimes in Canada, and I always said it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Unfortunately, this was not accepted by the regime of that particular point of time. But I'm very glad to see the statement which came out. And what he said was that right now he doesn't see any link with any foreign entity, which includes India," the former envoy said.

"So personally, I'm very happy. Personally, I feel that what we all have been advocating for has seen the end of the tunnel. And I hope that this augurs well with the future relationship of India and Canada," he added.

India and Canada encountered a diplomatic chill in 2023 when New Delhi expressed concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani extremist and separatist elements, with then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada the same year.

Amid this diplomatic wrangle, Canada issued a diplomatic communication suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats were "persons of interest" in Nijjar's killing.

India "strongly" rejected the claims and termed them "preposterous imputations" and part of the political agenda of the Trudeau government. Following this, Verma and five other diplomats were recalled by New Delhi.

Verma, during the interview, described these earlier accusations against India as politically motivated.

"We always said that this is politically motivated; we always said that this is vote-bank politics; we always said that there is no--there is no evidence available to say so. And we are glad that this is coming true and finally they will see India for what it is, a deep civilization and India, which doesn't interfere with any other country's internal affairs," he said.

He also expressed hope that the new development would help improve bilateral ties between India and Canada.

"I hope this augurs well for the future relationship between the two countries," he added.

Both nations have worked consistently to normalise ties, culminating in Mark Carney's visit to India.

- ANI
Bollywood and South Indian film celebrities shared heartfelt messages for Eid al-Fitr 2026, extending wishes for peace, happiness, and prosperity. Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty posted prayers for love and togetherness on social media. Kamal Haasan highlighted the festival's deeper lesson of serving the hungry and comforting the humble. The festival, which marks the end of Ramadan, emphasizes charity, family gatherings, and spiritual reflection.

Akshay Kumar, Kamal Haasan, Allu Arjun, Salman Khan, and other Bollywood stars extend warm Eid Mubarak greetings and messages of peace.

Mumbai, March 21 Bollywood celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Soha Ali Khan, Allu Arjun, Salman Khan, and Kamal Haasan, on Saturday extended heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr 2026.

Akshay Kumar took to social media to wish his fans, tweeting, "Eid Mubarak to all. Praying for happiness and peace in everyone's lives," he wrote on X.

Suniel Shetty also wished his fans with a special message on the festivity, "May our homes be full of love, hearts even fuller, and may we always find reasons to sit together, share a meal, and just be grateful for everything we have. Praying for love & peace. Eid Mubarak."

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan highlighted the festival's deeper significance. "To my dear...brothers and sisters celebrating the festival of Eid, which teaches us that true service lies in feeding hungry stomachs and wiping away the tears of the humble, my warm Ramadan greetings," he wrote in Tamil.

"Eid Mubarak Wishing happiness, good health, and prosperity to you and your loved ones," wrote Allu Arjun in his message for fans.

Jr NTR also wished everyone, saying, "Wishing you love, togetherness and beautiful moments with your loved ones."

Legendary actor Anupam Kher wrote, "Eid Mubarak!! Love, Peace and Prayers!"

Actress Hina Khan captured the spirit of the festival and shared a video featuring her Eid look. The actress stunned her fans with her ethnic attire and simplicity, "Aap sabko Eid Mubarak," Hina wrote in the caption.

Soni Razdan also posted a picture of the crescent moon, conveying her simple "Eid Mubarak" message to her followers.

Sagarika Ghatge and Zaheer Khan shared snapshots from their celebrations, captioning them, "Eid Mubarak to all !Wishing you all peace, good health, and moments of joy with your loved ones.."

Soha Ali Khan marked the occasion with her daughter Inaaya and husband Kunal Kemmu, also showcasing the special dishes they prepared. She wrote, "Between celebration and reflection today, may we choose compassion and humanity. And may our prayers reach those who need them most. Eid Mubarak #eidmubarak #eidulfitr"

Actress Huma Qureshi shared a family picture on Instagram, wishing her followers, "Mr and Mrs Mohammed Saleem Qureshi with family..Eid Mubarak "

Sara Ali Khan shared adorable family pictures with the message, "Eid Mubarak"

Eid-Al-Fitr- Arabic for "the feast of the breaking of the fast"- is when the Muslims return to regular eating cycles after undergoing vigorous fasting of one month.On this day, the Muslims typically enjoy a small breakfast ahead of morning prayers and then visit friends and relatives, where a lavish feast is served. Gifts are also exchanged with clothes the most popular presents.

Eid reinforces the values of charity, kindness, and compassion. In addition to giving Zakat, many people choose to help others by providing meals, clothing, and support to those less fortunate, reflecting the Islamic principles of empathy and care for others.

The festival holds deep significance in promoting love, charity, social solidarity, and spiritual devotion.

- ANI
The United Arab Emirates announced its air defense systems successfully intercepted four ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran. Simultaneously, the UAE's State Security Department dismantled and arrested members of a network it alleges was funded and directed by Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran, operating under a commercial front. Hezbollah has rejected the accusation as "fabricated" and baseless. The developments occur amid heightened regional military escalation following joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.

UAE air defense intercepts ballistic missiles & drones from Iran, dismantles a Hezbollah-linked network. Regional tensions escalate.

Dubai, March 21 The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted four ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran, while its security department dismantled a network related to Hezbollah and Iran.

The Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems had dealt with 338 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,740 drones targeting the UAE, since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on Friday, the UAE State Security Department said it had dismantled a network "funded and directed" by Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran, with its members arrested.

Authorities alleged the group had operated under the cover of a fictitious commercial front, and sought to infiltrate the country's economy and carry out external agendas that threatened financial stability.

Hezbollah has rejected the UAE accusation, calling the claims "fabricated" and baseless.

Egypt, for its part, condemned the "terrorist schemes" targeting the security and stability of the Gulf states, the most recent of which targeted Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday met with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Both sides discussed the ongoing military escalation in the region and its serious implications for regional and international security and stability, underscoring the need to halt the escalation and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further tensions and crises, the Emirates News Agency reported.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Iran. Tehran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East.

- IANS
Iranian academic Foad Izadi condemns the ongoing West Asia conflict as an "unnecessary war," stating over 2,000 civilians have been killed. He alleges the war was driven by Israeli pressure on Washington, citing a former US official's resignation letter. Izadi defends Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases as legitimate but notes attacks on oil facilities only began after Iranian sites were targeted. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has stated the US is not currently seeking a ceasefire as it nears its military objectives.

Iranian academic Foad Izadi says over 2,000 civilians killed, claims diplomatic solution was available and war was driven by Israeli pressure.

Tehran, March 21 As the conflict in West Asia enters its fourth week, Iranian academic Foad Izadi said more than 2,000 civilians have been killed in US-Israeli strikes and called the escalation an "unnecessary war" despite a diplomatic solution being available.

Speaking to ANI, Izadi, an Associate Professor at the University of Tehran, alleged that civilians were among the worst affected in the initial phase of the attacks.

"We have lost over 2,000 civilians, including 165 little girls, when their school was hit by American Tomahawk missiles on the first day of the illegal attacks. A diplomatic solution was available... This was an unnecessary war. Iran was not a threat to the United States," he said.

Izadi also referred to remarks by former US official Joe Kent, suggesting that Israeli pressure influenced Washington's decision-making.

"You don't have to take an Iranian professor's analysis; you can just read Joe Kent's resignation letter. He was very high-ranking Trump administration official who is saying that this is due to Israeli pressure. Israel, in order to dominate this part of the world, has been successful in using American soldiers to fight a war with Iran and it's causing a lot of difficulties for Iran," Izadi said.

Kent had earlier stated that Israel played a central role in the escalation. "The Israelis drove the decision to take this action, which we knew would set off a series of events because the Iranians would retaliate," he said during an appearance on the Tucker Carlson show.

On Iran's retaliatory strikes, Izadi described attacks on US bases in the Gulf as legitimate, claiming they were being used to launch operations against Iran.

"Initially, Iran just hit US military bases, which are legitimate military targets. The US is using these bases to attack Iran... Iran avoided hitting oil facilities until the other side started hitting Iranian oil facilities," he said, referring to strikes on the South Pars facility.

He added that attacks on energy infrastructure came only after Iranian sites were targeted. "Oil refineries are not normally legitimate military targets, but when they hit our side, then Iran has no other option but to do the same to the other side," Izadi told ANI.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington is not seeking a ceasefire at this stage of the conflict.

"We can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side... we're not looking to do that," Trump said outside the White House before departing for Florida.

Later, He also said that the United States is nearing its military objectives in the region, particularly in relation to Iran, and indicated that operations could "wind down" once those goals are achieved.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari offered Eid al-Fitr prayers at Lucknow's Shahi Masjid, emphasizing prayers for peace and progress. Leaders from various parties, including BJP's Yaser Jilani and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, also offered prayers in Delhi, extending festive greetings. Former MP Mohammad Adeeb highlighted the spiritual significance of Ramazan as a time for seeking forgiveness and spreading love. DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hopes for an end to conflict in West Asia, noting the region's importance for Indian workers.

UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari and other leaders offer Eid prayers, extending greetings and calling for national peace, harmony, and global welfare.

Lucknow, March 21 Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari on Saturday offered prayers at Shahi Masjid, Hazratganj in Lucknow on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, calling for peace, harmony, and progress across the country.

Speaking to the media, Ansari said, "Today is the festival of Eid, celebrated across the country with joy. It is certainly a very significant day for the Muslim community. From mosques throughout the nation, prayers have been offered for peace, harmony, and progress."

Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim community, cutting across party lines, offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital, extending greetings to the nation and wishing peace and harmony for global welfare.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day."

BJP national media incharge Yaser Jilani, also offered prayers at Parliament Street Mosque, said that this is a joyous day.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace."

Meanwhile, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered namaz at Imamia Hall Masjid on Panchkuian Road, joining citizens in prayers on the festive occasion.

At the end of Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

- ANI
By Jarrett Renshaw, Ernest Scheyder and Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - A senior House Democrat accused U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday of structuring Washington's $1.58 billion investment into USA Rare Earth in a way that gives the government "highly concerning" leverage over the company while boosting Lutnick's family-run investment firm.

In a 10-page letter, Representative Zoe Lofgren, the ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, wrote that the proposed deal would let the Commerce Department keep an equity stake even if it decides not to invest while also leaving the company reliant on a $1.5 billion private capital raise led by Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial firm previously led by Lutnick and now run by his sons.

"This deal creates a massive personal conflict by granting the Secretary of Commerce overwhelming leverage to influence the behavior of a private company while positioning him to promote the interests of his sons as a condition of his support," wrote Lofgren, a California Democrat.

The letter offers a glimpse into the types of investigations Democrats could pursue if they regain power in Washington after the November midterm elections, as lawmakers scrutinize the administration's aggressive use of federal financing and equity stakes to reshape supply chains for critical minerals and other strategic industries.

CEO Barbara Humpton and a spokesperson for USA Rare Earth were not immediately available to comment. The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

FUNDING IN EXCHANGE FOR EQUITY STAKE

The Commerce Department's CHIPS Program Office in January signed a non-binding letter of intent to provide up to $1.58 billion in funding to USA Rare Earth  including a $277 million grant and a $1.3 billion loan  in exchange for an equity stake of between 8% and 16%.

The funds are slated to help the company develop a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, slated to open by 2028, and a magnet manufacturing plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which is expected to open this year.

According to the company's regulatory filings, the government could retain its equity stake even if the deal falls through or if funding is clawed back, a provision Lofgren called "deeply strange" for a federal investment.

The company must meet a series of milestones to receive the funding, including raising additional private capital, completing technical studies and demonstrating market demand for its manufacturing plans, according to the filing.
Researchers from CSIR-CCMB have published a landmark study in Nature Communications, creating the first comprehensive map of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India's urban wastewater. The study, conducted from 2022 to 2024, analysed 447 samples from 19 sites across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, revealing a complex landscape of resistant bacteria. It found that while different bacteria dominate in different cities, the genetic mechanisms of antibiotic resistance remain consistent across regions. The team proposes a new, practical wastewater-based pathogen surveillance system to enable early outbreak detection and real-time tracking of drug-resistant pathogens in resource-limited settings.

Landmark study in Nature Communications maps antimicrobial resistance in Indian urban wastewater, proposing new surveillance methods to combat the deadly threat.

Hyderabad, March 21 Researchers from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and partner institutions have published a landmark study in Nature Communications providing the first comprehensive antimicrobial resistance map in Indian urban wastewater, a release said.

Beyond identifying threats, the researchers propose that wastewater-based pathogen surveillance be used more widely in the country. They have provided a practical path forward for public health despite the infrastructural challenges in various regions of the country, according to the release from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).

The reseachers utilised a shotgun metagenomics approach that looks into the details of bacterial genes. Through these genes, researchers can estimate how bacteria become resistant, it said.

Conducted between March 2022 and March 2024, the study analysed 447 samples from 19 sites across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. The findings reveal a complex landscape - different bacteria are abundant in different cities, but they follow similar ways of resisting antibiotics.

This situation is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is killing millions of people every year worldwide. Despite that, data on the local prevalence of AMR are largely missing in India. "We do not know which deadly bacteria around us might be the most resistant to available antibiotics, or if they all follow similar mechanisms to become resistant." Traditional lab culture methods do not offer such details.

"We have developed and validated a Standard Operating Procedure that allows for effective sample storage at 4C for up to seven days without compromising data quality. The samples can be sent to common testing hubs, which suits resource-limited settings. A broader participation in wastewater-based surveillance will help to detect early outbreaks and track the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in real-time," said Dr Vinay K Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-CCMB.

Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, thanks to certain genes. These genes either help the bacteria make stronger cell walls through which antibiotics cannot enter bacteria at all, or help the bacteria metabolise or throw out the antibiotic molecules from their cells or even destroy the antibiotic molecules. Bacteria can share these genes not only with their offspring but also with their neighbours.

The study finds that the microbial communities shifted based on local environmental factors. For example, Klebsiella pneumoniae is more abundant in Chennai and Mumbai, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Kolkata. But the genes conferring resistance to various antibiotics remained consistent across all four metro cities.

Antibiotics also belong to different chemical classes such as tetracyclines, beta-lactams and macrolides. The researchers also found that bacteria can share resistant genes against tetracyclines and beta-lactams far more easily than against macrolides.

Antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics kill bacteria and protect us from many deadly bacterial diseases. But bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics; antibiotics are not able to kill these microbes as effectively anymore.

- ANI
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a short-term authorization allowing the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea. The move aims to quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels to global markets to relieve supply pressures. Bessent framed the action as part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to counter Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury. The authorization is strictly limited to oil already in transit and does not permit new purchases from Iran.

US Treasury authorizes temporary sale of Iranian oil at sea to ease global supply pressures and counter market disruptions caused by Iran.

Washington DC, March 21 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday announced a temporary authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea, aimed at stabilising global energy markets amid rising tensions.

In a post on X, Bessent said, "Today, the Department of the Treasury is issuing a narrowly tailored, short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea."

He described the move as part of a broader strategy by the administration of President Donald Trump to counter disruptions caused by Iran.

"Iran is the head of the snake for global terrorism, and through President Trump's Operation Epic Fury, we are winning this critical fight at an even faster pace than anticipated. In response to Iran's terrorist attacks against global energy infrastructure, the Trump Administration will continue to deploy America's economic and military might to maximize the flow of energy to the world, strengthen global supply, and seek to ensure market stability," he wrote.

Highlighting the rationale behind the decision, Bessent noted that the measure would help ease supply pressures. "At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets... helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," he said.

He added that the policy is limited in scope. "At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran. In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury," Bessent wrote.

The Treasury Secretary further said that the US would continue its pressure campaign against Tehran. "This temporary, short-term authorization is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production. Further, Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system," he stated.

Bessent also pointed to broader efforts to boost global energy supply. "So far, the Trump Administration has been working to bring around 440 million additional barrels of oil to the global market, undercutting Iran's ability to leverage its disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

Emphasising domestic energy policy, he added, "President Trump's pro-energy agenda has driven U.S. oil and gas production to record levels, strengthening energy security and lowering fuel costs. Any short-term disruption now will ultimately translate into longer-term economic gains for Americans - because there is no prosperity without security."

The announcement comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and concerns over disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

- ANI
US Congressman Greg Landsman has introduced a resolution urging the United States to formally recognize the 1971 atrocities in Bangladesh as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The resolution specifically details the systematic targeting of Bengali Hindus for extermination through mass killings, rape, and forced conversion. It calls for accountability for the Pakistan Army and its allies, citing extensive documentation from US diplomats and international observers. The measure also advocates for the protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh today.

A US Congressman introduces a resolution to formally recognize the 1971 atrocities in Bangladesh as genocide, highlighting the targeted extermination of Hindus.

Washington, March 21 A US resolution seeking to recognise the 1971 Bangladesh genocide highlights the targeted killing of Hindus and calls for action against the Pakistan Army and its allies.

Congressman Greg Landsman introduced the measure in the House of Representatives, urging formal US recognition of the atrocities and accountability for the Pakistan Army and Jamaat-e-Islami over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The resolution condemns the atrocities committed during Operation Searchlight, launched on the eve of March 25, 1971. It states that while ethnic Bengalis of all faiths were targeted, Hindus were specifically singled out for extermination through mass slaughter, gang rape, forced conversion, and expulsion.

"History demands truth. The systematic campaign of terror launched by the Pakistani military on March 25, 1971 - documented by US diplomats, journalists, and international observers - meets the United Nations definition of genocide," Landsman said.

The measure also rejects collective guilt of any ethnic or religious group and calls on the President of the United States to formally recognise the acts as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

"We owe it to the victims, the survivors, and future generations to acknowledge this horror, especially the deliberate targeting of Bengali Hindus. Formal US recognition is long overdue and sends a clear message that we will not turn a blind eye to atrocities against religious minorities," he said.

The resolution further calls for the protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh, where concerns over the safety of Hindus and other minority communities continue to be raised.

Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduACTion, said advocacy groups had worked with diaspora communities to bring attention to the issue.

"Our team at HinduACTion has worked tirelessly with the Bangladeshi diaspora and the American Hindu community to address the plight of Hindus and other minority faiths in Bangladesh. Justice delivered is justice served, and we look forward to the President's recognition of this historical atrocity for the sake of the millions who suffered and to ensure the safety of 15 million Hindus, Christians other religious minorities who continue to suffer in Bangladesh," he said.

The resolution outlines documented facts from 1971, including the killing of tens to hundreds of thousands of civilians, the rape of more than 200,000 women, widespread destruction of homes and places of worship, and the displacement of millions.

It cites evidence that nearly 80 per cent of the victims were Hindus, though they made up about 20 per cent of the population. Historical records referenced include US diplomatic cables, journalists' accounts, congressional findings and international legal assessments.

Among them, a report noted: "Nothing is more clear... Hardest hit were members of the Hindu community." Another assessment found "overwhelming evidence that Hindus were slaughtered simply because they were Hindus."

- IANS
The US Treasury Department has issued a narrow, short-term authorization allowing the sale of Iranian oil already loaded on vessels and stranded at sea. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the move aims to quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels to global markets to ease supply pressures and stabilize energy prices. However, the authorization is strictly limited to crude loaded by March 20 and expires on April 19, and does not permit new purchases or benefit Iran financially. Analysts question the practical impact, noting much of the oil may already be accounted for and international banks may be hesitant to facilitate the transactions.

US issues short-term waiver for Iranian oil already at sea to boost global supply and maintain pressure on Tehran, amid energy market disruptions.

Washington, March 21 The United States on Friday night issued a narrow, short-term authorisation allowing the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea, a move the Trump administration says will quickly boost global supply while maintaining pressure on Tehran, according to the Treasury Department and media reports.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the step is designed to stabilise energy markets amid ongoing conflict and supply disruptions.

"Today, the Department of the Treasury is issuing a narrowly tailored, short-term authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea," he said.

The authorisation applies only to crude already loaded on vessels as of March 20 and remains in force until April 19, according to a Treasury general licence.

The Treasury move temporarily lifts sanctions on oil already at sea, authorising its sale to most countries, The New York Times reported.

Bessent said the move could bring "approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets," helping to ease pressure caused by recent disruptions.

"By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," he said.

He added that the measure would not benefit Tehran financially.

"Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated, and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system," he said.

The Treasury emphasised that the authorisation is limited. It does not permit new purchases or additional production and excludes transactions involving certain sanctioned jurisdictions.

Bessent framed the move within a broader strategy tied to the ongoing conflict.

"Iran is the head of the snake for global terrorism, and through President Trump's Operation Epic Fury, we are winning this critical fight at an even faster pace than anticipated," he said.

He added that the administration would continue to use "America's economic and military might to maximise the flow of energy to the world, strengthen global supply, and seek to ensure market stability."

At present, much of the sanctioned Iranian oil is believed to be held offshore or routed through indirect channels. Bessent said some of it has been "hoarded by China on the cheap," and that releasing it would help undercut Tehran's leverage.

However, analysts have questioned the likely impact of the move on prices and supply.

Energy analysts believe much of the crude already at sea has been bought and accounted for, suggesting that the sanctions waiver may not significantly increase supply, The New York Times reported.

"I don't see a scenario where Iranian crude is going to be imported into the US," said Daniel Tannenbaum, a partner at Oliver Wyman and former Treasury Department official. "Firstly, the available crude is a question, as most barrels are already spoken for, but also what global bank is financing an Iranian oil trade, legal or otherwise."

There is also uncertainty about whether international banks will facilitate such transactions under the temporary waiver, according to the report.

The United States itself does not import Iranian crude, but officials suggested that countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and India could benefit from the additional supply, the report added.

Separately, The Washington Post reported that the move comes as oil prices rise sharply and the administration seeks to ease market pressure by allowing already-loaded Iranian crude to flow into global markets.

Bessent said the administration has already worked to bring hundreds of millions of barrels into the market in recent weeks.

The additional supply, he said, is aimed at "undercutting Iran's ability to leverage its disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz."

- IANS
The Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive national framework for artificial intelligence aimed at boosting innovation and securing US leadership. The policy emphasizes creating an "AI-ready workforce," which is significant for the large number of Indian-origin professionals in US tech jobs. It also highlights removing barriers to innovation and speeding up AI adoption, factors that could increase demand for global tech partnerships involving India's IT services sector. The push for a single national policy, rather than conflicting state laws, could provide clearer operating grounds for Indian firms across the United States.

New US AI framework focuses on workforce, innovation & regulation, shaping opportunities and challenges for Indian professionals and IT services firms.

Washington, Mar 21 The Trump administration unveiled a national framework on artificial intelligence, which could shape Indian talent, IT firms, and policy debates as the US moves to lead the global AI race.

US new AI policy push signals shift for IRevealing the six-point plan to boost innovation, protect citizens, and strengthen US leadership, the White House said it wants to "win the AI race to usher in a new era of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people." It urged Congress to turn the plan into law.

The framework, among others, covers child safety, economic growth, intellectual property, free speech, innovation, and workforce development. These areas are closely linked to India's role in the US technology ecosystem.

"The Administration recognises that some Americans feel uncertain about how this transformative technology will affect issues they care about, like their children's wellbeing or their monthly electricity bill," the White House said. It added that these concerns "require strong Federal leadership to ensure the public's trust in how AI is developed and used in their daily lives."

For Indian-origin professionals, the focus on an "AI-ready workforce" is important. Many Indians work in US technology jobs. The plan calls for more training and skills development. It says workers should "participate in and reap the rewards of AI-driven growth."

The policy also matters for India's IT services sector. Indian firms support global AI systems through engineering and data work. The administration wants to remove "outdated or unnecessary barriers to innovation." It also wants faster use of AI across industries. This could increase demand for global tech partnerships.

The plan puts a strong focus on data centres and energy. The White House said, "ratepayers should not foot the bill for data centres." It asked Congress to speed up approvals. It also wants companies to generate power on-site. Expansion of AI infrastructure could affect global supply chains linked to India.

On intellectual property, the administration seeks balance. It said, "the creative works and unique identities of American innovators, creators, and publishers must be respected in the age of AI." At the same time, AI systems should learn from available data.

The framework also stresses free speech. "AI cannot become a vehicle for government to dictate right and wrong-think," the White House said. It wants safeguards against censorship of lawful expression.

Another key point is a single national policy. The administration warned that "a patchwork of conflicting state laws would undermine American innovation and our ability to lead in the global AI race." A uniform system could help Indian firms operating across the US states.

The White House said it will work with Congress to pass the law. It said the federal government must set clear national rules for AI.

Governments around the world are racing to regulate AI. The United States and China are leading this competition. AI is now linked to economic power and national security.

India is also expanding its AI ecosystem. It is investing in technology and keeping rules flexible. Decisions taken in Washington are likely to shape global standards. Indian firms and professionals will have to adapt to these changes.

- IANS
The United States has imposed sanctions on a sprawling financial network alleged to have channelled more than $100 million to Hezbollah. The Treasury Department designated 16 individuals and entities linked to financier Alaa Hassan Hamieh, accusing them of laundering money and raising funds across several countries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent condemned Iran and its proxies for sowing global chaos, stating the action targets key actors sustaining Hezbollah's militant activities. The sanctions block all related property under US jurisdiction and prohibit transactions with the named parties.

US sanctions 16 individuals & companies in a $100M+ Hezbollah financial network across Lebanon, Syria, Poland, Qatar, and Canada for money laundering.

Washington, March 21 The United States moved against what it described as a sprawling financial network that channelled more than $100 million to Hezbollah, sanctioning individuals and companies operating across several countries.

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 16 individuals and entities linked to Hezbollah financier Alaa Hassan Hamieh, accusing him of overseeing a network of companies used to launder money and raise funds for the group.

The network, spread across Lebanon, Syria, Poland, Slovenia, Qatar, and Canada, has been "involved in numerous economic projects" and is estimated to have enabled the diversion of funds since 2020, according to the Treasury.

"Iran is the head of the snake when it comes to global terrorism, and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, carry out Tehran's mission to sow chaos and destruction beyond its borders," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

"Hizballah continues to divert funds that rightfully belong to the Lebanese people to finance its terrorist operations. This action targets key actors within its global financial network that sustain its militant activities."

The sanctions were issued under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorist organisations and their financial backers. Hezbollah has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation since 1997 and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity since 2001.

According to the Treasury, Hezbollah funds both its militant wing and social programmes through a "wide array of revenue generation and sanctions evasion schemes," many coordinated through its finance team. Officials also said the group has used its influence in Lebanon's government to divert funds for its own benefit.

Hamieh, who previously served as vice president of Lebanon's Investment Development Authority, is accused of exploiting his position in a trade arrangement between Iraq and Lebanon aimed at reconstruction. Under that arrangement, the agency had authority to determine beneficiaries, and Hamieh allegedly received millions of dollars for projects linked to Hezbollah.

The designation also names foreign-based operatives, including Syrian national Bahaa Addin Hashem and Lebanon-based Mohamad Jamil Salami, who was linked to a sanctions evasion scheme involving telecommunications equipment destined for an Iranian company operating in Syria.

Qatar-based Raoof Fadel, identified as the co-founder and chief executive of a logistics company tied to the network's Canadian operations, was also designated.

Companies operating under the "Seven Seas" and "Calllync" brands in Lebanon, Europe and North America were included in the sanctions list. Authorities said these entities were used for procurement, financial transfers and money laundering in support of Hezbollah's activities.

As a result of the action, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

- IANS
US lawmakers from both parties have raised alarms about China's state-backed financing, calling it "debt trap diplomacy" that is reshaping strategic alignments in South Asia. They cited massive debts owed by Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Chinese lenders, warning it traps developing nations and undermines US interests. The hearing focused on strengthening the US Export-Import Bank and its China-focused program to compete with Beijing's massive export credit. Initiatives like "Project Vault," a $10 billion plan for a critical minerals reserve, were discussed to reduce reliance on China and de-risk supply chains.

US lawmakers warn of China's "debt trap diplomacy" in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, pushing for stronger tools to counter Beijing's global lending.

Washington, March 21 Alarmed by China's expanding financial footprint in South Asia, US lawmakers have pointed to mounting debt in countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka as they pushed to strengthen American tools to compete with Beijing's global lending.

During a congressional hearing this week on the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), influential American lawmakers from both parties warned that China's state-backed financing is reshaping economic and strategic alignments in regions central to global competition.

"This is not developmental finance; this is debt trap diplomacy," Representative Zach Nunn said, citing figures that showed Pakistan owing $77 billion and Sri Lanka $11 billion to Chinese state lenders.

Committee Chairman Warren Davidson said the challenge posed by China has intensified, noting that the People's Republic of China "is the world's largest provider of export credit" and operates outside established international frameworks.

Lawmakers said China extended more than $23 billion in medium- and long-term export credit in 2024, far outpacing the United States.

Jovan Jovanovic, president and chairman of EXIM, told lawmakers that American companies are increasingly competing in markets shaped by heavy state support and subsidies.

"Today, American companies compete in markets where competitors deploy massive state financing, subsidies, and industrial policy to capture strategic industries," he said.

He warned that such competition has contributed to weakened economic security and job losses in the United States, adding that the country "cannot afford to sit on the sidelines."

At the centre of Washington's response is the China and Transformational Exports Program (CTEP), designed to help American exporters compete in sectors where China has established dominance.

Jovanovic said "one out of every four transactions we do at the bank looks to the CTEP program," describing it as "mission critical" to ensuring that the United States remains competitive in global markets.

Lawmakers argued that China's lending practices - particularly in infrastructure and resource sectors - have left several developing countries vulnerable to financial stress, raising questions about long-term sustainability.

Nunn said such arrangements "trap developing nations in debt," undercutting both local economies and US strategic interests.

Jovanovic said the United States must respond by offering a different model built on transparency and market-driven partnerships.

"We can't compromise our values," he said, adding that the US must "think creatively, proactively and aggressively" to advance its economic interests.

A key initiative discussed during the hearing was "Project Vault," a proposed $10 billion public-private partnership to build a strategic reserve of critical minerals in the United States.

The project is intended to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains - particularly those linked to China - and provide a buffer against disruptions affecting American manufacturers.

Jovanovic said the initiative would help "de-risk these supply chains" by combining government financing with private capital while allowing market demand to guide decisions.

Representative Joyce Beatty said the bank enables US companies to "go head to head with foreign rivals," adding that 90 per cent of its authorisations benefit small businesses.

The hearing comes as Congress prepares to reauthorise EXIM later this year, with lawmakers emphasising the need to sharpen its tools to compete with China's expanding global footprint.

- IANS
The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a temporary license authorizing transactions related to Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels by March 20, 2026, with the authorization lasting until April 19, 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the move is a narrowly tailored measure to unlock approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea, aiming to stabilize global energy markets and ease supply pressures. He emphasized that the authorization is limited to oil already in transit and does not permit new purchases, while the U.S. will continue its maximum pressure campaign on Iran. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions and a effectively closed Strait of Hormuz, which has pressured global energy supplies.

US Treasury allows sale of Iranian crude until April 19, 2026, to unlock 140M barrels stranded at sea and stabilize global energy markets.

Washington DC Marc, h 21 Amid the heightened geopolitical tensions and concerns over disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States on Friday announced temporarily easing of sanctions on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products up until April 19 this year, including permitting the sale of Iranian crude and refined products into the United States.

The details of the decision were provided by a statement from the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorised the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian-origin, which is loaded on vessels as of March 20.

The statement noted 19 April, 2026 as the date till which the exceptions would exist on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

It said that with certain exceptions, "All transactions prohibited by the above-listed authorities that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel, including vessels blocked under the above-listed authorities, on or before 12:01 am eastern daylight time, March 20, 2026 are authorized through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 19, 2026."

The statement noted that the transactions authorised by the license also include the import of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products into the United States.

Earlier in a post on X, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had announced a temporary authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea, aimed at stabilising global energy markets.

He called it a "narrowly tailored, short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea."

Highlighting the rationale behind the decision, Bessent noted that the measure would help ease supply pressures. "At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets... helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," he said.

He added that the policy is limited in scope. "At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran. In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury," Bessent wrote.

The Treasury Secretary further said that the US would continue its pressure campaign against Tehran. "This temporary, short-term authorization is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production. Further, Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system," he stated.

Bessent also pointed to broader efforts to boost global energy supply. "So far, the Trump Administration has been working to bring around 440 million additional barrels of oil to the global market, undercutting Iran's ability to leverage its disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

Emphasising domestic energy policy, he added, "President Trump's pro-energy agenda has driven U.S. oil and gas production to record levels, strengthening energy security and lowering fuel costs. Any short-term disruption now will ultimately translate into longer-term economic gains for Americans - because there is no prosperity without security."

As the conflict with Iran enters its 21st day, the strategic waterway remains effectively closed to most maritime traffic, continuing to pressure global energy supplies and diplomatic relations.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed enthusiasm for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Haldwani to address a public gathering marking four years of the state's BJP government. Dhami credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance for the state's achievements in tourism, infrastructure, health, and education, noting over 6 crore annual tourists. The Chief Minister personally reviewed arrangements for the event, instructing officials on seating, sanitation, and traffic management. The visit holds symbolic significance as Rajnath Singh was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister when Uttarakhand was formed.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Haldwani, highlighting state progress in tourism, health, and education.

Khatima, March 21 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday hailed the arrival of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Haldwani to address a gathering on the completion of four years of the present state government.

Speaking with ANI, the Chief Minister expressed elation over the Minister's visit and extended a heartfelt welcome.

"Today, the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, is arriving in our state, and a large gathering will hear his address. Our state was formed during his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh... his arrival has brought immense enthusiasm among the people. We welcome him," he said.

Further, commemorating the past 4 years of the BJP government in Uttarakhand, led by him, the CM expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance. He lauded the state's progress in travel and tourism, healthcare and education on the occasion.

"In the last 4 years of our tenure, the double-engine government has taken many historic decisions. The state has achieved numerous achievements. Inspired and guided by PM Modi, Uttarakhand is setting new records in every field, including roads, rail, ropeways, health, and education. Our tourism sector is also quite significant. More than 6 crore tourists visit the state year-round. Additionally, the number of tourists visiting remote areas like Adi Kailash has increased... Our state celebrated 25 years of its establishment, which is also a matter of great pride for us...," he said.

On Friday, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami arrived in Haldwani and held a meeting with officials at the Circuit House in Kathgodam to review the arrangements and issued necessary instructions, ahead of the Defence Minister's visit.

During the meeting, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat welcomed the Chief Minister and briefed him on the preparations. Thereafter, the Chief Minister visited the MB Inter College ground to conduct an on-site inspection and review the arrangements.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to ensure proper seating arrangements for the people attending the public meeting. He also emphasised adequate provisions for drinking water, cleanliness, and sanitation facilities to ensure that visitors do not face any inconvenience.

He further instructed that a route diversion plan should be prepared in advance and widely publicised to ensure smooth movement for both city residents and visitors.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared the last four years of BJP rule a definitive milestone for the state's development across all sectors. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for unprecedented achievements in infrastructure, particularly in road, rail, and air connectivity. The Chief Minister sharply contrasted this progress with the alleged neglect of religious heritage and governance under previous Congress governments. Dhami asserted that post-2014, India has transformed its global image from one of weakness to a strong and powerful nation under Modi's guidance.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami highlights unprecedented progress in infrastructure and connectivity, crediting PM Modi's leadership at the "Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar" event.

Haldwani, March 21 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed the "Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, 4 Saal Bemisaal" programme in Haldwani on Saturday, marking the completion of four years of the BJP government in the state. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the event.

During the event, the Chief Minister asserted that Uttarakhand has established new dimensions of development across every sector over the past four years under their tenure.

He emphasised that this period will serve as a definitive milestone in the state's progress, laying a robust foundation toward achieving the goal of a "Developed Uttarakhand."

"In the past 4 years, Uttarakhand has established new dimensions of development in every sector. These years will prove to be a milestone in the state's progress and will prepare a strong foundation towards realizing the goal of a developed Uttarakhand," said CM Dhami.

He further declared that under the leadership of PM Modi, Uttarakhand has witnessed unprecedented progress in the areas of road, rail, and air connectivity.

"Under the able leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Uttarakhand is today establishing new dimensions in the field of infrastructure development. In the areas of road, rail, and air connectivity, unprecedented works have been accomplished in the history of the state, which have never happened before," said CM Dhami.

Highlighting Uttarakhand's transformation under BJP rule, the Chief Minister criticised previous Congress administration, mentioned that under the leadership of PM Modi, consistent efforts are being made to revive India's religious heritage. He alleged that under the tenure of past Congress governments, the religious heritage sites faced persistent neglect in the country.

"Under the able leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, continuous efforts are being made towards the enrichment and revival of our religious heritage, while during the tenure of the previous Congress governments, these sacred sites were consistently neglected. They held dear the plunder carried out in the name of Waqf, and the construction of the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram always remained a thorn in their vision," added CM Dhami.

CM Dhami further alleged that before 2014, Indian politics were dominated by discussions of scams, scandals, misgovernance, and corruption, and India was portrayed as a weak and vulnerable nation on the international stage. However, he claimed that since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has now set new development milestones.

"Earlier, in the country's politics, only scams, scandals, misgovernance, and corruption were discussed. India's image on the international stage was portrayed as a weak, backward, and vulnerable nation. However, after 2014, under the powerful leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a historic period of reawakening India's self-respect, self-esteem, and sense of nationalism began. Today, with the policy of reform, perform, and transform, India is setting new development milestones. At the same time, we are establishing ourselves as a strong, capable, and powerful nation on global platforms..." added CM Dhami.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a public gathering at the M.B. Inter College Ground in Haldwani to mark the completion of four years of the BJP-led state government.

- ANI
This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with:

What we're watching

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Economic data releases and earnings

Wall Street initially priced in a swift US bombing campaign as President Trump made his move against Iran. What investors got was an oil war.

More from Yahoo Scout How might the Fed respond to oil price shocks? What are the potential economic impacts of Iran conflict? What could trigger a global recession from this conflict? How are US consumers being affected by rising prices?

Stocks pulled back again this week as oil prices remained elevated and the Pentagon again ramped up its capacity to strike at Iran, sending three warships to the Middle East and thousands more Marines.

Iran, meanwhile, remains defiant, vowing to sustain attacks on Gulf nations and maintain a menacing hold on the Straight of Hormuz.

Three weeks into the war, the prospect of the US taking over a key Iranian energy terminal  in an effort to get oil shipments flowing again  highlights the rapidly expanding scope and stakes of the conflict.

Some analysts warned that investors have still not come to grips with the risks. Under threat of attacks on crucial infrastructure and the disruption that has already rocked energy markets, an understanding of the war as a reverberating, economic power struggle, rather than a brief and contained military campaign, is coming into view.

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Reconciling what was once thought of as a compressed timeline of limited consequence with more wide-ranging ramifications is part of the narrative unfolding on Wall Street.

Now a key challenge remains: How should investors gauge the impact of an oil shock with an uncertain outcome? Here are three questions to think through the war in Iran:

Read more: How oil price shocks ripple through your wallet, from gas to groceries

What is the off-ramp for this conflict, and when?

If the strait remains closed to passage for a sustained period of time, the economic disruption could trigger a global recession.

Oil officials in Saudi Arabia told the Wall Street Journal that prices could soar past $180 per barrel if the waterway remains under threat into late April. Economists say that $150 is viewed as a key pain threshold that would lead to curtailed demand and a slowdown of commercial and social activity in the US.

With such a timeline in mind, the White House is under pressure to urgently open the strait back up. But rather than seek an off-ramp by declaring some sort of military victory and withdrawing forces, the US appears to be escalating, alongside Iranian attacks on Gulf neighbors.

The Trump administration is considering plans to capture or isolate Iran's key oil hub, Kharg Island. With control over that key territory, the thinking goes, Washington could negotiate with Tehran to reopen the strait and perhaps work toward a lasting diplomatic resolution. However feasible such a plan may be, another off-ramp for the US would be accepting the next iteration of the Iranian regime as a more tolerable geopolitical partner than the last ayatollah, akin to the situation in Venezuela.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing a public gathering in Haldwani, declared Uttarakhand as India's 'Veerbhoomi' for its people's commitment to border protection. He stated the Central Government has fulfilled the long-standing 'One Rank, One Pension' demand for ex-servicemen. Singh praised the Uttarakhand government under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for providing financial aid, jobs, and welfare schemes for martyrs' families. He also commended Dhami's leadership in removing over 10,000 encroachments to tackle illegal immigration and preserve the state's sanctity.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praises Uttarakhand as 'Veerbhoomi', highlights OROP fulfillment and state's welfare schemes for soldiers' families.

Haldwani, March 21 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Uttarakhand is known as the 'Veerbhoomi' in India, underlining that the people of the State don't hesitate to protect the borders of the country.

While speaking at a public gathering in Haldwani to mark the completion of four years of the Uttarakhand government, the Union Defence Minister said that the Centre has fulfilled the demand of 'One Rank, One Pension' for ex-servicemen and soldiers. He praised the Uttarakhand government for providing financial assistance, employment opportunities, and implementing various welfare schemes for the families of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

"Uttarakhand is a 'Devbhoomi'. However, if any land in India is known as 'Veerbhoomi', then it is none other than Uttarakhand. Whenever it comes to protecting the country's borders, people of Uttarakhand do not lag behind in protecting the country's borders. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, the Central Government fulfilled the long-standing demand of 'One Rank, One Pension' for ex-servicemen and soldiers. But I want to express my gratitude to the Uttarakhand government for its concern for our veterans and the families of our martyrs. Whether it's providing financial assistance to their families, reservations in education, employment opportunities, or implementing various welfare schemes for them, Pushkar Singh Dhami has contributed and made efforts on all fronts," he said.

Rajnath Singh further praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for tackling the issue of illegal immigrants living in the State saying that more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed under his leadership.

"Because our Uttarakhand is the land of Gods and the centre of our faith and culture, it is very important to protect it and preserve its sanctity. I want to appeal to all the people of the state that we must both protect Uttarakhand and enhance its sanctity. CM Dhami's leadership and our government have given a clear message that there is no place for illegal immigrants in Uttarakhand. Under his leadership, more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed," he said.

- ANI
The District Magistrate of Pithoragarh has confirmed the resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass, ending a six-year closure. The move follows a bilateral agreement between the two nations' foreign ministers to reopen three designated trading points. Local traders are reportedly excited and preparing for the renewed economic activity, which last saw significant import and export volumes in 2019. The resumption occurs amidst ongoing diplomatic discussions and scrutiny from opposition figures regarding India's China policy.

Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh DM announces the resumption of India-China border trade through Lipulekh Pass after a six-year gap, sparking local excitement.

Pithoragarh, March 21 Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgain on Saturday expressed optimism over the resumption of India-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in the district, being restarted after a gap of six years.

Speaking with ANI, the DM said that directions have been given to the officers regarding the preparation for the trade. He further reflected on the enthusiasm among the traders for the same.

"I convened a meeting related to the trade through Lipulekh Pass. The trade is resuming through this route after 2019. So, discussions were held in this regard. All officers have been directed to make timely preparations for this. This is resuming after 6 years, so there is excitement. Traders are also excited and making preparations for the same," he said.

Shedding light on the statistics of the previous trade session in 2019, the DM expressed anticipation of the issuance of a similar number of trade passes as then.

"It is expected that a similar number of trade passes will be issued as before, with preparations also being made by the traders. In the last trade session in 2019, approximately 1.9 crore worth of imports and around 1.3 crore worth of exports were recorded. Another meeting with local traders involved in this trade will be held soon," he stated.

On the other hand, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha questioned the Union government over India's diplomatic relations with China.

"The truth is that the language of our diplomacy has been weakened. A lot has happened that the government hasn't clarified to date, especially regarding China... When things got worse, TikTok was banned. We're a country in a lot of trouble...," he said.

In August 2025, India and China agreed to reopen border trade through Lipulekh Pass, a point located 56 kilometres inside Nepal's western frontier in Limpiyadhura. The agreement was made during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India.

Both countries agreed during a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Point nine of the joint communique mentions the resumption of border trade.

"Both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass."

These border trade points were established through bilateral agreements and have been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened tensions between the two nations.

- ANI
Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has expressed his satisfaction with the RCMP Commissioner's recent statement that no transnational repression is currently linked to India. Verma, who was recalled in 2024 amid diplomatic tensions, stated it is not India's policy to interfere in other countries' affairs. The remarks follow a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and signal a potential upswing in bilateral relations. India had previously strongly rejected allegations from the Trudeau government, calling them politically motivated and lacking evidence.

Former Indian envoy Sanjay Verma welcomes RCMP Commissioner's statement clearing India of transnational repression allegations, marking a shift in India-Canada ties.

New Delhi, March 21 India's former High Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma has expressed satisfaction over the remarks of RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme that no transnational repression is taking place linked to India and said he was "very glad to see the statement" and hoped that it augurs well for the future of relationship between the two countries.

Sanjay Kumar Verma was recalled as Ambassador by India in October 2024 in the wake of a sharp deterioration in ties with Canada over former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations against India over the killing in 2023 of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Sanjay Verma told ANI in an interview that it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country.

India and Canada ties have seen a sharp upswing under the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visited India from February 27 to March 2.

Days after Carney's India visit, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner said in an interview that they are not seeing any connection with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information.

Sanjay Verma said his remarks as Ambassador at that time were unfortunately not accepted by the Trudeau government.

"He (RCMP Commissioner) has kept it in two different buckets. One bucket is the Khalistan terrorist who was killed there. And another bucket is transnational repression and transnational crimes. So these are two buckets. So when you look at the first bucket, so their court case is already on. Charges have been filed against four Indian nationals. These four Indian nationals went to Canada as international students, got to know what happened in the society and they became whatever they have been alleged to have become, and their trial is on, Verma told ANI.

"The second bucket is India's overall engagement in Canada, and when I was still serving in Ottawa, a lot of noise was there on India's role in transnational repression as well as transnational crimes in Canada. I always said it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Unfortunately, this was not accepted by the regime of that particular point of time. But I'm very glad to see the statement which came out... I hope that this augurs well with the future relationship of India and Canada," he added.

India had in October 2024 strongly reacted to the diplomatic communication from Canada over 'person of interest' allegations against Verma and rejected them.

"We have received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics," MEA statement had said.

The statement said that since Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests.

The strongly-worded statement said this leaves little doubt that, on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains.

It accused Trudeau of hostility to India and said it has been "long been in evidence". It also accused the Trudeau government of pandering to the "anti-India separatist agenda" for its narrow political gains.

The statement had said that aspersions cast on Sanjay Kumar Verma "are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt."

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said in interview with CTV, earlier this month that they are not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information.

"Well, what I quoted in 2024 was based on the criminal investigation that we had at the time. The government official who made that quote, I'm not quite sure who briefed him. What I'm saying is that that particular file at that time, yes, I did say you had agents or proxies from the government. But what we're seeing right now in transnational repression...the dots don't always connect to a foreign entity. We work closely with law enforcement from across the country to make sure that it's a coordinated approach," he said.

"But it's important for people to report it. If it's not reported, there's little we can do. And I can appreciate sometimes that people are fearful of reporting it. But what I encourage people, if they see something, say something. We're not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information, the investigation that we have presently. What we have in our holdings is we have people that are intimidating people, harassing people, but connecting the dots to a foreign entity. we don't have that," he added.

India and Canada have worked consistently over the recent months to normalise and strengthen bilateral ties, culminating in Carney's visit to India.

- ANI
The first-ever Eid prayers were conducted at the grounds of the proposed 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad, drawing thousands of devotees from across West Bengal and Jharkhand. The event, seen as a community milestone, featured the distribution of traditional sweets and blessings from organizer Humayun Kabir via phone. Kabir, who was suspended from the TMC last year over his remarks about the mosque, also announced his party's plans to contest 182 seats in the 2026 state elections. He confirmed he will personally contest two seats and issued a political challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Thousands offer first Eid prayers at the grounds of the proposed 'Babri Masjid' in West Bengal's Murshidabad, a significant community event.

Murshidabad, March 21 The first-ever Eid prayers were conducted at the grounds of the proposed 'Babri Masjid' in West Bengal's Murshidabad.

The event drew a massive assembly of thousands of devotees from various districts, including Birbhum, Nadia, and East Midnapur, as well as from the neighbouring state of Jharkhand, who arrived with an energetic spirit to mark this inaugural occasion.

The convenor of the prayer and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir could not attend the venue due to other commitments. However, he addressed the gathering over the phone to extend his wishes and acknowledge the significance of the day.

Devotees expressed elation over the successful organisation of this prayer, recognising the event as a milestone for the local community and the proposed project.

Speaking with the media, a devotee who arrived for the prayers at the event said, "We are very happy that the Eid prayers have been successfully conducted here. People from across the state and even from Jharkhand have arrived here. Bengal's most popular sweets were distributed afterwards. The best part is that Humayun Kabir, though he couldn't join, gave us his blessings and wished Eid to everyone."

Another devotee said, "We arrived on the day when the foundation stone for the Masjid was laid and have come here again. It feels good. The weather was pleasant, and there were no interruptions. The prayers were conducted successfully."

The organisers also distributed traditional sweets, Semai, and Firni to the large crowd.

On Thursday, Humayun Kabir 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.

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.

Last year, Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended Humayun Kabir over his remarks in which he claimed that he would inaugurate a Babri Masjid in the state's Murshidabad district. However, he has repeatedly expressed confidence that the new 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad's Rejinagar will be built, noting that members of the Muslim community support its construction.

- ANI
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared a strict zero-tolerance policy against drugs and addiction, stating that over 10,000 smugglers have been arrested. He emphasized that the policy applies equally to party members, officials, and individuals in high positions, with properties of offenders being confiscated. The CM also highlighted the Punjab Police's frontline role in national security, working with the BSF and pursuing gangsters operating from abroad. The announcement comes amid political criticism from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has blamed the state's current leadership for Punjab's drug and gangster problems.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann declares zero tolerance on drugs, reveals over 10,000 smugglers arrested and properties confiscated in state crackdown.

Chandigarh, March 21 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the state government has zero tolerance for drugs and addiction, stating that over 10,000 smugglers have been arrested so far and their properties have been confiscated.

Speaking to reporters, CM Mann said discussions were being held on law and order and the Punjab Police's work towards the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. He said the government has zero tolerance for drugs and addiction, whether they are a party member, an official, or in any high position. Those found involved in these activities will be punished accordingly.

"We will discuss law and order and how the Punjab Police is working towards the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' campaign. The Punjab government has zero tolerance for drugs and addiction, whether they are a party member, an official, or in any high position. Anyone involved in these activities will be punished accordingly. Charity begins at home. We must make Punjab free from these and healthy again. We have arrested over 10,000 smugglers so far. We have also confiscated the property of drug smugglers," Mann said.

The Chief Minister said Punjab Police works not just for Punjab but for the entire country, as it works on the front lines with the BSF on the border with Pakistan.

"The Punjab Police works not just for Punjab but for the entire country, as we work on the front lines with the BSF on the border with Pakistan. We have arrested many gangsters who operate rackets from abroad. We work with the Home Minister to issue Red Corner Notices for their arrest. Otherwise, we also contact the Embassy for further action," he said.

CM Mann said the state government has provided new vehicles to strengthen police infrastructure.

"We have provided new vehicles to the SHOs of 450 police stations and 508 PCRs (Police Control Rooms) in Punjab," he added.

Meanwhile, on March 14, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing party workers and supporters during the BJP's "Badlav Rally" in Moga, alleged that Punjab has been facing multiple challenges, including drug abuse, gangster activity, corruption, and rising debt, under the current political leadership.

"We are fighting the elections to form the government in 2027 in Punjab...Only the BJP government can make Punjab free from drugs...Punjab has collapsed due to the terror of gangsters, debt, religious conversions, corruption," Shah said.

The Home Minister also criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP leadership, alleging that the state government was functioning under the influence of leaders from Delhi.

- ANI
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As blood banks across the U.S. report dangerously low supplies of O-negative blood (red blood cells) - commonly called the "universal donor" - anesthesiologists are calling for increased donation and changes in how hospitals use the "universal donor" blood type, according to a new Innovation in Practice article published online in Anesthesiology Open, an official journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

Type O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, making it essential in emergencies when a patient's blood type is unknown. Yet only about 8% of White/Caucasian individuals have this rare blood type, and the rates in other racial/ethnic groups are even lower, underscoring the need to carefully preserve this limited resource.

O-negative blood is critical when patients need immediate transfusions before their blood type can be confirmed, such as during trauma care or other life-threatening emergencies. Because anesthesiologists administer up to 60% of all blood transfusions in the United States, they play a key role in preserving and promoting responsible management of this scarce resource." Brent R. Lee, M.D., MPH, FASA, study lead author, North American Partners in Anesthesia

The chronically low supply of O-negative blood could be completely drained in situations with high blood demand, such as mass casualty events, compromising patient safety, according to Dr. Lee and his colleagues.

The U.S. is experiencing one of the more significant blood donation shortage periods in recent years due to severe winter weather and cancelled blood drives, according to the American Red Cross. The authors stress the need to strengthen public awareness about the importance of blood donation - particularly by those with O-negative and O-positive blood. From March 1  31, 2026, the Red Cross is urging people to donate to recover the blood supply by offering a $15 Amazon gift card to each donor for donations made through March.

Type O-negative blood is critical for emergency use in patients whose blood type is unknown because it lacks antigens that can cause potentially serious reactions in people with other blood types. This is particularly important for women with childbearing potential, since it prevents potential Rhesus factor D (RhD)-mismatches in the blood that could be harmful to babies in future pregnancies. RhD is the inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells that determines if a person's blood type is positive or negative.

Despite its critical role in emergency care, demand for O-negative blood outpaces the supply. Several factors contribute to this imbalance, including overuse of O-negative blood in situations where other blood types could be used.

The authors outline several strategies to conserve O-negative blood supplies:

Use more readily available O-positive blood units for all male patients, as well as for female patients without reproductive potential (typically those aged 50 years or older) when blood type is unknown.

Implement established blood-conservation techniques in high-risk bleeding scenarios such as cell salvage, point-of-care viscoelastic testing and administration of pharmacologic hemostatic agents (e.g., tranexamic acid).

Along with ASA, Dr. Lee and colleagues support the "Empower Group O Care" initiative of the American Red Cross - emphasizing the need to "Start Smart and Switch Sooner" when performing transfusions to patients of unknown blood type. Key recommendations include:

Start emergency transfusions with O-positive blood in males and female patients beyond childbearing potential when blood type is unknown.

Perform blood typing and crossmatching as early as possible to minimize the use of O-negative blood units.

Reduce the inappropriate use of O-negative blood, particularly after the patient's blood type has been determined.

Collaborate with blood bank and other hospital stakeholders to prioritize switching to type-specific blood.

"In collaboration with other specialties and national organizations, anesthesiologists play a key role in alleviating chronic blood shortages and preserving the availability of O-negative blood for those who need it most," Dr. Lee said. "It is imperative that we maximize the benefits of blood transfusion, while strengthening the security of the nation's blood supply."
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a standard treatment for significant coronary artery disease. Cardiologists use a catheter to place a stent that opens up the blockage and restores blood flow to the heart. However, dense, calcified atherosclerotic plaque can prevent proper placement or unfolding of stents, resulting in reduced blood flow to the heart even after PCI. Rotational atherectomy (RA) is a specialized technique used to modify heavily calcified plaque before stent placement. A conical burr ablates the calcified plaque, creating space for the stent. RA is a recommended treatment for heavily calcified lesions during PCI.

Until 2020, facility criteria established by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) required that RA be performed only at high-volume training centers. These facilities were required to perform 200 PCI procedures per year and had on-site surgical backup. However, in April 2020, the facility criteria were revised. Under the new policy, board-certified PCI operators who completed device-specific training were permitted to perform RA at low-volume hospitals (defined as <200 PCIs per year), even without on-site cardiac surgery.

While there has been concern that expanding RA use in these newly accredited non-training facilities could increase PCI-related complications, the impact of the 2020 RA facility criteria revision on overall PCI outcomes in Japan has yet to be verified." Tadao Aikawa, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

Dr. Aikawa led a research study to understand the impact of the new RA regulations. This effort was supported by Dr. Yuichiro Mori of Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Dr. Toshiki Kuno of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and members of the Japanese Association of CVIT Scientific Committee. Their findings will be published in an upcoming edition of the journal JACC: Advances.

The team analyzed data from the nationwide J-PCI registry, covering more than 1.16 million PCI procedures performed at 1,243 hospitals across Japan between 2019 and 2023, spanning the period before and after the facility criteria revision. They found that RA use increased from 4.2% of all PCIs in 2019 to 5.2% in 2023, indicating expanded access to calcium-modification therapy.

Importantly, the expansion of RA eligibility to low-volume, non-training hospitals did not result in a disproportionate increase in mortality or complications compared with training centers. In-hospital mortality after PCI rose modestly nationwide-from 1.6% in 2019 to 1.9% in 2023-in both training and non-training facilities. When post-procedural complications were included, adverse event rates increased slightly in training hospitals (from 3.1% to 3.7%) but remained stable at 3.3% in non-training facilities throughout the study period.

These findings suggest that the 2020 facility criteria revision for RA did not compromise the safety of PCI. Patients can receive RA without referral to a high-volume training hospital, thus reducing geographical disparities in care. Greater access to RA makes PCI more effective for a broad range of patients, especially those who may be older or have mobility issues.

"These findings provide a model for evidence-based device policy reform. Regulators can safely relax facility restrictions when operator competency and training standards are enforced," says Dr. Aikawa.

The study aims to inspire countries worldwide to adopt evidence-based policies that expand access to cutting-edge treatments-without sacrificing patient safety.
Venture Global (VG) entered the middle of March with a timely new talking point for investors. On Feb. 26, the company unveiled a 20-year sales and purchase agreement with South Koreas Hanwha Aerospace for 1.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG beginning in 2030, marking its first long-term supply agreement with a Korean entity.

By the time officials gathered in Tokyo for the March 14-15 Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, that deal had become part of a larger U.S. message around energy security, supply diversification, and long-term LNG demand in Asia.

Venture Global said the Hanwha agreement lifted its long-term contracted portfolio to more than 46 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Hanwha said it plans to distribute the LNG to customers in Europe and Asia as it builds out its own LNG value chain.

For Venture Global, that is the key takeaway from the March headlines: Another long-dated customer has committed to U.S. LNG, and this time the buyer is in Korea.

Venture Global by the numbers

Full-year 2025 revenue: $13.8 billion

Full-year 2025 net income: $2.3 billion

Full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA: $6.3 billion

LNG cargoes exported in 2025: 380

CP2 Phase II financing announced March 13, 2026: $8.6 billion

The Hanwha contract lands at a useful time for the company. Venture Global said in its March 2 results that it had signed about 9.75 MTPA of new contracted quantities from 2025 through early March 2026.

That same update also included a new five-year, 0.5 MTPA agreement with Trafigura beginning in 2026. Taken together, those updates show that buyers are still willing to sign long-term and medium-term U.S. LNG deals, even as the global market stays politically charged and logistically exposed.

CP2 is no longer a wait and see project

The bigger change since the last draft is at CP2. Venture Global announced on March 13 that it had reached final investment decision and financial close for Phase 2 of CP2 LNG.

The company said the Phase 2 financing totaled $8.6 billion and brought total project financing for CP2 to $20.7 billion. Management also indicated that CP2 has a peak production capacity of 29 MTPA and has contracted nearly all of its nameplate capacity on a long-term basis, with customers mainly in Europe and Asia.

Venture Global makes a 20-year purchasing agreement with South Koreas Hanwha Aerospace.Safaniuk/Shutterstock  Safaniuk/Shutterstock

Why this matters now

The Tokyo forum gave the administration a broad policy platform, but Venture Globals stock story still comes back to execution.

The company is showing scale, with $13.8 billion in 2025 revenue and 380 LNG cargoes exported. It is also showing commercial traction, with more than 46 MTPA under long-term contract after the Hanwha deal and more than 49 MTPA contracted across its three Louisiana projects after the CP2 Phase 2 close.
Michael Holmes says he wouldn't lie to shave decades off his sentence and ended up serving eight years for a crime courts determined he didn't commit. Holmes, now 66, is speaking publicly for the first time about how a team of disgraced St. Louis officers derailed his life, and about the years he has spent since waiting for the $2.5 million a jury awarded him as a result, reports St. Louis Public Radio .

Arrested in 2003 after officers claimed he was dealing crack from a relative's home, Holmes refused a plea bargain. He hoped jurors would see the truth at his 2006 trial: "Their own specialist said, 'Mr. Holmes' fingerprints wasn't on anything in that house,'" he says. "Now, if I live there, and my fingerprints isn't on anything in that house, how is that possible?" Instead, he was sentenced to 25 years. His conviction was vacated in 2011 after federal corruption cases exposed officers who planted evidence, stole cash, and lied. But Holmes' quest to "regain my innocence" didn't end with his exoneration. He filed a civil rights lawsuit in 2012 and was awarded $2.5 million four years later. He's still waiting to be paid.

Holmes' case is stuck in a tug-of-war over who must pay old police judgments: the state, which once ran the department, or the city, which later did and then lost control again. A Missouri appeals court likened Holmes to a "duped mark" in a street scam"holding an empty bag instead of one filled with his affirmed money judgment." He's now waiting on a decision from the state's high court, which heard his case in February. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports it's actually the second time the Missouri Supreme Court has heard the case. The court previously ruled the state wasn't on the hook for Holmes' judgment and returned the case to the circuit court levelwhere the city of St. Louis argued it wasn't on the hook either.
A drug that helped turn Novo Nordisk into Europe's most valuable company is about to lose its monopoly grip across much of the globe. Patent protections on semaglutidesold as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight lossexpire Saturday in several of the world's most populous countries, opening the door to generic versions in India almost immediately and in China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa in the months ahead. Together, those markets cover about 40% of humanity and hundreds of millions of people living with obesity or diabetes, reports the New York Times . "The availability of these drugs, which have been restricted to high-income countries to very wealthy people, will now be democratized by the generics," said one treatment-access advocate in New Delhi.

Dozens of manufacturers have been racing to get their products approved. In India alone, analysts say around 50 generics could enter the country's $60 billion pharmaceutical market within months, notes the BBC, and eventually be worth about $1 billion on their own annually. Analysts say increased competition could eventually push monthly prices down to around $15, far below current list prices that can run into the hundreds of dollars. Public health experts hope cheaper generics will finally make it feasible for national health systems in middle-income countries to cover the medicine more broadly, not only for diabetes but also for preventing heart attacks and strokes.

The shift is a blow to Novo Nordisk, already under pressure from Eli Lilly's rival drugs and from gray-market compounded versions in the US. The Danish company has cut prices in India and China, fought generics in court, and is considering positioning its original product as a premium brand where copycats appear. Americans and most Europeans, however, face a long wait: patent-term extensions and other protections in those regions mean true generics for Ozempic and Wegovy likely won't arrive until the early 2030s, a delay critics say will cost patients and taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.
Italian energy major has set out an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at boosting production, expanding its energy transition portfolio, and significantly increasing shareholder returns through stronger cash generation and lower leverage.

At the core of the plan is a dual-track growth model: scaling its oil and gas portfolio while accelerating standalone transition businesses such as Plenitude and Enilive. Eni expects to generate more than 40 billion in free cash flow between 2026 and 2030, enabling higher dividends and share buybacks alongside continued investment.

Eni is doubling down on its exploration and production (E&P) segment, describing its current project pipeline as the strongest in its history. The company expects production to grow at an annual rate of 34% through 2030, supported by a diversified portfolio spanning Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Norway.

New project approvalsincluding developments in Indonesias North Kutei Basin and a planned LNG project in Argentinahighlight Enis continued focus on gas monetization and LNG markets. The company also emphasized its leadership in floating LNG (FLNG), a technology gaining traction as operators seek flexible, lower-cost export solutions.

Since 2014, Eni has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent and converted 60% of those discoveries into production or asset salesunderscoring a capital-efficient exploration model that continues to differentiate it from peers.

Alongside hydrocarbons, Eni is expanding its energy transition platforms through Plenitude (renewables and retail) and Enilive (biofuels).

Plenitude is targeting 15 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030, up from 5.8 GW at the end of 2025, while growing its customer base to more than 11 million. A planned deconsolidation and 1.5 billion capital increase is designed to accelerate growth while unlocking shareholder value.

Enilive, meanwhile, is scaling biofuel production capacity to 5 million tonnes annually by 2030, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) expected to play a growing role. EBITDA from the segment is forecast to triple to 3 billion over the period.

Together, the transition businesses have already attracted external investment valuing them at more than 23 billion, reinforcing Enis satellite model of partially divested, self-funding subsidiaries.

Enis financial framework underpins the entire plan. The company expects cash flow from operations to reach approximately 17 billion by 2030, representing a 14% compound annual growth rate on a per-share basis.
Mathematicians say they've confirmed an age-old rule of fashion: that trendy women's styles get recycled every 20 years or so. For the study out of Northwestern University , researchers pulled together a database of some 37,000 garments spanning nearly 160 years, combining archival sewing patterns with runway images dating to 1869, reports Popular Science . They converted design details like hemlines, waist placement, and necklines into numbers, then built a model to track how trends shift between novelty and familiarity. And voila: They found that patterns and themes reemerge roughly every two decades.

"We have all experienced the idea that fashion comes backthat miniskirts are back, or bell-bottom jeans are back," lead author Emma Zajdela tells BBC Science Focus. "As mathematicians, we were curious to prove or disprove this theoryand recent advances in computer tools and digitized records have made this possible." The data show clear oscillations, most visibly in skirt lengths, which have swung from flapper-era short to midcentury long to 1960s mini and back again.

The pattern, however, may be weakening: Over the past four decades, options have multiplied (think mini, midi, and maxi dresses coexisting), and conformity has declined. "Trends in fashion have been accelerating since the mid-1980s, making the 20-year rule less apparentalthough still very presentin the data," says Zajdela. "Instead, there has been an increase in the variety of styles available."
The unexpected death of martial arts champ and actor Chuck Norris on Thursday at the age of 86 has left not only his family reeling, but his colleagues and friends in Hollywood and political fans in DC and around the globe. Here, a roundup of what some are saying about the late Walker, Texas Ranger star, via The Hollywood Reporter and People:

Sylvester Stallone: "I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way," the Rocky star wrote on Instagram.

"I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way," the star wrote on Instagram. Jean-Claude Van Damme: "We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was," noted Norris' fellow actor and martial arts competitor online.

"We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was," noted Norris' fellow actor and martial arts competitor online. Dolph Lundgren: The Swedish Rocky IV actor wrote on Instagram: "Chuck Norris is the champ. Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model. Someone who had the respect, humility, and strength it takes to be a man."

The Swedish Rocky IV actor wrote on Instagram: "Chuck Norris is the champ. Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model. Someone who had the respect, humility, and strength it takes to be a man." Stephen King: The horror writer shared a couple of his favorite Chuck Norris jokes.

The horror writer shared a couple of his favorite Chuck Norris jokes. Bibi: On X, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called Norris "a great friend of Israel and a close personal friend. Chuck brought martial arts and the warmth of his character to millions around the world."

On X, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called Norris "a great friend of Israel and a close personal friend. Chuck brought martial arts and the warmth of his character to millions around the world." President Trump: "He was a great guy," the commander in chief told reporters at the White House on Friday. "He was a really good tough cookie. We didn't want to fight him."
Three former stars of New York's luxury real estate scene are now convicted sex traffickers quietly looking toward President Trump for a possible lifeline. The New York Times reports that Tal Alexander, 39, and his twin brothers Oren and Alon, 38, have been exploring how to seek presidential pardons, reaching out to a lobbyist and an influential Jewish nonprofit with a track record on clemency, according to people familiar with the discussions. So far, there's no indication that the White House has been approached formally or is considering their case.

The Alexanders, who face up to life in prison at their August sentencing, have denied the charges and plan to appeal; their lawyer says he knows nothing about any pardon push. The Tzedek Association, which helped secure clemency for other Trump-era cases, declined to get involved, with one person citing the nature of the allegations. Yehuda Kaploun, a State Department special envoy tasked with fighting antisemitism, acknowledged intervening only to raise safety and possible antisemitism concerns while the brothers were jailed pretrial, but he didn't rule out reviewing a clemency bid.

Even allies say a pardon is unlikely, as experts note Trump has avoided granting clemency in sex-crime cases and remains politically shadowed by questions around Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, a media rep for the brothers recently spoke with Us Weekly to insist the verdict against them was a "surprising" and unfair one. The AP has more on their crimes.
Hawaii suffered its worst flooding in more than 20 years as heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from last week's winter storm, officials said Friday. Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu's North Shore, a community world-renowned for its big-wave surfing, per the AP . Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities also cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, people's homes, and a Maui hospital in Kula. "This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state," Green said at a news conference.

Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service. Green said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances the islands would have federal support. No deaths were reported and no one was unaccounted for. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, Green said. Crews searched by air and by water for people who'd been strandedefforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to capture images of the flooding, per a Honolulu spokesperson.

The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who'd been attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahu's west coast, according to city and camp officials. The camp is on high ground, but authorities didn't want to leave them there, the mayor said. Green said the flooding was the state's most serious since 2004 floods in Manoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaii library. Dozens, if not hundreds, of homes were damaged on Friday, but officials haven't been able to fully assess the destruction, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. "There's no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic," he noted.

Officials blamed some of the devastation on the sheer amount of rain that fell in a short amount of time on saturated land. Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight. Ka'ala, the island's highest peak, got nearly 16 inches over the past day, per the NWS. More deluge is expected: Blangiardi said 6 to 8 inches of rain was forecast to fall on Oahu over the next two to three days. Officials are also closely watching the Wahiawa dam, which has been vulnerable for decades, saying it was "at risk of imminent failure." More here.
The dangerous heat wave shattering March records in the US Southwest is more than just a weather blip: It's the latest next-level weather wildness that's occurring ever more frequently as Earth's warming builds. Experts say unprecedented and deadly weather extremes that sometimes strike at abnormal times and in unusual places are putting more people in danger, per the AP . For example, the Southwest is used to deadly heat, but not months ahead of schedule, including a 112-degree Fahrenheit reading in two Arizona communities on Friday that smashed the highest March temperature recorded in the US. Two places in Southern California hit that same temperature.

"This is what climate change looks like in real time: extremes pushing beyond the bounds we once thought possible," says University of Victoria climate scientist Andrew Weaver. "What used to be unprecedented events are now recurring features of a warming world." March's heat would've been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change, according to a Friday report by World Weather Attribution. More than a dozen scientists, meteorologists, and disaster experts queried by the AP put the March heat wave in a kind of ultra-extreme classification with such events as the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave, the 2022 Pakistan floods, and killer hurricanes Helene, Harvey, and Sandy.

The area of the US being hit by extreme weather in the past five years has doubled from 20 years ago, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Extremes Index, which includes various types of wild weather, such as heat and cold waves, downpours, and drought. The US is breaking 77% more hot-weather records now than in the 1970s and 19% more than the 2010s, per an AP analysis of NOAA records. Worsening wild weather influenced by climate change isn't just superhot days, but includes deadly hurricanes, droughts, and downpours, scientists told the AP.

Plus, don't forget wildfires that are worsened by heat and drought, including 2025's Palisades and Eaton wildfires, which were the costliest weather disaster in the US last year, per Climate Central meteorologist Adam Smith. "This is due to climate change, that we see more extreme events, and more intense ones and have so many records being broken," says Imperial College London climate scientist Friederike Otto. More here.
Some 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations began arriving in Cuba on Friday as part of a solidarity caravan transporting some 20 tons of humanitarian aid as the island grapples with a severe energy crisis. Members of "Our America Convoy to Cuba" arrived by air from Italy, France, Spain, the US, and several Latin American countries, and more are scheduled to arrive by sea on Saturday in a flotilla of three vessels from Mexico, organizers reported. A group of activists arrived in Havana on Wednesday in advance and delivered donations to hospitals.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the US, whose governments have acknowledged holding talks after US President Trump imposed an oil embargo. Earlier this week, Trump said he expected to have the "honor" of "taking Cuba in some form," adding: "I can do anything I want." Solar panels, food, and medicine to treat cancer are among the products donated to the island, which has been brought to a near standstill since Trump imposed an energy embargo in January, exacerbating a five-year economic crisis as his administration pressures for a change in the political system.

"In the end, we are dozens and dozens of delegates, and we represent millions of people in this convoy," says American David Adler, coordinator of Progressive International, one of the caravan's organizers. "We cannot allow this collective punishment. We cannot normalize it." Meanwhile, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio on Friday refuted comments about a change in the political system or the potential departure of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel as part of the ongoing talks between the two sides. "The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation, nor is the president, nor the position of any official in Cuba, subject to negotiation with the United States or with the government of any other country," he noted.
Royal Caribbean is scrapping a slate of 2027 sailings on one of its major ships, leaving thousands of summer vacations in flux. More than 20 cruises scheduled between May and September 2027 on Freedom of the Seas have been canceled, reports People , citing the independent Royal Caribbean Blog and The Travel . Affected guests were reportedly notified by email this week. The ship, which can carry nearly 4,000 passengers, had been set to operate a mix of four- to nine-night Caribbean itineraries, including stops in Aruba, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay.

In a statement to People, the company attributed the cancellations to its "ongoing itinerary planning process" and said Freedom of the Seas will be reassigned to Southampton, England, next year. The line described deployment planning as "dynamic" and said decisions are based on demand, capacity, and overall fleet strategy. When a vessel changes home port, existing bookings are typically wiped out and new routes are built around the new region.

Royal Caribbean is offering affected passengers automatic rebooking onto a four-night sailing on the Wonder of the Seas from Miami, or alternative three- and five-night options on Adventure of the Seas or Jewel of the Seas, the outlets report. Those who don't find a replacement trip that fits will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and any prepaid add-ons. The move follows a similar step by rival Carnival Cruise Line, which recently canceled nearly a dozen Carnival Firenze sailings this coming fall and is likewise offering rebookings or refunds, plus onboard credit for some guests.
Confusion is swirling around whether Bill Maher is about to receive one of comedy's top honors. The White House on Friday rejected reports that Maher is this year's choice for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, after two people familiar with the Kennedy Center's plans told CNN the comedian had been offered the award. The Atlantic has similar reporting. "This is fake news. Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Nobody had announced such a selection; a source close to the Kennedy Center said Maher had been informed but had not yet agreed to accept the honor, scheduled to be the last event at the Kennedy Center before Trump shuts it for two years. Trump and Maher have history. The host of HBO's Real Time has long been critical of President Trump, who has long attacked him in social media posts. Trump did have him over for dinner last year, for which Maher took heat. Reporter Michael Scherer posted that shortly after the Atlantic story was published, the White House called the Kennedy Center to make it clear it's not happening for Maher, per the Daily Beast.

On Friday night's show, Maher did defend Trump for cracking wise about the attack on Pearl Harbor in front of Japan's prime minister, per the Hill.
Two jets landing on crisscrossing runways at Newark Liberty International Airport got close enough on Tuesday night to trigger a federal investigation. The New York Times and the AP report that an Alaska Airlines Flight 294 coming in from Portland, Oregon, was ordered to abort its landing around 8:15pm ET after controllers had already cleared a FedEx Boeing 777 from Memphis, Tennessee, to land on an intersecting runway, according to the FAA.

Flight-tracking site Flightradar24 estimates the planes passed within roughly 300 to 325 feet of each other. The Alaska pilots on the Boeing 737 executed a "go-around," a standard maneuver in which a landing is broken off and the plane climbs to try again; the FedEx crew continued and touched down "without incident," the carrier said.

No injuries were reported, and it's not yet known how many people were on board either aircraft. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are probing the "close call," which follows a recent minor ground collision at Newark and comes as the airport wrestles with controller staffing and equipment issues.
The legal fallout surrounding former 19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Garrett Duggar has now widened to include his wife. Police in Tontitown, Arkansas, say an arrest warrant was issued on Friday for 27-year-old Kendra Duggar on four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree false imprisonment, both misdemeanors, per NBC and People . The same misdemeanor counts were also brought against Joseph Duggar, authorities said, in connection with the ongoing case that began with his arrest earlier in the week.

Details of the allegations haven't been released; police cited Arkansas law restricting information in cases involving minors and said no further information would be provided "to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved." Online records show Kendra Duggar was booked just before 5pm on Friday and released a little more than an hour later. It wasn't immediately clear whether she has been formally charged.

Joseph Duggar was arrested Wednesday in Tontitown and is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020 while on vacation in Florida, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office. He faces charges there of molestation of a victim younger than 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior by an adult and is awaiting extradition; as of late Friday, he remained in the Washington County Jail. In an affidavit filed by the Florida sheriff's office and cited by People, Joseph Duggar reportedly admitted to the victim's father in a phone call that "his intentions were not pure" and that he'd "touched the victim over her clothing."

Older sister Jill Duggar Dillard released a family statement saying they were shocked by Joseph's arrest, adding that "our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family." TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting in 2015 after revelations that eldest son Josh Duggar had molested multiple children; he was convicted on federal child sex abuse material charges in 2021 and is serving a 12 1/2-year sentence. His own situation didn't stop him from commenting on his younger brother's legal woes. "Josh understands the stigma of being accused," his lawyer said in a statement to the Daily Mail. "He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction."
Rosner and Chang pointed to the Southwest Power Pools just-approved consolidated planning process , which merged transmission planning and interconnection study processes, as a better way.

Although the band AC/DC once sang a shot in the dark, make[s] you feel alright, reading the facts of this complaint felt more like being on the highway to hell, they said.

FERC commissioners David Rosner and Judy Chang said in a concurring statement that the dispute exemplifies how the interconnection process can make developers guess at finding low-cost interconnection points on the grid.

We encourage PJM to consider whether there are regionally appropriate reforms that could reduce interconnection cost uncertainty and expedite the interconnection process in PJM, FERC said.

The commission also noted that the PJM board directed PJM staff to review incentives for generation development in its footprint in a broad effort to ensure the grid operator has adequate power supplies.

FERC said some U.S. grid operators are considering revising their generator interconnection and transmission planning processes in ways that may lead to increased certainty around final interconnection costs.

FERC ruled that RWE failed to show that PJM violated its rules. However, the commission said the dispute highlighted the interconnection-related cost uncertainties developers face.

Initially, PJM estimated RWEs network upgrade costs for a 125-MW solar and battery project in Maryland would cost $1.25 million, but later revised the cost to nearly $72 million, according to RWEs complaint. As a result, the company withdrew the project from PJMs interconnection queue.

Although FERC dismissed RWEs complaint, the facts of the proceeding raise big picture concerns for how we will develop much needed generation to meet historic load growth, FERC Chairman Laura Swett said Thursday during the agencys monthly meeting. The developer in this case spent significant time and capital to advance their project through several rounds of interconnection studies, only to discover significant unexpected network upgrade costs.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday rejected a complaint by RWE Clean Energy that argued the PJM Interconnection violated its network upgrade cost allocation rules for generators seeking to connect to the grid.

This story was originally published on Utility Dive . To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter .

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The new process should sharply cut interconnection queue timelines by determining how much generators need to pay to access SPPs transmission system before they start the interconnection process, according to Swett.

That will help reduce speculative interconnection requests and get generation on the grid faster, she said.

Every other market should take a hard look at what they can learn from SPPs leadership in solving the issues the entire country faces, Swett said.

Lower ROE in New England

At the meeting, FERC voted to cut the base return on equity it gives to transmission owners in New England to 9.57% from 10.57%. Including incentives, their total ROE cannot exceed 12.09%, the agency said.

The decision resolves four complaints over the ROE for New England transmission owners. The first complaint was filed in 2011. An appeals court in 2017 vacated FERCs initial decision on the first three complaints. The New England cases were also affected by separate litigation over the ROE for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator transmission owners.

In its Thursday decision, FERC ordered the transmission owners to issue refunds for the 15-month period, from Oct. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2012, related to the first complaint proceeding. The agency didnt order refunds for the second or third complaint, saying that would effectively extend the refund period in the first complaint proceeding beyond a statutory 15-month limit. FERC also declined to order refunds for the fourth complaint.

FERCs order carefully and thoughtfully balances affordability for consumers with the need for regulated industries to attract the capital that they need to build out needed energy infrastructure, FERC Commissioner David Rosner said.

The decision drew criticism from the affected utilities and some analysts, however.

The length of time it took to resolve the complaints is a case of regulatory malpractice, Paul Patterson, a Glenrock Associates equity analyst, said in an interview.

Utility companies affected by the decision to cut transmission ROE include Avangrid, Eversource Energy, National Grid and PPL Corp.

For Eversource, for example, a percentage point reduction in its current ROE would cut its after-tax earnings by about $70 million a year, with the reduction increasing slightly over time as we continue to invest in our transmission infrastructure, the Springfield, Massachusetts-based utility company said in its annual report filed on Feb. 17 at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

FERCs decision departs from the statutory limitations imposed by the Federal Power Act and long-standing judicial precedent requiring FERC to set rates of return sufficient to attract the capital needed for essential utility investment, Eversource said in a statement.

FERCs lack of action after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the agencys orders in the case in 2017 hurt investor confidence, according to Eversource.

FERCs decision further undermines utilities ability to secure the capital needed to maintain safe operations and top-tier reliability for customers, the company said.

Eversource said it will coordinate with other New England transmission owners on next steps, including a plan for appeal.

Cost share for DOE emergency orders approved

FERC said it would allow two Indiana utilities to recover their costs related to Department of Energy directives ordering the companies to keep coal-fired power plants running that they had planned to retire.

Those costs can be shared across the Midcontinent Independent System Operators northern and central regions, according to FERC. The decisions affect power plants owned by Northern Indiana Public Service Co., a division of NiSource, and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co., part of CenterPoint Energy.

Under the Federal Power Act, FERC must determine a fair and reasonable allocation of the costs stemming from the DOEs 202(c) orders, Swett said during a media briefing.

We have to look at the specific facts and law of that docket, including the market and the ratepayer impact, Swett said. And when we issue an order, it is with confidence that we have adjudicated those costs and allocated them as fairly as possible.

Large load reliability standards on horizon

During FERCs meeting, Chang highlighted a report issued this month by the North American Electric Reliability Corp.s large load task force, which recommends that data centers and other large loads be required to register with NERC.

This will, of course, then start obligating large loads to adhere to reliability standards, Chang said. And by registering these large loads and applying reliability standards, NERC can ensure that the interconnection of these large loads does not negatively impact the reliability of the bulk power system.

Market rules should allow data centers and other large loads to be able to shift their daily operations in response to wholesale power prices, she said.

I feel like 2026 has got to be the year of load flexibility, she added.

Cyber standards approved

At its meeting, FERC also approved updates to NERC cybersecurity standards.

One rule approves 11 updated Critical Infrastructure Protection reliability standards that enable secure use of virtualization technologies.

These enhancements give entities greater flexibility to adopt efficient, modern tools that reduce hardware needs and strengthen cyber defenses across the bulk power system, FERC said in a statement.

FERC also approved changes to improve baseline cybersecurity for low-impact bulk electric system cyber systems. The rule aims to cut the risk of coordinated cyber attacks that target distributed, externally routable assets, NERC said in a statement.

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A Texas couple is warning about a social media trend they say cost their 9-year-old daughter her life. Curtis and Wendi Blackwell of Stephenville said their only child, JackLynn, died last month after trying the so-called "blackout challenge," in which people restrict their own breathingoften with cords or beltsto experience a brief high. Curtis Blackwell said he found his daughter in the family's backyard with a cord around her neck and performed CPR until first responders arrived, CBS News reports, but she did not survive. "I'll never forget that day," he said.

The Blackwells say JackLynn, who loved karaoke and online challenges, had previously shown her grandmother a video of someone doing a similar stunt and was told never to attempt it. "She was on YouTube a lot, which, of course, a lot of kids are," her father said. Federal health officials have linked the blackout challenge to at least 80 deaths, most involving children and young teens, according to the CDC. "It's not a game, it's life and death," he said, adding that kids are easily influenced by what they see online. Some platforms now display warnings or restrict searches for the blackout challenge, but the family says dangerous content is still easy for children to encounter.

Curtis Blackwell argues major tech companies should face stronger accountability for how recommendation algorithms can push young users toward harmful material: "You could check on your kid, it could be kid-friendly videos, and then three minutes later it could be totally something dark." The family doesn't want other parents to think it couldn't happen to their child, he said, per the Dublin Citizen. Blackwell said one of his daughter's friends said she "didn't even know little kids could die."
UPDATE

Mar 25, 2026 6:20 PM CDT

The White House says it appreciates the world's richest man's offer to cover paychecks for TSA workers during the partial government shutdown, but there are legal obstacles in the way. "We greatly appreciate Elon's generous offer. This would pose great legal challenges due to his involvement with federal government contracts," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Wednesday. Musk made the offer on Saturday. On Monday, President Trump said he would "love it" if Musk paid the salaries of TSA workers, who haven't been paid for 40 days, the Hill reports.

On Wednesday, the acting head of the TSA told lawmakers that many agents are facing severe financial hardships. "Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public," Ha Nguyen McNeill said.

Mar 21, 2026 8:10 AM CDT

Elon Musk is volunteering to foot a federal payroll, if the government will let him. In an X post on Saturday, the Tesla and SpaceX chief said he wants to cover paychecks for Transportation Security Administration workers as a budget fight in DC leaves the Department of Homeland Security without funding and some TSA officers working without pay, reports Fox Business. "I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse," he wrote, citing the impact on travelers.
Iran has reportedly launched missiles at Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean island that's home to a strategic UK-US military base. Citing US officials, the Wall Street Journal reports that two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired, per the AP . Britain condemned "Iran's reckless attacks" after the unsuccessful attempt to hit the base. It's unclear how close the missiles came to the island, which is about 2,500 miles from Iran. The US has described the Diego Garcia base as "an all but indispensable platform" for security operations in the Middle East, South Asia. and East Africa. Home to about 2,500 mostly American personnel, it has supported US military operations from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, the US acknowledged it also had been used for clandestine rendition flights of terror suspects.

Last year, the US deployed several nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers to Diego Garcia amid an intense airstrike campaign targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Britain initially refused to let the base be used for US-Israeli attacks on Iran, but after Iran lashed out at its neighbors, the UK said American bombers could use Diego Garcia and another British base to attack Iran's missile sites. On Friday, the British government said that includes sites being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK insists British bases can only be used for "specific and limited defensive operations."

But Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer "is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran." Iran currently has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting their range to 1,240 miles; Diego Garcia is well outside that range. However, US officials long have alleged Iran's space program could allow it to build intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Diego Garcia is part of the Chagos Archipelago, a chain of more than 60 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the tip of India. The islands have been under British control since 1814, when they were ceded by France. In the 1960s and 1970s, Britain evicted as many as 2,000 people from Diego Garcia so the US military could build the base there. In recent years, criticism has mounted over Britain's control of the archipelago and the way it forcibly displaced the local population. The UN and the International Court of Justice have urged Britain to end its "colonial administration" of the islands and transfer sovereignty to Mauritius.
With Hawaii enduring its worst flooding in more than 20 years, officials are urging people in hard-hit areas to "Leave now." The warning early Saturday came after heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago, the AP reports. More rain was expected during the weekend, officials said. Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a Maui hospital in Kula. "This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state," Green said at a news conference. The mayor of Honolulu, where scores of homes were damaged, called the damage catastrophic.

Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu's North Shore, world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam could fail. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning early Saturday with light to moderate showers expected to turn heavy in some places. Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service. The emergency alert urging evacuatios said, "The remaining access road out of Waialua is at high risk of failure if rainfall continues."

More than 200 people have been rescued, officials said. No deaths were reported, and no one was unaccounted for. Crews searched by air and by water for people who had been strandedefforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to get images of the flooding, said a spokesperson for Honolulu. The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahu's west coast called Our Lady of Kea'au. The camp is on high ground, but authorities didn't want to leave them there, the mayor said. Green said the flooding was the state's most serious since 2004, when water in Manoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaii library. Green said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances the islands would have federal support.
Robert Mueller, the FBI director who transformed the nation's premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has died. He was 81. Mueller's family announced Saturday that he had died Friday night, the AP reports. He ran the FBI for 12 years but might be best remembered for his work examining Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, the New York Times points out. In the end, Mueller decided he couldn't accuse Trump of any crime in the case, but he couldn't absolve him, either.

Mueller, a Republican who was nominated for the FBI post by George W. Bush, served under presidents of both parties. He had been director for a week before the 9/11 attacks. He set about almost immediately overhauling the bureau's mission to meet the law enforcement needs of the 21st century. The attacks instantly switched the FBI's top priority from solving domestic crime to preventing terrorism, which imposed an almost impossibly difficult standard, per the AP: preventing 99 out of 100 terrorist plots wouldn't be good enough. He established a reputation for nonpartisanship, per the Washington Post, while regularly taking "I" out of remarks prepared for him to deliver. Mueller told aides it wasn't about him, "It's about the organization."

As special counsel, Mueller brought criminal charges against six of President Trump's associates, including his campaign chairman and first national security adviser. In his final report in 2019, Mueller laid out damaging details about Trump's efforts to seize control of the investigation and even shut it down, though he declined to decide whether Trump had broken the law, in part because of department policy barring the indictment of a sitting president. The nebulous conclusion did not deliver a knockout punch to the administration, per the AP, nor did it trigger a sustained push by House Democrats to impeach the president in the election case.

And Mueller's highly anticipated congressional hearing on his report was a disappointment to Trump's opponents, with the special counsel providing terse, one-word answers and appeared uncertain in his testimony. The outcome also left room for Trump's attorney general, William Barr, to insert his own views. He and his team made their own determination that Trump did not obstruct justice, and he and Mueller privately tangled over a four-page summary letter from Barr that Mueller felt did not accurately capture his report's damaging conclusion. Mueller became a target for Trump and his supporters, who have claimed repeatedly in the years since that the investigation was intended to bring down the president, per the Post.
Shortly after the death of former FBI Director Robert Mueller was announced Saturday, President Trump celebrated the occasion. "Good, I'm glad he's dead," the president posted on Truth Social. "He can no longer hurt innocent people!" After his retirement from the FBI, Mueller served as special counsel investigating allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election that first brought Trump to office. The president considered the Mueller report, which did not clear him but did not accuse him of crimes, either, as a "total victory" and exoneration, per People. "This should never happen to another president again," Trump said at the time.
President Trump threatened Saturday to send immigration agents to work airport security checkpoints as soon as Monday if congressional Democrats do not accept a Republican funding plan for the Department of Homeland Security. In posts on Truth Social, Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would conduct security "like no one has ever seen before," including immediately detaining people in the country illegally, with a stated focus on immigrants from Somalia. The action would represent a significant change in the way airport security is handled, the Washington Post reports: Transportation Security Administration officers normally manage checkpoints, while some Border Patrol agents assist at certain airports along the southern border.

Trump posted a few hours later that he had decided to make the move, per the New York Times, saying he told ICE to "GET READY." Many TSA agents are off the job while their pay is held up by a congressional impasse on restrictions for immigration enforcement. Trump has urged them to work anyway. John Sandweg, an ICE official during the Obama administration, said such a deployment seems like Trump is "seeking to utilize ICE in a way that achieves political goals, almost as a punishment," per the Post. He added, "The operations, to me, don't seem to be designed to focus on public safety."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday urged Republicans to support a Democratic measure that would fund TSA separately from DHS. The same day, the Senate rejected a Democratic motion to take up legislation that would reopen TSA and pay the workers, per the AP.
Senior American and Japanese officials usually shy away from making public comments about Japan's 1941 attack on US forces at Pearl Harbor. So there was embarrassment, confusion, and unease on Saturday in Japan after President Trump casually used the World War II attack to justify his secrecy before launching the war against Iran. The Japanese discomfort was compounded by the fact that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was sitting awkwardly at Trump's side as he spoke. The reaction partly reflects just how fresh the political debate in Japan about its role in World War II remains, the AP reports, 80 years after its end.

Senior leaders, including Takaichi, have argued that Japan has apologized enough for what happened in the war. Takaichi herself has recently hinted at visiting Tokyo's contentious Yasukuni Shrine, where Japanese war criminals are honored among the 2.5 million war dead. But many found it startling to see these history questions surface in a White House summit. Asked by a Japanese reporter on Thursday why he didn't inform allies ahead of the US attack on Iran, Trump cited Pearl Harbor to defend his decision, saying: "Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?"

Reaction to Trump: Social media reaction ranged from accusations of ignorance and rudeness by the president to claims that he doesn't see Japan as an equal partner. There were calls for Japan to protest Trump's remarks. Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, wrote in an online opinion piece Saturday that the comment signaled that Trump was "not bound by existing American common sense." He added, "I get the impression that the comment was intended to bring the Japanese reporter or Ms. Takaichi into complicity in order to justify his 'sneak attack' on Iran during diplomatic negotiations and without telling allied countries." Japan's post-World War II constitution prohibits the use of force except for self-defense, but Takaichi and other officials are seeking to expand the military's role.

Reaction to Takaichi: The hard-line conservative was praised for not reacting to the comments by Trump, letting them pass with a roll of her eyes and a glance at her ministers nearby. After all, the goal of the summit was to deepen ties with her most important ally, not debate World War II. She arrived shortly after Trump suggested that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz. Others criticized Takaichi for not speaking up. Hitoshi Tanaka, a former diplomat and a special adviser at the Japan Research Institute think tank, wrote on X that he felt embarrassed to see Takaichi flattering Trump. "As national leaders, they are equals.  To make an equal relationship is not to flatter," he said. "Just doing what pleases Trump and calling it a success if you are not hurt is too sad." Junji Miyako, 53, said the flattery felt more condescending than the president's Pearl Harbor remark. "I was so frustrated to see Takaichi didn't even say anything to Trump to stop the war," he said. "I think Trump's Pearl Harbor comment was stupid, but to me the war he started is a much bigger problem."
Iran struck two communities near Israel's main nuclear research site late Saturday, leaving several people seriously injured. The attack took place hours after Iran's own Natanz main nuclear enrichment site was hit, as the war spun into a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week, the AP reports. It was the first time in the fighting that Israel's nuclear research center has been targeted. The Israeli military said its defenses were unable to intercept the missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad. Dozens of people were injured overall, emergency services said. "The war is not close to ending," said Israel's army chief, Gen. Eyal Zamir.
Quick Read

Hess Midstream (HESM) executed a $60 million equity repurchase in March and carries a 7.49% dividend yield backed by nine consecutive years of uninterrupted quarterly distributions, though its payout ratio sits at a concerning 105% with 2026 EPS forecast declining to $2.56 from $2.86 in 2025. Chevron (CVX) reduced its Bakken rig count from 4 to 3 starting Q4 2025, targeting a 200,000 barrels per day plateau, which prompted UBS to cut HESMs price target from $36 to $34 due to anticipated volume declines.

Hess Midstreams capital spending is collapsing 40% to $150 million in 2026 and below $75 million annually in 2027-2028, creating a free cash flow unlock that supports buybacks and distributions even as Chevrons upstream production plateaus, with 95% of 2026 revenues protected by minimum volume commitments.

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Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM), the fee-based, growth-oriented midstream energy company, announced a $60 million equity repurchase on March 3, 2026, the latest move in a capital return program that has returned hundreds of millions to shareholders annually. The question is whether these buybacks reflect genuine confidence or are engineered to prop up per-share metrics as upstream growth stalls.

The Yield That Demands Scrutiny

HESM currently trades near $39.66 and carries a 7.49% dividend yield, backed by nine consecutive years of uninterrupted quarterly distributions. The most recent quarterly payout was $0.7641 per Class A share, up from $0.2703 at inception in August 2017. Management has committed to at least 5% annual distribution growth through 2028.

The dividend payout ratio relative to earnings sits at a concerning 105%, and analysts have flagged a 2026 EPS forecast of $2.56, a step down from the $2.86 earned in 2025. Free cash flow coverage tells a more reassuring story at 36%, though that metric tightened in 2025 when total shareholder returns of $750.2 million consumed 96% of the $728.2 million in free cash flow generated.

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This infographic dissects Hess Midstream's (HESM) recent buyback, evaluating its dividend strength, sustainability concerns, the impact of Chevron's Bakken operations, and projected capital expenditure reductions. It explores whether the buyback signifies confidence or is a shield against plateauing volumes.
The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
U.S. Navys 2005 SINKEX (Sinking Exercise) on the decommissioned supercarrier USS America (CV-66). This remains one of the most significant and still largely classified live-fire tests ever conducted on a modern aircraft carrier.

The 2005 live fire tests show that US aircraft carriers can take dozens of 250-500 kg bombs to top decks without sinking and more than one torpedoes or cruise missiles.

The Kitty Hawk-class USS America took weeks of deliberate explosive testing in 2005 before it could be scuttled.

New US air craft carriers have more armor with higher quality steel. They have 2.5 (64 mm) Kevlar spall liners over all critical areas.

Nimitz has the hangar divided into three fully independent fire bays separated by thick steel doors (a direct lesson from Franklin). Thousands of watertight compartments. Reactors, magazines, and engineering spaces are widely separated and deeply buried. Double-hull construction in key areas. Redundant propulsion, power, and firefighting mains.

They have automated AFFF foam (fire suppression), water mist, rapid dewatering pumps, remote monitoring, portable systems. Fords automation further reduces crew exposure.

Fuel/ordnance handling  Modern jet fuel is far less volatile than WWII avgas.

Probably needs over four torpedoes or cruise missiles. One or two into each of the major sections and at the waterline or below.

April 19, 2005: Towed from the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia.

Late April  May 14, 2005: ~4 weeks (exactly 25 days at sea) of progressive live-fire testing.

May 14, 2005 (~11:30 AM EDT): Final controlled scuttling.

The ship was packed with thousands of sensors and cameras. Tests were conducted from remote vessels while monitoring in real time.

Main focus was underwater explosions (simulating torpedoes, mines, and near-hull detonations at the waterline). There were above-water attacks. Bombs and missiles dropped/launched onto the flight deck and superstructure. There werec controlled internal charges, placed at key points inside the hull.

Late in WW2, the USS Franklin survived two armor piercing 550 pound bombs that also set off internal ammo explosions and fires. The Franklin did not sink.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income.

Mizuho Lifts Exxon Mobil (XOM) Price Target on Higher Oil Price Forecast

On March 17, Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar raised the price recommendation on Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) to $162 from $140. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm increased its 2026 oil price outlook by 14% to $73.25 as the Iran conflict moved into its third week. The analyst said it is still too early to determine whether the situation will change the long-term structure of global oil prices, though the bias appears to be higher. Mizuho remains constructive on the oil and gas sector. It also noted that natural gas fundamentals are still supportive, even as it lowered its fiscal 2026 price outlook by 6%.

On March 19, Reuters reported that a new floating production facility for a consortium led by Exxon Mobil in Guyana is nearly complete and expected to leave Singapore soon, according to a company executive. The project is part of a broader push to accelerate development in a region that has become central to Exxons growth. Guyana has already allowed Exxon to lift output capacity to more than 900,000 barrels per day, despite only starting crude production in 2019. That pace has moved the country into the ranks of South Americas larger oil producers.

The floating production, storage, and offloading platform, Errea Wittu, is being built by MODEC. It will be the fifth such vessel installed by the Exxon-led group in Guyana and is designed to produce up to 250,000 barrels per day from the Uaru offshore project. Once the project starts, it could push Guyanas output past neighboring Venezuela. Exxon expects total capacity from its planned developments in the country to reach around 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) operates across the exploration, development, and distribution of oil, gas, and petroleum products. Its business is organized into Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products.

While we acknowledge the potential of XOM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading into 2026 and 14 Under-the-Radar High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
By Helen Clark

PERTH, March 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday as leading European nations and Japan offered to join efforts to secure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. outlined moves to boost oil supply.

Looking to curb soaring oil prices, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. may soon remove sanctions from Iranian oil stranded on tankers, and said a further release of crude from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve was possible.

Brent futures fell $1.24, or 1.1%, to $107.41 a barrel as of 0148 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.24, or 1.3%, to $94.90.

Still, for the week, benchmark Brent was on track to rise more than 4%, after Iran hit oil and gas facilities in the Gulf states forcing production to be shut in.

WTI, however, was set to fall nearly 4% in its first weekly decline in five weeks. WTI has been trading at its widest discount to Brent in 11 years.

In a joint statement on Thursday, after earlier hesitating, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan expressed "our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait", through which 20% of the world's oil and LNG transit.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to repeat attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.

"I told him, 'Don't do that', and he won't do that," he told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.

In a boost to U.S. supply, North Dakotas crude output is expected to rise this month and in following months as operators in the third-largest oil-producing state restart inactive wells and winter restrictions are eased, the state's regulator said on Thursday.

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources said, however, the pace of activity would depend on how long oil prices stay high and that oil majors' budgets have already been set.

(Reporting by Helen Clark; Editing by Sonali Paul)
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Check Google Play Services regularly, as updates can bloat 12GB of cached data each month.

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Power off the device.

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Clear cache Android ensures consistent performance and helps your device run like new. Routine cache clearing, system wipes, and file reviews form the core of an effective Android storage fix.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does clearing cache on Android do?

Clearing cache Android removes temporary files stored by apps and the system. It frees storage space without deleting personal data. Apps may load slightly slower initially as new cache builds. Overall, it improves device speed and responsiveness.

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It is recommended to clear app caches weekly and system caches monthly. Large files and media should also be reviewed periodically. Regular maintenance prevents storage bloat and improves device performance. Consistent care avoids sudden storage shortages.

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Automatic tools can help maintain storage but may not catch all cached files. Some app caches require manual clearance through Settings. Combining both methods ensures maximum space recovery. Manual checks are important for complete Android storage optimization.

Originally published on Tech Times
Oil prices declined on 20 March following an announcement by the US and its allies regarding efforts to boost oil supply and secure maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

This response comes as European countries and Japan offered to join these efforts to ensure the safe transit of vessels through the critical waterway.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated potential measures aimed at controlling rising oil prices. These included lifting sanctions on Iranian oil tankers and considering further releases from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, reported Reuters.

By 07:30 GMT, Brent crude futures had dropped by $0.39, or 0.4%, reaching $108.26 a barrel (bbl). Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by $0.87, or 0.9%, to settle at $95.27/bbl.

Despite the day's decline, Brent was set for a weekly gain of around 5% due to recent disruptions in Gulf state production following attacks by Iran on regional oil and gas facilities.

WTI faced a weekly decline of nearly 4%, marking its first downturn in five weeks and maintaining its largest discount to Brent in 11 years.

Furthermore, US President Donald Trump reportedly advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against repeated attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a joint statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the UK condemned Iran's attacks on commercial vessels and infrastructure in the Gulf.

These nations expressed concern over the escalating conflict and called on Iran to halt actions that threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirming their commitment under UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

The statement emphasised the importance of freedom of navigation under international law, encompassing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It also highlighted the global repercussions of Iran's actions, particularly the impact on vulnerable populations.

The countries welcomed the International Energy Agency's decision for a coordinated release of petroleum reserves to stabilise energy markets.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, was cited by ANI as saying that the US had destroyed 44 Iranian mine-laying vessels to counteract Iran's attempts at mining the strait during the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the Gulf.

He added that A-10 Warthog aircraft have been deployed alongside AH-64 Apache helicopters to target Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Caine said: The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank and is hunting and killing fast attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz. In addition, AH-64 Apaches have joined the fight on the southern flank, and they continue to work on the southern side.
Devon MPs have welcomed news that the bosses of the countys Integrated Care Board (ICB) have dropped plans to change the way urgent heart patients are treated in Torbay.

Torbay MP Steve Darling said: This is a real battle won, but we have not yet won the war.

Campaigners warned that lives would be put at risk as a result of the initial proposals to move the cardiology unit from Torbay Hospital to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

They said the extra time taken to get patients the care they needed, particularly in summer traffic and bad winter weather, could cost lives.

Campaigners set up a high-profile Heart Campaign to get their message across, and were supported by politicians across the political spectrum. Among them were South Devons three Liberal Democrat MPs, who raised the issue at Westminster.

Torbays cardiac unit is recognised as one of the strongest performing centres in the UK, and was ranked fourth in the country for emergency angioplasty (stent) outcomes.

Now the ICB says it will be pushing forward with a broader investigation, which will have an engagement plan attached.

Newton Abbot Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley said: The proposed changes were misguided from the outset and I am glad they are now scrapped.

I am pleased to see that the ICB is now engaging with the community to determine local needs and that the new framework for neighbourhoods suggests that some of this could involve our cottage hospitals.

And South Devon Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden added: Im glad that the strength of feeling from constituents, clinicians, patients, MPs and the Heart Campaign has been heard. This is very good news, and I will continue to work with Steve and Martin to make sure Torbay Hospital gets the support and investment it deserves.

Mr Darling went on: This reflects the strengthening of prevention and early intervention work in cardiology across Devon, for which I congratulate everyone who has worked to make this happen.

However, it also reflects the strength of feeling and support for Torbays cardiology unit from our community across Torbay and South Devon, whether its medics at Torbay Hospital, patients, or the Heart Campaign.

I remain aware that elsewhere in the country we have seen the stripping away of services from some smaller hospitals, and I remain on high alert to prevent this happening to Torbay Hospital, where staff undertake incredible services for our community.

Loss of vital services would be extremely detrimental to our community, and I will be asking the ICB at their board meeting next week how they are working towards a more collaborative culture between the Devon hospitals, and about their strategic approach to employment within more deprived areas.
Provaris technical milestones expected around for mid year: ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Provaris Energy Ltd (ASX:PV1, OTC:GBBLF, FRA:WS90) recently outlined how a newly completed capital raise will support the next phase of development across the companys hydrogen and CO transport programs.

Managing director and CEO Martin Carolan told Proactive the company had secured firm commitments to raise $1.325 million through an oversubscribed placement, with funds earmarked for key technical milestones in the lead-up to potential commercial outcomes.

Carolan said the capital would primarily support the companys hydrogen prototype tank development and associated Class Approval workstreams, as well as operating costs linked to its Robotic Innovation Centre in Norway.

He explained that Provaris Energy Ltd was progressing two parallel programs designed to enable the transport of green fuels across emerging energy supply chains.

One of those is the companys hydrogen carrier development program, which is currently moving through the final stages of prototype tank development and certification activities. Carolan indicated that technical milestones are expected around the middle of the year.

According to Carolan, those technical developments could begin translating into commercial outcomes over the following period.

Highlights

Provaris Energy Ltd has raised $1.325 million through an oversubscribed placement.

Funds will support the companys 2026 development work program.

Capital will primarily advance the hydrogen prototype tank and Class Approval program.

The company is also progressing a liquid CO (LCO) transport program.

The LCO FEED and Class Approval workstreams are funded by partner Yinson.

Technical milestones for both programs are expected around mid-year.

Provaris Energy Ltd is targeting commercial milestones and potential licensing opportunities by 2026.

The companys hydrogen supply chain concept focuses on transport routes from the Nordics to Germany, limiting geopolitical exposure.

Rising energy prices and supply security concerns are renewing investor focus on alternative fuels such as green hydrogen.

The company expects to transition from development costs toward potential revenue opportunities next year.

Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Investors. I'm your host Kerry Stevenson. I've asked Martin Carolan, Managing Director and CEO of Provaris Energy Ltd, to join us. The company is developing green hydrogen and CO solutions, and energy is very much at the forefront of everyone's minds right now. Martin, it's been about a month since we last spoke and a lot has happened. Can you give us an update?

Martin Carolan: Thanks Kerry. Firstly, we are delighted to have raised capital which continues the funding of our technical program. We have two streams underway. One is the final stages of our prototype tank for hydrogen carriers and the corresponding Class Approval process. That continues through to technical milestones around mid-year. From there we expect to start seeing conversion into commercial events by the latter part of 2026.
Shetland ponies are set to return to Exeter Racecourse this Sunday, with a field of 11 miniature racers due to take to the track.

Some of the smallest competitors in the sport will sprint down the home straight at 1.30pm in front of a family crowd.

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Trainer John Lamb and his mother Nikki Marsden travel from Enfield in north London each year for the event, making the journey on Saturday and staying near Buckfastleigh with former Grand National-winning jockey Jimmy Frost so the ponies can rest ahead of race day.

We leave at 6.30am on Saturday to avoid the M25 and get down to Jimmys for lunchtime so the ponies can have a proper break and a leg stretch, John said.

Were very lucky. Jimmy looks after us incredibly well and hes brilliant with the children.

Mum stays on site with one of the parents in a camper van, and the rest of us stay nearby. All the parents come along. Its a big operation to get everyone there.

He said the trip to Devon has become a highlight for the young riders involved.

The kids absolutely love it. We came back last summer for three days, riding across the moors, down to the river and going to a local gallops. Its a real experience for them, he said.

ABOVE : Arlo of Auckhorn (Image credit: Francheska Altoft)

Among those returning this year is last years winner Arlo of Auckhorn, who will be ridden by 11-year-old Sophia Hills.

Former winning jockey Maisie Ward is set to partner Orknies Gold, which recently finished second at Lingfield.

Last years runner-up Luna Larrson is also due to compete again, while Seagfried Norrie, better known as a jumps pony, is expected to make a rare appearance on the flat.

Hes probably the classiest pony over jumps, but the flat is a different test, so itll be interesting to see how he gets on, John said.

Another contender, Orknies of Siegfried, arrives after a strong recent run at Lingfield.

He ran a great race staying on over two furlongs two grades higher, John said. The only thing is he does like a bit of rain and cold weather. In the summer I cant get him to place at all, but he loves the winter.

ABOVE : Orkneys Siegfried (Image credit: Francheska Altoft)

The Shetland pony, one of the worlds oldest native breeds, originates from the harsh conditions of the Shetland and Orkney islands and is known for its strength and resilience despite its small size.

Jack Parkinson, general manager at the racecourse, said the ponies are always a popular attraction.

Were thrilled to welcome the Shetland ponies back to Exeter for what promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family. Theyre full of character and always a crowd favourite, he said.

Childrens running races are scheduled for 2pm after the pony race, before the main racing programme begins later in the afternoon.
A student at St James School in Exeter is being praised after donating 15 inches of her hair to charity and raising hundreds of pounds to support young people facing illness.

Olivia, a pupil at the school, made the generous donation to The Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair due to cancer and other conditions.

Alongside the donation, Olivia organised a cake sale within the school community, raising 117. Combined with other fundraising efforts, she has raised a total of 232 for the charity.

The Little Princess Trust is one of the UKs largest funders of childhood cancer research and relies entirely on public support to continue its work.

St James School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, said Olivias actions reflect the values it encourages in its students, including kindness and community spirit.

Headteacher Emily Harper said the school was incredibly proud of Olivias efforts.

Her generosity and initiative show exactly the kind of values we nurture at St James  caring, thoughtful and community-minded, she said. She has made a real difference to young people who need it most.

Speaking about her motivation, Olivia said: I gave my hair to help someone smile through pain and worry.
Devon is celebrating a double success after Exmouth and Dartmoor were both named among the UKs best places to live in the the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026.

The prestigious annual list highlights the most desirable locations across the country  and this year, Devons winning mix of coast and countryside has firmly put it in the spotlight.

Exmouth was singled out as one of the South Wests standout seaside towns, with judges praising its growing buzz, strong links to Exeter and its appeal to younger residents looking for coastal living without losing city access. Its two-mile sandy beach, thriving watersports scene and improving town centre were all highlighted as key reasons for its rise.

Meanwhile, Dartmoor earned recognition for its breathtaking landscapes, sense of freedom and strong community spirit. Judges pointed to its unique lifestyle offering  where wild open spaces, outdoor adventure and village life combine to create a truly special place to call home.

Together, the two locations showcase the very best of Devon  from vibrant seaside living to peaceful rural escape  helping cement the countys reputation as one of the most sought-after places to live in the UK.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide is based on a wide range of factors including schools, transport, broadband, culture and community, with judges visiting each location before making their final selections.
Why Energy Is Such a Potent Target in the War With Iran

Which sites have been damaged Plant Port Storage Field Duqm Port Ras

Laffan Ras Tanura Fujairah Habshan gas facilities Samref Mina Abdulla Refinery Shahid

Bahonar

Port Kharg Island South Pars Multiple strikes

in Tehran Iran Saudi

Arabia Kuwait Iraq U.A.E. Qatar Bahrain Oman Israel Note: The plant category includes oil and gas processing facilities, as well as a power plant. Sources: New York Times reporting; ClearView Energy Partners; Institute for the Study of War and AEIs Critical Threats Project.

At least 39 energy oil refineries, natural gas fields and other energy sites in nine countries have been damaged since the United States and Israel began bombarding Iran, a New York Times analysis found. Some have been struck by drones. Several have been hit more than once.

As the attacks escalate, both sides increasingly view energy as a potent target  one that is capable of inflicting severe economic pain. Iran depends on oil and natural gas to keep the lights on and its government running, while the United States wants to prevent prices from soaring further and damaging the underpinnings of the global order.

The question is no longer just when Irans tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical passage on its southern coast, will ease enough for most ships to pass. It is also how long it will take to complete repairs needed to produce and process oil and natural gas in the first place.

The longer this war goes on, the more likely it is that the two sides are going to play their strongest energy-leverage cards, said Clayton Seigle, an energy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington research group. The attacks on facilities are not easily reversible.

To count the number of attacks and disruptions at energy facilities in the region, The New York Times reviewed statements from government, state-run and private energy companies. The Times also reviewed lists compiled by ClearView Energy Partners and the Institute for the Study of War, two research firms, and subsequently verified their findings.

Through Friday, The Times had found at least 47 attacks, though there is no official accounting and more may have occurred. Strikes occur seemingly every day.

Jebel Ali Port. Attacked on March 1. Source: Planet satellite image from March 1.

Ras Tanura Refinery. Attacked multiple times. Source: Vantor satellite image from March 2.

Fujairah. Attacked multiple times. Source: Planet satellite image from March 4.

Fardis oil storage facility. Attacked on March 7. Source: Airbus satellite image from March 18.

The importance of energy in the war became even clearer after Israel struck facilities tied to Irans South Pars gas field on Wednesday. Iran responded by lashing out across the Gulf. At least 10 sites were damaged this week, The Times found, including an energy hub in Qatar, as well as oil refineries in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The various attacks sent oil and natural gas prices soaring as traders worried that much of the Gulfs energy could remain effectively landlocked for a while, possibly months. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, briefly topped $119 a barrel on Thursday morning before retreating. Oil fetched less than $73 a barrel before the war started on Feb. 28, a price that reflected the possibility of a war.

Its been the cumulative effect thats really driven this crisis, said Raad Alkadiri, a Washington-based political risk analyst who specializes in energy and the Middle East.

While oil has been front and center, analysts are especially concerned about the damage to the worlds largest natural-gas export terminal, called Ras Laffan, on Qatars coast.

The sprawling facility, which is operated by the state-owned QatarEnergy company, cools natural gas into liquid that can be loaded onto tankers and shipped. But Qatar said on the third day of the war that it had stopped producing liquefied natural gas, citing military attacks.

This weeks strikes caused further damage, compromising 17 percent of the countrys L.N.G. export capacity, QatarEnergy said on Thursday, adding that repairing the damage could take up to five years.

There is no easy replacement for that fuel, which is used to generate electricity and heat homes. And there is little spare L.N.G. capacity in other countries.

Other points of vulnerability include the oil export terminals where the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are rerouting oil to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. One of those areas, in the Emirates, was targeted as recently as this week. A refinery near the other, in Saudi Arabia, was also hit by a drone.

It could become a lot worse if the craziness continues to prevail, said Charif Souki, a former chief executive of Houston-based Cheniere Energy, a large L.N.G. company. But there are so many people who have a vested interest in not letting it get too far out of hand.

Indeed, countries around the world have agreed to release oil from emergency stores to stem rising prices. The U.S. military is also attacking Iranian vessels and drones to try to clear the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration said it would lift sanctions on Iranian oil to nudge prices down.

In many cases, it is hard to know how severe the damage has been to a facility.

As Kevin Book, managing director of ClearView Energy Partners put it, The last thing they probably want to do is tell Iran, You missed me, try again.

Even when companies have been more forthcoming, their disclosures have sometimes only raised more questions.

Mr. Souki said he was surprised to hear that QatarEnergy expected it would take up to five years to repair its L.N.G. facilities. I think hes hedging his bets at the moment, Mr. Souki said, referring to QatarEnergys chief executive. You can always give good news later.
The Genius of Raphael in Three Works of Art A survey of this giant of Renaissance art opens this month at the Met. Three experts show us why he matters as much as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

For centuries, the Renaissance master Raphael counted as the obvious third in a trio of geniuses, alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. He was venerated for the lifelike grace of his compositions. But for something like the last 150 years, his star has been fading. His sweet Madonnas have come to strike modern eyes as too pious and pretty for their own good. Hes very much a Victorian Raphael in peoples minds, and I think its done damage, said Carmen Bambach, a senior curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. To undo that damage, for the past eight years shes been laboring on Raphael: Sublime Poetry, the 237-work survey that opens at the museum on March 29. Its paintings, drawings, prints and tapestries should reveal Raphael as an artist for our times: an idealist whose art stayed rooted in the real; an innovator whose experiments shaped later norms; an entrepreneur who knew how to spread word of his art through new technologies. To test Raphaels staying power, I invited Bambach and two other experts in Renaissance art to explore the glories, and significance, of three of her exhibitions landmark works.

A circular religious work that depicts Mary, the Madonna of the title, a cherubic baby Jesus in her lap and a very young John the Baptist kneeling at her left side (facing the viewer) and looking upward. The Christ child is nude and grips the long thin cross that young John is holding in his hand. Mary, her light brown hair peeking out from under a turban, wears a pale blue cloak draped over her shoulders and knees, paired with a rose-colored dress. In the background, there is a pastoral scene that includes tiny horsemen, a cluster of buildings, clouds, and at her feet a flurry of plants seem to have bloomed. The Alba Madonna Its my favorite Madonna by Raphael, ever, said Bambach, as we took in the painting known as the Alba Madonna, from around 1510. The work has its perfections: Bambach pointed to the amazing geometries of its circular composition and the balancing act of its colors. a detail of Mary, Jesus and John the Baptist The blue of Marys mantle and the greens behind it, she said, are not an easily reconciled harmony  yet here it works perfectly. A detail of buildings and tiny horsemen But the painting remains deeply tied to the world we are in. The landscape is an often overlooked aspect of Raphaels talent. Its full of telling detail in the background  tiny horsemen, credible buildings A detail of the clouds in rich blues and whites  and very believable clouds. In the foreground it becomes a study in botany. Everywhere you look, Bambach said, there is something that is so modeled on a natural reality, that its really breathtaking. The Virgin Mary is not the idealized blonde of earlier Renaissance culture  and of Raphaels earliest works  but a brunette, likely modeled on Margherita Luti, the artists Roman girlfriend, known as La Fornarina, the bakers girl. (Raphael once painted her topless, wearing the same kind of turban as his Madonna.) In the Alba Madonna, the Virgin is brought down to earth: She sprawls on the ground in intimate connection with her heavenly son  a chubby bambino, said Bambach  achieving an equilibrium between a humanity in the figures and the aspects that make them seem divine. The scene is too natural to congeal into a catechism lesson, she said. (I pointed out to Bambach that Raphael has rendered his scenes perspective from the viewpoint of someone also seated on the ground, eye-to-eye with the Christ Child  which makes us feel that our eyes are locked on his, too.)

For Bambach, even the pictures unlikely beauties get their full force from the hard truths of Renaissance life. Her exhibition highlights the eras maternal and infant mortality, which took the life of Raphaels mother and her infant daughter when he was 8. For Raphaels original viewers, that back story would have given special meaning to the striking good health of the mother and child he painted. Raphaels sacred paintings are at the center of his excellence: I once declared his Alba Madonna to be the single most important work of art in the Western tradition. In her exhibition, Bambach gets to use those paintings to track Raphaels progress from a provincial nobody to the most successful painter in Rome. But Bambachs heart, she says, is just as much with the shows portraits.

A portrait of the 16th-century Italian diplomat and author Baldassare Castiglione. He has a voluminous beard and piercing blue eyes, and is wearing a floppy black hat, in the Renaissance style of the period that gentlemen would have worn. Over a dark jacket with a white shirt peeking out, he wears a sumptuous fur. His hands are folded in his lap as he gazes intensely at the viewer. Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione A striking fact about Raphaels portrait of Baldassare Castiglione, from around 1515, that almost always goes unnoticed: Castigliones been painted to seem as if hes the same size as us, as we stand looking at him on the wall. a detail of Castigliones hands And that puts the portrait at the birth of an influential majority of Italian and then European paintings that followed, according to The Life-Scale Revolution in European Art, a forthcoming book by Alexander Nagel of the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University. Nagel showed me how Castigliones hand is the same size as ours, if we reach out to touch it. (Dont try that at the Met.) At life scale, Castigliones fur seems to be there for the touching. The noblemans golden sword hilt, peeking out from his sleeve, becomes grippable. a detail of Castigliones blue eyes But the most notable effect is in the sitters face and liquid-blue eyes, which have an eerie presence. Raphael and Castiglione were good friends, and in the making of the portrait the two men were face-to-face. Raphaels life-size painting lets us stand in for the artist in this intimate moment, Nagel said. Raphael increased this presence by painting light pouring in from our side of the canvas, as though theres no gap between Castigliones space and ours: Hes in the same air that we are, Nagel noted. And Raphael places his friend in a neutral setting, without details to conflict or contrast with the ones in the viewers world. Art lovers will have mostly seen this portrait small, in reproduction, but in front of the original at the Met well get a chance to feel in dialogue with its sitter. Raphaels life-scale has its origins a decade earlier, in Leonardos Mona Lisa. But thanks to the crowd of followers who spread news of Raphaels brand, life-scale became the norm for prestigious artmaking over the next 350 years.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry offers masterpieces for our viewing pleasure while showcasing the almost absurd breadth of its heros creativity. It shows off his stunning talent as one of the first great sketchers from life. And it highlights his recovery of the aesthetic secrets of ancient Rome, for use in everything from urban planning to wall decor. It highlights, as well, his pioneering role as an artist-entrepreneur, welcoming specialists who could broadcast his genius via prints and ceramics and even tapestries.

An image of the tapestry titled The Miraculous Draft of the Fishes, made of wool and silk. On the tapestry, the artist has depicted a vibrant scene that places a haloed Jesus Christ at sea in a boat with two disciples. Three others are in another boat nearly abutting the first one. Christ wears flowing rose-colored robes and holds a hand up as if giving a benediction. A kneeling and a standing disciple both seem to beseech him for something. In the second boat, three robed men, bending or rowing, resemble classical nudes. Both vessels are teeming with fish, there is colorful flora onshore, and in the background there are birds flying, clouds filling a sky and reflected in water, and a small town in the distance populated with denizens. The Miraculous Draft of the Fishes No artist cared more about collaboration than Raphael, according to Lisa Pon, an art historian at the University of Southern California. Her forthcoming book on Raphael conjures an unruly Raphael whos not the tidy genius of his reputation. Pon was speaking to me about The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, one of three tapestries in the Mets show, from a series Raphael designed in the mid-1510s to illustrate the Bibles Acts of the Apostles. (The textiles were commissioned for the Sistine Chapel, to hang below  and compete with  Michelangelos famous ceiling.) a detail of two of the men in a second boat, reaching down to grasp a fishing net; they are nude but for their bright red robes Pon points out that it took a vast team  spinners, dyers, weavers  to translate Raphaels ideas into tapestry. Woven threads manage to capture his classically inspired nudes  a detail of the clouds with a large flock of birds soaring through them and painted brown his landscape where clouds are reflected in water a detail of buildings with a large doorway, or gateway, visible. Many groups of figures are approaching and walking uphill. Some even dip their small children in the body of water  the classical gateway hes imagined for the Roman town at rear in his scene. A tapestry project like this was Big Art, Pon said, the equivalent of todays Big Science. But weve been downgrading such joint creation ever since Raphaels rival, Michelangelo, sold us on the myth of the brooding, isolated genius at work on a singular product of the artists hand. A lifelike portrait of birds standing on land taking in the heavenly scene; they take on several expressive poses. In Raphaels tapestry, even the ideas arent his alone. Pon points to the glorious portraits of fish and birds that are as striking here as the portraits of Christ and his apostles, and yet were almost certainly designed by Giovanni da Udine, one of the apostles-in-art that Raphael gathered around him in Rome as creative partners. Raphael has been belittled as a managerial artist, but that ought to make him an artist for our times, akin to Andy Warhol and heirs of his, like Jeff Koons or Takashi Murakami. Like any young artist today, Raphael spread news of his creations on as many platforms as possible, seeking to reach varied audiences. a detail shows the outline of a coat of arms, with its center left blank At the high end, his tapestries were produced on spec, as demand warranted: The ones at the Met leave a blank space for a buyer to insert their own coat of arms. The images in the tapestries then circulated thanks to the new art of engraving, a cutting-edge technology of communication, said Pon, that Raphael was eager to exploit. a detail shows a border of the tapestry where a shirtless classical figure with brown skin, and a laurel-like cloth wrapped around his head, holds a large bouquet of flowers in one arm Raphael even foresaw todays immersive projects. His tapestries, hung around a room, left you feeling surrounded by scenes you could almost jump into: Their borders are woven to look like the frames of open windows. The Holodeck! Pon exclaims, pushing Raphaels relevance right into Star Treks 24th century.
Serendipity, synchronicity, superstition, call it what you will, if you're looking to find meaning in numbers, mid-March is the place to go. From Friday the 13th to St. Patrick's Day, the 17th, we've got a string of days that should set a numerologist's head spinning.

March 13 was a Friday. We apparently survived as a race, but the stock market sure took a hit. The connection of Friday and 13 as being bad luck has several origins. From the Bible, the 13th guest at the Last Supper, Judas, betrayed Jesus, who was crucified on a Friday. Another belief has King Philip IV of France ordering the mass arrest and torture of the Knights Templar on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307. The Norse have a tale of a 13th god showing up uninvited at a dinner and killing one of the other gods.

As I write this, it's March 14, which is Pi Day. You're supposed to be eating some kind of pie -- pizza, apple, pumpkin -- it apparently doesn't matter. This is a geeky international celebration of the mathematical constant number Pi. You know the first three numbers -- 3.14 -- then it goes to infinity. It happens to be the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, which for some reason someone deemed worthy of a celebration. It's also Albert Einstein's birthday, which I do not think is a coincidence. Pizza it is.

Of course, March 15 is the Ides of March, the date Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of unhappy senators led by Cassius and Brutus, who said they were saving the republic. The "beware" part came later from Shakespeare in his play about the ill-fated emperor. It remains a warning today for all wannabe emperors.

March 16, or 3:16 as often quoted from the New Testament, is a chapter in which Jesus delivers a farewell to his followers on the eve of his crucifixion. He warns them of persecution to come following his death but promises arrival of a "Helper" and the ultimate punishment of the sinful if the believers stay the course.

And, of course, March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, the most famous national celebration, as the wearing of the green is now marked around the globe for the patron saint of Ireland, who was born an Englishman. He drove something out of Ireland, but history says it was sinners, not snakes. In any event, in addition to being a celebration of Irish heritage, after the bad news of the 13th, the mind-numbing math of the 14th, the ominous warning of the 15th and the admonition and quiet hope of the 16th, a parade, some music, corned beef and cabbage and lots of green beer might just be a great way for some folks to get over this confluence of significant numbers. Or just to ignore them completely.

That's it. History in the numbers. Coincidence or synchronicity? Make of it what you will. Any suggestion of any connection of these events to current persons and events is purely coincidental. See you on the 18th.

***

Editor's note: Inspiration for this column came from my friend, Ernie Miller, who for some reason noted the interesting congregation of dates. Further credit goes to my research assistant, Google AI.

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(Article changed on Mar 21, 2026 at 5:10 PM EDT)
Standard Uranium kicks off Rocas drill program - ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Standard Uranium Ltd (TSX-V:STND, OTCQB:STTDF, FRA:9SU0) Vice President Exploration Sean Hillacre talked with Proactive about the latest developments at the Rocas Project in the Athabasca Basin, where the company has just launched its first-ever drill program.

Hillacre explained that the Rocas Project, located just south of the Key Lake mine and mill facilities, is a basement-hosted uranium prospect under an option agreement with Collective Metals. The partner can earn up to a 75% interest through staged payments and exploration spending over three years.

The interview highlighted encouraging results from a 2025 prospecting program, which confirmed historical uranium grades and revealed additional upside.

Importantly, the company also identified high-grade rare earth element results, which provided new geological insights.

With geophysics already completed, Standard Uranium has begun a 1,2001,500 metre drill program targeting shallow zones, with approximately six to eight holes planned. The campaign will test high-priority areas while incorporating newly defined targets from recent surface data.

The program marks a key milestone, as no previous drilling has been conducted on the project. Results from this campaign could provide important catalysts for future exploration.

Proactive: Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. Joining me now is Sean Hillacre, Vice President Exploration for Standard Uranium. Sean, good to see you again. How are you?

Sean Hillacre: Likewise. Survived PDAC, so were doing well.

Good to have you back. Youve got a number of updates today around the Rocas Project in the Athabasca Basin. Can you remind us about the project and what work has been done?

The Rocas Project is one of our basement-hosted uranium prospects, about 4,000 hectares just south of the Key Lake mine and mill facilities. Its under an option agreement with Collective Metals, which can earn up to 75% through payments and exploration over three years.

Our 2025 fall prospecting program was the first boots-on-the-ground work. Now weve just kicked off the first drill program ever on the project.

The grab samples returned strong results and helped define drill targets.

Yes, it was a pleasant surprise on the rare earth element side. We confirmed uranium grades of over 0.4%, close to historical results. While were targeting higher grades, seeing that at surface is encouraging.

We also saw high-grade rare earth elements, which helped refine and define new drill targets alongside our geophysics.

Youre planning 1,200 to 1,500 metres of drilling. How are you prioritizing targets?

These are shallow targets, less than a couple hundred metres, so we can test 68 holes. Theres never been drilling on this project, so integrating surface results with geophysics has strengthened our targeting.
In October 1966, a landslide buried a school in Wales, known as the Aberfan disaster. On October 21, 1966 a massive colliery spoil tip (coal waste) on the slopes above the village of Aberfan became saturated with rain and collapsed, sending over 100,000 cubic meters of slurry, water, and debris into the town. The school was right in its way. Of the 144 people who died in the disaster, 116 were children, mostly between the ages of 7 and 10.

If you visit Aberfan (as we did), you can walk through a cemetery on that hill where the children were buried with their permanent portraits affixed to their graves. When I was there (about 15 years ago), the whole town felt like a shrine and the mood that hung in the air was somber and unmoving like "the still point in the turning world" that Eliot described in his "Burnt Norton".

On February 28, 2026, the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, was destroyed by a missile strike on the first day of the 2026 Iran war, resulting in 175-180+ deaths, primarily schoolgirls. The attack involved three strikes, collapsing the roof, with investigations pointing to U.S. Armed Forces responsibility.

(The bombing of the school in Minab was the work of an American made, American launched Tomahawk missile.)

My heart links these two disasters. Both disasters are associated with instantaneous loss of many innocent children's lives - victims of a violent world.

In Aberfan, the violence was not from bombs but negligence, the dysfunction of the coal industry and, dare I say, bad karma.

Both disasters could have been avoided.

In Aberfan, the conditions for the disaster were building over time until it was inevitable. In the case of the the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, the conditions were strategic, based on intelligence (or misintelligence) and someone giving the order to fire. (The strike occurred amid wider US-Israel military operations, following an incident where US soldiers were killed in Kuwait.)

Iran's Minister of Education, Alireza Kazemi, announced that the destroyed school will be converted into a museum and memorial dedicated to the "student martyrs" who lost their lives. The site is set to be rebuilt with a special design symbolizing knowledge and sacrifice and it will be registered as a national heritage site.

The United States official response has been characterized by investigations, mixed public statements, and internal political pressure, i.e., initial denial and counter-accusation. (Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that investigations were underway but did not immediately accept responsibility, stating that the US does not target civilians.)

International organizations like Amnesty International have condemned the attack, calling on the US to hold those responsible accountable. . . The United States is very good at making martyrs.

I grieve the loss of so many children's lives in both the Aberfan and Minab disasters. And I am deeply ashamed, once again, to be an American.

In my own small way, I consider myself a martyr. I have always wondered what kind of person I would have been if I had lived my life in a truly free country, instead of in a militaristic state masquerading as a democracy.

........................

Afterthought:

I am reminded of this line that I wrote in my memoir (2018), "Finding myself in time: Facing the music":Are we still evolving or has our melodramatic history of transcendent highs and abysmal lows flat-lined?" I think it is time to ask ourselves this question.
Is It Truly Private? The Legal Gray Area That Led to The Lodge Raid

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

On March 10, the poker world was rocked by news that the largest card club in Texas had been raided. Authorities from both the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and the IRS raided The Lodge while seizing evidence and freezing assets.

The card club in Round Rock, Texas  co-owned by Doug Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin, as well as, minority owners such as Andrew Neeme and Brad Owen  has been closed since the raid and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

Initially, details were scarce until the Search and Seizure Warrant surfaced about a week later. In it, there are alleged violations that include engaging in organized criminal activity, money laundering, promotion of gambling, keeping a gambling place, and possession of a gambling device.

Card clubs in Texas have long been the subject of speculation regarding their legitimacy. Are they legal? It's a gray area without firm answers; in fact, how card clubs are viewed seems to vary from county to county (remember this raid in Tarrant County in 2022?), and authorities have never really weighed in on a statewide basis.

The 2022 raid at the Watauga Social Lounge Poker Club.

Charges have yet to be filed against Polk or anyone associated with The Lodge, so what exactly state authorities hope to accomplish remains unknown (i.e., are they challenging the legality of card clubs? Is it a tax or banking situation? Etc.). If the goal was to shut down all card rooms in Texas, why not go after others as well? Why not raid The Lodge Card Club in San Antonio?

Like a good poker player, authorities are playing their cards close to their chest when it comes to what they hope to accomplish and how theyll go about it. What is known is how the TABC was able to obtain, at least in part, a warrant from a judge.

On Page 4 of the 22-page affidavit, there is a seemingly innocuous paragraph that, when explored, explains a lot. It reads:

A public complaint (#3824166) was filed with TABC on 04/03/2024, which referenced a 2005 opinion written by then Attorney General Greg Abbott that stated a business that holds an On-Premise alcoholic beverage permit could not hold poker tournaments where real money was at risk by participants.

So, what exactly is the 2005 opinion written by Abbott, who is now the Governor of Texas?

Opinion No. GA-0335 weighs in on the topic of Whether a business that holds an on-premises alcoholic beverage permit may host a poker tournament and was written to the Honorable John W. Smith of Ector County District Court.

The seven-page opinion was written long before Texas cardrooms sprang up and, at the time, was geared more toward bar games. Even so, what it had to say, which was summarized below, would likely apply today.

A holder of an on-premises alcoholic beverage permit may not, without violating both section 47.04(a) of the Penal Code and Rule 35.31 of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, host a poker tournament in which participants risk money or any other thing of value for the opportunity to win a prize. A holder of an on-premises alcoholic beverage permit may, without violating either section 47.04(a) of the Penal Code or Rule 35.31 of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, host a poker tournament in which participants do not risk money or any other thing of value for the opportunity to win a prize.

Doug Polk

Theres no doubt that The Lodge held an on-premises alcoholic beverage permit. As the affidavit laid out, the club had been issued a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's On-Premise Permit (BG - 200070438) in September 2022 from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), and later renewed in September 2024 as a mixed Beverage permit (MB) - #200139615, which is current and active."

Additionally, On August 29, 2024, TABC issued an alcoholic beverage permit to The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, TABC recorded the owner of the mixed beverage permit, #200139615, that was issued to the Lodge Card Club, as Sleamond's Ice, LLC, an associated entity with Tempus Holdings, Inc., and whose managing members are Jake Abdalla and Douglas Polk.

All that said, the opinion includes a footnote setting out three criteria that would be a defense to prosecution, and it is these criteria that most businesses rely on for protection when operating.

Section 1 is the most important component  the actor engaged in gambling in a private place.

Now, whether or not Texas card rooms are considered a private place is a gray area. Theoretically, operating as a private club and requiring a membership would satisfy the classification as a private place.

When it comes to The Lodge, a reason for the raid could be that the TABC is hanging their case on the fact that they were able to enter the building and wander the premises without showing a membership card, and therefore, it didnt constitute a private place. If thats the case, the gambling could be considered illegal, and any funds associated with an illegal operation could be considered money laundering.

The affidavit describes several instances of undercover agents entering The Lodge, with one of them alleging he did so without having to show proof of membership.

Agent Teague informed that he continued into the club without showing proof of a membership, ID, or purchasing a membership. He stated he freely entered the gaming floor unimpeded and walked to the rear of the club where the bar was located.

The Lodge Card Club

According to the statutes and the aforementioned opinion, that would not constitute a defense to prosecution, which appears to be what the TABC and/or IRS seek. At the very least, it was their foot in the door. What exactly theyll prosecute is now the lingering question.

It's worth noting that Polk and other Texas operators have tried to work with lawmakers to pass bills (such as H.B. 2345 in 2023) to better define card clubs as legal, rather than relying on loopholes like the one described above. Unfortunately, such efforts have gained little momentum in the Texas House.

Until charges are filed, assuming they are (it took months in the instance of the 2022 raid), the poker world may not know the governments true aim in raiding The Lodge. In the meantime, the venue will remain closed, and more than 200 employees will be affected, not to mention players with outstanding chips and tournament payouts.

For more on The Lodge affidavit, check out the episode below of the PokerNews Podcast.

PokerNews will continue to monitor the situation in Texas and report updates if and when they happen.

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Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, host of both the PokerNews Podcast & MPST Podcast Presented By PokerNews, and 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner. Follow on

In this Series
Jake Collins put himself in position for a repeat performance today on Day 1b of the 888poker Live Glasgow 888 Main Event.

Two months ago, Collins made his first-ever live poker cash count when he made the final table of the 888poker Live Madrid Main Event. Back on home soil this time around, Collins was on the right side of two flips as he ended up with 353,000.

He first won a big race with jacks against William Hendersons ace-king to score the knockout. Collins then hit the river to win another race, this time against Jonathan Klingenberg in the closing moments of the day.

Collins is looking up only at Brandon Sheils, who took the overall tournament chip lead with a massive stack of 393,000. Blyth Paterson (267,000), Terry Grant (248,000), and Nicholas Swann (225,500) round out the top five.

Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Brandon Sheils United Kingdom 393,000 131 2 Jake Collins United Kingdom 353,000 118 3 Blyth Paterson United Kingdom 267,000 89 4 Terry Grant United Kingdom 248,000 83 5 Nicholas Swann United Kingdom 225,500 75 6 Zexuan Huang China 223,500 75 7 Jesus Ramos Spain 217,500 73 8 Vasileios Kontogiannis Greece 213,000 71 9 Majid Iqbal United Kingdom 195,500 65 10 Cristian Herberth Romania 190,500 64

Also among the 33 players to advance today were Jesus el_chur Ramos (217,500), Sinead Davenport (106,500), High Roller champion Dean Hutchison (85,500), Jack Hardcastle (68,000), and Robbie Bull (54,000).

Jesus Ramos

Dean Lyall was back to defend the title he won here last year, but two bullets werent enough for Lyall to survive the day and hell have to try again on another flight. Matthew Davenport, David Docherty, Michael Kane, and 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson were also eliminated throughout the day.

Day 1b attracted 158 entries to the Grosvenor Casino Merchant City, bringing the field up to 233 through the first two starting flights. There is still the turbo Day 1c flight that is ongoing, while the turbo Day 1d flight begins tomorrow at 11 a.m. All surviving players from the four starting flights return at 5 p.m. for Day 2. The action picks up on Level 15 with blinds of 1,500/3,000 and a 3,000 big blind ante. Late registration remains open until the start of the day, so the field should grow substantially by the time the official prize pool is confirmed.

Stay tuned as PokerNews returns tomorrow to follow all the action on Day 2 leading up to the money bubble and onwards to the final table.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Overcast. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
By Ismail Shakil and Timothy Gardner

March 20 (Reuters) - The Trump administration waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days on Friday in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

The waiver will bring some 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on energy supply, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on X.

More from Yahoo Scout How will the Iranian oil waiver impact global markets? How effective are sanctions waivers at controlling oil prices? Why did the Trump administration waive Iranian oil sanctions? What is Operation Epic Fury and its connection to oil?

The move reflects White House worries that the surge in oil prices after nearly three weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran will hurt U.S. businesses and consumers ahead of the November midterm elections, when President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans hope to retain control of Congress.

The license, posted to the Treasury Department's website after market hours, says Iranian oil can be imported into the United States under the waiver when necessary to complete its sale or delivery.

The U.S. has not meaningfully imported Iranian oil since Washington imposed measures after the 1979 revolution. It was unclear whether any Iranian oil would end up in the country as a result of the waiver.

Cuba, North Korea and Crimea are among regions excluded from the license, which will remain in effect until April 19.

The move is expected to benefit Asia, the top buyer of Middle Eastern oil. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said supplies could get to Asia within three or four days and hit the market after being refined over the coming month and a half.

Independent Chinese refiners have been the main buyers of sanctioned Iranian oil, taking advantage of deep discounts as others avoided such purchases. India, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Greece, Taiwan and Turkey were also major buyers of Iranian crude before U.S. sanctions were reimposed in 2018.

This is the third time the Treasury Department has temporarily waived sanctions on oil from U.S. adversaries in a little more than two weeks. The moves are part of the administration's attempts to tame energy prices that have soared above $100 a barrel to the highest levels since 2022.

The U.S. previously eased sanctions on Russian oil and on Friday issued a general license allowing the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels by Friday.

"In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury," Bessent said.

Bessent had telegraphed the move in an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, saying the release of the sanctioned Iranian oil into global supplies would help keep oil prices down for 10 to 14 days.
Quick Response and Public Safety Reporter

Caitlin Bell is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post and Courier Charleston. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Gedney M. Howe IV, an attorney for a mentally ill Charleston County detainee, is suing the county, sheriffs office and the jail former medical care provider over mysterious injuries that sent him to the emergency room in November 2022. As part of that medical lawsuit, Howe has subpoenaed five years of personal finance records from two Charleston County officials, who are fighting that demand. Howe said hes pursuing the records as he investigating the circumstances around the contracts signing and difficulty that came in terminating it as inmate deaths piled up.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET) is one of the 10 Stocks Dominating Todays Market Action.

Vermilion Energy saw its share prices jump to a new two-year high on Thursday, as investors gobbled up shares in liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers amid the surging prices of the commodity as a result of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

This followed a recent missile attack on Qatars Ras Laffan gas hubs, causing an extensive damage, according to the state-run energy firm.

Ras Laffan is Qatars main site for producing LNG, which is used for cooking, heating homes, and generating electricity. The hub is currently attributed to about a fifth of the worlds LNG supply.

Vermilion (VET) Hits 2-Year High on LNG Price Spike

The attacks sparked higher natural gas prices on the same day, with data from Trading Economics showing a jump of 1.72 percent to $3.12/MMBtu in the said commodity.

Shares of Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET) mirrored the rally, with the stock climbing to its highest price of $14.69 before paring gains to finish the session just up by 14.35 percent at $14.42 apiece.

In other news, Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET) is set to pay on March 31 worth $0.135 worth of dividends to all shareholders of record on March 13.

Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET) is a Canada-based producer of natural gas, with operations located in Canada, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, and Ireland.

While we acknowledge the potential of VET 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.
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The Townsend Agency Strengthens Its National Security and Humanitarian Mission Through Strategic Partnership with Federal Government AdvisorsBALTIMORE, MD / ACCESS Newswire / March 20, 2026 / TheTownsend Agency LLC, led by Director John Townsend , has secured a federal security guard contract valued at $782,856, marking a significant milestone for the agency and its continued growth in the national security sector. The contract was secured with the strategic assistance of Federal Government Advisors (FGA), whose expertise in federal procurement and government contracting helped position the agency for success.Through its collaboration with FGA, The Townsend Agency has strengthened its presence within both the security and humanitarian sectors, demonstrating the organization's commitment to operational excellence, public safety, and ethical service."We are proud to have Federal Government Advisors by our side," said Director John Townsend, Owner of The Townsend Agency LLC. "Their guidance in securing elite, high-quality federal bids has helped elevate our agency and expand our ability to serve communities while confronting serious global threats." Under Director Townsend's leadership, the Townsend Agency has developed a reputation for strategic foresight, resilience, and mission-focused operations. With FGA's collaboration, the agency continues to expand its work combating global criminal enterprises, including terrorism, human trafficking, child exploitation, narcotics trafficking, and illicit arms networks.The organization works in lawful coordination with both domestic and international partners, focusing on disrupting criminal infrastructures and protecting vulnerable communities.A Dual Mission: Security and Humanitarian ImpactBeyond security operations, The Townsend Agency has also delivered critical humanitarian assistance across Maryland and internationally. During periods of natural disasters and economic disruption, the agency has mobilized rapid response efforts to sustain medical and emergency operations for communities in crisis.ThroughFederal Government Advisors ' strategic partnership, the agency's rapid response capabilities have gained greater visibility and recognition, strengthening public confidence in the organization's ability to deliver effective relief efforts.Director Townsend's leadership has ensured that operational readiness translates into tangible, life-sustaining support for communities.Operating in austere environments, Townsend personally engages with local communities to assess immediate needs and coordinate relief operations. While federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and humanitarian organizations including Samaritan's Purse mobilized their own response initiatives, the Townsend Agency established structured, mission-oriented operations designed to deliver aid quickly and efficiently.These efforts earned Director Townsend a personal letter of recognition from the Mayor of Berlin, Maryland, commending the professionalism, discipline, and measurable impact of his team during critical response operations.Military Precision in Crisis ResponseDrawing on his background in Military Police and Anti-Terrorism training, Director Townsend implemented military-style logistical frameworks designed to ensure efficiency, accountability, and rapid deployment of resources.Under his direction, agency teams delivered food, potable water, and basic medical assistance to residents in remote and difficult-to-reach terrain, accelerating relief distribution and stabilizing vulnerable populations awaiting broader federal assistance.Director Townsend's leadership philosophy is clear: act decisively, operate ethically, and prioritize human life above all else. His ability to transition from high-level strategic oversight to direct field engagement reflects the Townsend Agency's unique dual mission, protecting communities from global threats while providing humanitarian support where it is needed most.A Growing PartnershipThe successful $782,856 contract represents another step forward in the ongoing partnership betweenFederal Government Advisors and The Townsend Agency.Through FGA's expertise in federal contracting strategy and procurement, the agency continues to expand its capabilities and opportunities within government operations."Thanks to FGA's partnership, the Townsend Agency continues to stand as a beacon of service, justice, and operational excellence, both globally and here at home," Townsend said.About The Townsend Agency LLC The Townsend Agency LLC is a security and humanitarian operations organization dedicated to combating global criminal threats while supporting vulnerable communities through rapid response relief and strategic partnerships. Led by Director John Townsend, the agency focuses on ethical, mission-driven operations designed to protect lives and strengthen community resilience.About Federal Government Advisors (FGA) Federal Government Advisors is a consulting firm specializing in federal procurement strategy, government contracting, and advisory services. FGA works with organizations to identify opportunities, develop competitive proposals, and successfully secure federal contracts.To learn more visit: https://federalgovadvisors.com/ Contact: (833) 902-0436SOURCE: Federal Government Advisors
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 21, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation ("NuScale" or the "Company") (NYSE:SMR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether NuScale and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until April 20, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired NuScale securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On November 6, 2025 NuScale revealed that its general and administrative expenses had ballooned more than 3,000% to $519 million during its third fiscal quarter, up from $17 million in the prior year period, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 Energy LLC ("ENTRA1") in connection with an agreement to develop power plants to provide the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") with up to six gigawatts of new nuclear power generation. As a result, NuScale's quarterly net loss skyrocketed to $532 million, up from $46 million in the prior year period. During a corresponding conference call, analysts pressed NuScale management regarding whether ENTRA1 was sufficiently experienced to own and operate the energy generation facilities contemplated by the TVA agreement. NuScale's Chief Executive Officer further revealed during the call that the agreement between ENTRA1 and the TVA contemplated as many as 72 NPMs, meaning NuScale's milestone payments to ENTRA1 could potentially exceed more than $3 billion.On this news, NuScale's stock price fell $7.57 per share, or 19.97%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $30.34 per share on November 7, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 20, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) resulting from allegations that Barclays may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.SO WHAT: If you purchased Barclays securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23523 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 27, 2026, Reuters published an article entitled "Wall Street hit by UK mortgage lender collapse, raising fears of more credit  cockroaches.'" The article stated that lenders were "rocked by the implosion of little-known UK mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions Ltd ["MFS"], fuelling concerns about wider losses among banks and reviving warnings of more "cockroaches" in the booming private credit industry." It further stated that another publication "reported Barclays has a 600 million pound ($809.70 million) exposure to MFS." On this news, Barclays American Depositary Shares ("ADS") fell 3.99% on February 27, 2026, and 2.3% on March 2, 2026.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. At the time Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 21, 2026 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in NuScale, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/nuscale-class-action-lawsuit Key Details of the NuScale ($SMR) Class Action:Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 20, 2026Alleged Misconduct: Misrepresenting the experience and capabilities of ENTRA1 and its role in developing and commercializing NuScale's nuclear power modulesLargest Alleged Stock Decline: November 10, 2025 - 12.4% Stock DropCourt: U.S. District Court for the District of OregonAction: Contact BFA Law to discuss your rightsInvestors have until April 20, 2026 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in NuScale Class A common stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and is captioned Truedson v. NuScale Power Corporation, et al., No. 3:26-cv-00328.Why is NuScale Being Sued for Securities Fraud?NuScale is a nuclear technology company. Its core technology is the NuScale Power Module ("NPM"), a small modular nuclear reactor ("SMR") designed to generate energy within a broader power plant. Prior to the start of the Class Period, NuScale established a partnership with ENTRA1 Energy LLC. Under this agreement, ENTRA1 was responsible for constructing power generation facilities incorporating NuScale's NPMs and managing the financing, development, and initial operations of the facilities utilizing the NPMs.NuScale allegedly touted ENTRA1's purported wide-ranging capabilities and deep experience developing power plants. According to NuScale, ENTRA1 is an "independent power plant development platform," "led by an executive team of energy, infrastructure, and finance sector veterans," with the type of experience that is "exactly what is required" to commercialize and deploy NuScale's NPMs.As alleged, in truth, ENTRA1 had never built, financed, or operated any significant project, let alone a project in the complex field of nuclear power generation. Moreover, in contrast to NuScale's representations, ENTRA1 had been organized primarily to support the work of one individual, its principal Wadie Habboush, an investor and entrepreneur.Why did NuScale's Stock Drop?On November 6, 2025, NuScale disclosed that its general and administrative expenses had increased from $17 million in the prior year period, to $519 million during 3Q 2025, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 for its services. Also on November 6, 2025, under pressure from investment analysts, NuScale acknowledged that ENTRA1 did not have any significant experience building nuclear power projects and admitted that ENTRA1 would not actually be "out there building the power plants" but would serve "to coordinate projects, to bring in partners, to get deals and the partners they bring in that can execute." Following this news, analysts with Guggenheim Securities, LLC published a report stating that ENTRA1 is a "3-year old company that has never built, financed or operated anything" and had just "3 employees and 1 investor," and stated a "more accurate description of ENTRA1 would be that it is an entity supporting the activities of a single individual, specifically Mr. Habboush." This news caused the price of NuScale stock to drop $4.03 per share over two trading days, or more than 12.4%, from a closing price of $32.46 per share on November 6, 2025, to $28.43 per share on November 10, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/nuscale-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in NuScale, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Adam McCall adam@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why 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 Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
Nigerian dancer and entrepreneur Kafayat Kaffy Shafau has launched Sister Circle, a women-focused empowerment initiative aimed at fostering personal growth, leadership and meaningful connections.

The inaugural event, held on Tuesday at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, drew a sold-out audience for what organisers described as a roundtable gathering centred on dialogue, networking and shared experiences among women from diverse professional backgrounds.

The initiative, conceived as an ongoing platform rather than a one-off event, is built on the theme Share, Connect, Grow, with a broader focus on wellness, wealth and womanhood. It also coincides with the celebration of the 2026 Womens Month.

According to the 2006 Guinness World Record holder for the Longest Dance Party, the platform is designed to provide a safe space for honest conversations around identity, resilience, discipline, purpose and transformation.

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Roll call

The event featured a diverse lineup of influential women from the corporate, creative, and wellness sectors, including Olori Boye-Ajayi, entrepreneur Adesunmbo Adeoye, and Financial Institution Training Centre (FITC) CEO Chizor Malize.

Also present were reality TV star Uriel Oputa, Nollywood actress Carolyn Hutchings, and Victoria Nkong, each bringing unique perspectives from their respective fields.

The lineup was completed by Chetachi Okechukwu and a surprise appearance from content creator Folagade Banks (Mama Deola), who added depth and insight to the event.

Speaking at the launch, Kaffy described the project as a leap of faith intended to reshape conversations around womanhood, encourage balanced perspectives between men and women, and extend its impact to grassroots communities.

Vision

The 45-year-old dancer emphasised that the vision goes beyond discussion, urging participants to embrace practical transformation in their personal and professional lives.

I know what it feels like to have a lot inside of you bottled in, but you dont have the language to express it. I know what it feels like to feel so powerful, and I also know what it feels like when its not reciprocal. I know what it feels like to be unseen. The environment says give me more, but you need to be less, and you feel like an imposter in your own success.

We have to accept where we are for us to see where we are going. See, sister, now is the time; there is no other day that is better than today. Memory can be doomed if we hold on to it too much, only extracting the lessons. You are a vessel of productivity, creativity, and authority, and today, youve got to reclaim that power, the award-winning dancer stated.

The event featured keynote contributions from industry leaders, including Malize, who highlighted the importance of self-awareness, intentional growth and discipline, encouraging women to identify their strengths, support one another and pursue purpose-driven paths.

Side attractions

On the side, the event atmosphere took a personal turn, with calming activities like hand-washing rituals, eye-gazing, and aromatherapy, which Kaffy enabled to create a safe and nurturing space.

There were also open hot seat sessions and opportunities for mentorship and networking, encouraging honest conversations about growth and life challenges.

The convener noted that Sister Circle is important because it helps women build confidence, prioritise their well-being, and openly discuss real struggles while also offering support to grow their careers and businesses.

Another key highlight of the event was a live signing of Kaffys memoir, Alajoota: A Kaffy Story, which explores themes of resilience, identity and reinvention.

In a post-event message, Kaffy expressed gratitude for the turnout and described the launch as a step toward building a community of empowered women.

With plans already underway to expand the initiative beyond Lagos, Sister Circle is expected to evolve into a movement focused on womens development and societal impact across regions.
Human rights lawyer Marshall Abubakar has responded to the allegation businesswoman Tracy Ohiri levelled against him in her dispute with the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Ms Ohiri and Mr Umahi had been in the news over allegations of unpaid debts, harassment, and unlawful detention, among other issues.

While Mr Umahi dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and baseless, Ms Ohiri, in a viral video obtained by this newspaper on Friday, accused Mr Abubakar, her lawyer in the case, of lacking transparency.

The businesswoman further insisted that both Mr Abubakar and the minister should be held accountable if anything happened to her.

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Ms Ohiri alleged that she was forced to withdraw her statements under pressure and was promised compensation that never materialised.

She alleged that Mr Abubakar urged her to record the retraction, assuring her that Mr Umahi had agreed to make the payment.

However, she said the money was not received before the video was published, contrary to the agreement she was told about.

Lawyer reacts

Reacting to Ms Ohiris allegations, the lawyer posted a statement on his Facebook page on Thursday, accusing the businesswoman of spreading falsehoods.

He added that he and other activists played a key role in preventing her from going to jail.

Mr Abubakar said: Our focus was that, on no account, should state apparatus be deployed to gag free speech. It was due to our continuous activism that Ms Ohiri is not in prison today. I led other activist lawyers to move for her bail orally & even while bail was granted, there was a long standoff & a lucid ploy to send her to prison at all costs. We eventually succeeded and helped her escape prison.

Distinguished Senator Ireti Kingibe tried to broker peace and mediate, but she informed me that Mr Umahi insisted that he wasnt owing her and wouldnt pay unless she could establish the existence of a contract between them. I spoke to Senator Umahi with Mummy Iretis phone & he was adamant, he promised he would exhaust the full judicial process to clear his name & promised to pay her tenfold if the court ruled that he owes her, but unless that, she would face the full wrath of the law.

Evidence

Furthermore, Mr Abubakar stated that after the initial attempt failed, a meeting was rescheduled, and he promised to provide an update after speaking with Ms Ohiri.

He added that, following his discussion with the businesswoman, she was presented with two options: either proceed with the dispute or consider a settlement.

If she elects to fight on, we would fight with her but she must provide necessary evidence on core issues; I discovered that there was no single real evidence of any contractual agreement between her and the Minister, that there was no evidence that the minister ever engaged her to do any contract and that there was no evidence that the minister ever informed her that what happened to the NELAN Engineers would happen to her.

She couldnt show a single piece of evidence that she delivered the goods to the ministers house as she claimed. Meanwhile, Mr Umahi already filed several cases in Ebonyi state against her. When she eventually decided, she said she didnt want to go to Ebonyi state and that she wouldnt mind peace. We had a follow-up meeting with the Ministers lawyer, Mr Abdul SAN, the ministers friend Barrister Joseph Ekumankama, Senator Ireti, Ms Tracy, her husband and I, Marshal Abubakar in attendance, he said.

Apology

The lawyer said the follow-up meeting ended in deadlock, as Ms Ohiri became agitated and directed insults at everyone present.

He added that, once she realised the impact of her behaviour, she later called him, apologising and pleading for help.

According to the lawyer, he advised her to gather evidence to support her claims, while she begged him not to abandon her.

Mr Abubakar noted, She said she cant go to Ebonyi and that shes scared of Mr Umahi. At long last, she offered to apologise. Mr Umahi insisted that he would not pay a dime unless she could show that there were communications between them before 2023. I reached out to Barrister Joseph (who himself had been a minister), and he offered to raise some money if she would recant the false allegations; otherwise, I should allow her to face the music.

I informed her of the decision. I told her that I do not like getting involved in money matters because of the bad blood they often generate. She said she cant meet them cause shes scared. I told her that defamation under Nigerian law is both a crime and a tortious wrong (though I have been at the forefront of the fight to decriminalise free speech, its still the law). She admitted she had no evidence and agreed to recant so long as the court proceedings against her would be terminated. They agreed to terminate.

$70,000

Mr Abubakar further stated that after Ms Ohiri acknowledged she had no evidence and the case was dismissed, Joseph Ekumankama handed him $70,000 to pass on to her.

He explained that Mr Ekumankama clarified the payment was neither compensation for any contract nor an admission of liability, but rather a gesture aimed at maintaining peace and resolving the matter amicably through mediation.

Barrister Joseph Ekumankama is still alive and can be contacted for verification. It is to be noted that in all of this, I never sought any pecuniary gains for myself. Barrister Joseph and Senator Umahi can confirm that, even when money for colanut and fuel (in dollars) was offered, I politely declined, insisting that helping her find peace was my ultimate concern. Sadly, Ms Ohiri has fought every one of my comrades and persons who stood in her defence.

She throws tantrums, lies spontaneously & quickly turns friends & allies to foes. Her anger is that I could not get 300,000,000 for her. I explained to her that her initial claim was for 25 million naira. 100,000,000 is far above that, and even a court of law would most likely not award her that much, even if she could establish her claim. She told me that she had the international lawyers who would help her get much more, and I wished her luck.

Legal action

Mr Abubakar also threatened legal action against Ms Ohiri, claiming she had threatened to start an online campaign to damage his reputation.

He expressed disappointment that Ms Ohiri, whom he and others had defended wholeheartedly, sometimes at great personal risk, could end up spreading falsehoods about them.

She promised to drag my name online unless I meet them to pay her 300,000,000, and that she had lost business, thus I must be held responsible and must provide her money.

We befriended a scorpion and got a life lesson. I would surely appraise the situation and take the appropriate legal actions against Ms Ohiri.

Backstory

Ms Ohiri had claimed that Mr Umahi owed her N250 million for promotional and printing services she provided during his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State, according to the Cable newspaper.

She alleged that her repeated requests for payment were met with advances from the minister, which she said she refused.

READ ALSO: Umahi speaks on five engineers abducted since 2021 in Ebonyi

The businesswoman further claimed that, after rejecting the advances, the situation escalated, resulting in threats and eventual police involvement.

Ms Ohiri was arrested in Lagos over allegations of cyberbullying related to her social media posts about the dispute. She was later transferred to Abuja, where she was held at the FCT Police Command.

She was subsequently arraigned at a magistrates court in Wuse, Abuja, on a defamation charge and granted bail.

The case drew widespread attention after activist and former presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, confronted Mr Umahi at the police headquarters, criticising what he described as the criminalisation of a civil dispute.

Following Mr Umahis denial of the allegations, Ms Ohiri released a video amid the controversy, retracting her claims and apologising to the minister and his family.

She explained that her decision came after consultations with her family, friends, and legal advisers.
Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES) is included among the 13 Oil Stocks with Highest Dividends.

Western Midstream Partners (WES) Price Target Lowered to $43

Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES) operates as a midstream energy company primarily in the United States.

On March 12, JPMorgan slightly reduced its price target on Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES) from $44 to $43, but kept its Neutral rating on the shares. The lowered target, which still indicates an upside of almost 4% from the current levels, comes as the analyst firm updated the companys model following its Q4 report.

Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES) posted disappointing results for its Q4 2025 on February 18, with the companys earnings and revenue both falling behind estimates. Westerns adjusted EPS of $0.48 was well below expectations of $0.80, while its revenue of just over $1 billion also missed consensus by $18 million, despite a YoY growth of 11%.

That said, Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES) delivered a record adjusted EBITDA of $2.48 billion for full-year 2025, up 6% YoY and exceeding the midpoint of its guidance range. The firms free cash flow for the year also surged by 15% YoY to just under $1.53 billion, also exceeding the high end of its guidance range.

While we acknowledge the potential of WES as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading into 2026 and 12 Best Large Cap Energy Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None.
The Jehovahs Witnesses, a religious organisation, has announced an update to their long-standing policy on blood transfusions.

Gerrit Losch, a senior figure in the church, revealed the decision in a video published on JW.org on Friday, stating that it followed a review by the Governing Body.

He explained that the revised guidance now allows members to have their own blood removed, stored and later returned to them during medical procedures.

Relaxed rules

He said: Therefore, after much prayer and consideration of the scriptures, the Governing Body has decided to clarify our position on the use of a patients own blood in medical and surgical care. The clarification is this. Each Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be used in all medical and surgical care. This includes whether to allow his own blood to be removed, stored, and then given back to him.

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What does this mean? Some Christians may decide that they would allow their blood to be stored and then be given back to them. Others may object. Each Christian must make their personal decision on all matters involving the use of their own blood for medical or surgical care. In review, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.

Apostolic command

Furthermore, he stated that the governing body prohibited blood transfusions between individuals.

He explained that the directive was based on their interpretation of the apostolic instruction to abstain from blood.

Furthermore, the Bible does not comment on the use of a persons own blood in medical and surgical care.

Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care, said Mr Losch.

He added that the organisation maintained that every Christian must make a personal decision about how their blood is handled during a surgical procedure, medical test, or ongoing treatment.

For that reason, many Christians accept simple procedures such as blood tests, as well as more complicated procedures involving their own blood, such as the use of heart-lung machines, cell salvage devices, and kidney dialysis treatments.

Backstory

The decision came months after a church member, identified as AuntieEsther, declined a blood transfusion recommended by doctors as part of her cancer treatment.

In December, The Punch reported that she later died after refusing the procedure in line with her faith as one of Jehovahs Witnesses.

The paper stated that her case attracted widespread public attention, particularly after Nigerians donated more than N30 million towards her treatment.

According to the paper, the fundraising effort was largely coordinated by charity advocate Wisdom Obi-Dickson, popularly known on X as #Wizarab10, who disclosed that N30.7 million had been raised as of 1 December 2025.

The paper added that her church had warned her of possible disciplinary measures, including disfellowship, if she accepted a blood transfusion.

The paper noted that doctors presented her with two options: a treatment plan involving transfusion, which the donated funds covered, or a more expensive and prolonged alternative that avoided blood transfusion.

She chose the latter, in keeping with her religious convictions.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has responded to the recent allegations made against him by businesswoman Tracy Ohiri.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that, in a video, Mrs Ohiri alleged that human rights lawyer Marshall Abubakar, who represented her in the case involving the minister, pressured her into withdrawing claims that Mr Umahi owed her N250 million, among other accusations.

She said Mr Abubakar assured her that the minister had agreed to pay the money and encouraged her to record a retraction on that basis.

However, she claimed the promised compensation never materialised, adding that she had not received any payment before the video was released, contrary to what she had been led to believe.

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Responding to the claims after Mr Abubakar dismissed them as false and baseless, Mr Umahi defended the lawyers role.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, on Saturday, the minister said Mr Abubakar acted in good faith.

He said the lawyer was driven solely by a genuine desire to assist Mrs Ohiri and resolve the matter amicably.

He said: At no time did Barr. Marshall discusses or negotiates payment of any money to Mrs Ohiri. However, some associates and well-meaning individuals approached him independently to help her.

It must also be emphasised that Barr. Marshall Abubakar conducted himself with utmost decency and integrity throughout. He neither requested nor received any money from the Honourable Minister at any point.

Evidence

Furthermore, the minister said he had clearly outlined two conditions for resolving the dispute.

He stated that the matter should either be determined in court or that Mrs Ohiri should present verifiable evidence, including all relevant communications, to support her claims.

Mr Umahi added that, as Mrs Ohiri had failed to provide credible and verifiable evidence, he had directed his legal team to proceed with the necessary action.

The Minister has directed his legal team to proceed with all court processes to ensure that the truth is fully established. The Minister further acknowledged that he had indicated to Barr. Marshall, if Mrs Ohiri could provide complete evidence, logs and communications from the period in question, some friends and associates were willing to contribute the sum of One Billion Naira (N1b).

The Minister is still waiting for the above. It is also worth noting that for several years, the Minister chose to remain silent despite persistent provocations and public attacks. This restraint was deliberate and guided by a commitment to focus on state and national service rather than distractions. However, recent developments have made it necessary to respond.

Mandate

Additionally, Mr Umahi appreciated Nigerians who took their time to examine the facts and form an informed view of the situation.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his mandate, stressing that he would not be distracted from ongoing efforts to deliver critical road infrastructure across the country.

There is growing awareness that not everyone who presents themselves as a victim truly is one, and that, in some cases, narratives are deliberately inverted. The focus remains on results, service, and ensuring that Nigerians continue to benefit from projects that improve connectivity, economic growth, and national development.

We assure Nigerians that this administration will continue to pursue its transformation agenda with dedication, transparency, and an unwavering sense of responsibility, said Mr Umahi.

Backstory

This newspaper earlier reported that Mrs Ohiri alleged that Mr Umahi owed her N250 million for promotional and printing services rendered during his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State.

She claimed that instead of settling the debt, the minister made advances towards her, which she said she rejected. According to her, the situation worsened after she turned down those advances, leading to alleged threats and eventual police involvement.

Mrs Ohiri was later arrested in Lagos over claims of cyberbullying linked to her social media posts on the dispute.

She was subsequently transferred to Abuja, where she was detained at the FCT Police Command.

She was later arraigned before a magistrates court in Wuse, Abuja, on a charge of defamation and was granted bail.

The case attracted public attention after activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, confronted Mr Umahi at the police headquarters, criticising what he described as the criminalisation of a civil dispute.

Amid the controversy and following Mr Umahis denial of the allegations, Mrs Ohiri released a video in which she withdrew her claims and apologised to the minister and his family.

She said her decision followed consultations with her family, friends, and legal advisers.
Nollywood filmmaker and media entrepreneur, Mo Abudu, has unveiled an expanded cast for the forthcoming film adaptation of The Secret Lives of Baba Segis Wives.

The announcement was made recently via her Instagram page, where the CEO of EbonyLife Media disclosed that a new wave of actors would join what is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious ensemble productions in recent Nigerian cinema.

Hello beautiful people, Baba Segi Collective is proud to reveal an additional lineup of incredible talent, joining the cast of The Secret Lives of Baba Segis Wives, our Christmas special film, Ms Abudu wrote.

As our creative journey continues to evolve, our commitment remains the same, bringing together a powerful ensemble of actors who will bring this unforgettable story to life.

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She added, We are delighted to welcome the next wave of brilliant performers. Each of them brings their own energy, depth and magic to the world of Baba Segi, and we cannot wait for you to experience the drama, humour and heart they will deliver on screen.

This story has lived in the hearts of audiences for years, and now we are building a film that honours that legacy while introducing it to a whole new generation. Christmas is going to be unforgettable.

New and returning cast

The newly announced cast members include Faithia Williams, Damilola Adegbite, Nancy Isime, Uzor Arukwe, Mike Ezuronye, Blessing Jessica Obasi, Nkechi Blessing Sunday, social media sensation Maleek Sanni, and Mallu Marik.

They join an already star-studded lineup previously announced by the producers, led by Odunlade Adekola in the titular role of Baba Segi.

Other principal cast members include Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye, Omowunmi Dada, Shaffy Bello and Bisola Aiyeola.

The ensemble further features Lateef Adedimeji, Kunle Remi, Bolaji Ogunmola, Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba, Daniel Effiong, Femi Branch, Rotimi Fakunle, KieKie (Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori), and Constance Olatunde.

From page to screen

The film is based on the critically acclaimed 2010 novel by Lola Shoneyin, widely regarded as a modern Nigerian literary classic.

The book has been translated into multiple languages and previously adapted into a successful stage play performed in Nigeria and internationally.

Set in Ibadan, the story centres on Baba Segi, a wealthy polygamist, and his four wives, whose seemingly stable household unravels under the weight of hidden rivalries, infertility struggles, patriarchy and deeply buried secrets.

The arrival of the youngest and most educated wife disrupts the fragile balance, exposing truths that challenge tradition and authority.

Themes, release and expectations

The film producer say the film adaptation will retain the novels core themes, gender politics, power relations in polygamous families, sexuality, and the social pressures placed on women, while expanding its visual and emotional depth for contemporary audiences.

With its mix of drama, satire and social commentary, The Secret Lives of Baba Segis Wives is expected to appeal to both domestic and international audiences.

According to the producers, the film is scheduled for a December premiere, positioning it as a major holiday release.

While further details on distribution and streaming partnerships are yet to be disclosed, the scale of casting and production suggests a wide theatrical rollout alongside potential global streaming exposure.
The 15th edition of the iREP International Documentary Film Festival 2026 kicked off in Lagos. It marked a significant shift in its programming approach as organisers adopt a fully curated model, eliminating open submissions in a bid to refine artistic direction and elevate African documentary storytelling.

Running from 18 to 22 March 2026, the five-day festival is hosted primarily at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre, with evening screenings at Freedom Park. Attendance is free, with daily activities spanning from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., drawing filmmakers, scholars, policymakers and enthusiasts from across Africa and beyond.

Organised by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa and led by co-founder and Executive Director Femi and partnered with Ecobank Nigeria, this years edition is themed Transformation, reflecting on the evolving role of documentary filmmaking in shaping public discourse, influencing policy, preserving cultural memory and amplifying African voices globally.

Ahead of the festival, the three-day Ecobank-iREP Mobile Phone Filmmaking Workshop trained 120 emerging filmmakers in producing documentaries on smartphones, with selected works featured in the festivals screening lineup.

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Cocktail reception

The festival opened on Wednesday with a cocktail reception and industry networking event at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre, alongside visual art displays. The opening film, Madu, directed by Joel Kachi Benson, chronicles the journey of Nigerian ballet dancer Anthony Madu and received an emotional response from audiences.

Notable personalities in attendance included Kunle Afolayan, who engaged with workshop participants and encouraged knowledge-sharing within the industry, as well as actors Joke Silva, Sam Dede and Richard Mofe-Damijo. The Director-General of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini, was also present.

Run Down

Over its five-day run, iREP 2026 features more than 30 award-winning, socially impactful documentaries that address themes such as governance, identity, history, technology, the environment, and human rights. The programme includes screenings, plenary sessions, keynote addresses, artist-focused discussions, workshops and networking events.

Other sessions spotlighted critical industry conversations, including a keynote on Nollywood & the Future of Film Distribution led by Chike Maduegbuna, with contributions from Tunde Kelani, Adeoye Abodunrin and Mahmoud Ali-Balogun.

Media personality Chude Jideonwo also discussed the impact of filmmaking, presenting excerpts from his work. A separate plenary on Documentary Intervention in Politics featured a panel including Reuben Abati, Victor Okhai, Anuli Agina and Kadaria Ahmed, with discussions anchored around the documentary Double Minority.

Film screenings continue across both venues, with notable titles such as An African Election by Jarett Merz, OUI VOODOO by Femi Odugbemi, and Memories of Love Returned by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine. Evening audiences at Freedom Park are also treated to Lagos Hot 2, a documentary exploring the cultural significance of Aso-Oke.

The festival will conclude on Sunday with closing plenaries examining documentary filmmaking as a tool for challenging stereotypes about Africa and the role of artificial intelligence in storytelling.

A special Artist-in-Focus session will spotlight Tunde Kelanis career. At the same time, the Arts Stampede, organised by CORA, will honour late scholar Prof. Biodun Jeyifo and explore the role of critics in preserving cultural memory.
Months after his alleged abduction, assault and public humiliation in Benin City, Nollywood filmmaker, Don Pedro Obaseki, has filed a case against 11 individuals accused of being responsible for the act.

On 28 December, 2025, Mr Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, was dragged from a field where he was assaulted and dragged to the palace of the Oba of Benin.

The attackers labelled him an Oghioba (enemy of the Oba), forcibly dragging him to the Obas Palace to answer for his attendance at a UK meet and greet, where he was alleged to have denigrated the palace.

Following the unfortunate incident, which generated a lot of furore, especially in film circles, Mr Obaseki announced that he would engage the services of renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, as lead counsel.

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Litigation

In a recent development, the filmmaker has filed for an award of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general and exemplary damages against the Respondents jointly and severally for the unlawful violation of the applicants fundamental rights.

Those joined in the suit include Osazee b Adun (alias Kapuepu), Osayande Obakhavbaye, Gege Izua Adun, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo, Julius Imafu, Uyigue Obazehowan, Osamiemwanfan Ojo (alias Sales Guy), Rambo Izua Adun, Uwaifo Orhue Ogiugo, Osaro Iyamu (alias Culture), Chris Osa Media, the State Security Service, as well as the Attorney-General Of The Federation

In a motion with suit number FHC/B/08/20/2026, the politician and businessman is also seeking a declaration that his abduction, violent physical assault and brutalisation constituted a real, imminent and unlawful threat to his life and a gross violation of his fundamental right to life as guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution.

Other demands

In addition, Mr Obaseki is seeking, among other things, a declaration that his detention for about five hours at a police station in Benin City, Edo State, on the said day is unlawful and capable of constituting a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty.

The filmmaker is also seeking a declaration that the failure, neglect and refusal of the SSS and Attorney-General to arrest, investigate and prosecute the persons who abducted and assaulted the applicant constitute a breach of their constitutional and statutory duties.

He is also seeking an order to direct the SSS and the Attorney-General to cause the prompt identification, arrest, thorough investigation and prosecution, in accordance with law, of the 1st to 11th Respondents and all other persons involved in his alleged abduction, torture and assault as well as a public apology by the 1st to 11th Respondents to be published in two national newspapers.

Petition

In January, following his alleged assault, Mr Obaseki petitioned the Director-General of the SSS.

In his petition, Mr Obaseki stated that he was beaten, stripped naked and publicly humiliated as he was dragged across major roads in Benin City, including areas around Holy Arousa Church.

He urged the SSS to investigate the matter, identify all those involved, and take appropriate action in line with the law.

Palace response

Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council dissociated the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, from the assault on the filmmaker, saying the monarch neither authorised nor condoned the incident.

In a statement issued by its Secretary, Frank Irabor, the council described the attack on Mr Obaseki as unfortunate and contrary to the character and values of the Benin throne.

The Benin Traditional Council wishes to use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incident in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorised by the Oba of Benin. It could not have been authorised, as such an act is inconsistent with the character of our revered monarch, the statement said.

Legal action

In January, the renowned writer said that after extensive consultations with his wife and children, members of the Obaseki family and clan, senior legal advisers and respected elders, he had decided to sue the perpetrators of the act.

He noted that the move was driven, not by revenge or political motives, but by the need for accountability, deterrence and the protection of human dignity.

Mr Obaseki described the incident as a grave violation of his fundamental rights, stating that the acts amounted to terrorism-related violence under Nigerian law.

Arrest, arraignment

In February, the SSS formally took over the investigation into the alleged attack and abduction of the veteran filmmaker.

It then followed it up with the arrest and arraignment of Mr Osazee before Justice R. A. Ogbevoen of Benin High Court in Edo State, over the alleged attack and abduction of veteran filmmaker, Don Pedro Obaseki.

In a short ruling, Justice Ogbevoen agreed with the defence counsel and admitted the defendant to bail to the tune of 5 million, with a surety who is resident within the courts jurisdiction.

The judge further ruled that the surety must be a civil servant at the grade level 12 or above.

Terrorism-related

In January, Mr Falana described the actions of Mr Obasekis abductors as terrorist acts, promising that they would face the full weight of the law.

According to Mr Falana, under the Terrorism Act of 2022, once a citizen is kidnapped or abducted and subjected to brutalisation, and in the process they are exposed to ridicule, threatened or killed, it becomes a terrorist act.

But also, under the Anti-Torture Act of 2017, any person who subjects a Nigerian to physical, psychological and mental torture is liable to be prosecuted, and the penalty is 25 years imprisonment, no option of fine.
Over 2,500 people have now been confirmed dead in the war that the United States and Israel launched against Iran, which has now spread across the Middle East.

Also, attacks on major gas facilities in four Middle Eastern countries are worsening the wars economic impact.

The war entered its 22nd day and its fourth week today (Saturday).

Strikes are intensifying, casualties rising, with the majority of them in Iran. More than 2,500 people have been confirmed dead from the war, with over 1,400 of them killed in Iran. Over 1,000 people have also been killed in Lebanon, where Hezbollah joined the war on Irans side.

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We bring you major updates on the war on its 21st day.

Trump says he does not want ceasefire

Despite calls for an end to the war and a return to negotiations, President Donald Trump has said he is uninterested in a ceasefire agreement with Iran.

You know you dont do a ceasefire when youre literally obliterating the other side, Mr Trump said on Friday.

He, however, stated on Truth Social that he considered winding down the war, as the US is close to meeting its objectives.

We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran, he wrote.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Trump said it must be guarded by nations that rely on it for oil supply.

He said it will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not!

If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldnt be necessary once Irans threat is eradicated.

Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them, he said.

Trump calls NATO allies Coward

In another post , Mr Trump tagged NATO allies cowards for their refusal to support the US and Israel in their war with Iran.

He also referred to the NATO alliance as a paper tiger.

According to him, the Strait of Hormuz has remained closed due to their lack of support.

He said NATO countries did not want to join the fight against Iran, yet they still complain about high oil prices.

NATO countries are COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!

Now that the fight is militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but dont want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military manoeuvre that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk, he said.

US deploys more troops to Middle East

Reuters reports that the US is deploying thousands of marines and more warships to the Middle East.

As energy prices rise, Mr Trump is desperate to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has been considering deployments up to and including landings.

The New York Times estimates that about 2,500 marines have been redeployed to the region.

It was reported that they are expected to take the place of the Marines who were quickly deployed to the region from Japan last week.

US grants a 30-day waiver on Iranian oil

The US has issued a 30-day sanction waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil at sea to ease oil prices.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disclosed this on X.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the US was considering removing restrictions on the purchase of Iranian oil already in the Persian Gulf.

In his post on Friday, Mr Bessent said the waiver will bring some 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on energy supplies.

This temporary, short-term authorisation is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production.

Further, Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated, and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system, he said.

Mr Bessent noted the US would use it to keep global oil prices down over the next couple of weeks.

He added that the US administration is also working to bring around 440 million additional barrels of oil to the global market.

This, he said, will reduce Irans ability to leverage the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran says it has no oil for international market

However, Iran has responded that it has no surplus crude oil at sea for the international market.

The Iranian oil ministry spokesman, Saman Ghoddoosi, said there is no Iranian oil available in the Persian Gulf for the market.

He stated that the country cannot supply oil to Western countries, and the US is only stringing the public along.

In a post on X, he wrote, Currently, Iran basically has no surplus crude oil left on the water or for supply in other international markets, and the US treasury secretarys statement is solely aimed at giving hope to buyers.

Iraq reduce oil production

Oil output in Iraq, the second-biggest OPEC producer, has dropped significantly since the start of the war.

According to Al Jazeera, Iraq reduced its oil production by about 70 per cent.

Production from its three main southern oilfields has fallen 70 per cent to 1.3 million barrels per day,

Oil production fell drastically after the country was forced to shut down around six of its Southern oilfields.

Iraq is the only country in the Gulf that has suffered an attack from both the US and Iran since the start of the war.

UK approves its base for the US

On Friday, the UK authorised the US to use its military bases in Britain to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The country approved this after ministers met on Friday to discuss the war, and the impact of Irans stronghold on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.

The UK had earlier declined US demands for support in the war. According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the UK was not going to join the war.

However, the British government has now agreed to allow the US to use its bases, describing it as an act of collective self-defence.

Mr Trump criticised the UK decision, describing it as a very late response.

I was a little surprised by the UK  They should have acted a lot faster, he said.

Iran says UK putting citizens lives at risk

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, warned that the UK is putting the lives of British citizens at risk by its action.

In a post on X, he said, Iran will exercise its right to self-defense.

The country had earlier declared that it would consider countries that provide support to the US and Israel enemies of Iran and a part of the war.

Mr Araghchi, in his recent statement, declared that Mr Starmer was putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.

Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.

Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defense, he added.
Police in Delta State have arrested 11 more suspects in connection with the alleged sexual assault of women during a local festival in Ozoro community in Isoko North LGA of the State.

The arrests bring the total number of suspects in custody to 16.

The Delta State government disclosed this in a statement shared on its official X account on Saturday, describing the development as a major breakthrough in ongoing investigations.

According to the statement, the latest arrests followed the analysis of video evidence and intelligence by the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team.

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Those arrested include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others whose identities were not immediately disclosed.

Authorities said preliminary findings indicate that the suspects exploited the festival atmosphere to perpetrate acts of sexual violence, stressing that such actions do not represent any legitimate cultural practice.

Earlier, five suspects including a community head were arrested in connection to the sexual assault.

Backstory

The arrests followed the circulation of several distressing videos online, which showed a crowd of young men attacking a woman, tearing her clothes in public, and subjecting her to various forms of molestation during a local festival.

Reports indicate that several women who were outdoors during the event, reportedly held on Thursday, were targeted for harassment. There are also unverified claims that some victims may have been raped.

Reacting earlier to the viral videos, the states command spokesperson Bright Edafe described the incident as alarming, disgusting and embarrassing, stressing that the police had launched an investigation.

The command condemns this in totality; no custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens, he said.

He also noted that the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, had directed a full-scale probe into the incident. Earlier, the minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim ordered the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, while describing the incidents as disturbing, unacceptable and contrary to human dignity, public safety and the rule of law.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the Constitution and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) provide clear protections against such offences.

While commending the swift response of the Police Command in Delta, she called for a transparent, thorough, and accelerated investigation to ensure that all persons implicated are identified and brought to justice without delay.

Ongoing investigation

The police reiterated their commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified and prosecuted.

The Delta State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all those involved are identified and brought to justice, while encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward with useful information, with assurances of confidentiality.
As dusk settles over the Dansarai community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, activity at the primary health centre begins to reduce. Inside the female ward, two patients lie on metal-framed beds while relatives hover nearby, waiting for the evening routine to wind down. By nightfall, most non-critical cases are expected to return home.

The Dansarai primary healthcare centre, as well as a similar one in neighbouring Dayi, is officially designated to provide round-the-clock basic healthcare services to the surrounding rural communities. However, PREMIUM TIMES field visits revealed notable gaps between policy and after-hours realities.

While Dayi PHC maintains limited overnight coverage supported by on-site security and skeletal staffing, services at Dansarai are largely concentrated within daytime hours, according to staff and patients. Health workers cite manpower shortages, as well as water and power constraints, as key factors hindering service delivery after dark, even as state authorities said corrective measures were underway.

According to facility staff, the two centres serve multiple surrounding rural communities, making consistent after-hours coverage critical for emergency maternal and child health cases.

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Under Nigerias primary healthcare service standards, primary healthcare centres designated for 24-hour care are expected to maintain continuous skilled attendance, particularly for maternal and emergency cases. Public health specialists warn that when night coverage becomes inconsistent, rural patients, especially pregnant women and children, face increased risks linked to delayed treatment and referrals.

Dansarai scene

When PREMIUM TIMES visited Dansarai PHC between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on 13 February, the wide, fenced compound appeared orderly, with freshly painted buildings and staff quarters. Inside the female ward, two patients were on admission attended by relatives, while the male ward had two patients. About five volunteer health workers, led by Hafiz Haruna, were on duty.

Staff and patients said the facility relies heavily on volunteers for routine service delivery.

Mr Haruna, who said he has volunteered at the facility since 2016, explained that the centre typically operates from morning until early evening, with services rarely extending late into the night.

Our official closing time is between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. If there are many patients, we may stay until about 8 p.m., but not deep into the night, he said, citing manpower constraints.

One patient, Rabiatu Abdulrasheed, said she often returned home after receiving treatment and returned the next day when further care was required.

We go back home, she said.

The facilitys water supply remains basic. During the visit, PREMIUM TIMES observed that the centre relies largely on a manually accessed well within the premises. Staff and officials said the facility does not have a piped water system  a situation health workers said added pressure to routine operations.

Electricity supply at the facility is also limited. Officials said the Dansarai PHC is not connected to the national grid and lacks a capable solar inverter system. The centre relies on a small generator that primarily powers laboratory services, leaving much of the facility dependent on daylight operations.

Staffing data reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES indicates a thin permanent workforce. Facility officials said only three staff members are permanent employees, with casual workers and volunteers supporting them. Health workers and patients said the facility depends heavily on volunteers to sustain daily operations.

Dayi: A more complex picture

A visit to Dayi Primary Health Centre presented a more mixed picture. When PREMIUM TIMES arrived at about 5:30 p.m. on 13 February, a Friday, some health workers were still on duty, and security personnel were observed within the facility premises, occupying part of the staff quarters converted for their use.

The officer in charge, Mani Ahmad, said the facility is designed to operate almost 24 hours, although maternity services scale down at night if no patient is in active labour. He said admitted patients in other units are typically monitored overnight, while emergency cases beyond the centres capacity are referred to higher-level hospitals.

Health workers attributed the relative overnight coverage partly to the presence of local security personnel stationed at the facility. Umar Habibu, who oversees routine immunisation, said the deployment has improved staff confidence to remain on duty, although broader insecurity in surrounding rural areas continues to shape work patterns.

Despite the extended service claim, officials acknowledged persistent infrastructure gaps. Mr Ahmad said the facility has struggled with water shortages for over a decade and currently relies on daily purchases from water vendors. Solar lighting, he added, covers only parts of the hospital, leaving some sections poorly lit at night.

Official response

In phone and WhatsApp conversations with PREMIUM TIMES, the Katsina State Primary Health Care Board acknowledged infrastructure gaps affecting some rural facilities and outlined measures to address them.

The Executive Secretary, Shamsuddeen Yahaya, said Dayi PHC has faced perennial water scarcity despite the presence of a borehole and overhead tank, explaining that the pipes drawing water from the ground had collapsed. At Dansarai, he said the facility lacks an on-site water source after a previously connected borehole broke down.

On electricity, the board said Dayi is connected to the national grid and supported by a mini solar backup and generators, although these do not power the entire facility. Dansarai, however, is not connected to the national grid and relies mainly on a small generator serving the laboratory.

The board maintained that both facilities have the required number of posted staff, including four midwives in Dayi and two in Dansarai, and noted that additional health workers recruited by the state government would be deployed to facilities and others in Malumfashi Local Government Area.

It also confirmed that both PHCs are beneficiaries of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), with the latest direct facility funding disbursed on 30 January.

The official added that the state has approved plans to upgrade at least one primary health facility in each ward to Level II status, including installing 5KVA solar inverters and new boreholes.

Policy context

Primary health centres are designed to serve as the first point of contact for basic medical care, particularly in rural communities where access to general hospitals is limited. Under Nigerias primary healthcare framework, such facilities are expected to provide essential maternal and child healthcare, as well as outpatient services, many of which are structured to support round-the-clock care.

In Malumfashi Local Government Area, patients requiring advanced treatment from Dayi and Dansarai are typically referred to the General Hospital in Malumfashi, about 21 kilometres away, or to facilities in Musawa and neighbouring Kano State.

Public health experts have long warned that staffing, power supply, and water infrastructure gaps at frontline facilities can weaken primary healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas affected by insecurity.

Human impact

For many residents, the effect of these service gaps is measured in distance, time and cost. Patients and caregivers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said evening referrals or repeated daytime visits often entail additional transport costs, especially for families from surrounding settlements.

At Dansarai PHC, some patients said they routinely return home after treatment and return the next day when further care is required. Health workers acknowledged the strain but said the facility continues to operate within its available manpower and resources.

For residents in outlying settlements, the distance to referral centres means night-time medical decisions are often shaped as much by transport availability and security concerns as by clinical urgency.

READ ALSO: What Katsina govt is doing to strengthen Primary Healthcare Commissioner

Conclusion

The Katsina State Government said its ongoing staff recruitment and facility revitalisation efforts would strengthen primary healthcare delivery. However, visits to Dayi and Dansarai suggest that while progress is being made, gaps in infrastructure, staffing distribution and night-time coverage remain uneven at the facilities.

As the state moves to upgrade at least one fully functional primary health centre per ward, health workers and residents say sustained investment in personnel, water systems and reliable power will be critical to translating policy targets into consistent round-the-clock care in rural communities.

Yet beyond the official assurances and upgrade plans, the conditions observed in Dayi and Dansarai reveal a familiar gap between policy design and frontline reality. In communities where primary healthcare centres remain the closest lifeline, the difference between a functional night shift and a closed ward is often measured not in policy documents but in whether staff, water, light and security are reliably in place when patients arrive after dark.

Until those gaps are closed, the promise of round-the-clock primary care in parts of rural Katsina may remain a mirage.
Many women experience discomfort in the lower abdomen or genital area at some point, but telling the difference between a urinary tract infection (UTI) and a vaginal infection can be confusing.

Though both conditions may present with similar symptoms, they affect different parts of the body, have distinct causes, and require proper diagnosis to avoid complications.

Speaking with PT Health Watch, Muibat Adeniran, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) teaching hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, explained that UTIs and vaginal infections originate from entirely different systems, despite their close physical proximity.

Different systems, different infections

Ms Adeniran noted that urinary tract infections affect the organs responsible for producing and passing urine, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.

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In contrast, vaginal infections involve the reproductive tract, particularly the vagina, vulva, and sometimes the cervix.

Urinary tract infections are those infections involving the tract and organs that have to do with urine, from the kidneys down to the bladder and out through the urethra, she said.

She added that vaginal infections, on the other hand, involve the vagina, vulva, and of course those coming through the vagina from up in the cervix.

Because these systems are separate, the organisms that cause infections in each are also different, which is why proper diagnosis is essential before treatment begins.

Risk factors vary

According to Ms Adeniran, the risk factors for vaginal infections are largely related to sexual and reproductive health.

These include having multiple sexual partners, a recent new partner, undergoing vaginal delivery, or having procedures such as surgeries or instrumentation through the vagina.

Other contributing factors include young age, non-use of barrier contraceptives like condoms, previous vaginal infections, hormonal changes from pregnancy or family planning methods, and even termination of pregnancy.

For UTIs, however, the risk factors are more anatomical and hygiene-related.

Women are generally more susceptible due to the shorter length of the urethra and its proximity to the vagina, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.

The fact that the urethra is close to the vagina and is shorter compared to that of men increases the risk, she explained, adding that poor perineal hygiene can further increase susceptibility.

Recognising the symptoms

Understanding the symptoms of each condition can help women seek timely care.

Ms Adeniran explained that common symptoms of UTIs include frequent urination, a burning sensation during urination (dysuria), urgency, and nocturia, waking up at night to urinate more often.

Vaginal infections, however, typically present with itching around the vulva, abnormal vaginal discharge, and sores or irritation in the genital area.

She noted that some symptoms, such as lower abdominal pain and fever, may occur in both conditions, making it difficult to distinguish between them without medical evaluation.

In some cases, a woman may experience both a UTI and a vaginal infection simultaneously.

Ms Adeniran said laboratory tests are crucial in confirming such cases and guiding treatment.

While empirical treatment, treatment based on symptoms, may sometimes cover both conditions, she stressed that medications may differ depending on test results.

The history and laboratory outcomes will go a long way in managing such co-existing infections, she said.

Debunking common myths

Ms Adeniran also addressed widespread misconceptions surrounding these infections.

One common belief is the idea of toilet infections, that using shared toilets can easily cause vaginal infections or UTIs.

She explained that while transmission is theoretically possible, it is not a common cause.

It wont easily cause vaginal infection, and it also wont easily cause UTI, although it could happen depending on perineal hygiene, she said.

Another misconception is that urinating immediately after sexual intercourse can prevent infections.

While this may help flush out some bacteria from the lower urethra, it does not prevent most sexually transmitted infections that can lead to vaginal infections.

She also highlighted confusion around the term infection itself, noting that many people assume any mention of infection refers to the vagina, whereas infections can occur in various parts of the body, including the eyes, ears, and skin.

Additionally, she cautioned against misunderstandings about pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which some believe can only be diagnosed through ultrasound or is the sole cause of infertility.

Dangers of misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis can have serious consequences.

For vaginal infections, incorrect or delayed treatment can lead to chronic pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, and infertility.

In the case of UTIs, untreated or poorly managed infections can spread to the kidneys, increasing the risk of long-term kidney damage.

The harm caused by misdiagnosis cannot be overemphasised, Ms Adeniran warned.

Prevention and when to seek care

Preventing both types of infections requires a combination of good hygiene, safe sexual practices, and prompt medical attention.

Ms Adeniran advised women to maintain proper perineal hygiene, adopt healthy lifestyles, and seek early diagnosis and treatment when symptoms arise.

She also discouraged self-diagnosis and the use of unprescribed medications.

Women should visit the hospital when they notice something wrong in their body systems, she said, emphasising the importance of following medical advice and completing prescribed treatments.

Ultimately, recognising the differences between UTIs and vaginal infections, and seeking professional care when needed, can help prevent complications and protect long-term reproductive and urinary health.

What research says

To support these claims, PT Health Watch reviewed guidance from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirms that women are more prone to urinary tract infections due to their shorter urethra and its proximity to the rectum, allowing bacteria to enter more easily.

The agency also lists frequent urination, a burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal discomfort as common symptoms, aligning with Ms Adenirans explanation.

Guidance from the Mayo Clinic also shows that urinary tract infections can become serious if left untreated, potentially leading to complications such as kidney damage.

This reinforces the experts emphasis on proper diagnosis and prompt treatment to prevent long-term health risks.
The presidency on Saturday clarified Nigerias new migration deal with the UK.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, debunked the raft of misinformation about the agreement including the false claim that irregular migrants in the UK from other countries could be deported to Nigeria.

Nowhere in the 12-page memorandum is Nigeria required to accept foreign nationals other than Nigerians.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the agreement would make it easy to deport three categories of Nigerians from the UK: failed asylum seekers, visitors who have overstayed their visas and Nigerians who have committed major crimes.

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The agreement was signed during President Bola Tinubus recent state visit to the UK.

In his statement, Mr Onanuga also clarified other aspects of the agreement.

Read Mr Onanugas full statement below.

CLARIFYING THE NIGERIA-UK MIGRATION PARTNERSHIP

It has become necessary to debunk the raft of misinformation assailing the migration partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two nations on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubus historic state visit to the UK.

The memorandum on immigration cooperation, like other memoranda signed, aimed to strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Nigerias Minister of Interior and the Secretary of State for the Home Department of the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland signed the Migration MoU.

The MoU establishes a framework to facilitate a regulated and safe migration flow between the two countries and to encourage further bilateral cooperation in the fight against irregular migration and associated acts by citizens of each country, in accordance with their respective immigration and citizenship laws and extant international treaties, conventions, protocols, agreements, and charters.

Nowhere in the 12-page memorandum is Nigeria required to accept foreign nationals other than Nigerians. Nationals to be repatriated must have undergone multiple levels of identification and verification, and, where errors occur, they are returned to the requesting country at the requesting countrys cost.

Under the agreement, Nigeria and the United Kingdom will work together to secure the dignified return of their nationals who do not, or no longer, have the right to enter or remain in the territory of the other country.

A clear condition in the MoU is that the returnees concerned are bona fide nationals of the country and are treated with dignity and respect, with due regard to their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Law enforcement officers in each country will take the necessary action to protect the interests and well-being of citizens of either party and to mitigate conflict triggers related to migration matters.

A key provision in the MoU is that the migrant to be returned must carry his legally acquired personal belongings to the country of destination, unlike in the past when migrants left with nothing.

Article 12 further reinforces this good deal: Every returnee will be given ample opportunity to make adequate arrangements for the transfer or disposal of his property in the territory of the requesting party, under the supervision of the mission of the requested party.

Another provision is that where a return is being considered, and the person has made a claim under relevant domestic or international human rights legislation, that claim will be considered in line with the provisions under the partys respective domestic legislation. The appeal may relate to circumstances in which the foreign nationals have been lawfully resident in the territory of the requesting party for most of their lives and socially and culturally integrated in the territory of the requesting party. Another ground of appeal may be where the nationals would face significant obstacles to their integration into the country to which they are to be deported.

Article 9 of the MoU sets out the conditions for the migrants return.

Before departure, identification checks will be carried out by the officers of the requested party in the territory of the requesting party and on arrival by the competent authorities of the requested party. The requesting party will coordinate all returns with the officers of the requested party.

A return may be conducted by means of a scheduled aircraft or an aircraft chartered specifically for this purpose by the authorities of the parties; the requesting party will provide the flight details and particulars of each returnee five (5) working days before the date of return.

A return will be conducted using an original, valid passport, or, if the requesting party can biometrically match a returnee to a visa application made in the territory of the requested party, then an expedited process will be permissible, via which the requesting party will facilitate the return or repatriation using a UK Letter (UKL).

If a returnee cannot be biometrically matched to a visa application by the requesting party, but there is otherwise strong evidence to confirm nationality, including a copy of a passport, a passport number or a national identity card, then an expedited process will again be permissible via which the requesting party will facilitate return or repatriation using a UK Letter (UKL).

Should the requested party not be satisfied with a returnees identity within five (5) working days of submission of the UK Letter (UKL) to Nigerian authorities, detailed reasons should be presented to the requesting party why the identity cannot be satisfied. In these circumstances, removal will be deferred.

If subsequent evidence shows that a returnee who has been returned is not a national of the requested party, the requesting party will take the person back to its territory at the requesting partys cost and by the most efficient means possible. The request for the return of the person referred to in Article X will be made within ten (10) working days following the return exercise and carried out within fourteen (14) working days after acceptance of the request.

Article 9, subsection 3, shows that Nigeria has not ceded to the UK the right to document the repatriated person.

The section says: It shall be the sole responsibility of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to issue and handle, as is necessary under Nigerian domestic legislation, any Nigerian documentation (including the

digital acknowledgement of receipt of a UK Letter) ahead of the notified date of return as stated in the UK Letter. This shall be distinct from the UK Letter process and remains the sole right and responsibility of Nigerian authorities, including the handling of the

travel document and any onward transmission required from the issuing office to enable entry.

Article 11 deals with returnee reintegration assistance. It states that every returnee will be able to access basic on-arrival and reintegration assistance in the territory of the requested party.

Short-term assistance may include airport reception, accommodation, onward transportation, care and provision packs and small cash assistance. Medium-term assistance can include support to find and reunite with family; support in obtaining the in-country documentation required, signposting to local services, and the potential provision of mental well-being and counselling services (if required).

Longer-term assistance may allow access to a Returnee Education and Entrepreneurship Fund to enable sustainable reintegration. Support may include accessing the local job market, setting up a business, accessing vocational training or further education, and assistance with legal migration opportunities.

Should the parties domestic legislation regarding the provision of reintegration support to all or certain categories of returnees change, or should the overarching non-legally mandated package of reintegration support change, the parties will inform each other as soon as is practicable.

The MoU, similar to those signed in 2012, 2017, and 2022, is for an initial period of five years, renewable for a further five-year period, as may be agreed by the parties.

We reiterate that media organisations should seek clarification when uncertain about any issue to avoid misinforming the public.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

March 21, 2026 
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (NYSE:WDS) is included among the 13 Oil Stocks with Highest Dividends.

Woodside Energy Group Strikes Agreement with Western Australia for Higher LNG Exports

Founded in Australia, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (NYSE:WDS) engages in the exploration, evaluation, development, production, marketing, and sale of hydrocarbons in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

According to reports on March 17, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (NYSE:WDS) has struck an agreement with the Western Australia government to export around 3 million metric tons more LNG in return for providing more gas to the domestic market.

The Western Australia state policy requires LNG exporters to reserve around 15% of their output for domestic markets to ensure a stable supply for the region. However, despite the long-term policy, the state is expected to face gas shortfalls by the end of the decade. As a result, the government is making efforts to push producers like Woodside to provide more gas to the local market and ensure a stable energy supply.

As part of the deal, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (NYSE:WDS) has agreed to supply 23 petajoules of additional gas to the domestic market by 2029. In return, the company will be able to process around 2.8 million tonnes of additional LNG at its Pluto gas project.

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Disclosure: None.
Nigeria and Ireland on Friday stated their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations, with both sides identifying key sectors for collaboration.

They said this when Irelands Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, visited the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The aim of the visit was to strengthen economic and trade relations between Nigeria and Ireland and foster dialogue on infrastructure development, digital transformation, public-sector reform, and investment opportunities.

Mr Chambers stated that his visit to Nigeria was to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations between both countries.

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He said the engagement would foster collaboration and explore investment opportunities across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He identified priority areas of interest to include technology, infrastructure development, agriculture and healthcare, stressing that Nigerias large market and growing economy present significant opportunities for Irish businesses.

According to him, Lagos, as Nigerias commercial hub and a key economic centre in West Africa, remains an attractive destination for investment and strategic partnerships.

The roundtable is designed to bring together key stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in Nigerias critical sectors and Irelands potential role in supporting development, and ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment, he said.

Mr Chambers added that his visit, the first to Nigeria, also featured the opening of Irelands new embassy building in Abuja.

This, he described, as the countrys largest capital investment on the African continent and a demonstration of its commitment to Nigeria and the wider region.

The minister said Ireland, though a small country, had developed globally competitive industry hubs in areas such as technology, finance, infrastructure and agri-food, which could serve as a foundation for deeper collaboration.

He emphasised that partnerships between Ireland and Nigeria would be mutually beneficial, noting that Ireland also offers access to the European Union market of over 450 million consumers.

The partnerships we seek are two-way and mutually beneficial, based on shared expertise, local knowledge and long-term commitment, he said.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the ministers presence was a clear symbol of the deepening friendship and shared aspirations, uniting both nations.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, represented by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the secretary to the state government, said his administration was committed to nurturing a friendship grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and purposeful collaboration across several sectors.

They include education, governance, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and economic development, reflecting a commitment to progress, innovation, and prosperity.

The governor said that the current Lagos administration was transforming into a more efficient, responsive, and forward-looking government.

From landmark transport projects like the Lagos Rail Mass Transit and the Blue Line, to the expansion of our road networks, waterways and improvements in healthcare services, we are committed to making daily life easier, safer, and more productive for our residents, he said.

He added that Lagos was modernising governance, strengthening its public service, enhancing accountability, and ensuring seamless access to services for citizens.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the states digital transformation agenda simplified processes, reduced delays, building a transparent, citizen-focused system.

We welcome innovative ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that can improve the lives of our people.

Lagos is a city of opportunity, collaboration, and shared progress.

We are particularly delighted by the opportunities to deepen our engagement with Ireland, and we believe there is much we can learn from each other, and even more that we can achieve together, he said.

President, LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, said the Nigeria-Ireland roundtable had gone beyond diplomatic engagement to reflect a convergence of shared economic priorities between both countries.

Mr Kupoluyi said the discussions focused on key areas critical to economic transformation, including infrastructure development, efficient public expenditure, digitalisation, and institutional reforms needed to build resilient economies.

He noted that Nigeria and the United Kingdom had recently signed various agreements, including a 746 million deal to redevelop Lagos ports, the expansion of business visas, and other foreign direct investments.

He added that the visit reinforced a critical point: that the future of economic prosperity is increasingly collaborative.

Nigeria, as Africas largest economy, presents vast opportunities across infrastructure development, digital innovation, agribusiness, and industrialisation.

Ireland, with its strong track record in public sector reform, technology, and investment facilitation, offers valuable lessons and potential for partnership.

We trust that this engagement marks not an endpoint but the beginning of a deeper, more structured partnership between our two economies, he said.

(NAN)
The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Governor Umo Eno over his recent trip to London with President Bola Tinubu, during which a deal for the development of the Lagos port was signed. The PDP questioned the absence of progress on the Ibom Deep Seaport project, in Akwa Ibom.

Under Mr Eno, the Ibom Deep Seaport has been repeatedly highlighted as a priority.

Mr Eno claims that Mr Tinubu assured him the federal government will support the ports actualisation.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its State Publicity Secretary, Ewa Okpo, the opposition party expressed bewilderment and disappointment that a 746 million agreement signed in London focused on modernising Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, with no mention of the Ibom Deep Sea Port.

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The agreement, signed between Nigerias Ministry of Finance led by Wale Edun and Citi Bank, is reportedly aimed at easing congestion, improving efficiency, and strengthening Nigerias trade capacity through upgrades of existing port infrastructure in Lagos.

But the PDP argued that excluding the Ibom Deep Sea Port from such a major financing arrangement raises questions about the Akwa Ibom governments engagement with the federal government.

Mr Eno had, on 6 June 2025, publicly said his political defection to the APC-led federal government is for the actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport, suggesting that closer ties with the centre would accelerate the project.

The PDP said that nearly a year later, there is no clear evidence of progress, despite what it described as deliberate federal efforts to advance port infrastructure and blue economy initiatives in other parts of the country.

It also questioned the governors presence at the London signing ceremony, asking whether any negotiations were made to secure the inclusion of the Ibom Deep Seaport in Nigerias expanding maritime development strategy.

The PDP maintained that developing the Ibom Deep Seaport would not only benefit Akwa Ibom State but also serve as a strategic alternative to Lagos ports, helping to decongest Apapa and Tin Can Island while improving logistics for businesses in the South-south and South-east regions.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom denies plan to sell its power plant

The party called on the governor to brief the people of Akwa Ibom on his engagements in London, including whether any commitments were secured for the Ibom Deep Seaport or if alternative funding or partnerships are being pursued.

Apart from the PDP, Akwa Ibom State residents have raised concerns about the Ibom Deep Seaport after President Tinubus UK visit.

The Akwa State Government has yet to react to these concerns.
The federal government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of alleged sexual assault linked to a local festival in Ozoro community, Delta State.



Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, gave the directive in a statement signed by the ministrys Head, Press and Public Relations, Ahmed Danbazau on Friday in Abuja.



This came after a video went viral on social media on Thursday alleging incidences of sexual assaults during the Alue-Do-Festival, regarded as Festival of Fertility in Ozoro Kingdom.



Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed deep concern over reports that women were subjected to sexual assault and harassment during activities in Isoko North Local Government Area.



While commending the swift response of the Police Command in Delta, she called for a transparent, thorough, and accelerated investigation to ensure that all persons implicated are identified and brought to justice without delay.



She described the incidents as disturbing, unacceptable and contrary to human dignity, public safety and the rule of law, noting that the Constitution and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) provide clear protections against such offences.



No cultural or traditional practice can justify or excuse sexual violence in any form.



Sexual assault is a serious criminal offence, and all allegations must be thoroughly investigated, with perpetrators held fully accountable under the law, she said.



She reaffirmed the governments commitment to prioritise the safety, dignity and protection of women and girls.



The minister said they would strengthen collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide immediate support for victims, including psychosocial care, medical attention and legal assistance.

She added that efforts would be intensified to engage traditional leaders and community stakeholders to address harmful norms and prevent a recurrence.



She urged members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to ensure justice is served and such incidents are prevented from reoccurring.



(NAN)
Two persons were killed on Saturday after a fuel-laden tanker and a tipper truck collided along the LekkiEpe Expressway in the Sangotedo area of Lagos State, triggering a fire that spread to nearby buildings and vehicles.

The accident occurred in the early hours of the day when a 20-tonne tipper truck reportedly travelling at high speed from the Epe axis rammed into a stationary 30-tonne gas tanker positioned on the highway.

In a statement on Saturday, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said that the impact ignited a fire which quickly escalated beyond the point of collision.

She said the flames spread to three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house, before firefighters eventually brought the situation under control.

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Ms Adeseye added that the fire also posed a serious threat to a nearby Total filling station, where a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker was stationed, but said a larger explosion was averted.

After the blaze was extinguished, three Sienna buses, one Toyota Corolla, and a forklift within the vicinity were recovered from the scene, she said.

The agency confirmed that the driver of the tipper truck and his assistant were burnt beyond recognition, while the driver of the gas tanker escaped unhurt.

Emergency responders later commenced evacuation and removal of the wreckage to restore movement along the LekkiEpe Expressway, with traffic gradually returning to normal.

But the officials have not yet clarified why the gas tanker was stationary on the expressway at the time of the crash.

Deadly crashes on Lagos highways

The incident is the latest in a series of fatal road crashes recorded on major corridors in Lagos State, many of which have involved commercial buses, articulated trucks, and tankers.

Last week, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said four passengers were killed and four others injured in a road accident involving a truck and a commercial mini bus along the LekkiEpe Expressway in Lagos.

According to the agency, the crash occurred opposite Beechwood, Shapati, inward Ajah, along the busy expressway corridor.

The agencys Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq said the accident involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a fully loaded Suzuki commercial mini bus, popularly known as a Korope.

In a separate crash on the OworonsokiApapa Expressway near the New Castle Bus Stop inward Gbagada recently, one person was killed while six others sustained serious injuries after a commercial bus reportedly lost control and struck a roadside culvert.

LASTMA said the impact of the crash forcefully ejected a female passenger onto the expressway, where she was later crushed by an oncoming articulated truck.

Mr Taofiq said six other occupants of the bus, including the driver, sustained varying degrees of injury, while the truck driver fled the scene.

In another incident on New Years Day, two people were killed and several others injured in multiple crashes across Lagos, including a collision involving a commercial bus and a Toyota Sienna at Iyana Itire inward Oshodi.

On the same day, a tanker crash along the Ibeju Bridge inward Eleko on the LekkiAjah Expressway left two persons critically injured, while four others were injured in a separate crash along the Ikorodu Road corridor.

Earlier in the year, six worshippers were killed when a truck loaded with sharp sand rammed into a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God along Hospital Road in Epe shortly after an evening service.
A Nigerian, James Aliyu, has been sentenced to 90 months in prison after being convicted of fraud and money laundering.

Mr Aliyu was charged and later convicted after he was extradited from South Africa to the US.

The US Immigration and Customs Agency (ICE) disclosed in a statement on Saturday that Mr Aliyu was extradited to the US and jailed for his role in a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

The wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy targeted and hacked into American business email servers.

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Although ICE did not identify the court, it noted that a US court ordered Mr Aliyu to forfeit $1.2 million and also pay $2.4 million as compensation to the victims

James Junior Aliyu, a Nigerian national, will serve a 90-month sentence for his role in a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy after planning to hack business email servers.

Aliyu was extradited from South Africa to face justice. He was slapped with a $1.2M forfeiture order and a $2.4M restitution order, ICE said.

The agency stated that once his sentence is complete, Mr Aliyu will be deported from the US.

It also noted that the investigation was conducted by a coordinated international effort between special agents in the US Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) offices in Maryland and South Africa.

He added that special agents in Maryland and South Africa offices were proud to be part of the international team that investigated this case.

This is the latest of several cases of Nigerians being extradited to the US for fraud and money laundering.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the US has extradition treaties with various countries that allow the extradition of suspects from those countries in cross-border fraud cases.

Nigeria also has an extradition treaty with the United States, which has allowed the extradition of Nigerians from Nigeria.

In February, a Nigerian, Afeez Adewale, was extradited from Nigeria for his involvement in a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy that led to the death of a young American.

Another Nigerian, Okechukwu Odunna, was extradited in March 2025 for wire fraud affecting financial institutions.

Mr Odunna fraudulently took loans for about 20 residential properties in Florida, resulting in roughly $8 million in losses.
In 1455, as Portuguese ships crept down the coast of West Africa in pursuit of gold, glory, and dominion during the age of discovery, power was not wielded by the sword alone. Far away in Rome, with ink and seal rather than cannon and sail, Pope Nicholas V issued a decree to King Afonso V of Portugal that would echo across continents and centuries. It was called Romanus Pontifex, a papal bull, the highest expression of authority in the Catholic world, carrying enormous weight in medieval Europe. The bull granted moral sanction to empire, transforming conquest into a divine mandate.

The document granted Portugal sweeping privileges in Africa, including exclusive rights to explore and trade along the West African coast. More ominously, it provided religious justification for conquest. One of its provisions authorized the Portuguese crown to invade, capture, vanquish, and subdue and reduce their persons to perpetual slavery. In rationalizing this brutality, the Catholic Pontif framed the enterprise as a sacred mission, suggesting that the enslavement of Africans would ultimately save their souls by bringing them into Christianity.

History has long comforted itself with a familiar narrative about Christian missionaries in Africa. According to this account, they arrived bearing nothing but the gospel, animated by a singular mission to redeem souls and illuminate a supposedly benighted continent. It is a narrative that sits well with the moral imagination of empire. Yet history, when examined with intellectual honesty, reveals a far more complicated reality.

In many parts of Africa, the missionary did not merely appear as a preacher of salvation but as the cultural vanguard of conquest. Long before colonial administrators and soldiers imposed formal rule, missionaries had already begun reshaping the psychological and cultural terrain. Through mission schools, churches, and the systematic denigration of indigenous belief systems as pagan or primitive, they helped soften the ground for European domination. The observation widely attributed to Desmond Tutu captures this paradox with devastating simplicity: When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, Let us pray. When we opened our eyes, we had the Bible and they had the land.

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Even the celebrated Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone articulated Africas future through the famous triad of Christianity, Commerce, and Civilization. Though presented as a benevolent civilizing vision, the phrase embodied a powerful ideological alliance between evangelism and imperial expansion.

This is not to deny that many missionaries were personally sincere, nor that some courageously challenged the excesses of colonial authority. Yet individual sincerity does little to obscure the broader structural role missionary activity often played within the machinery of empire. In many places, the missionary walked in front carrying the Bible, while the administrator and soldier followed behind carrying the flag.

In one of historys profound ironies, the same religion that helped rationalize conquest in Africa would soon be deployed to legitimize the enslavement of Africans in the Americas. Christianity, widely regarded as the moral cornerstone of Western civilization, was repeatedly invoked by slaveholders as divine sanction for the plantation system. Select passages of scripture were carefully extracted and weaponized to reinforce obedience. Slave masters and sympathetic clergy alike pointed to verses such as servants, obey your masters, presenting bondage as part of a divinely ordained social order. Enslavement was even framed as an act of providential benevolence, a civilizing opportunity through which supposedly heathen Africans might be introduced to Christian salvation. In this manner, religion became entangled with the economic and political architecture of exploitation.

Across the plantations of the American South, enslaved Africans were often compelled to attend church services organized under the watchful authority of their masters. The theological message delivered in those spaces was unambiguous: obedience on earth would be rewarded in heaven, and suffering was to be endured rather than resisted. The Christianity offered to the enslaved was carefully stripped of its prophetic and emancipatory impulses and reduced instead to a doctrine of submission. In that context, religion functioned as a psychological instrument designed to preserve the prevailing order.

Yet history has a habit of frustrating the designs of power. In one of the most remarkable reversals in the long and complicated relationship between religion and domination, enslaved Africans in America quietly began transforming Christianity into something their masters had never intended. Rather than internalizing the theology of submission imposed upon them, they reinterpreted the faith through the prism of their own suffering and their irrepressible longing for freedom.

Within the pages of the Bible they discovered narratives that spoke directly to their lived experience. Among these, none resonated more deeply than the story of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt and delivered through divine intervention under the leadership of Moses. For enslaved Africans, Moses was not simply a distant biblical figure. He became the archetype of liberation. Pharaoh bore an uncanny resemblance to the plantation master, and the cry Let my people go echoed with electrifying relevance across the cotton fields and tobacco plantations of the American South.

Out of this reinterpretation emerged the spiritual foundations of what would later be recognized as liberation theology, a theological vision that insists that God stands with the oppressed and that authentic faith demands justice in the present world. Long before scholars and theologians gave the concept formal articulation, enslaved Africans were already practicing it in clandestine gatherings known as hush harbors, where they worshiped beyond the surveillance of slaveholders.

One of the most powerful expressions of this spiritual resistance emerged in the form of Negro spirituals. These songs were far more than simple religious melodies. They were layered with emotional depth and symbolic meaning, embodying sorrow, resilience, hope, and quiet rebellion. Spirituals such as Go Down, Moses invoked the drama of biblical liberation, drawing unmistakable parallels between the captivity of the Israelites and the bondage of Africans in America. The refrain Let my people go functioned not merely as lyrical expression but as a coded declaration of longing and defiance.

Other spirituals, including Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Steal Away, are widely believed to have contained coded messages connected to escape networks such as the Underground Railroad. Through these songs, religion became both a psychological refuge and an instrument of resistance. The enslaved had taken the sacred language of scripture and transformed it into a map pointing toward freedom.

Following emancipation, this tradition of spiritual resistance found institutional expression in the rise of independent Black churches. These institutions quickly emerged as central pillars of African American communal life. They were not merely places of worship but also centers of education, political organization, and social solidarity. Within their walls, the theology of liberation matured and evolved.

By the twentieth century, the Black church had become the moral and organizational backbone of the civil rights movement. Many of the movements most influential leaders were clergy who drew directly from the ethical and prophetic traditions of Christianity to challenge the injustice of racial segregation. The most prominent among them was Martin Luther King Jr., whose philosophy of nonviolent resistance was deeply rooted in Christian theology. Kings sermons consistently invoked the biblical themes of justice, redemption, and liberation, framing the struggle for civil rights as a moral crusade.

He was joined by figures such as Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, and Adam Clayton Powell Jr., all of whom used the pulpit as a platform for social transformation. Churches served as organizing centers for protests, boycotts, and voter registration drives. When African Americans gathered in church basements to strategize, they were participating in a long tradition of faith fused with resistance.

One of the most iconic episodes of the movement, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, was coordinated largely through church networks. In that moment, religion ceased to function as an instrument of submission and instead became a formidable force for mobilization and social change. The Black church had achieved something extraordinary. It had taken a religion once deployed to justify oppression and transformed it into a powerful engine of liberation.

When one contrasts this historical experience with the role religion often plays in parts of contemporary Africa, the divergence is striking. Across the continent, religion remains a powerful social force. Yet in many instances it has been manipulated by self-interested individuals who exploit the faith of their followers for personal enrichment or political influence. The proliferation of prosperity preaching frequently encourages impoverished congregants to surrender scarce resources in exchange for promises of miraculous wealth and divine favor.

Rather than confronting injustice, some religious leaders align themselves with political authority, offering spiritual legitimacy to corrupt regimes. In such circumstances, religion risks becoming a tool of pacification rather than liberation, a mechanism that discourages critical inquiry and diverts attention from systemic failures.

The irony is difficult to ignore. Descendants of enslaved Africans in America took a religion imposed upon them and transformed it into a theology of resistance that helped dismantle segregation and expand democratic rights. Meanwhile, in parts of the African continent where that same religion first arrived in the shadow of empire, it sometimes functions as a force that reinforces complacency.

The crucial difference lies not in the religion itself but in its interpretation and application. Faith, like any powerful idea, can serve radically different purposes depending on the intentions of those who wield it. In the hands of slaveholders, Christianity became a justification for bondage. In the hands of the enslaved, it became a cry for freedom.

The story of liberation theology in Black emancipation therefore stands as a powerful testament to human resilience and intellectual creativity. It demonstrates that oppressed people possess the remarkable capacity to reclaim even the instruments of their oppression and transform them into tools of liberation.

Through songs whispered in the darkness of plantations, sermons delivered in hidden gatherings, and movements organised within humble church halls, African Americans transformed religion into a language of hope. Their experience reminds us that faith, when anchored in justice and human dignity, can become one of the most formidable forces for liberation in human history.

Osmund Agbo is a medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. He can be reached through: [email protected].
The members of the APC in Bauchi State deserve better than a politics of distraction. They deserve a party grounded in truth, respect for internal democracy, and collective responsibility. It is time to move past unfounded controversies and focus on the real work of strengthening the party for the benefit of all its supporters. In the pursuit of progress, there is no room for the baseless agitations of the past.

In the high-stakes theatre of Nigerian politics, the line between principled disagreement and desperate defamation is often blurred. Recent allegations levelled by former Governor Isa Yuguda against the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, regarding the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, are a textbook study in this phenomenon.

To the casual observer, these claims might look like a standard intra-party squabble. However, a closer examination reveals a narrative built on a foundation of Experta Class political manoeuvring  assertions that are not only baseless but fundamentally reckless.

The Myth of Inducement

At the heart of the current friction is a serious accusation: that Ambassador Tuggar offered financial inducements to influence party processes. This is a heavy charge, yet it remains entirely unsupported by credible evidence. For a diplomat who has conducted his public life with a well-documented commitment to integrity, such claims feel less like a whistleblowing effort and more like a calculated attempt to mislead party members and inflame tensions.

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Ambassador Tuggars record speaks for itself. As a founding member of the APC and a steadfast supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, his engagement with party leadership has consistently followed legitimate, established channels. He has prioritised consultation and due process over the unilateral strongman tactics of a bygone era.

Context and the Lone Voice

The true friction in Bauchi stems from a simple matter of party structure. The position of the APC State Secretary is, by established understanding, to be filled by the Katagum Zone. Stakeholders from that zone  including legislators and local leaders  have collectively agreed that the incumbent should remain.

The current controversy arose only when these stakeholders refused to allow the former governor to unilaterally handpick a replacement. When a collective no is met with public allegations of corruption, it suggests that the agitator is operating as a lone voice, struggling to maintain a grip on a party structure that has moved toward a more democratic, consultative model.

A Study in Allegiances

It is particularly ironic to see the former governor casting himself as a guardian of party unity. Political history is a long-form receipt, and Yugudas is marked by a pattern of shifting partisan affiliations. From his 2009 departure from the platform of the late President Muhammadu Buhari to his various forays into other parties like the Green Party of Nigeria, his trajectory suggests that loyalty is often secondary to personal ambition.

Furthermore, the claim that he was responsible for Tuggars political emergence is a reversal of historical fact. In the 2007 cycle, it was Yuguda who benefited significantly from Tuggars established support base and resources in the Katagum Zone. The lingering resentment from Tuggars subsequent decision to contest the governorship against him seems to be the true engine driving these recent outbursts.

Focus on the Future

Nigeria is at a crossroads, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently tasked with navigating a complex global landscape to secure our national interests. Ambassador Tuggar remains focused on these high-level responsibilities, refusing to be bogged down in a public exchange of insults.

The members of the APC in Bauchi State deserve better than a politics of distraction. They deserve a party grounded in truth, respect for internal democracy, and collective responsibility. It is time to move past unfounded controversies and focus on the real work of strengthening the party for the benefit of all its supporters. In the pursuit of progress, there is no room for the baseless agitations of the past.

Alkasim Abdulkadir writes from Abuja.
Residents of the Fagge Local Government Area in Kano metropolis are apprehensive following the sudden deaths of three siblings from an unidentified ailment.

The family of the deceased told PREMIUM TIMES late Friday that what began as a high fever rapidly escalated, claiming the lives of the three children within a matter of hours.

Muhammadu Mado, an uncle to the victims, stated that the childrenaged 15, eight, and foursuccumbed to the mysterious illness shortly after the youngest child first showed symptoms.

Mr Mado said the death of the three children to occurred within 12 hous.

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The tragedy began with four-year-old Ikram Yunusa, who passed away after developing a severe fever overnight. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Hours later, the family faced a similar nightmare when Ikrams elder sister, Khadija Mannir, 15, succumbed to illness. Khadija passed away within 12 hours of being discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Mr Mado said.

He added that the pattern continued shortly thereafter when eight-year old Halima Mannir showed identical symptoms and also lost her life.

The speed and severity of the condition have left families in the Layin Yan katifa area in shock and mourning.

The atmosphere in the affected neighbourhoods is one of high alert, with many residents calling for immediate clarity and protection from the unidentified disease.

In response to the deaths and fear, Mr Mado said health officials have mobilised to the scene to identify the source of the outbreak.

READ ALSO: Kano to enrol 1 million vulnerable residents in health insurance scheme

The officials from the state Ministry of Health have visited the affected residence to investigate the illness and take an environmental sample to determine the cause of the sudden deaths, he told our reporter.

The Kano State Ministry of Health is currently probing the cause of the deaths. According to spokesperson Abubakar Nabulisi, the results of the inquiry will be disclosed to the public upon completion.

In a similar incident, at least seven children reportedly died at the peak of the Sallah shopping period at the Kantin Kwari textile market.

According to a report by Daily News 24, the seven infants died on a single day due to extreme overcrowding and heat.

Ibrahim Usman, a trader at the market, told the news outlet that the surge of shoppers seeking traditional Sallah attire turned the congested area into a dangerous environment, ultimately leading to the tragic loss of lives.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed Bond Chemicals Industries Ltd in Oyo over violations of national environmental regulations.

Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREAs assistant director of press, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

Mrs Ejiofor said the enforcement action followed a public complaint, which was corroborated by independent verification, regarding the discharge of untreated effluent into the environment.

She explained that a compliance inspection conducted by officials of the agencys South-West Zonal Office on 18 February revealed that the facility lacked a functional Effluent Treatment Plant.

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According to her, the company was discharging untreated wastewater with offensive odour directly into the environment, in contravention of applicable environmental standards and regulations.

Following the inspection, the facility was duly notified and issued directives to immediately abate the environmental nuisance by installing and operating an effluent treatment system in line with regulatory requirements, and also to obtain the required permits.

However, a follow-up inspection revealed that the facility failed to comply with the agencys directives.

Consequently, NESREA, in exercise of its statutory mandate, sealed the facility to prevent further environmental degradation and to safeguard public health, she said.

The statement quotes the Director-General of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, as reiterating that all industry operators must fully comply with environmental regulations, including the installation and proper operation of pollution control equipment.

It added that the agency would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities nationwide and would not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against violators.

NESREA stated that the facility would remain shut until full compliance with its directives is achieved, adding that further investigations and compliance monitoring are ongoing.

(NAN)
Investing.com -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is deepening its footprint in the worlds second-largest economy, with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressing hope that the pharmaceutical giant will "deepen its commitment" and pursue more aggressive growth targets.

During a meeting in Beijing on Saturday, Wang highlighted recent trade discussions in Paris as a "positive signal" for Sino-American cooperation, suggesting that a more stable geopolitical backdrop is providing greater certainty for multinational corporations operating within the mainland.

The $3 billion Orforglipron bet

The diplomatic overture coincides with Lillys ambitious plan to invest $3 billion in China over the next decade, a strategy spearheaded by CEO David Ricks. A significant portion of the capital is earmarked for the domestic manufacturing of orforglipron, Lillys experimental weight-loss pill currently under regulatory review by Chinese authorities.

Ricks reiterated his optimism regarding the companys development prospects, noting that the investment will help solidify Lillys position in a high-demand metabolic health market.

To scale production quickly, Lilly is pivoting toward a hybrid manufacturing model. The deal includes a $200 million partnership with Pharmaron Beijing Pharmaceutical Co. to build the technical infrastructure required for orforglipron and future treatments.

Lilly aims to navigate the complexities of the Chinese supply chain by leveraging local expertise, while ensuring capacity meets the anticipated surge in demand for next-generation obesity therapeutics.

Navigating the certainty gap

Minister Wangs comments appear aimed at reassuring global investors following a period of regulatory and trade volatility. By framing the Lilly partnership as a blueprint for "continued cooperation," Beijing is signaling a willingness to protect high-tech foreign investment in sectors deemed critical to national health.

Lilly faces the challenge of balancing the massive capital outlay against the shifting sands of U.S.-China trade policy. The ability to manufacture locally may prove to be the ultimate competitive advantage in securing market share within the Asia-Pacific region, as the "obesity gold rush" intensifies.

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Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is hosting the 43rd Annual Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting, March 2022, 2026, in Dallas, featuring global experts, live demonstrations, and hands-on surgical training.

DALLAS, March 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally recognized plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty expert Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is currently hosting the 43rd Annual Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting, taking place March 2022, 2026, at the Westin Galleria in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Rohrich speaking at a plastic surgery educational event

Now in its 43rd year, the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting remains one of the most respected global educational forums dedicated exclusively to rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty, widely regarded as among the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery. The meeting brings together leading surgeons, educators, and innovators from around the world to share expertise, refine techniques, and advance patient safety and outcomes.

The 2026 program reflects the comprehensive and structured curriculum that has defined the meeting for decades. According to the official agenda, the meeting begins with foundational sessions on nasal analysis and surgical planning, emphasizing the importance of consistency and precision in rhinoplasty outcomes. These sessions transition into detailed discussions on dorsal and tip shaping, including both preservation and structural approaches, two leading philosophies in modern rhinoplasty.

A major focus of this year's meeting is tip refinement and support techniques, with extensive faculty-led panels exploring rotation, projection, and management of complex anatomical variations. Additional sessions address critical topics such as alar rim support, osteotomy techniques, and dorsal preservation strategies, highlighting both traditional principles and evolving innovations.

The program also places significant emphasis on complication management and revision rhinoplasty. Faculty-led discussions examine common causes of primary rhinoplasty failure and present practical strategies for secondary correction, reinforcing the meeting's commitment to improving long-term outcomes and surgical safety.

A hallmark of the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting is its hands-on anatomy laboratory, where participants gain direct experience with advanced surgical techniques under expert guidance. The 2026 cadaver lab includes both structural and preservation rhinoplasty demonstrations, allowing surgeons to apply concepts in a highly interactive, real-world setting. This immersive approach to surgical education continues to distinguish the meeting as a leader in hands-on training.

The meeting also features the Jack P. Gunter, MD Distinguished Lecture, honoring the legacy of the meeting's founder and his lasting contributions to rhinoplasty education and innovation.

"The Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting continues to serve as a global platform for advancing both the science and artistry of rhinoplasty," says Dr. Rohrich. "Our goal is to provide surgeons with practical, evidence-based techniques that improve consistency, safety, and long-term patient outcomes."

Over its more than four-decade history, the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting has educated tens of thousands of surgeons worldwide and has played a pivotal role in shaping modern rhinoplasty techniques, including the widespread adoption of the open approach and the evolution of preservation methods.

"Rhinoplasty remains one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery," adds Dr. Rohrich. "Meetings like this are essential for refining technique, sharing knowledge, and ultimately delivering better care for patients."

About Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas, and a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. He served as a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He trained at Baylor, the University of Michigan, Harvard/Mass General, and Oxford.

A leader in the field, Dr. Rohrich chairs the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting, founded the Dallas Cosmetic Surgery Meeting, and is a founding partner of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute. He has been named Newsweek's top U.S. plastic surgeon in rhinoplasty and facelift surgery five years straight.

He is the emeritus Editor-in-Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, has published 1,000+ peer-reviewed articles and authored eight textbooks. He is a past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (largest global society of plastic surgeons) and has received multiple Plastic Surgery Foundation Distinguished Service Awards for his contributions to education and research.

Contact

Rod J. Rohrich, MD, FACS

Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute

9101 N Central Expy #600, Dallas, TX 75231

Office: (214) 821-9114

SOURCE Dr. Rod J. Rohrich
The Landmark Fundraising Total is Indicative of the Transformational Legacy Berg Achieved as Head of One of the Top Music Schools in the World

CORAL GABLES, Fla., March 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost School of Music at the University of Miami leaders, faculty, and alumni came together at the Knight Center for Music Innovation at the University of Miami in Miami on Sat., March 21 to celebrate the lasting legacy of Dean Shelton G. "Shelly" Berg as he finishes his nearly two decade-long tenure at the elite music school. A highlight of the event was University of Miami Provost Joel Samuels' announcement that Berg will close out his time at the Frost School of Music having raised more than $175 million in donations for the school.

Frost School of Music Dean Shelton G. "Shelly" Berg | Credit: Gabriela Gabrielaa

A majority of the funding, provided by an esteemed group of devoted and longtime benefactors and supporters, will primarily fund scholarships for best-in-class students who will be able to attend the highly acclaimed Frost School of Music thanks to their support. A portion of the total donations also went towards building the Knight Center for Music Innovation, a $36.5 million, 25,000-square-foot cutting-edge performance and technology hub that opened in 2023 and served as the location for the lasting legacy event held in Berg's honor.

The lasting legacy celebration showcased the reach and impact Berg has made across his tenure, through the performances and speeches provided by stalwart leaders, distinguished faculty, award-winning alumni, and long-term supporters of the Frost School of Music. Highlights from the evening included performances by award-winning artists and proud Frost School alumni Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Trent Saunders, and Jenna Rubaii, and esteemed members of the Frost School faculty, including John Daversa, Ross Harbaugh, Kim Josephson, Chuck Bergeron, Dafnis Prieto, and Reynaldo Sanchez, among others. The performers gathered at the end of the evening to perform "Change the World," an artistic tribute to the powerful impact Berg has had on the Frost School, the thousands of students who've studied there during his tenure, and the music world overall.

Since being named dean of the Frost School of Music in 2007, Berg has been instrumental in transforming the elite music school into a groundbreaking example of a new model of music education that has prepared thousands of students for successful careers. Esteemed alumni who've graduated from the Frost School during his tenure include Pharrell Williams, Joshua Henry, Veronica Swift, Carter Vail, Ashley Pezzotti, Emmet Cohen, Raquel Sofia, Idarose, and many other notable names across the music, education, and research fields. Through his relationships with Frost School alumni and industry leaders, Berg secured opportunities for students to collaborate with and be a part of recordings, performances, and other productions with Gloria Estefan, Pharrell Williams, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Renee Fleming, and Ben Folds.

"I've always said that the future of music is the future that our student musicians, aspiring industry professionals, and dedicated educators and researchers will be able to create," said Berg. "It's been a privilege to help Frost School of Music students chart a course for success by giving them access to an outstanding multidisciplinary curriculum, inspirational faculty, and priceless real-world experiences. From the day I started at the Frost School, I focused on setting a groundbreaking new standard for music education. I'm proud that the next dean will be able to step into a school with a foundation for continued growth, one which will cultivate and benefit new generations while continuing to actively shape the future of music - no matter what that may look like in the years to come."

The evening closed out with the unveiling of the commemorative Shelly Berg Way, which will serve as a permanent reminder of the lasting legacy of one of the Frost School of Music's most impactful deans. Shelly Berg Way was unveiled to an awaiting crowd of hundreds of Frost School students, faculty, alumni, and supporters, with fanfare provided by members of the University of Miami's marching band, the Frost Band of the Hour, and the University's cheer squad.

"The Frost School of Music is a beacon of excellence at the University of Miami, thanks in large part to the trailblazing leadership of Shelly Berg and his unwavering focus on shaping the future of music," said Samuels. "While Shelly is set to step down at the end of the current school year, his transformative impact will live on for years to come - just like the new commemorative pathway on our campus that now bears his name."

Berg announced last year that he would step down as dean of the Frost School of Music at the end of the 2025 - 2026 school year after nearly two decades of impactful leadership. At that time, Berg will return to his acclaimed musical career, which includes six GRAMMY nominations, groundbreaking artist collaborations, and performances on stages across the globe. The University of Miami is currently in the process of selecting the next dean of the Frost School of Music, who will be announced at a later date. The Frost School's next leader will have the opportunity to continue leading the standard-setting music school into a new century of impact and transformation, benefiting from an outstanding cadre of administrative and faculty leaders and a strong endowment.

About the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami

Established in 1926, the highly acclaimed Frost School of Music at the University of Miami is one of the top music schools in the world. In addition to being repeatedly recognized as a top music business school by Billboard magazine, the Frost School is listed as a top music school by Downbeat Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, InTune Magazine, Musical America Worldwide, Niche, College Factual, and U.S. News and World Report, among others. Students choose to attend the school for its innovative and dynamic curriculum; real-world opportunities in the U.S. and abroad; award-winning, highly regarded faculty; access to local Latin music record labels, festivals, and artists; and its state-of-the-art campus in Miami, one of the top music cities in the world.

Students who attend the Frost School benefit from its "THIS AND" approach to education thanks to its priority on combining traditional concentrations with cutting-edge programs that equip students with the artistic, technological, and entrepreneurial skills needed for success in today's world. Referred to as the Frost Method, this unique approach enables students to become well-rounded musicians and industry professionals. Around the world, Frost School alumni are known as being "Frost Built," a term that's become synonymous with the music creators, performers, educators, therapists, technologists, and industry professionals of the future who are ready to realize their professional passions, establish themselves as leaders, and make real contributions to society - thanks to their multidisciplinary education.

More information on the Frost School is available at frost.miami.edu.

Media Contact

Maddie Hilf

[email protected]

SOURCE Frost School of Music at the University of Miami
NEW YORK, March 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GardePro, an innovator in outdoor smart monitoring technology, has launched the GardePro Link 1.0 Long-Range Wireless Trail Camera System (Hub and R3 Pro trail camera). Leveraging advanced 802.11ah long-range wireless technology, the system overcomes the range limitations of traditional Wi-Fi trail cameras. It is the world's first trail camera capable of 3,000ft (1km) wireless transmission, real-time alerts, centralized multi-camera management, and remote HD photo uploads.

GardePro Link 1.0 long-range wireless trail camera system with hub and camera.

For years, farmers, ranchers and property managers have struggled with persistent limitations in traditional monitoring systems: Wi-Fi cameras have short transmission ranges, making it difficult to cover large areas or send remote trigger notifications, while cellular trail cameras require costly monthly data subscriptions. Users have urgently needed a cost-effective and easy-to-deploy long-range solution. The Link 1.0 was developed precisely to fill this void, providing a far more efficient way to monitor large properties.

"Cellular trail cameras deliver reliable long-range monitoring but come with prohibitively high monthly fees, putting this feature out of reach for many," said Andy J., CEO of GardePro. "We're making outdoor monitoring accessible at a far lower cost. Moving forward, we will continue upgrading our products with larger batteries and AI features to better meet users' needs."

Built on an integrated long-range wireless architecture combining a hub and camera, GardePro Link 1.0 offers several key advantages:

Up to 3,000 ft / 1 km in clear line-of-sight conditions, and 1,600 ft / 485 m in typical use  nearly 20x the range of traditional WiFi trail cameras.

in clear line-of-sight conditions, and in typical use  nearly the range of traditional WiFi trail cameras. Real-time mobile push and email alerts when the camera is triggered. The mobile app enables remote adjustment of camera settings, device status checks, HD media browsing, and live streaming.

A central hub that connects directly to a home Wi-Fi router, enabling stable remote access and management of up to 16 cameras for large-scale monitoring.

Comes with a FREE 64GB SD cardready to use right out of the box.

GardePro Link 1.0 is available for purchase now. For more information, visit https://gardepro.com/

Early adopters are already proving the system's capabilities in the field. Leo, who manages a 50-acre wooded property, shared: "I stay connected even 2,550ft from my tree stand. These cameras are the best! They've captured deer, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, and catswildlife we'd never seen before."

Outdoor enthusiast Benjamin C. praised Link 1.0's reliability: "Great long-distance performance. 4K Clear daytime photos and night shotsideal for my outdoor setup. The battery life is also outstanding. After 15 days of use, it still has 90% battery left."

About GardePro

Since 2016, GardePro has adhered to its core philosophy of "Beyond Limits. Scout Smarter, Not Harder." The company specializes in the R&D of high-performance trail cameras. GardePro products are widely used in hunting, farm management, security and wildlife observation, earning the trust of more than 8 million users worldwide.

Media Contacts

Company name: GardePro

Email address: [email protected]

SOURCE GardePro
In the news release, HADRIAN OPENS ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN ALABAMA TO SUPPORT COLUMBIA- AND VIRGINIA-CLASS SUBMARINE PRODUCTION, issued 20-Mar-2026 by Hadrian over PR Newswire, the release is being re-issued with an additional quote from Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan. The complete, updated release follows:

HADRIAN OPENS ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN ALABAMA TO SUPPORT COLUMBIA- AND VIRGINIA-CLASS SUBMARINE PRODUCTION

Secretary of the Navy Phelan, Rep. Aderholt, Rep. Rogers, Sen. Wicker, Sen. Britt, and Sen. Tuberville attend ribbon cutting of new $2.4 billion public-private facility in Cherokee, Alabama

CHEROKEE, Ala., March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hadrian, the advanced manufacturing company, today opened a new facility in Cherokee, Alabama dedicated to the U.S. Navy's Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside state and local leaders.

Known as Factory 4, the Cherokee facility is an advanced, highly automated manufacturing plant that will mass-produce components needed for submarine construction, including parts, assemblies, and finished products. These products have been identified by the industry as the largest drivers of submarine schedules, so increasing production allows submarines to also be produced faster. F4 will be one of three facilities producing systems for the maritime industrial base, with one of the facilities slated to be a Foundry of the Future, focused on castings and forging. The contract with the Navy is structured as a public-private partnership combining more than $1.5 billion in private capital with $900 million in government funding through Navy appropriations, for a total investment of more than $2.4 billion.

The opening in Muscle Shoals comes as the Navy moves to address longstanding capacity shortfalls in the submarine industrial base. Secretary Phelan, speaking at the 2026 WEST conference in February, described closing that gap as central to the Administration's Golden Fleet initiative, which includes $59 billion in cumulative shipbuilding investment since the President took office. "The government cannot deliver the Golden Fleet alonefast enough or at scale," Phelan said. "Private-sector partnership is not optional. It is foundational." The opening also comes as the Administration approaches the one-year anniversary of the President's Executive Order on Maritime Dominance, which directed federal agencies to accelerate investment in the domestic shipbuilding and submarine industrial base.

"The Administration has set the strategy, Congress has cleared a path, the Navy has set the requirement, and Secretary Phelan has been unambiguous that private-sector partnership is foundational, not optional, to deter threats to national security. Industry has to answer that call with real execution, and the window to do it is now. We are proud to be part of the coalition building that capacity, and this factory is Hadrian's commitment to meeting this moment," said Chris Power, Founder and CEO of Hadrian.

The Cherokee facility transforms a 2.2 million-square-foot site in The Shoals region into an advanced production hub. Formerly the largest railcar manufacturing facility in the country before production was outsourced to Mexico, this first phase of this new facility is expected to reach full-rate production capacity within 24 months of contract award. Other parts of the facility are slated for construction over the coming months.

The facility is expected to create up to 1,000 high-quality jobs when fully operational. Labor availability has been one of the most acute constraints in the maritime industrial base; the sector has historically required years of specialized training before workers reach production-ready proficiency. Hadrian's manufacturing platform, Opus, is designed to close that gap. By automating the most technically demanding steps in the production process, the system is engineered so that technicians with limited prior manufacturing experience can reach full productivity within 30 days.

"This is a novel transaction with Hadrian providing the Department of the Navy downside protection and upside participation," said Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan. "More than $1.5 billion in capital from Hadrian comes in first. The Department of the Navy follows with a commitment of $900 million to scale up the factory, grounded in demonstrated performance and ensuring we are investing in outcomes, not promises. Risk is shared. Performance is required. The Department of the Navy has a stake in the outcome. And American taxpayers will benefit from our success. That alignment matters. Because we are done with a system that rewards process over delivery. We are done with free money from the Department of the Navy."

Cherokee, Alabama is the first large-scale inland advanced manufacturing facility dedicated to the U.S. maritime industrial base. Hadrian has four facilities totaling approximately 2.85M square feet across California, Arizona, and Alabama, and is developing additional production sites covering the full suite of production, from components to complete products and assemblies.

Additional Quotes from Stakeholders:

"This investment marks a major step forward in strengthening our nation's defense industrial base while bringing high-quality jobs and economic growth to Northwest Alabama. I have been proud to work alongside our local, state, and federal leaders, as well as the Trump Administration, to help bring this opportunity to the Shoals, and I am excited to welcome Hadrian as they support the U.S. Navy with cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities critical to our national security. Hadrian is a leader in this space, and I am confident they will find great success here in Alabama.

I also want to thank AE Shoals for their continued commitment to our region and for providing the facility that makes this project possible. This effort demonstrates what can be achieved when industry, community leaders, and the federal government come together to support our warfighters and invest in America's future," said Representative Aderholt.

"As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I've sought to rebuild the American Arsenal by investing in the very communities that built this country. Hadrian's factory opening today in Cherokee, Alabama, is a testament to the successful collaboration across our government and the private sector. Its operations will fortify our U.S. maritime industrial base greatly. Like the generations that came before us, we are revitalizing American manufacturing right here at home to defend our freedom and our way of life. The future of American defense is opening doors and creating opportunities across every sector of our economy," said Senator Wicker.

"This is truly a transformational moment for the Shoals region as we celebrate this Factory of the Future. As a result of this public-private partnership, over 1,000 jobs will be created, boosting the local economy, all while Alabama helps revitalize America's maritime industrial base. Alabama is once again proving that when we compete with the best, we will come out on top every time. I'm especially grateful to President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan for their visionary leadership and dedication to meet our nation's maritime and defense industrial needs and increase our shipbuilding capacity. I'm deeply proud to be a part of this progressAmerican manufacturing is back, and stronger than ever," said Senator Britt.

"Since day one of President Trump's second term, he has been laser-focused on ensuring our military remains the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world," said Senator Tuberville. "He's also worked tirelessly to restore American dominance on all fronts and bring good-paying jobs back from overseas. The Shoals has long been home to world-class artists and musicians, and we're excited that the region is now going to play a key role in restoring America's maritime and manufacturing dominance. I'm grateful for President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and Secretary Phelan for choosing Muscle Shoals for this 2.2-million-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. Not only will it generate thousands of jobs for Alabamians, but it will produce the tools our Navy needs to keep America safe. Make no mistake, our adversaries are knocking on our door. It's more important than ever that our armed forces are equipped with the best weapons we can supply. Alabama is a leader when it comes to national defense, and this partnership with Hadrian is crucial for ensuring our Navy remains the most elite in the world. Alabama is also home to many patriotic and talented Americans who are always up for any challenge. I look forward to seeing our great state play a leading role in President Trump's mission of 'Peace Through Strength'."

About Hadrian

Hadrian is a next-generation manufacturing company transforming the U.S. industrial base by rapidly adding domestic manufacturing capacity through its highly automated factories. By integrating process engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, Hadrian strengthens American manufacturing capabilities and enables U.S. workers to compete globally.

Hadrian's mission is to enable space and defense manufacturers to produce domestically at scale, supporting production at every level, from individual components to full-scale programs. The company currently operates three advanced manufacturing facilities totaling approximately 600,000 square feet, including two sites in Torrance, California, and a newly launched facility in Arizona. Hadrian is actively developing additional production sites across the United States. More information at https://www.hadrian.co/.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Hadrian
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Hims & Hers Health, Inc. ("Hims" or the "Company") (NYSE: HIMS).

On June 23, 2025, Novo Nordisk announced that it was terminating its partnership with Hims & Hers, disclosing that the Company had "failed to adhere to the law which prohibits mass sales of compounded drugs under the false guise of 'personalization' and are disseminating deceptive marketing that put patient safety at risk," and that "the 'semaglutide' active pharmaceutical ingredients that are in the knock-off drugs sold by telehealth entities and compounding pharmacies" may contain "unsafe and illicit foreign ingredients."

Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period including alleged misrepresentations regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects, and in particular, regarding the business relationship between the Company and Novo Nordisk, violating federal securities laws. Recently, the Court presiding over the case denied the Company's motion to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward.

KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Hims & Hers' officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Hims & Hers shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-hims/ to learn more.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 960

New Orleans, LA 70163

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
IRVINE, Calif., March 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Brokerage Services, North America's highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Southside Harley-Davidson in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson in Yorktown, Virginia from the Estate of Mary Hughes to Michael Veracka of MOD Enterprises.

Performance Brokerage Services - Southside & Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson - Michael Veracka of MOD Enterprises

The late Mary Hughes served as President and CEO of Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson, Inc. for 45 years and is widely recognized for her longstanding commitment to both the Virginia and biker community. During her leadership, the dealership hosted numerous community events and fundraisers, and donated motorcycles to support York County first responders. In recognition of her leadership and community impact, Hughes was named a Power Woman of South Hampton Roads by Inside Business in 2006.

Since 1978, Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson built a legacy rooted in community service and a passion for motorcycles. The dealership expanded in 1990 by welcoming Southside Harley-Davidson to the dealership family, opening in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Today, the dealership's growth and dedication to excellence have earned its recognition by ranking in the top 1% of all Harley-Davidson dealerships for sales, and ranking in the top 10% for parts. The dealerships host a variety of nonprofit events throughout the year, including blood drives, Toys for Tots drives, and free concert series, with all proceeds donated to the local Boys & Girls Club.

The transaction was completed as part of a strategic consolidation between Southside Harley-Davidson in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson in Yorktown, and Bayside Harley-Davidson in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of nearly 450 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. George C. Chaconas, and Courtney A. Bernhard, the partners for the Harley-Davidson & Powersports Division of Performance Brokerage Services, were the exclusive sell-side advisors for this transaction.

Following the closing, Courtney commented: "It is with great appreciation that the Estate of Mary Hughes chose our team to represent the sale and closure of Southside and Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson. Being able to represent the Estate and hearing the many stories of Mary's legacy was very special. It is no doubt that Mary shared the love of the brand and her employees. Mary will forever be remembered as a pillar in the communities she supported. I would like to thank her team for their instrumental support ensuring the transition was handled with grace and care. I hope the newly combined market will continue to strengthen and grow and wish continued success for Michael Veracka and his team!"

George added, "It was an honor to exclusively represent the Estate of the late Mary Hughes in the sale of Southside Harley-Davidson and Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson to Michael Veracka. Mary built two respected dealerships that served the Virginia riding community for many years, and this transaction marks the next chapter as those locations consolidate into Bayside Harley-Davidson. We are grateful to have facilitated this process for the estate and appreciate the cooperation of everyone involved in bringing the transaction to completion."

MOD Enterprises is the largest Harley-Davidson group in the United States and home to the #1 volume Harley-Davidson dealership in the world, based on new vehicle sales, Riverside Harley-Davidson. MOD Enterprises has earned numerous industry honors, including multiple Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Awards, among them two Platinum Awards, as well as Powersports Business Power 50 Awards and Best Place to Work recognitions. The group continues to expand by welcoming Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson and Southside Harley-Davidson to its roster of prestigious dealerships.

Michael Veracka, Owner of MOD Enterprises, shared, "It was a great pleasure to work with George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard of Performance Brokerage Services. Courtney did an outstanding job helping Harley-Davidson Motor Company optimize the local dealer network, consolidating Southside Harley-Davidson and Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson. Without the support of Performance Brokerage Services, this deal would not have happened."

The Estate of Mary Hughes was represented by Cari Lyn B. Pierce with Williams Mullen, LLP in Richmond, Virginia. Michael Veracka was represented by Mark Petti from the Motorcycle Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North America's highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, marine, powersports, commercial truck, and equipment dealerships.

With over 30 years of experience, more than 900 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the company's reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity.

The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainers, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Headquartered in Irvine, California and supported by 12 regional offices across the United States and Canada, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation.

As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.

Media Contact:

Jesse Stopnitzky, Co-Owner

(949) 309-2851

[email protected]

SOURCE Performance Brokerage Services, Inc.
NEW YORK, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of DNOW Inc. (NYSE: DNOW) resulting from allegations that DNOW Inc. may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased DNOW Inc. securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53946 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On February 20, 2026, StockStory published an article entitled "Why DNOW (DNOW) Shares Are Getting Obliterated Today." The article stated that DNOW shares fell "after the company reported disappointing fourth-quarter 2025 financial results, which included a significant loss and missed Wall Street's expectations."

On this news, DNOW stock fell 19.1% on February 20, 2026.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. At the time Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
HONG KONG, March 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RyzoBee today announced that its Root Series is planned to launch on Kickstarter in Q2 2026 for the North American and European markets (timing subject to confirmation). In response to growing maker-community demand for more interactive 3D-printed creations, RyzoBee aims to provide 3D printing creators and makers with a modular electronics system centered around RootMakerhelping static prints gain lighting, motion, sensing, and networked interaction more quickly, and bringing projects closer to a showcase-ready, replicable finished state.

Ryzobee Rootmaker - The electronic brain for 3D printsmount it in the base, go interactive.

For many creators, the real hurdle isn't modeling or printingit's what comes after: wiring, power, drivers, scattered resources, and a debugging process that's hard to replicate reliably. Unlike traditional development boards that require manual wiring and piecemeal tutorials, RootMaker combines standardized connections and a consistent hardware form factor with ready-to-use firmware templates and a guided setup flowmaking it easier to light up LEDs for the first time, drive motors, read sensors, or enable a web-based control panel in a more beginner-friendly, repeatable way.

As the central controller, RootMaker works with an expanding accessory ecosystemincluding lighting, motors, sensors, and displaysand is paired with a web toolchain to streamline device management and template-based project workflows. Users can quickly flash firmware via the web toolchain, then complete configuration through the guided flow to get their project up and running. By standardizing previously fragmented debugging steps, the platform reduces repetitive troubleshooting and helps creators spend more time on design, interaction, and storytelling.

Designed for real-world integration, the Root Series also emphasizes "easy to mount, easy to use, easy to replicate" across both structure and expansion. It adopts a Technic-style mounting hole pattern to integrate smoothly with 3D-printed parts, kits, and modular frames, and plans to release an official open-source enclosure file library so users can start from a clean, printable baseline and customize from there. The platform also supports Arduino development: selected official projects will release Arduino code as open source, and Arduino IDE support will be provided (libraries and examples will be released alongside the Kickstarter launch).

RyzoBee will roll out community and content support across North America and Europe, including creator collaborations, quick-start materials, and open-source examples. To subscribe for Kickstarter launch notifications and get the latest updates, please visit: www.ryzobee.com

CONTACT: Ryzobee

[email protected]

SOURCE RyzoBee
The Villages Health (TVH) Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Case Nears Envisioned Resolution

ORLANDO, Fla., March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to a federal bankruptcy court filing today that requests court approval of a settlement agreement in the bankruptcy proceedings of the former Villages Health system (TVH), the leadership of The Villages expressed support and optimism for the proposed resolution.

"We are encouraged by the continued positive progress toward a final resolution in this case, and we are confident that this proposed agreement creates value and provides finality for the parties involved," said Robert Chandler IV, CEO of The Villages. "Our sole motivation throughout this process has remained consistent: Ensuring the very best in comprehensive healthcare for everyone who has placed their trust in this community as their home. As this process enters a new phase, we are grateful, first and foremost, that residents of The Villages have continued to receive the quality healthcare they expect and deserve."

The proposed settlement, which was filed earlier today in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, will require final approval from the judge overseeing the case.

Via the proposed settlement, the Developer of The Villages has agreed to provide $80 million of value to the now former TVH. The cash amounts paid will be utilized for, among other things, payment of claims through the TVH plan of liquidation. This proposed settlement is also supported by the Department of Justice, which will file a statement in support of the resolution.

The resolution submitted Friday is independent of and reached separately from a final agreement between TVH and the Department of Justice, through which the former health system has agreed that the federal government shall have an allowed claim in the TVH bankruptcy case to resolve TVH's self-investigated and self-reported Medicare billing issues.

TVH leadership initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in July 2025 following the discovery of the Medicare billing issue, which TVH voluntarily disclosed to the federal government in December 2024. In November 2025, CenterWell Senior Primary Care completed its purchase of TVH. Health care operations across the community have continued, intact, throughout the entirety of this complex process. The Villages community has received non-stop quality care from very same doctors and providers they had come to know over nearly the last decade and a half, now under the CenterWell operating umbrella.

ABOUT THE VILLAGES

Family-owned and operated for more than 50 years, The Villages is the #1 master-planned 55+ community in the world. The Villages, located in Central Florida, is comprised of nearly 85,000 homes with lifestyle amenities and conveniences that serve its 165,000+ residents.

MEDIA CONTACT

Rob Legare

[email protected]

SOURCE The Villages
ATOME PLC (AIM:ATOM) has secured $420 million in debt financing for its flagship Villeta green fertiliser project, marking a significant step towards full project delivery.

In an interview with Proactive this week, chief executive Olivier Mussat outlined how the funding strengthens returns, validates the projects economics and underscores institutional backing.

He also set out ATOMEs strategy to capitalise on volatile global fertiliser markets while scaling a replicable low-carbon production model.

Proactive: I'm joined by ATOME CEO Olivier Mussat. Olivier, very good to speak with you. You have secured $420 million in debt for Villeta. What does this mean for the project and investor returns?

Olivier Mussat: Quite key, actually. It has been talked about for quite a while, the discussions that were ongoing. Finally, we have signed all of the documents relating to refinancing. The financing is with the European Investment Bank, FMO, the Dutch state-owned development finance institution, the Inter-American Development Bank, IFC from the World Bank Group and the Green Climate Fund.

We went through a very thorough process and the institutions saw the quality of the project, the economic case and the bankability of it, as well as its impact on food security and climate. It shows that ATOME continues to bring in tier-one partners and is able to deliver projects much larger than the companys current market capitalisation.

They have provided long-term debt finance on very competitive terms, which helps the project and improves returns for shareholders and equity partners. Leverage into a project increases equity returns.

Proactive: The Villeta project will make fertiliser without fossil fuels. How does that give ATOME an edge in the market?

Olivier Mussat: It is about being in the right place at the right time. ATOME has long-term, low-cost power supply. That allows the company to deliver fertiliser at a cost that is cheaper than importing it from Russia or the Middle East.

From an offtake perspective, ATOME announced last year that Yara, one of the largest fertiliser companies in the world, will take 100% of production through a long-term agreement. That de-risks the project while still allowing upside.

ATOME will be producing low-cost fertiliser without hydrocarbons. The company can compete with traditional fertilizer production while also benefiting from the green premium and potential carbon border mechanisms in markets such as Europe.

Proactive: You mentioned rising fertiliser prices and the possibility of replacing imports from Russia or the Middle East. What do current conflicts mean for the fertiliser sector?

Olivier Mussat: Many people were comfortable about supply chains for chemicals and fertilisers. Nearly 30% of fertiliser supply comes from Russia and its neighbours, and around half of global supply moves through the Strait of Hormuz.

This means the fertiliser market is vulnerable. Prices rose by about 50% within three weeks recently. Some facilities have also been attacked.

ATOMEs approach is to be close to customers and major agricultural markets while avoiding geopolitical instability. Fertiliser prices are globally determined like oil and gas, so when prices rise globally, ATOME also benefits from the commodity upside while maintaining low fixed power costs.

Proactive: This is described as a world-first project and you plan to replicate the model. What are the next steps?

Olivier Mussat: Investors supported ATOME from the beginning because it was never about a single project. Villeta is expected to generate strong returns and net present value, but the company has also developed a model that can be replicated.

ATOME has structured a unique offtake arrangement, EPC partnership with Casale, and a project framework that reduces risk. With the first project established, moving to project two and three should be faster.

The company is already looking at additional opportunities in Paraguay and elsewhere. ATOME has also created a new division called ATOME Power to develop renewable energy projects such as solar and battery systems. These projects can lower power costs for future fertilizer facilities and generate earlier cash flow.

Proactive: Congratulations on that milestone. I hope you will keep us updated on progress.
Revenue growth of 27% for full year 2025 was driven by continued penetration of the VA hospital system and a 93% surge in Truvaga wellness sales.

The VA channel remains the primary revenue driver, currently reaching approximately 13,400 patients, which management estimates is only 2% of the addressable VA headache market.

Strategic shift in the direct-to-consumer segment toward the company's own e-commerce site improved Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS) to $2.10 in Q4.

The acquisition of Quell assets in May 2025 contributed $1.5 million in revenue, successfully diversifying the product portfolio within the VA system.

Management attributes the 31% year-over-year Q4 revenue growth to increased 'boots on the ground' through a mix of internal staff and variable-cost 1099 representatives.
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 Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About 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.
St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ, FRA:S0G, OTC:SGQMF) recently reported further high-grade rare earths and niobium results from ongoing diamond drilling at the Araxa Rare Earths and Niobium Project in Brazil, reinforcing the projects potential scale and development prospects.

Executive chairman John Prineas said the latest results, comprising 16 drill holes, continued to demonstrate thick zones of mineralisation from surface to depths of around 160 metres. He noted that multiple holes intersected more than 100 metres of high-grade rare earth mineralisation, with grades broadly in line with the companys existing resource.

Prineas highlighted that grades typically sit around 4% total rare earth oxides, with some intervals significantly higher. He stated that results reached up to about 24% in some cases, underlining the presence of high-grade zones within the broader system.

He added that these grades compare favourably with global peers, referencing Lynas Rare Earths Mount Weld operation, which has a similar head grade. Prineas said this positioned Araxa as comparable to one of the largest rare earth producers outside China.

In addition to rare earths, the company continues to report strong niobium mineralisation, supported by the projects location within the Barreiro carbonatite complex, adjacent to CBMMs operations.

Key Highlights

16 diamond drill holes confirm thick, high-grade rare earth mineralisation

Intercepts from surface to ~160m, with >100m mineralised zones

Grades typically around 4% TREO, with peaks up to 24%

Strong niobium mineralisation across the project

Comparable grades to Lynas Mount Weld operation

Resource continues to grow, with additional drill results pending inclusion

Project located in Brazils Barreiro Carbonatite, near CBMM

Historical study indicated US$960M NPV and 20-year mine life

Shift toward development with tight drill spacing for reserves

Appointment of Carla Grasso to lead resource and mine planning

Backed by funding from Hancock to support development pathway

Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Investors. I'm your host, Kerry Stevenson. As John Prineas joins us again, he is Executive Chairman of St George Mining. Its the gift that just keeps on giving  more high-grade results and more plans to move towards development at the Araxa Project in Brazil. John, whats the latest news?

John Prineas: Its a very exciting week for us. Weve had an announcement every day this week and may have a couple more. Today is all about more drill results  16 holes from our diamond drill program, from surface down to about 160 metres. Many holes show more than 100 metres of high-grade rare earths, most around the 4% level, which is our resource grade, but up to about 24% in some cases. Were also seeing very high niobium.

Proactive: For those unfamiliar, how do those grades compare to peers?

John Prineas: If you look at Lynas and the Mount Weld operation, the head grade is about 4% TREO. Thats basically the same as what we have. There are spikes in our drill results as well, so we are very comparable to one of the largest producers outside China.

Proactive: Is the deposit similar in style?

John Prineas: Yes, its a carbonatite-hosted hard rock system. The rare earth mix is similar, with strong light rare earths and some heavy rare earths. In terms of size, were growing  currently around 70 million tonnes of rare earths and 93 million tonnes including niobium. Lynas has about 160 million tonnes, so we are catching up. We also have more holes yet to be included in the resource.

Proactive: Why were you confident this could be a world-class deposit?

John Prineas: The previous owner focused on phosphate, but a 2012 study already showed strong rare earth potential, including a 20-year mine life and an NPV of US$960 million. We recognised the opportunity early and acquired it before the critical minerals boom.

Proactive: Youve also made a new appointment?

John Prineas: Yes, weve appointed senior resource geologist Carla Grasso. She has experience with neighbouring operations and will lead resource modelling, reserve estimation and mine planning. Were now fully focused on development.

Proactive: And funding?

John Prineas: Were well funded following investment from Hancock, which supports us through to a final investment decision.

Proactive: More news coming?

John Prineas: Yes, more development-focused updates as we advance the project.
Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX:PNR, OTC:PNTOF, FRA:RKN) earlier this week outlined solid financial performance alongside plans to expand mining operations at its Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia during an interview with Proactive.

Managing director Paul Cmrlec said the company delivered a strong first half result, highlighting a significant build in the companys balance sheet as operations at Norseman continue to mature.

Cmrlec said the company ended the most recent quarter with just under $220 million in cash and gold, while the half-year position stood at about $135 million. He noted that operating costs remained competitive relative to the broader industry.

According to Cmrlec, the Norseman operation remains in a strong position operationally and financially, providing a foundation for further development across the historic goldfield.

The company recently updated production guidance, revising expectations from around 100,000 ounces per annum to a range of between 86,000 and 92,000 ounces. Cmrlec said the revision reflects several operational factors during the most recent quarter as well as the planned transition to a single contract mining provider across the site.

Pantoro intends to appoint Redpath Mining as the sole contractor at Norseman from May, expanding its existing role at the Scotia and Dimboola mines. Cmrlec said the move is expected to deliver operational synergies across the project, although the company has allowed for potential short-term disruption during the transition.

Were going to bring Redpath Mining across the whole site, and I think thats a really positive change for Norseman as we move forward, Cmrlec told Proactive.

Alongside operational updates, Pantoro is progressing a growth strategy focused on expanding underground mining across the Norseman Mainfield.

The company announced in September 2024 that it would undertake a major drilling campaign aimed at identifying additional underground mining opportunities to increase mill feed grades. Over the past year, Pantoro has completed approximately 40,000 metres of drilling from underground positions at the Bullen decline.

Cmrlec said the drilling has provided sufficient confidence for the company to begin development toward the Bronze and Cramers South lodes.

Development is expected to commence mid-year, with first ore targeted before the end of the year. The additional underground production is expected to provide higher-grade feed to supplement existing ore sources.

Cmrlec added that Pantoros all-in sustaining cost during the last quarter was just over $2,500 per ounce, which compares favourably with peers undertaking similar narrow-vein underground mining operations.

Interview Highlights

Pantoro Gold reported a strong first half financial performance.

The company ended the last quarter with just under $220M in cash and gold.

Half-year balance sits at approximately $135M.

Production guidance revised from ~100,000 oz to 86,00092,000 oz annually.

Revision partly reflects operational events and transition to Redpath Mining as a single contractor across the Norseman site.

Redpath already operates at Scotia and Dimboola mines within the project.

Pantoro is advancing a growth strategy focused on new underground mines.

Around 40,000 metres of drilling completed in the Norseman Mainfield.

Development planned toward the Bronze and Cramers South lodes.

First ore expected before the end of the year once development begins.

All-in sustaining costs just over $2,500/oz, competitive compared with industry peers.

Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Investors. I'm your host Kerry Stephenson. I've asked Pantoro Gold managing director Paul Cmrlec to join us today. The ASX code is PNR and the company operates the Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia. Lots of news to get through. Paul, good to see you.

Paul Cmrlec: Kerry, good to see you.

Proactive: Youve just released higher revenue and earnings for the first half of this financial year. Give us an overview.

Paul Cmrlec: The first half of the year has been fantastic. Weve really built the cash balance there to just under $220 million of cash and gold at the end of the last quarter, sitting at about $135 million for the half year. Our all-in sustaining costs are looking really good relative to the industry overall. Norseman is in a great position and will continue to advance as we move forward.

Proactive: There was a slight production downgrade. Could you provide some colour on that?

Paul Cmrlec: The market probably reacted a little harder than we expected this morning. The downgrade relates to production guidance rather than results. Analysts covering the company remain positive on the stock. Weve adjusted our forecast from around 100,000 ounces per annum down to between 86,000 and 92,000 ounces based on specific events in the last quarter.

Were also planning a change in contract mining at the site from 1 May. We will bring Redpath Mining across the whole site, where it already mines at Scotia and Dimboola. That will give us a single contractor across the site. Its a positive change, although there may be some minor disruption during the transition.

Proactive: Id like to talk about the new mine in the Mainfield.

Paul Cmrlec: Weve had a growth program running for some time. In September 2024 we announced a major drilling campaign focused on opening additional underground mines to grow production by increasing the mill feed grade at Norseman.

The Mainfield has been a major focus of drilling from underground at Bullen. Over the last year weve completed nearly 40,000 metres of drilling. We now have enough confidence to kick off development toward the Bronze lode and the Cramers South lode.

Development is expected to start mid-year, with first ore expected before the end of this year. That provides high-grade feed to replace some of the open-pit feed. The growth strategy we outlined a couple of years ago is now coming together.

Proactive: Finally, could you update us on all-in sustaining costs?

Paul Cmrlec: The all-in sustaining cost last quarter was just over $2,500 per ounce. As production rises those unit costs come down because total costs remain fairly fixed. Compared with peers doing similar underground narrow-vein mining, were typically $400$500 per ounce better than many of them.

Proactive: The operation appears to be in a strong position.

Paul Cmrlec: Yes, I think the operation is in a great position to continue generating strong cash flow as it has in the last half.
Arizona Gold & Silver Inc (TSX-V:AZS, OTCQB:AZASF, FRA:A9J0) CEO Mike Stark talked with Proactive about a major $18 million institutional investment set to accelerate exploration across the companys key projects.

Proactive: Exciting news out from the company that you've had a large investment from an institutional investor really backing what you've been doing, obviously your project Philadelphia and other things as well. So tell me a little bit about this investor and what they said to you of why they want to back the company.

Mike Stark: I'm really pleased. Look, this is the biggest deal they've ever done. That in itself shows a lot of credibility. More importantly, this is an interesting institutional style investor. These are people that look long term, which is where I was most excited about them. 3 to 5 years is well within their wait period. So that's somebody that wants to grow with us.

They see the opportunity that not only Philadelphia has, but Silverton as well. And our management team, they've got the big picture here Steve. I couldn't be happier. $18 million coming in over the next two years. Very exciting.

So when you were talking to them, Mike, what sort of things were they really excited about as far as Philadelphia was concerned?

It's been going on for five months. This wasn't easy. This is something that took time and negotiation on both sides. But what I'm excited about is as they get involved, they're part of the equation. They are in day-to-day movements and working with us. Theyve also got an advertising background.

So their team is moving in conjunction with us. And that is a team aspect that I've always enjoyed.

Talk to me a little bit about $18 million. What does it mean as far as work that can be done and runway?

It's huge. Look, this will give us a two-year runway. It'll give us the opportunity to put multiple rigs on Philadelphia. Obviously, Silverton gets included in that. We will have two properties moving forward simultaneously.

The results are going to speak for themselves, but the potential we now have and the availability of multiple rigs is going to bring multiple news releases  4 to 5 holes a month on just Philadelphia, 24-hour drilling. This is what our shareholders have been waiting for, and we're delivering it now.

And that includes this year?

Mike Stark: Our program right now is anywhere from 30 to 40 holes this calendar year. From this point forward to next year, we'd like to put 40 holes into the system. We've managed to drill 162 so far. So this is a major move forward.

Lastly, what does this say about the work done behind the scenes?

It is gratifying. I've said this before  Lex is a get-it-done guy. And now with this capital coming in, you can imagine geologists love spending money.

This fits his wheelhouse because he's got his drill program ready to execute. The area outside to the east of our property is a very exciting target. Now we're going to motivate that area as well and do more work to define where we want to drill.

Again, this capital is going to allow the company to really move forward.

Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity
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Baghdad, March 21 : The NATO mission in Iraq has commenced the temporary withdrawal of its personnel from the country due to security concerns, a high-ranking security source told the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The source described the move as a temporary measure prompted by the ongoing conflict and concerns over the safety of mission members, adding that they will return as soon as the war ends and the security situation in Iraq stabilises, Xinhua news agency reported quoting INA.

The NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory one, was established in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government to strengthen its security sector.

The noncombat mission was created in 2018 at the request of Iraqi authorities to help the country as officials sought to bolster its security forces and fight against terrorism. NATO personnel trained members of Iraq's security forces but weren't deployed with them during combat operations, according to the alliance.

US Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of NATO's forces in Europe, thanked Iraq and allies for assisting in the relocation.

"I would also like to thank the dedicated men and women of NATO Mission Iraq, who continued their mission throughout this period. They are true professionals," Grynkewich said in a statement Friday.

The temporary exit occurs amid heightened tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.
Tehran, March 21 : Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country does not seek war with Muslim states, according to the official news agency IRNA.

He made the remarks in a message to extend congratulations on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian new year that falls on March 21, Xinhua news agency reported.

Commenting on recent tensions between Iran and some of the Arab states in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks, Pezeshkian said, "We do not intend to have any difference with Muslim countries. We do not seek conflict and war with Islamic states. They are our brothers."

He blamed the United States and Israel for the tensions that have arisen between Iran and the region's Muslim states.

Pezeshkian said Iran is ready to resolve all problems with its neighbors, proposing to form a security structure comprising Muslim states in the Middle East to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.

"We do not need the foreigners' presence in the region. We can set up an Islamic assembly in the Middle East with the cooperation of Muslim states, and within that framework, regulate our security, economic, cultural and political relations," he said.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran did not seek to develop nuclear weapons, and the country's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had issued a religious decree prohibiting atomic arms, adding no official in Iran can move towards the development of the weapons of mass destruction.

He noted that, however, the United States seeks to persuade the world that Iran was moving towards nuclear weapons.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-supreme leader, 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
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Providence is exploring a potential sale of its health plan, citing the higher spending thats swamping insurers.

The news disclosed on Thursday comes as the Catholic nonprofit system continues to pursue a financial turnaround plan thats included layoffs and hospital sales.

Providence declined to comment on potential acquirers or timing of a deal, and said it will provide updates as decisions are made.

Dive Insight:

Providence said its decision to consider a sale of Providence Health Plan isnt due to the plans quality, but its struggle as a smaller regional insurer to overcome challenges like rising costs and technology investments that are easier for its larger peers.

PHP covers hundreds of thousands of members, mostly in the Pacific Northwest, across employer, commercial Medicare, Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid and Affordable Care Act plans.

In 2024  the most recent timeframe for which Providence has shared in-depth financial information  the systems health plan business was chugging along comfortably. Providences health plan and accountable care revenues grew 4% year over year to $3.1 billion, while operating expenses were up 2.5% to $2.1 billion.

A Providence spokesperson declined to comment on PHPs more recent financial performance. However, its membership has shrunk dramatically over the past year. At the end of 2024, PHP covered about 700,000 members. But by January this year, its membership shrunk to about 440,000 people.

PHPs smaller size is no longer compatible with the demands of todays operating environment, the system said.

Todays announcement reflects the challenges facing smaller, regional health plans that lack the scale of larger insurers, including the ability to share resources, spread costs and make ongoing investments in technology, Providence said in its Thursday press release. It is not a reflection of PHPs quality or the commitment of its caregivers.

Providence did not respond to questions about interest from potential acquirers.

However, regional plans, which normally enjoy positive brand equity in their local markets, could be attractive to national carriers looking to nab new members while burnishing their reputations, experts told Healthcare Dive earlier this year when predicting that smaller payers could be pushed to sell in 2026.
Washington, March 21 : The Trump administration sued Harvard University over alleged antisemitism, marking an escalation from the federal government after months of stalled negotiations between the two sides.

The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, accused the Ivy League university of violating the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli people and turning "a blind eye" to antisemitism and discrimination against Jews and Israelis, Xinhua news agency reported.

Jewish and Israeli students were subjected to severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive harassment on the ground of their race or national origin, and they were excluded from participation in and denied the benefits of a Harvard education because of their race, ethnicity, or national origin, the complaint alleged.

The complaint also contended that Harvard had actual knowledge of and was "deliberately indifferent" to the harassment and exclusion of Jewish and Israeli students, and that it "intentionally" discriminated against Jews and Israelis.

Since January 2025, the US administration has issued threats to several US universities, warning them of potential funding cuts if they fail to adjust their policies. The main demands included eliminating what was described as antisemitism on campus and dismantling diversity initiatives that favor certain minority groups.

In April 2025, after Harvard rejected the US administration's demands, the administration announced it would freeze $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and $60 million in multiyear contract funds for the university.

In February, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration was seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University.
Tehran, March 21 : Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has stressed that the recent attacks on parts of Turkey and Oman were not carried out by the Iranian armed forces or its allies.

He made the remarks in a message to extend congratulations on the arrival of Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday (local time), which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian new year that falls on March 21, according to a statement published on his website.

Khamenei said Iran has appropriate relations with both Turkey and Oman, warning about Israel's "deception" of resorting to "false flag" operations to cause division between Iran and its neighbours, reports Xinhua news agency.

He added that such operations may be carried out in other countries too.

He highlighted the importance the country attaches to its relations with neighbours, and called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to establish better relations with each other, voicing his readiness to take the necessary measures to that end.

The Iranian leader also emphasised the need to enhance citizens' living standards and the nation's infrastructure, with a focus on welfare and wealth creation for the public, while declaring the new year as the "year of resistance economy in light of national unity."

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, NATO deployed an additional Patriot air defence system to the southern Adana province of Turkey, the Turkish Defence Ministry said, after a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkish airspace was intercepted last week.

"In addition to the measures taken at the national level to ensure the security of our airspace and our citizens, a further Patriot system, deployed by Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, is being stationed in Adana, supplementing the existing Spanish Patriot system already based there," Turkish Defence Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk said at a press briefing.

Akturk said a missile launched from Iran on March 13 entered Turkish airspace, which was neutralised over the eastern Mediterranean by NATO air and missile defence units.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-supreme leader, 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
Beirut, March 21 : At least 20 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to official figures.

The latest casualties, released on Friday (local time), bring the cumulative death toll to 1,021, with a total of 2,641 people wounded since the escalation of hostilities on March 2.

Meanwhile, displacement continues to rise sharply as ongoing strikes force more residents to flee their homes. A total of 134,616 displaced people are currently sheltering in 644 centres across the country, the figures show.

Efforts to accommodate displaced populations remain under strain as the humanitarian situation deteriorates amid continued airstrikes, reports Xinhua news agency.

Hezbollah entered the confrontation on March 2 by launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire on November 27, 2024, prompting Israel to carry out an intensified military campaign targeting multiple areas across the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that the heavy exchange of fire, along with escalating air and ground activities and the increased presence of Israeli forces inside the Lebanese territory, are developments that raise "deep concern."

In a statement, UNIFIL said that the violent escalation witnessed overnight marks a further worrying deterioration in the situation between Lebanon and Israel. It also expressed concern over the renewed issuance of so-called "evacuation orders" by parties to the conflict, which are affecting civilians on both sides of the Blue Line.

UNIFIL renewed its call on all parties to recommit to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to a full cessation of hostilities, describing it as the only path toward achieving lasting stability.

It noted that peacekeepers remain deployed at their positions within the area of operations in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line, where they continue to report violations, maintain communication with the parties, and, where possible, facilitate humanitarian access and protect civilians.
Washington, March 21 : The US military sank an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific, and three people aboard survived the strike, the US Southern Command said.

"Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the command said in a press release on Friday (local time), accusing the boat of being "operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations."

"Following the engagement, USSOUTHCOM immediately notified the US Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors. No US military forces were harmed," said the statement.

Since September 2025, the US military has conducted 46 known airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats and killed at least 157 people aboard, reports Xinhua news agency.

Commander of US Southern Command Francis Donovan told the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing on Thursday that the airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats "aren't the answer" to US drug problems.

"Looking forward, senator -- the boat strikes aren't the answer," Donovan said at the hearing. "I believe that actually kinetic strikes will be one of the many tools, and probably not the most effective tool, when we actually look at it as more of a campaign approach."

Earlier this month, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights held a hearing in Guatemala City on the legality of US boat strikes in the Caribbean and their impact on communities across Latin America, according to a news release from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Earlier on March 8, the US forces struck an alleged drug boat in the Eastern Pacific, killing six men.

In February, three vessels were struck by the US military in the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean, killing 11 people.
Warsaw, March 21 : Poland has withdrawn its troops from Iraq amid a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has announced.

The decision followed an assessment of operational conditions and potential risks, Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a post on the social media platform X on Friday (local time).

Up to 350 Polish soldiers had been deployed in Iraq, reports Xinhua, quoting the Polish Press Agency. The contingent is also authorised to operate in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait.

Most personnel have already returned to Poland or are on their way back, while some have been transferred to Jordan to continue their mission, Kosiniak-Kamysz added.

Meanwhile, the NATO mission in Iraq has also commenced the temporary withdrawal of its personnel from the country due to security concerns, a high-ranking security source told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Friday.

The source described the move as a temporary measure prompted by the ongoing conflict and concerns over the safety of mission members, adding that they will return as soon as the war ends and the security situation in Iraq stabilises, according to INA.

The NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory one, was established in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government to strengthen its security sector.

The temporary exit occurred amid heightened tensions following Israel and the United States joint attacks launched on February 28 on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-supreme leader, 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
Tehran, March 21 : Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that the country has intelligence about Israel's plans to attack its infrastructure.

He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X on Friday (local time) while stressing that Iran would show "zero restraint" if its infrastructure is attacked.

"We are men and women of principles. Iranians do not sneak-attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond," Araghchi said, adding, "We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: zero restraint if our infrastructure is attacked."

In a post on X on Thursday, Araghchi pointed to Iran's retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure affiliated with the United States and Israel in the region, saying, "Our response to Israel's attack on our infrastructure employed a fraction of our power."

"The only reason for restraint was respect for the requested de-escalation. Zero restraint if our infrastructures are struck again. Any end to this war must address damage to our civilian sites," he stressed.

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.

Meanwhile, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country does not seek war with Muslim states, according to the official news agency IRNA.

He made the remarks in a message to extend congratulations on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian new year that falls on March 21, Xinhua news agency reported.

Commenting on recent tensions between Iran and some of the Arab states in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks, Pezeshkian said, "We do not intend to have any difference with Muslim countries. We do not seek conflict and war with Islamic states. They are our brothers."

He blamed the United States and Israel for the tensions that have arisen between Iran and the region's Muslim states.

Pezeshkian said Iran is ready to resolve all problems with its neighbours, proposing to form a security structure comprising Muslim states in the Middle East to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
New Delhi, March 21 : A US federal jury in California has found Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter (now called X) shareholders in 2022 using false statements that depressed the company's share price.

Allegedly, Musk sought to renegotiate or abandon a $44 billion takeover of X with his false statement.

Jurors concluded that two of three challenged statements Musk made in May 2022, including tweets and comments on a podcast claiming Twitter had too many fake, were intentionally made to mislead caused shareholders into selling their stock, according to multiple reports.

However, the court absolved him of charges that he engaged in a "scheme" to defraud investors. The panel rejected two other fraud claims but held that Musk's conduct amounted to intentional deception.

Musk was defending charges that he falsely claimed on social media that Twitter underreported a number of fake and spam accounts, known as bots, on its platform.

Twitter investors are likely to receive an amount of $2.6 billion in damages following the verdict, multiple reports cited Mark Molumphy, a lawyer for the investors, as saying.

Musk's net worth as per Bloomberg Billionaires Index stood at $661.1 billion. Muskled social media platform X had recently warned that it will suspend creators from its revenuesharing programme for 90 days if they post AIgenerated video of armed conflict without disclosure about AI use.

X Product Head Nikita Bier announced the measure as part of its broader effort to curb manipulation and maintain access to authentic information during wartime.

The company recently introduced a "Made with AI" label on the platform to flag to users content created with artificial intelligence. Amid the USIsraeli military campaign against Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Musk and Bier recently announced that traffic on the platform had hit a new all-time record.

IANS

aar/na
Patna, March 21 : The festival of Eid al-Fitr was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, including Bihar, with large congregations gathering for prayers despite light rainfall in several areas. In the state capital Patna, the main Eid prayer was offered at Gandhi Maidan, where an estimated 20,000 people, including children and the elderly, participated in the congregational namaz. In a surprise move, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar arrived at the venue to wish people on the occasion.

This sparked political discussion due to the notable break from a long-standing tradition.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had consistently attended Eid prayers at Gandhi Maidan for nearly two decades, was absent from the event for the first time since assuming office.

In his absence, Nishant Kumar arrived at the venue under tight security, accompanied by Minister Ashok Choudhary and several leaders of the Janata Dal (United).

Nishant Kumar's presence, along with the Chief Minister's security detail, drew significant attention and curiosity among attendees and political observers alike.

In political circles, the development is being viewed as a possible indication of a new beginning, especially amid ongoing speculation about Nitish Kumar's evolving political role.

It is noteworthy that as recently as 2025, Nitish Kumar had personally attended the Eid gathering at Gandhi Maidan and interacted warmly with worshippers, continuing a tradition that had become a hallmark of his public outreach.

However, he extended his greetings through a message posted on the social media platform X.

In his message, Kumar said, "On the auspicious occasion of Eid, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state and the nation, especially to my Muslim brothers and sisters. May God bless everyone, and may peace, harmony, and prosperity prevail."

The development has added a new dimension to Bihar's political discourse, even as the festival itself was marked by communal harmony and celebration.

At Gandhi Maidan, posters featuring Nishant Kumar were prominently displayed, drawing attention amid heightened political speculation.

Stringent security arrangements were put in place across the venue. Entry of worshippers was regulated and administrative officials remained on high alert to ensure smooth conduct of the prayers.

Apart from Gandhi Maidan, Eid prayers were also offered at the Jama Masjid near Patna Junction, Phulwari Sharif, and several other Eidgahs across the city.

While the celebrations were marked by communal harmony and devotion, the presence of Nishant Kumar and the absence of Nitish Kumar have added a political dimension to this year's Eid observances in Bihar.
New Delhi, March 21 : Raymond Group Managing Director Gautam Singhania is recovering well after suffering minor injuries when a speedboat capsized near Fulidhoo in the Maldives, his team said on Saturday.

"He is doing well as of today," his team said in a health update.

A speedboat carrying seven people with five Indians, a British national and a Russian national, capsized on Friday.

"Gautam Singhania suffered minor injuries following an unfortunate accident. He is recovering under due care in Mumbai. We thank you for the wishes and pray for the well-being of the affected friends," a spokesperson for Singhania said, reports NDTV Profit.

Two people, believed to be Indians, are still missing and search operation for them was underway, according to reports.

"Maldives National Defence Force's Male' Area Command Coast Guard Second Squadron is searching for the missing individuals. The incident occurred about two nautical miles southwest of Keyodhoo," reported Edition MV, quoting Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Singhania had shared the journey of Raymond Group on Thursday, saying, "A journey shaped by vision, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. From humble beginnings to becoming an enduring symbol of quality and style, Raymond's legacy continues to stand the test of time."

Fulidhoo is a Maldivian island in Vaavu Atoll, known for its cultural events, marine encounters, diving spots and beautiful scenery including lagoons.

Raymond is a diversified business group with notable presence in the Textile & Apparel sector and segments such as consumer care, real estate, and engineering in national and international markets.

The Raymond Group has a significant hold over the B2B space through its garments business with its verticals such as Park Avenue, Raymond Ready To Wear, ColorPlus and Parx Ethnix.

"Raymond is the largest integrated textile company in the world and exports its suits to over 60 countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and the Middle East," according to the company.

IANS

aar/na
New Delhi, March 21 : A man identified as a cow vigilante was killed in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district after he was allegedly run over by a vehicle linked to suspected cattle smugglers during a late-night chase, sources said on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Chandrashekhar, popularly known in the region as "Farsa Wale Baba," a local cow protection activist. The incident took place in the Kosi area, near Navipur village under the Kosi Kalan police outpost limits.

According to initial reports, Chandrashekhar was chasing a truck on his motorcycle after suspecting that it was being used for cattle smuggling. During the pursuit, the accused allegedly rammed their vehicle into him, leading to fatal injuries. He died on the spot.

Initial reports confirmed that one suspect had been apprehended at the scene, while three others managed to flee. A search operation has been launched to trace and arrest the remaining accused.

Authorities are also examining the vehicle involved and verifying whether it was indeed being used for illegal cattle transportation.

The incident has triggered tension in the surrounding area, with locals expressing grief and anger over the killing.

Chandrashekhar was known among certain groups in the Braj region for his involvement in cow protection activities, and news of his death has led to a wave of mourning.

Senior police officers have reached the spot and assured that strict action will be taken. Security has been tightened in and around the area to prevent any law-and-order issues.

Further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and determine all those involved in the case. The police have urged people to maintain calm while they carry out legal proceedings.

The killing adds to a series of violent incidents linked to alleged cattle smuggling and vigilante actions in parts of the state, highlighting the risks associated with such confrontations.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The Sharpville massacre (is when) for the first time the violent nature of legalised racism  and I mean apartheid  was seen by the world
Alappuzha : , March 21 (IANS) A fresh political controversy has erupted in Kerala after Congress-led UDF-backed Independent candidate from Ambalappuzha and former CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran publicly contradicted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over claims of outreach, triggering a war of words ahead of the Assembly polls.

Sudhakaran maintained that the Chief Minister never called him, asserting that Vijayan's number is saved on his phone under the name "CM" and that no call was received.

The veteran four-time CPI(M) legislator and former Cabinet Minister said that nearly two weeks before Vijayan's claim, the Chief Minister had expressed a desire to meet him during a visit to Alappuzha, but no follow-up communication took place.

Sudhakaran's rebuttal comes after Vijayan, in an interview, stated that he had attempted to contact Sudhakaran three times. Rejecting allegations of sidelining the senior leader, the Chief Minister said Sudhakaran's sense of neglect was a personal perception.

Detailing his version, Vijayan said the first call was met with an engaged tone, while the next two went unanswered. "After the third attempt, it appeared he was deliberately avoiding the calls," he said, adding that he later reached out to district secretary Nasser to facilitate communication.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan weighed in, saying he was inclined to believe Sudhakaran. "For long, even when we were on opposite sides, we have always held him in high regard. I will believe what he has said," Satheesan remarked.

Vijayan also sought to contextualise Sudhakaran's exit from key roles, stressing that changes in positions are based on general criteria, including age limits, and should not be construed as marginalisation. He described Sudhakaran as one of the party's most respected leaders. He said he had been given due consideration at every stage, including organisational support in Alappuzha and dedicated facilities at the party office.

With both leaders sticking to their claims, the episode has added a new layer of intrigue to the evolving electoral battle in Kerala.

Sudhakaran is set to file his nomination on Saturday and will take part in a roadshow after the filing.

The CPI(M) is also facing unprecedented internal dissent, with former legislators Aiya S. Potti and P.K. Sasi joining the Congress and contesting against Left candidates. In Kannur district, veteran party workers V. Kunjikrishnan (Payyannur) and T.P. Govindan (Taliparamba) are contesting with UDF support, while three-time former CPI(M) legislator S. Rajendran is the BJP candidate from Devikulam in Idukki district.
New Delhi, March 21 : The spy rings that the Indian agencies have been unearthing in recent months were not just focussing on providing sensitive information regarding the Indian armed forces. Within the espionage network, there are a bunch of people who were instructed to only focus on places of religious worship.

Investigations have revealed that these persons were specifically told to scout for information relating to places of religious worship. Many had gathered information regarding Hindu temples in various parts of the country.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that temples are being increasingly scanned by these elements. This clearly signals that these people were providing information on temples, so that the ISI could plot attacks. An attack on a temple would lead to communal tensions and this is what the Pakistan spy agency has been aiming for.

The official added that recent intercepts and the ongoing investigations into the espionage cases have revealed that the Pakistan-based elements are focussing heavily on hitting temples in India. This is being done with the intention of inciting communal tensions in India.

Inciting communal violence is a stronger tool for the ISI when compared to a terror attack. Such violence spreads easily and this causes a greater deal of instability.

Moreover there are elections that are round the corner in multiple states and if violence erupts at such a time, it would add to the stress of the security mechanism.

Officials say that in the first phase the spies have been asked to scout and provide information about smaller temples.

Once the first phase of the plan is implemented then the idea was to move on to bigger places of worship the official also added.

Another disturbing trend that has come to light is that the spies recruited by the Pakistanis have been told to place cameras at sensitive locations. This came to light during a probe by the Ghaziabad police following the arrest of six people from the Kaushambi area on March 14.

It was learnt that these persons had managed to install a camera at the Delhi Cantt railway station. This helped the ISI in securing live feed from the station.

Similarly the members of the espionage network were told to install cameras near temples, so that the logistics could be secured live.

Access to a live camera means that the planners of the terror attack will get to study the security detail live.

The changes and other details are also easily accessible to these elements.

Inciting communal tensions has been an old trick of the ISI. Even when the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) was passed, there were several ISI-backed elements, who ran a disinformation campaign that led to communal riots in many places.

The Intelligence agencies had that time warned that the ISI-backed elements have infiltrated the protests and are looking to spin a communal angle to the act.

Even the Pahalgam attack was aimed at inciting communal tensions apart from trying to ruin the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

The terrorists who carried out the attack asked the victims about their religion before killing them.

It was a clear sign that the main ploy was to incite communal tensions and bring about a rift between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and those living in other parts of India.

Another official said that the ISI-backed elements are looking to carry out a major strike on places of worship ahead of the elections that will be held in April. These elements are aware that elections are taking place in sensitive states and hence would look to take advantage of the situation.

Elections are being held in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Security is a concern in all these states as both internal and external elements would look to drum up communal tensions.

An official said that a close watch must be kept on religious sites as this is the time, these elements would look to carry out a strike.
New Delhi, March 21 : Streets in various parts of the country, on Saturday, witnessed increased police deployment as the country celebrates the Eid-ul-Fitr festival along with the ongoing nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival.

Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, is being observed by Muslims across the globe including India, with prayers, feasts, and gatherings on Saturday.

In a gesture of communal harmony and brotherhood, members of the Hindu community in Jaipur showered flower petals on Muslim worshippers who offered Eid-ul-Fitr namaz at an Eidgah.

Meanwhile, the area around the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan was kept on alert as police personnel kept vigil during the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the dargah.

Security has also been tightened near Delhi's Jamia Hamdard University on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, as people gathered at mosques to offer prayers.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Delhi, Raja Banthia, told reporters, "We have made very elaborate and detailed arrangements for Eid. Preparations started 3a"4 days in advance, focussing on crowd management, movement, and proper placement of people. Apart from this, we have conducted meetings of the Peace committee and with leaders from all religious communities to avoid any rumours or problems. Heavy police force has been deployed."

A heavy deployment of around 150-200 police personnel has been put in place in the Uttam Nagar area of New Delhi to maintain law and order and to ensure that people can offer prayers peacefully. The stepped-up security measures follow the Delhi High Court's direction on Thursday, which instructed the police and local administration in Uttam Nagar to take all necessary steps to maintain peace and ensure a secure environment during the Eid festivities.

Notably, tensions in the area had escalated earlier following an incident on the day of Holi, when a minor altercation spiralled into a violent clash that resulted in the death of a 26-year-old man, Tarun Kumar.

Heightened security deployment was also witnessed in several districts and sensitive areas of Uttar Pradesh. Police said that security arrangements have been underway for weeks to ensure harmony during the festivities.

In the state's Sambhal district, which had seen an outbreak of violence in 2024, security was beefed up as Muslims gathered to offer prayer at mosques.

District Magistrate of Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi, Anunay Jha, said, "Namaz has been peacefully offered at the Eidgah. Namaz at the Jama Masjid will also be offered. Everything is happening peacefully."

Hardoi's Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Kumar Meena, added, "At all Eidgahs and mosques, magistrates and police personnel have been deployed. All officers are actively monitoring their respective areas. All arrangements, including cleanliness, is being taken care of."

In Moradabad, large crowds gathered at the Eidgah for Eid al-Fitr prayers as District Magistrate (DM) Anuj Kumar Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Satpal Antil reached the venue to review security arrangements.

DM Anuj Kumar Singh, said, "Eid prayers were offered today, and I would like to thank all the citizens of our city. I would especially like to thank the administration and police for their excellent arrangements and cooperation. The administration and police remained actively engaged throughout. In addition, all our voluntary organisations and civil defence personnel were also present and worked together due to which people could offer namaz peacefully."

Similarly, security measures were also beefed up in Madhya Pradesh in view of Eid and Chaitra Navratri festivals.

Dewas' City Superintendent of Police, Sumit Agarwal, said "Police force has been deployed across mosques and intersections. Teams are deployed for patrolling and 200-300 personnel have been deployed in the city with others in reserve. Police fixpoints have also been set up in sensitive areas. We are also monitoring CCTV footages."
Sambhal, March 21 : Members of the Shia community in the Sambhal district on Saturday offered Eid prayers while wearing black armbands as a mark of mourning and protest over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with a brief altercation with the police officials reported during sloganeering in the Sirsi region.

Community members wore black armbands to symbolise grief and solidarity during what they described as a period of emotional loss. They stated that the gesture was intended to express collective mourning while still observing religious traditions.

During and after the prayers, some individuals raised slogans, and a procession was later organised in which chants such as "America Murdabad" were heard. Police personnel reached the spot to monitor the situation and ensure law and order. A brief verbal altercation reportedly took place between some members of the crowd and the police, but the situation was quickly brought under control.

Officials said that Eid prayers are otherwise being conducted peacefully across the region, with the administration maintaining strict vigilance.

The protests come in the backdrop of the reported killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes involving the United States and Iran, which had triggered widespread reactions among Muslim organisations across India.

In Kashmir, which has a significant Shia population, large-scale protests were reported from areas such as Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama. Protesters were seen beating their chests and raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.

In Lucknow, groups gathered near mosques, raising slogans, while women mourners were seen holding photographs of the Iranian leader and weeping.

Similar demonstrations were reported from Ludhiana in Punjab, where effigies were burnt despite the state's relatively small Muslim population.

Meanwhile, the Shia community in Ajmer had also announced a three-day mourning period.

However, in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur district, where Khamenei once visited, observed silence, and shops and commercial establishments voluntarily closed. Villagers had announced a three-day mourning period as a mark of tribute to the Shia supreme leader. All celebrations and public events had been suspended to maintain a peaceful environment in this village.
Patna, March 21 : The Patna district administration has ordered a probe into the collapse of an under-construction bridge on the outskirts of the city, a day after the incident, officials said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday in Dhebra village under the Shahpur police station area, trapping two labourers under the debris, officials added. They said both workers were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital. While one labourer is reported to be in critical condition, the other escaped with minor injuries.

Preliminary information suggests that the bridge was being constructed to connect Vijay Singh Path to Dhibra when the structure collapsed unexpectedly.

Rescue operations were carried out with the help of local residents and heavy machinery, including a JCB, to pull the trapped workers out of the debris.

The incident has once again brought attention to the recurring issue of infrastructure safety in the state.

Local residents have alleged serious irregularities in the construction process, claiming that the bridge lacked a proper foundation and pillars, and that substandard materials were used.

Villagers further alleged that essential reinforcements, including steel bars, were either inadequate or missing, raising serious questions about adherence to safety norms.

Authorities have assured that a detailed investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the collapse and fix accountability. Further action is expected based on the findings of the probe.

Residents have also raised serious concerns about ongoing infrastructure work in the area. They alleged that two similar culverts were being constructed simultaneously, and while one has already collapsed, the second is reportedly being built using the same methods.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage among residents, who have demanded strict action against the contractor as well as the officials responsible for supervising the project.

Authorities have assured that the ongoing probe will examine all aspects of the construction process, including allegations of negligence and the use of substandard materials.
Mumbai March 21 : Praising the emotional weight of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli has lauded actor R. Madhavan with a special mention in a heartfelt post appreciating the movie.

Taking to his social media account, the ace filmmaker, tagging R. Madhavan, lauded the actor for 'carrying the helplessness and frustration of a nation very well.'

On Saturday, Rajamouli had taken to his social media account to appreciate the sequel's scale and storytelling.

He said, "I loved Dhurandhar-1, but The Revenge surpassed the original in both scale and soul."

He added, "The writing, casting, technical execution, music, world design and direction are flawless. But it's the emotional stakes that really ground it."

The Baahubali director further added, "The writing manages to weave plot twists that create genuine tension charged with emotion. @AdityaDharFilms, you hit it out of the park. It takes guts to make and release a film 4 hours long. The audience is glued to the seat till the last frame."

Lauding the performances of the stars in the movie, he added, "@RanveerOfficial, what a performance man The sequence with the sister in the shed is a masterclass in acting. From that beginning to the heart-wrenching climax, you mesmerized us both as Hamza and Jaskirat."

For R. Madhavan, Rajamouli wrote, "@ActorMadhavan garu, you carried the helplessness and frustration of a nation so well that we felt your sucess as ours.."

Talking about Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, R Madhavan role and performance has added depth to the narrative, further grounding the larger-than-life story in realistic sense and human vulnerability.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the Dhurandhar franchise has gone onto become one of the most talked-about cinematic ventures.

The first part, released in December last year, saw theatres running housefull across the country, highlighting a theatrical resurgence in the post-COVID era.

The sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, which hit screens on March 19, has since taken both the internet and theatres by storm.

The film features a stellar cast led by Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal alongside R Madhavan.

IANS

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-- Syndicated from IANS
Kolkata, March 21 : Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the Eid festival on Saturday morning, the West Bengal Chief Minister criticised the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state and also launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, claiming that the latter was the principal mastermind behind the revision exercise.

"I will never allow either the BJP or the Prime Minister to snatch away your voting rights. He often describes certain people as infiltrators. He is the biggest infiltrator. Why does he forget about the Hindu-Muslim issues when he shakes hands while visiting Saudi Arabia or offers hugs while visiting Dubai? But whenever he is back in the country, he thinks of deleting names of certain people from the voters list," Chief Minister Banerjee said while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Eid at Red Road in Central Kolkata on Saturday morning.

She said that several names have been deleted in West Bengal through the revision exercises. "My battle against this menace is on. I have taken it up to the Supreme Court to fight against this rampant deletion of names. My battle against this rampant deletion of names from the voters' list will continue," she said.

Her comments come amid the Election Commission of India (ECI) announcement on Saturday night that the first supplementary list of cases referred for judicial adjudication after being categorised as "logical discrepancy" cases will be published on March 23.

As per a figure from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, around 34 per cent of the names whose judicial adjudication process has been completed have been found excludable by the judicial officers. However, they will have the right to approach any of the 19 Appellate Tribunals constituted for the purpose.

"Those who are targeting West Bengal and trying to divide people should go to hell. Always remember that West Bengal has a long tradition of communal harmony. All attempts to polarise people in the name of religion will be resisted at any cost," the Chief Minister said on Saturday morning.

While delivering his short message at the same gathering, Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party's Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, also stressed the need for maintaining communal harmony in West Bengal.

"Everyone must unite for humanity. May the harmony of Bengal remain intact," Banerjee said, avoiding political comments on the occasion.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kollam, March 21 : In a verdict that brings closure to one of Kerala's most shocking crimes, the Kollam Additional Sessions Court has sentenced Sandeep, the accused in the brutal murder of young doctor Vandana Das, to life imprisonment.

Kollam, March 21 (IANS) In a verdict that brings closure to one of Keralaas most shocking crimes, the Kollam Additional Sessions Court has sentenced Sandeep, the accused in the brutal murder of young doctor Vandana Das, to life imprisonment.

The prosecution had pressed for the death penalty, citing the gravity of the offence, while the defence pleaded for the maximum leniency during the trial.

Soon after the verdict came the mother of the young doctor said they were expecting a death penalty.

The prosecution has now decided to go in appeal to the Kerala High Court with this demand.

The chilling incident occurred in the early hours of May 10, 2023, at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital.

Sandeep, a native of Kudavattur, had been brought to the hospital by Pooyappally police after sustaining a leg injury during a dispute.

What followed inside the hospital premises stunned the state and raised serious concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.

According to the prosecution, an agitated Sandeep grabbed a pair of surgical scissors from the examination room and launched a violent attack.

He assaulted police personnel present at the scene and then turned on Dr Vandana Das, who was on duty.

With little chance to escape, the young doctor was fatally stabbed.

The horrifying visuals of the attack later surfaced, sparking widespread outrage.

During the trial, the defence argued that the accused was suffering from mental health issues.

However, the prosecution countered this claim with witness testimonies and medical evidence, asserting that while Sandeep may have been on medication, he did not suffer from any severe mental illness that could absolve him of responsibility.

The case saw an extensive trial process, with more than 70 witnesses examined, alongside 22 material exhibits and 207 documents submitted before the court.

The prosecution also highlighted that Sandeep, a schoolteacher by profession, was expected to be a role model in society, making the crime all the more reprehensible.

The court ultimately awarded life imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness of the offence while stopping short of imposing capital punishment.

The verdict is expected to resonate in ongoing discussions about ensuring stronger security measures in hospitals and safeguarding frontline healthcare professionals.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 21 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday launched a sharp attack on successive central governments led by the Congress and the BJP, holding their policy decisions responsible for the country's worsening energy crisis.

In a strongly worded statement, Vijayan alleged that policies shaped under American influence over the years have undermined India's long-term energy security.

He said the ongoing conflict in West Asia has only aggravated the situation, pushing the country into deeper uncertainty over fuel availability.

The Chief Minister termed India's 2006 withdrawal from the proposed IranIndia gas pipeline project a "historic mistake," arguing that it compromised national interests under external pressure.

He also pointed out that then Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar was removed from office for supporting the project, a move he said reflected the Congress leadership's policy stance at the time.

Aiyar was later replaced by Murli Deora, which Vijayan claimed marked a shift towards corporate-driven energy policies.

Targeting the current BJP-led government, Vijayan alleged that private corporate interests continue to receive undue preference in the energy sector.

He cited reports of an Indian private company securing rare oil refining approvals abroad and criticised what he described as India yielding to American pressure in decisions such as oil imports from Russia.

Vijayan warned that excessive dependence on global markets has led to rising fuel prices and supply uncertainties, severely affecting both ordinary citizens and industries.

Service sectors, including hospitality, are already feeling the strain, he said.

Expressing concern over what he termed the Centre's lack of proactive measures, the Chief Minister said there has been insufficient effort to build strategic reserves, boost domestic production, or diversify energy sources.

Calling for urgent intervention, Vijayan urged the Centre to adopt an independent energy and foreign policy, free from external pressures.

He stressed the need for long-term fuel agreements, enhanced domestic capacity, expansion of renewable energy, and concrete steps to shield consumers from price shocks.

The timing of Vijayan's attack is notable as Kerala goes to elect 140 new legislators, and his image is at its lowest ebb.

Incidentally, each time Vijayan comes out against America, the social media gets active, pointing out his American trips in the past one decade for medical treatment.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Washington, Mar 21 : The Trump administration unveiled a national framework on artificial intelligence, which could shape Indian talent, IT firms, and policy debates as the US moves to lead the global AI race.

US new AI policy push signals shift for IRevealing the six-point plan to boost innovation, protect citizens, and strengthen US leadership, the White House said it wants to "win the AI race to usher in a new era of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people." It urged Congress to turn the plan into law.

The framework, among others, covers child safety, economic growth, intellectual property, free speech, innovation, and workforce development. These areas are closely linked to India's role in the US technology ecosystem.

"The Administration recognises that some Americans feel uncertain about how this transformative technology will affect issues they care about, like their children's wellbeing or their monthly electricity bill," the White House said. It added that these concerns "require strong Federal leadership to ensure the public's trust in how AI is developed and used in their daily lives."

For Indian-origin professionals, the focus on an "AI-ready workforce" is important. Many Indians work in US technology jobs. The plan calls for more training and skills development. It says workers should "participate in and reap the rewards of AI-driven growth."

The policy also matters for India's IT services sector. Indian firms support global AI systems through engineering and data work. The administration wants to remove "outdated or unnecessary barriers to innovation." It also wants faster use of AI across industries. This could increase demand for global tech partnerships.

The plan puts a strong focus on data centres and energy. The White House said, "ratepayers should not foot the bill for data centres." It asked Congress to speed up approvals. It also wants companies to generate power on-site. Expansion of AI infrastructure could affect global supply chains linked to India.

On intellectual property, the administration seeks balance. It said, "the creative works and unique identities of American innovators, creators, and publishers must be respected in the age of AI." At the same time, AI systems should learn from available data.

The framework also stresses free speech. "AI cannot become a vehicle for government to dictate right and wrong-think," the White House said. It wants safeguards against censorship of lawful expression.

Another key point is a single national policy. The administration warned that "a patchwork of conflicting state laws would undermine American innovation and our ability to lead in the global AI race." A uniform system could help Indian firms operating across the US states.

The White House said it will work with Congress to pass the law. It said the federal government must set clear national rules for AI.

Governments around the world are racing to regulate AI. The United States and China are leading this competition. AI is now linked to economic power and national security.

India is also expanding its AI ecosystem. It is investing in technology and keeping rules flexible. Decisions taken in Washington are likely to shape global standards. Indian firms and professionals will have to adapt to these changes.
Patreons CEO Jack Conte is tired of watching AI companies strike deals with huge corporations like Disney while ignoring the myriad of smaller creators who contribute to their models.

Speaking at the South by Southwest conference this week, Conte, whose company allows people to pay their favorite creators directly, argued AI companies should view creators work in the same way it views that of Disney, Conde Nast, or Warner Music, aiming to reach agreements with them rather than use their content without permission.

He attacked the legal doctrine of fair use, which allows someone to use copyrighted material without permission or payment depending on the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the original work, how much of the work was used, and whether the use harms the market. AI companies have cited fair use to justify using content to train or contribute to their models without paying. These companies often argue they are using copyrighted content in a transformative way and not just regurgitating it verbatim.

For Conte, this legal fair use loophole is utter quackery.

The AI companies are claiming fair use, but this argument is bogus, Conte said during the conference. Its bogus because while they claim its fair to use the work of creators as training data, they do multimillion-dollar deals with rights holders and publishers like Disney, and Conde Nast, and Vox, and Warner Music.

Conte pointed out the large licensing deals these AI companies have reached with intellectual property owners in recent years demonstrate the double standard of these companies. While AI companies recognize some copyrighted content requires permission and agreements, the same doesnt seem to be true for creator-made content.

In the past several years, AI companies like OpenAI have made waves for the deals they have struck with some content owners while staving off lawsuits from others like the New York Times, which in 2023 accused OpenAI of training ChatGPT on millions of its articles without permission.

In December, OpenAI, the AI giant led by CEO Sam Altman, struck a deal that saw Disney invest $1 billion in the company and licensed more than 200 characters to OpenAI so they could be featured in the companys video app, Sora. OpenAI has also signed licensing deals with Conde Nast, which owns The New Yorker and also with Vox Media, which owns New York Magazine. In November, Warner Music Group struck two separate licensing deals with music-focused AI companies Suno and Udio, after settling copyright suits with the companies.
New Delhi, March 21 : Pakistan is in need of multiple diversions as it faces setbacks on multiple fronts. The war in Afghanistan and the battle with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has left the security apparatus in Pakistan badly bruised. The pressure on Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is the head of the army is immense and he is in need of a major diversion.

Indian agencies tracking the developments in Pakistan say that Muniras next move is to incite violence between the Sunnis and Shias.

The army chief is following in the footsteps of General Zia-ul-Haq, who ran a major campaign to suppress the Shias in Pakistan.

Since the beginning of the war in Iran, the Shias have been targeted in Pakistan. The rallies carried out in solidarity for Iran are being branded as anti-national and anti-Sunni.

Asim Munir during a recent event humiliated the Shia Muslims and said that if they love Iran so much they should go to Iran.

This is a clear attempt at inciting tensions and hoping that the Shias would indulge in violence. This in turn would lead to a major escalation of violence between the Shia and majority Sunni Muslim population in Pakistan.

Another official said that this latest ploy by Asim Munir is clearly aimed at dividing the population. Hostilities between the Shias and Sunnis in Pakistan is nothing new. However to stoke tensions at a time when the war in Iran is on, is a dangerous game by the Pakistan army chief.

The Shia community has expressed shock following the triviality with which Asim Munir spoke about the community.

Pakistan watchers say that there are multiple reasons why the army chief has raked up the Shia issue again. He has been doing this subtly for long, but currently he has taken it to another level. Munir is clearly trying to further the rift by painting a picture that the Shias have their loyalties elsewhere.

The Shias have been trying to remind the army chief that their loyalties are not elsewhere and they would not go against their country.

Expressing solidarity with Iran is not a crime and Munir is wrong in terming this as an act that is anti-national, the Shias say.

Officials say that the Pakistan army chief could not care less about the sentiments of the Shia community. He is caught between the devil and the deep sea and all he wants is a diversion, even if it meant that his country burns due to a communal conflict.

Munir is fed up of explaining to the people about the need for battles on multiple fronts, especially when the economy of the country is dying with each passing day.

Further the war in Iran prompted the Pakistani establishment to take several austerity measures that included a hike in fuel prices. All these measures are not helping and is having a bad impact on the common man, officials say.

While the internal strife is one part of the reason why Munir is trying to incite the Shias against the Sunnis, the other remains the Saudi Arabia angle.

Questions are being asked about Pakistanas commitment to the pact by which it has to join the war if Saudi Arabia is being attacked. The pact between the two countries says that an attack on either countries would be considered as an attack on both.

In the ongoing war, Saudi Arabia has been targeted many times by missiles from Iran. Officials say that the fact is that Pakistan may have signed the pact, but in reality it does not have the bandwidth or resources to join the war.

The Shias have been very vocal about their support for Iran since the war commenced. This has not gone down too well with Saudi Arabia as the country views Iran as an enemy.

Munir is under pressure to shut down these voices and that explains the reason why he is desperate for an outbreak of violence between the Shia and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan.
Oslo, March 21 : The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warned that over 115,000 people have been displaced in Afghanistan, with civilians facing worsening humanitarian conditions following the conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan.

"Families who were already on the brink of survival have been forced from their homes. Thousands have found refuge in makeshift camps and with local families. Others are being forced to rent substandard accommodation they can littleaafford. Theyahave lost access toaclean water,ahealth servicesaandaschooling," said Jacopo Caridi, Director of the NRC in Afghanistan.

According to the NRC, since the start of the Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan's Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in February, as many as 76 Afghan civilians had been killed, and another 213 had been injured.

Highlighting the March 16 Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, that killed hundreds, the aid agency said that the rising attacks on urban areas indicate an escalation in the conflict.

The NRC stated that at least 800 homes have been damaged in Afghanistan so far, with families likely to need years to recover from the loss.

"It is vital that parties to the conflict respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be a target," said Caridi.

Recounting his ordeal, 65-year-old Afghan civilian Bakhtiar said that he was forced to flee his home in Torkham, close to the Pakistan border, with his six children after heavy shelling.

"It was around 10 at night when we suddenly heard rockets and gunfire. Within minutes, the attacks became very intense. We had no choice but to run," the NRC quoted Bakhtiar as saying.

The aid agency noted that Afghanistan has been hit hard by cuts to aid funding and remains one of the lowest funded humanitarian responses globally, with conflict now restricting people from accessing even the limited assistance available.

"With a world in turmoil, Afghans must not be forgotten. Rising food prices and closed borders are making survival even harder for families whose lives have already been shattered by conflict," said Caridi.

The hostilities escalated when Taliban-led Afghan forces launched retaliatory operations against Pakistani military installations on February 27, following Pakistan's actions inside Afghan territory on February 21.

Earlier 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 Turkey.

Pakistan also announced a temporary pause in military operations for Eid, with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar stating that the decision was taken at the request of the regional mediators.

However, Afghanistan's Chief of Armed Forces Fasihuddin Fitrat accused the Pakistani military of violating the ceasefire along the Durand Line, local media reported on Friday.

Several people were killed in attacks conducted by Pakistani forces in border areas, according to the statement released by Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence.

Fitrat stated that Pakistan's continuous attacks despite the ceasefire "demonstrates a lack of commitment and deception" by Islamabad, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 21 : Actor Vivek Oberoi, in a heartfelt post for his mother, recalled the darkest phase of life and his mother's "magic" during that time, further revealing how he broke down and found strength in her presence.

Sharing an emotional note on his social media account, the actor spoke about a time when he felt completely shattered. He also wrote about how, despite putting up a brave face for the world, he was internally struggling.

Taking to his social media account, Vivek Oberoi captioned his post, "I remember a time years ago, during one of the darkest chapters of my life. I felt like the walls were closing in. To the world, I was still trying to keep up a brave front, but inside, I was broken.".

He added, "And in that moment of total exhaustion, I did what I've always done. I went to my mother. I sat on the floor, put my head in her lap like a little boy, and just cried. I asked her the question we all ask when life feels unfair: 'Why me, Ma? Why is this happening to me?'

He further wrote, "She didn't offer me cliches or pity. She simply stroked my hair and asked, 'Beta, did you ever ask, 'Why me?' when you were winning all those awards? Did you ask it when millions were cheering your name?''

"In that simple question, she stripped away the 'actor' and the 'star' and spoke directly to her son, touching my soul. That is the magic of a mother. She is the only person who can look at your deepest vulnerabilities and use them to rebuild your strength."

"There is a beautiful Japanese proverb that says we all have three faces. The first face, we show to the world. The second face, we show to our close friends and family. But the third face, the truest reflection of who we are, is the one we never show to anyone. Except, perhaps, our mothers," he added.

The actor further mentioned that now he sees his wife Priyanka spreading the same magic over their kids.

"Now, I see that same magic unfolding in my own home. I watch Priyanka with our children, and I see her getting to know their 'third faces' before they even know they have them. It's in the way she creates a world for them where they never have to hide who they are."

"To my mother, who sees me as I truly am; to my wife, who is the heartbeat of our home; and to every mother across the world, thank you for loving every face. Happy Mother's Day. #UAEMothersDay," he wrote.

The post was accompanied by heartwarming pictures. In one picture, Vivek is seen warmly embracing his mother, and the other picture shows a childhood memory, where his mother is seen planting a loving kiss on his cheek.

On the professional front, Vivek Oberoi made his Bollywood debut with Company, earning critical acclaim for his performance. He went on to showcase his acting prowess in films like Saathiya, Yuva and many more.

IANS

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-- Syndicated from IANS
Kolkata, March 21 : Members of Kolkata's queer community, along with legal experts, have raised serious concerns over the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that it could restrict the right to self-identification for transgender persons.

The Bill, recently introduced in Parliament by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, has drawn criticism for allegedly narrowing the definition of transgender identity and proposing additional procedural requirements for legal recognition.

Activists and legal experts argue that the proposed legislation marks a departure from the landmark National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA) verdict, in which the Supreme Court upheld the right to self-identify one's gender without mandatory medical intervention.

They have also raised the question as to why it is always the "transgender" community who have to furnish evidence of their gender identity, unlike the "male" and "female". IANS spoke to a cross-section of the Queer rights activists and legal experts, and all of them explained why the new bill is against the basic identity rights and their proclamations.

According to nationally acclaimed Queer writer and rights activist Pawan Dhall, the new Bill aims to narrow the definition of a transgender person and also calls for medical proof for legal recognition of that identity.

"The new Bill proposes to take away the free will of the members of the transgender community and put them under a screening in the name of producing medical proof for their legal recognition. Hence, what we feel is that the Bill should be sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for re-evaluation," said Dhall, a former journalist and one of the founders of Kolkata's annual LGBTQ Pride Walk, which is South-East Asia's oldest pride walk.

He also explained that the new Bill is totally contrary to the NALSA verdict of 2014 and the Supreme Court's clear observation that every single citizen of India, male, female, and others, has the option of deciding his or her own gender identity.

"This Bill is proposing to remove that option, and hence if any person wants to declare himself or herself as transgender person, he or she will have to go through an administrative process. Now, what they're saying is that there will be a medical board that will do the screening. And that is like a medicalisation, which is outdated, which is actually unethical, because if you have read the history, if you are aware of the history of medicine, you know, sexuality, gender, anything which is out of the norm has always been made a pathological issue," Dhall added.

Senior advocate of Calcutta High Court, Kaushik Gupta, is in total agreement with Dhall. According to him, in 2014, the Supreme Court talked about self-identification and also observed that insistence on sex reassignment surgery for establishing that identification process was not only immoral but also illegal.

"In the new Bill, since the definition of a 'transgender' person has been changed, largely excluding the trans-man community, that is, someone who is female by birth but identifies herself as a man, the new Bill will make the trans-man community vulnerable. Secondly, the screening process that the new Bill asks for to establish a 'transgender' identity is discriminatory in nature. When the state does not understand the subject very clearly, it should have had a nationwide consultation with transgender groups. They could have offered suggestions, but that was never done," Gupta told IANS.

Popular social media influencer and Queer Rights activist, Debika Barua, questioned why only the transgender community will always have to prove their identity, unlike "men" or "women".

"Do men or women have to give proof that they are biologically men or women? Why do members of transgender community have to give medical proof of their gender? Is it not a violation of human rights? There is also no right to privacy. This is very unfortunate. The government is taking away the rights of transgender community and denying them social benefits. There is hardly any privilege for us. There is no grant for us. Most of us in rural places cannot afford sex reassignment surgery. Besides, not everyone is physically fit enough to go through the physical transformation during the surgery. How will they give proof?" Barua questioned.

Acclaimed transgender rights activist, Dr Ranjita Sinha, said that the proposed Bill had the risks of fundamentally weakening the constitutional principles undermining transgender rights and also threatened to exclude large sections of gender-diverse persons from recognition and protection.

"Gender identity cannot be reduced to a medical diagnosis or a bureaucratic certificate. It is a deeply personal and constitutional matter of dignity and self-determination. India's transgender communities have struggled for generations against stigma, violence, and systemic discrimination. Laws meant to address these injustices must expand recognition and protection -- not narrow them. While the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 itself has been widely debated and criticised for falling short of the full promise of the NALSA judgment, any legislative reform must strengthen constitutional protections rather than dilute them." Sinha said.
Srinagar/Jammu, March 21 : Large gatherings were seen on Saturday at the Eid congregational prayers throughout the Kashmir Valley and in the Jammu division as devotees came out in large numbers for the thanksgiving prayer after the completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The largest gathering of devotees was seen at the Hazratbal shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar city. Over 70,000 devotees offered Eid prayers at the Hazratbal shrine on Saturday.

Former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son and the present Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the president of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti, joined the congregational prayers at the Hazratbal shrine.

Eid prayers were not, however, allowed due to reasons of law and order maintenance at the Jama Masjid in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar city.

Chief cleric and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticised the authorities for disallowing Eid prayers at Jama Masjid. He said on X, "For the seventh consecutive year, amid restrictions and house arrests, Eid prayers remain barred at Jama Masjid. A day of celebration turned to grief and denial for Muslims.

"It's an irony of our times that those who lock our mosques and Eidgahs are the first to wish us, Eid Mubarak!"

At all district headquarters, including Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag, large crowds of Muslims were seen at different mosques during the Eid prayers.

Children wearing new clothes accompanied their parents to almost all places, while elders greeted and hugged each other after the conclusion of the prayers.

Similar prayers were held in different parts of the Jammu division, and the largest gathering of devotees was seen at the Eidgah grounds adjacent to the Residency Road in Jammu city.

Reports of peaceful Eid prayers have also come in from Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu division.

Officials said Eid prayers were held peacefully throughout Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

Authorities had made adequate arrangements for security throughout the Union Territory, especially since this is the first Eid after the US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.
New Delhi, March 21 : In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Saturday arrested a proclaimed offender carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, in connection with a murder case registered at Sarita Vihar Police Station in 2023.

The accused, identified as Atonu Halder alias Atul Halder (23), son of Gora Chand Halder and a resident of Sarita Vihar, Delhi, had been absconding for nearly two-and-a-half years. He was apprehended from Gandhinagar in Gujarat after sustained technical surveillance and Intelligence inputs.

According to police, the case pertains to FIR No. 491/2023 registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 201, 323 and 34 of the IPC. The incident had sent shockwaves in the area due to its brutality. While six co-accused were arrested earlier during the investigation, Halder had managed to evade arrest and was declared a proclaimed offender, with a reward of Rs 50,000 announced for information leading to his capture.

The case originated from a complaint filed by a 15-year-old boy, who stated that on September 15, 2023, after returning from a cremation, his father was allegedly abused by one of the co-accused, Raju Patra, in Sarita Vihar. Later that night, a group of 7a"8 individuals, including the co-accused, arrived on motorcycles and attacked his father with knives, sticks and other sharp weapons.

Police said that even after the victim attempted to take shelter in a neighbouras house, the attackers chased him and continued the assault. The victimas wife, who tried to intervene, was also injured. Believing the man to be dead, the assailants fled the scene. The victim was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

The ANTF team continued its efforts to trace the absconding accused. After months of technical analysis and surveillance, specific Intelligence was received indicating that Halder was hiding in Gandhinagar. A special team, led by Inspector Mahipal and comprising Sub-Inspectors Ankit and Gaurav, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Tarun, Satyaveer and Rakesh, Head Constables Naveen, Vinod, Sunil and Ramkesh, and Constable Dharam, was constituted under the supervision of ACP Satendra Mohan and overall guidance of DCP Rahool Alwal.

Head Constable Naveen played a key role by analysing old case records and mobile numbers linked to the accused. A suspicious mobile number, which frequently changed locations across states, was identified. Acting on this lead, the team laid a trap in Gandhinagar and successfully apprehended Halder.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he had joined the attack after being informed by a co-accused that his mother had been assaulted by a local resident. Following the incident, he fled to Mumbai, where he stayed for nearly a year, before moving to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and later settling in Gujarat. Throughout this period, he kept changing locations and jobs to avoid arrest.

Police said Halder, who is educated up to Class 8, was working as a store helper in Gujarat, earning around Rs 12,000 per month. Originally from West Bengal, he had allegedly fallen into bad company during his early years in Delhi, which led him into criminal activities.

The police stated that his arrest marks a significant achievement in the case and reflects the persistent efforts and coordination of the Crime Branch team.
Ahmedabad, March 21 : Protests broke out outside the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad on Saturday as workers from the All India MajlisaeaIttehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) demonstrated against the Gujarat government's proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for debate next week.

Ahmedabad, March 21 (IANS) Protests broke out outside the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad on Saturday as workers from the All India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) demonstrated against the Gujarat government's proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for debate next week.

The demonstration, held on the day of Eid al-Fitr, took place without prior police permission.

Protesters carried banners reading "Remove UCC, Save the Nation" and "Repeal UCC", and chanted slogans opposing the Bill.

Several participants said they were objecting to provisions they believe encourage livein relationships and conflict with Islamic Sharia law.

One protester was quoted as saying that their "Sharia does not allow it" and that the government should withdraw the legislation.

Police intervened shortly after the protest began and detained 12-13 individuals present to enforce public order.

The Bill, formally titled the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, will be tabled next week after a highlevel committee submitted its draft report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai, was constituted to study the implementation of a uniform civil code in the state and to draft a legislative framework governing key personal law matters across communities.

Government officials have stated that the Bill aims to provide a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and livein relationships for all residents of Gujarat, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.

It proposes mandatory registration of livein relationships and includes provisions on maintenance rights for partners, equal liability for childrearing, and penalties for noncompliance with certain requirements.

It also seeks to standardise personal law matters, modelled in part on the Uniform Civil Code Act recently enacted in Uttarakhand.

Following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said the Bill will be taken up for further discussion in the House, adding that "everyone would be given an opportunity to express their views".

He described the legislation as "very important" for ensuring equal rights for citizens.

Officials have confirmed that the UCC Bill will be taken up for discussion and possible passage on March 24, a day before the conclusion of the ongoing Budget session.

Police maintained heightened security around the mosque and in other sensitive areas of the city during the Eid celebrations to prevent any escalation of tensions following the protest.
New Delhi, March 21 : Mathura Police clarifies that the death of a local cow vigilante, popularly known as 'Farsa Wale Baba,' was the result of a road accident and not linked to cattle smuggling, countering earlier claims that had sparked tension in the area.

According to police in Mathura, the deceased, identified as Chandrashekhar, had stopped a vehicle on suspicion of cow rustling when another truck hit him amid low visibility caused by the dense fog. The incident took place in the Kosi area, near Navipur village under the Kosi Kalan police outpost limits.

According to initial reports, Chandrashekhar was chasing a truck on his motorcycle after suspecting that it was being used for cattle smuggling.

"He suspected a vehicle and stopped it, but another truck from Rajasthan hit his vehicle due to fog, after which he died," Mathura Police said.

Police added that both vehicles involved in the incident have been examined, and no evidence of cow smuggling has been found. The vehicle initially stopped by the victim was carrying grocery (kirana) items, while the other truck, bearing a Rajasthan registration number, was loaded with wires.

The driver of the Rajasthan truck and his associate, both residents of Alwar, were also injured in the collision and are currently undergoing treatment.

Officials emphasised that the incident appears to be an accident rather than a targeted act, urging the public to be calm. Investigations are ongoing to determine the complete sequence of events.

However, the incident led to unrest in the area, with police confirming that, "people created chaos and traffic jam, stone pelting took place." Protesters blocked roads and raised slogans, causing major disruptions to traffic movement.

Security has since been tightened, and additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. Authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the matter and directed officials to take strict action based on verified facts.
Dhaka, March 21 : Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended Eid greetings to the citizens, saying that the true joy of the festival would be realised with Awami League's victory.

In a statement shared by the Awami League on X, Hasina asserted that despite not being physically present in the country, she remains committed to the "freedom of the people of the country."

"Even while staying away from my homeland, on this blessed day of Eid, I pray that every person in the country remains well. May Eid become a true festival for every hard-working and labouring individual. I have always tried to ensure that the basic needs of my country's people are fulfilled so that they do not succumb to poverty nor fall victim to conspiracies at home and abroad," Hasina said.

She emphasised that it has become clear that a grave conspiracy has affected the "fate of the poor people of Bangladesh".

The former PM alleged that since August 5, 2024, the country has become like a prison, with "free-thinking" writers, journalists, and political activists across national and local levels being jailed.

"I express my sympathy and sorrow to these innocent people and their families. Though I may not be physically present beside you, rest assured that, by the grace of the Almighty, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will not hesitate to sacrifice her life for your freedom and for the people of this country. True Eid joy will come at the moment of our victory," she added.

Slamming the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, Hasina said, "Due to the flawed policies of the previous occupying Nazi-like Yunus government and the impact of wars in the Middle East and other regions, the global economy is facing multiple crises. Bangladesh is also experiencing the effects of this downturn. As a result, it has become difficult for the poor to maintain a normal standard of living."

Highlighting the grim situation in Bangladesh, Hasina called upon "the affluent and well-off members of society to stand beside the underprivileged, so that every person's life may be filled with happiness and the pure joy of Eid".

--IANS

scor/sd/
New Delhi, March 21 : Pakistan will continue to pay over $15 million a month in capacity and utilisation charges to its LNG terminals even after QatarEnergy declared force majeure earlier this month, according to a new report.

According to the report by The News International, Pakistan is making daily payments of about $538,535 to the two terminals despite the suspension of LNG production from March 2.

Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, reportedly criticised the agreements, describing them as faulty and not in the countryas interest.

Pakistan, which has imported LNG worth around $35 billion so far, paid nearly $3 billion in capacity charges alone.

In response to the force majeure declared by QatarEnergy, several state-run entities -- Pakistan State Oil, Sui Southern Gas Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Pakistan LNG Limited -- have also invoked superior force clauses in their contracts, the report mentioned.

However, agreements with private LNG terminal operators still require uninterrupted payments in US dollars even when supply is halted and regasification does not take place.

As a result, Pakistan remains obligated to make payments without receiving gas, highlighting a major structural weakness in long-term LNG terminal contracts, officials said.

The report also noted that the payments are adding to financial pressure on the country at a time when its external account position remains fragile.

Earlier, another report highlighted that economic fragility in the neighbouring country has reached a critical stage following the USa"Israel war with Iran due to a significant jump in oil prices and the surge in the trade gap.

Moreover, Pakistanas economic fragility is reflected in its GDP growth rate, which is merely 3.1 per cent and its human development index (HDI) rank is 168 on a list of 193 countries, per capita income of $1,812, a poverty rate of 28.9 per cent, an adult literacy rate of 60 per cent, 25.2 million out-of-school children, and an unemployment rate for ages 15a"24 of 12.8 per cent, the article stated.
Billionaire Elon Musk has long clashed with tech giant Apple Inc, most recently over its iOS app store practices. Now, Musk may be intensifying that battle with more public criticism of the company.

Musk Calls Out iOS App Store

Apple will celebrate its 50th anniversary next month, but its app store is relatively new, having launched in 2008 alongside the iPhone 3G.

Today, its home to millions of apps created by Apple and third-party companies. Over the years, however, Apple's App Store has been the subject of lawsuits by Musk and others. The iOS App Store has also been scrutinized for its lengthy delays in approving new apps or updating existing ones.

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"How long is App Review taking for everyone these days? It is now taking longer to get our app approved than it is to build the actual features," X Head of Product Nikita Bier recently tweeted.

Musk quote tweeted the post from his X employee and added his take.

"iOS App Review delays are getting ridiculous," Musk tweeted.

Bier didn't say exactly what the review process was for as it could be related to updates to the X app. Musk has said previously that X Money could launch in April. The launch of X Money could lead to users needing to update their app.

See Also: Disney Was Built on Character IP  This Pre-IPO Company Is Using the Same Playbook

Elon Musk vs. Apple

In August 2025, Musk filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, alleging that the tech giant engaged in unfair practices by favoring OpenAI's ChatGPT over other chatbots, such as Grok, which is owned by Musk's xAI.

"A tale of two monopolies joining forces to ensure their continued dominance," the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit also alleges that Apple has "locked up markets" to keep other companies from competing against ChatGPT. X Corp alleges that Apple violated antitrust laws with ChatGPT the only AI integrated into Apple Intelligence features. The suit also claims Apple highlighted ChatGPT in its "must-have apps" and pushed rivals like Grok further down.

"A million reviews with 4.9 average for Grok and still Apple refuses to mention Grok on any lists," Musk previously tweeted.

A federal judge later ruled against an attempt to dismiss the lawsuit by Apple and OpenAI, moving the case along.

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Seoul, March 21 : South Korea is in close talks with countries, including Iran, to ensure a swift normalisation of the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran said it is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the sea route virtually closed in the wake of the Middle East crisis, a foreign ministry official said on Saturday.

"The government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while exploring ways to protect our citizens and secure energy transport routes," the official said. "We are communicating actively with relevant countries, including Iran."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier told the Kyodo News Agency that Tehran is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the key oil shipping route after appropriate consultations with Tokyo.

The Strait of Hormuz accounts for more than 20 per cent of the world's oil trade passes, reports Yonhap news agency.

All lanes accessible to oil tankers fall within Iranian territorial waters, making the strait a critical lifeline for countries in East Asia, including South Korea and Japan.

On Friday, Seoul said it will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, while calling on South Korea, China, Japan and other countries to get involved in efforts to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, claiming that the United States is moving "very close" to achieving the objectives of its military campaign, including destroying Iran's missile capabilities, its defence industrial base and its navy and air forces, and denying it any ability to gain nuclear arms.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Tensions escalated after US and Israeli airstrikes, prompting Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raising concerns of a global energy crisis.
Kolkata, March 21 : Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday launched his campaign for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata, claiming that panic over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is evident in the body language of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Adhikari, this time, is contesting simultaneously from Bhabanipur, where the Trinamool Congress candidate is the Chief Minister, as well as from Nandigram in East Midnapore district, from where he is already a two-time legislator.

On Saturday, Adhikari started his full-fledged campaign after offering prayers at the iconic Kali temple at Kalighat, which is within a stone's throw distance from the Chief Minister's residence.

After offering prayers at the temple, he interacted with the media persons and claimed that both the "panic over SIR" and the "fear of defeat" are evident in the Chief Minister's body language, and the general public could easily sense it.

"The signal is clear. The Chief Minister is behaving in such a manner as if a thorn had pricked her. The general public is aware that the Chief Minister is panicked and scared," the leader of the opposition said.

He also said that the fact that the BJP is really serious about defeating the Chief Minister is evident from the party's decision to field him from Bhabanipur against Mamata Banerjee.

"This proves how serious the BJP is about Bhabanipur. I am an obedient soldier of the party and the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. I obeyed my party's instructions," Adhikari said.

He also strongly criticized the Chief Minister for her political comments earlier in the day at a gathering on the occasion of the Eid festival at Red Road in Central Kolkata. "The Muslim organizations should denounce the Chief Minister for using this auspicious occasion as a platform for making political statements. Our Muslim brothers and sisters should condemn the Chief Minister for her action," the leader of the opposition said.

Earlier in the day, while addressing the Eid gathering at Red Road, the Chief Minister launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the latter was the principal mastermind behind the SIR exercise.

--IANS

src/skp

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, March 21 : India and Africa, representing nearly one-third of the global population, share common aspirations for inclusive, equitable, and future-ready development, Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Saturday, adding that renewable energy, grid modernisation, energy storage and flexibility, and institutional capacity are the key areas for India-Africa cooperation.

Addressing the aIndia-Africa Strategic Partnership Meeta on the third day of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 here, the minister said that power is crucial for driving economic growth, ensuring dignity and unlocking opportunities -- highlighting the vision of aOne Sun, One World, One Grida as a transformative pathway for global energy connectivity.

He underscored the shared commitment to achieving reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.

Lal cited the collaboration between Africa50 and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, including the Kenya transmission project, as a strong example of how innovative financing, technical expertise, and public-private partnerships can deliver resilient infrastructure.

Referring to initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, he reaffirmed Indiaas commitment to deepening collaboration with Africa.

India-Africa energy cooperation is not transactional but transformational, rooted in co-creation, and reiterated Indiaas commitment as a trusted partner in this shared journey, said Power Minister.

The meeting reiterated that India and Africa would work closely in areas of renewable energy expansion, development of interconnected grid systems, advancement of energy storage and flexibility solutions, and capacity building through institutional strengthening.

Shripad Yasso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, emphasised that the India-Africa partnership must move from intent to action.

He underscored the shared commitment to ensuring reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all, as a foundation for inclusive growth. Naik noted that this partnership is guided by a vision that is inclusive, equitable, and futuristic, aimed at creating long-term impact and empowering communities across both India and Africa.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini affirmed the stateas commitment to sustainable good governance, emphasising effective irrigation water management as a cornerstone of progress.

Offering a global investment perspective, Alain Ebobisse, CEO, Africa50, stated that it is not aid that we are seeking; we are seeking investment for impact and return.

He highlighted that Africa is increasingly focusing on bankable project development, transmission expansion, and private capital mobilisation, supported by integrated planning and new investment frameworks.
Mumbai, March 21 : Opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday said that the resignation of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar as the chairperson of Maharashtra State Women's Commission was not enough amid an escalating controversy regarding her alleged links with a self-styled rape-accused 'godman' Ashok Kharat.

They have demanded that the investigation must go deeper to uncover the involvement of high-ranking ministers and influential "big fish."

Shiv Sena (UBT) in particular demanded that Chakankar should be arrested and made co-accused in this case.

Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader, Sushama Andhare said, "The Home Minister has issued the resignation order, it is welcome, but there is one regret: The same role was expected to be taken by Sunetra Tai, the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister and the president of this party, as the state's assertive leadership... Unfortunately, she missed this opportunity. Be that as it may, our fight will continue. Arrest the Chakan residents as co-accused."

On the other hand, the Congress Legislature Party leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, launched a scathing attack on the Mahayuti government alleging that the administration is actively suppressing the fraudulent godman Kharat scandal.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar stated that while Rupali Chakankar has resigned from her post, action should also be taken against big fish involved in this case.

Wadettiwar expressed deep concern over the conduct of Rupali Chakankar, the former Chairperson of the State Commission for Women. He stated that it is a matter of immense shame for Maharashtra that a person tasked with ensuring justice for women was found practicing "mental slavery" under a fraudulent godman.

"How can someone who places their faith in astrology and regressive, evil practices provide justice to the women of this state? Her resignation is merely a facade; a thorough and deep investigation into this entire matter is the need of the hour," Wadettiwar remarked.

Making a serious allegation regarding a cover-up, the Congress leader demanded that the Call Detail Records (CDR) of all key associates and Ministers who were in contact with the accused Kharat, be scrutinised.

Wadettiwar alleged that Kharat's vast wealth was accumulated through patronage by sitting ministers. He claimed that the police were working under immense government pressure to protect influential figures involved in the racket.

He further highlighted a disturbing trend where, on one hand, ministers are seen "washing the feet" of figures like Kharat, while on the other, atrocities against minor girls by self-proclaimed religious figures are rising.
Kolkata, March 21 : A tragic incident unfolded on the morning of Eid in West Bengal's Malda district, where one person lost his life, and another sustained serious injuries after a portion of a market roof collapsed, officials said.

Kolkata, March 21 (IANS) A tragic incident unfolded on the morning of Eid in West Bengalas Malda district, where one person lost his life, and another sustained serious injuries after a portion of a market roof collapsed, officials said.

The tragedy took place at the Netaji Commercial Market in the Rathbari area of aaEnglish Bazar, officials added. The deceased has been identified as Mintu Sarkar. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Netaji Commercial Market in the Rathbari area of Malda town houses numerous shops, both large and small. Locals alleged that as the market is old, its roof was in a dilapidated condition. On Saturday morning, a section of that very roof collapsed.

Mintu Sarkar and Deep Sardar were trapped beneath the debris. Mintu Sarkar was responsible for guarding the market during the night shift, while Deep Sarkar served as a municipal supervisor.

It was learnt that the roof collapsed directly upon them. Hearing the loud crash caused by the accident, locals rushed to the scene. Upon receiving news of the incident, Shubhamoy Basu, a Councilor of the English Bazar Municipality, and Ashish Kundu, the Trinamool candidate for the local Assembly constituency, arrived at the site.

Two individuals were pulled out from beneath the rubble and taken to a local hospital. There, doctors pronounced Mintu Sarkar dead. The police have sent the body for an autopsy.

Deep Sardar is currently undergoing treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital.

The English Bazar Municipality is responsible for the maintenance of the Netaji Commercial Market in Malda town. However, questions have been raised regarding the standard of maintenance and upkeep.

The area is home to numerous old and abandoned buildings, yet commercial activities continue to operate right within them.

Locals also said that the accident occurred because the roof got severely weakened following a night of continuous rain and thunderstorms.
New Delhi, March 21 : Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday highlighted key achievements of the ministry over the past week, including progress on trade agreements, innovation recognition and export promotion initiatives.

Marking two years of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), the minister said the pact has begun yielding results, with Iceland investing $30 million in Maharashtra's fisheries sector.

"The agreement has created an investment pathway with a legally binding investment commitment of $100 billion over 15 years, with the potential to create 1 million direct jobs," the minister said on X.

Goyal also said the National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards were presented to recognise contributions from scientists, innovators, MSMEs, entrepreneurs and academic institutions, including IITs, for driving India's innovation-led growth.

Highlighting support for women entrepreneurs, he said 11 women MSME leaders were honoured with the FICCI FLO National MSME Awards for their excellence.

The minister added that with nearly 65 per cent of developed markets now covered under India's free trade agreements (FTAs), domestic manufacturers have growing opportunities to integrate into global supply chains.

He further said a meeting was held with members of the Consultative Committee on Promotion of Export of Marine Products, where discussions focused on enhancing value addition, improving global competitiveness, strengthening infrastructure and ensuring better compliance standards.

On the export front, Goyal noted that the first consignment of 25 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Joha rice from Assam has been shipped to the United Kingdom and Italy.

"Earlier, Joha rice was exported to Vietnam and five Middle Eastern countries," he said.

Moreover, the minister on Friday held a conversation with Patrik Jonsson, Executive Vice President and President, Lilly International, USA, in which he discussed India's growth, Eli Lilly and Company's expanding operations and investments in India, and steps to further strengthen 'Make in India for the world'.

In addition, a virtual interaction between Harry Theoharis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Greece, and Goyal was held on the same day, during which they discussed ways to further deepen IndiaGreece cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, maritime connectivity and other areas of mutual interest.
Kolkata/New Delhi, March 21 : A 40-year-old visitor died in a freak lift accident at Kolkata's R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, early on Friday, recalling reports of administrative lapse and criminal activity that allegedly affect services rendered even at West Bengal's public health centres of repute.

Fridayas incident raises fresh questions about public hospital infrastructure, safety, and accountability in West Bengal, reviving memories of the August 2024 rape-and-murder of a young doctor at the same premises, which had triggered massive citizen protests across the state.

This time, protests were scant and the administration acted soon after the incident, though the top brass of the hospital is yet to be questioned.

Word has also spread that the victim was a Trinamool supporter, thus controlling Opposition mobilisation.

Just a day earlier, the mother of the 2024 victim doctor announced her intent to contest elections as a BJP candidate, discouraging some of the earlier protest base.

A political picture has been set following the familyas statement on aligning with the BJP, reducing broader civic unity.

With Assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and 29 and results to be announced on May 4, the state governmentas welfare and minority protection stance continue to outweigh episodic anger.

The war of attrition over the Election Commissionas Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is also being seen as a strong emotive factor.

However, the accident raises fresh questions about public hospital infrastructure, safety, and accountability in the state.

Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee, has been riding on the enduring support among two aMas a" Mahilaa (women) and Minority a" largely through government-sponsored welfare schemes, symbolic leadership, and political positioning.

Since she took direct control of the health department after the 2024 incident at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, the intense backlash subsided, adding another aMa for medical.

Now, the tragic death of the hospital visitor in front of his wife and three-year-old son a" who was brought for medical attention a" has failed to stir Bengalas emotions.

The trio got trapped for an hour in a lift marked for patients at the hospital early on Friday.

Reports said the victim was found wedged between the lift doors that he was trying to pry open while his wife and son suffered minor bruises.

Ironically, women, like the victimas wife, constitute nearly half the electorate, and surveys suggest most vote for the Trinamool, making them among Mamataas most reliable bloc.

The state governmentas flagship schemes include Kanyashree that provides financial aid for girls to continue in school, benefiting nearly 10 million students.

Additionally, there is Rupashree, with Rs. 25,000 grants for women during marriage, reaching over 22 lakh families.

In its 2026 manifesto, the Trinamool has promised Rs. 1,500 per month to unemployed youth and women in the general category. These schemes have transformed women from passive voters into active political stakeholders.

Women now see Mamata as a guarantor of dignity, education, and financial stability.

Meanwhile Muslims, roughly comprising over 30 per cent of West Bengalas population, have also benefitted from financial assistance.

Mamata has positioned herself as a defender of minority rights, and consistently opposed NRC, CAA, and now, SIR.

Her use of Urdu in speeches, presence at Eid gatherings, and welfare targeting of minority-dominated districts reinforce her image as a protector of pluralism.

Now, the party has added expansion of healthcare, housing, and job support programmes in its poll promises, specifically aimed at marginalised communities.

On the other hand, narrative frames incidents like Fridayas as administrative failures rather than systemic collapse, and her welfare-driven legitimacy prevents the Opposition BJP from converting outrage into mass movements.

From 2011 to 2026, the Trinamool has systematically built and reinforced a coalition of women and minorities through welfare schemes and political positioning. As West Bengal heads into the 2026 elections, the 2M factor remains the decisive factor in her continued dominance.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Tehran, March 21 : Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran is seeking "not a ceasefire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war," according to Kyodo News.

In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi described the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as "an illegal, unprovoked act of aggression," calling on the international community to take a stand against the attacks.

The foreign minister noted that while several countries are attempting to mediate an end to the conflict, Iran has rejected calls for a temporary truce, insisting that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks as well as compensation for the damage inflicted during the conflict, reports Xinhua, citing Kyodo News.

Araghchi added that while diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the United States has yet to demonstrate its readiness for a genuine resolution.

The report also noted that Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments, and that negotiations with Japan on the issue are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Araghchi has also issued a sharp warning to the United Kingdom on Saturday, stating that Tehran will respond if British involvement in the ongoing conflict escalates.

In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, "Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence."

The statement comes amid rising tensions following reports that US forces have been granted access to British military bases. According to officials, Araghchi conveyed similar concerns during a phone call with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, warning that such cooperation would be viewed as "participation in aggression" against Iran.

The UK government, however, has pushed back. In the same conversation, Cooper cautioned Iran against targeting "UK bases, territory or interests," underscoring the risk of further escalation.
Dhaka, March 21 : While extending Eid greetings on Saturday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called on the citizens to back his government's efforts in shaping a "desired Bangladesh", local media reported.

Addressing journalists at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, the Prime Minister also appealed to the public for their prayers and support.

"On this Eid day, I pray to Almighty Allah to bless us so that we can build the Bangladesh people expect. If we have your support, this elected government will do its utmost to build the country in line with your expectations," Bangladeshi media outlet UNB quoted Tarique as saying.

The Prime Minister also paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives and were injured in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan, as well as those who were killed or injured in the July 2024 mass demonstrations.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique greeted members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, distinguished citizens and people from various walks of life at Jamuna on the occasion of the festival.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Prime Minister also offered prayers at the main congregation at the National Eidgah in Dhaka.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, is being celebrated across Bangladesh on Saturday with enthusiasm and religious fervour, while law enforcement agencies, including police and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), have heightened security to avert any untoward incidents, local media reported.

Meanwhile, the opposition and the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami's chief, Shafiqur Rahman, expressed concern over passenger hardship and excessive fares during Eid travel.

Speaking to journalists after offering prayers in the capital's Mirpur, he said such hardship during Eid journeys was unexpected in a "changed Bangladesh", calling the incidents of overcharging "inhumane" and "a crime against humanity".

He noted that ordinary people, particularly low-income earners, faced hardship while travelling back to their village homes ahead of Eid.

"If the little savings people accumulate throughout the year are spent entirely on travel, the joy of Eid is lost," Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted the Jamaat chief as saying.

Condemning the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) government ministers, concerned and calling the failure to control fares a national "embarrassment", Rahman said, "It was their responsibility to make Eid travel comfortable and convenient, but they failed to do so."

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 21 : Responding to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)'s demand for the immediate removal of Muhammad Ali Jinnah from academic curricula, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Saturday said that history cannot be altered and must be understood in its entirety.

Speaking to IANS, Jha questioned the rationale behind such demands and emphasised the importance of studying historical figures in context.

"I do not understand whose domain is what and who is commenting on which domain. If you remove Muhammad Ali Jinnah, then how will you understand the Two-Nation Theory?" he said.

He further added, "How will you reflect on the ideas against which the struggle for Independence was fought? It is not possible to perform surgery on history. What we are witnessing is an attempt to reshape narratives. In the future, film-makers might also be told to present history in a particular way. Such tendencies are already visible."

Jha cautioned against distorting historical facts, stating, "Whenever you want to make fictional interpretations, do so, but do not tamper with history. This is a disservice to the country's past and an attempt to belittle it. Tomorrow, if someone demands the removal of the Delhi Sultanate from textbooks, how will we understand historical transitions? History has no vacuum; it is a continuous process."

Meanwhile, the ABVP staged protests at the University of Jammu, demanding the removal of a chapter on former Pakistan president Muhammad Ali Jinnah from the revised postgraduate political science syllabus introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

However, the university administration maintained that the inclusion of Jinnah in the syllabus aligns with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and is consistent with curricula followed by several universities across the country.

Led by ABVP Jammu and Kashmir secretary Sannak Shrivats, protesters gathered on campus and raised slogans against the administration, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the chapter from the 'Modern Indian Political Thought' module under the paper 'Minorities and the Nation'.

The protesters also tore posters of Jinnah and warned of intensifying their agitation if the content is not removed.

In response, the University of Jammu administration has constituted a committee to examine the issue. According to an official order issued by the Office of the Dean Academic Affairs, the committee has been formed on the directions of the Vice-Chancellor and has been asked to submit its report at the earliest.
By Mike Stone

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 19 (Reuters) - Anduril Industries will begin building its new FURY, "loyal wingman," high-speed combat drones in the coming days at a new facility in Ohio, as the U.S. military's interest in unmanned aircraft surges following battlefield successes in Ukraine and Iran.

More from Yahoo Scout What other weapons systems will be produced at the facility? How does Anduril's manufacturing approach differ from traditional contractors? What is Anduril's FURY drone program? What is the scale of Anduril's Arsenal-1 facility?

Amid cornfields and horse farms 20 miles (32 km) south of Columbus, Ohio, the defense tech start-up is expecting its $1 billion Arsenal-1 autonomous systems manufacturing campus to employ more than 4,000 people over the next decade, starting with roughly 250 by the end of this year, officials said on Thursday.

Anduril is one of a new but growing group of small defense firms hoping to win lucrative Pentagon contracts for next-generation weapons. The Trump administration hopes the newer firms will help upend weapons manufacturing by delivering cutting-edge technology more quickly and at a lower cost.

Matt Grimm, Anduril's co-founder and chief operating officer, said its approach to manufacturing differs fundamentally from traditional defense contractors.

Rather than designing products first and worrying about production later, the company bakes manufacturability in from Day 1  choosing commercial materials such as aluminum over titanium, using composite techniques borrowed from the recreational boat industry, and selecting a commercial business jet engine for the FURY program specifically because of its well-established supply chain and maintenance ecosystem.

Production of the company's FURY autonomous aircraft will be the first to launch at the facility. The FURY is Anduril's entrant for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program - part of an Air Force plan for a next-generation family of systems, an effort to equip crewed fighter jets and other planes with an uncrewed platform that would fly alongside the human pilots.

"From the very first prototype, we've been working with our engineers on every single build, thinking, how do we design it for production?" Grimm said.

Anduril said its Roadrunner interceptor, Barracuda cruise missile family, and a classified program were all expected to be produced at the new factory by year-end.

The company said it is already operating production facilities in Mississippi, Australia, Rhode Island, Colorado, Atlanta, North Carolina, and Southern California.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Ohio; Editing by Chris Sanders, Rod Nickel)
Moscow, March 21 : European politicians are deliberately plunging their countries into crisis and darkness by continuing to reject Russian energy resources, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"It is not a technical disaster nor any natural cataclysms that are causing the global crisis in the European Union (EU), but rather the decisions of its own leaders, who are simply flipping the switch," Maria Zakharova said in a post on her Telegram channel.

On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the EU's unwavering position, which categorically precludes member states from procuring Russian natural gas even in the event of a severe energy crisis in Europe, amid the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The stance had met with resistance from some of its member countries, heavily reliant on Russian energy supplies, reports Xinhua news agency.

Earlier this month, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the EU to review and suspend sanctions on Russian energy, warning that rising oil prices and supply disruptions pose risks to regional energy security.

In a video message posted on social media, Orban had said the increase in fuel prices in Hungary was linked to what he described as a "Ukrainian oil blockade" and escalating tensions in the Middle East. He said he had sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging the EU to reconsider sanctions imposed on Russian energy.

"The Ukrainian oil blockade now represents the most serious threat not only to Hungary and Slovakia but also to the entire EU," Orban said.

He added that the Hungarian government must prevent gasoline and diesel prices from rising to "unbearable levels," noting that an extraordinary government meeting had been convened to address the issue.

Hungary and Slovakia have recently faced disruptions in oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil to Central Europe via Ukraine.

The situation has heightened tensions between the two countries and Ukraine, while raising concerns about the potential impact on regional energy supplies.

--IANS

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Haldwani, March 21 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday underscored the achievements of the "double-engine" BJP government in Uttarakhand across sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, employment, women empowerment and welfare of ex-servicemen, while praising Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for his leadership.

Haldwani, March 21 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday underscored the achievements of the "double-engine" BJP government in Uttarakhand across sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, employment, women empowerment and welfare of ex-servicemen, while praising Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for his leadership.

Addressing an event in Haldwani to mark four years of the BJP government in the state, Singh said, "I bow in respect to the bravery and spirit of the people of Uttarakhand. This land is deeply connected with faith, devotion, and spirituality... the Devbhoomi... and people here have immense respect for the divine."

"I am well acquainted with the nature of the people here. The people of Uttarakhand are very gentle by nature. However, I have observed that whenever the need arises, despite their gentle nature, the only place where you can see a deep sense of strength and resilience, like the mountains, is only in Uttarakhand," he said.

The Defence Minister stated that the "pure land" of Uttarakhand infuses new energy into the spirituality of India.

"This land has been the home to seers for years. If any state is seen as the place of austerities in India, then it's Uttarakhand. The tradition of knowledge, devotion and respect of people of Uttarakhand gives a path to the country," he added.

Praising Dhami's tenure, Singh said, "After Pushkar Singh Dhami became the Chief Minister, he has taken a lot of developmental works for the state. After listening to Pushkar Dhami, I can say that during the elections, I had told people that whoever wins, it will be under the leadership of Pushkar Dhami that the Bharatiya Janata Party will secure victory. And you saw that at that time, the BJP achieved a clear majority."

"He is not a normal Dhami but a 'Dhakkad' Dhami, and now he should be known as 'Dhurandhar' Dhami," he added.

"No one could have imagined that a government would be able to do so much work in such a small state as Uttarakhand. Today, Uttarakhand has achieved several milestones in various fields. I would like to say that the government under the leadership of Pushkar Dhami, which has completed four years, deserves to be appreciated with a round of applause," he said.

Reflecting on the BJP's governance in the state, the Defence Minister added, "Be it infrastructure, tourism, employment or women empowerment, Pushkar Singh Dhami has done significant work in all fields."

He also paid tribute to those who fought for the creation of Uttarakhand, describing the state not only as Devbhoomi and Tapobhoomi but also as Veerbhoomi.

"Apart from being Devbhoomi and Tapobhoomi, Uttarakhand is also known as Veerbhoomi (land of brave people) of the country. When it comes to protecting the borders of the country, our brothers and sisters of Uttarakhand lay down their lives too," Singh said.

Referring to welfare measures for ex-servicemen, he said, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the long-standing demand of One Rank, One Pension was fulfilled. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Dhami government for taking care of the welfare of ex-servicemen, providing financial assistance to the families of the martyrs, giving reservations in education, employment, etc."

He also mentioned the decision to enhance financial assistance for Param Veer Chakra awardees from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore.

Speaking about the Char Dham Yatra, Singh highlighted that the Centre is developing all-weather road connectivity and emphasised the boost it would provide to tourism and the local economy.

"As our Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi and the core of our faith and culture, it is very important to protect it and preserve its sanctity. I want to appeal to all the people of the state that we must both protect Uttarakhand and enhance its sanctity," he said.

He further asserted that the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state have conveyed a firm stance against illegal immigration.

"There is no place for illegal immigrants in Uttarakhand," he said, adding that under CM Dhami's leadership, more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed.

Touching upon the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said, "Under PM Modi's leadership, India has consistently maintained its position and has said that any solution cannot be achieved through war, but through diplomacy and dialogue."

"As far as India is concerned, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised India's stature on the global stage in a remarkable way, and the praise he has received is still not enough. Earlier, when India spoke on international platforms, its words were not taken with the seriousness they deserved. But today, when India speaks on such platforms, the entire world listens carefully to what India has to say. This is a moment of immense pride for Indians," he said.

Cautioning about the global impact of the conflict, the Defence Minister said, "No country will be left unaffected in these difficult times. There might be an energy crisis in future, but I know people will support PM Modi's stand for India."
Kolkata, March 21 : Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi an "infiltrator" during an Eid gathering in Kolkata, stating that such remarks were unacceptable and amounted to misuse of a religious platform.

Kolkata, March 21 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi an "infiltrator" during an Eid gathering in Kolkata, stating that such remarks were unacceptable and amounted to misuse of a religious platform.

Adhikari's reaction came after Banerjee participated in Eid celebrations at Red Road, where she launched a sharp attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Modi, reiterating her commitment to stand by the people of West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress supremo was accompanied by her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee.

Speaking to IANS, Suvendu Adhikari said, "The Calcutta Khilafat Committee must review what Mamata Banerjee said. She misused a religious platform. PM Modi is not just the Prime Minister of the BJP; he is the Prime Minister of allHindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Referring to the Prime Minister as an infiltrator is unacceptable, and the Khilafat Committee must condemn this in writing."

He further asserted that there is a growing "wave of change" in the state and claimed that there is no possibility of reversing it.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had accused the BJP-led Central government of attempting to "snatch away the voting rights" of people through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. She alleged that the exercise, which her party claims has led to large-scale deletions of voter names, is part of a broader attempt to influence the electoral process in the state.

Meanwhile, several states are set to go to the polls in April. Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry will vote on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. In West Bengal, the first phase of Assembly elections will be held on April 23, followed by the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes for all these elections is scheduled for May 4.
New Delhi, March 21 : Bangladesh's launch of the Family Card programme, promising 2,500 (in local currency) monthly allowance for vulnerable families risks serious fiscal strain and may doom its overburdened socialawelfare system, a new report has said.

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Bangladesh's launch of the Family Card programme, promising 2,500 (in local currency) monthly allowance for vulnerable families risks serious fiscal strain and may doom its overburdened socialwelfare system, a new report has said.

Bangladesh's taxtoGDP ratio, one of the lowest in the world and inflexible commitments in its national budget, including debt interest and power subsidies, leave little room for a new recurring commitment, said a report from Bangladesh-based Daily Star.

Financing the programme at scale could force difficult trade-offs including reallocation from education or health budget, the report indicated.

"Reducing the education and health budget will be a short-sighted solution as it will undermine the country's growth potential," the report said.

Similarly, the Annual Development Programme (ADP), if deprived of funds, will slow down the country's infrastructure growth, reducing its manufacturing capacity.

Discussions around the Family Card programme have focused largely on benefits with little attention to opportunity costs, it pointed out.

The report urged the government to treat the launch as an opportunity to reform the overall structure of the social welfare web, instead of adding "another layer of inefficiency to an already crumbling system."

"Bangladesh already has around 140 social protection programmes running under 26 ministries, but they have been roundly criticised for their inclusion and exclusion errors," the report said, pointing at a flaw in the design of the Family Card programme.

If the money is transferred to those who are not actually poor, then the programme will end up being wasteful, the report indicated.

"Perhaps the funds could be better utilised for programmes that have a long-term rate of return, such as those that combine early childhood nutrition with effective communication and skill training," it suggested.

It cited a recent study that found cash transfers only give a temporary reprieve from poverty, but a combination of cash and complementary services like nutrition education may result in a long-term solution to poverty.

IANS

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New Delhi, March 21 : A group of 275 intellectuals and academics, including retired Supreme Court judges, former bureaucrats and military veterans, on Saturday criticised the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its "off-the-mark" report on India.

"We the undersigned bring to your notice a very disturbing and completely off-the-mark report cobbled up by the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)," said an open letter issued by the concerned intellectuals.

"Particularly the way to assess the credibility and balance of reports issued by bodies such as the USCIRF need to examine the long-term demographic trends across the Indian subcontinent with an approach that provides a more objective and longitudinal measure of religious freedom than selective or episodic narratives," it said.

The letter comes close to USCIRF recommending sanctions on India's foreign intelligence agency, Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), again flagging India as a "Country of Particular Concern."

The intellectuals who joined the initiatives included former Supreme Court judge and NGT Chairman Chairman Adarsh Kumar Goel; former Kerala DGP P Chandrasekharan and former ambassadors Bhaswati Mukherjee and Shyamala B. Cowsik.

Condemning the report's suggestions to freeze assets and restrict the movement of Bharatiya citizens, the signatories provided Census data on demographic trends in the country.

Quoting official data, the letter said the share of the Muslim population in India was 9.8 per cent in 1951, and it increased to 14.2 per cent in 2011; the Christian population was 2.3 per cent in 1951 and remained the 2.3 per cent (2011) and the Sikh population that was 1.79 per cent in 1951, declined marginally to 1.72 per cent in 2011.

"This data is taken from official census data, which reflects a broad pattern of demographic expansion or stability among major minority communities over more than six decades of independent constitutional governance in India," said the letter.

The letter said, "Bharat is the largest democracy of the world. Given the robust, time-tested judicial system, vibrant democratic institutions and Parliamentary oversight, there's very less scope for individuals or organisations to go scot-free after violating someone's religious rights."

"Religious freedom is both necessary and appreciated in a globalised world, but it must be exercised with intellectual rigor, fairness, and respect for all. The reports based on selective in their use of evidence are subject to reducing their own credibility and, more importantly, there is need to advance the genuine cause of religious harmony and human right," said the letter.

The group said that USCIRF's recommendation to freeze assets, restricted movement of Bharatiya citizens and placing restrictions on those associated with RSS is highly motivated and displays intellectual bankruptcy and deranged conclusions.

"All six commissioners of USCIRF are appointed by US Government and funded by American Taxpayers through the US Congress. We call upon the US Government to carry out a strict background check of all the contributors to this report in USCIRF. It will be an eye-opener to the taxpayers of the US, whose funds are being used by USCIRF to produce highly prejudiced and untenable reports to promote hidden agenda of some anti-Bharat vested interests to vitiate their goodwill with the people of Bharat," said the letter, signed by former IAS officers M. Madan Gopal, O.P. Pathak and C.S. Talwar, among others.
New Delhi, March 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian conveying to him Eid and Nowruz greetings and also discussing the current security situation in the West Asia region.

During the call, PM Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region and also asserted the significance of safeguarding freedom of navigation along with keeping the shipping lanes open and secure.

This was PM Modi's second phone conversation with the Iranian President in the last 10 days.

"Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains," PM Modi posted on X after the phone call.

"Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure. Appreciated Iran's continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran," Prime Minister Modi added.

Both leaders had earlier spoken over phone on March 12 when PM Modi had voiced his concern over the escalation of tensions in the region, pointing to the loss of civilian lives and damage to infrastructure. He had also reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Modi had highlighted the importance of unhindered transit of goods and energy, noting that disruptions could have fara'reaching consequences for Indiaas economy and regional stability.

Pezeshkian had then briefed PM Modi on the current situation in Iran and shared his perspective on recent developments in the region.

Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following the talks between the two leaders.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi have also held several conversations over the past few weeks since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28.

Besides assessing the current security situation in the region, the ministers have discussed issues pertaining to the safety of shipping, bilateral cooperation and matters concerning BRICS, where India is the current chair and Iran a member of the grouping.

Earlier this week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb had suggested that India could play an important diplomatic role in easing tensions between the United States and Iran.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Stubb said global efforts should focus on halting hostilities and opening channels for dialogue, while noting that India could potentially contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

"We need a ceasefire... I'm wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down," he said.
New Delhi, March 21 : Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that India is steadily evolving into a robust pharma economy, which could help as a significant contributor to the country's overall GDP.

During his address at a 'Healthcare Summit' here, the minister stated the nation's pharmaceutical, medtech and manufacturing ecosystem is positioning the country as a key global manufacturing hub -- particularly in high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions.

The minister said that the discussions revolved around two central themes -- "Made in India" and "Quality".

The sector is undergoing a major shift, with a strong focus on global quality benchmarks, indigenous innovation, and integration of research with industry.

Over the last 10 years, India has witnessed a transformation in healthcare, moving from a largely import-dependent system to one driven by indigenous capabilities, the minister said.

He also recalled that earlier, critical medical devices, implants and even advanced drugs were largely sourced from abroad, making treatment expensive and inaccessible for many.

"Today, India is developing its own antibiotics, vaccines, and advanced therapies, marking a decisive shift towards self-reliance," the minister highlighted.

Earlier, critical medical devices, implants and even advanced drugs were largely sourced from abroad, making treatment expensive and inaccessible, he noted, adding that India is developing its own antibiotics, vaccines and advanced therapies.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said India not only developed indigenous vaccines but also supplied them globally, reinforcing its role as a reliable healthcare partner.

On quality standards, Singh said that "homegrown" products now match global benchmarks. "Indigenous medical devices such as stents, ventilators and diagnostic equipment are increasingly ensuring safety, efficacy and affordability."

The minister highlighted policy initiatives such as the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) scheme, with an outlay of Rs 5,000 crore, aimed at shifting India from low-cost manufacturing to high-value innovation.

According to the minister, India currently accounts for around 1.5 per cent of the global medical devices market.

He said that the government is working to significantly expand this share under the National Medical Device Policy 2023.
New Delhi, March 21 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Saturday, blamed the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "attitude" and his "immature politics" for the current political crisis the party is facing in Assam, which is scheduled to go to polls on April 9.

Last week, Assam MP Pradyut Bordoloi quit the Congress and joined the BJP. His son Prateek Bordoloi also withdrew his candidature from the Margherita Assembly constituency.

Earlier, former Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah also quit the Congress before joining the BJP.

Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, said, "It once seemed that (Congress MP) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would take the Congress in a slightly different direction. But due to pressure or other reasons, she is now working under the leadership of (Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition) Rahul Gandhi."

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was appointed as Chairperson of the Congress Screening Committee for Assam.

Tiwari said that if anyoneas image has suffered the most, it is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's.

"And it does not seem that the country will accept this (Gandhi) family anymore," he added.

Moreover, blaming LoP Gandhi for the exit of leaders from Congress, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "The kind of attitude Rahul Gandhi has in Congress, hardly anyone will be left with him (in the party). Afterall, everyone thinks about the country first."

Bihar Minister and BJP leader Dilip Jaiswal also accused LoP Rahul Gandhi of "constantly putting Congress down due to his immature politics".

"This brother-sister duo (Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) keep dividing it among themselves, nothing else," he told IANS.

BJP leader Rohan Gupta alleged "internal politics" within the Congress.

He said, "If this is happening despite Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being made the in-charge (Chairperson of the Assam Screening Commitee), I think it seems to be the internal politics of Congress."

Gupta noted displeasure of leaders within the Congress.

"Everybody knows that the Assam Congress President (Gaurav Gogoi) is also disappointed. So whatever is visible in Assam is a trailer of how the Congress functions internally. How they lack trust on each other," he said.

Gupta added, "When Congress is unable to protect itself then how will the people of Assam trust them."

Meanwhile, the Congress, on Friday, released another list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, naming nominees across key constituencies while leaving a set of seats for its ally, Raijor Dal.
Mumbai, March 21 : Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh is presently occupied with his Mollywood debut "Khalifa".

Neil and the team of his next are shooting for their forthcoming project in Kozhikode, and they all decided to celebrate Eid in the presence of some great company and, of course, Biryani.

The 'Jail' actor took to the Stories section of his official Instagram handle and shared a video of everyone waiting for the biryani on the set. As soon as the pot was uncovered, all got in line to relish the festive delicacy.

Along with the clip, Neil also included the text, "Eid celebrations were special on the beautiful lands of Kozhikode/ Calicut with my awesome director @directorvysakh sir producer @jiinuinnovation @thedonmichael and the enter crew. Blessed (sic)."

"PS: Best Biryani ever!!! Burp !!," he added.

On Neil's birthday in January, the makers officially welcomed him to the Malayalam industry.

Wishing him on his special day, the leading man of "Khalifa", Prithviraj Sukumaran wrote on social media, "Happy birthday, Neil Nitin Mukesh! Welcome to the Malayalam film industry! #KHALIFA".

Made under the direction of Vysakh, "Khalifa" marks the filmmaker's reunion with Prithviraj after a long gap of 15 years. They last worked together in the 2010 superhit "Pokkiri Raja".

Written by Jinu V Abraham, the drama talks about a massive multi-million dollar gold smuggling racket operating out of the Middle East, with its networks stretching from London and Nepal to Kerala.

Talking about the technical crew, the camera work for the movie is being performed by Jomon T. John, with Jakes Bejoy scoring the tunes for "Khalifa".

Chaman Chakko is on board the team as the editor, and Yannick Ben is directing the action sequences of the drama.

Along with Neil and Prithviraj, the core cast of the movie also includes Tovino Thomas, Mohanlal, and Krithi Shetty.

--IANS

pm/
Jaipur, March 21 : In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch of the Rajasthan Police CID has arrested a notorious criminal carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000, who had been on the run for nearly four years.

Acting under the direction of Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Bipin Kumar Pandey, a special team conducted a high-risk interstate operation that led to the arrest of Mahesh Dilip Dahle (alias 'Chachaji' or 'Sardarji') in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.

The accused faces multiple serious charges, including firing at a police team, attempted murder, and violations under the Arms Act. A dedicated team -- formed under the supervision of Inspector General of Police (Crime) Harendra Kumar Mahawar and led by Sub-Inspector Shailendra Kumar -- was initially deployed in the Jodhpur and Phalodi regions to gather intelligence.

During the operation, Head Constable Ravindra Singh received credible inputs indicating that Dahle, a "Most Wanted" criminal from the Phalodi police station area, had been concealing his identity while moving across cities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

After technical verification of the inputs, the team launched a coordinated operation across both states.

Maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and conducting extensive reconnaissance, the police tracked the accused's movements and strategically laid a trap. In coordination with IG (Jodhpur Range) Satyendra Singh, a team from Phalodi District Police joined the operation.

On reaching Tapovan Road in Ahilyanagar, the team identified a suspect matching the informant's description. Sensing police presence, the accused attempted to flee. However, displaying swift action and courage, the police personnel chased him on foot and successfully apprehended him.

Initially, Dahle tried to mislead the police, but during sustained interrogation, he confessed his identity. He is a resident of Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh.

The case dates back to April 2022, when Phalodi police received intelligence about illegal arms being transported in an unmarked pickup vehicle. Acting on the tip-off, the police set up a blockade. In response, the accused and his associates opened indiscriminate fire on the police team and rammed their vehicle into a patrol car with the intent to kill.

During the encounter, police managed to arrest two accused on the spot and recovered three pistols and 14 cartridges. However, Dahle managed to escape and had been absconding since then. The operation was executed under Sub-Inspector Shailendra Sharma. Head Constables Ravindra Singh and Kuldeep Singh, along with Constable Naresh Kumar, played key roles in field operations.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Shankar Dayal Sharma and Constable Brajesh Kumar Sharma provided the technical support.

From the Phalodi Police team, ASI Peeraram and DST members -- Head Constable Gordhanram, Constable Mahendra Kumar, and Constable Bhagwanaram -- also contributed significantly to the arrest. The accused has been handed over to the Phalodi Police for further legal proceedings.
Ilika: Solid-state battery safety proven in defence tests - ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Ilika PLC (AIM:IKA, OTCQX:ILIKF, FRA:I8A) CEO Graeme Purdy talked with Proactive about the successful safety testing of the companys Goliath solid-state batteries under battlefield conditions, highlighting a key validation from a UK defence agency.

Purdy explained that the batteries were subjected to live-fire testing on a firing range, where they were penetrated by various types of ammunition to assess their response.

The results demonstrated the inherent safety advantages of Ilikas solid-state battery technology compared to traditional lithium-ion alternatives. As Purdy noted, they are intrinsically safer because they don't have a flammable liquid electrolyte component, which significantly reduces the risk of dangerous reactions under extreme conditions.

The interview also explored the growing opportunity within the defence sector. While Ilika originally developed Goliath batteries for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, increasing global tensions and the electrification of military equipment have opened up new demand.

Applications such as drones, communication systems, and intelligence devices are driving the need for safer, high-performance battery solutions.

Purdy highlighted that validation from a UK defence agency is particularly important, given its influence with the Ministry of Defence. The company is now working with partners across the supply chain to convert this interest into commercial agreements and deliver returns on its technology investment.

Proactive: Graeme, very good to speak with you. You've had strong feedback from a UK defence agency following safety tests of your Goliath battery under battlefield conditions. Take us through how they tested?

Graeme Purdy: Yeah, morning Stephen, great to be back. The tests were pretty straightforward. The batteries were put onto a firing range and penetrated by various types of ammunition. The responses of the batteries were measured, and this is what's given us the feedback.

Proactive: So, put simply, what makes those batteries safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries?

Graeme Purdy: This is one of the big advantages of solid-state batteries. If they are put together in the way that we build our Goliath batteries, they are intrinsically safer because they don't have a flammable liquid electrolyte component. If you replace that with a more inert electrolyte, then they can survive these types of penetrations more effectively.

Proactive: Apart from electric vehicles and other applications, you're also targeting defence and drones. How significant is that opportunity?
New Delhi, March 21 : The maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no congestion reported across ports, the government said on Saturday, adding that it remains in close coordination with state maritime boards and other stakeholders to ensure safety of seafarers and uninterrupted maritime trade and port operations.

Necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the Strait of Hormuz region.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is closely monitoring shipping movements, port operations, safety of Indian seafarers and continuity of maritime trade.

"All Indian seafarers in the region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the past 24 hours," said the ministry.

A total of 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region and DG Shipping is monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions.

"In one incident, an Indian seafarer (Master of Panama-flagged vessel ASP Avana) passed away on 18.03.2026; DG Shipping is coordinating with the Indian Mission in UAE and extending full support to the family," the ministry informed.

The DG Shipping Control Room has handled 3,670 calls and 6,929 emails since activation (including 120 calls and 181 emails in the past 24 hours).

Over 534 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated so far, including 21 in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, Indian Missions and Posts remain in touch with the Indian community and continue to extend assistance, along with issuing necessary advisories for their safety and well-being.

Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community as the highest priority; a dedicated 24x7 control room remains operational, and coordination is ongoing with State Governments and UTs.

Since February 28, around 3.3 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region.

Moreover, 15 Indian crew members of MT Safesea Vishnu have safely returned to India from Iraq.

"From the UAE, around 90 flights are expected to operate today; flights are also continuing from Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar is operating 810 non-scheduled flights with partial reopening of its airspace," said the government.
Chennai, March 21 : With the announcement of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rolled out a special doorstep voting facility to ensure greater accessibility and inclusivity in the electoral process.

The initiative is aimed at enabling senior citizens aged above 85 years and persons with disabilities (PwDs) with more than 40 per cent benchmark disability to cast their votes from the comfort of their homes.

As part of this initiative, eligible voters will be provided with Form 12D, which allows them to opt for postal ballot voting from home. The process of distributing these forms is already underway.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are visiting the residences of eligible voters to hand over Form 12D and assist them in understanding the procedure. They will also collect the duly filled forms directly from the voters, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

According to the guidelines, the completed Form 12D must be submitted within five days from the date of the election notification. In practical terms, voters are required to return the filled forms to the polling officials on or before April 4. Once submitted, the Returning Officer will process these applications and facilitate the voting process at the voteras residence through postal ballot arrangements.

Election authorities have also put in place a support mechanism for those who may not be able to connect with their respective BLOs. Such voters can reach out to the district election control room through the toll-free helpline numbers 1913 or 1800 425 7012.

Officials at the control room will coordinate with the concerned BLOs to ensure that eligible voters receive Form 12D and are included in the doorstep voting process.

Importantly, the facility is entirely optional. Eligible voters who prefer to vote in person at their designated polling stations can choose not to submit Form 12D and follow the usual voting procedure on polling day.

The introduction of doorstep voting reflects the Election Commissionas continued efforts to make elections more inclusive, ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind due to age or physical limitations.
Islamabad, March 21 : As Pakistan advocates against 'Islamophobia' abroad, the persistence of such conditions at home raises legitimate questions about the country's credibility. The recurring claims of Islamophobia by Islamabad on the global stage, a report has cited, call for closer scrutiny, not unquestioned approval.

According to a report in the European Times, the rhetoric of victimhood has become a diplomatic instrument, used to divert attention from Pakistan's troubling record toward Muslim communities within and outside its borders.

"At the heart of the issue lies a contradiction that is increasingly difficult to ignore. A state that positions itself as a defender of Muslims worldwide continues to preside over systemic discrimination and violence against its own Muslim minorities. The persecution of Shia communities in Pakistan is neither incidental nor isolated. Sectarian attacks on Shia mosques, processions, and neighbourhoods have persisted for decades, often with inadequate accountability," the report detailed.

"The situation of the Ahmadiyya community is even more stark. Constitutionally declared non-Muslim, Ahmadis face legal discrimination, social exclusion, and periodic mob violence. Their mosques are attacked, their religious practices criminalised, and even the simple act of self-identification as Muslim can lead to prosecution. These are not marginal failures. They are structural realities embedded within the state's legal and political framework," it mentioned.

The report noted that the contradiction reaches beyond Pakistan's borders, with its military operations in Afghanistan, including those during Ramadan, resulting in civilian casualties in a neighbouring Muslim country.

"Whatever the stated security rationale, the optics and the human cost are difficult to reconcile with claims of religious solidarity. The idea of a unified Muslim ummah is frequently invoked in diplomatic rhetoric, yet it appears to be selectively applied when strategic interests are at stake," it stated.

The pattern of "selective solidarity", it said, is evident even in Pakistan's relations with major Muslim partners. Under the leadership of General Asim Munir, the report said, Pakistan has been hesitant to meet Saudi Arabia's expectations despite longstanding security and defence understandings.

"At moments when Riyadh has sought support, Islamabad has invoked its commitments on the Afghan front and broader internal security pressures as justification for restraint. Yet this selective invocation of constraints contrasts sharply with Pakistan's readiness to project itself as a champion of Muslim causes elsewhere. The Afghan war, frequently cited as a burden, has thus also become a convenient alibi, deployed when political or strategic costs of alignment are deemed too high," it stressed.

Highlighting Pakistan's double standards, the report further said, "If Pakistan wishes to be taken seriously as a voice for Muslim communities globally, it must begin by addressing the conditions within its own borders. Credibility in international advocacy is built on consistency. Without it, even legitimate concerns risk being dismissed as opportunistic."
Nagpur, March 21 : Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan said on Saturday that the goal of "Viksit Bharat by 2047" cannot be achieved through borrowed ideas and that India must innovate from its roots, think in its native languages and scripts, and move forward with confidence in its civilisational identity.

He was speaking at the 29th National Session of the Indian Youth Parliament.

The session is based on the theme "Indian Languages & Developed Indiaa"2047".

Addressing the students, the Vice-President noted that the world is watching India and that the youth of today are the "Amrit Generation", who will see India emerge as a fully developed nation by 2047.

He expressed confidence that the Youth Parliament would contribute meaningfully towards this national goal.

Referring to the significance of Nagpur, the Vice-President noted that the city holds an important place in the national consciousness as the birthplace of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, founded by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925.

He said the RSS' journey from a small initiative to a large movement dedicated to national service reflects the spirit of "Rashtra Pratham" (Nation First) and dedication to the nation.

Appreciating the Indian Youth Parliament National Trust for its work over more than two decades, Vice-President Radhakrishnan said the organisation has played a significant role in connecting youth across regions, thereby strengthening the spirit of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat".

Speaking on the theme "Indian Languages & Developed Indiaa"2047", the Vice-President stressed that India's linguistic diversity is a great strength and said that when we speak in our mother tongue, we are not being "regional" but "original".

He emphasised that every language carries its own heritage and that together they form the cultural harmony of the nation.

He also noted recent efforts to make the Constitution of India available in multiple Indian languages and said that promoting and preserving linguistic diversity is essential for national development.

The Vice-President also appreciated the role of Central Sanskrit University in promoting Sanskrit and Indian languages, noting that Sanskrit connects many Indian languages and represents an important part of India's knowledge tradition.

Emphasising the importance of dialogue in a democratic society, Vice-President Radhakrishnan, reflecting on his experience as the Rajya Sabha Chairman and the enhanced productivity of its sessions, said that differences of opinion should ultimately lead to constructive dialogue and solutions, not conflict.

He noted that platforms like Youth Parliament teach the importance of respectful debate, listening to diverse perspectives, and arriving at solutions through discussion and consensus.

Describing the Youth Parliament as a training ground for life and leadership, the Vice-President said that character building is the foundation of true leadership and urged students to use such platforms to develop leadership, discipline, and a spirit of national service.

Earlier on Saturday, Vice-President Radhakrishnan paid floral tribute at the Samadhi (memorial) of RSS founder Hedgewar at the Dr. Hedgewar Smruti Bhavan in Nagpur.
Kolkata, March 21 : A forensic team visited RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Saturday and collected samples from the elevator that malfunctioned, killing a man on March 20.

The forensic team is trying to ascertain why the elevator in the Trauma Care building at RG Kar spiralled out of control and what exactly caused the mechanical failure. The team is also attempting to determine whether the elevator malfunctioned as a result of multiple buttons being pressed simultaneously.

Arup Banerjee, a resident of Dum Dum, tragically lost his life after becoming trapped in an elevator at the hospital. He had visited the hospital to seek medical treatment for his three-year-old child. In the early hours of Friday morning, he became stuck in the elevator within the Trauma Care unit. His wife and child were also with him at the time.

It is alleged that the elevator spiralled out of control; after ascending briefly, it plummeted to the basement level. The doors opened once at the basement, allowing Arupas wife and child to step out. However, before Arup could exit, the doors slammed shut and the elevator began to ascend again.

In the ensuing moments, Arup became trapped in the elevator doors and sustained severe injuries. Outside the elevator at the basement level stood a locked iron-grilled gate. The family alleges that Arupas life could have been saved had the lock been opened in time. Yet, despite the desperate screams of his wife and child, no one came forward to offer assistance, and the lock could not be broken open.

A liftman is supposed to be stationed in front of elevators at a government hospital. Questions have been raised as to why no one was present at that particular lift. On Friday itself, Tala Police arrested three liftmen -- Milan Kumar Das, Biswanath Das, and Manas Kumar Guha -- along with security guards Ashraful Rahman and Shubhadip Das in connection with the incident.

On Saturday, forensic officials collected samples from the elevator in question. Investigators are examining which floor Arup and his family boarded the lift from, which buttons were pressed, and where the elevator ultimately took them. Another question being raised is whether the elevator had pre-existing mechanical faults and, if so, why it was not taken out of service.

The forensic team also collected samples from the location where Arupas body was recovered, as well as from the basement area. Investigators are trying to determine whether there was a lack of maintenance of the elevator and exactly where the operational failure occurred. Detectives from Kolkata Police are overseeing the matter, with the Homicide Department taking over the investigation from Tala Police Station. The preliminary post-mortem report indicates that Arupas arms, legs, and ribs were fractured, while his heart, lungs, and liver ruptured due to the impact of the trauma.

The deceasedas family alleged that they spent between one-and-a-half to two hours pleading to have the iron grille door -- located on the exterior of the elevator shaft in the basement -- opened. The deceasedas sister alleged that, despite their pleas, no one stepped forward to break the lock. Instead, a search for the key was initiated, which was reportedly in the custody of the Public Works Department (PWD). The family contends that had the lock been broken immediately, Arup might have been saved.

A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered, and the investigation is underway. Authorities at RG Kar Hospital have also held several meetings on the matter and are preparing to submit a detailed report to Swasthya Bhawan, the state Health Department headquarters.
Dehradun, March 21 : Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday, led discussions on proposals across sectors such as roads, drinking water supply, defence, irrigation and infrastructure near protected areas at the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, an official said.

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and advises the Union government on matters related to conservation and protection of wildlife and forests, the official said in a statement.

"During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) for strengthening the use of geospatial technologies, remote sensing and AI/machine learning-based tools in forest fire management, wildlife conservation and decision support systems," an official of the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said.

The Committee also reviewed progress on the decisions taken in the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife and noted the status of key national initiatives relating to species recovery, habitat management and institutional strengthening.

Union Minister Yadav, who chaired the committee meeting, also deliberated on the issues of environmental flows in the Chambal for sustaining riverine species such as dolphins, gharials and other aquatic fauna, particularly during lean seasons.

The Committee also discussed conservation of grasslands and rangelands, highlighting their importance for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, dryland resilience and pastoral livelihoods.

"It was observed that these ecosystems remain under-recognised in planning frameworks and require ecosystem-specific restoration approaches, improved mapping, and integration with national commitments such as Land Degradation Neutrality," the statement said.

The issue of dependence of nomadic and pastoral communities on Protected Areas was also deliberated.

The Committee noted the ecological and livelihood linkages of pastoral systems and emphasised the need for balanced approaches for conservation goals while considering traditional practices and socio-economic dependencies.

"During the meeting, conservation status of wild water buffalo was discussed, and the committee recommended a comprehensive conservation action plan for wild water buffalo," the statement added.
Chandigarh, March 21 : Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar, on Saturday, expressed sorrow over the suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of Punjab State Warehouse Corporation, in Amritsar and said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann no longer has any moral basis to remain in power.

While speaking to the media here, Jakhar said the BJP would fight at every level to ensure justice for the victim's family.

He noted that earlier people in Punjab were losing their lives due to their inability to pay extortion and were facing gangster rule, but now even government officials are being forced to take their own lives due to their inability to meet the alleged demands of Ministers.

Punjab Transport and Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar was asked to resign by Chief Minister Mann after his name surfaced in the suicide case of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, who was posted in Amritsar.

State BJP Chief Jakhar said this incident "is equivalent to the broad daylight murder of a government officer and that a case should be registered immediately against Minister Bhullar and he should be arrested".

Jakhar also expressed surprise over the Chief Minister's statement that the probe would be handed over to the State Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, questioning since when the Chief Secretary has been investigating "murder cases".

The Chief Secretary was asked to look into the allegations of harassment and tender dispute involving Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Bhullar, who represents the Patti Assembly constituency.

The State BJP Chief said that this incident exposed the reality of the state government's claim of "staunch honesty".

He remarked that this is not a state Cabinet but a "gang of Ministers".

Jakhar said that first Minister Vijay Singla, then Fauja Singh Sarari, and now Laljit Singh Bhullar, all reflect the true face of this AAP-led Punjab government.

He also added that Chief Minister Mann has now become a burden on his position.

Jakhar said the BJP would not remain silent until justice is delivered to the victim's family.

He also demanded that the Chief Minister take moral responsibility and resigns, and that the case be investigated by an independent agency in a time-bound manner.
Mumbai, March 21 : The Congress and the AIMIM urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Maharashtra government to conduct an "inquiry" and initiate "strict action against fake godmen" following the controversy over selfaproclaimed godman Captain Ashok Kharat's arrest.

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) The Congress and the AIMIM urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Maharashtra government to conduct an "inquiry" and initiate "strict action against fake godmen" following the controversy over selfa'proclaimed godman Captain Ashok Kharat's arrest.

The Opposition's reactions stem from Nationalist Congress Party leader Rupali Chakankar's resignation on Friday from her post as the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, following directives from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, due her alleged involvement in the controversy.

The Chief Minister's directive came two days after the arrest of Ashok Kharat from Nashik on charges of sexual harassment and rape.

Chakankar is a trustee of Shri Shivnika Sansthan in Sinnar of Maharashtra's Nashik district, where Kharat is the president.

A video had surfaced online, showing NCP leader Chakankar washing accused godman Kharat's feet.

Hitting out at Rupali Chakankar, Congress leader Husain Dalwai, told IANS, "This was the same woman who used to protect Baba Ashok Kharat with an umbrella, used to wash his feet."

Dalwai added, "It has appeared in many papers that 50 per cent of our Ministers in Maharashtra used to go and meet him."

Flagging concern over the wealth and property in Ashok Kharat's possession, the Congress leader said, "How did he (Ashok Kharat) make so much property? From where did he get so much money. All this should be investigated. And why did this run for so many days?"

Dalwai urged that strict action should be taken against people, like this 'baba', "who trap common people".

Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant expressed his disappointment over such incidents taking place "in a progressive state like Maharashtra".

Moreover, Sawant accused the ruling MahaYuti leaders of being involved with fake 'baba' Ashok Kharat.

"People are wearing the cloak of fake gurus and spreading superstition in society. Under the BJP government, especially, these individuals have received a lot of attention and as well as political support," he told IANS.

Echoing similar accusation for Chakankar, Sawant said, "Despite being the President of Maharashtra Womenas Commission, she (Rupali Chakankar) is involved in superstition. Her work, instead, was to lead Maharashtra's women out of superstition. If politicians themselves indulge in such acts and get trapped by such fake 'babas', how will they lead the public out of such things?"

AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan also called for thorough investigation into the matter.

He said, "There are a number of accusations, the video has also gone viral. The Maharashtra government should conduct a thorough inquiry on what he used to do with women. There should be an inquiry and the truth should be brought out in the public."
Colombo, March 21 : Pakistan, barred from the higher end of the Western defence market, pivoted to China not solely out of strategic alignment but due to constrained choices, an arrangement Beijing has deliberately cultivated. The continued expansion of the relationship despite combat losses underscores Islamabad's dependence on Beijing for advanced technologies rather than the merits of the systems, a report has highlighted.

"The structural logic of the partnership is not difficult to establish. American drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, especially to de facto allies of Beijing such as Pakistan. Excluded from the higher end of the Western market, Pakistan turned to China not purely out of strategic affinity, though that is a factor, but out of constrained choices. China, for its part, has actively cultivated this position," a report in Sri Lankan newspaper 'Daily Mirror' detailed.

"The Wing Loong II has been primarily developed for export and marketed by Chinese developers as a cheaper alternative to the MQ-1 Predator, with a per-unit price estimated at around $1-2 million compared to, for example, the MQ-9 Reaper's $30 million. The price differential is real, and for a defence budget under persistent fiscal pressure, it matters. What is less clearly communicated in the marketing materials is what that price differential actually reflects in terms of performance," it added.

According to the report, the CH-4B unmanned combat aerial vehicle procured from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and operated by Pakistan's Army Aviation and Navy  bears an external resemblance to the MQ-9 Reaper  a similarity long noted by analysts.

The comparability, however, it said, largely ends at the "silhouette", the report spotlighted.

"The CH-5, China's larger follow-on platform comparable to the Reaper, is equipped with an unidentified turbocharged piston engine with less than half the horsepower of the Garrett TPE331 turboprop mounted on the Reaper. This limits the CH-5's maximum altitude to 9 km, compared to the 12-15 km of the Reaper," it noted.

The report further said, "Pakistan's drone programme is institutionally embedded in a way that will make it difficult to unwind regardless of how China-Pakistan relations evolve. But the capability it represents is more constrained than the volume of announcements surrounding it suggests. The price is low for a reason, the maintenance record is public, and the combat losses are documented."
Kolkata, March 21 : Tension prevailed on Saturday in Bhabanipur -- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's constituency -- over allegations of posters belonging to the Trinamool Congress being torn down. The ruling party claimed that the BJP was behind the incident.

The BJP, however, asserted that the episode stemmed from internal factionalism within the Trinamool Congress. In connection with the incident, both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP have lodged separate complaints at Kalighat Police Station.

According to the police, Trinamool Congress posters had been put up across various areas of Bhabanipur in preparation for the Assembly elections.

However, on Saturday afternoon, allegations were levelled against the BJP for tearing down these posters in the vicinity of Chakraberia Road.

Following this, local Trinamool workers -- led by Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Councillor Asim Basu -- staged a protest demonstration in front of Bhabanipur Police Station. Subsequently, they lodged a written complaint specifically naming several BJP workers.

Asim Basu said: "We had put up these banners and posters after obtaining all necessary permissions. Later, we discovered that someone -- or a group of people -- had torn them down. We immediately informed the police. The police arrived at the scene even before we did. When we eventually reached the spot, we found that not only had the aBoycott BJPa posters been torn down, but they had also destroyed the hoardings and banners we had put up to ensure the Chief Ministeras victory."

Earlier in the day, a similar allegation was raised by the BJP, which claimed that Trinamool supporters had torn down banners and posters featuring Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. The Trinamool Congress has now lodged a counter-allegation.

Bhabanipur is a key constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections. The BJP has fielded Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from Bhabanipur, in addition to Nandigram. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also scheduled to begin her campaign from Bhabanipur on Monday. It remains to be seen how the political contest unfolds in the constituency.
March 19 (Reuters) - Jeff Bezos is in early discussions to raise $100 billion for a new fund that would acquire manufacturing companies and seek to use AI to drive and speed up automation, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

* The Amazon.com founder is holding talks with some of theworld's biggest asset managers to secure funding for theproject, WSJ said. * Bezos traveled to the Middle East to discuss the new fundwith sovereign wealth representatives in the region a few monthsago, according to the report. * Described in investor documents as a "manufacturingtransformation vehicle," the fund aims to target companies inmajor industries such as chipmaking, defense, and aerospace, theJournal said. * Last year, The New York Times reported that Bezos wouldserve as co-CEO of a new startup called Project Prometheusfocused on AI for engineering and manufacturing computers,automobiles and spacecraft. * Project Prometheus is separately in talks to raise up to$6 billion in funding, WSJ said, citing people familiar with thematter. It recently named David Limp, Blue Origin's CEO, to itsboard of directors. * Project Prometheus raised $6.2 billion late last year,according to a Financial Times report from February. * Bezos could not be immediately reached for comment. Theproject's co-founders, Sherjil Ozair and William Guss, did notrespond to Reuters requests for comment on LinkedIn.

More from Yahoo Scout What is Project Prometheus and its connection? What is Project Prometheus and its connection? How will AI drive automation in targeted industries? Who are the potential investors and funding sources?

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City)
New Delhi, March 21 : National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar called upon mediapersons to try moving beyond mere reportage to fostering awareness, safeguarding dignity and promoting gender justice, an official said on Saturday.

Speaking at Media Manthan, a two-day National Journalist Meet that concluded at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the national capital, Rahatkar said, "Gender-sensitive reporting is a commitment to dignity, truth, and justice -- where women's voices are respected, not sensationalised."

The NCW Chief encouraged journalists to act as catalysts for change and become strong, responsible voices for women empowerment.

The event brought together print and digital media professionals from across the country, with participation from journalists representing more than 20 states and Union Territories, to deliberate on responsible, ethical, and gender-sensitive reporting on women's issues.

"An interactive discussion enabled participants to share success stories, identify challenges, and highlight gaps and best practices in reporting on women across different regions," the statement said.

"The initiative aimed to strengthen the role of media as a vital partner in promoting dignity-based narratives, ensuring legal awareness, and encouraging informed and sensitive coverage of issues concerning women," it said.

The meet served as a dynamic platform for journalists, editors, legal experts, and media practitioners to engage in meaningful dialogue on the challenges, responsibilities, and evolving opportunities in reporting on women.

The event was attended by Member Secretary Sudeep Jain and Additional Secretary Radhika Chakravarthy.

During the inaugural session, two publications were released -- "True Cyber Sakhi" by Truecaller and "Reporting with Dignity" by the National Commission for Women. Both have been designed to guide media professionals towards ethical reporting practices and safer digital engagement.

The Media Manthan conference featured a thematic session on Media Law and Ethical Framework by Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate at Supreme Court of India, and NCW Committee Member, highlighting legal boundaries and ethical responsibilities in media reporting.

A session on Laws Related to Women by Manmohan Verma, NCW Law Officer, provided insights into legal safeguards for women and the implications of media coverage.

Discussions during a session on "Media in Transition, Women in Transformation: Portraying with Dignity, Depth and Diversity" by Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Indian Institute of Mass Communication Vice-Chancellor, focused on the evolving narrative frameworks in media.

A session on Language, Framing and Reporting Practice led by Swaty Gupta emphasised the critical role of language in shaping public perception and responsible storytelling, the statement said.
Washington, March 21 : Pakistan's pursuit of aggressive military operations in Afghanistan, if unchecked by meaningful diplomatic pressure, could turn the conflict into a prolonged war with severe regional consequences. This would not only destabilise Afghanistan but also entrench a pattern of coercion that undermines international norms, a report said on Saturday.

"As global attention remains fixed on USIsraeli joint military operations in the Middle East, a far more destabilising conflict is quietly unfolding elsewhere. On March 16, a Pakistani airstrike struck a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul that reportedly killed nearly 400 civilians, marking a dramatic escalation in weeks of intensifying military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan along the 2,600-kilometre Durand Line," Siddhant Kishore, a Washington-based national security and foreign policy analyst, wrote in 'The Cipher Brief'.

"This is not an isolated incident but part of a broader shift in South Asia's security landscape. The region's most volatile fault line no longer lies along the Line of Control in Kashmir but along the increasingly militarised frontier separating Pakistan and Afghanistan. If Western governments continue to treat this conflict as peripheral, they risk overlooking a war that could fundamentally reshape regional stability and generate consequences far beyond the subcontinent," he added.

The impact of the conflict, the report states, extends far beyond the battlefield as Pakistan's actions towards Afghanistan are now triggering a severe humanitarian crisis that threatens broader regional stability.

"Over the past two years, Pakistan has carried out one of the largest forced repatriation campaigns in recent history, expelling millions of Afghan refugees who had lived in the country for decades. In many cases, Afghan families were forced to leave behind homes, businesses, and property accumulated over generations. These deportations are taking place at the same time as cross-border violence is intensifying, creating a dangerous combination of displacement and instability," the expert detailed.

"Refugees expelled from Pakistan are returning to a country already suffering from economic collapse, international isolation, and fragile governance under the hardliner Taliban government. The sudden influx of returnees is placing immense pressure on Afghanistan's limited resources while fuelling resentment toward Islamabad," he stressed.

The report emphasised that large-scale displacement from Afghanistan has far-reaching consequences historically, resulting in migration to the Middle East and Europe  giving Western governments a direct interest in preventing further escalation.

"More broadly, Pakistan's escalating confrontation with Afghanistan risks transforming a bilateral dispute into a wider regional crisis. The timing of the conflict makes it particularly dangerous. With global attention concentrated on the Middle East, South Asia's shifting security landscape is receiving relatively little scrutiny. This distraction creates an environment in which Islamabad's aggressive policies can proceed with minimal international oversight," it noted.
Dhaka, March 21 : The newly-elected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government's 'Bangladesh First' policy - if more than just a slogan - must guide all future negotiations on General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)-related agreements with the United States. President Donald Trump's letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman last month indicates that the negotiations stalled during the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government are likely to resume once the West Asia crisis ends, a report said on Saturday.

Dhaka, March 21 (IANS) The newly-elected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government's 'Bangladesh First' policy  if more than just a slogan - must guide all future negotiations on General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)-related agreements with the United States. President Donald Trump's letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman last month indicates that the negotiations stalled during the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government are likely to resume once the West Asia crisis ends, a report said on Saturday.

According to a report in the international magazine 'The Diplomat', while not ruling out cooperation with the US, the Bangladeshi government must ensure that any resulting agreement includes "explicit prohibitions on the US using civilian infrastructure for combat refuelling" and a strict "no-base" clause, with GSOMIA barred from enabling foreign surveillance.

Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, received a congratulatory letter from US President Donald Trump on February 18 which offered more than pleasantries.

"I hope you will take decisive action to complete the routine defence agreements that would finally give your military access to high-end, American-made equipment," Trump wrote in the letter.

The report mentioned that while "routine" sounds harmless, the subtext is gravity-laden.

"A familiar demand for Bangladesh to sign foundational defence agreements with the United States has been raised again by Washington. It comes at a time when the world is roiled in multiple wars and grappling with serious geopolitical crises. Bangladesh is under pressure to choose a security guarantor," it added.

Citing reports, The Diplomat noted that the US could establish "soft bases" or "lily pads" in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar and Kutubdia under the ACSA, placing the islands within the missile telemetry of rival powers.

"For the vague promise of 'enhanced cooperation' from the US, Bangladesh, a nation that fought for independence to ensure no foreign power remains on its soil, could find American boots on its soil. If ACSA is the hardware, GSOMIA is the software  the classified data and signals intelligence that define a nation's private defence posture. It is presented as a prerequisite for purchasing advanced fighter jets," it mentioned.

The report noted that the US refuses to transfer sensitive technology without assurances that it will not leak to its rivals like Russia or China. Although "protection of information" works both ways, it often leads to a dead end for the smaller partner.

"GSOMIA often compels signatories to 'synchronise' intelligence with the larger partner's regional goals. West Asia provides a chilling precedent. During escalations of tensions between the US and Iran, nations with similar pacts found their intelligence frameworks utilised for operations they did not necessarily support," it added.

Emphasising the potential consequences, the report further warned, "If Bangladesh signs GSOMIA and the US enters a hot war, its intelligence apparatus could be pressured to provide data on third countries. Bangladesh risks importing a Western conflict into South Asia, forcing it to surrender its intelligence sovereignty."
Chennai, March 21 : Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Saturday said his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi focused on evolving a comprehensive strategy for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to defeat the ruling DMK in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

After the meeting, Dhinakaran clarified that the discussions did not revolve around seat-sharing arrangements but instead emphasised strengthening coordination among NDA partners across all 234 Assembly constituencies in the state. The focus was on ensuring unity and effective grassroots mobilisation to secure victory in the polls.

He indicated that Union Home Minister Shah had offered guidance and suggestions on the electoral approach, and that his visit to Delhi was primarily aimed at discussing these strategic aspects.

Dhinakaran also said that seat-sharing negotiations within the alliance were progressing smoothly and would be finalised soon. He added that the arrangements were expected to be concluded amicably within the next two to three days in Chennai, paving the way for formal announcements.

Reiterating his partyas political stand, Dhinakaran asserted that the NDA would mount a strong challenge against what he described as a corrupt DMK government. He expressed confidence that the people were supportive of the alliance and that the NDA would emerge victorious to form an AIADMK-led government in Tamil Nadu.

Responding to Chief Minister M.K. Stalinas criticism regarding frequent visits by AIADMK leaders to Delhi and their engagement with BJP leadership, Dhinakaran dismissed the remarks as politically motivated. He maintained that there was nothing unusual about such meetings and suggested that the DMKas narrative was driven by apprehension ahead of the elections.

In a lighter remark, he also referred to the Indian Premier League, noting that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team includes several non-Tamil players, including its captain, and questioned why similar concerns were not raised in that context.

With alliance talks nearing completion and campaign strategies taking shape, the NDA appears to be intensifying its preparations for what is expected to be a closely contested Assembly election in Tamil Nadu.
Bhopal, March 21 : The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday said that to make the administrative system more effective and ensure development within the state, it would shortly begin implementing the 'AI Mission' within the governance system.a Bhopal, March 21 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday said that to make the administrative system more effective and ensure development within the state, it would shortly begin implementing the 'AI Mission' within the governance system.

The implementation will be carried out in multiple phases. In the current financial year 2026-27, initiatives will focus on strengthening foundational infrastructure. 

During 2027-28, successful AI use cases will be scaled up and implemented across various government departments.

From 2028 onwards, AI technology will be developed as a permanent institutional capability within the governance framework. 

The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in streamlining service delivery and expanding economic opportunities, according to the government's statement.

"The state government is committed to extending the benefits of AI technology to all segments of society by making it both accessible and affordable. It will facilitate the delivery of faster, smarter, and personalised services to citizens, particularly farmers, rural communities, the youth, and marginalised sections of society," the government said.

It further stated that the AI system will enable early identification of potential risks in critical sectors such as agriculture, health, nutrition, and disaster management. 

To enhance administrative efficiency, officials will be provided with AI-powered tools for drafting, data analysis, decision support, and data management.

"The application of AI will not be confined merely to pilot projects but will be extensively integrated into the state's flagship schemes. For instance, its implementation in platforms such as E-Seva and Sampada 2.0 will ensure real-time tracking, making government services more accessible to citizens," it added.

The government also said it will establish a robust AI ecosystem within the state by fostering partnerships with startups, educational institutions, and industry. 

By conducting AI skilling programmes for youth and government officials, human resources will be prepared to meet future technological demands.

This announcement follows the Madhya Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference, jointly organised by the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the state government, held in Bhopal earlier this January.

--IANS

pd/dan
Jaipur, March 21 : Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday as part of his visit to Kerala during the ongoing Assembly elections. a Jaipur, March 21 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday as part of his visit to Kerala during the ongoing Assembly elections. 

He participated in the nomination filing ceremonies of four BJP candidates: Kerala BJP President and Nemom Assembly candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar; Kazhakkoottam Assembly candidate V. Muraleedharan; Kattakkada Assembly candidate P. K. Krishnadas; and Vattiyoorkavu Assembly candidate R. Sreelekha.

Addressing the gathering, Sharma said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Kerala would realise the vision of a "Developed India-Developed Kerala" by supporting BJP candidates. 

He expressed confidence that the nominees, reflecting public aspirations, would lay a strong foundation for good governance and development in the state. 

He further stated that the people of Kerala have firmly resolved to bring about change this time.

During his visit, the Chief Minister also went to the BJP State Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and paid floral tributes to the statues of Deendayal Upadhyaya, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, and P. Parameswaran.

Earlier, Sharma offered prayers at the revered Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, seeking blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the people. 

Upon his arrival in Thiruvananthapuram, he was accorded a grand welcome by BJP workers.

The Election Commission has issued the official notification for elections to the Kerala Assembly. 

Nominations can be filed until March 23; scrutiny will be held on March 24, and the last date for withdrawal is March 26. Polling will take place on April 9.

The Chief Minister's presence in Kerala underscores the BJP's efforts to strengthen its organisational base in the southern state, where it aims to expand its footprint in the upcoming polls.

--IANS

arc/dan
Patna, March 21 : In a major crackdown, a joint operation by the police and the Narcotics Cell in Samastipur district has busted a drug trafficking network, leading to the arrest of two accused and the seizure of heroin worth approximately Rs 6 lakh.

According to a press release issued by the Superintendent of Policeas office, specific intelligence was received on the morning of March 21, 2026, that members of a narcotics gang would arrive at Shahpur Patori railway station carrying a consignment of heroin.

Acting swiftly, a special team comprising local police officials and the Block Development Officer was formed. The team laid a trap and cordoned off the area near the station.

During the operation, two individuals -- a man and a woman -- were apprehended while loitering under suspicious circumstances outside the station.

The accused have been identified as Rahul Kumar (26), a resident of Vaishali, and Shanti Devi, a resident of Assam.

During the search, police recovered heroin -- locally referred to as akotaa -- concealed inside four boxes of sago (sabudana).

In addition, two mobile phones, cash, railway tickets, and identity cards were seized from their possession.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused were involved in smuggling narcotics from northeastern states into Bihar.

Police suspect the involvement of a larger interstate network and are working to identify other members of the gang and trace their criminal links.

A case has been registered under the provisions of the NDPS Act at Patori Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

Earlier, on March 17, a joint team of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Patna Police was attacked by a group of alleged drug traffickers and local residents in the Mandiri Kath Pul area under the jurisdiction of Buddha Colony Police Station in Patna.

The joint team had gone there to conduct a raid against illicit drugs. The mob attempted to free the detained suspects, forcing police personnel to fire several rounds in the air to bring the situation under control.
Bhopal/Dewas, March 21 : A 17-year-old boy from Bhikupura village under Udaynagar police station area in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, committed suicide on Saturday after consuming pesticide.a

He took the extreme step under severe distress after his mother was allegedly sexually assaulted in a field by Sunil Malviya, who has since been arrested.a

The tragic incident has triggered widespread anger, leading to violent protests, a road blockade, and attacks on the accused's property, highlighting serious allegations of police inaction.a

According to police officials, family accounts and local reports, the assault occurred earlier, prompting the victim's mother and relatives to approach the Udaynagar police station on Friday night to file a complaint.a

However, no immediate action was taken, reportedly due to the unavailability of a female officer required for such sensitive cases.

aVillagers and the family expressed deep frustration over the delay, which they believe contributed to the boy's extreme distress.a

On Saturday morning, the teenager consumed pesticides in a fit of despair. He was immediately rushed to Bagli Hospital, but he succumbed to poisoning en route.a

Enraged by the death and perceived police negligence, relatives and villagers placed the body on the Punjapura-Bagli road in Bhikupura, blocking traffic and chanting slogans against the police.a

The mob then targeted the home of the accused, Sunil Malviya, pelting stones, vandalising the property with hammers, and attempting to set his motorcycle ablaze.a

Police intervened to prevent further escalation. Villagers demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and the demolition of his house using a bulldozer. Tensions rose as arguments broke out between the crowd and officers.a

A heavy police force was deployed to restore order. Senior officials, including ASP (Traffic) Harnarayan Batham, Bagli SDOP Sanjay Singh Bais, and Udaynagar TI CL Raikwar, reached the spot to calm the situation.a

They clarified that the case pertains to the sexual assault of a woman. When the family arrived at the station the previous night, a female officer of the required rank was not present, so one was summoned from Bagli.a

By the time the victim returned to the station, the boy had already consumed the pesticide. He was rushed for treatment but died before reaching the hospital.a

Police have since arrested the accused, Sunil Malviya. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate has been consulted, and the accused's property is under inspection for any illegal constructions; appropriate action will follow if violations are found.a

Senior officers have been informed about the allegations of police delay.a

The incident has sparked outrage across the region, raising questions about the timely handling of sexual assault complaints and support for victims' families in rural areas.a

Investigations into both the assault and the suicide continue, with calls for swift justice to prevent further unrest.a

--IANS

sktr/dan
Baghdad, March 21 : The Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) said on Saturday that its headquarters in Baghdad was targeted by a "terrorist attack", resulting in the death of an officer.

An INIS statement said the attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. local time and was carried out by "outlawed elements", noting that it aims to deter the agency from performing its duties.

It said that the "terrorist acts" only strengthen its resolve to pursue the perpetrators until they are apprehended and brought to justice, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, a source from the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that an unidentified booby-trapped drone struck the intelligence headquarters, killing an officer and sparking a fire.

The attack came amid heightened tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, factions affiliated with the so-called "Iraqi resistance" claimed the attack followed the alleged escape of US intelligence personnel due to ongoing shelling of the US Embassy and Victoria Base, though the claim has not been independently verified.

The attack comes as Iraq's government continues to emphasise its support for the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

On March 19, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Authority, where he was received by senior leadership, including Falih Faisal Al-Fayyad, Chairman of the Popular Mobilisation Commission.

"During the visit, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed that the Iraqi government cannot tolerate any targeting directed at the fighters from the sons of the Popular Mobilisation Authority and the rest of the branches and formations of our armed forces, praising the role of the Mobilisation and its great sacrifices that contributed to protecting Iraq and enhancing its sovereignty and independence, while expressing his full support for this essential force within our security forces," Sudani's office said.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Baghdad has continued to warn American citizens about the security situation in Iraq.

"Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks on US citizens and targets associated with the US throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). US citizens should leave Iraq now," the Embassy said on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the Embassy warned US citizens against travelling to Iraq.

Iran-aligned terrorist militias have repeatedly attacked the International Zone in central Baghdad.

"The International Zone remains closed, with limited exceptions. There have also been repeated attacks in the area around the Erbil International Airport and the US Consulate General in Erbil. Do not attempt to come to the US Embassy in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil in light of the ongoing risk of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace."
Tehran/Jerusalem, March 21 : Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday it has hit an Israeli F-16 Fighting Falcon in the country's central airspace.

In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said the aircraft was struck at 3:45 a.m. local time by air defence systems of its Aerospace Division.

It added that the country's armed forces have successfully tracked and intercepted more than 200 hostile aerial targets, including drones, cruise missiles, and fighter jets, since the war with the US and Israel began late last month, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said in a Saturday statement that it carried out a large-scale wave of strikes in Tehran overnight, targeting IRGC facilities producing critical components for ballistic missiles.

The strikes severely harmed Iran's ability to continue producing essential components for ballistic missiles, it added.

On February 28, Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah 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.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran is seeking "not a ceasefire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war," according to Kyodo News.

In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi described the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as "an illegal, unprovoked act of aggression," calling on the international community to take a stand against the attacks.

The foreign minister noted that while several countries are attempting to mediate an end to the conflict, Iran has rejected calls for a temporary truce, insisting that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks as well as compensation for the damage inflicted during the conflict, reports Xinhua, citing Kyodo News.

Araghchi added that while diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the United States has yet to demonstrate its readiness for a genuine resolution.

The report also noted that Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments, and that negotiations with Japan on the issue are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Araghchi has also issued a sharp warning to the United Kingdom on Saturday, stating that Tehran will respond if British involvement in the ongoing conflict escalates.

In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, "Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence."

The statement comes amid rising tensions following reports that US forces have been granted access to British military bases. According to officials, Araghchi conveyed similar concerns during a phone call with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, warning that such cooperation would be viewed as "participation in aggression" against Iran.

The UK government, however, has pushed back. In the same conversation, Cooper cautioned Iran against targeting "UK bases, territory or interests," underscoring the risk of further escalation.
Automation Fund: According to The Wall Street Journal, "Jeff Bezos is in early talks to raise $100 billion for a new fund that would buy up manufacturing companies and seek to use AI technology to accelerate their path to automation." According to people familiar with the matter, the Amazon.com founder courted Middle Eastern sovereign wealth representatives "a few months ago" to invest, and "more recently" traveled to Singapore for fundraising purposes.
Business

Is Rancho Cucamonga Growing Too Fast? David VanGorden to Address Development at April 7 CRA Meeting

Rancho Cucamonga, CA  With development accelerating across the city, Rancho Cucamonga City Council candidate David VanGorden will lead a public discussion on growth and infrastructure at the April 7 California Republican Assembly (CRA) meeting.

The meeting will take place Monday, April 7 at 7:00 PM at:

8520 Archibald Ave, #20 Rancho Cucamonga, CA

The event is free and open to all residents.

VanGorden will focus on what he calls a common-sense question facing the city:

Is our infrastructure keeping pace with our growth?

Recent years have seen an increase in proposed and approved housing developments throughout Rancho Cucamonga. While growth can provide benefits, residents have expressed concerns about traffic, infrastructure strain, and long-term planning.

Rather than addressing multiple issues at once, VanGorden said he plans to hold a series of focused discussions, beginning with development and infrastructure.

This is about starting a conversation, VanGorden said. Residents are already talking about these issues, and this meeting gives them a chance to be part of that discussion.

INVITATION FOR QUESTIONS

Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance. Please contact David VanGorden here.

With permission, selected submissions may be addressed during the meeting.

I want to make sure people have the opportunity to be heard, VanGorden said. Thats where good decisions begin.

ABOUT DAVID VANGORDEN

David VanGorden is a retired law enforcement professional and 30-year Rancho Cucamonga resident. He is running for City Council in District 2 in the November 2026 election, challenging incumbent Kristine Scott.

His campaign emphasizes responsible development, infrastructure readiness, fiscal accountability, and community engagement.

Learn more by visiting VanGorden's site here.
Newsletter platform Substack launched nearly a decade ago, but only recently has it begun to challenge the boundaries of traditional and new media, with the New Yorker, Harpers, and a number of other legacy magazine publishers embracing its services.

The book publishing world, meanwhile, has taken a more tepid tack. Penguin Random House, for example, has claimed a username (Words are our love language, its bio reads) but has not posted, and its free professional development newsletter, Penguin Random House Careers, is largely unrelated to its publishing activities.

Then theres Authors Equity. The publisher, cofounded by former PRH CEO Madeline McIntosh in 2024, has found Substack a natural home for its vision of a business that reflects the creator economy. Authors Equity forgoes book advances and gives authors a majority of sales revenue, aligning their payout more squarely with their books performance.

Were starting this big new adventure, this new experiment, and were committing to sharing here the things that were finding interesting as we go along, McIntosh said. Much like a writer building their personal brand, McIntosh said, Authors Equity is using Substack as a vector for both its personality and its publishing business.

Now, Authors Equity is taking its affinity with Substack to the next level.

Last month, Substack cofounder Hamish McKenzie announced that Authors Equity would publish his new book, How to Save the Mediaabout what he calls the transition from an era of gatekeepers to one dominated by direct relationshipsin October. In the post on Substacks official newsletter, McKenzie lauded them for practic[ing] what this book preaches.

With the embrace of Substack, McIntosha Big Five defectoris aligning her press with the literary creator economy, which has been something of a bogeyman for the traditional book business.

The fear is not totally unfounded. In 2021, controversy broke out when Substack paid several major authors to serialize their work in what it called pro deals, according to the Guardian, which offered advances on a sliding scale based on a writers profile. Salman Rushdie, for instance, serialized his novella The Seventh Wave on the platform.

In a statement to PW, a Substack spokeswoman implied that reports of its attempts to disrupt book publishing were exaggerated. At this time, we dont have plans to formalize a publishing arm for serialized books, she said, but it is an interesting avenue for Substack to consider in the future!

Authors Equity conducted its own experiment with serialization beginning last July, in an effort led by CMO and deputy publisher Carly Gorga, also a PRH veteran, and editorial support from Adrienne Westenfeld, formerly Esquires books and fiction editor. Westenfeld parsed out the title, Adam Cohens Captains Dinner: A Shipwreck, an Act of Cannibalism, and a Murder Trial That Changed Legal History, in four abridged bites via Substack. It felt old-school, Gorga said, like something that the glossies might have serialized in their heyday. Gorga said the idea was to create a world around the book to draw in readers who might not otherwise pick it up.

Authors Equity has used Substack to complement its IRL publishing activities. Likewise, many authors have employed the platform as a stand-in, rather than a wholesale replacement, for the ever-diminishing outlets for criticism, serialization, and short-form prose that used to make up the publishing ecosystem.

This is clearest in the case of first serial rights, sales of which have dried up as mags such as Esquire and Vanity Fair cease to publish short fiction. Ottessa Moshfegh and George Saunders are self-publishing prose on the platform, thrown into the same crowded arena as midlist and emerging authors. Jill Tew, author of the YA dystopian romance An Ocean Apart (Joy Revolution), said shes serializing her new antigenerative AI novel, Melee, on Substack because its too timely to give over to standard publishing. Sometimes, this can lead to a book deal: last month, Random House won Woman of Letters Substack author Naomi Kanakias The Payoff, which builds on her Substack novella Money Matters.

Many Substack authors, like Kanakia, have stayed loyal to traditional deals, and the voices propping up Substacks literature category bestseller list, measured by the number of paid subscribers, are publishing giants, such as Saunders.

While Authors Equity hasnt yet decided if it will serialize McKenzies How to Save the Media, McIntosh said it will release chapters of the bookand is looking to creatively incorporate Substack into its publishing and publicity strategy.

Needless to say, she added, were very excited to experiment with him.
Wednesday, April 1

8:3010 a.m.

General Session: Bryan Stevenson

Stevenson, author of the memoir Just Mercy and the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Ala., will speak to PLA attendees about his legal efforts to represent economically disadvantaged people in the U.S. judicial system.

10:15 a.m.12:15 p.m.

Advancing Antiracism, Equity, and Justice Through Programming Design

This two-hour deep dive panel explores social justice principles and gives participants research tools to model their own community programs.

10:1511:15 a.m.

AI Book Clubs and Digital Literacy for Older Adults

Autumn Hassett, executive director of the Cotuit Library of Cape Cod, Mass., will share how her library used generative AI tools to facilitate a hybrid AI book club for older adults.

10:1511:15 a.m.

Beyond Drag Queen Storytime

Annapolis Pride board member Jayne Walters, of the Anne Arundel County (Md.) public library, will talk about opportunities for connection and positive representation between libraries and the LGBTQ+ community.

11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

Advocacy at the Core of ALAs Next 150 Years

As the American Library Association turns 150, ALA executive director Dan Montgomery, 20252026 president Sam Helmick, 20262027 president-elect Maria McCauley, and public policy and advocacy office leader Lisa Varga will discuss ALAs strategic plan, ways to raise awareness of local libraries, and resources for advocacy.

11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

Prompting AI to Harness Your Grant Proposal Potential

Miriam Anderson Lytle, director of grants at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Ill., and Stephen Markve, an English professor, will talk about grants to support community needs and suggest winning strategies for grant writing.

11:4512:45 p.m.

Speak Up: Using Middle Grade Books to Build Allyship Muscles

Tanvi Rastogi, founder of the nonprofit Good Books Young Troublemakers, joins Sir Callie series author Esme Symes-Smith and Los Angeles childrens librarian Caitlin Quinn in a conversation about how inclusive books can generate conversations with young readers.



11:4512:45 p.m.

Creating a Spark: Developing Library Programs for Justice-Impacted People

This program will detail best practices for collaborating with correctional facilities and providing digital literacy skills training for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.

12:301:45 p.m.

Audio Publishers Association Lunch

Authors Sayantani DasGupta, Jennifer Hillier, Kody Keplinger, Isabel J. Kim, and Ariel Sullivan will be the guests at a celebration of audiobooks. Ticketed event.

1:302:15 p.m.

Author Spotlight with Mac Barnett

The 20252026 National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature and author of Make Believe: Telling Stories to Children (Little, Brown, May) and the picture book Rumpelstiltskin, illustrated by Carson Ellis (Orchard, out now), appears in a virtual conference session. Add-on available to in-person conference-goers. (Virtual event.)

23 p.m.

Beyond the Binder: Summer Reading Strategies for Rural Libraries

Because summer reading programs can be cost-prohibitive and labor-intensive for rural and small libraries, this session will provide scalable examples of successful designs and community partnerships.

23 p.m.

Supporting Indie and Self-Published Authors Through Library Submissions

Librarians Christi Aldellizzi and Valerie Smith of the Ocean County (N.J.) library system will share tips for adding author-publishers work to collections and working with local storytellers.



23 p.m.

Transforming Library Public Policy and Advocacy in a New Political Era

Members of ALAs public policy and advocacy office will share strategies for combating threats to funding, copyright law, and the right to read.

Thursday, April 2

78 a.m.

Childrens Author Breakfast

Katherine Applegate, Marley Dias, Donna Barba Higuera, and Sara Pennypacker will introduce their latest books for young readers. Ticketed event.

89 a.m.

General Session: Big Ideas with Dr. Ruha Benjamin

Benjamin, author of Imagination: A Manifesto and founding director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab at Princeton University, explores creative solutions to social inequities in her PLA keynote address.

9:3010:30 a.m.

Legislative and Executive Orders: What to Know

Public policy experts will discuss effective responses to federal, state, and local actions that threaten to impair library services.

10:1511:15 a.m.

Capital Funding in a Tumultuous Time

In the wake of 2025 Government Accountability Office findings that U.S. library facilities need infrastructure improvements, a funding strategist, library director, architect, and former state official will discuss investments in capital building projects.

10:1511:15 a.m.

Understanding First Amendment Rights for Everyday Courage in the Stacks

Joyce McIntosh of ALAs Freedom to Read Foundation joins right to read advocates Dorcas Hand of Houstons Students Need Libraries, MacKenzie Ledley of Pulaski County (Ind.) Public Library, and Linda Stevens of Harris County (Tex.) Public Library for a review of First Amendment protections that cover librarians and patrons.

10:1511:15 a.m.

From Kimchi to Korean Book Discussion: Culture and Community

San Diego Public Library youth services librarian Ann Ban, ALA president-elect Maria McCauley, and San Francisco Public Library city librarian Michael Lambert will share experiences creating Korean American heritage events that promote cultural awareness and generate strong community demand.

11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

Masters of Mystery

Esme Addison, Nicolas DiDomizio, Lisa Gardner, Jennifer Hillier, and David Heska Wanbli Weiden will talk about writing thrillers and sign books.

11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

Reading Railroad: 250 Black Men as Reading Conductors

Representatives of the Dayton (Ohio) Metro Library describe their Reading Railroad initiative, which mobilized Black men to serve as reading ambassadors, offer storytimes, and uplift youth literacy in 2025.

12:301:45 p.m.

Author Lunch with Ann Patchett and Kate DiCamillo

PEN/Faulkner award winner Patchett, author of Whistler (Harper, June), will share the stage with two-time Newbery Medalist DiCamillo, most recently the author of chapter book Orris and Timble: Star Stories, illustrated by Carmen Mok (Candlewick, Apr.). Ticketed event.

11:20 p.m.

How to Survive and Thrive in the Politics of Library Leadership

Maureen Hartman, director of the St. Paul Public Library, will share management insights, with an emphasis on navigating challenges and setbacks in tense workplaces. (How-To Stage)

23 p.m.

Serving Migrants at Ground Zero

Leaders from the Queens Public Library will explain how to implement know your rights workshops, language and informational services, and community learning projects for people new to the U.S.

23 p.m.

Trust and Verify: Information Accuracy in the Age of SEO, AI, and Algorithms

This session will cover practical tips for building resilience against misinformation and disinformation in digital spaces.

23 p.m.

Building a Public Library Foundation from Scratch

Leaders from the Library Support Network and Boston Public Library will share how they launched the mission-aligned, community-centered Boston Public Library Fund.

22:20 p.m.

How to Create an Ongoing Cat Adoption Space in Your Library

Two Steubenville, Ohio, library workers will share how a partnership with a Humane Society chapter contributed to early literacy and resulted in more than 100 cat adoptions. (How-To Stage)



45 p.m.

How Gen Z Use (and Dont Use) Public Libraries

Kathi Inman Behrens and Rachel Noorda of Oregons Portland State University publishing program will present findings from their survey of Gen Z reading and library preferences.

45 p.m.

Pride Plus: Your Library as a Sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ Folks

Jordan Ostrum of Dayton (Ohio) Metro Library will share suggestions for inclusive, year-round programming for all ages.

45 p.m.

Re-Entry Starts Here: Building Services for Justice-Impacted People

Presenters from the St. Louis County (Mo.) Library will detail how they connect people with resources during and after incarceration.

4:304:50 p.m.

How to Play Ukulele for Library Programs

St. Paul Public Library childrens specialist Rose Oyamot will teach beginner-friendly uke chops and share guidance for respectfully sharing Hawaiian history through music. (How-To Stage)

Friday, April 3

89 a.m.

Advocacy Strategies for Getting Things Done

Five leaders from Oklahoma public libraries will explain how they pushed back against controversial library bills in their state.

1010:20 a.m.

How to Use IMLSs Library Data Tools

Marisa Pelzcar, program analyst at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, will give an overview of tools that enable users to search for peer libraries, explore library data, and set benchmarks. (How-To Stage)

10:15 a.m.12:15 p.m.

Accessibility Adventure: Experience the Possibilities in New Ways

20252026 PLA president Brandy McNeil will offer this two-hour deep dive program, which includes a presentation on accessibility plus hands-on, perspective-taking activities.

10:1511:15 a.m.

Black Men in Libraries: Our History, Our Heroes, and Our Horizon

According to this sessions organizers, Black men hold less than 1% of MLIS degrees in the U.S. yet serve in an abundance of leadership roles from large urban library systems to small rural branches. Presenters will address workforce culture and diverse perspectives on librarianship.

10:1511:15 a.m.

Smart Training for Tough Moments: A VR/GenAI Tool for Public Library Staff

In this workshop, a panel of information science and UX researchers will introduce a virtual reality experience that simulates workplace situations and uses an AI avatar to train users in de-escalation skills.

11:4512:45 p.m.

Responding to ICE at the Library: Real World Stories

This presentation, which complements an on-demand webinar available from PLA, will address professional, legal interactions when agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement enter a public library.



11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

From Prompt to Productivity: Build AI Agents to Boost Program Engagement

In this interactive session, attendees learn how to create a no-code AI programming assistant and prompt it to support marketing and reader-engagement tasks.

11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

Crossover Appeal: Books That Work for Teens and Adults

Authors Michelle Jabes Corpora, Emiko Jean, Marissa Meyer, and Randy Ribay will discuss reaching audiences of all ages.



12:301:45 p.m.

Author Lunch with Colson Whitehead

National Book Award recipient and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Whitehead, whose Cool Machine (Doubleday, July) completes his Harlem trilogy, will join PLA attendees. Ticketed event.

3:304:30 p.m.

Closing Session: Sean Sherman

Oglala Lakota culinary expert Sherman, aka the Sioux Chef, cofounded the Minneapolis restaurant Owamni in celebration of Indigenous foodways. The coauthor of Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America will speak about locally sourced foods connection to social, economic, and environmental justice.
For its citywide Read Brave book club this year, the St. Paul Public Library chose Romina Garbers young adult novel Lobizona, about an undocumented Argentinian teen who is hiding from immigration enforcement. SPPL director Maureen Hartman spoke with PW about Read Brave and will present a leadership strategy session at PLA on April 2.

How does Read Brave differ from other one book, one city programs?

The difference in St. Paul is that we always choose a YA novel, we give out more than 5,000 copies to community members, and we partner very closely with our school district. When the author comes here, they visit classrooms and do a public event with the mayor and myself.

Why did you decide to focus on YA?

Read Brave started as a partnership with the schools, to support teens and reading. We also want to encourage intergenerational conversations about important topics between adults and young people in our community.

Read Brave selected Lobizona last summer. Did you have any idea that immigration would be the huge issue that its become in Minnesota?

We were made aware in early 2025 that immigration was a topic of interest to the Trump administration, and we knew last summer that there were concerns around immigration. Thats why we selected Lobizona. Every summer, we think about what it will mean to read bravely in St. Paul in the next year, and St. Paul is a community with a lot of immigrants. Its a topic that we have to keep talking about. This book provides a brave way for us to engage in that conversation.

What do you want this years participants to take away from reading and discussing Lobizona?

The library is a place of stories. Its a place where reading a book, especially fiction, can be both a mirror and a window. It can be a mirror for folks who have similar experiences to the characters in the book, and it also can be a window into the worlds of other people. This particular book is showcasing the story of an undocumented immigrant. My hope for Lobizona is that folks use the characters and their experience with the author to build community and to understand the experiences of others, including folks in our community.
Americas interventions in Venezuela and Iran show the difference between autocracy and ideology. Venezuela was ruled by an autocracy with Nicolas Maduro at the top. Iran is ruled by an ideology that is inculcated throughout its theocratic regime.

Venezuelas current regime is the remnant of what Hugo Chavez personified and installed over a quarter of a century ago. In 1992, Hugo Chavez participated in a failed coup attempt. From defeat, he formed a political party, the Movement of the Fifth Republic. Consistently gaining popularity, he won his first of three presidential elections with 56 percent of the vote in 1998.

Imbued with socialist ideology from the theoretics of Marx to the applications of Castro, Chavez went about installing his own version in Venezuela. A booming oil market and Venezuelas vast oil reserves helped: It is much easier to redistribute wealth when there is wealth to redistribute.

As Venezuelas economic base eroded under his policies, Chavezs popularity followed. When cancer cut him down in 2013, he left Nicolas Maduro to bear the brunt of socialisms failure. However, Maduro could never fill Chavezs shoes. Nor could he fill Venezuelas government coffers: The decline in oil prices, Venezuelas more expensive-to-refine oil, and years of an atrophying economy under socialism combined to pauperize the countryand eviscerate the promises of Chavez.

Maduros reign was not about redistributing wealthyou cannot redistribute what does not existas much as it was about not redistributing power. Merely an acolyte, Maduro was never the socialist evangelist Chavez had been. Instead, he spent twelve years trying to retain power despite a deteriorating economy and rising discontent.

Survival, not socialism, was the real belief system that held the ruling clique together. They pillaged the dwindling resources to keep themselves comfortable and in control.

The spoils system is what Venezuelas autocracy has been about for some time. Decapitating it with Maduros capture did not alter its modus operandi. Sharing the resources with the U.S. and ideally generating more with foreign investmentsomething made possible by American intervention for the first time in a generationmerely offered the chance to make an unsustainable system better. In the regimes mind: perhaps even sustainable.

Not so in Iran. After 47 years of chanting Death to America, it is now clear that the theocratic ruling regime means it. There is no compromise with Death to America, no Serious Illness to America, no Feel Really Lousy America.

In the war with America and Israel, which they ostensibly and vociferously sought, Irans ruling regime are what they have been for half a century. Only now they are exhibiting it directlystate to statenot pursuing it via their many proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and more. They are pursuing their terrorism directly; they are unleashing it through every means at their disposalmilitary (with missiles and drones) and economic (closing the Strait Hormuz and targeting foreign oil facilities)and they are waging it against virtually every neighboring state in the Middle East.

In the process, they are willing to let their country be battered into prostration. Their leadership was decimated on Day One. It did not matter. Additional leaders have been killed. It does not matter. When replacements are named, they must be kept out of sight. It does not matter.

In Venezuela, had the same destruction of the autocracys leadership been meted out, there would have been no leadership left. But in Venezuela, it never needed to come to that.

In Iran, the theocratic regime has already inflicted more death and destruction to the Iranian people than the U.S. and Israel have. In the most recent mass protests, it is estimated that upwards of 30,000 Iranians died at the hands of the ruling theocracy. On Thursday, the regime publicly hanged more of its people to warn away any further thoughts of uprisings.

What rules Iran is not just an autocracy, as in Venezuela, but an ideology. An Ideology of hatred. Hatred for America. Hatred for Israel. Hatred for its neighbors. Hatred for the world. Hatred for anyone and everyone, including their own people, who stand in their path.

Even with Kharg Island, its economic lifeline, open to invasion and already open to destruction, the Iranian theocracy is willing to risk the economic destruction of Iran, not just now, but for an indefinite period in the future. They are willing for 30,000 more Iranians to die, they are willing to kill them themselves, because they too are willing to die.

Irans theocracy is willing to do all these things because they are a regime of ideologues, who, even with their top leaders gone and more routinely falling, continue following their ideology into oblivion. And taking Iran with them.

In Venezuela, the regimes imperative was survival more than socialism. Socialism had become just a covering for the self-serving spoils system they oversaw. You cannot redistribute poverty, and there is no spoils system without spoils. They knew it; Venezuelans knew it. With Maduro gone, the regime could implicitly admit it and move on. Socialism was over. It had failed. Again.

In Iran, the regimes imperative is their ideology. The theocracy believes it. Thoroughly. Seemingly, top to bottom and all points in between. The sooner that Iran can find someone to believe differently and act like Venezuelas regime the better for it, America, Israel, the Middle East, and the world.

The difference between autocracy and ideology explains the dramatic difference in timelines between Americas interventions in Venezuela and Iran. It also explains the even greater necessity for success in Iran.

J.T. Young is the author of the recent book, Unprecedented Assault: How Big Government Unleashed Americas Socialist Left from RealClear Publishing. Follow him on Substack.
George Santayanas sage observation, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, has come back to haunt us. In this case, the Trump administrations war with Iran is a repeat performance of the war with Iraq in 2003, but with a global impact.

Robert Drapers definitive account, To Start a War, is a helpful reminder. The book deals with Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitzs Sisyphean quest to bring down Iraqs leader Saddam Hussein, which culminated in the invasion of Iraq. The process involved convincing the Bush administration as well as the American public that Saddam was behind the 9/11 attacks and in possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Two months before the invasion, Vice President Dick Cheney stated the issue was the safety and survival of civilization itself. As Draper writes, the claim about WMD was little more than a series of hunches based on information that was badly outdated, almost completely circumstantial, and often fabricated.

Some foreign leaders, notably Britains Tony Blair, were sucked into the vortex. The Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who later became NATOs secretary-general, stated, "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. This is nothing we just think. We know."

As secretary of state Colin Powell told Bush, If you break it, you own it. Rather than being met with acclaim, occupation forces were met with an insurgency, and in turn the collapse of the Coalition Provisional Authority led to the dominance of Iran.

The justification for the invasion of Iraq, although fictitious, was at least coherent, which cannot be said about the present war with Iran. Swamp Notes, a weekly podcast from the Financial Times, illustrates this.

According to Edward Luce, FTs US editor, trying to determine the aim of Trumps war of whim is like trying to nail Jello to the wall. The rationales for the war range from coming to the rescue of the protestors, a new nuclear deal, ceasing support for proxy groups in the region, getting rid of their ballistic and short-range missile stockpile, and regime change.

One aim is clear: Israels aim to obliterate the Iranian regime. Five days before the attack, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump and gave him the decisive information that Irans supreme leader and his top advisors would meet at a given location on Saturday morning.

Tehran has declared the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most vital shipping lane, open to all except the U.S. and its allies. Israels attack on Irans South Pars gas field and Irans retaliatory strikes on gas and oil facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have also caused a steep increase in energy prices and alarmed Trump.

One unexpected beneficiary from the war is Putins Russia, which rakes in an extra $150 million a day from the increase in oil prices, prolonging the war with Ukraine.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, earlier warned of the risks an extended military campaign would entail. One consequence has been that the military has burned through years of critical munitions since the start of the war.

The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a more than $200 billion request to Congress to fund the war in Iran, and Trump has confirmed he will ask Congress. Its a small price to pay to ensure that we stay tippy top.

Trump has previously lambasted the Biden administration for spending money to finance the war in Ukraine (an estimated $188 billion by December). And the National Security Strategy declares a predisposition to non-interventionism.

Caine also told Trump that an American attack could prompt Iran to close the strait, but bolstered by the success of the Venezuela operation, Trump told his team Tehran would likely capitulate before closing the strait.

The failure of the Dardanelles campaign in 1915 illustrates the folly of trying to force entrance to a narrow waterway, followed by boots on the ground to achieve the same objective, Turkeys surrender and withdrawal from the First World War.

Trumps appeal to U.S. allies to help open up the chokepoint has fallen on deaf ears, as none of them were consulted before the war. In return, Trump warned that NATO faces a very bad future if it fails to assist. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada have in a joint statement condemned Irans blockage and offered to help, but how remains unclear.

The war has received little domestic support and dissent threatens to weaken MAGA. A marked protest has come from Joe Kent, director of the National Counter Terrorism Center, who in his letter of resignation called on Trump to reverse course, as he considered Iran to pose no imminent threat.

Kent also believes the war was started due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby, who fomented a misinformation campaign in the same way America was drawn into the disastrous Iraq war.

However, there appears to be no exit strategy, and as in Iraq, America could face an ignominious retreat.

Robert Ellis is an international advisor at RIEAS (Research Institute for European and American Studies) in Athens.
When Cramer pushed back with, why not do more with more, rather than more with less? Huang's framework was clear: it's a leadership failure, not a technology constraint. The companies cutting jobs aren't being forced to do so by AI's limits. They're choosing to harvest short-term cost savings instead of investing in growth. In his view, that's a failure of vision.

Now consider who has been doing exactly that. Meta (NASDAQ: META) is reportedly preparing to hand out pink slips to roughly 15,000 employees, around 20% of its global workforce, even as it doubles its AI budget to $135 billion in 2026. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) eliminated 16,000 corporate roles in January, explicitly citing AI and automation as the efficiency engine behind the cuts (1). And Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) quietly cut more than 15,000 positions throughout 2025, about 7% of its global headcount, while committing $80 billion to AI infrastructure, with CEO Satya Nadella himself warning that 2026 could be "messy" as the industry shifts from AI demos to actual integration (2).

Read that again. The CEO of the company selling AI chips to virtually every major technology company on earth just told Jim Cramer on live television that executives who respond to AI breakthroughs by cutting headcount are, in his view, simply out of ideas. They can't imagine a bigger future, so they settle for a cheaper present.

"Because you're out of imagination. For companies with imagination, you will do more with more. For companies where the leadership is just out of ideas, they have nothing else to do, they have no reason to imagine greater than they are then when they have more capability, they don't do more, he said.

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Jensen Huang had a message for the tech industry's wave of AI-driven layoffs this week and it wasn't polite. Sitting down with Jim Cramer at Nvidia's GTC conference in California on Tuesday, the companys (NASDAQ: NVDA) founder and CEO was asked why tech giants keep announcing job cuts and crediting his chips as the reason: AI is letting us do more with less, the logic goes, so we need fewer people.

Story Continues

Cramer, to his credit, had pressed exactly the right nerve. These hyperscalers, he noted, are "spending a fortune and making nothing" pouring billions into AI capex while trimming payroll and sending a muddled signal to investors about whether any of it is working (3).

So why is Huang comfortable saying this out loud?

The question that lingers after watching the interview: why would the CEO of a company so financially intertwined with Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft say something that reads, unmistakably, as a public rebuke of how they're running their businesses?

The answer may come down to two things Huang made clear elsewhere in the same conversation.

First, Nvidia's customer base is diversifying fast enough that Huang can afford candor. He told Cramer directly that Nvidia used to "start out at the hyperscalers" but has since expanded well beyond them into sovereign governments, on-premise enterprise infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, and a new generation of AI-native companies. He specifically highlighted Dell's "incredible" growth and "huge pipeline" as evidence that on-premise computing has become a serious revenue driver in its own right. At GTC 2026, every major industry was represented from transportation and retail to life sciences and ascendant cloud alternatives like CoreWeave, OCI, and others that are giving the traditional Big Three a run for their money (3).

In short: if Meta or Amazon decided to take their business elsewhere tomorrow, Huang is signaling he'd feel a crevice, not a crater. That changes what a CEO is willing to say in public.

Second, Huang has reframed the entire relationship between Nvidia and the hyperscalers in a way that quietly flips the power dynamic. Rather than positioning Nvidia as a supplier to the cloud giants, he argued to Cramer that the company is actually a demand generator for them. By building its developer ecosystem on CUDA and integrating it into cloud platforms, Nvidia drives developers and enterprises onto AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, not the other way around.

"They're not just our customers. We are their market partners. We bring customers to them." Huang said.

That's a supplier telling its buyers: you need us more than the transaction suggests. It's also a quiet explanation for why Huang doesn't feel the need to bite his tongue about their strategic choices. If you're the one generating the demand, you have standing to comment on how it's being used.

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The deeper argument  and why it matters for your portfolio

There's also something worth sitting with in Huang's broader philosophy here. His implicit argument is that AI should be a lever for expansion, not contraction  that a truly imaginative business, handed more computing power than it's ever had, should dream bigger rather than run leaner. The fact that the world's most well-resourced technology companies are using AI as rationale to shrink their headcounts strikes him as a profound failure of ambition. That's a provocative stance. It also has real investment implications.

Cramer, who has been one of Nvidia's most vocal long-term boosters, emerged from the GTC interviews bullish on the stock and skeptical of the hyperscalers' narrative. He called Nvidia "too cheap to avoid" on a forward earnings basis, citing analyst projections of $15 in EPS by 2027  a figure that would put it at roughly 12 times 2027 estimates, a steep discount to the S&P 500's 18x multiple (4).

The irony at the heart of this story is hard to miss. The hyperscalers are spending record sums on Nvidia hardware to become more efficient and the man selling them the technology just went on national television and called that strategy a symptom of running low on ideas. Whether that's a warning to investors, a pitch for Nvidia's continued dominance, or both, one thing is for certain: the most powerful CEO in AI right now is not afraid to say what he really thinks about where the bodies are falling.

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Governance uncertainty and leadership visibility gap are likely to keep the stock under pressure in the near term, said Nomura in a report.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Openbook10/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons

After a tumultuous day, where HDFC Bank's management and board tried to calm investor sentiment, following Atanu Chakraborty's abrupt exit from the bank, the stock again took a hit on Friday.

It fell 2.41 per cent, underperforming the broader market, which rose 0.44 per cent.

Shares of the bank closed at Rs 780.45 on the BSE.

Key Points HDFC Bank shares fell sharply, declining 7.5 per cent in two days and erasing nearly Rs 1 trillion in market capitalisation.

The decline follows abrupt resignation of part-time chairman Atanu Chakraborty citing ethical misalignment with certain bank practices.

Analysts flagged governance concerns, CEO succession uncertainty, and leadership exits as key risks weighing on investor sentiment.

Market experts say clarity on leadership, improved performance, and regulatory approvals will be critical for restoring investor confidence.

HDFC Bank Stock Decline

In the last two days, the bank's shares have tumbled close to 7.5 per cent, wiping out nearly Rs 1 trillion in market capitalisation (mcap).

Late on Wednesday, the bank informed the exchanges that Chakraborty had resigned as part-time chairman, saying some of the practices in the bank were not in congruence with his values and ethics.

Atanu Chakraborty Exit Impact

Following that, Keki Mistry was appointed interim part-time chairman of the bank with Reserve Bank of India approval.

Mistry, on Thursday, tried to assuage investor concerns and reiterated that there are no material matters at this point in time, with respect to the bank.

Keki Mistry Interim Chairman Role

"The bank operates with strong governance standards, robust internal controls and an extremely experienced management team.

"Our strategic direction, business priorities and execution capabilities continue to remain as always," he said.

"I would not have taken on this responsibility at the age of 71 if it did not align with my principles and my level of integrity that I would expect from the bank," Mistry emphasised on a call with analysts and press on Thursday.

Governance Concerns Weigh Stock

According to a Motilal Oswal note, the development (with HDFC Bank) has dampened investor sentiment and comes at a time when the markets are already grappling with lot of macro-uncertainty.

However, assurances from the management, Mistry's appointment as interim chairman, and RBI's endorsement of the bank's corporate governance and compliance standards have helped assuage some concerns.

'Going ahead, we believe appointment of the new chairman and the submission of Shashidhar Jagdishan's name for the next chief executive officer (CEO) term (term due in October 2026) will help restore investor trust,' the report said.

It added that the improved operating performance in the coming year will be critical to stock performance.

'There is a period of uncertainty till we get RBI approval for the CEO which is coming up for renewal in October 2026,' said Suresh Ganapathy, managing director, head of Financial Services Research, Macquarie Capital, in a note on Friday.

CEO Uncertainty And Market Outlook

In a report on Thursday, Ganapathy had stated that Macquarie had removed HDFC Bank from its 'marquee' buy list.

'Near-term underperformance may remain, while fundamentals are strong with good return on assets (ROA).

'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 reappointment will weigh down on the stock,' he said in his report.

Ganapathy added that key risks include slowdown in growth and further governance issues.

'Though the management and the board assured of no governance, operational, regulatory or power struggles, we believe the bank must curb management exits and rebuild leadership strength either internally or externally,' Emkay said in a note.

/It should also swiftly clarify on the current MD and CEO's term extension beyond October 2026 or place a succession plan to reduce management uncertainty,' Emkay added.

Governance uncertainty and leadership visibility gap are likely to keep the stock under pressure in the near term, said Nomura in a report.

It added that the key monitorables will be appointment of permanent chairman, clarity on CEO reappointment/succession, absence of further exits, and continued execution delivery post-merger.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
The controversy involves mis-selling Credit Suisse AT-I bonds to NRIs as fixed-maturity instruments, later written off after collapse.

Photograph: Kind courtesy HDFC.Bank.com

HDFC Bank -- the largest private sector lender in the country -- has asked three of its executives to leave due to misselling concerns, sources told Business Standard.

This comes after its part-time chairman Atanu Chakraborty's sudden resignation on Wednesday.

The names of three executives could not be immediately confirmed, but reports suggest, the head of a business division, an executive vice-president, and a senior vice-president are the ones who have been asked to leave.

Key Points HDFC Bank asked three senior executives to leave following alleged mis-selling issues linked to its Dubai branch operations.

The exits follow Chairman Atanu Chakraborty's resignation citing practices not aligned with his personal values and ethics.

The controversy involves mis-selling Credit Suisse AT-I bonds to NRIs as fixed-maturity instruments, later written off after collapse.

The bank stated it identified onboarding gaps, conducted a detailed review, and took corrective actions aligned with internal policies.

HDFC Bank Mis-selling Concerns

Responding to the queries sent by Business Standard, HDFC Bank said: 'The bank identified certain gaps in client-onboarding requirements at its DIFC branch in the UAE and has completed a detailed and objective review of the matter.

'Appropriate remedial actions have been taken in line with internal policies.

'Personnel changes have been undertaken along with appropriate action as per the Bank's conduct regulation.'

Management Response On Governance

HDFC Bank has well-established governance frameworks and continues to remain committed to maintaining high standards of compliance and regulatory adherence, it further stated.

The decision to ask the executives to leave is reportedly linked to the mis-selling of additional tier-I (AT-I) bonds of Credit Suisse to retail customers at the Dubai branch, where they were marketed to non-resident Indians (NRIs) as fixed-maturity bonds.

These bonds were written off after Credit Suisse went bankrupt and was taken over by another banking giant, UBS.

Credit Suisse AT-I Bond Issue

When asked on Thursday, if Chakraborty's exit was in relation to the AT-I bond issue, Sashidhar Jagdishan, MD & CEO, of the bank said, "There are several such matters which happen periodically, not just now, but has been happening over the last 32 years..."

"Every matter is considered from an accountability perspective. It is nothing new.

"Every issue is taken up and we have an established policy and a standard of operating process, which is then dealt with from an action perspective, rather independently, also providing appellate authority for the aggrieved.

"So it is not necessary that decisions will always be accepted.

"There will be times where people will agree to disagree.

"And I think that is the power and the positivity of a good governance," he emphasised while adding this may be the reason for Chakraborty to quit.

Chakraborty, a former bureaucrat, resigned with immediate effect citing certain happenings and practices within the bank over last two years, which were not in congruence with his personal 'Values and Ethics'.

During a media call, M D Ranganath, independent director on the HDFC Bank board said, "...this matter, as well as any other matter, there is a very established process in the bank where independent functions like internal audit or vigilance department independently investigate any of these matters that come to our light.

"And there is a detailed process of how to kind of what disciplinary actions that we need to take depending upon the severity of the omissions.

"So even in this case, the necessary investigation as well as the disciplinary actions have been closed and it has been very conclusively concluded. There is nothing pending on that," said Ranganath, chairman of the bank's audit committee.

Series Of Senior Executive Exits

The exit of Chakraborty, and that of these three senior executives follows a series of high profile exits at the bank, including Rahul Shyam Shukla, Group Head - Corporate and Business Banking, who resigned citing personal reasons (effective October 1, 2025), Bhavesh Zaveri, executive director at the bank, who did not seek reappointment as he plans to explore opportunities outside the banking sector.

Zaveri is set to retire on April 18.

Vinay Razdan, who was the chief human resources officer, also resigned from his position (June 2025).

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
'Despite the large number of missiles and drones we have already launched, we still possess reserves and missile cities whose doors have not yet been opened.'

IMAGE: An Iranian missile with cluster munitions flies towards Israel, as seen from Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 18, 2026. Photograph: Mussa Qawasma/Reuters

As the US-Israel war against Iran that began on February 28 shows no signs of abating, Iran has stunned global observers with its aggressive military posture, launching strikes not only against Israel but also targeting strategic interests across Gulf countries, shifting the balance of power in a rapidly escalating war.

In an exclusive interaction with Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff, Iranian Consul General in Mumbai Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh asserted that Tehran remains resolute and far from exhausted, claiming significant untapped military capabilities even after weeks of sustained conflict.

Echoing global commentary, including that of CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour, who remarked that Iran now appears to be 'in the driving seat' in this confrontation, Motlagh suggested that both the United States and Israel miscalculated the scale and endurance of Iran's response, with Tehran prepared to continue until its strategic and political objectives are fully realised.

Addressing concerns related to India, Motlagh struck a measured and reassuring tone, emphasising that Tehran continues to view New Delhi as a friend and understands its diplomatic positions amid the conflict.

He clarified that Indian ships are not being blocked from passing through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, though he cautioned that the waterway has effectively become a battlefield, making navigation risky.

Motlagh noted that several Indian vessels have already transited safely in coordination with Iranian authorities, and urged ship operators and crews to follow the guidance of Iran's armed forces to ensure their safety under current wartime conditions.

Key Points 'The armed forces of Iran have confronted the United States and the Zionist regime and will respond forcefully until Iran's legitimate demands are realised.'

'Iran has not, up to now, closed the Strait of Hormuz to all countries; it is only closed to the enemy's commercial vessels.'

'The attack on Iran was not an attack on a country -- it was an attack on a civilisation.'

The war started on February 28 and there seems to be no end to it. Do you feel the US and Israel underestimated the power of the Iranian military before entering this war?

I believe that the US military had a relative assessment of the capabilities of Iran's armed forces, and it was for this reason that over the past more than 20 years -- even though several limited confrontations did occur -- they refrained from expanding the conflict.

On several occasions when they intended to attack Iran, they ultimately refrained from initiating war at the last moment.

The Israeli military was also relatively familiar with Iran's military capabilities; however, the prime minister of the Zionist regime was determined to achieve his objective --namely, the disintegration of Iran through regime change. Therefore, he sought to draw the United States into accompanying him in the conflict and, in their own words, 'finish the matter'.

Accordingly, it appears that by exerting pressure on the US president, he convinced him to carry out this attack, and the initiation of the war was Mr Trump's decision, not the assessment of the US armed forces.

According to received information, along this path, some commanders had raised warnings up to the moments before the start of the war, which led to their removal.

IMAGE: A view of a damaged building in Tehran. Photograph: IRIB/ANI Video Grab

The question that comes to everyone's mind is: How long can Iran hold on against the continuous bombing by the US and Israel? Does Iran have sufficient means to sustain this fight for a long period?

The armed forces of Iran, with full capacity and by utilising the strategic position of the Islamic Republic of Iran, have confronted the United States and the Zionist regime and will respond forcefully until Iran's legitimate demands are realised.

It should be noted that, so far -- nearly three weeks into the war -- the doors of some of Iran's reserves and underground missile cities have not yet been opened.

One question being asked across the world is: Why is Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which is the passage for nearly 20 percent of the world's oil supply?

Your question has two aspects: The 'how' and the 'why'.

Regarding the 'how', I must state that Iran has not, up to now, closed the Strait of Hormuz to all countries; it is only closed to the enemy's commercial vessels.

However, commercial vessels of other countries must also understand that at present the Strait of Hormuz is a battlefield, and the passage of ships is accompanied by very high risk. Therefore, for the safety of vessels and their crews, their transit is restricted during times of crisis.

As for the 'why', I must say that Iran has been under unjust sanctions for more than 45 years, and for over 20 years the United States and its partners have proudly used terms such as 'the most severe sanctions in the world' or 'daily intensification of sanctions' against Iran, in order to pressure the Iranian people, create dissatisfaction with the system, and through unrest, cause problems for Iran.

Thus, the people of Iran sit beside the Strait of Hormuz and observe the passage of commercial ships carrying vast quantities of goods and oil, while they have no share in it --this despite the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is part of Iran's territorial waters.

The passage of these ships has so far taken place with Iran's magnanimous approach, without charging fees or imposing restrictions, yet instead of appreciation, pressure on the Iranian people has increased day by day, to the point that it led to a military attack on our country.

Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not faced -- and does not face -- any legal, defensive, or protective obstacle to closing the Strait of Hormuz.

As I said earlier, it has not closed it so far; however, if the enemies make the situation more complex, the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to take any action within the framework of rights based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations and will utilise all its capabilities and instruments.

What does Iran hope to achieve by closing the Strait of Hormuz?

As I mentioned in the previous question, the Strait of Hormuz has not been closed, but due to being located in a war zone, restrictions have been imposed, and under these conditions you can observe the global economy.

If necessary and in the event of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will seek to realise its rights and defend its people, because countries and international organisations, despite witnessing these pressures and restrictions on the Iranian people, neither assisted against the source of pressure nor came to the aid of the oppressed and resilient Iranian people.

Now the patience of the people has been exhausted, and under these circumstances they demand that the system use all its capabilities to pursue their rights.

Nevertheless, up to now, the Islamic Republic of Iran, by not blocking the Strait of Hormuz, has attempted to pursue its rights through other means so that sudden pressure is not imposed on the people of other countries.

IMAGE: People attend the funeral of the victims following a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, March 3, 2026. Photograph: Amirhossein Khorgooei/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

From Iran's perspective, what will it take for the war to end? US-Israel have called for your surrender.

Yes, it is better to say that they sought our surrender, because under current conditions they no longer speak of this issue, as they lack the capacity for it.

However, from our perspective, the end of the war is when Iran's conditions are fulfilled and the enemy no longer entertains the thought of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran -- and even if encouraged by international devils, refrains from such action.

Iran is vastly outnumbered in terms of arms and ammunition. Given this, how long can you hold out?

That is your assessment, but I say we must wait and see.

However, I will also say this: In war -- which over the past approximately 50 years has been imposed on us for the third time, and with which we are fully familiar and experienced -- the mere number of weapons is not the sole determining factor.

Although, as I mentioned in a previous question, by the grace and power of God, despite the large number of missiles and drones we have already launched, we still possess reserves and missile cities whose doors have not yet been opened.

Beyond this, geographical position, public support, the morale of fighters, economic factors, and so forth are also important, and in many of these factors we hold the upper hand.

In that same context, how have the bombings changed the lives of ordinary Iranians? Are there shortages of food and other essential items? How is the Iranian government coping with the situation?

Yes, the bombardments have changed the normal lives of Iranians.

Brave Iranians, who before the war during Ramadan were each engaged in their own work, are now united, hand in hand, and in some cases gathering day and night in streets and squares.

Through this, they both stand ready to confront any movements by the agents of the Zionist regime with decisiveness, and to encourage the fighters engaged in battle against foreign aggressors.

A phrase is now circulating among the people in Iran: They say to their brave fighters, 'The streets are ours, and the battlefield is yours.'

Regarding the availability of essential goods, based on my follow-ups with contacts inside the country, domestic news, and even reports from foreign journalists in Iran, the Iranian government, using the experiences of the two previous imposed wars, has created conditions in which essential supplies are currently available in stores to all my compatriots, and there is no problem in this regard.

What has been the public sentiment in Iran regarding the war? Is the common public willing to suffer the war, or do they want to give in and get some peace deal?

As I explained in previous questions, the people of Iran do not merely endure the war; rather, they demand its continuation with strength until Iran's demands are realised. If any call for surrender is raised, the people of Iran will firmly extinguish it at its inception.

One fails to understand: when Ayatollah Khamenei knew he could be a target of an Israeli missile strike, why did he not move to a safer location?

Unless you are familiar with the culture of a civilisation, you will not understand these matters.

Iran is not an ordinary country; it is a civilisation with a history older than recorded human history.

The attack on Iran was not an attack on a country -- it was an attack on a civilisation.

If Iran's martyred leader had gone to a shelter while not all people had access to shelters, no one would have sacrificed themselves for their country in this way, supported the established system, or stood by it to the end.

These strong and ever-present people derive this spirit from their leader.

This is also a problem for the United States -- they do not understand this spirit.

I remember that a few months ago journalists asked me whether Iran's leader had fled to Russia or was hiding in an underground bunker. I found such questions amusing, because they were comparing the Iranian nation to themselves.

Even though I was in India at that time, I was certain that my leader had not left his simple place of residence -- just as he demonstrated to the world through his martyrdom.

IMAGE: The first shipment of medical aid from India delivered to the Iranian Red Crescent Society in Tehran, March 18, 2026. Photograph: Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India X/ANI Video Grab

Was there a vacuum within the Iranian establishment after Ayatollah Khamenei's death, and did this create any disillusionment regarding continuing the war against the US and Israel?

No, as you saw, immediately upon the martyrdom of the leader, in accordance with pre-established legal systems, a council assumed the leader's duties until the Assembly of Experts -- whose responsibility it is to appoint the leader -- was convened according to law and selected a new leader.

The existence of such mechanisms prevents despair among the people in pursuing their objectives.

Before his death, did Ayatollah Khamenei give any specific instructions to the Revolutionary Guards that they should continue the war against the US and Israel and not surrender?

Of course, he was the commander-in-chief and had specified points and methods regarding the war, as was stated in his speeches, and this is clear.

However, the existing system in the country has already defined everyone's duties and announces the legal frameworks when necessary.

The Iranian embassy in India had appealed for funds from Indians for humanitarian assistance to Iranian citizens affected by the ongoing war. What kind of response did this appeal receive, and why was it later discontinued?

IMAGE: Iran's Consul General in Mumbai Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh.

The Iranian embassy did not request assistance; rather, it responded to the request of the people of India who wished to help their Iranian brothers and provided a mechanism for this purpose, which is still ongoing and has not been suspended.

However, there have been some banking access issues for transferring funds, which, I believe, are being followed up in cooperation with the relevant bank in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel, and a day later Israel attacked Iran. Has this created any strain in India-Iran relations, especially considering that the current government is often perceived as being close to the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu?

No, we always view our friends with goodwill.

Was there any concern or disappointment in Iran that Prime Minister Modi did not condemn Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination?

No, we understand the circumstances of our friends.

India has not allocated any funds for the Chabahar port in the Union Budget 2026. How does the Iranian government view this development?

As I mentioned in the previous question, we understand the circumstances of our friends and respect their decisions.

How do you assess the current status of Iran-India relations?

Relations between the two countries are ongoing.

Iran has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to enemy countries. In this situation, will Indian ships be allowed to pass through the Strait?

As I mentioned in one of the previous questions, Indian ships are not blocked from passing through the Strait of Hormuz; however, the Strait is part of the battlefield, and there is a risk of incidents, damage, and harm to ships and their crews. Therefore, restrictions on transit exist to prevent such situations.

I believe 26 Indian ships are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. What message will you give to the families of Indian sailors who are stuck there?

Yes, to the extent that I have been informed, so far several ships, in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran and with security arrangements in place for them, have fortunately succeeded in passing without any damage.

My message to the families of the crews of these ships is to follow the recommendations of Iran's armed forces -- recommendations intended to protect them from harm under wartime conditions -- and to coordinate with them.

They should also pray that the Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz are soon cleared of outsiders and, as in previous years before the presence of foreign powers, all neighbours of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz may live in peace and friendship and benefit from the blessings of these regions along with other countries of the world.
Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, urges a balanced approach to integrating Artificial Intelligence in the judicial system, ensuring human intellect remains central to delivering fair and transparent justice.

Photograph: ANI video grab

Key Points CJI Justice Surya Kant advocates for integrating AI into the judicial system to handle data and reduce delays, but not to replace human judgement.

The Chief Justice cautions against allowing AI to dominate decision-making, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in justice delivery.

Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru raised concerns about AI potentially diminishing the role of judges.

AI can enable predictive analysis of disputes and improve efficiency, but judicial independence and legality must remain paramount.

AI facilitates rapid translation of court judgments, improving accessibility for people in rural areas.

CJI Justice Surya Kant on Saturday said Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be integrated into the judicial system in a manner that strengthens the institution without undermining its core functions.

He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day seminar on "Artificial Intelligence-Prevention and Resolution of Disputes" at the Karnataka Judicial Academy, organised in collaboration with the UIA India Chapter, Bar Association of India and the National Law School of India University, an official statement said.

"AI should assist in handling large volumes of data and records, identifying patterns, and reducing procedural delays. However, it must not encroach upon the core judicial function of delivering judgments," the CJI was quoted as saying.

The Chief Justice cautioned that allowing AI tools to dominate decision-making could compromise transparency and accountability within the justice delivery system.

He stressed that the final stage of adjudication must remain in human hands.

"The final stage of the judicial process, pronouncement of judgments, must remain firmly in human hands," he said, adding that judges must rely on their reasoning, experience and analytical abilities while delivering verdicts.

Emphasising the role of technology as an enabler, he said AI should function only as a tool.

"AI should function only as a tool or pathway, while the direction must always be determined by human intellect," he said.

Concerns and Opportunities of AI in the Judiciary

Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru, speaking on the occasion, raised concerns about the evolving role of AI in the judiciary, questioning whether it would remain an aid to human decision-making or become a substitute that diminishes the role of judges.

He also highlighted both opportunities and risks, noting that AI can enable predictive analysis of disputes and improve efficiency, while AI-supported online dispute resolution platforms can facilitate faster and cost-effective disposal of cases.

Stressing safeguards, he said judicial independence, transparency and legality must remain paramount, and the use of AI must be guided by clearly defined principles.

AI Enhancing Accessibility

Bar Association of India President Prashant Kumar said AI has enabled rapid translation of court judgments into local languages, improving accessibility for people in rural areas and aiding lawyers in communicating with clients.
An Air India flight to Vancouver was forced to return to Delhi after seven hours in the air due to an operational issue involving incorrect aircraft approval, highlighting the complexities of international flight regulations.

IMAGE: An apparent lapse in updating flight operation requirements led to the deployment of the wrong aircraft. Photograph: Kind courtesy Air India on Facebook

Key Points Air India flight AI185 to Vancouver returned to Delhi after seven hours due to an aircraft approval issue.

The Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft used for the flight was not approved for operations to Canada.

All passengers and crew disembarked safely after the aircraft landed back in Delhi.

The flight was later rescheduled and departed for Vancouver with passengers on Friday morning.

A Vancouver-bound Air India Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft, after being airborne for over seven hours, returned to the national capital on Thursday evening after it was found that the plane was not approved for operating the flight, according to sources.

An apparent lapse in updating the list of requirements for the operation of flights to Canada resulted in the situation, where a wrong aircraft was deployed for the particular service, sources said.

Air India Responds

Without providing specific details, Air India, in a statement on Friday, said the aircraft had landed safely at the Delhi airport.

The flight was operated with Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft VT-AEI and was airborne for over seven hours. The plane turned back to Delhi when it was in the Chinese airspace, according to information available on the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.

"Air India flight AI185, operating from Delhi to Vancouver on 19 March, returned to Delhi due to an operational issue and in line with established standard operating procedures. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew had disembarked," the airline said in a statement.

The sources said the flight should have been operated only with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, and there was no approval for flying the Boeing 777-200 LR plane.

There are various approvals required for operating flights to foreign destinations, and those depend on each country.

Rescheduled Flight to Vancouver

Meanwhile, Air India also said the flight departed for Vancouver with the passengers on Friday morning.
Several BJP candidates contesting the Kerala Assembly elections are under scrutiny as their nomination papers reveal pending criminal cases and details of their declared assets.

Key Points BJP leader K Surendran, contesting from Manjeshwar, faces 242 criminal cases, mostly related to protests.

Union Minister George Kurian, contesting from Kanjirappally, has one pending criminal case and declared assets worth over Rs 1.74 crore.

Former Union Minister V Muraleedharan, contesting from Kazhakootam, faces eight criminal cases related to protests.

Sobha Surendran, contesting from Palakkad, has 35 criminal cases pending against her, primarily for leading protests.

Former DGP R Sreelekha, contesting from Vattiyoorkavu, faces a criminal case for allegedly disclosing the identity of a POCSO case victim.

BJP leader K Surendran, who is contesting from the Manjeshwar constituency in the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls, has 242 pending criminal cases against him, according to his nomination papers filed on Saturday.

According to the affidavit submitted along with his nomination papers, most of the 242 cases against Surendran are for leading or being part of various protests and agitations.

In his affidavit, he has also declared assets, both movable and immovable, worth over Rs 28 lakh and liabilities of more than Rs nine lakh.

His party colleague and Union Minister of State George Kurian, who is contesting from the Kanjirappally seat, has only one pending criminal case against him for leading a protest in Thiruvananthapuram in 2014.

Kurian, in his affidavit, has declared assets, both movable and immovable, of over Rs 1.74 crore and liabilities of close to Rs two lakhs.

Former Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan, who is contesting from Kazhakootam constituency, is facing eight criminal cases for being part of various protests and agitations.

He has declared movable assets of over Rs 20 lakh and has claimed that he has no immovable property, according to his affidavit.

BJP leader Sobha Surendran, who is contesting from the Palakkad constituency, has 35 criminal cases pending against her, majority of them for leading and being part of various protests and agitations.

She has declared assets, both movable and immovable, worth over Rs 1.94 crore in her affidavit.

BJP councillor and former DGP R Sreelekha, who is contesting from Vattiyoorkavu constituency, in her affidavit has declared assets, both movable and immovable, of over Rs five crore.

She has one criminal case against her, lodged this year, for allegedly disclosing the identity of a POCSO case victim, according to her affidavit.

She has denied the allegation and has moved the Kerala High Court to quash the FIR.
A teacher and Booth Level Officer in Kerala was found dead, leading to allegations that election duty pressure drove him to suicide, prompting a police investigation.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Key Points A teacher in Kerala, who also served as a Booth Level Officer (BLO), was found dead in a river.

The family alleges the death was a suicide caused by excessive pressure from election-related work.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an investigation into the incident.

Relatives are demanding a thorough probe and claim the teacher was under severe stress due to election duties.

A Booth Level Officer (BLO) drowned in a river at Mogral Puthur, Kasaragod, with his family alleging suicide due to work pressure, police said.

The deceased Booth Level Officer has been identified as Muhammad Savad (31), a native of Kottakunnu in Mogral Puthur, who worked as a government school teacher and BLO in the area.

According to police, Savad's body was found in a river near Kadavath at around 9.30 am. Though he was rushed to the Kasaragod Government General Hospital, he was declared dead.

Police said that Savad had left his house on a motorcycle around 7 am for work. The vehicle was later found parked near a bridge over the river, they added.

Family Demands Investigation

However, family members and relatives refused to accept the body, demanding a detailed probe into the incident.

A relative told reporters that Savad was under severe pressure due to election-related work. They also demanded that the district collector reach the hospital and assure a proper investigation.

Officials said the district collector would meet the family soon, after which the body would be shifted to the mortuary.

Police Investigation Underway

Kasaragod police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an investigation.

The body will be handed over to relatives after the postmortem.
A violent clash in a Uttar Pradesh village resulted in the deaths of two brothers following an attack with sharp weapons, prompting a police investigation and the detention of suspects.

Key Points Two brothers died after being attacked with sharp weapons in Meharmati Ganeshpura village, Uttar Pradesh.

The attack occurred during a dispute between two groups of people.

Police have detained three suspects in connection with the incident.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the dispute and bring all those responsible to justice.

Two brothers succumbed to their injuries on Saturday after being attacked with sharp-edged weapons during a dispute between two groups of people in this Uttar Pradesh district, police said.

The incident took place in Meharmati Ganeshpura village under the Sardhana police station, they added.

According to police, the injured brothers -- Bhoora (40) and Saimuddin (35) -- were rushed to a local hospital but as their condition deteriorated, they were referred to a higher medical centre, where they succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, police said.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Abhijit Kumar said two teams have been formed to apprehend the accused and three of them have been detained.
A man wanted in connection with a 2021 murder-robbery case in Chhattisgarh has been arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, bringing a key suspect to justice after an extensive investigation.

Key Points Ajaykumar Mishra was arrested in Ahmedabad for his alleged involvement in the 2021 murder and robbery of Shakuntala Devi in Chhattisgarh.

Mishra was initially hired to resolve a property dispute but allegedly murdered Shakuntala Devi and stole cash and gold.

After the crime, Mishra and his associate sold the stolen gold and evaded police by maintaining digital silence and moving between Goa, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai.

Ahmedabad Crime Branch apprehended Mishra based on technical intelligence and field surveillance, coordinating with Raipur police for handover and legal proceedings.

A man allegedly involved in a 2021 murder-robbery case in Chhattisgarh was arrested by Ahmedabad Crime Branch in Gujarat, an official said on Saturday.

Ajaykumar alias Laxmisagar alias Kimtishree Rajnarayan Mishra, wanted in connection with the murder of one Shakuntala Devi under Tikrapara police station limits in Chhattisgarh, was held on Friday, the official said.

"Shakuntala Yada and her younger son Amit were involved in a property dispute with her other son Ajay. Shankuntala and Amit approached Mishra, a history sheeter, for help. Mishra was a security guard in the hospital in which Amit was employed," the official said.

Mishra was offered 'supari' (crime lingo for contract) of Rs 4 lakh to get Ajay out of the disputed property, but the former, who received an advance of Rs 10,000, fled without completing the assignment, he said.

"Shakuntala and Amit tracked Mishra to his village, demanding either the completion of the assignment or a refund of the advance. However, four months later, Mishra and his associate Ketan alias K.T. Ramsundar Tiwari visited Shakuntala's house in Raipur under the pretext of executing the contract. Upon arriving, they discovered that Amit was in jail for a separate offence," the official said.

Seeing Shakuntala alone, Mishra and Tiwari stayed at the house overnight, strangled her and then fled with Rs 10 lakh cash and 30-35 'tolas' of gold, as per the police.

"They sold the gold to a trader in Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh, and maintained digital silence by stopping the use of mobile phones as well as government ID cards (PAN/Aadhaar) to evade police. Mishra hid in Goa, then moved to the Naroda area of Ahmedabad in 2022 to stay with his brother, and subsequently shifted to Mumbai," the official said.

Acting on technical intelligence and field surveillance, the Ahmedabad crime branch apprehended Mishra, a release said.

The Ahmedabad crime branch is coordinating with the Raipur police for the formal handover and further legal proceedings regarding the 2021 case, it added.
AT&T

This week, we reported that AT&T has maintained an impressive customer loyalty rating for 17 years straight. The brand has remained competitive against juggernauts like T-Mobile and Verizon by heavily investing in its network and new technologies in order to ensure it delivers exceptional service and features.

So, it comes as a bit of a surprise that the carrier is looking to raise prices on its loyal customers, mainly those who retain legacy plans. AT&T announced the upcoming changes through its own support website, shedding light that this will all start in April 2026 (via Android Authority).

So, how much more are plan prices going up?

AT&T website on a phone on a drum

The increase in prices will be for those who are on the brand's "retired unlimited wireless plans." Those with a single line of service should expect to pay an additional $10/month going forward, while those on multi-line plans will pay an additional $20/month. It's not exactly a small amount of money, and a surprising increase.

As far as why this is happening now, well, AT&T states that these increases "helps us continue providing reliable network service, quality products, and great customer experiences." Now, this isn't exactly the news you want to hear if you're someone on a legacy plan, but AT&T does share that because of the price increase, users on those plans will get an "extra 20GB of hotspot data per month."

So that's something. What's also interesting is that it appears like the brand is trying to push customers from these legacy plans to some of its new ones. On the help page, the brand has a tool that will help you compare plans, while also highlighting some of the details of its latest plans, like Premium 2.0, Extra 2.0, and Value 2.0.

Naturally, this is something you're going to want to look into, especially if you're going to be charged more for your older plan. But, since this is a competitive space, it might even be a good idea to check out the competition as well. T-Mobile and Verizon offer excellent coverage, plans, and perks.

Or if you're really looking to save, you can always go with an MVNO. But for the most part, wireless carriers have all gotten much better over the past decade, with a majority offering excellent coverage and speed in most areas. So, if you're thinking about changing carriers, now's going to be an excellent time to do it.
The death of a cow vigilante in Mathura after being hit by a truck has ignited protests and a major traffic blockade, raising tensions during President Murmu's visit.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A cow vigilante, known as 'Farsa wale Baba', died after being struck by a truck on a highway near the Haryana border in Mathura.

The incident sparked violent protests and a traffic blockade, disrupting traffic for several kilometres.

Supporters allege the vigilante was run over by cattle smugglers, while authorities claim the accident was due to poor visibility.

Police have detained several people for questioning and restored traffic after using mild force to disperse protesters.

The incident occurred during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to the district, adding to the tension.

A cow vigilante popularly known as 'Farsa wale Baba' was killed after he was struck by a truck on a highway near the Haryana border early Saturday when he along with his aides stopped another vehicle on suspicion of cattle smuggling, officials said.

The incident triggered violent protests and a traffic blockade on the day when President Droupadi Murmu was visiting the district. Angry locals blocked the national highway, leading to traffic snarls stretching several kilometres.

Supporters of Chandrashekhar, who was known as 'Farsa wale Baba', alleged he was run over by cattle smugglers when he was trying to stop a truck carrying cattle near the Kotvan border area. Authorities rejected the claim and claimed the accident occurred due to poor visibility.

District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh said the incident occurred around 4 am when the victim, along with his followers, stopped a Nagaland-registered container on suspicion that it was carrying cattle near the Kosi Kalan area. The vehicle was found to be carrying grocery items such as soap, phenyl and shampoo.

He said that amid dense fog, a Rajasthan-registered truck carrying wire rammed into them from behind, leading to Chandrashekhar's death on the spot. The truck driver was injured, and the vehicle was damaged.

Protests and Police Response

According to videos circulating on social media, protesters allegedly vandalised police and administrative vehicles when authorities attempted to clear the road.

The police later resorted to mild force to disperse the crowd.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said some anti-social elements tried to disturb the situation, prompting police action.

Four to five people have been detained for questioning, he said, adding that the situation was under control with traffic restored. Heavy police deployment has been made in the area, he added.

The police said the Chandrashekhar's body was taken by followers to his gaushala (cow shelter) in Ajanokh village for the last rites. A post-mortem will be conducted if the family or followers request it in writing.

President Murmu's Visit

Earlier in the day, Murmu prayed at the Danghati Temple in Govardhan, where she participated in the aarti of Giriraj Ji Maharaj and performed Govardhan Parikrama as part of her three-day Uttar Pradesh visit.
An accountant in Hyderabad was swindled out of 120,000 by cyber criminals impersonating the company owner, highlighting the growing threat of online impersonation scams and the need for heightened cyber security awareness.

Key Points Cyber criminals in Hyderabad impersonated a company owner via an instant messaging app.

The accountant was instructed to transfer 120,000 to a specified account.

The fraud was discovered when the criminals attempted a second money transfer.

Police are investigating the cyber impersonation scam after the accountant filed a complaint.

Cyber criminals cheated an accountant of a private company by impersonating as the firm's owner, who is the grand daughter of a former DGP, police said.

The cyber criminals sent a message earlier this month to the accountant on an instant messaging app with her photo, instructing him to transfer 120,000 to an account.

The accountant, who fell for the trap, transferred the amount.

The fraud came to light when the cyber criminals again sent a message seeking money transfer to the accountant with the same modus operandi.

The victim lodged a complaint about a week ago and an investigation was underway, police added.
An accountant in Hyderabad was scammed out of 120,000 by cyber criminals impersonating the company owner, highlighting the growing threat of online fraud and the importance of cyber security awareness.

Key Points Cyber criminals impersonated a company owner using an instant messaging app to target an accountant.

The accountant was instructed to transfer 120,000 to an account under false pretences.

The scam was discovered when the criminals attempted a second money transfer using the same method.

Police are investigating the cyber fraud incident after the accountant filed a complaint.

Cyber criminals cheated an accountant of a private company by impersonating as the firm's owner, police said on Saturday.

The cyber criminals sent a message earlier this month to the accountant on an instant messaging app with a woman's photo, claiming she is the grand daughter of a former DGP, and instructed him to transfer 120,000 to an account.

The accountant, who fell for the trap, transferred the amount.

Discovery of the Fraud

The fraud came to light when the cyber criminals again sent a message seeking money transfer to the accountant with the same modus operandi.

The victim lodged a complaint about a week ago and an investigation was underway, police added.
Delhi Police have apprehended a sharpshooter and an arms supplier connected to the Kapil Sangwan gang, seizing illegal weapons and disrupting their criminal network in a significant crackdown on organised crime.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police arrested Sumit Punia, a sharpshooter linked to the Kapil Sangwan gang, in Dwarka.

An arms supplier, Badar Islam, was also arrested in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly providing weapons to the gang.

The arrests are part of an effort to disrupt the gang's operations, which include extortion and the use of illegal firearms.

The accused are booked under the Arms Act, highlighting the severity of illegal weapons possession and supply.

Delhi Police has arrested a sharpshooter and an arms supplier linked to the Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu gang, and seized two country-made pistols and five live cartridges from their possession, officials said on Saturday.

The main accused, Sumit Punia (25), a resident of Mahendergarh in Haryana, was arrested in Dwarka with a country-made semi-automatic pistol and five live rounds, a senior police officer said.

During interrogation, police found that Sumit was absconding in a 2021 encounter case registered by the Special Cell, and had links with the Nandu gang, where he allegedly worked as a sharpshooter.

At his instance, police arrested the gang's alleged weapons supplier, Badar Islam (32), from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh and recovered a country-made pistol from his possession, the officer said.

Police said the accused were part of a network supplying illegal firearms to members of the gang, which were used to threaten victims who resisted extortion.

According to investigators, Sumit, who joined the gang around 2020-21, was known to gangster Kapil Sangwan since childhood, as they belonged to neighbouring villages.

Earlier arrested in an arms case in Haryana, Sumit was involved in multiple criminal cases lodged in Delhi and Haryana.

Badar, who allegedly supplied weapons for quick money, has also been named in several criminal cases registered in Uttar Pradesh, police said.

The duo has been booked under the relevant sections of law, including the Arms Act, at the Crime Branch police station, the officer said.
After a three-year manhunt, police have arrested Atonu Halder, a 23-year-old murder suspect wanted in connection with a 2023 Delhi case, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Atonu Halder, wanted in connection with a 2023 murder case in Delhi, has been arrested in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Halder had been on the run for nearly three years and carried a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his capture.

The murder case involves an attack by a group of individuals armed with sticks and knives, resulting in the victim's death.

Halder allegedly admitted to his involvement in the killing during interrogation after his arrest.

After fleeing Delhi, Halder moved to Mumbai, Prayagraj, and eventually Gujarat, where he was working as a store helper.

A 23-year-old reward-carrying murder accused was arrested in Gujarat after being on the run for nearly three years, police said on Saturday.

Atonu Halder, alias Atul Halder, who carried a Rs 50,000 reward for information leading to his capture, was apprehended from Gujarat's Gandhinagar.

Police said the case dates back to September 2023, when seven to eight individuals armed with sticks, knives and other sharp weapons attacked a person near his house in southwest Delhi.

The injured man was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed during treatment.

While six of the alleged assailants were arrested earlier, Halder remained at large, eventually being declared a proclaimed offender.

Halder's Life on the Run

At the time of his arrest in Gandhinagar, he was working as a store helper, the police said.

During interrogation, Halder allegedly admitted to his involvement in the killing.

He said he fled to Mumbai after the incident, later moving to Prayagraj and then to Gujarat.
Indian authorities seized a massive haul of illegal walkie-talkies and second-hand hard drives at Nhava Sheva Port, arresting a father-son duo for smuggling and raising national security concerns.

Key Points DRI seizes Rs 9.25 crore worth of prohibited walkie-talkies and second-hand HDDs at Nhava Sheva Port.

A father-son duo from Mumbai are arrested for importing the goods without necessary permissions under the Customs Act.

The seized Baofeng BF-888S walkie-talkies are blacklisted by the Department of Telecommunications due to security concerns.

Import of second-hand HDDs requires authorisation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 11,060 prohibited walkie-talkie sets and second-hand hard disk drives (HDDs) collectively valued at Rs 9.25 crore at Nhava Sheva Port, officials said on Saturday.

The owners of the two Mumbai firms which had imported these good without due permissions are a father-son duo, and both were arrested under the Customs Act, said an official release.

Details of the Seizure

Based on specific intelligence, a team of DRI officials seized Baofeng BF-888S walkie-talkies worth Rs 2.50 crore and second-hand HDDs valued at Rs 6.75 crore.

The contraband was concealed among miscellaneous electronic items valued at Rs 21 crore. The entire consignment worth Rs 30.25 crore from eight containers shipped from China was seized for misdeclaration, officials said.

Security Concerns and Import Regulations

The Baofeng BF-888S walkie-talkies have been blacklisted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for operating beyond permissible frequencies as they can be used for unauthorised communication, posing threat to national security. These devices require specific licences.

Second-hand HDDs too can not be imported without Directorate General of Foreign Trade's authorisation.
Eid al-Fitr celebrations in India were marked by special prayers for peace and brotherhood, alongside peaceful protests condemning US-Israel attacks and calling for an end to hostilities in West Asia.

IMAGE: Muslim devotees gather to offer prayers amid fog at the Jama Masjid on an early morning on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: Sumit/ANI Photo

Key Points Eid al-Fitr celebrated across India with prayers for peace, progress, and brotherhood.

Peaceful protests held in several parts of India condemning US-Israel actions in West Asia.

Authorities tightened security in vulnerable areas of Kashmir fearing anti-US and anti-Israel demonstrations.

Political leaders across states extended greetings and participated in Eid festivities.

Eid celebrations in Bengal carried political significance ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.

Eid al-Fitr was celebrated across India on Saturday with special prayers for peace, progress and brotherhood at large congregations in mosques and eidgahs, followed by peaceful protests in several parts of the country condemning the United States-Israel attacks on Iran and seeking an immediate end to the hostilities in West Asia.

From the busy lanes of Old Delhi to the eidgahs in Jammu and Kashmir and the bustling Nakhoda Masjid in Kolkata, lakhs of faithful dressed in their best embraced each other and exchanged 'seviyan' to celebrate the festival that marked the end of the fasting month of Ramzan.

Greeting the citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, 'Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!'

Chief ministers, including Omar Abdullah of J-K and Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, governors and other prominent leaders in different states also extended their greetings to the people, and attended the Eid festivities.

IMAGE: Children pose for a group picture at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi. Photograph: Sumit/ANI Photo

In Delhi, people flocked to mosques across the capital to offer namaz, embracing the spirit of unity and devotion, even as a blanket of fog hung over several parts of the city, creating a striking visual against the backdrop of mosque domes and minarets.

The sense of celebration was palpable as people exchanged greetings after offering namaz, with mosques such as the Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, and those in Seelampur, Okhla and Nizamuddin witnessing a significant turnout.

Uttam Nagar in west Delhi, however, saw subdued celebrations, days after a clash on the day of Holi left a man dead and triggered communal tension in the area.

Heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel was in place across Hastsal village, where the incident took place on March 4, with barricades at key entry and exit points and movement of outsiders restricted.

Despite the heavy security presence, residents said they offered prayers peacefully, though the celebrations were low-key this time.

Eid Celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir

In J-K, Eid was celebrated across the Union territory with the largest gatherings assembling at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, and the eidgah on Residency Road in Jammu.

However, the authorities did not allow Eid prayers at the historic Jama Masjid at Nowhatta in the Old City area of Srinagar for the seventh year in a row.

IMAGE: Muslim devotees offer namaaz at Hafiz Hatta in Imphal. Photograph: ANI Photo

Terming the development 'unfortunate', Chief Minister Abdullah, who offered prayers at Hazratbal along with his father Farooq Abdullah, said, "On one hand, they claim that everything is normal, and on the other, they close the historic mosque. What kind of normalcy is this? I hope such decisions will be changed in future."

He also said the 'illegal; war imposed by the United States and Israel on the world should end at the earliest.

While the authorities tightened security in the vulnerable areas of the Valley fearing anti-US and anti-Israel demonstrations after Eid prayers, people took out peaceful protests in several parts of Kashmir, condemning the attacks on Iran and calling for an end to the West Asia conflict.

Marches in solidarity with Iran were taken out in Budgam, Bandipora and other places, with protesters raising slogans against the US-Israel alliance and in support of the Iranian regime, carrying photos of its slain Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Eid Festivities Across Other States

Dressed in new clothes, Muslims of all ages assembled at the eidgahs, mosques and shrines across Uttar Pradesh to offer Eid prayers and exchange greetings.

IMAGE: Eid prayers at Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Lucknow, the main congregation was held at the Aishbagh Eidgah, where a large number of worshippers offered namaz, with special prayers for peace, progress and brotherhood around the world.

Leaders from different communities, including Christians and Sikhs, also attended the gathering, sources said.

Political leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, state Congress president Ajay Rai, and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma visited the eidgah and extended their greetings to people.

Reports from Sambhal, Kaushambi, Deoria and Amethi indicated that the festival was celebrated peacefully amid tight security.

Some worshippers were seen offering prayers wearing black armbands to protest against the attacks on Iran.

Similar peaceful protests marked Eid celebrations in various parts of Rajasthan, with members of the Muslim community demonstrating in Jaipur and other districts.

In Jaipur, women and children took out a march, raising slogans against the US and Israel and expressing grief over the reported deaths in Iran.

Similar demonstrations were also reported from Sikar and Ajmer, where people offered Eid prayers wearing black bands as a mark of protest.

Black flags were also put up at some mosques, amid anti-US and anti-Israel sloganeering.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff IMAGE: Eid namaaz held at Dargah Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar.

Despite the protests, Eid prayers were offered peacefully across Rajasthan, with people praying for peace and greeting each other.

Peaceful protests were also held in Madhya Pradesh, where many Shias refrained from celebrating Eid denouncing the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

However, members of the Sunni community celebrated the festival with fervour by flooding the eidgahs across the state.

In Bengal, Eid carried added political significance this year as the state is headed to a high-stakes Assembly polls next month.

The annual congregation on Red Road in Kolkata -- one of the largest in eastern India -- offered the parties an opportunity to reach out to the state's sizeable Muslim electorate, which constitutes around 30 per cent of its population.

Addressing worshippers after Eid prayers on Red Road, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to 'snatch away the voting rights' of people through the special revision of electoral rolls ahead of the assembly polls.

In neighbouring Odisha, thousands of devotees flocked to mosques and eidgahs across the state to offer prayers and celebrate the occasion after month-long fasting.

IMAGE: Security deployed as part of security measures on Eid in and around the Idgah Masjid in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik extended their greetings to the Muslim community on the occasion.

In Bihar, carrying forward a tradition followed by his father, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar joined thousands of people in offering namaz at the historical Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

Nitish Kumar, who is likely to step down soon following his election to the Rajya Sabha, did not turn up at the event, where the 'namazis' gave a warm welcome to 44-year-old Nishant, who joined the Janata Dal-United headed by his father a fortnight ago.

The southern states also celebrated Eid with Muslims in large numbers thronging mosques and eidgahs in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

In Hyderabad, the historic Lad Bazar near Charminar came alive with the presence of thousands of people immersing themselves in the festivities.

IMAGE: Devotees disperse after offering prayer at Shahi Masjid, in Hyderabad. Photograph: ANI Photo

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy greeted people on the occasion.

In Andhra Pradesh, Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and opposition leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy conveyed Eid greetings to the people of the state.

Eid was also celebrated across Karnataka, with thousands offering prayers at mosques and eidgahs.

In Bengaluru and other major cities, people flocked to mosques in large numbers early in the morning to offer namaz, before visiting their relatives and friends.

The markets wore a festive look, with brisk business reported in garments, sweets, and accessories in the run-up to the festival.
Despite recent tensions, Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were held peacefully in Uttam Nagar, Delhi, under tight security.

IMAGE: Muslim devotees offer namaaz on the occasion of Eid at Idgah Masjid in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were conducted peacefully in Uttam Nagar under heavy security following recent tensions.

Delhi Police and paramilitary forces maintained a strong presence to ensure law and order during Eid celebrations.

Residents expressed gratitude for the security measures and highlighted the community's commitment to communal harmony.

The recent clash that resulted in a man's death had created a tense atmosphere, but residents are working to restore normalcy.

Authorities are monitoring social media to prevent the spread of rumours and inflammatory content.

Muslims offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in West Delhi's Uttam Nagar on Saturday under heavy security, with the area witnessing a subdued celebration days after a localised clash left a man dead and triggered tensions about two weeks ago.

A heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel is in place across Hastsal village and nearby areas, with barricades set up at key entry and exit points and strict identity checks being carried out, police said.

Only residents are being allowed access to certain stretches after verification, while the movement of outsiders is restricted. Police teams also conducted regular foot patrols and are monitoring rooftops, narrow lanes and other sensitive pockets through CCTV cameras to prevent any untoward incident.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said the situation is calm.

"The environment here is peaceful. People offered namaaz without any disturbance. We have maintained tight security in the area and are continuing routine patrols and picketing," he said, urging people not to believe rumours on social media.

Despite the heavy security presence, residents said prayers were conducted peacefully, though celebrations were low key.

Parvez, a resident, said the spirit of communal harmony remained intact.

"We offered namaaz peacefully. Our Hindu friends are expected to join us, and we're looking forward to celebrating together. We are saddened by what happened to Tarun (victim of the March 4 incident); he was like a brother to us. However, the situation on the ground is not as tense as it has been portrayed (on social media). Our neighbours have been very kind, and the police have ensured adequate security," he said.

Another resident, Mohammad Naveen, said the atmosphere was still somewhat tense.

"It doesn't feel the same due to the environment created by outsiders, along with heavy police deployment. We are celebrating Eid under some tension. That said, we are grateful to the Delhi Police for maintaining law and order, which has allowed us to celebrate safely," he said.

Khalid Ali, president of Jama Masjid in Uttam Nagar, said rumours and outside elements had earlier fuelled tension in the area.

"There was a tense atmosphere here earlier, but the police maintained proper security and law and order. Today, we have been able to celebrate Eid safely. I have also been informed that all mosques in Uttam Nagar observed Eid peacefully," he said.

Background of the Tensions

On Holi (March 4), a 26-year-old man, Tarun, died after being injured in a clash between two neighbouring families in JJ Colony. The altercation was triggered after a water balloon thrown by a girl from one family accidentally hit a woman from the other.

The incident had led to protests, during which two vehicles linked to the accused were set on fire. Police have arrested multiple accused in connection with the case.

Efforts to Maintain Peace

Authorities said they are closely monitoring social media to curb rumours and prevent the spread of inflammatory content. Some people were also detained for raising provocative slogans and attempting to disturb peace, police said.
A tragic incident in Kochi sees five members of a family, including three children, found dead in a rented house, prompting a police investigation into a suspected suicide.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Five people, including three children, were found dead in a rented house in Kochi.

The deceased family had been residing in Kochi for medical treatment at a nearby private hospital.

Police suspect a possible suicide, with the adults potentially killing the children before ending their own lives.

An investigation has been launched by the Ernakulam North Police Station to determine the exact circumstances of the deaths.

Authorities are working to contact relatives of the deceased and initiate inquest proceedings.

Five persons, including three children, were found dead at a rented house here on Saturday, police said.

According to police, the deceased consisted of two women and three children who were from Thiruvananthapuram and had been staying in a rented house in Vaduthala here for the past few months for treatment at a private hospital nearby.

Police said the women were identified as Kanakalatha and her daughter Aswathy.

While the three others are Aswathy's children.

Officials at the Ernakulam North Police Station said the family had not been seen outside their house since Friday, following which the house owner checked the premises and found all five dead.

Investigation into the Deaths

Police said an investigation has been launched and efforts are underway to confirm further details.

They suspect the elders could have killed children before ending their own lives.

Police teams are trying to contact the relatives of the deceased and initiate inquest proceedings.

A case will be registered at the Ernakulam North Police Station after a preliminary probe, police added.
Police are investigating the tragic deaths of five people, including three children, in a Kochi rented house, suspecting a possible family suicide.

Key Points Five people, including three children, were found dead in a rented house in Kochi.

The deceased family had been staying in Kochi for medical treatment.

Police suspect a possible suicide, with the adults potentially killing the children before taking their own lives.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the deaths.

Authorities are working to contact relatives of the deceased and initiate formal proceedings.

Five persons, including three children, were found dead at a rented house here on Saturday, police said.

According to police, the deceased consisted of two women and three children who were from Thiruvananthapuram and had been staying in a rented house in Vaduthala here for the past few months for treatment at a private hospital nearby.

Police said the women were identified as Kanakalatha and her daughter Aswathy.

While the three others are Aswathy's children.

Officials at the Ernakulam North Police Station said the family had not been seen outside their house since Friday, following which the house owner checked the premises and found all five dead.

Investigation into the Deaths

Police said an investigation has been launched and efforts are underway to confirm further details.

They suspect the elders could have killed children before ending their own lives.

Police teams are trying to contact the relatives of the deceased and initiate inquest proceedings.

A case will be registered at the Ernakulam North Police Station after a preliminary probe, police added.
At a time when much of the beer and beverage industry is either recalibrating or reeling, TailGate Brewery stands out.

This independent Tennessee brewery just celebrated a year of sustained growth, including the doubling of its brewing capacity. With state-wide distribution, eight standalone taprooms and an airport outpost, along with 250 employees whose healthcare is 100 % paid for, this brewery just celebrated its 11th anniversary.

Wesley Keegan is the founder of TailGate Brewery. TailGate Brewery

Wesley Keegan is the only owner of this brewed success story. I grew up on welfare and food stamps so Im a naturally frugal person, says Keegan in a phone interview.

We really emphasize good business (practices), making a great product, and listening to what the customer wants, he says. My degrees in finance, and we have to pay our bills.

Keegan notes it has been a difficult time for many craft brewers. According to the Brewers Association, 2024 was the first year since 2005 that the number of breweries that closed outpaced brewery openings nationwide.The number of craft breweries operating in June 2025, 9,269, was down 1% from the number operating in June 2024, 9,352, the association noted.

This stands in contrast to TailGate, which has opened five new locations since 2022. The short answer to how are we growing when everyone else is talking about closing? is we are running a good business and were treating it as a business, Keegan says.

Keegan says part of the reason some breweries struggle is they might overly focus on the product without looking at the business sides of their operation. Craft beer has said Were special, and we have to operate differently, Keegan notes. Before I started TailGate, I read every business book I could except beer books. It doesnt matter if youre making good liquid - you still have to pay for the stuff.

Great brewers, he says, sometimes are easily talked into buying extra equipment that they dont have the right plans to finance like buying bigger tanks for making more beer, but without the plans to sell it. Most people who start a brewery are home brewers, and their personality type is more back of the house, Keegan says. But to run a brewery you have to talk to people and interact with sales teams. Its a very public facing component.

Keegan says, right from the start when he opened in 2014, he knew that focused on his customers was the way to go, and social media has become more and more important for learning what they wanted.

Tennessee is very anti-beer production ,and we ostensibly have the worst excise tax and pay the most per barrel, he says. To be a success, he knew that he had to look at best practices around the country, then see if they would work in his home state.
Following deadly clashes, Meghalaya's opposition leader is demanding an independent inquiry into the Garo Hills violence to ensure accountability and restore public trust in the region.

IMAGE: Meghalaya's leader of opposition Mukul Sangma. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Meghalaya's opposition leader calls for an independent inquiry into the Garo Hills violence following clashes related to GHADC elections.

The unrest in Garo Hills resulted in fatalities and heightened tensions among different groups, prompting concerns about government intervention.

Concerns raised over alleged indiscriminate arrests and the potential implication of innocent individuals in the Garo Hills violence.

The proposed Commission of Inquiry aims to investigate the causes of the clashes, identify those responsible, and address any lapses in timely intervention.

Emphasis on the need for dialogue and engagement with stakeholders to ensure sustained peace and resolve underlying issues in the Garo Hills region.

Meghalaya's leader of opposition Mukul Sangma on Saturday urged the state government to institute an independent commission of inquiry into the Garo Hills violence, stating that accountability and due process were essential to restore public confidence.

In a petition to Governor CH Vijayashankar, Sangma flagged a "serious law and order situation" in the Garo Hills region, which he said stemmed from a series of developments linked to the elections to the tribal Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

He said tensions escalated over demands by certain civil society organisations representing the Garo community to bar non-tribals from contesting the GHADC polls, the issuance of a notification by the then chief executive member of the council, and a meeting held in Phulbari area by a former MLA, which allegedly had wider ramifications.

"These developments led to widespread unrest and conflict among different groups in the region," Sangma, a TMC MLA, said in the petition.

The unrest subsequently turned violent, resulting in the death of two persons in clashes between rival groups on March 10, while the situation across districts in Garo Hills became tense and volatile, he added.

The former chief minister also alleged that the situation was aggravated due to the lack of timely and effective government intervention at the initial stage.

He further claimed that the role of "vested interests, including possible outside forces inimical to the nation," in fuelling communal tension and disturbing law and order in the region could not be ruled out.

However, Sangma noted that the situation has begun to normalise due to the intervention of church leaders and senior citizens in West Garo Hills, who played a key role in pacifying aggrieved groups.

Concerns Over Police Actions

Raising concern over police action, he said there is a growing perception that arrests are being made in a "random and indiscriminate manner" without proper verification.

"Such actions may lead to miscarriage of justice, aggravate public unrest and risk implicating innocent persons while the real culprits remain unidentified," he said.

Sangma stressed that arrests made merely to demonstrate action or ease immediate pressure could further deteriorate the situation rather than restore public trust.

He urged the authorities to ensure that proper investigation precedes arrests, and that evidence-based policing is followed while safeguarding the rights of citizens.

Call for Commission of Inquiry

Calling for a Commission of Inquiry, the opposition leader said it should examine the circumstances leading to the issuance of the notification, investigate the causes of the clashes, identify those responsible for the violence, and fix accountability for any lapses, including failure of timely intervention by officials.

He also emphasised the need for continued dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders to resolve the issue in the larger interest of the people and ensure sustained peace in the state.
Iranian military has warned the US against any ground aggression on Iran, calling it a red line and saying a 'surprise' would await US President Donald Trump.

IMAGE: Members of the IRGC navy participate in an exercise in the south of Iran. Photograph: IRGC/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters

Key Points Iran warns US that any ground attack would cross a 'red line'.

Tehran vows a 'great surprise; for Trump in case of invasion.

Threat includes retaliation affecting UAE cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

US reportedly exploring options to secure Iran's nuclear material.

Trump reiterates no ceasefire stance amid escalating conflict.

As the security situation continues to evolve in West Asia and the Gulf region, an Iranian military source has warned the United States against any ground aggression on Iran, calling it a red line and saying a 'surprise' would await US President Donald Trump, Tasnim News Agency reported on Saturday.

The military source made the remarks to Tasnim News Agency in response to recent reports suggesting that the US has hinted at possible ground operations in Iran.

The source said, "Obviously, a ground attack on Iranian soil is one of our red lines, and just as we had a surprise against every enemy operation, we will show it again in this case as well."

Referring to earlier attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, the source claimed that such strikes had wider regional consequences and warned the United States against any ground operations.

"When our energy infrastructure was hit, all energy infrastructure in the region became inactive. This time too, we are ready, so that if Trump makes a mistake in this regard, we will have a surprise for him in a way that he will not even be able to remove the coffins of his soldiers from our land," the source said.

Tehran threatens retaliatory strike

The source further warned that any destruction of Iranian islands would lead to retaliatory strikes on coastal areas of the United Arab Emirates, adding that Dubai and Abu Dhabi may not remain unaffected.

The development comes as CBS News reported on Friday, citing sources briefed on the discussions, that the Trump administration has been exploring options to secure Iran's nuclear material.

According to the report, while the timing of any such operation remains unclear, one source said that Trump has not yet taken a final decision.

Plans reportedly include the possible deployment of forces from the Joint Special Operations Command, an elite US military unit tasked with sensitive counter-proliferation missions.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Trump said Washington, DC is not seeking a ceasefire.

Speaking outside the White House, he said, "We can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side. We're not looking to do that."
Haryana Police have launched the 'Abhedya' app, a pioneering mobile security platform designed to protect citizens from cybercrime, extortion, and digital harassment, marking a significant step in combating online threats.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points Haryana Police launch 'Abhedya' app, India's first mobile-based security platform to combat cybercrime and extortion.

'Abhedya' app identifies and blocks suspicious calls and messages, protecting citizens from digital harassment and mental stress.

The app was developed in-house by Haryana Police experts and underwent successful testing before its public launch.

Haryana Police will implement a 'Dual OTP System' with HDFC Bank to prevent 'digital arrest' scams, initially targeting account holders aged 60 and above.

Proactive measures by Haryana Police have already led to a significant reduction in extortion calls and overall crime.

The Haryana Police on Saturday launched 'Abhedya', a mobile application designed to curb cybercrime, extortion and threatening calls.

Officials said this is the first mobile-based security platform of its kind in India. The application aims to protect citizens from suspicious calls, threatening messages, stalking, and digital harassment.

With this initiative, Haryana has become the first state in the country to introduce such a measure.

Key Features of the Abhedya App

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Ajay Singhal said criminals are using internet-based calling and fake numbers to defraud people. He noted that the app will serve as a protective shield for citizens.

Following the state government's zero-tolerance policy, the DGP said strict directions were issued by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to tackle extortion.

He added that the app would provide relief to doctors, traders and contractors who are often targets of such threats. Singhal warned that those attempting to create an atmosphere of fear and terror would be treated as a terrorist and face action.

The DGP explained that while domestic calls are easier to trace, foreign numbers pose technical challenges. Experts within the Haryana Police developed the solution in-house.

The app was launched following successful testing by 25 selected users. To download the application, users must contact the Superintendent of Police of their respective district to receive authorised access. The app is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

According to police data, proactive measures led to a 40 per cent reduction in extortion calls and an 8 per cent drop in overall crime during January and February 2026 compared to the previous year.

The 'Abhedya' app identifies and blocks calls and messages from unknown or suspicious numbers before they reach the user. It monitors international, virtual and unsaved numbers, automatically rejecting suspicious communication. It also deletes suspicious chats, voice messages, notifications, and voice notes from the device to prevent mental stress for the user.

While the user remains protected, the police backend systems will work to trace the person making the suspicious calls.

Dual OTP System to Prevent Digital Arrest Scams

The DGP said that the Haryana Police will soon implement a 'Dual OTP System' to prevent 'digital arrest' scams. Developed in collaboration with HDFC Bank, the system will initially include account holders aged 60 and above, he said.

Under this system, transaction OTPs will be sent to both the primary account holder and a trusted family member.

Transactions will be approved only after dual confirmation. The police are coordinating with the Reserve Bank of India and other banks to finalise the framework, the DGP added.
Maharashtra authorities in Thane district have launched a major crackdown on illegal sand mining, destroying equipment and infrastructure used in the illicit activity, causing significant financial losses to the sand mining mafia.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Thane district authorities destroyed illegal sand mining equipment worth approximately 9 million in Bhiwandi taluka.

The operation targeted illegal sand mining in the Kevani creek area, led by District Collector Shrikrishna Panchal.

Five suction units and eight barges used for illegal sand extraction were destroyed, causing significant financial losses to the sand mining mafia.

Twelve large storage tanks used for illegally extracted sand were demolished on reserved forest land.

The forest department and Mangrove Conservation Unit will take further action against illegal sand mining activities.

Authorities in Maharashtra's Thane district have carried out a crackdown against illegal sand mining in Bhiwandi taluka and destroyed various equipment, including barges, collectively valued at around Rs 90 lakh, officials said on Saturday.

The revenue department carried out the operation in Kevani creek area on Friday based on a tip-off, an official release said.

"The revenue department took major action against the mafia involved in illegal sand mining in the Kevani Sand Port area. In this operation, property worth about Rs 80 to 90 lakh was destroyed," it said.

Details of the Operation

During the operation, led by District Collector Shrikrishna Panchal, authorities destroyed five suction units and eight barges allegedly used in extraction of sand. The equipment was burnt and the barges were sunk in the creek, resulting in heavy financial losses to those involved in illegal activities, it added.

The mafia had created 12 large storage tanks along the creek to stock illegally extracted sand. These tanks were demolished using three backhoe loader machines, the release said.

Authorities said the land used for storing the sand falls under the 'reserved forest' category.

"Since the activity was being carried out on reserved forest land, strict action will also be taken by the forest department and the Mangrove Conservation Unit," it said.

Personnel from Bhiwandi Rural police station were deployed during the operation to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, the release added.

The district administration said it has intensified its campaign against illegal sand mining in recent months, with multiple cases registered and equipment seized in earlier drives.
An Indian man working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has tragically died in a suspected missile attack, prompting his family to seek answers and assistance from the Indian government for repatriation and compensation.

Photograph: Stringer/Reuters

Key Points An Indian man working as a driver in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was reportedly killed in a suspected missile attack.

The family was informed of the death by a friend who claimed the man was killed in a missile strike near his factory.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed the death of an Indian national in Riyadh and is coordinating with local authorities.

The family is urging the Indian government to provide compensation and facilitate the return of the man's body to India.

Local police are investigating the incident and verifying details of the man's employment.

A 26-year-old man was killed in a suspected missile attack in Riyadh, his family alleged on Saturday, claiming that they were yet to give an official confirmation.

Ravi Gopal from Baghain village in Mahmudabad Police Station limits had been working as a driver in a plastic factory in the Saudi capital since September 2025, his family said.

Ritu, his wife, said Ravi last spoke to the family on March 18 around 9.30 pm.

"The call got disconnected after about 20 minutes, and when we tried calling back, we found the phone switched off. We also tried contacting his friends there, but could not reach anyone," she said.

According to the family, they were informed about Ravi's death the next day by his friend Ram Niwas, a native of Barabanki who also works in Saudi Arabia.

Ram Niwas told them that Ravi died in a missile strike near the factory.

Ravi's elder brother, Manmohan Dayal, said that they were told that Ravi was working when he was buried in the debris from a missile attack.

"He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. Ram Niwas identified the body," he said.

Dayal said local police in Mahmudabad have contacted the family to collect details of the incident and Ravi's employment for verification.

A relative of the family, who also works in Saudi Arabia and is currently about 1,400 km away from Riyadh, is expected to reach there to help confirm the death.

Ravi was the sole breadwinner of his family, and he is survived by his wife and four-year-old son.

The family has urged the administration to provide compensation and facilitate the return of his body to their village.

Government Response and Investigation

Mehmudabad Sub-Divisional Magistrate B K Singh told PTI that the administration was in regular contact with the family members to coordinate the next steps.

"The details of the family have been gathered and shared with the government for further action. The administration is in touch with the family members," Singh said.

At an inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem R Mahajan, said on Friday that the government had received information late on March 18 regarding the "tragic demise of an Indian national" during an attack in Riyadh, though he did not elaborate on the circumstances.

He offered his condolences to the bereaved family and said the Indian Mission in Riyadh is in touch with them and coordinating with local authorities for the early return of the mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh also said in a social media post that an Indian national was killed on March 18.
Indian-origin Texas County Judge K P George has been convicted of money laundering after misusing campaign funds for personal expenses.

Photograph: Pexels.com

Key Points K P George, an Indian-origin county judge in Texas, was convicted of money laundering.

George misused over USD 46,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including home-related payments.

The conviction, a third-degree felony, carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine.

George faces removal from office following his official sentencing on June 16.

The case highlights scrutiny of campaign finance practices and accountability for elected officials.

An Indian-origin county judge has been convicted of money laundering following a jury verdict in a high-profile campaign finance case in the US' Texas state and faces removal from office after official sentencing on June 16.

K P George's conviction, a third-degree felony under Texas law, carries a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to USD 10,000.

George, who serves as county judge of Fort Bend County - one of the most diverse counties in the country with a significant Indian-American population - was found guilty of misusing campaign funds for personal expenses.

According to prosecutors, George transferred over USD 46,000 from his campaign account into personal accounts and used the money for private purposes, including a home-related payment.

The defence argued that the funds were reimbursements for personal loans he had extended to his campaign.

The jury returned its verdict after several hours of deliberations, following which George was taken into custody in the courtroom. He was later released on bond and walked out of the Fort Bend County Jail around 8 pm on Friday following the guilty verdict.

George has opted for the judge to decide his sentence. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 16.

District attorneys in the courtroom told FOX 26 news portal that, according to law, George is to be removed from office upon conviction, however, his official removal will not happen until after he's officially sentenced.

Fort Bend County commissioners can then split George's responsibilities, or have someone fill in as interim, it added.

Under Texas law, he is expected to continue in office until sentencing, although removal or suspension may follow depending on legal proceedings and any appeals.

Impact on the Indian-American Community

George, who traces his roots to India, rose through local politics to become one of the most prominent Indian-American elected officials in Texas. He had been regarded as a key figure representing the growing political influence of the diaspora in the region.
Amid rising tensions, Iran reportedly launched ballistic missiles toward a US-UK military base, prompting concerns about regional stability and the potential for escalating conflict in the Middle East.

IMAGE: A projectile launched from Iran heads towards Israel, as seen from Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on March 18, 2026. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Mohammed Torokman/Reuters

Key Points Iran fired two ballistic missiles towards US-UK base at Diego Garcia; interception status unclear.

Strike suggests Iran's missile range may exceed its stated 2,000 km limit.

Trump says US close to objectives, not seeking ceasefire, signals possible drawdown.

Iran warns of attacks on global civilian locations, raising security concerns beyond West Asia.

Ongoing conflict disrupting oil supplies, pushing up fuel and food prices globally, impacting India.

Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint United States-United Kingdom military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago, even as US President Donald Trump said Washington, DC is 'very close' to winding down its military operations against Tehran, according to a media report.

Citing US officials, The Wall Street Journal reported that one of the missiles failed mid-flight, while a US warship launched an SM-3 interceptor against the second.

It remains unclear whether the interception was successful.

The attempted strike is significant given that Diego Garcia lies about 4,000 km from Iran, suggesting Tehran's missile capabilities may extend far beyond its publicly stated range of 2,000 km.

The base, jointly operated by the United States and the United Kingdom, is a key strategic facility in the Indian Ocean region.

Not seeking a ceasefire: Trump

Amid the escalating conflict, Trump reiterated that the US is not seeking a ceasefire, asserting that military operations could soon be scaled down as objectives are nearly met.

Meanwhile, Iran signalled a potential widening of the conflict, with top military spokesperson General Abolfazl Shekarchi warning that 'parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations' worldwide would not be safe for its adversaries.

The threat has heightened concerns that Tehran could resort to attacks beyond West Asia, even as the ongoing conflict continues to disrupt global oil supplies and push up food and fuel prices.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in a message marking Nowruz, praised the resilience of Iranians amid the war.

However, uncertainty persists over the extent of damage to Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure following sustained US and Israeli strikes since late February.

The conflict, now in its third week, has shown no signs of easing, with geopolitical tensions and economic repercussions being felt globally, including in energy-import dependent countries like India.
The Natanz nuclear facility is one of Iran's key nuclear installations and has previously been at the centre of international concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme.

IMAGE: A satellite image shows a closer view of the Natanz Nuclear Facility, on March 2, 2026. Photograph: Vantor/Handout via Reuters

Key Points Iran informs IAEA of attack on Natanz nuclear facility.

No increase in off-site radiation levels reported so far.

IAEA chief calls for restraint to avoid nuclear risk.

US-Israel strike reportedly targeted uranium-enrichment site.

Ongoing conflict continues to disrupt global energy routes via Strait of Hormuz.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday said that Iran has informed it that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked, adding that no increase in radiation levels outside the site has been reported so far.

In a post on X, the United Nations nuclear watchdog stated, 'The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported. The IAEA is looking into the report.'

The Natanz nuclear facility is one of Iran's key nuclear installations and has previously been at the centre of international concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The post further stated that IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has reiterated the need for restraint amid rising tensions, warning of the risks associated with military actions near nuclear sites.

'IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterates his call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident,' the post added.

Joint US-Israel attack on Natanz

Earlier in the day, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz, as reported by Iranian state media outlet Tasnim News Agency.

The strike targeted the Natanz nuclear facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites.

However, no radioactive leaks have been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility are not at risk, according to Tasnim News Agency.

The development comes amid escalating tensions and conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel.

Following this, Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, disrupting waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the ongoing conflict, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supplies.

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
The threat has raised concerns about possible asymmetric attacks outside the region. Iran has also stepped up attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries.

IMAGE: A person inspects the damage inside of a kindergarten at an impact site, following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on March 21, 2026. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters

Key Points Iran warns of potential attacks on civilian locations worldwide.

Drone strikes hit Kuwaits major Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, triggering a fire.

Tehran threatens UAEs Ras al-Khaimah over Gulf island tensions.

Iran criticises UK for supporting US strikes; reiterates self-defence stance.

Conflict intensifies amid global oil supply risks and military build-up.

Iran has issued fresh warnings of expanding its retaliation beyond the Middle East.

According to an Al Jazeera report, its senior military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that 'parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations' worldwide would not be safe for Irans enemies.

The threat has raised concerns about possible asymmetric attacks outside the region.

Iran has also stepped up attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries.

Reports said two waves of Iranian drones struck Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery early Friday, triggering a fire.

The refinery is one of the largest in the region, with a capacity of around 730,000 barrels per day.

At the same time, Iran has warned the United Arab Emirates of possible retaliation.

Tehran threatens to target energy infrastructure

In a statement, Tehran said it would target Ras al-Khaimah if Iranian Gulf islands were attacked again from the UAE territory.

"We warn the United Arab Emirates that, in case of repeated encroachment from that country on the Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, the powerful Iranian armed forces will put Ras al-Khaimah under their crushing blows," the spokesperson said, according to Al Jazeera.

On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the United Kingdom for allowing US forces to use its bases for strikes.

He said, "The vast majority of the British people do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran."

He added, "Ignoring his own people, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran."

Iran has maintained that it is acting in self-defence, with Araghchi stating, "Iran will exercise its right to self-defence."

Iran allows Japanese vessels through Hormuz Strait

Separately, Iran has indicated it may allow Japanese-linked vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, suggesting limited flexibility amid tensions.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that joint US-Israeli strikes had significantly weakened Iran's military capabilities.

He said, "We are winning and Iran is being decimated. Iran's missile and drone arsenal is being massively degraded and will be destroyed."

He added, "What we are destroying now are the factories that produce the components that make these missiles. We are wiping out their entire industrial base that we didnt before."

Separately, US defence major RTX Corporation said earlier this year that its subsidiary Raytheon had signed multiple long-term agreements with the US Department of War to expand production of key munitions, including the SM-3 interceptor.

The company said it plans to scale up production of Tomahawk, AMRAAM, SM-3 and SM-6 systems, with output expected to grow two to four times current levels.
A spokesperson for the Central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said that Iran's armed forces are prepared to intensify their response if aggression continues.

IMAGE: A woman stands inside a destroyed building in Tehran, on March 21, 2026. Photograph: Alaa Al-Marjani/Reuters

Key Points Iran warns of stronger retaliation if US-Israel target its infrastructure.

Tehran says conflict will continue until 'aggressors' are removed.

Iran highlights strategic control over Strait of Hormuz.

Remarks follow US-Israel strike on Natanz nuclear facility.

Ongoing conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets.

Iran on Saturday issued a strong warning to the United States and Israel, stating that any attack on its infrastructure would be met with more extensive retaliatory strikes amid the escalating conflict in the region, Iranian state media Tasnim News Agency reported.

A spokesperson for the Central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said that Iran's armed forces are prepared to intensify their response if aggression continues.

"Strike our infrastructure, and we will strike more important and numerous infrastructure of yours. We remain powerful and will remain powerful by the permission of God," the spokesperson said, as quoted by Tasnim News Agency, underlining Iran's readiness to escalate its military response.

He further stated that Iran is not only defending itself but also acting in the interest of regional security and the broader Muslim world.

"Iran is fighting not only in defence of itself but also for the security of the region and Muslims," the spokesperson added.

Iran asserts strength in Strait of Hormuz

The Central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters is Iran's highest operational command unit, coordinating operations between the Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Highlighting strategic waterways, the spokesperson asserted Iran's strength in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route, signalling its importance in the ongoing conflict.

The spokesperson further warned of a prolonged conflict, stating that resistance remains the key strategy against adversaries.

"Iran is showing strength in the Strait of Hormuz. We have learned the path to your defeat, and it is resistance. The enemies know that continuing the war will bring further destruction upon their bases, which will not be rebuildable," he said.

Conflict would persist until threats eliminated: Iran

Reaffirming Iran's stance, the spokesperson said the conflict would persist until threats against the country are eliminated.

"This war will continue until the option of aggression against this land is removed from the agenda of the aggressors," he said, adding that Iran's armed forces would expand the scope of their response in the event of further attacks.

The remarks come after the United States and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz, as reported by Tasnim News Agency.

The strike targeted the Natanz nuclear facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites. However, no radioactive leaks have been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility are not at risk.

The development comes amid escalating tensions that began on February 28 with the killing of Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israeli strikes.

Iran subsequently retaliated by targeting Israeli and US assets across the region, disrupting waterways and impacting global energy markets.

Due to the ongoing conflict, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supplies.

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has announced that 165 irregular Nigerian migrants were repatriated from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to their country on a voluntary return flight it organised last week
United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC) is one of the best Robinhood stocks on this list.

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In a similar vein, Adeia Inc. announced earlier on March 11 that it has expanded and extended its intellectual property licensing agreement with United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC), providing ongoing access to Adeia's semiconductor technologies, such as hybrid bonding, and supporting upcoming advanced packaging and 3D integration.

More flexibility for chiplet architectures in AI, networking, and automotive applications is made possible by the partnership, according to UMC. The advances in hybrid bonding, interconnects, and semiconductor processes offered by Adeia's portfolio improve next-generation devices' efficiency, bandwidth, and dependability. The revised agreement reaffirms both companies' dedication to the global advancement of high-density semiconductor designs, AI accelerators, and high-performance computing.

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Initial reports suggested that shrapnel caused significant damage to the structure; however, no direct missile impact was reported.

IMAGE: A member of the Israeli security personnel stands inside damaged kindergarten at an impact site, following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on March 21, 2026. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters

Key Points Suspected Iranian cluster missile hits central Israel, damages kindergarten.

Two people injured; no children present at the time of the strike.

Shrapnel caused major damage; no direct missile impact confirmed.

Over 20 locations reportedly hit; seven impact sites confirmed in Rishon Lezion.

Cluster munitions pose ongoing risk due to unexploded bomblets.

Two people were injured and a kindergarten was damaged in the latest missile attack from Iran on Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported on Saturday, with contributions from Reuters.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the injuries occurred in what appears to be an example of a splitting warhead -- posing a challenge for Israel's missile defence shield.

It further reported that a kindergarten in Rishon Lezion was damaged on Saturday after a suspected cluster missile launched from Iran targeted the Gush Dan area in central Israel.

Initial reports suggested that shrapnel caused significant damage to the structure; however, no direct missile impact was reported.

A man in his 70s was lightly injured while making his way to a shelter, while, according to Shamir Medical Center, a man in his 40s was treated for mild injuries sustained in a blast in Rishon Lezion.

The report noted that the missile is believed to have weighed around 100 kilograms, according to Hebrew media, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Over 20 sites hit across Israel: Reports

As tensions continue to escalate in West Asia and the Gulf region, initial reports suggested that over 20 sites were impacted across Israel -- including Rishon Lezion, Bnei Brak, Shoham and Rosh Ha'ayin.

Magen David Adom (MDA) later confirmed seven impact sites in Rishon Lezion, including two residential buildings.

"We will restore everything to its original state," Rishon Lezion Mayor Raz Kinstlich said while visiting the site of the struck kindergarten on Saturday morning.

"The windows were blown out, with some landing on the other side of the street," he said.

"This is a kindergarten, a place where children were supposed to learn," he added, emphasising that, fortunately, no children were present during the strike.

Iran has launched dozens of missiles with cluster munition warheads at Israel since the beginning of the conflict in West Asia.

According to The Jerusalem Post, cluster munitions open mid-air and scatter hundreds of bomblets over a wide area. Many fail to explode, effectively creating hazardous zones that can injure or kill people later.

Earlier on Friday, Iran launched a missile barrage targeting large areas in central Israel and the Jerusalem region.

Shrapnel fell in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City and in Rehovot, causing damage but no major injuries, the report added.
Ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar has declared assets exceeding Rs 93 crore.

IMAGE: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at the nomination filing of BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, from Nemom assembly constituency of Kerala, in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Photograph: @BhajanlalBjp X/ANI Photo

Key Points BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar declared assets worth over Rs 93 crore while contesting from Nemom constituency in the Kerala Assembly elections.

Chandrasekhar's movable assets are valued at over Rs 78.81 crore, including a vintage 1942 Red Indian Scout motorcycle and jewellery worth Rs 3.58 crore.

His immovable assets, consisting of a property in Bengaluru, are valued at over Rs 15.07 crore.

Chandrasekhar reported liabilities of over Rs 107 crore, with an income of Rs 92,91,633 in the 2024-25 Income Tax return.

He is facing two criminal cases related to social media remarks about the 2023 Kalamassery bomb blast, but the Kerala high court has restrained police from taking coercive action.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is contesting in the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls from the Nemom constituency on Saturday declared assets, both movable and immovable, of over Rs 93 crore.

Chandrasekhar, who is fighting against Communist Party of India-Marxist leader and state Education Minister V Sivankutty, and K S Sabarinadhan from the Congress in the April 9 polls, submitted his nomination papers before the returning officer during the day, accompanied by Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma.

As per the affidavit filed along with the nomination paper, the total value of his movable assets is worth over Rs 78.81 crore, while his spouse possesses assets valued at over Rs 18.10 crore.

These include cash in hand, deposits in banks, non-banking financial companies, and cooperative societies, as well as investments in bonds, debentures, shares, units in companies/mutual funds, and other financial instruments.

His movable assets also comprise a 1942 model Red Indian Scout, registered in Karnataka and purchased in 1994 for Rs 10,000, along with jewellery, bullion, and other valuable items valued at over Rs 3.58 crore.

The BJP leader's immovable assets, comprising a self-acquired property in Bengaluru, are valued at over Rs 15.07 crore.

He has liabilities of over Rs 107 crore, while his spouse has debts to the tune of Rs 1.62 crore. These include loans from banks, financial institutions, and others.

Chandrasekhar's total income according to the 2024-25 Income Tax return was Rs 92,91,633, while that of his wife was Rs 60,50,168.

Legal Matters and Educational Background

The BJP state chief, a Masters of Computer Science graduate from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1988, is also facing two criminal cases in connection with his social media remarks connecting the Kalamassery bomb blast of 2023 with the Hamas organisation.

The Kerala high court has passed orders in both matters directing the police not to initiate any coercive proceedings against him, according to his affidavit.

Chandrasekhar's educational qualifications also include a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Visveswaraya Technology University in Belgaum, Karnataka.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sharply criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, accusing them of functioning as the 'B-team' of the BJP and compromising with communal forces in Kerala politics.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan accuses Congress and Rahul Gandhi of being the 'B-team' of the BJP, alleging a hidden alliance.

Vijayan criticises Congress for appeasement politics and seeking support from communal groups, contrasting it with LDF's stance against communalism.

The Kerala High Court is monitoring the Sabarimala gold loss investigation, with the government vowing to spare no one involved.

Vijayan accuses the Centre of hostility towards Kerala and dismisses claims of significant central government aid as 'nonsense'.

Kerala is making major changes in the higher education sector to raise the standards of educational institutions in the state to international levels.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday slammed the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of being the "B-team of BJP".

Vijayan made the accusation during an interview with PTI videos.

In response to a query regarding Rahul's recent remark that central agencies have arrested or called for questioning other opposition leaders in the country, except the Kerala CM, the Marxist veteran accused the Congress leader and his party of acting as the "B-team" of the BJP.

"Some people don't learn even if they see or experience something. They are not normal people. They are a rare phenomenon. That is something that happens to those who are normally incapable of grasping things. Rahul Gandhi falls into that category," the CM alleged.

He said that Rahul had made serious allegations against former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, but the court rejected all those accusations and gave the AAP leader a clean chit.

"It was a heavy blow to the face of the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi. Despite that, it is pathetic that he is repeating the same thing. That is why I said they do not learn from what they have seen and experienced.

"What we can see if we examine the national-level affairs is that the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi has become the actual B-team of the BJP. But, I'm not going into its details now," Vijayan said.

He claimed that the Congress-BJP alliance has been seen in the state many times in the past, but it was not yet clear how things would turn out in the upcoming polls.

He said that both parties oppose the LDF in the same way, and they appeared to be getting along very well.

"The Congress and UDF have become a faction that has no hesitation in allying with the BJP," the CM said.

Accusations of Appeasement Politics

He also accused the Congress of appeasement politics and seeking the support of groups engaged in majority and minority communalism.

The CPI(M)-led LDF is against any form of communalism and does not seek the support of any group engaged in communal activities, the CM said.

"One should be able to keep any communalism at bay. Those who prioritise votes cannot do that, and that's what has happened to the UDF now. The UDF is preparing to compromise with communalism which is a danger to the nation, no matter what kind it is.

"One must be able to take a strong stand against it. That is the speciality of the stand we take. We will not compromise with any communal force. We are against all communalism," he said.

On being asked whether mainstream parties are getting influenced by religious organisations, Vijayan said that they are different from communal forces.

He said that religious organisations handle issues of a particular community, and not all of them should be opposed.

"Religious organisations and communalism are two different things. It is communal forces that should be opposed. I don't see that religious organisations should be opposed," the CM said.

Sabarimala Gold Loss Issue

Regarding the Sabarimala gold loss issue, Vijayan said that the investigation of the matter was being monitored by the Kerala High Court, which has not found fault with the probe, irrespective of the claims to the contrary by the Congress-led UDF.

He said that the government's stand was also clear that anyone involved in the matter would not be spared, and therefore, the opposition allegations against the CPI(M) on the issue would have no impact in the upcoming Assembly polls on April 9.

He contended that the UDF was raising the issue repeatedly only to check whether it could influence voters through that, as they have no other factual ground to attack the government.

The CM said that the legislative session just before the Assembly polls was a good opportunity for the UDF to attack the government and its ministers, but it could not and therefore, it boycotted several days of the House proceedings.

He also accused the opposition of spreading lies in a manner that surpassed Joseph Goebbels, who was a propagandist for the Nazi Party during Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany.

Attacks on the Centre

Vijayan attacked the Centre too, alleging that it was showing a hostile stand towards Kerala on various issues, including the matter of financial aid for Wayanad rehabilitation and termed BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar's reported remarks that the central government has helped the state a lot as "nonsense".

During the interview, he also said that major changes have taken place in the higher education sector in Kerala to raise the standards of educational institutions in the state to international levels.
Following the resignation of a key official, the Congress party is demanding a comprehensive investigation into the Ashok Kharat case, focusing on potential links between the accused godman and individuals in positions of power.

IMAGE: Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

Key Points Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad demands a thorough probe into the Ashok Kharat rape case, extending beyond Rupali Chakankar's resignation.

The Congress is calling for investigation into alleged links between ministers, officials, and the accused godman Ashok Kharat.

Gaikwad criticises Chakankar's performance as head of the Women's Commission, accusing her of failing to support Kharat's alleged victims.

The Congress highlights the issue of political patronage enabling superstitious practices and crimes despite anti-superstition laws.

Gaikwad insists that justice for victims requires action against powerful individuals allegedly associated with Ashok Kharat.

Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday said the resignation of Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar will not bring closure to the Ashok Kharat case, and sought a probe against everyone associated with the self-styled godman arrested for an alleged rape.

Under fire for her links with Kharat, NCP leader Chakankar on Friday stepped down from her post.

"Mere resignation will not bring closure to the case, and a thorough probe against all those allegedly linked to Kharat is necessary," said Gaikwad, the Mumbai Congress chief, in a statement.

Names of some ministers and officials have surfaced in connection with Kharat, she said, demanding strict action against anyone who may have tried to shield him. She also sought to know the names of the ministers who visited Kharat.

Chakankar failed in her duties as head of the women's commission, and instead "added to the difficulties" of Kharat's alleged victims, said Gaikwad, adding that she resigned only when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked her to.

Several women had fallen victim to Kharat's alleged activities, facing sexual and financial exploitation, the Congress leader claimed. Despite anti-superstition laws being in place in Maharashtra, such crimes take place due to political patronage, she added.

Kharat, who headed a Sinnar-based temple trust, claimed to be an astrologer, and allegedly performed rituals for his followers. He was arrested by Nashik Police earlier this week after a woman accused him of raping her repeatedly over a period of two years by threatening her.

Call for Justice and End to Superstition

Calling the situation "serious and concerning", Gaikwad said it was unfortunate that superstitious practices continue in a progressive state with a legacy of reformers like Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule and Dr B R Ambedkar. She also recalled slain anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar's efforts to rid society of blind faith.

While the BJP-led government has initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, justice for the victims would be ensured only if action is taken against those in positions of power who were allegedly associated with Kharat, she said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fiercely criticised the BJP, alleging attempts to manipulate voter rolls and suppress democratic rights in the upcoming assembly elections, sparking a heated political confrontation.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a special prayer on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr, at Red Road in Kolkata on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP-led Centre of attempting to snatch away voting rights through voter roll revisions, particularly targeting minority communities.

Banerjee labels Prime Minister Narendra Modi the 'biggest infiltrator', criticising the BJP's narrative on illegal immigration in West Bengal.

The TMC alleges the Election Commission's voter roll revision exercise has led to the deletion of genuine voters, especially in minority-dominated areas.

Banerjee portrays the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect democratic rights and Bengal's plural social fabric, emphasising communal harmony.

The BJP rejects the TMC's allegations, asserting the voter roll revision aims to remove duplicate and ineligible names.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of trying to snatch away voting rights through the SIR, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "biggest infiltrator" and warning that those targeting Bengal "should go to hell".

Addressing worshippers after Eid prayers at Kolkata's iconic Red Road, the TMC supremo described the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect democratic rights and Bengal's plural social fabric.

"We will not allow Modi ji and the BJP to take away your voting rights. We will fight till the end," Banerjee told the gathering, adding that she had approached courts from Kolkata to Delhi to challenge the process.

Her remarks come amid an escalating political confrontation over the Election Commission's voter roll revision exercise, which the ruling Trinamool Congress alleges has led to the deletion of names of genuine voters, particularly from minority-dominated areas.

"When you go abroad, you shake hands with leaders and speak of friendship. That is your choice, and I respect all countries. But when you return to India, suddenly the Hindu-Muslim narrative begins, and people are called infiltrators," she said.

"You then call for deleting names and labelling people as infiltrators. I would say you and your government are the biggest infiltrators," Banerjee said, in an apparent swipe at Modi and the BJP's repeated allegations of illegal immigration in the border state.

The BJP, however, reacted sharply to Banerjee's remarks, accusing her of lowering the dignity of constitutional offices.

"Anyone who calls the prime minister of the country an infiltrator does not deserve to hold a constitutional post. I think she has lost her mind, she should visit Ranchi immediately," BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said.

The party also rejected the TMC's allegations regarding the voter roll revision, asserting that the exercise was being conducted by the EC to remove duplicate and ineligible names.

With the state heading towards a high-stakes assembly election, Banerjee used the occasion to reinforce her party's campaign narrative that the BJP was attempting to influence the electoral process through institutional mechanisms and polarising rhetoric.

Illegal immigration has emerged as one of the BJP's central campaign planks in Bengal, with party leaders repeatedly accusing the TMC government of encouraging infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh to consolidate its minority vote bank.

"Many people's names have been deleted from the voter list during the SIR exercise. I have knocked on the doors of the Calcutta High Court and even the Supreme Court. I still hope people's rights will be protected," she said.

Striking a defiant note, the chief minister also alleged that the Centre had effectively imposed an "undeclared President's Rule" in the state.

"You have captured our government and imposed an unofficial President's Rule. But we will not be afraid," she said.

The Eid congregation on Red Road, a sprawling ceremonial boulevard in the heart of the city, has long served as both a religious gathering and a symbolic political stage in Bengal's electoral calendar, often doubling as an important outreach platform during election years.

Banerjee also sought to portray herself as a protector of the rights of all communities.

"Even if nobody stands with you, I will stand with the people of Bengal -- across religions, castes and creeds -- as a member of your family," she said.

At another point in her speech, Banerjee issued a sharp warning to those she accused of attempting to target the state politically.

"Those who are targeting Bengal and trying to divide people should go to hell," she said, drawing loud cheers from the gathering.

She also invoked the state's tradition of communal harmony.

"Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians -- everyone lives together in Bengal. We will not allow anyone to break this unity," Banerjee said.

In a rallying cry directed at the saffron party, the TMC chief also declared, "BJP hatao, desh bachao."

The Eid congregation this year carries added political significance, coming weeks before the assembly elections where the TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term in power, while the BJP is attempting to expand its footprint in the state.

The Muslim electorate, estimated to constitute nearly 30 per cent of Bengal's population, has historically played a crucial role in shaping electoral outcomes in several districts across the state.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who also addressed the gathering, echoed the chief minister's message, asserting that Bengal's social harmony would be defended.

Striking a combative tone, he added, "Gardan katega par jhukega nahi (you can chop off my head, but I will not bow)."

The confrontation over electoral rolls has added a new dimension to Bengal's increasingly polarised election discourse, where issues of citizenship, infiltration and voting rights are emerging as central campaign themes.

Against this backdrop, Banerjee's Eid address underscores the TMC's attempt to cast the upcoming polls not merely as a contest for power, but as a larger political battle over democratic rights, identity and the future social fabric of the state.

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
A man has been arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly posting offensive AI-generated images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, raising concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence and online content manipulation.

Key Points A man has been arrested for allegedly creating and sharing objectionable AI-generated images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

The accused, Siddhnath Kumar, was arrested in a joint operation by Delhi Police and Bihar local authorities.

Police suspect the AI-generated content was intended to mislead the public and disrupt public order.

The accused also shared morphed images involving a female BJP legislator and a female leader from abroad.

Kumar has been booked under sections related to forgery, defamation, and criminal intimidation.

Delhi Police has arrested a man from Bihar's Arwal district for allegedly posting objectionable AI-generated images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, an official said on Saturday.

The accused, who was arrested from Maulanachak village in a joint operation by Delhi Police and their local counterparts, has been identified as Siddhnath Kumar, a senior police officer said.

Kumar has been brought to Delhi for further probe, police said.

Investigation Details

A case was registered against the accused with the Special Cell in Lodhi Colony. During the probe, it was found that Kumar allegedly created and circulated objectionable images of Prime Minister Modi using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, which were posted on social media from multiple accounts, police said in a statement.

Police suspect the content was uploaded with the intention of misleading people and disturbing public order. The accused also shared morphed images involving a woman BJP legislator and a woman leader from abroad.

Police are examining the extent of circulation and the networks through which the content was disseminated, the statement said.

Kumar has been booked under sections 336(4) (forgery), 356 (defamation) and 351(1) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS, police said.
A 20-year-old man has been arrested in Lucknow for allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old girl on the false promise of marriage, prompting a swift police response and the teenager's safe rescue.

Key Points A 20-year-old man was arrested in Lucknow for allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old girl.

The kidnapping was allegedly carried out under the pretext of marriage.

The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the girl's parents with the local police.

The accused, Gyan Prakash Verma, was arrested near Tedhi Pulia intersection.

The 17-year-old girl was successfully rescued by the police.

A man was arrested here on Saturday for allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old girl on the pretext of marriage, police said.

On March 15, a complaint was lodged by the girl's parent at the local police station under BNS sections 87 (kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc) and 137 (2) (kidnapping) against Gyan Prakash Verma (20), they said.

Verma, a resident of Banda, was arrested near the Tedhi Pulia intersection on Saturday and the girl was rescued, the police said.
A 29-year-old man in Arunachal Pradesh was arrested for threatening Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma via WhatsApp, highlighting the dangers of social media misuse and the importance of responsible online behaviour.

Photograph: @himantabiswaX/ANI Photo

Key Points A 29-year-old man from Arunachal Pradesh has been arrested for threatening to shoot Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The accused, Krishna Dornal, sent the threat via WhatsApp after allegedly misappropriating money and seeking funds from the Assam Chief Minister's office.

Police investigations revealed the accused sent the threatening message after not receiving a response to his request for money.

The accused has been handed over to Assam police for further investigation into the threat against the Chief Minister.

Police are urging the public to use social media responsibly and warning of legal action for misuse.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested from Arunachal Pradesh's Naharlagun for threatening to shoot Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the local police said on Saturday.

Krishna Dornal, a resident of Dolahtphulbari village, was arrested on Thursday.

Superintendent of Police of the Itanagar Capital Region, Nyelam Nega, said that the Assam police had informed them that the accused had sent the threat to Sarma on WhatsApp, following which the action was taken.

Investigation and Motive

During interrogation, Dornal told police that he had misappropriated money from the wine shop, and when the owner sought an account of the finances, he sent a message to the official email of the Assam chief minister, seeking money.

After receiving no response, he obtained a WhatsApp number from the internet and sent the threatening message, police said.

Officials said the accused has been handed over to the Assam police for further investigation.

Police Warning on Social Media Use

SP Nega appealed to the public to exercise restraint and use social media responsibly, warning that any misuse or violation of the law could invite strict legal action.
Police in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, are investigating the murder of a 45-year-old man who was found dead with his throat slit, prompting a search for the perpetrator and raising concerns about local safety.

Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay

Key Points A 45-year-old man, Bandhu Yadav, was found dead in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, with his throat slit.

The victim worked at a mobile agency and was discovered by his son and uncle after failing to return home.

Police have registered a case against unknown persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and are investigating the murder.

Injury marks on the victim's neck suggest he was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon.

A 45-year-old man was found dead with his throat slit allegedly by a sharp-edged weapon in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the Bhimpura police station area, where the victim, identified as Bandhu Yadav, worked at a mobile agency near the Union Bank branch. His body was found in a field along the roadside in Saraya village in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, police said.

According to the police, Yadav did not return home till around 8 pm on Friday, prompting concern among his family members. His son Golu Yadav, along with his uncle Munna Yadav, went out in search of him and found him lying near the road with his motorcycle.

Police Investigation

Senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Omveer Singh, reached the scene after being informed of the incident. Station House Officer Akhilesh Chandra Pandey said injury marks were found on the victim's neck, indicating that he was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, police said.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against unknown persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint filed by the victim's son.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns attacks on critical infrastructure in West Asia, emphasising the need for safe and open shipping lanes to maintain regional stability and global supply chains.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit, in Kazan on October 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Prime Minister Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in West Asia, highlighting the threat to regional stability and global supply chains.

Modi stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.

PM Modi conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings to President Pezeshkian, expressing hope for peace, stability, and prosperity in West Asia.

Modi appreciated Iran's support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.

The conversation follows escalating tensions in the region, including attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, and Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy shipping route.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, and condemned the attacks on critical infrastructure in West Asia, while stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure.

In his telephonic conversation with the Iranian leader, Prime Minister Modi conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings, expressing hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.

'Spoke with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia,' the prime minister said in a post on 'X'.

Modi condemned the attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.

'Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure,' he said.

The prime minister also appreciated Iran's continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.

Background on Modi-Pezeshkian Discussions

This was the second telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and the Iranian President since the present conflict started on February 28.

On March 12, President Pezeshkian briefed Prime Minister Modi on the current situation in Iran and shared his perspective on recent developments in the region.

The prime minister had expressed deep concern about the evolving security situation in the region and reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Regional Context and Shipping Implications

The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, drawing retaliation from Iran which targeted its neighbours and Israel.

Iran also controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which 20 per cent of the world's energy is transported. Since the conflict, very few ships have been allowed by Iran to cross it.

PM Modi has spoken to a number of world leaders since the conflict started. These include leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France and Malaysia.
A 29-year-old Mumbai woman tragically died after allegedly being assaulted by her husband during a dispute over his drinking, sparking a murder investigation and raising concerns about domestic violence.

Key Points A 29-year-old woman in Mumbai died after allegedly being assaulted by her husband.

The assault occurred during an argument over the husband's alcohol consumption.

The husband, Mahesh Wad, is absconding and has been charged with murder.

The couple reportedly had frequent arguments due to the husband's addiction to alcohol.

Police are currently searching for the accused, Mahesh Wad.

A 29-year-old woman died here days after she was allegedly assaulted by her husband during an argument over his alcohol consumption, a police official said on Saturday.

Accused Mahesh Wad, who is absconding, has been booked for murder, he said.

Police said Mahesh and his wife Kavita recently got into an argument at their home in the Wadala area over his drinking habit.

During the fight, Mahesh repeatedly kicked and punched Kavita, leaving her severely injured. She died on Friday, the official said.

The couple frequently fought as Mahesh is addicted to liquor, he said, adding that efforts are being made to trace the accused.
The denial from Iran could further spook an already volatile market that has seen crude oil prices spike as the West Asia conflict is poised to enter its fourth week.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Manon Cruz/Reuters

Key Points Iran says it has no floating crude or surplus despite US easing sanctions.

US allows sale of Iranian oil already loaded on ships until April 19.

Move aims to release ~140 million barrels to stabilise global markets.

Iran's denial may further increase volatility in already rising oil prices.

Strait of Hormuz disruption continues to pressure global energy supplies.

Iran's Oil Ministry has contradicted the United States move to ease sanctions on Iranian crude oil loaded on vessels as of March 20.

In a statement issued by Iran's consulate in Mumbai, it said, "At present, Iran essentially has no floating crude or surplus available for international markets. The US Treasury Secretarys remarks appear aimed at reassuring buyers and managing market sentiment."

The denial from Iran could further spook an already volatile market that has seen crude oil prices spike as the West Asia conflict is poised to enter its fourth week.

Earlier, the United States on Friday announced a temporary easing of sanctions on Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products until April 19 this year, including permitting the sale of Iranian crude and refined products into the United States.

US allowed sale of Iranian crude already loaded on vessels

Details of the decision were provided in a statement by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorised the delivery and sale of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of March 20.

The statement noted April 19, 2026, as the date until which the exceptions would remain in place.

It said that, with certain exceptions, 'all transactions prohibited by the above-listed authorities that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel, including vessels blocked under the above-listed authorities, on or before 12.01 am eastern daylight time, March 20, 2026, are authorized through 12.01 am eastern daylight time, April 19, 2026.'

The statement added that the transactions authorised by the licence also include the import of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products into the United States.
Following the tragic suicide of a Punjab government officer, allegedly due to ministerial harassment, opposition parties are demanding a CBI investigation and the arrest of the implicated minister, raising serious questions about corruption and governance in the state.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Punjab government officer, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, died by suicide, allegedly accusing a transport minister of harassment.

Haryana's Chief Minister and other political leaders are demanding a CBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding the officer's death.

Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned amid allegations of abetment of suicide, but opposition parties are calling for his arrest.

Opposition leaders allege corruption and pressure on the officer to favour the minister's family in warehouse tenders.

The incident has sparked a political storm, with calls for accountability and a fair investigation to ensure justice for the deceased officer's family.

Several political leaders, including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, slammed the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab over the recent suicide of a government officer.

They demanded a CBI investigation into the circumstances that led to the officer's death.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar tendered his resignation after the chief minister demanded it amid allegations of abetment of suicide.

Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, ended his life by consuming poison on Friday.

In a purported video that surfaced on social media on Saturday, Randhawa, who held the additional charge of Patti, was heard accusing the transport minister of harassment.

Mann has directed the chief secretary to conduct an impartial probe into the matter.

Political Reactions and Demands

Addressing a rally in Punjab's Lehragaga, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of indulging in corruption, due to which even government officers are forced to take extreme steps.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia called Bhullar's resignation an "eye wash" and demanded his immediate arrest and a CBI probe. The government is indulging in "mere drama" and Bhullar could be given a clean chit within days, he said.

"If the government is serious about justice, it should register a murder case under Section 302 and take the minister into custody immediately," the SAD leader said.

Majithia claimed that handing over the probe to Chief Secretary K A P Sinha was part of a "cover-up operation." The chief secretary and state police were "puppets" of Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, and would act as directed, he alleged.

AAP, which claims to be "staunchly honest", has instead emerged as "staunchly dishonest", he said, alleging a gap between the party's claims and actions.

Majithia described Randhawa as an honest and capable officer who held a BSc, MSc and PhD in Agriculture and had done an MBA; he was given additional responsibilities, including that of the Tarn Taran district, due to his competence.

The SAD leaders alleged that continuous pressure was exerted on Randhawa to allot warehouse tenders in the name of Bhullar's father and "such circumstances were created that he was forced to take this extreme step."

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said Chief Minister Mann no longer has any moral basis to remain in power.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Jakhar said the BJP will fight at every level to ensure justice for the deceased officer's family.

"Earlier, people in Punjab were committing suicide due to their inability to pay extortion money under gangster rule. Now, even government officers are being forced to take their lives as they couldn't meet alleged demands from ministers," Jakhar said, stating that the death was akin to broad daylight murder of an officer.

He said Bhullar should be booked and arrested immediately.

Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa and MPs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Gurjeet Aujla, met Randhawa's bereaved family members in Amritsar.

Bajwa said the circumstances surrounding the death are extremely disturbing and raised serious questions.

He emphasised that the family deserves justice, and accountability must be ensured at all costs.

The LoP said serious allegations have surfaced against Bhullar, including claims of assault, coercion and sustained harassment.

"In such a grave situation, my first demand as the leader of the opposition is that an FIR should be registered immediately for abetment of suicide. Laljit Singh Bhullar must be arrested without delay, and the case should be handed over to the CBI for a fair and impartial investigation," he said.

Bajwa said the onus is on the Punjab government and police to demonstrate that Rule of Law prevails in the state and it applies equally to all.

Any delay or inaction will only deepen public mistrust and raise doubts about the government's intent, he said.
In Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, a police team was attacked while responding to an assault complaint, leading to injuries, arrests, and charges of attempted murder against the assailants.

Key Points A police team responding to an assault complaint in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, was attacked by two individuals.

Constable Shailendra Kumar sustained severe head injuries during the attack and was hospitalised.

The attackers allegedly attempted to strangle a constable and pelted him with stones, also damaging the police vehicle.

Arun Rai and Amit Rai alias Ganguly were arrested and are facing charges, including attempted murder, under the BNS.

Police recovered country-made pistols and live cartridges from the possession of the accused during the arrest.

A police team was attacked in the Narhi area of the district when it was responding to an assault complaint, an officer said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday morning in Sikandarpur village when a police response vehicle (PRV) reached the spot on a complaint by Raghavendra Rastogi about an assault on his father.

Three policemen  Shailendra Kumar, Sunil Kumar, and Rambhajan Yadav - were attacked, allegedly by 51-year-old Arun Rai, 32-year-old Amit Rai alias Ganguly, the officer said. Both were arrested.

The accused allegedly tried to strangle constable Shailendra Kumar and pelted him with stones, leaving him with severe head injuries. The attackers also damaged the police vehicle before fleeing.

Narhi Station House Officer (SHO) Virendra Singh said Shailendra Kumar was taken to the district hospital.

Based on his complaint, a case was registered under section 109 (attempt to murder) of the BNS.

Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Kripa Shankar said Rai and Ganguly were nabbed on the Nasirpur Madh-Ujiyar road on Friday following a tip-off.

Two country-made pistols and live cartridges were found in their possession.

A video of the incident, showing the two men scuffling with the policemen, surfaced on social media.
Madhya Pradesh police intercepted a truck carrying a massive shipment of poppy husk worth millions, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Madhya Pradesh police seized 613.6 kg of poppy husk worth Rs 1.22 crore from a truck in Agar Malwa.

The truck was en route to Punjab with the poppy husk concealed among sacks of soybean.

The truck driver, Vikar Singh Bhullar from Punjab, was arrested for transporting the illegal substance without a license.

Police intercepted the truck based on a tip-off and discovered the narcotics hidden in black sacks.

An investigation is underway under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Police in Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday seized 613.6 kg of poppy husk, valued at Rs 1.22 crore, from a truck and arrested a man.

The container truck was on its way to Punjab, an official said.

Additional Superintendent of Police Ravindra Kumar Boyat said the Kotwali police received information about a truck carrying poppy husk concealed among sacks of soybean.

It was intercepted at Ganesh Ghati on Agar-Sarangpur Road. Upon search, police found the narcotic substance hidden in 31 black sacks among 325 sacks loaded in the truck.

Driver Vikar Singh Bhullar (around 35 years), a resident of Tarn Taran district of Punjab, did not have the license needed for transporting the substance, the official said.

A case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Kotwali police station in Agar and further investigation is underway, ASP Boyat added.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has resigned following allegations connected to the suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager, prompting a government investigation.

IMAGE: Laljit Singh Bhullar . Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Punjab Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned after being implicated in the alleged suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed a probe into the circumstances surrounding the suicide.

The deceased manager, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, allegedly named Laljit Singh Bhullar in a video before his death.

Opposition leader Bikram Singh Majithia has accused Bhullar of involvement in the suicide.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar tendered his resignation on Saturday, following directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, sources said.

The MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran was asked to resign in connection with the alleged suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager in Amritsar.

Mann has directed the chief secretary to conduct a probe into the matter.

Negligence of any kind will not be tolerated, he said.

Allegations Against the Minister

Recently, a video surfaced on social media in which Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the manager, was heard saying that he had consumed some poisonous substance and named Laljit Singh Bhullar, the transport minister.

Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Randhawa died by suicide after consuming Celphos.

Majithia also alleged that Randhawa named Bhullar before his death.
Punjab's political landscape is shaken as Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigns amid serious allegations of abetting the suicide of a state warehousing official, prompting a high-level investigation and opposition outcry.

IMAGE: Laljit Singh Bhullar. Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned following allegations of abetment of suicide of a state warehousing corporation official.

The resignation was prompted by a video in which the deceased official, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, accused Bhullar of harassment.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered an impartial probe into the matter and accepted Bhullar's resignation to ensure a fair investigation.

Opposition parties have demanded the arrest of Bhullar and a CBI probe into the allegations of pressuring Randhawa over warehouse tenders.

Bhullar denies the allegations and requested his resignation be accepted to allow for a proper investigation.

Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar tendered his resignation from the state cabinet on Saturday after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asked him to step down amid allegations of abetment of suicide of a state warehousing corporation official.

Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, allegedly took his own life after consuming a poisonous substance on Friday.

A purported video surfaced on social media on Saturday in which Randhawa, who held the additional charge of Patti, was heard saying that he had consumed some poisonous substance and accused the transport minister of harassment.

"Kha layi 'celphos' tuhade yaar ne. Minister Laljit Bhullar de dar ton. Hun nahi main bachda," (Your friend consumed poison because of fear of minister Laljit Bhullar. I will not survive now)," Randhawa could be heard saying in the video.

However, Bhullar, the MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran, rejected allegations against him as baseless.

CM Mann said he has directed the chief secretary to conduct an impartial probe into the matter and asked the minister to step down for a fair probe.

"What are the reasons behind it? It is a matter of probe. Before conducting the probe, we took resignation from our cabinet minister so that no one could influence the probe or could put any pressure," Mann said, responding to reporters' query on Bhullar's resignation.

No negligence will be tolerated in the matter, Mann said, adding Bhullar's portfolios of transport and prison will be allocated to some other minister.

Opposition Demands Action

As the video surfaced online, the opposition party leaders slammed the Aam Aadmi Party government and demanded action against Bhullar.

Accusing Bhullar of pressuring Randhawa to allot a warehouse tender in the name of his father, they alleged that Bhullar made a video of Randhawa and forced him to admit to accepting a Rs 10-lakh bribe from another party.

They further alleged that on March 13, Randhawa was called to Bhullar's place, where he was assaulted and humiliated.

Amritsar's Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, while speaking to reporters in Amritsar, said Bhullar had applied for a warehouse tender in his father's name. However, when the tender was allotted to some other person, Randhawa was called to Bhullar's residence and was assaulted, Aujla alleged.

Bhullar's Response and Calls for Investigation

In a Facebook post, Bhullar said his party always stands with the truth, so he wanted allegations against him to be investigated properly.

"Until this investigation is completed, I request the party and our chief minister to accept my resignation from the minister's post," he said.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded the arrest of the AAP leader and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter.

Addressing the media in Amritsar, Majithia said the government was indulging in 'mere drama' in the case and termed Bhullar's resignation as an eyewash.

"If the government is serious about justice, it should register a murder case and take the minister into custody immediately," he said, claiming the minister could be given a clean chit within days.

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa termed the allegations against Bhullar grave and urged the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognisance and ensure justice.

Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party working president Ashwani Sharma too demanded the arrest of Bhullar and said Randhawa committed suicide following the alleged harassment by him.
Following the suicide of a state warehousing official, opposition parties in Punjab are uniting to protest and demand the arrest of a former minister, intensifying scrutiny of the Aam Aadmi Party government and allegations of corruption.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Opposition parties in Punjab are planning a joint protest to demand the arrest of former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar after a state warehousing official's suicide.

The official, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, allegedly accused the transport minister of harassment in a video before his death, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other political leaders have criticised the AAP government, alleging corruption and demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

Opposition leaders are demanding the immediate arrest of Bhullar and a CBI investigation, alleging a cover-up by the state government.

Opposition parties on Saturday night announced that they would jointly gherao Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh, demanding the arrest of former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar for the suicide of a state warehousing corporation official in Amritsar.

Earlier, several political leaders, including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, slammed the AAP government over the official's death and demanded a CBI investigation into the circumstances that led to it.

Bhullar tendered his resignation from the state Cabinet on Saturday after the chief minister demanded that he step down amid allegations of abetment of suicide.

Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, ended his life by consuming poison on Friday.

In a purported video that surfaced on social media on Saturday, Randhawa, who held the additional charge of Patti, was heard accusing the transport minister of harassment.

Mann has directed the chief secretary to conduct an impartial probe into the matter.

Late on Saturday, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia said it has been decided that all parties -- SAD, Congress and BJP -- will gherao Mann's residence on Sunday.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Akali leader Majithia and Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa took a decision in this regard in Amritsar, he said.

Leaders of these parties have been camping at the Ranjit Avenue police station in Amritsar, demanding Bhullar's arrest.

Political Reactions and Allegations

Addressing a rally in Punjab's Lehragaga, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of indulging in corruption, due to which even government officials are forced to take extreme steps.

Meanwhile, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia called Bhullar's resignation an "eyewash" and demanded his immediate arrest and a CBI probe. The government is indulging in "mere drama" and Bhullar could be given a clean chit within days, he said.

"If the government is serious about justice, it should register a murder case under Section 302 and take the minister into custody immediately," the SAD leader said.

Majithia claimed that handing over the probe to Chief Secretary K A P Sinha was part of a "cover-up operation." The chief secretary and state police were "puppets" of Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, and would act as directed, he alleged.

AAP, which claims to be "staunchly honest", has instead emerged as "staunchly dishonest", he said, alleging a gap between the party's claims and actions.

Majithia described Randhawa as an honest and capable official who held a BSc, MSc and PhD in Agriculture and had done an MBA; he was given additional responsibilities, including that of the Tarn Taran district, due to his competence.

The SAD leader alleged that continuous pressure was exerted on Randhawa to allot warehouse tenders in the name of Bhullar's father and "such circumstances were created that he was forced to take this extreme step."

Punjab BJP chief Jakhar said Chief Minister Mann no longer has any moral basis to remain in power.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Jakhar said the BJP will fight at every level to ensure justice for the deceased officer's family.

"Earlier, people in Punjab were committing suicide due to their inability to pay extortion money under gangster rule. Now, even government officers are being forced to take their lives as they couldn't meet alleged demands from ministers," Jakhar said, stating that the death was akin to broad daylight murder of an officer.

He said Bhullar should be booked and arrested immediately.

Opposition Demands and Family Support

Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa and MPs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Gurjeet Aujla, met Randhawa's bereaved family members in Amritsar.

Bajwa said the circumstances surrounding the death are extremely disturbing and raised serious questions.

He emphasised that the family deserves justice, and accountability must be ensured at all costs.

The LoP said serious allegations have surfaced against Bhullar, including claims of assault, coercion and sustained harassment.

"In such a grave situation, my first demand as the leader of the opposition is that an FIR should be registered immediately for abetment of suicide. Laljit Singh Bhullar must be arrested without delay, and the case should be handed over to the CBI for a fair and impartial investigation," he said.

Bajwa said the onus is on the Punjab government and police to demonstrate that Rule of Law prevails in the state and it applies equally to all.

Any delay or inaction will only deepen public mistrust and raise doubts about the government's intent, he said.
Punjab Police successfully apprehended two individuals in Bathinda, foiling a planned robbery and seizing illegal weapons, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat crime in the region.

Key Points Punjab Police arrested two men in Bathinda for allegedly planning a robbery.

The suspects were found in possession of illegal country-made .32 bore pistols and live cartridges.

Preliminary investigations suggest the weapons were procured from Delhi.

One of the accused has a prior criminal record, including involvement in a domestic violence case.

The arrest was a joint operation between the Anti-Gangster Task Force and the Bathinda Police.

The Punjab Police have arrested two men with illegal weapons who were allegedly planning a robbery in Bathinda, officials said on Saturday.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said Jacky Kumar alias Jacky, and Vikas Arora, both residents of Bathinda, were arrested by the Anti-Gangster Task Force in a joint operation with the police.

The Bathinda police recovered two illegal country-made .32 bore pistols along with magazines and four live cartridges from their possession, he said.

Yadav said the accused were allegedly planning to rob a businessman in Bathinda. Preliminary investigation has revealed that they procured the weapons from Delhi, he said.

Arora has a criminal background, including involvement in a domestic violence case, the DGP said, adding that further investigation to establish forward and backward linkages in the case is underway.

Joint Operation Details

Sharing operational details, AGTF Deputy Inspector General of Police Gurmit Chauhan said that the AGTF Bathinda team had received input that the accused, possessing illegal weapons and planning to commit a robbery, were seen near Mittal Mall in the Panchwati area.

Acting swiftly, an AGTF team shared the inputs with the Bathinda Police, he said.

Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Jyoti Yadav said in a joint operation, two individuals were seen approaching from the GT Road, Bathinda.

Upon noticing the police checkpost at Santpura road, near Sirhind canal, the accused attempted to flee, but the police apprehended them and recovered illegal weapons, she said.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Arms Act at Kotwali Police Station in Bathinda.
Punjab Police successfully apprehended two individuals with illegal weapons, thwarting their planned robbery of a Bathinda businessman, thanks to a coordinated effort by the Anti-Gangster Task Force.

Key Points Punjab Police arrested Jacky Kumar and Vikas Arora for allegedly planning a robbery in Bathinda.

The Anti-Gangster Task Force and Bathinda Police conducted a joint operation leading to the arrests.

Two country-made .32 bore pistols, magazines, and live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

Preliminary investigations suggest the illegal weapons were sourced from Delhi.

Vikas Arora has a prior criminal record, including a domestic violence case.

The Punjab Police on Saturday said it had arrested two men with illegal weapons, planning a robbery.

Jacky Kumar, alias Jacky, and Vikas Arora were arrested by the Anti-Gangster Task Force in a joint operation with the Bathinda Police, said Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.

The two were allegedly planning to rob a businessman in Bathinda, the DGP said on X.

Two country-made .32 bore pistols, with magazines, and four live cartridges, were found on them, he said. Preliminary investigation revealed that the weapons were procured from Delhi, he said.

Vikas Arora has a criminal background, including involvement in a domestic violence case, the DGP added.
A key suspect in the Rohit Shetty house firing case has been apprehended in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant development in the investigation and bringing the total arrests to 14.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A key suspect, Golu Pandit, has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the firing at Rohit Shetty's house in Mumbai.

The arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in the case to 14.

The Mumbai Crime Branch, with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, made the arrest.

Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Shubham Lonkar claimed responsibility for the incident, and is also wanted in other cases.

Police have invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those involved in the firing.

A key accused in the filmmaker Rohit Shetty house firing case was apprehended from Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the number of persons arrested in the sensational incident to 14, a police official said.

Golu Pandit was nabbed by Mumbai Crime Branch with assistance from the Special Task Force of the northern state, he added.

"Pandit is being brought to Mumbai to be produced in court on Sunday. Further details will be shared once the accused is here," the official said.

A total of 14 persons have been arrested in the case so far.

Details of the Firing Incident

At least five rounds were fired at the first floor of Shetty's nine-storey building in Juhu on February 1. One bullet struck the glass of a gym inside the building.

Gang Involvement and Previous Claims

Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Shubham Lonkar claimed responsibility for the incident in a social media post. Lonkar is also wanted in the NCP leader Baba Siddique murder case and the firing at Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence in Bandra.

MCOCA Invoked

Police had invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused involved in firing at Shetty's house.
A couple from Muzaffarnagar, India, were found dead in a Saharanpur hotel room after allegedly consuming poison, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspected suicide pact and the girl's disputed age.

Key Points A man and a girl from Muzaffarnagar were found dead in a Saharanpur hotel room, suspected to have died by suicide.

The girl's age is disputed, with her father claiming she is a minor while the man's family claims she is an adult.

The man reportedly showed a poisonous substance to his cousin during a video call, expressing his intent to end his life.

Police are investigating the incident and verifying the girl's age to determine the full circumstances of the suspected suicide pact.

A 26-year-old man and a 'minor' girl, who had gone 'missing' in Muzaffarnagar district two days ago, allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at a hotel room in the Nanauta area here, police said on Saturday.

The deceased man has been identified as Ajmal, police said.

The girl's father, who registered a case against Ajmal in Budhana on charges of kidnapping his daughter, mentioned her age as 14 in the FIR, even though Ajmal's family claimed she was 18.

Saharanpur police said they are verifying the age of the deceased girl.

Both Ajmal and the girl were from a village within the Budhana police station limits in Muzaffarnagar, and belonged to the same community, police said.

Details of the Incident

Nanauta SHO Naveen Kumar told PTI that Ajmal had checked into 'Hotel Blue One' two days ago, and was in touch with his cousin Rizwan via video call.

During one such call, he reportedly showed Rizwan a packet containing some poisonous substance and expressed his intent to end his life despite the latter's repeated pleas to stop.

Rizwan immediately alerted the family, who reached the hotel on Friday evening and found Ajmal and the girl in an unconscious state.

The two were rushed to a community health centre at Rampur Maniharan, from where they were referred to a higher medical centre in Shamli.

Both were declared dead by doctors at a private hospital in Shamli, police said.

Further investigations are underway, they said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined key goals of the campaign, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities, dismantling its defence industrial base, eliminating naval and air power, preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear capability, and protecting United States allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump gestures as he steps from Air Force One upon his arrival in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 20, 2026. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Key Points Trump says US is close to achieving Iran war objectives and may wind down operations.

Simultaneously, US is sending 3 ships and 2,500 Marines, raising troop presence beyond 50,000.

CENTCOM claims thousands of Iranian targets hit; over 120 naval assets destroyed.

Iran-Israel conflict intensifies; drone and missile attacks continue across the region.

Rising oil prices and global tensions prompt US to ease some sanctions on Iranian oil.

United States President Donald Trump has said the United States is 'very close' to achieving its objectives against Iran and is considering winding down military operations in the Middle East, even as Washington, DC continues to bolster its military presence in the region.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined key goals of the campaign, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities, dismantling its defence industrial base, eliminating naval and air power, preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear capability, and protecting United States allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The remarks come amid an intensifying conflict in West Asia, with the three-week-long war showing no signs of easing.

Iran has continued missile attacks on Israel, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting multiple drones targeting its oil-rich eastern region.

US sends more troops to the Gulf region

Despite Trump's stated intent to wind down operations, the US is deploying three additional amphibious assault ships and around 2,500 Marines to the region, adding to over 50,000 troops already stationed there.

Officials said earlier that another contingent of 2,500 Marines had also been redirected from the Pacific.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces have struck thousands of Iranian targets under 'Operation Epic Fury', including command centres, missile systems, and military infrastructure. The strikes also targeted the Esfahan Khomeynishahr drone production facility, known for producing Shahed attack drones.

According to the Pentagon, US forces have damaged or sunk over 120 Iranian naval vessels, including all 11 submarines, significantly weakening Tehran's maritime capabilities.

The escalation follows Iranian threats to target recreational and tourist sites globally, further heightening tensions.

At the same time, global oil prices have surged, impacting financial markets, prompting the US administration to ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments already at sea to stabilise fuel prices.

While Trump has ruled out deploying ground troops in Iran for now, he has maintained that all options remain open.

The US and Israel have cited multiple objectives for the campaign, ranging from curbing Irans nuclear ambitions to weakening its leadership, though no clear end to hostilities is currently in sight.
In a move to stabilise soaring global crude prices, the US has announced a temporary lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil already in transit, releasing 140 million barrels to the market.

IMAGE: The pause on sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on vessels begins Friday and is set to end on April 19. Photograph: Manon Cruz/Reuters

Key Points The US is temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea to lower global crude prices.

Approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil will be released to the global market.

The authorisation is short-term, lasting from Friday until April 19, and limited to oil already in transit.

The US aims to use Iranian oil to keep prices down while maintaining pressure on Iran.

President Trump indicated a potential winding down of military operations against Iran, but not a ceasefire.

The United States has announced the temporary lifting of sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil stranded at sea in an effort to cool down soaring global crude prices.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the temporary measure will make available 140 million barrels of Iranian oil to global markets.

"This temporary, short-term authorisation is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production," Bessent said in a long post on X.

The price of Brent crude has witnessed sharp swings from roughly USD 70 per barrel before the war began to as high as USD 119.50 this week.

"Today, the Department of the Treasury is issuing a narrowly tailored, short-term authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea," Bessent said.

Temporarily Unlocking Sanctions

The US official claimed that at present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap.

By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran, he said.

"In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury," Bessent said.

The pause on sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on vessels begins Friday and is set to end on April 19.

Petrol prices have increased from USD 3 a gallon in the US before the war began to USD 3.99 on Saturday.

"This temporary, short-term authorisation is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production," Bessent said.

Further, Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated, and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system, he said.

So far, the Trump Administration has been working to bring around 440 million additional barrels of oil to the global market, undercutting Iran's ability to leverage its disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the US official said.

Trump Administration's Stance on Iran

Earlier Friday, US President Donald Trump said that the United States was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran but was not seeking a ceasefire with the Islamic Republic.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with the terrorist regime of Iran," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, giving the strongest indication that he may be prepared to soon end hostilities.

At the White House on Friday, Trump said he was not looking at a ceasefire with Iran.

"Well, look, we can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side. We're not looking to do that," the US President said before leaving for Florida.
At an icy training ground in the east of Ukraine, a dozen female convicts are being prepared for drone missions on the front lines. One woman, with the call sign "Kupo," steers a quadcopter in to land. Like the other trainees here, she was released from prison to serve in a Shkval battalion, a military unit made up of convicts.

"I was trying to get into the army for years," Kupo said, as another woman took over the controller and the drone buzzed back up over the trees. "Since 2023, I was applying everywhere," the former prisoner recalled. "Back then, even when they started accepting prisoners in the army, they wouldn't take women." Forty-six brigades, she said, turned her down before recruiters from the Shkval Battalion of Ukraine's 59th Brigade came to Kupo's prison. The military recruiters screened out those physically unfit to serve, and prisoners with drug addictions or who had committed disqualifying crimes such as rape or multiple homicide. About 100 women put their hands up to serve in the convict battalion, Kupo said, while only around 20 were accepted. "A lot of women are still waiting," she said.

Kupo was convicted at age 23 for reasons she declines to speak about. After five years in prison, she vowed not to waste another day. "There's no sense sitting in prison. You have to be useful. I think I can do my small part for a great victory. Everything will be OK, even in the worst case," she said. Under the terms of Kupo's release from prison, she will regain her freedom providing she serves in the military "until the end of the war" with Russia. But many of the convicts will not survive that long. High-risk assignments at some of the most dangerous parts of the front lines await these fighters. The women here are training for reconnaissance, which is less risky than the infantry assault missions that many convicts are given. An instructor at the training ground joins in the conversation. "For you, infantry is a last resort." Another woman responds, "We'll deliver results no worse than the men." Kupo nods toward a group of aged male convicts training nearby. "I think even better," she quips.

While most women on this training ground are in their late 20s, most of the men are well into middle age. As the war drags on, Ukraine is struggling to find enough motivated men to fight. And the search for manpower keeps reaching deeper. The men here have been through a month of training and are now on standby. A call that will send them on their first assault mission could come at any time. Amid shouted commands from an instructor, one convict sits down to catch his breath. Despite only visiting France a handful of times, he has been given the callsign "Frenchman." "This is hard for me," he complained, "at my age, this is hard." He is about to turn 58. Frenchman claims he was set up by corrupt police in Georgia and imprisoned there, then later extradited to Ukraine. He signed up to fight soon after returning to his home country, he said.

Among other reasons, Frenchman cites revenge against Russia as his motivation to fight. "We didn't go to them, they came to us," he said. His hometown is in the now Russian-occupied Luhansk region, where he and his family had worked for generations in the mines. His wife fled at the beginning of the war to France to live there with their daughter. "When the war ends I really want to take Sjava to Paris," Frenchman said, pointing to a nearby convict soldier with whom he was sharing a cigarette. "Yes, to France!" Sjava said, excited.
Czech authorities have launched a probe into a fire that broke out at a warehouse of a company that makes drones and other military equipment, including a new cruise missile it was reportedly planning to test in combat in Ukraine this year.

Officials say the predawn fire at a facility owned by arms producer LPP Holding in the city of Pardubice, some 100 kilometers east of Prague, was deliberately set, and are treating it as a terror attack.

A group calling itself Earthquake Faction said on Telegram that it was responsible for the March 20 fire at the facility, which it called a "key production center" for Israeli weapons and linked to what it said was genocide against Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon.

However, Czech news outlet Seznam zpravy cited unnamed sources as saying security officials are also considering the possibility that it was a "false flag" operation and that the Earthquake Faction, which the outlet said has "no traceable history," is a cover for another entity or a state actor.

"We are dealing with all available information. There is a probable connection with a terrorist attack," Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis also said on X that it was being investigated as an act of terrorism, and President Petr Pavel said it was important to wait for the results of the probe.

National police chief Martin Vondrasek said that not long after the fire was reported at about 4 a.m., messages were sent to several Czech journalists from an address registered in the same domain as the site of Earthquake Faction.

In a statement on its website, LPP confirmed that a fire had broken out at one of its facilities and said it would not speculate about "the causes or circumstances." It said nobody was injured.

Czech media outlet Aktualne quoted an LPP representative as saying that cooperation that had been planned in 2023 with an Israeli firm, Elbit Systems, never took place because a tender was canceled, and that LPP has never produced Israeli drones.

Articles on the LPP website indicate the company has made drones that have been used by the Ukrainian military in its defense against the full-scale Russian invasion, now in its fifth year.

In December, Aktualne reported that combat testing of a new cruise missile made by LPP with a range of up to 680 kilometers, the Narwhal, was to take place in Ukraine in January-February of this year, with serial production potentially starting soon afterward.

A call placed to LPP after regular business hours went unanswered.

With reporting by RFE/RLs Russian Service
The Strait of Hormuz, a 33-kilometer-wide chokepoint through which roughly a third of the world's seaborne oil passes, is effectively closed to normal commercial traffic.

Iran has not blockaded the strait with a chain or a fleet. Instead, it has made the waterway ungovernable through a combination of kinetic strikes, mines, electronic warfare, and market fear -- creating a closure that is arguably harder to reverse than a conventional blockade.

"I can think of no way to reopen and keep open Hormuz militarily and easily," Richard Allen Williams, a retired US Army colonel and former NATO Defense Investment Division official, told RFE/RL.

How The Strait Was Closed

The shutdown has four interlocking layers.

The first is physical: more than two dozen drone, missile, and fast-attack boat strikes on commercial shipping since the war began, with Iran demonstrating it can reach vessels hundreds of kilometers from the strait itself, off the coast of Iraq.

The second is mines. According to US intelligence reporting, Iran has begun laying mines in the strait. Its total arsenal is estimated at around 6,000, ranging from crude contact mines to sophisticated seabed devices that respond to acoustic or magnetic signals.

Laying them is easy; it can be done from ordinary fishing boats, indistinguishable from normal Persian Gulf traffic. Clearing them is not. It took the United States and its allies 51 days to sweep 907 mines off Kuwait after the Persian Gulf War, with the advantage of Iraqi minefield maps. Even a limited Iranian mining campaign would mean a closure measured in months.

The third layer is electronic. GPS spoofing and signal jamming affected more than 1,650 vessels on a single day in March, with navigation systems showing supertankers sailing over dry land and cargo ships transiting airports. In a narrow waterway, that level of disruption creates genuine collision risk with no missile required.

The fourth and final layer is financial: War-risk insurers have withdrawn coverage across much of the commercial market. Without insurance, ships don't move.

Michael Horowitz, an independent defense expert based in Israel, says the threat is structurally asymmetric.

"Just a few attacks per month is enough to increase insurance prices and market pressure," he told RFE/RL, comparing the situation to the Houthi campaign in the Red Sea. "This is a battle heavily tilted in favor of the disrupter."

What Washington Is Considering, And Why It's Hard

The Trump administration is weighing a couple of options.

Tanker escorts -- warships accompanying commercial vessels with drone and missile cover -- are the lightest footprint but require roughly two warships per tanker and continuous drone patrols overhead.

But the risk is high, according to Horowitz.

"A land-based attacker, even without a proper navy, can be very effective. A US loss would be dramatic and roll back the positive impact of escort missions in an instant."

Mines compound the problem further. The US mine countermeasure capability in the region, already limited to aging helicopters and troubled littoral combat ships, was weakened further when dedicated minesweepers stationed in Bahrain were decommissioned in late 2025.

Heavier air strikes aimed at Iranian coastal infrastructure are a second option. US Central Command says it has destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers. But Iran's mobile launchers are designed for shoot-and-scoot operations, and years of dispersal and hardening make systematic degradation from the air enormously difficult.

A third option that has been floated in the media is a ground operation, a Marine amphibious assault to seize or repeatedly raid Iran's southern coastline.

Williams was blunt about what that means in practice: large forces, mountainous terrain, and 190,000 Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) troops with asymmetric warfare experience. "Difficult, expensive, risky," he said, "with no assurance of success."

The Bottom Line

Even an optimistic escort scenario would reduce traffic to 10 percent of normal volume, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence, with a backlog of over 600 stranded vessels taking months to clear. None of the military options address the insurance and market dimension -- and shippers, not the Pentagon, ultimately decide whether tankers sail.

Horowitz sees a negotiated settlement as the most realistic path, but flags two other possibilities: blockading Iran's own energy exports to pressure both Tehran and its top buyer China, or waiting for the collapse of the Islamic republic. He's skeptical of the latter.

"The chances of that happening quickly enough for markets to recover are low, to say the least," he added.

What that leaves is a strait that may stay closed for the foreseeable future, not for lack of military options, but because none of them can do what only a political outcome can.

Alex Raufoglu contributed to this report.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reiterated its call for restraint as Iran reported that its Natanz uranium enrichment facility had been hit on March 21, as US and Israeli strikes continued despite US President Donald Trump saying the day before that the war could be "winding down."

No increase in radiation levels had been reported outside the Natanz facility, the IAEA said. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a statement that "no leakage of radioactive materials has been reported in this complex and no danger threatens the residents of the areas surrounding this site," it said in a statement.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, in a post on X, reiterated his call for "military restraint to prevent a nuclear accident."

This is at least the second time the Natanz facility has been targeted during the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran that began on February 28.

Natanz was struck by US B-2 bombers on July 1, 2025, during Israel's 12-day war with Iran. At the time, Trump said the facility was "completely and absolutely" destroyed.

Meanwhile, a massive fire was reported at a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport in Iraq. Images from eyewitnesses showed a huge fire followed by dark columns of smoke rising into the sky.

Iraqi security sources said the fire was reported after renewed drone attacks on the US diplomatic compound near Baghdad airport.

Large Fire Reported At US Diplomatic Site Near Baghdad Airport Following Multiple Attacks by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:22 0:00

At least three strikes were also reported on the compound, with a fire breaking out after the third attack.

The pro-Iranian militia group Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement.

On March 20, Trump said he is considering "winding down" military efforts in the Middle East, even as reports grow of thousands of US ground forces heading toward the region as the war with Iran enters its fourth week.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump posted on Truth Social on March 20.

In the post, he listed the main US goals in the war, including degrading Iran's military and preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Trump also suggested it will be up to other countries that utilize the Strait of Hormuz -- now effectively shut down by Iran -- to secure shipping in the crucial waterway and help put a cap on soaring oil prices that threaten to roil the world economy.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not [use it]!" he said.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them," he added.

Trump's latest comments appear to be somewhat contradictory to recent remarks in which he suggested that, while Iran's military and leadership were mostly destroyed by US-Israeli air strikes, there was still work to be done.

The US Treasury Department on March 20 issued a 30-day authorization for the delivery and sale of previously sanctioned Iranian crude oil and petroleum products currently "stranded" on vessels.

However, Iranian oil ministry spokesman Saman Ghodousi wrote on X that Iran did not have any surplus oil stranded on vessels, rejecting US remarks that the action would free up some 140 million barrels for the world market.

Washington had previously granted a 30-day allowance for the purchase of sanctioned Russian oil that was also stranded at sea to bolster global supplies.

Israel To Ramp Up Strikes

Israel Katz, Israel's defense minister, said on March 21 that military operations against Iran are expected to increase in intensity in the coming days.

"The intensity of the attacks that will be carried out by the Israeli and US military against the Iranian regime and its supporting infrastructure will increase significantly," Katz said in a statement released by Israel's Defense Ministry.

A growing number of media outlets have reported -- citing unnamed US officials -- that thousands of additional US ground troops are on their way to the region, a move seen as giving the United States additional options in the war with Iran.

Trump, on March 19, denied to reporters he was about to deploy more troops, although he appeared to keep the door open: "I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops. We will do whatever is necessary."

Reuters cited three US officials as saying 2,500 Marines, along with the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, and accompanying warships would deploy to the region, although they did not say what their role would be.

CBS, citing sources, reported that the Pentagon is preparing to send the famed 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.

Newsmax, meanwhile, reported that the US military had already accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors to potentially help reinforce its forces fighting against Iran.

Citing three officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the agency reported that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were deploying ahead of schedule from the West Coast of the United States.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Pentagon is sending three warships and thousands of additional Marines to the Middle East, citing unnamed US officials.

"Roughly 2,200 to 2,500 Marines from the California-based USS Boxer amphibious ready group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are heading to the US Central Command, responsible for all American forces in the Middle East," the Journal cited officials as saying.

The forces would be in addition to an earlier deployment of Marines, due to arrive this week in the region. The Pentagon sent the 5,000-strong, Japan-based USS Tripoli and 31st MEU to the Middle East, adding to the approximately 50,000 troops already stationed in the region, the WSJ reported.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian forces targeted the strategically important US-UK military base on the tiny island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean but did not hit the site in the most ambitious strike geographically by the Islamic republic.

The report said two ballistic missiles were fired, with one failing to reach the island and the other being fired at by a US warship, although it wasn't clear if the US interceptor struck the missile.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, AFP, dpa, and The Wall Street Journal
Olivia Kelleher

Newstalk presenter Claire Byrne has revealed that she was given the last rites after she contracted bacterial meningitis at the age of fourteen.

In an interview with Newstalk Breakfast, Byrne said that the significant outbreak of meningitis in Kent in the UK, which has caused the death of two people, has brought back memories for her and her family.

When I think back (on the experience) I was so out of it. I was so unwell that it is the experience that my parents had, particularly more so than the experience I had (that she considers). It was dreadful for them.

The native of Mountrath, Co Laois, had whooping cough in the lead up to Christmas 1989. Byrne said that her immune system was kind of shot.

She recalls feeling extremely unwell in school one day in January 1990. She had an intense, indescribable headache during English prose class.

"The words started to move on the page. When you think about it the lining of your brain is swelling. You can imagine the pressure and pain. It is hard to move your neck. So I said to my teacher, I think I have to go home.

"They called my parents. My Dad came in and collected me. I remember it was snowing. I went home, and my mother put me to bed.

She gave me paracetamol.

"She phoned the doctor. The doctor was really busy because there was a terrible flu around the place. This was the time when doctors did house calls. He was racing all over the place. So he was delayed getting out to us.

"One of my mothers friends was calling in the afternoon. And my mother said from nowhere, I think Claire has meningitis.

Now, she says she didn't really know what meningitis was, but it just popped into her head. So she obviously had an awareness of it.

"She saw how sick I was, and she knew, you know, parents' instinct. There was something badly wrong here.

The broadcaster and journalist said that in hindsight it was a good thing that the doctor was delayed because when he arrived, she was sick enough for him to realise that it was probably meningitis.

But I wasn't sick enough for it to be too late. So I didn't have the rash, which indicates sepsis.

"My memory of him coming to the house was that he came into the room and said to me Can you stand up? And I remember trying to stand up. And I remember collapsing and that was it.

"What happened then, and it was told to me afterwards, was that he said, we need to get an ambulance, and we need it now. He had dealt with a tragic case of meningitis the week before so I think there was an element of panic there.

"He forgot we had a phone in the house, and he drove back to his own house to phone the ambulance. I was taken to Portlaoise (Hospital) that night. I have little snatches of memory, but I was in and out of consciousness.

Doctors carried out a series of tests, including a lumbar puncture. By the following day she was sitting up in bed in hospital in great form.

That was a Wednesday. Then I got very sick on Thursday night. Really, really sick. I got the last rites from the priest who was in the hospital."

"I remember seeing my parents kneeling beside the bed, and I remember the oils going on my forehead. I remember the words being spoken.

"But I was so sick that I wasn't alert enough to be scared. You know, I was very much at peace with it. I was also hallucinating.

"I saw frogs in the sink. I saw a picture of my family up on the wall at the hospital, which didn't exist. Now, whether that was me going down the tunnel or just hallucinating, I don't know."

Byrne says that she was rushed by ambulance to Cherry Orchard Hospital in Ballyfermot in Dublin. Whilst in the ambulance, her mother had to slap her to keep her awake.

Her job was to keep me awake. That was her instruction from the doctor I remember saying please leave me alone.

I have no memory of Cherry Orchard in the first couple of days. I was there for two weeks. I remember not being able to stretch my neck because the swelling was coming down. My sister was training to be a nurse in the UK at the time she came home and slept on the floor of the hospital for two weeks.

The 50-year-old says that she was very fortunate to escape long term side effects such as sight or hearing loss, brain damage or limb loss from sepsis.

I didnt have any after effects. I was so fortunate. But for about two years I had extreme exhaustion. I would come home from school and fall asleep for a couple of hours. But apart from that I got away Scot free. I was extremely lucky.

She said that her family GP acted very quickly and that it was his reactiveness in recognising the seriousness of the situation that made all the difference to her outcome.

Byrne adds that it is vital that people know the symptoms of meningitis. Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, breathing quickly, muscle and joint pain, pain mottled or blotchy skin, spots or a rash, headache, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, being very sleepy or difficult to wake and fits.

Meanwhile, there has been no increased activity of meningococcal disease in Ireland, following a fatal outbreak of the illness in the UK.

In 2026 to date, there have been 12 cases of meningococcal disease reported in Ireland, with no deaths reported.

Meningococcal disease can affect people of any age, but it is most common in babies, young children and to a lesser extent, teenagers and young adults.

The advice from the HSE is not to wait for a rash to develop before seeking help.

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 (ED) or ED for children if you think that you or your child is seriously ill."
Creggs National School, a four teacher rural primary school, is making its mark in the STEM world after its Fifth and Sixth Class pupils were selected as one of just 19 teams nationwide to compete in this years LEGO League national finals.

The international competition challenges students to design, build and programme LEGO robots. Pupils in Creggs have spent months preparinglearning coding, engineering skills, teamwork and problem solving along the way.

Their teacher, Conor Rabbitte, said the project has energised the entire class.

Aoife Hynes chats to students about the project. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin

Theres loads of learning in it for the childrenteamwork, imagination, coming up with new ideas, he told the Roscommon Herald.

This is the schools second year entering the competition. Creggs NS fielded two teams in the regional heat in GalwayExcavation Experts and Goo Busters. The Goo Busters impressed judges and were selected as a wildcard entry for the national finals. The schools LEGO kits were sponsored by Medtronic.

The students robot is based on this years theme, Unearthed. Drawing on their knowledge of maths, history and science, the team created a functioning robot designed to assist in the collection of archaeological artefacts. The robot sprays a biodegradable gel to stabilise fragile artefacts, preserving them for safe recovery.

Pupil Elva Hegarty said the project makes me look forward to learning maths and science. Classmate Beth Kelly added: Its fun doing the laptop work and different missionsit's all fun.

During the national competition, robots coded and controlled by pupils must complete a series of challenging tasks on a game table. The teams innovation project will also be assessed, requiring a presentation and display for a judging panel.

Local priest Fr Pravin praised the initiative, saying: Ireland needs innovation, and it begins in schools. Especially in rural Ireland, students have such imagination.

Kayla Kerrane explains the GooBot to Bernadette Stapleton, Hibernia College. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin

The Creggs pupils will showcase their STEM skills at the national finals today, March 21st in Swords, County Dublin.

Should they win, the team will go on to represent Ireland at the LEGO League international finals in Leipzig, Germany.

* Aoife Hynes visited the school to chat to the pupils about the project. Click on the link below.
CATANE, the feature film debut of Ioana Mischie

Inspired by real events and social phenomena, CATANE proposes an incursion into a borderline situation

Filmul CATANE, scris si regizat de Ioana Mischie

Corina Sabau, 21.03.2026, 14:00

After a successful international run, with a world premiere hosted by IFFI Goa/International Film Festival of India, a Hollywood nomination for original music and numerous awards for the screenplay, the film CATANE, written and directed by Ioana Mischie, has been recently seen by the Romanian audience. Inspired by real events and social phenomena, CATANE proposes an incursion into a borderline situation: a village that has reached the end of its legal resources, which builds its own strategies to survive, fooling the authorities. In the leading roles we meet Costel Cascaval, Iulia Lumanare and Cristian Bota, who play the roles of the inspectors who make up the investigation commission of the case in the village of Catane. The film was described by the international press as a delight for the audience (Film New Europe), poetic, humorous and satirical (Cineuropa) and a dramatic comedy, which captures a reversal of the situation with black humor (Variety). The film CATANE started from a bachelors degree script at the National University of Theatre and Cinematography Ion Luca Caragiale (UNATC).

The development and financing of the script took over a decade. Although it starts from real facts that outline a social phenomenon, Ioana Mischie chose to approach them in a comic key: I really love the genre of black comedy, of social comedy  a genre rarely embraced, but which I consider of great artistic value, especially in Romania, where mischievous humor is our calling card. I think it also has a therapeutic role: we can talk about serious topics in a relaxed and gentle manner. Many have asked me why I didnt turn it into a drama, because dramas benefit from the myth that they circulate more easily internationally, while comedy is more local. But I think we, the artists, are excited to propose new formats and cinematic approaches.

CATANE is not about a single person, but about an entire community. In an era of loneliness and polarization, the film invites to seeing nuances and to an approach that raises questions about social justice and marginalization. Ioana Mischie: I think its a necessary film, because in Romania we need to talk not only about individuals, but about communities, about systems and about larger groups. I feel this need more than ever, in an era of loneliness and social fragmentation. Its a philosophical credo that follows me: I would like us to reach a point where we can give up prejudices and the reflex of judging each person and each action individually, because it is a toxic psychological process. For this story, I have researched extensively, I read hundreds of case studies. There are people who benefit from social assistance and fully deserve it, but there are also situations in which it is obtained unjustly. However, I looked for nuances, so that we would not judge the villagers in the film. They are not greedy persons who want to build villas with social assistance, but simple people, with small pensions, unable to pay huge taxes, in a place frozen in time. Universal questions arise from this reality about social justice and how we can live in a more equitable world, without marginalizing certain social categories.

Cristian Bota told us about his experience working with director Ioana Mischie, a collaboration that began many years ago, on the short film 237 years, selected at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Familiarity with the film universe prepared him for this role, of Silviu Stavarache, a rookie social worker who arrives in a community with its own rules.

The actor spoke about the challenges of the character and the freedom offered by the director: Things got really interesting when Ioana gave me the freedom to improvise. Not all collaborations give you this freedom, but it suits me. I also liked that the film has a clear and visible reversal of the situation, and such key moments help you understand the character better. When a character remains in an area of ambiguity or is not very well outlined in the script, the responsibility of building it falls on you, as an actor. But, in the end, if we dont understand all the subtleties and motivations of a character, we can neither empathize with them nor convey emotion.

Ioana Mischie is considered a trendsetter in the audiovisual field, her most recent cinematic universes exploring a new audiovisual genre called noetic fiction (which promotes futures stimulated by the evolution of human consciousness: Government of Children, Human Violins, Tangible Utopias). Among many other projects, she has made the first stereoscopic documentary in Romania, the first immersive multi-player franchise and the first film to integrate AI in a creative way. (LS)
Yet, it has also burned through tens of millions of dollars on administration costs and become embroiled in a civil war. Organisational change that largely sprang from the sudden influx of wealth lit the fuse for the feud. The infighting has contributed to the loss of 1000 members.

The charity can point to a number of achievements since then, including assisting 164,000 native animals last financial year, purchasing a hospital for raptors in NSW, donating to projects across Victoria and expanding to Tasmania.

Headquartered in Sydney with a footprint across most of NSW, WIRES was quick to assure the charity regulator that it intended to deploy the $102 million nationally.

Australia has hundreds of wildlife rescue groups, hospitals and sanctuaries, but the largest one, WIRES, was the sole beneficiary of the appeal boosted by former US president Barack Obama, TV host Ellen DeGeneres, Formula 1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo and British food critic Tom Parker Bowles.

Six years on, some are wondering whether it was a blessing or a curse.

When more than $100 million in donations rolled in from around the world to help injured native animals during the 2019-20 bushfires, it was a windfall that promised to transform Australias wildlife rescue sector.

Similarly, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital  a mobile full-service veterinary hospital  was built with $1.5 million in donations it raised after the fires. The charity declined to speak for this article, but in 2022, founder Stephen Van Mil told this masthead that he believed he could have built a second mobile vet hospital with the money WIRES had accrued in interest from its donations alone.

The Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital was built on Crown land and cost $2.5 million to build and equip. It is a model that Higginson says could have been replicated elsewhere.

Its just a massive missed opportunity  it just seems like it was the right money at the right time in the wrong hands.

NSW Greens upper house MP Sue Higginson, a former wildlife carer who helped set up the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, says the $100 million could have transformed the entire wildlife rescue sector. Its just a massive missed opportunity. It just seems like it was the right money at the right time in the wrong hands, Higginson says.

This created a unique opportunity to transform a historically under-resourced sector, but Im concerned WIRES is yet to do that and is sitting on huge amounts of money while other organisations struggle to survive, Pocock says. Serious concerns have been raised about increased administration costs, declining membership and a growing lack of transparency and oversight over management of the remaining Black Summer bushfire funds.

Independent senator David Pocock says Australians responded to the plight of wildlife in the Black Summer bushfires with extraordinary generosity.

When Culliton received an email in September 2024 giving her a seven-day deadline to click a button to agree to a new WIRES constitution if she wanted to remain a member, she realised she did not agree and spent the week arranging to join a different local wildlife group.

Some former WIRES volunteers have moved to new groups. Among them is Anna Culliton, who cares for kangaroos and wombats at her property in Kanimbla in the Blue Mountains. A WIRES member for 17 years, Culliton is now with Wildlife Carers Network Central West.

In July 2024, WIRES had 3465 members, and it now has about 2400, the NSW Supreme Court heard in February.

The infighting at WIRES has played out at member meetings, on social media and in the courts and the most profound effect has been the impact on volunteers.

NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party upper house MP Mark Banasiak says he increasingly hears from voters with concerns about the conduct of WIRES, including an apparent focus on enforcement and inconsistent reimbursement for veterinarians who treat wildlife. I take issue with any entity receiving public funds and not demonstrating good governance, particularly charities that play on heartstrings of people, he says.

The appeal judge criticised WIRES for not raising any concerns with Dods before calling in the RSPCA, and described the behaviour by WIRES and RSPCA during the raid as at times aggressive.

Dods was prosecuted by the RSPCA for aggravated animal cruelty for failing to take an eastern grey kangaroo in her care to a vet. WIRES representatives worked hand in hand with the RSPCA to build evidence and attended the raid five years ago, as well as much of the original court case in the local court. She was acquitted on appeal earlier this month.

Cullitons biggest reason for quitting was the prosecution of her friend, neighbour and mentor in kangaroo care, Tracy Dods, which made her question the direction WIRES was taking. Five other local WIRES volunteers also quit, Culliton says.

So I did get interested, and I did start following the emails, and I didnt agree with a few things in the constitution, and I certainly didnt agree with how it kind of got shoved in members faces.

You have to know whats going on, otherwise you get bamboozled into having people in charge that you dont really want to be in charge of you or the wildlife sector or the animals that you have in care.

I always said I was in it for the wildlife and wasnt interested in the politics  but sometimes you have to be interested in the politics, Culliton says.

In 40 years of operation, instances where WIRES had reported concerns involving one of its own members to the RSPCA were extremely rare, Taylor says, but it was the appropriate course of action in cases of suspected mistreatment.

The WIRES impact report for 2024-25 paints a healthier picture of membership numbers than the figure heard in the Supreme Court. It suggests the organisation had 4673 volunteers, of whom 3480 were members across 29 branches. Taylor says the impact report includes members who did not accept the new constitution  both 944 who didnt respond and 108 who wrote letters to object  as authorised volunteer members. (These volunteers, however, have no voting rights in the organisation.)

WIRES chief executive Leanne Taylor says the member attrition was not unexpected given the more formalised process of registration in September 2024, following two years of automatic membership renewal.

Others may have overlooked the email that Culliton baulked at responding to.

Among the missing 1000 members, some may have quit wildlife care altogether, burnt out by the work. This is consistent with a NSW government review of the sector that found high turnover was a problem.

The case became a cause celebre for WIRES volunteers, dozens of whom turned up from around the state to support Dods at court hearings. Many were fearful about the implications of a guilty verdict for volunteers doing their best by animals and who might unintentionally make the wrong call.

The bushfire millions

In 2020, the charity regulator published a report on three charities, including WIRES, that had raised substantial sums of money off the back of the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

The regulator was satisfied that WIRES was spending bushfire donations on relevant activities, taking a strategic and reasonable approach to the disbursement of funds, and protecting the funds against fraud.

It noted a January 2020 statement from Taylor announcing WIRES would allocate funding to support all states and territories to assist animals affected by the bushfires, and that this was a change from WIRES being based solely in NSW.

The annual financial accounts reveal the spiralling cost of administration since then. In 2025, WIRES expenses reached $19 million and it had a structural deficit of $3.9 million. In 2019, its expenses were $3.3 million and it made a small surplus.

Donors worldwide opened their purses to help Australian wildlife during the 2019-20 bushfire season. Alex Ellinghausen

In 2019, before the bushfires, employee expenses totalled $2 million for nearly 40 full-time equivalent staff. In 2025, it totalled $8.1 million for nearly 77 full-time equivalent staff.

Dispersals from the bushfire fund and the balance remaining were not broken out in the 2025 financial accounts, as they had been in previous years. The NSW Supreme Court recently ordered the charity to redo its accounts and send them to members by the end of April.

Taylor says the money raised during the bushfires was not a windfall but a reflection of the trust the charity has built over decades. She denies that the money could have been transformative for the entire sector.

No single organisation can deliver generational transformation across an entire sector, Taylor says. That requires co-ordinated government policy, long-term funding, and habitat protection. What WIRES has done is step up, filling critical gaps, supporting the sector, and driving progress where it was urgently needed.

Taylor says 42 per cent of the bushfire fund has been spent, and the rest has been committed to structured multi-year programs supporting long-term wildlife recovery.

Taylor criticises this mastheads ongoing framing in its reportage on WIRES, saying that it rarely reflects the full context of the work being delivered and its impact, and risks undermining community confidence and affecting volunteers.

Nearly 3 billion animals were killed or displaced in the 2019-20 fires.

This context includes the WIRES Rescue Office, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Taylor says, and the expanded emergency response capacity that includes a team of eight people with wildlife ambulances across NSW, Tasmania and South-East Queensland.

WIRES rehab facilities in NSW include a koala centre in Richmond, a native animal recovery centre in Randwick, a raptor centre in Fitzroy Falls that it purchased for $2.3 million, and a pre-release site in Coffs Harbour.

The organisations national grants program launched in 2020 has allocated $4 million to 369 wildlife rescue and rehabilitation projects across Australia, Taylor says, and WIRES also has grants for research and disaster relief. The early reports suggested most of the national grants flowed to Victoria.

WIRES has provided funding for the platypus rescue headquarters at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for threatened species recovery on Kangaroo Island, habitat rehabilitation and protection of the grey-headed flying fox on the Mid North Coast, and a long-term partnership with the Tasmanian government.

Strengthening the sector

In NSW, WIRES represents about a third of the wildlife rescue sector. NSW parliamentary secretary for the environment Trish Doyle led a recent review into wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. The review resulted in $9 million in funding and a beefed-up role for the NSW Wildlife Council, the peak body that represents nearly every wildlife rescue group in the state besides WIRES.

During the 18-month review, Doyle travelled all over NSW and met hundreds of carers, vets and rehabilitators. While she found many fantastic individual carers and groups working under the WIRES umbrella, she also found the organisation was a focal point of feedback.

Everywhere I went, every round table we held, every sanctuary I visited, every individual carer or vet that I spoke to, pretty much had a comment to make about WIRES, Doyle says.

Given that WIRES still has, to my understanding, about $60 million left from the bushfire donations that they received, we need to actually focus our efforts on strengthening the rest of the sector.

One of Anna Cullitons charges. Wolter Peeters

The NSW Wildlife Council was the natural choice, Doyle said, because it was volunteer-run and already represented over half the states wildlife care groups.

Asked whether she had concerns about WIRES, Doyle says she had certainly asked some pretty tough questions. Was she satisfied with the answers? She would let the recommendations speak for themselves.

The sector nationally is seeking a more unified approach to wildlife care than the current fragmented state-based systems. Wildlife Victoria and other groups across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia recently appealed to the federal government for national co-ordination of wildlife protection, rescue, treatment and rehabilitation.

Wildlife Victoria, the largest rescue group in that state, raised $18 million in 2020 after the Black Summer fires, and more recently it received a state government grant covering 7 per cent of its annual operational costs. It has never received funding from WIRES. Demand for Wildlife Victoria services has surged by 204 per cent over five years and chief executive Lisa Palma says it needs additional money.

Corporate irregularities

The NSW Department of Fair Trading required WIRES to convert from an association to a company because of its financial assets  mostly the remainder of the bushfire appeal, but also tens of millions a year in bequests.

This meant WIRES needed to update its constitution. It could have made minimal changes to its existing constitution, which dated from 2007. Instead, the charity decided to go for an extensive rewrite.

Taylor says the board-approved constitution included best-practice measures such as independent-skilled directors, term limits, stronger legal compliance and clear dispute resolution processes.

Opposing these changes is, in effect, opposing independent oversight, accountability and modern governance, she says.

She says this masthead has perpetuated the misinformation by suggesting there would be less oversight of donated funds, and this is factually incorrect.

However, in 2024, Professor Sandra van der Laan, an independent accounting expert at the University of Sydney Business School, reviewed both constitutions and the charitys financial accounts at this mastheads request. It was van der Laans professional view that the board-approved constitution would have reduced oversight of the public gift fund that housed the bushfire money, and she also criticised WIRES for unsustainable spending on administrative costs.

Former WIRES treasurer Mary Macken says the 2007 constitution kept the organisation focused on the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and education, whereas the proposed new constitution was broader.

The WIRES board tried to get variations of its preferred constitution passed at three special general meetings, between September 2023 and July 2024, but it consistently failed to get the required 75 per cent majority. Then came the ultimatum  in September 2024, WIRES emailed members asking them to click a button to accept the constitution in order to remain as members.

Katrina Emmett and Gary Henderson took action in the Supreme Court. Sitthixay Ditthavong

About 1000 members who failed to click were left off the register that WIRES sent to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. WIRES lodged its paperwork with both its preferred constitution and the 2007 one, and it operated under its preferred framework until April 2025.

In November 2024, WIRES members Katrina Emmett and Gary Henderson separately took action in the NSW Supreme Court to revert to a modified 2007 constitution and reinstate members. Mediation failed.

In April 2025, on new legal advice, WIRES admitted in an email to members that there had been irregularities in its company registration due to incorrect advice from its previous lawyers.

The organisation unsuccessfully tried to approve a new constitution in July and August 2025  this time modelled more closely on the 2007 version but still with changes to the bushfire fund that members could not accept. In October, WIRES members finally endorsed a constitution, the modified 2007 framework, as Emmett and Henderson had requested.

In December 2025, WIRES applied to the Supreme Court to regularise the conversion to a company structure despite the charitys registration error. This required the court to find there was no intentional wrongdoing or substantial injustice.

Emmett and Henderson were added to this case, since their matters overlapped. Neither opposed the court granting the application since the alternative could have led to WIRES being wound up.

Instead, they asked the judge to impose conditions. At a final hearing in late February 2026, with WIRES ultimately agreeing to most of it, Justice Francois Kunc made orders including for the charity to send court documents to the regulator, write to lapsed members inviting them to rejoin and redo its financial accounts to provide more transparency about the bushfire fund.

The regulator confirmed to this masthead that WIRES had met the first of its court-imposed deadlines on March 11, but due to secrecy provisions, it was unable to say what it would do with the information.

Kunc says in his judgment that he had a narrow task and it was not to conduct a royal commission into the affairs of WIRES generally. He noted that there can be no doubt that the affairs of WIRES have been in turmoil for some time regarding the constitution and the conversion.

Social media battleground

A group of concerned members has styled itself as Reclaim WIRES. A Facebook page with 160 members says it was created to give members of WIRES NSW fairer input into the direction, governance and operations of the animal rescue company. There is a related private group with nearly 500 members.

On the other side is Protect WIRES, which has 1000 followers. It says it represents the majority who have had enough of the infighting, bickering and outside influence hurting WIRES & wildlife.

Both groups claimed victory after the recent Supreme Court case. Protect WIRES says the judgment clearly states that WIRES acted honestly and its members, board and staff have been entirely vindicated. Reclaim WIRES emphasises that the judge imposed conditions on WIRES, which would not have occurred without the intervention of members.

Taylor says Protect WIRES is not endorsed by WIRES. She says the behaviour of Reclaim WIRES includes targeted and personalised attacks, intimidation of volunteers and staff, legal challenges, attempts to undermine donor confidence and the spread of misinformation.

This is not constructive criticism; it is sustained disruption, she says. Some of this has been directed at me personally. But my real concern is the toll it takes on volunteers, people who are simply trying to care for injured and displaced wildlife.

Everyone agrees there is a toll on volunteers. Opinions may differ about the cause.

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1 / 13 Rose and David of Blessed Fruit Pies in North Sydney. Jessica Hromas 2 / 13 Sour cherry pie. North Sydney 3 / 13 Chocolate and cinnamon babka loaf. Jessica Hromas 4 / 13 Blackberry pie. Jessica Hromas 5 / 13 Jessica Hromas 6 / 13 Chicken and leek pie. Jessica Hromas 7 / 13 Jessica Hromas 8 / 13 Apple pie and ice-cream. Jessica Hromas 9 / 13 Jessica Hromas 10 / 13 Almond shortbread hearts. Jessica Hromas 11 / 13 Rose and cardamom pods. Jessica Hromas 12 / 13 Jessica Hromas 13 / 13 Jessica Hromas Previous Slide Next Slide Blessed Fruit Pies Bakery$$$$ When I was growing up, my familys holiday car trips traversed New Zealands North Island, visiting countless farming relatives across the rolling pastures after stopping to eat a particular family-size blackberry pie available in a bakery in the town of Rotorua. I can still remember the jangly, not-too-sweet tang of dark crimson fruit inside its pastry edges, staining my fingers and mouth as I held a slice in the back seat. That memory came rushing back at Blessed Fruit Pies, a new bakery wedged elegantly into the centre of North Sydneys business district. Sour cherry pie. Jessica Hromas

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Run by husband-and-wife team David and Rose (who prefer not to use their surnames), a key feature of the fruit pies here is the intense fruit flavour highlighted by the low level of sugar used in the filling. Theres an unbeatable tongue-twang biting into Roses stewed sour cherry, blackberry, blueberry and mixed berry pies. Fragrant with cinnamon or cardamom, and glowing with the hue of rubies or sapphires, these pies, baked fresh each morning, are about the taste of fruit, something often masked by the sugariness of dessert pies, cakes, tarts and cookies sold elsewhere. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up But Rose is also a cook with beguiling pastry skills. Using no shortening, but plenty of Pepe Saya butter, each casing is softly firm and beautifully yielding and melty, whether youre tackling a slice or a complete pie. As I dig into slices of the sour cherry and blackberry  juicy, beautifully sharp, glistening  people are standing before the shops central pie counter display like children looking at Christmas presents under a tree. Today, their eyes peruse triangular blueberry and date scones (nicely dense, not heavy or too crumbly), round medium-size blackberry, sour cherry, blueberry, apple crumble and mixed berry pies. There are family size pies  cherry, sour cherry, apple and apple crumble  cut into slices. Photo: Jessica Hromas

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At the front is a mini tower of golden palm-size date and walnut pies (intense, rich, naturally sweet) and, at the back, a platter of cinnamon and chocolate babka, one of the most popular baked goods on sale here. Another cabinet carries savoury beef, chicken and vegetable pies. A steady stream of office workers file in from the adjacent arcade, pointing at favourite pies before rolling up shirt-sleeves to eat from handmade copper trays imported from Iran, each set with a paper-cut doily and a cake fork. Some accompany their treats with cups of traditional Turkish coffee but, because mugginess still soaks the city, the most popular drinks are tall glasses of ice-cold ginseng and saffron or Persian cucumber and mint. I drink the latter, a tower of chopped cucumber and mint in soda sweetened with vinegar-based Persian syrup sekanjabin, similar to a shrub syrup. David says Rose, who became a passionate cook as a teenager, had dreamt about having her own baking shop. After encouragement from David and the pairs daughter, they opened Blessed Fruit Pies  named after Davids description of Roses baking prowess  in Castle Cove, followed by pop-up stores at Birkenhead Point and Broadway shopping centres. Chicken and leek pie. Jessica Hromas

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The popularity of their pies there meant more space was needed, specifically a bigger kitchen. In February, they opened in North Sydney. David, a longtime professional handyman, did the outfitting. Roses kitchen, an enticing space with myriad cooking equipment and utensils on beautiful wood panels, fronting the street. Its a transportive experience sitting in this sweet-smelling, linen curtain-framed parcel of a bakery cafe with walls decorated with Iranian embroidered wall art and shelves of Iranian fig marmalade, sour cherry and orange blossom jams and Persian loose tea mixed with rose petals. Both in the shop every day, Rose and David, who met in Iran 38 years ago and came to Australia in the 1990s, say they are passing on a passion for home-cooking. Ill be going back again to relive my childhood. Three other pie-loving bakeries The Pie Tin Founded 17 years ago, The Pie Tins counters heave with sweet and savoury pies, from bolognese to pumpkin, pecan to apple, cherry, Biscoff cheesecake and sticky date pudding. Its also licensed so you can sip a craft beer with pastry-wrapped chicken, pork, lamb, vegetables or beef brisket. 1A Brown Street, Newtown, thepietin.com.au The Tart Sisters Tiny, beloved for decades and decked out like a country bake stall, chef Felicity Peels bakers trays are filled with just-out-of-the-oven vegetarian pies (also tarts, scrolls and cakes). Try the mushroom and barley, the cauliflower, potato and cheddar or Peels take on the English hand pie  sesame seed-scattered Cornish pasties. Unit 117/119 Holden Street, Ashfield Billi Bakehouse Heading north in the upcoming school holidays? Sink your teeth into Wardell Pies range at Billi Bakehouse  a bevy of beautifully flaky, hand-made numbers with fillings ranging from apple pie to satay chicken, Mexican beef and cheesy cauliflower mornay. 2-4 Mogo Place, Billinudgel, @billibakehouse Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life After seven years of IVF, we turned to a surrogate. Its been a challenging journey Jane Rocca March 22, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This story is part of the March 22 Edition of Sunday Life. See all stories .

Designer Sener Besim has had numerous roles in the Australian fashion industry. These days, he is the founder and designer of his eponymous jewellery and clothing label. Here, the 54-year-old father of two talks about the important women in his life, including his wife Kelly, and Mecca founder Jo Horgan, who gave him some invaluable business advice. Sener Besim met his wife during a chance fashion industry encounter. Nicole Reed My maternal grandmother, Ilmie, raised six kids while managing a tobacco farm in the Balkans. She came to Australia with my grandfather, Qemal, and lived on a fruit orchard with their eldest son in Kyabram, Victoria. I was one of 14 grandchildren; we had a close relationship. Her English was non-existent and my Albanian wasnt great, but we conversed. Food was her love language. She was an incredible cook who instilled this in my mother, Feride, and my sister, Julie. She was always humble, hard-working and had a wicked sense of humour. She enjoyed going out and seeing people, and was a great conversationalist with a beautiful smile. Behind the smile, however, was pain; she lived with the grief of losing her 17-year-old son Samit in a car accident six months before I was born. My paternal grandmother, Gulizar, died when my father, Richard, was 16. She was born in Istanbul and looked beautiful from the photos I have of her. My sister is named after my grandmother, and became known as Julie when she started school. She is 18 months older than me.

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My mum came to Australia with my father in 1971. I attribute the healthy relationships I have with women to her. Mum is calm, feminine and beautiful. She worked full-time as a pastry chef, ran the house and took care of us all. I get my work ethic from her. She instilled in me empathy for those less fortunate. My father lavished us with quality products, and together they influenced my love of fashion and beauty. Its been a challenging journey, one that not only strengthened our bond and love  but also ignited a passion to be the best parents we can be. I had a celebrity crush on Deborah Harry in Blondie. She was punk and anti-establishment. How could you ignore those beautiful high cheek bones and her great style? I joined [fashion brand] Scanlan Theodore in 2000. Co-founder Fiona Scanlan encouraged me to learn about fine art, photography and fashion. I had a few long-term relationships in my 20s; the longest was three years. I had settled into life as a bachelor, building my career, purchasing a home and was happy going with the flow.

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When I met my wife, Kelly, 20 years ago, she changed everything. She was working in fashion and looking for advice when someone mentioned my name. She called, and I met her and a designer. I was taken by her beauty and felt something during that meeting, but I wasnt sure if it was mutual. I quickly set up another meeting, but this time with just her and me. The rest is history. She was mysterious and I was hooked. I got to know her and quickly realised she was the one. Weve been married for 17 years. Related Article Sunday Life Joes had five kids with three women. Now he doesnt know how to ask a girl out Kelly did seven years of IVF. Eventually, we went to Los Angeles and chose a surrogate to birth our children: Ines, 9, and Maddox, 7. Its been a challenging journey, one that not only strengthened our bond and love for each other, but also ignited a passion to be the best parents we can be. Mecca founder Jo Horgan is the real thing: a woman of absolute integrity, more than I have seen in any other person. I worked as a buyer for [Melbourne department store] Georges and met her when she took over its cosmetics floor. We became friends and have remained so ever since.

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When I launched the Sener Besim brand in 2020 during COVID-19, then relaunched it in 2022 after lockdown, Jo always said, Focus on the customer journey. She always knew I was striving for perfection; she told me, Dont wait for the perfect moment, keep fine-tuning it and just do it. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.
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NationalNSWSharks A shark lunged at Alex while his back was turned. The helmet on his ankle may have saved him Daniel Lo Surdo March 21, 2026  1:45pm 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 Surfer who had a near-miss is one of a growing number wearing deterrence bands

Protective bands create an electromagnetic field that irritates a sharks radar

Results indicate the bands are most effective against bull sharks

The early morning sun had just risen over Dee Why when a suspected bull shark lunged for Alex Prestons legs. He had already surfed a handful of waves at his local break when stunning beach camera footage captured the shark lunge and splash at Preston as he curls onto a wave, riding away from danger as a dorsal fin breaks the surface. It was the last wave Preston caught that morning. Only when he returned home did he realise just how close the shark came after his wife pointed out the near miss when they reviewed the footage. The encounter occurred weeks after an 11-year-old was knocked into the water by a shark on the same break, and across the headland from where Mercury Psillakis, Prestons wonderful friend, was fatally mauled at Long Reef in September.

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He credits some good fortune for the near miss in mid-February. However, he was also grateful for the shark deterrence safety band he was wearing, which he likened to a bike helmet strapped to his ankle. It had a crack at my legs  it was quite a banal interaction until I saw the video and got the full picture of it, Preston said. Alex Preston has been wary of surfing at Dee Why since his interaction with a suspected bull shark. Jessica Hromas I had my shark band on my foot, and I assume it must have kept the shark at bay. Preston is among a growing number of Sydney surfers wearing deterrence bands following a horror run of shark attacks across the NSW coastline in the past six months.

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The bands, worn on the wrists and ankles, create an electromagnetic field that irritates the electro-receptors sharks use to navigate the oceans and stalk prey. The effect on the shark has been compared to shining a bright light on a person in a dark room. Related Article Updated

Sharks Why this is the most dangerous time to swim in Sydney Sharks can resist the unpleasant sensation, and the devices effectiveness depends on several environmental and situational factors. This includes the number of sharks in the water near the person and how quickly the device is moving. Testing shows sharks display avoidance behaviour at a range of 0.5 metres to 2 metres. Results from Western Australias Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in 2021 showed sharks abruptly changing course when near the device. The bands are among several shark deterrents on the market, which also include camouflaging wetsuits and surfboards designed to disguise surfers in the water column.

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They are essential for Nick Rendall, a diver who runs an underwater boat cleaning and maintenance business on Sydney Harbour. He and his employees wear the bands religiously as they often dive in murky and brackish water with limited visibility  conditions known to attract sharks. I think if you combine something like a shark band with a bit more knowledge of shark behaviour, you can really make sure all these shark attacks that have happened dont happen, Rendall said. Nick Rendall and his staff wear the bands religiously when navigating murky waters in Sydney Harbour. Steven Siewert The science behind it makes sense, and then also knowing is like, well, Ive got protection. It definitely provides a nice peace of mind. Holly Cummins wears two of the bands in the surf since she was almost attacked by a two-metre bull shark in the waters off Killalea Regional Park on the South Coast last month.

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Deterrents can be part of that [response], but understanding whats driving the additional shark activity and how to avoid high-risk areas is super-important too, he said. These are safety devices, and they cant eliminate risk altogether. University of NSW Professor Dewei Chu said the devices were a good idea, as they disturb the navigation of the shark, to make it get lost. Garrison said surf lifesaving and boardrider clubs were among organisations showing new interest in the deterrence bands. Results indicate the bands are most effective against bull sharks, the species suspected to be behind four attacks within 48 hours on NSW beaches in January, including those on Antic and de Ruyter.

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NationalNSWWater safety The states surf clubs are struggling, and sausage sizzles wont cut it any more Julie Power March 22, 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

It took 25 years of sausage sizzles and shaking the tin for a small northern NSW surf club to fund a new clubhouse to replace the 1967 brick and fibro facility. Every time Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club neared its target, the small community north of its more glamorous neighbours in Byron Bay hit another disaster. First COVID, then bushfires, court cases, floods and asbestos added delays, increased cost and washed out its savings like a rogue wave. In the end, Brunswick could only afford half a new clubhouse. Jenny Kenny from Cudgen Surf Club. Natalie Grono Last Saturday, the club kick-started a $5 million fundraising drive to add the second floor, designed for functions and weddings to generate revenue, which was approved in its original development application.

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Sausage sizzles will not get that done for us, said Ray Linabury, the head of its building committee for the past 15 years. The 1967 brick and fibro club house at Brunswick Heads was no longer fit for purpose. Brunswick Heads SLC Brunswicks new club, where only the first of two approved storeys was built. Natalie Grono About two-thirds of NSWs 129 clubs are being replaced, repaired or upgrading weather-beaten windows and roller doors, Surf Life Saving NSW chief operating officer Phil Ayres said. Many clubs were near the end of their lives. Those in the regions had less propensity to fund new ones. Some clubs gave up, Ayres said. Others didnt get going because its just too unachievable.

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He took his hat off to Brunswick. It has nearly broken them, and the club financially. A sausage sizzle at Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club to thank volunteers for raising money for the first stage of the clubhouse. Natalie Grono Unlike big Sydney surf clubs such as Maroubra, Manly, and Bronte that are planning or building new clubhouses, Brunswick did not receive any local council funding. Serving an area where the median household income is about 40 per cent of Brontes, it is short on affluent club members and sponsors.

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Before COVID, Linabury and club president Craig Reid thought theyd raised enough, with $3.8 million from the Berejiklian government, $600,000 in the savings account, and $650,000 from the states surf club facility grant. That was enough for us to build a two-storey you beaut surf club with a whole fully functioning surf club on the bottom and on the top floor, Linabury said. Reid said it became obvious that we could never save enough money to get a new club  because if we saved $100,000 in 12 months, building costs went up $150,000. And it spent its savings on cleaning up asbestos uncovered on the site. In the past decade, Surf Life Saving NSW membership has grown by 10,000 (mostly new female members) to 82,585 last December; about five times as many as in the 1960s when most clubhouses were built. But the facilities are too small and unfit for purpose for todays membership (nearly half female) and the large numbers of families and the Nippers who regard it as a social hub. In 1980, Jenny Kenny was one of the first women to train as a lifesaver. Back then, she was lucky if a clubhouse had a female toilet. There was a lot of resistance from male members  partly misogyny and unwillingness to believe women could do the work.

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Her club at Cudgen Headland on the NSW Far North Coast also wants to rebuild, partly to provide an equitable environment for its female members. Jenny Kenny, in front of statue of life savers, says too many clubs lack facilities for women and children. Natalie Grono It has four showers for men, two toilets and a urinal. Women, nearly half the members, have two toilets and two showers. Even the new clubs she visits dont have enough. They forget women have periods, get UTIs, and need more. Volunteer lifesavers prevent drowning, supplement councils paid lifeguards and teach children surf safety. But their clubs occupy some of Australias most contested real estate: beachfront, views, public land and Indigenous history.

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Nobody wants their patch of paradise to change, Linabury said. Other new surf clubs being proposed In Sydney, new surf clubs include: Manlys proposed $20 million surf club designed by architects Terroir, with $11 million in funding secured from federal ($5m), state ($1m), and council ($5m) sources. Maroubra, $15 million, with funding of $10.5m from Randwick Council, $3.5m from the federal government and $1m from the state government. North Cronulla, which needs up to $45 million to complete. The original contracted builder walked out mid-construction last year. In Brunswick, a local suggested the club move its lifesaving gear to the schools grounds  a 10-minute walk from the beach and over a little bridge. In Bronte, club members had their cars keyed by locals who opposed earlier plans for a new clubhouse. With 1000 Nippers and members under 18, and about 800 adult members, Bronte is three times the size of smaller clubs like Brunswick.

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Compared to Brunswicks $600,000 in savings, the eastern suburbs club raised $7.6 million through donations, federal, state and Surf Life Saving grants. Waverley Council also contributed $15 million towards the cost of the $31 million facility, which will be shared with council lifeguards and park staff. There are parts of the public who will turn around and go, Why are they the tenants of this unbelievable building? Basil Scaffidi, Bronte SLC Bronte SLSC president Basil Scaffidi has been planning the new clubhouse for 13 years. Several proposals, though, failed to win public support. Finally, a new clubhouse designed by award-winning Warren and Mahoney  the fourth architectural practice consulted  is under construction. Scaffidi said the club initially didnt consult or listen enough to locals, and members presumed the public knew (and cared) that Surf Life Saving was a non-profit that saved lives. There are parts of the public who will turn around and go, Why are they the tenants of this unbelievable building? he said.

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We didnt start too well. We came out with some designs and the community just didnt like them. And all hell broke loose. Warren and Mahoney principal architect Sven Ollmann at the new Bronte Beach Surf Life Saving Club construction site. Steven Siewert The Bronte club is now under construction after more than a decade of consultations and different designs. Artist impression/Warren and Mahoney He told members that they shouldnt feel entitled to use this valuable land on the beachfront in the middle of a historic park. Architect Sven Ollmann, a principal with Warren and Mahoney, benefited from reading the hundreds of objections to previous proposals.

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Related Article Development This Sydney council wanted to rebuild a surf club. Its own planners had other ideas Locals said repeatedly that they werent going to give up a square centimetre of either sand or park. The solution was to add parkland, covering the rooftop of the new clubhouse in a blanket of grass  and move the clubhouse a bit further back into the hill so it was mostly hidden from view from above. Up in Brunswick, Linabury, 75, has written guides for others planning a new club. It includes a section on why they need an Emma, a woman at the council who rescued them from a bureaucratic nightmare. If you dont watch [ABC TV planning department satire] Utopia, you should. I thought that it was a comedy, I now believe that it is a documentary. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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Updated NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Concerns for vessel in cyclone aftermath Dominique Tassell Updated March 21, 2026  1:30pm ,first published 12:32pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Cyclone Narelle has left a monster clean-up in its wake, with approximately 1000 homes still without power and an unidentified vessel stranded in the Cape York Peninsula. The storm crossed the Cape York coast as a dangerous category 4 system about 7am on Friday, producing wind gusts of more than 250km/h and rainfall totals of 217 millimetres in some areas. Residents hunkered down as the monster storm hit, causing widespread power outages and flooding. Loading Premier David Crisafulli said it was a blessing the significant storm did not directly hit towns in its path.

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We couldnt have asked for a better deal out of this in the immediate term, Crisafulli said from Cooktown on Saturday. Were asking people to be mindful that the flood watch still exists for a large part of north and far north Queensland. Swiftwater rescue crews remain in place to assist with flooding. Queensland Reconstruction Authority chief executive Jake Ellwood said the biggest issue now is flooding. History will tell us that a lot of people injure themselves by driving into flooded waters, and I would just implore you, if its flooded, just forget it.

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Crisafulli said the damage from the storm thus far appeared to be minor structural damage and some significant road damage. A roof blown off a structure in Coen. Emergency services choppers will conduct damage assessments across 16 communities on Saturday. Some trees that are down, and obviously weve got some power and telecommunications issues, but overwhelmingly, based on the size of the system, we couldnt have asked for a better deal out of this, Crisafulli said. Authorities are concerned about a vessel in Princess Charlotte Bay that has not been identified. It was the only vessel that decided to stay in the area, as others took shelter elsewhere.

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It is not known how many people were aboard. Were most keen to find that vessel, Crisafulli said. Authorities havent been able to make contact with that vessel, so that is something were hoping to make today. A tree goes over as Cyclone Narelle pummels Far North Queensland. Almost 1500 regional homes were without power at 9.30am on Saturday, including homes at Aurukun, Coen, Lockhart River and Napranum. This reduced to 1100 homes by 11am. Ergon Energy crews have restored power to Hopevale, Cooktown, Rossville and Wujal Wujal.

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Restoring power hinges on safe access, weather conditions and damage assessments, which will be conducted when crews are on the ground, an Ergon spokesperson said. Related Article Extreme weather Damaging winds and heavy rain continue as Cyclone Narelle crosses cape Approximately 50 crew members are heading to remote sites by aircraft, with the equipment they need for emergency network repairs, they said. Weve had multiple reports of fallen powerlines, so this is our most important community safety message: Fallen powerlines can be hidden in tree branches and other cyclone debris. Take extra care when you are cleaning up, stay well away from any fallen powerlines and report them to emergency services. Making sites safe for the communities and everyone supporting them in the clean-up and recovery phase will be the first priority for our crews before they commence restoration work.

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Crisafulli acknowledged that the government needs to learn from each disaster, after he was asked about Coen not having a cyclone shelter for residents. Residents sheltered in the towns hotel and a wellness centre instead, which was described as overcrowded. We should always look at ways we can strengthen our resilience towards a disaster event, Crisafulli said. He said structures should be examined, and flood mitigation measures should be examined. Its been a long time in this state since we built levees and detention basins, he said. I want to build more of them.

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To see places like Roma, where that levy has now saved that community over half-a-dozen times in the last handful of years shows you that an investment in disaster resilience makes sense. We should always look to do better. Theres no doubt about that. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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A woman has died after a car crashed into a home on the Gold Coast.

The 89-year-old woman was travelling as a passenger in the vehicle when it crashed into a house on Robert Street in Labrador about 3.40pm on Friday.

A woman has died after a car crashed into a home on the Gold Coast. Nine

She was taken in a critical condition to hospital, where she died a short time later.

The 91-year-old man driving the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was also taken to hospital.
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Exclusive NationalMental health Revealed: The biggest predictors of depression, anxiety in teenagers Kate Aubusson March 22, 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

Bad sleep and trouble at home can set adolescents on a trajectory towards depression and anxiety, says an Australian-first study aimed at predicting and protecting the teenagers at greatest risk. But strong friendships and feelings of belonging in those first years of high school can be powerful inoculators against mental health problems, the Black Dog Institutes Future-Proofing Study found. An Australian-first study has revealed bad sleep and problems at home are among the factors contributing to poor teenage health. Monique Westermann Researchers tracked more than 6000 students from year 8 to year 11 across more than 130 schools, starting in 2019, to provide the clearest picture to date of how the most common mental health issues manifest and evolve in adolescence. Preliminary findings released today showed two-thirds of the 13- to 18-year-olds had minimal or no significant depression and anxiety symptoms, but one in four participants reported persistently high or worsening mental health, with 26 per cent reporting anxiety symptoms and 19 per cent depression.

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The studys co-lead investigator Professor Aliza Werner-Seidler said, by the time many of these teenagers were in year 8, mental health problems had already set in. Related Article Exclusive

AI The people using AI for therapy  and the scientists trying to catch up We have to get in earlier if we want to lower their risk of developing anxiety and depression, Werner-Seidler said. Younger children are reporting things like instances of self-harm and suicidality, which is pretty new. So, we have had to adjust our focus to looking at upper primary school years for prevention work. Focusing on those modifiable factors like sleep, connection and belonging at school can probably yield the greatest impact.

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Sleep on it Sleep was one of the strongest predictors of poor mental health, the studys preliminary findings showed. An alarming one in three participants reported persistent and increasing insomnia symptoms, including 11 per cent with clinically significant insomnia who were four and six times more likely to experience high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Sleep health was the missing pillar in public health education efforts, Werner-Seidler said.

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Most young people and their parents dont know how much sleep theyre meant to be getting, or how to help a child who is lying in bed and worrying so much they cant fall asleep. Before-school extracurricular activities were completely ill-suited to a teenagers circadian rhythm, she added. If school starts at 8 or 9am, that should be the first thing they do in the morning. University of Queensland Conjoint Professor of Child and Youth Psychiatry James Scott said poor sleep was one of the most common problems he sees in his practice, describing the problem as kids staying on their phones with or without social media until all hours of the night. This is a big public health challenge thats modifiable, Scott said. We really need to focus on talking to families and kids about how we improve sleep hygiene.

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The study authors suggested routine screening for sleep problems, stronger sleep education in schools, and investing in training clinicians to treat insomnia as options to make a significant difference. Sleep tips for teens Adolescents aged 13 to 18 need eight to 10 hours of sleep a night. Heres what can help: Exposure to daylight in the morning Have a regular bedtime and wake-up time Follow a bedtime routine (e.g., shower, brush teeth, dim the lights) Limit the occasional sleep-in to two hours Put screens away 30 to 60 minutes before bed Avoid daytime naps Avoid caffeine four to six hours before bed Get some exercise during the day Peer protection Participants who reported higher levels of school connectedness and positive peer relationships in year 8 were more likely to report higher wellbeing in year 10. But about one in four students reported low levels of connectedness at school.

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If young people experience exclusion and bullying at that age, it has such a negative impact on their mental health, Werner-Seidler said. Related Article Healthcare Lucia had time-blindness and missed social cues. Finding out why changed her life Teenagers brains are super sensitive to rejection, more so than younger children or adults. There is something about being a teenager where fitting in matters at a neural and emotional level. She said that schools can play an important role by fostering peer relationships and creating environments where students feel a sense of belonging. The study also confirmed that girls and gender diverse adolescents were significantly more likely than boys to be anxious and depressed, a divide not typically seen in primary school.

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It blows my mind that this is not well known: there is a massive gender difference in the prevalence of mental health symptoms, which you dont see until kids hit puberty, Werner-Seidler said. For Cassia, whose surname has been withheld, teenage troubles began early. I was in year 5 when I got quite depressed, I had eating issues and friendship struggles, Cassia, now 18, said. She was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it wasnt until high school that her mental health plummeted. She struggled to make friends. Cassia was 10 years old when her mental health struggles began. But a friendship breakdown in high school was a tipping point. Steven Siewert

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There was one girl, my best friend  but something happened in year 9. We had a big falling out, and that made everything a lot worse, she recalled. I started to get intrusive thoughts  self-harming thoughts, and I felt like I didnt have anyone to talk to about it. Cassia was getting just six hours sleep a night and self-harming at school. She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in year 10. When she was not permitted to return to school, her peers stopped speaking to her. That was really hard, she said. But with psychotherapy, medication and two supportive schools with strong wellbeing programs, Cassia graduated with a lasting group of friends.

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My mental health is great now, said Cassia, who is studying to be a teachers aide. Adversity at home Experiences such as verbal abuse, parental divorce, household mental illness and life-threatening danger at home by year 8 predicted a range of mental health-related issues by year 10, including new incidents of self-harm and suicidal ideation, an increase in hyperactivity problems, and peer problems. More than half of the participants reported at least one such adverse experience in their home life.

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Scott said adversity in childhood was common and often unavoidable. It was also not harmful for many children, and some of these experiences, such as divorce, were not always adverse. For some kids, divorce is actually a relief, he said. Mental illness in the household will be very common, he added. Whats important is having supports in place to help that child and the rest of the family through any tough times. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.
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NationalVictoriaCity life Fears poachers have taken sugar gliders and bats from Darebin Parklands Lachlan Abbott March 22, 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

Conservationists fear wildlife poachers have been targeting animals in Darebin Parklands after more than 20 nest boxes were found damaged. The Darebin Creek Management Committee raised the alarm online last month after rangers discovered boxes perched high on trees for sugar gliders and microbats had been dismantled twice in December. Darebin Creek Management Committee executive officer Annette Salkeld (left) and ranger Peter Wiltshire with a vandalised wildlife box. Ruby Alexander Peter Wiltshire, a Darebin Creek ranger for more than 40 years, said he twice returned to work after weekends to find nest boxes in two concentrated areas had been taken down. He hadnt seen anything like it before.

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Wiltshire believes the apparently methodical and targeted damage to 29 makeshift animal habitats  most requiring a ladder or pole to reach  indicate poachers could be to blame. Wildlife counts taken after the incidents revealed Darebin Parklands had about 23 fewer gliders. Peter Wiltshire with a vandalised nest box. The boxes are used to temporarily recreate tree hollow habitat when the surrounding trees arent mature enough to have hollows. Ruby Alexander I suppose you take it personally because  its like if someone comes into your workplace and just starts smashing up what youve been doing, Wiltshire said. You become a park ranger because you love animals  so that side of it particularly weighed heaviest on us, knowing that perhaps the animals in those boxes would be stuffed into socks or whatever.

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Wiltshire acknowledged there was no hard evidence yet to confirm his poaching suspicion. A spokesperson for the Conservation Regulator said it currently has no evidence suggesting sugar gliders are being targeted for poaching in Victoria. Annette Salkeld (left) and Peter Wiltshire beneath a nest box in a part of Darebin Parklands that was damaged over summer. Ruby Alexander But the Banyule and Darebin councils put out alerts as recently as Monday to warn locals to stay vigilant for anyone acting suspiciously around nest boxes. South Australian authorities have previously warned that sugar gliders could be targeted in the illegal wildlife trade.

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The Darebin Creek Management Committee has pointed out that wildlife habitat disturbance is a crime, regardless of whether animals were taken. People have been really horrified to hear that this has happened, executive officer Annette Salkeld said. Conservationists fear Australian sugar gliders were taken from Darebin Parklands. James Alcock Many have a very strong connection to this park. They come here frequently, and have all sorts of memories from it. There really is a community sense of ownership or attachment. We have volunteers who monitor the nest boxes as well. So people have been really disgusted that something like this would happen.

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Nest boxes were first installed in Darebin Parklands almost 20 years ago to support wildlife that otherwise didnt have a home in the reclaimed reserve, as most trees werent mature enough to have hollows. About 150 nest boxes dot bushland in Alphington today. A nest box in Darebin Parklands. Ruby Alexander Some are created for native birds such as rosellas. Others have been made for small marsupials. Many have now been redesigned so their backs more easily separate if someone tries to dislodge them, giving animals inside a better chance to escape.

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Its a bit hard to say [gliders] were definitely taken. But everything leads to that, Salkeld said. Youve got people who seem to know what they were doing. They seemed to know which nest boxes to target, and they targeted sugar gliders in particular. They probably would have had to have ladders, or equipment to get the nest boxes down. A Conservation Regulator spokesperson said the body had received reports of habitat disturbance at Darebin Parklands in January but found insufficient evidence to proceed.

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Anyone with information about wildlife crime is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria, the spokesperson said. A grey butcherbird in Darebin Parklands. Ruby Alexander Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalVictoriaHealthcare These are avoidable: Dozens of babies dead or permanently injured after freebirths Henrietta Cook March 22, 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

At least 13 babies have died following so-called freebirths in Victoria over the past five years, while a further 11 have suffered potential lifelong brain injuries. The data, which was obtained from multiple high-level sources in the health sector, highlights the catastrophic consequences of women choosing to have an unassisted birth without any registered medical or midwifery professionals. Freebirth is the practice of giving birth at home without any medical professionals present. Getty Images Doctors and health sources said most of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if expectant mothers had been assisted by health practitioners during the birth. It can also be revealed that despite peak medical colleges calling for a crackdown on unregulated birth workers, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is not proposing any regulatory changes.

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The figures obtained by this masthead are higher than data from the Coroners Court, which attributes nine infant deaths to freebirths between 2021 and March 2026. Related Article Exclusive

Healthcare Inside freebirthing: Empowerment, distrust and a growing dogma This discrepancy is due to the new figures including full-term babies stillborn during labour  cases the Coroners Court cannot investigate because Victoria does not classify a stillbirth as a death. The Age obtained and verified the data with three high-level health sources after the Department of Health and Safer Care Victoria refused to release data following a freedom of information request and multiple inquiries. It is difficult to quantify how many freebirths are taking place every year because they take place outside the health system. But numerous high-level medical sources, say the number of freebirth deaths has significantly risen since 2021, and most of these babies would have survived if health practitioners had been present at birth.

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There has been a tragic uptick, one of the sources, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said in relation to the freebirth deaths and injuries. These are avoidable. The source said some babies born via freebirth experienced multi-organ failure because they had been starved of oxygen in the birth canal during labour. They need breathing assistance, and that assistance isnt provided, the source said. In addition to the 13 deaths of babies, the data also includes one maternal death. Nutrition influencer Stacey Warnecke died in September following a freebirth. Instagram

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While the data is de-identified, the maternal death is understood to be 30-year-old wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke, who died from complications of a postpartum haemorrhage after giving birth to her son in a water bath at her Seaford home in September. The freebirth was attended by Emily Lal, a doula who has since been banned from providing health services by the Health Complaints Commission. Warneckes death is now the subject of a coronial inquiry that will resume on Tuesday. Related Article Healthcare Hospital exhausted blood supply in attempt to save wellness influencer after freebirth A state government spokeswoman said no data was being withheld and legislation prevented some health data from being released to protect the privacy of Victorians.

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Everyone has the right to choose how they plan to give birth. However, without the presence of a registered midwife or clinician, the lives of a mother and baby can be put at risk, even for pregnancies that have been healthy, she said. In November, the Victorian government said it would review the South Australian model of birth-worker restrictions, which impose fines of up to $30,000 on doulas who perform restricted birthing practices. This week, a government spokeswoman said Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas was seeking advice from the Health Department to protect Victorian families. Dr Nisha Khot, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Alex Ellinghausen Dr Nisha Khot, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), called on the government to regularly release freebirth death and injury data in a timely manner.

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She said this would equip women with information to make a safe decision about their pregnancy and birth. These are deaths that could be prevented, she said. Khot said she was increasingly treating mothers and babies who had been rushed to hospital with complications following freebirths. She said the situation had left clinicians questioning their purpose and feeling disillusioned. In November, RANZCOG and the Australian College of Midwives called on the Commonwealth and state and territory health ministers to introduce laws that restrict labour and birth management to appropriately trained, registered practitioners.

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Related Article Women's health Freebirthing, wild pregnancies and the banned birth keeper In South Australia, as in Britain, it is an offence for any person other than a registered midwife or medical practitioner to carry out clinical care during birth. The state imposes fines of up to $30,000 and jail terms for doulas who perform any of 19 restricted clinical tasks during childbirth. These tasks include performing vaginal examinations, checking for completeness of the placenta and monitoring an infants or mothers heart rate. Professor Hannah Dahlen, a midwifery expert from Western Sydney University, said rising rates of intervention (such as inductions and caesareans), a growing distrust in medical institutions and birth trauma were fuelling a rise in freebirths.

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The vast majority of these women have had a previous experience where theyve learnt to distrust the system, and theyre often very traumatised, said Dahlen. The pandemic has also played a role. Related Article Exclusive

Women's health Victoria and NSW consider laws to restrict rogue birth workers As hospitals enforced strict visitor limits and infection fears mounted, Dahlen said, the appeal of birthing at home surged among expectant mothers. But a shortage of registered private midwives and lack of funding for home births meant that many of these women turned to unregulated birth workers and ended up having freebirths, according to Dahlen.

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On the back of that, there has been this rise of the wellness influencer, added Dahlen. Its almost cultish ... People are looking for hope, distrusting the system and are looking to these people who are healthy and good looking. Life seems to be going seamlessly for them, and they give birth to their babies with no issues. They want that. She said while it was difficult to capture the true scale of freebirths because they took place outside the health system, there was enough evidence to show they were on the rise. All we ever see are the bad things. But were seeing enough poor outcomes to know somethings going on  weve got a real problem, she said. Dahlen worries that legislation cracking down on doulas will push women further away from health services.

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If we bring out a big stick, we confirm everything theyve been saying about medical dominance, she said. Related Article Exclusive

Women's health Doula crackdown possible after tragic freebirth deaths She said improving access to private midwives and expanding hospital home birth programs and humanising birth would provide women with safer options. Victoria delivers a public home birth program through Barwon Health, Sunshine, Casey, the Royal Womens and Mercy hospitals. Unlike freebirth, home births are attended by two registered midwives and are generally considered safe for low-risk pregnancies.

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Associate Professor Gino Pecoraro, a senior obstetrician in Brisbane and past president of the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said he was shocked by the data. Australian families should be angered that we have this degree of bad outcomes, he said. We need to do better. He said the entire maternity sector needed to be overhauled to improve access, choice and continuity of care for women. Just 5 per cent of Victorian women who gave birth in 2023 received continuity of care for the entire duration of their pregnancy and birth through a midwifery group practice. This means they saw the same midwife for their entire maternity period. More than 55 per cent of women received no continuity of care. An Australian Health Practitioner and Regulation Agency spokesman said the watchdog was creating guidelines for midwives that clarified their professional and regulatory responsibilities when working alongside unregulated birth workers such as doulas.

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He said the watchdog was also developing resources to help the public understand the benefits of receiving clinical care from a registered midwife. In January, The Age revealed that Safer Care Victoria had ordered doctors and midwives to support women who refuse medical treatment during pregnancy and childbirth, even if it risks permanently harming their unborn babies. The guidelines, which aim to reduce birth trauma and help clinician navigate complex situations, advise staff to respectfully inform the woman ... that permanent harm may not be avoidable, while continuing to provide support without intervention. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalMiddle East at war Why we panic buy  and how to convince people not to Liam Mannix March 21, 2026  4:53pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The only thing we have to panic about is panic itself. Thats the verdict from the prime minister and the service stations on the possibility of a petrol crisis. We have enough fuel  as long as people dont drive to the pump all at once to fill up. The problem is that evidence suggests Australian shoppers are some of the worlds biggest panic buyers. Fuel prices have reached an average of $2.19 a litre this week. Hannah Murphy

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In a situation like this, the cold, hard economic analysis suggests panic buying is quite rational  for the individual, not for society. It becomes individually optimal. Socially, not optimal, says Dr Timothy Neal, a University of NSW economist who has studied panic buying. It is the role of government to try to remedy that, but I dont envy them because its a very hard psychology to fight against. The closure of a major oil shipping route because of the war in the Middle East caused unleaded petrol to jump 20 per cent to $2.19 a litre on average, while barrels of crude have reached $US98, the highest prices since 2022. Australia imports about 90 per cent of its liquid fuel. But that does not mean there is a shortage, says the fuel industry. Ampol, for example, has 45 days of fuel supply available. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday there had been no reductions in Australias fuel supply. What we know is that there hasnt been less supply, he said. Over the last few weeks, there have been issues of distribution. So there have been shortages in some areas.

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Supply chains are typically built to cope with regular demand patterns. If demand suddenly changes, they struggle. The war in the Middle East seems to have encouraged drivers, worried either about shortages or rising prices, to head to pumps and fill their tanks. Thats left some petrol stations with empty bowsers  at least for a few hours. Smoke rises after debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. AP Why we panic buy The bigger threat is if drivers respond to those temporary shortages by panic buying petrol.

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It seems to be a way we cope with uncertainty, says Dr Karina Rune, a behavioural sciences researcher at the University of the Sunshine Coast who has published several papers on panic buying. It seems to appease our perception of risk and uncertainty. Human brains are poorly built to handle high-stakes uncertainty. Studies suggest we are more stressed by a 50 per cent chance of a bad outcome than a 100 per cent chance. Evolutionarily, surprise and uncertainty are things we did not survive, says Monash Universitys Professor Michelle Lazarus, who has written a book on uncertainty. When we perceive the stakes to be high, and have high uncertainty, our brain is trying to protect us, keeping us alive  and that contributes to wanting to remove the uncertainty. During COVID-19, we responded to news about shortages of toilet paper by stocking up; some people were pictured buying multi-year supplies. If I just buy, everything is going to be OK, says Rune. The buying makes us have a sense of control. Toilet paper is not going to save you from COVID.

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Empty shelves in the toilet paper aisle at Woolworths in Bondi Junction, NSW, in March 2020. Rhett Wyman Australians were the worst panic buyers during COVID, according to an analysis of Google search traffic by Neal. Its not clear why, but our isolation from global supply chains may have something to do with it, giving people a sense we could be left stranded. Panic buying seems inherently irrational  thats why we call it panic buying. The panic buying creates the very problem the panic buyers are trying to avoid. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy, says Neal. But at an individual level, he says, it is perfectly rational. If you expect the price of fuel to go up in the near future, or petrol pumps to run dry, it makes sense to buy now. If you expect other drivers to panic and try to fill their tanks, it makes sense to try to get ahead of that. This problem is known as a prisoners dilemma: if everyone co-operated, we could avoid fuel shortages, but its not possible to perfectly co-ordinate with other drivers.

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All you need to believe is other people are panicked about this problem and will change their behaviour, and panic buying suddenly becomes rational, says Neal. What can we do about it? During COVID, Karina Rune ran out of toilet paper. I am one of those very busy people who dont get to the shop on time, and went, Oh, theres no toilet paper  which led to a bit of panic with my three little kids. She contained her panic by thinking through the worst-case scenario: there are always alternatives to toilet paper, and many cultures dont use it at all. But it led her research in a new direction: if panic buying is a rational response to uncertainty at an individual level that produces large problems at a society-wide level, what can we do about it?

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The prospect of bread, pasta and meat shortages can also spook shoppers. Paul Harris To find out, her team randomised 140 Australian grocery shoppers to either a mental placebo (they were asked to imagine eating a particularly tangy lemon) or a video message. The video tested several key messages. First, that there was enough supply, and there would be no shortages if people avoided panic buying. Second, that panic buying harshly affected those who lacked the time or could not afford to stock up  such as doctors and nurses, police officers, the elderly and the disadvantaged. The video asked people to imagine they had a paramedic friend who had finished a shift at 8pm and arrived at the shops, only to find shelves stripped bare.

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Third, that friends and family would want you to do the right thing and only buy as much groceries as you need. The key change, says Rune, is to help people view it as a collective responsibility, rather than saying, Im at risk, I am going to run out. It seemed to work, reducing peoples intention to panic buy (compared with those who thought about lemons). Electric vehicle drivers have escaped the recent surge in petrol prices. Louie Douvis An unexpected silver lining

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Oil is essential to much of our economy, from cars and transport to fertiliser and plastics. It is also a fossil fuel, responsible for about a third of our global CO2 emissions. The oil shock of the 1970s, when the price of oil quadrupled, led the US to introduce fuel-economy standards for cars and to (briefly) embrace solar panels. High oil prices create a strong incentive for consumers, investors and governments to adopt cleaner alternatives, says Dr Shahzad Alvi, a researcher at the Queensland University of Technology who has studied oil shocks. And today, the technology exists for an even faster move, with fully electric cars available for consumers looking to beat the petrol price shock. Will a modern oil shock spur the green switch? Maybe. High oil prices also increase the incentive for oil producers to find new sources of supply, which can lead to a long-term reduction in oil prices, reducing the incentive to invest in renewables, says Alvi.

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An oil shock may trigger or accelerate Australias move to renewable energy in the short term, but on its own it is unlikely to guarantee a sustained transition. Long-term progress depends more on policy support and technological innovation than on oil market volatility alone. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Updated PoliticsFederalAustralia votes Labors Malinauskas secures second term in landslide despite significant One Nation surge Rob Harris Updated March 22, 2026  12:16am ,first published 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

Peter Malinauskas has claimed a commanding second-term victory in South Australia, using a landslide result to call for a more generous and inclusive politics even as a surging One Nation carved deeply into the major parties vote. With counting well advanced on Saturday night, Labor was on track to secure at least 32 of the 47 seats in parliament, cementing the premiers authority despite a modest primary vote swing against the government. The Liberals were reduced to a handful of seats, while One Nations vote surged across regional and working-class areas, securing the seat of Hammond and boosting its upper house presence. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas voting with his family at Woodville Gardens School in Adelaide on Saturday. AAP In a victory speech that leaned as much on tone as triumph, Malinauskas reached beyond his base, invoking the bush ethos of Henry Lawsons poem The Duty of Australians to frame his appeal for unity. When we all combine, we can achieve anything, he said. When we work together, diversity has always been our greatest strength.

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If we focus on what unites us  a shared love of living in a peaceful, prosperous place, a state full of hard-working people that value care and compassion  then we can harness this moment with our newfound confidence. The result delivers Labor one of its strongest mandates in the states history, even as it underscores a shifting political landscape. Labors primary vote settled around 38 per cent, ahead of One Nation on about 21 per cent and the Liberals languishing near 19 per cent  a dramatic collapse of 16 per cent from four years ago. Loading Malinauskas, careful to temper the scale of the win, warned colleagues against complacency. Although this is a historic result, although it is the best result our party has ever achieved, its very important that no one confuses tonights result as adulation, he said. Instead, we should see it as only being an invitation to continue to work our guts out for the next four years.

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The premier confirmed he had received concession calls from Liberal leader Ashton Hurn and One Nations Cory Bernardi, signalling a willingness to work across an increasingly fractured parliament. Related Article Liberal Party The South Australian Liberals arent just staring down defeat. Theyre facing a wipeout I say to both Ashton and Cory, along with leaders of other political parties elected tonight, that my government stands ready to work with each and every one of you for as long as it is in the interests of South Australians, he said. The scale of the Liberal defeat was quickly apparent. Hurn conceded before 9.30pm, describing the outcome as a tough night and acknowledging the need for deep reflection. The partys vote collapsed in suburban Adelaide and across key regional centres, squeezed by Labor on one side and One Nation on the other. The partys primary vote was sitting at single digits in several seats, including Kaurna, Reynell, Cheltenham, Ramsay, Florey, Elizabeth, Port Adelaide, Playford, Black, Giles, and Hurtle Vale.

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Former leader Vincent Tarzia was among the casualties, losing Hartley. Theres absolutely no doubt about it, that things are tough, Hurn said. And lessons must be learnt. The voters never get it wrong. Its up to us to heed their advice. Now is the time to come together as a party. Pauline Hanson said One Nations strong performance in the South Australia election was just the beginning. The rise of One Nation, led federally by Pauline Hanson, translated strong polling into electoral gains, with at least one lower house seat. The partys state leader Bernardi secured an upper house seat for himself and declared an earthquake had rattled the major parties.

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Hanson said she felt vindicated, pointing to the result as part of a broader national shift. I think the rest of Australia is going to be watching whats happening here tonight, she said, linking the outcome to looming contests including the Farrer byelection and Novembers Victorian poll. Related Article Australia votes People have had a gutful: South Australia is about to be hit by One Nations orange wave She later added the surge was just the start, describing an undercurrent of voters turning away from the political mainstream. Its not just a protest vote  you have no idea what the hell has happened in this country, there is a movement and there is an undercurrent, and it is people saying weve had a gutful, we want our country back, she said. The election result reinforces Labors dominance  the party has now won five of the past six state elections  but also highlights the volatility beneath the surface. More than a third of votes were cast early, and several seats will remain in doubt for days as complex preference flows are counted. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA)  The official visit to Morocco of Alice Jill Edwards, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, due to take place from 23 March to 2 April 2026, has been postponed to a later date at the request of the Government
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WorldEuropeGreenland Denmark secretly prepared to blow up runways in Greenland to stop a US invasion Jeffrey Gettleman , Christopher F. Schuetze and Maya Tekeli March 22, 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

London: As tensions with US President Donald Trump peaked in recent weeks, the Danish military developed detailed plans to blow up airfields in Greenland in the event of a US invasion, two European officials said. Danish soldiers were sent to Greenland equipped with explosives and blood supplies, underscoring the seriousness of the contingency plans, according to the officials, who had knowledge of the plans but said they could not be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject. According to a report in Danish public media, Nuuk Airport in Greenland was one of two airports the Danish military was planning to disable in the event of a US invasion. AP The soldiers did not do anything to the airfields, but Denmarks consideration of such a scenario shows just how unnerved the country was in January as US President Donald Trump escalated threats to take over Greenland, a huge Arctic island that has been part of the Danish kingdom for more than 300 years. Trump later softened his tone, signalling that he was willing to compromise over Greenlands future relationship with the US and subsequently turned his attention elsewhere, initiating a war with Iran alongside Israel.

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DR, Denmarks public broadcaster, first published information about these plans this week, as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen campaigns for re-election. Her tough stance against Trump has become one of her top-selling points in the election, which takes place this week. According to DRs report, when Danish soldiers were deployed to Greenland in January, they carried explosives to disable the runways in Nuuk, Greenlands capital, and in Kangerlussuaq, a small town in the Arctic Circle. The report said that this would prevent US military aircraft from landing soldiers on the island if President Donald Trump ultimately chose to take Greenland by force. The report did not mention that the US military maintains its own airfield on the north-west corner of the island, part of a defence agreement the US has had with Denmark for decades.

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Security analysts said Denmarks detailed planning was unsurprising. Militaries will naturally think, OK, whats the worst that can happen? said Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at Bruegel, a research institute in Brussels. US President Donald Trump and Frederiksen have often been at loggerheads over Greenland. AP So you start with the runways, and you prepare for combat. Well, blood banks. Live ammunition. There you go. According to the DR report, the Danish soldiers also had live ammunition.

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At the time, Denmark said it was sending soldiers to Greenland for a broader military exercise with a small contingent of troops from other European countries, including France, Germany, Britain and Norway. Related Article Trump diplomacy Europe learns how to counterpunch against Trump in Greenland brawl Though Denmarks full plans werent public at the time, the exercise was clearly meant to signal to Trump that Europe was united against his threats to seize a large chunk of a European countrys territory. Tom Roseth, a professor of intelligence studies at the Norwegian Defence University College, believes Denmarks gambit worked. The situation was highly serious, he said. Something had to be done in terms of military presence and demonstrating solidarity with Denmark.

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Whether it is called an exercise, an operational deployment, or symbolic support, the effect is what matters. The Americans could not simply arrive with a small force and raise the flag, if they ever seriously considered doing so. US military officials indicated in January that they had no war plans for Greenland, and it isnt clear how likely Danish intelligence agencies believed the US was poised to invade. Still, the Danish troops deployed on the island were under a heightened state of readiness. In mid-January, as the tensions were rising, Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmarks defence minister, said Danish soldiers were under orders that if one is attacked, one must defend the kingdom. But, he added, it is considered entirely hypothetical that the US government would initiate an attack on Greenland.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
MARIGOT:--- The French Gendarmerie has issued an urgent public information alert following the worrisome disappearance of two teenage girls in St. Martin. Authorities are asking for the public's help to locate 14-year-old Etaicha Baly and 15-year-old Blandine Pierre, who have been missing since March 19, 2026.

According to the official alert, the two friends met near the Concordia neighborhood after their school classes ended. They did not return to their respective homes afterward. While the Gendarmerie notes that the girls have a history of leaving without parental permission, authorities are treating their current absence with high concern and urgency.

Police have provided descriptions to help the public identify the missing teens:

Etaicha Baly: Born July 12, 2011. She has dark, curly hair, which she recently wore styled in two buns on top of her head.

Blandine Pierre: Born January 19, 2011. She has dark hair styled in braids or twists.

The Gendarmerie urges anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Etaicha and Blandine to come forward immediately. Time is a critical factor in ensuring their safe return.

If you see the girls or have any details that could assist the search, please dial the emergency number 17 right away.

You can also contact the Judicial Support Section of the Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin Gendarmerie directly by calling 05.90.52.33.88. Alternatively, you can provide information in person at their station located at 80A route de la savane, 97150 St
Trump mulls 'winding down' Iran war



Washington, United States, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2026



US President Donald Trump said Friday he was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran three weeks into the war, but warned the Strait of Hormuz would need to be policed by other countries.

Trump's comments were his strongest signal yet of an end to the conflict, but came despite the fact that the key oil passage effectively remains closed, and as thousands more Marines are headed to the Middle East.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not!" he said.

Trump -- who has previously given shifting goals for the war including regime change -- listed the objectives as ensuring Iran could never get a nuclear weapon, destroying its missile arsenal, navy, air force and industrial base, and protecting Gulf allies.

The US leader had earlier branded NATO allies "cowards" for failing to heed his calls to secure the strait, on which Iran has a virtual stranglehold.

The 79-year-old's sudden announcement that he was considering scaling back operations came just over an hour after he had ruled out a ceasefire with the Islamic republic.

"I think we have won," Trump told journalists at the White House as he headed to his Florida resort for the weekend alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."

Trump would not confirm a report by the Axios news outlet that he was considering an occupation or blockade of Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil hub, to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait.

"I may have a plan or I may not," Trump said when asked by an AFP reporter. "It's certainly a place that people are talking about but I can't tell you."



- 'Cowards!' -



US forces hit Kharg on Friday in strikes that Trump said had "totally obliterated" all military targets on the island, but Washington has so far avoided hitting its oil infrastructure.

Surging oil prices have put pressure on Trump to bring the war to an end, amid Republican fears the economic shock could hurt the party in November's midterm elections.

Trump has previously said he does not plan to put boots on the ground in Iran.

But The Wall Street Journal said Washington is deploying between 2,200 and 2,500 US Marines from the California-based USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Asked about the reports, the Marine Corps said the two groups are "deployed at sea," while the US 3rd Fleet said they are "conducting routine operations."

A week ago, US media reported a separate deployment to the Middle East of some 2,500 Marines aboard as many as three ships.

Trump had lashed out at the NATO military alliance earlier for failing to commit to provide naval escorts for tankers in the strait.

"So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!" Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

"Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!" Trump posted.

Six key powers including Britain, France, Germany and Japan -- whose premier met Trump at the White House on Thursday -- say they are ready to "contribute to appropriate efforts."

But they have not made any commitment and several allies have said they will not help until hostilities have ended.
US judge rules restrictive Pentagon press access unconstitutional



Washington, United States, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2026



A US federal judge on Friday ruled as unconstitutional a Pentagon press access policy that withdrew accreditations from a host of prominent media organizations.

Elements of the policy are "unlawful because they violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the United States Constitution," a judge in Washington said in response to a lawsuit brought by The New York Times.

US media and a host of international news outlets including AFP, AP and Fox News declined to sign the new policy in mid-October, resulting in the stripping of their Pentagon credentials.

The ruling comes amid the ongoing US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran that began on February 28.

The court said that while national security must be protected, it was vital for the public to have information in light of the US war with Iran and its recent intervention in Venezuela.

"It is more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing -- so that the public can support government policies, if it wants to support them; protest, if it wants to protest," the ruling said.

"And decide based on full, complete, and open information who they are going to vote for in the next election."

The new policy, enforced in October last year, was the latest in a series of moves restricting journalists' access to information from the Defense Department, the nation's single largest employer, with a budget in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

The department had announced earlier last year that eight media organizations including The Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NBC and NPR had to vacate their dedicated office spaces in the Pentagon, alleging that there was a need to create room for other -- predominantly conservative -- outlets.

It also required journalists to be accompanied by official escorts if they go outside a limited number of areas in the Pentagon -- another new restriction on the press.

bur-ac/js




Israel military says new wave of missiles fired from Iran



Jerusalem, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2026



Israel's military said early Saturday that its air defences were operating to intercept a new wave of missiles launched by Iran.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the Israeli military said on its official Telegram account.
Strike kills fighter in northern Iraq: ex-paramilitaries



Baghdad, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2026



A strike killed a fighter from former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi at a military airfield in northern Iraq on Friday, the group said, blaming the attack on the United States and Israel.

Iraq 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.

"One fighter was martyred and another wounded," in the latest strike at a military airbase in the Tuz Khurmatu area, Hashed al-Shaabi said in a statement.

On Thursday, the Pentagon acknowledged for the first time that combat helicopters had carried out strikes against pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq during the latest conflict that has engulfed the region.

Overnight from Friday to Saturday, at least three drone attacks targeted a US diplomatic and logistics hub that houses US military personnel at Baghdad International Airport, according to two security officials.

One of the officials said that a fire broke near the base following the third attack.
Israel says striking Hezbollah in Beirut



Beirut, Lebanon, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah early Saturday, after calling on residents of several areas to evacuate.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel has since launched strikes across Lebanon and sent ground troops into the country's south.

In a brief statement on Saturday, the Israeli military said its forces were "currently striking Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets in Beirut".

A military spokesman earlier issued a warning to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, to evacuate ahead of strikes.

In southern Lebanon, close to the border, state media said an Israeli airstrike hit a house in the town of Ghandouriyeh, killing at least one person and wounding two others.

The official National News Agency reported more strikes overnight on the coastal city of Tyre and the border town of Naqoura.

Hezbollah meanwhile said its fighters had targeted Israeli troops in six villages in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese group said it had also launched rockets across the border, where air raid sirens were activated, according to the Israeli military's Home Front Command.

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, gave his backing on Friday to a truce initiative proposed by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, telling reporters that "matters are not resolved without talking".

He said, however, he believed Israel "has decided not to stop" striking Lebanon yet.

"That means Lebanon has to decide whether it can meet the Israelis in this case," the ambassador added.

Lebanon's health ministry says the war has killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon and displaced more than one million more.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon, according to the military.
Trump says considering 'winding down' Iran war, US eases oil sanctions



Washington, United States, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran, as the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil shipments to stem a global supply crisis.

Iran launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel meanwhile after supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei claimed to have dealt a "dizzying blow" to his country's enemies.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the United States was "getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East."

His post was the strongest indication yet that he may be prepared to soon end hostilities that began on February 28.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a post on X shortly after Trump's message, said "the President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission."

"Tomorrow marks week 3 -- and the US Armed Forces are doing an exceptional job," Leavitt continued. "Day by day, the Iranian Regime is being crippled, and their ability to threaten the United States and our allies is being significantly weakened."

Amid growing concern over oil prices and global supply shortages, the US Treasury said it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels.

The authorization allows for the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other petroleum products loaded onto ships before March 20 and will last through April 19, it said.

"By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.



- 'Dangerous escalation' -



Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas normally flows, and the numerous attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East have sent crude oil prices soaring.

A barrel of North Sea Brent crude was up 3.26 percent on Friday to $112.19.

On Wall Street, stocks ended sharply lower after oil prices shot up on fears that lengthy supply disruptions would lead to a global economic downturn.

Fresh blasts hit Tehran on Friday and Israel accused Iran of attacking holy sites in Jerusalem after a strike left a crater in the Old City near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Saudi Arabia said it "intercepted and destroyed" more than 20 Iranian drones in the east of the kingdom early Saturday, while Israel said a new wave of missiles had been fired from Iran.

Iranian attacks continued meanwhile on energy infrastructure in the Gulf.

On Friday, drone attacks hit Kuwait's giant Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, causing a fire that was later brought under control, a day after a direct hit on Qatar's vital Ras Laffan natural gas facility.

In other developments, the Israeli military said it had launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut early Saturday targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, after calling on residents of several areas to evacuate.

Turkey lashed out at Israel meanwhile for striking Syrian army camps in southern Syria, calling it a "dangerous escalation."

Syria has so far avoided being dragged into the regional war.



- 'We have won' -



Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday he was not looking for a truce with the Islamic Republic.

"I think we have won," he said. "I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."

Trump, after slamming NATO allies as "cowards," said other nations would have to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not!" he posted.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated."

Trump said the United States wanted to talk to Iran but "there's nobody to talk to" because of the killing of Iran's former supreme leader and other top officials.

Iran's new supreme leader has not appeared in public since being named to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei.

In a written statement to mark Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Mojtaba Khamenei said Iranians have "dealt him (the enemy) a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense."

"At the moment, due to the particular unity that has been created between you our compatriots... the enemy has been defeated," Khamenei said.

Trump has repeatedly said he does not plan to send ground troops into combat with Iran, but The Wall Street Journal reported that an additional 2,200 to 2,500 US Marines were headed to the region.

Trump would not confirm a report by the Axios news outlet that he was considering an occupation or blockade of Iran's Kharg Island oil hub to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait.

US forces hit Kharg with strikes that Trump said had "totally obliterated" all military targets on the island, but Washington has so far avoided hitting its oil infrastructure.

burs/cl/js







X
Iran fired missiles at joint US-UK base in Indian Ocean: report



Washington, United States, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran recently fired two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials.

Neither missile hit the target, which is around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iranian territory, but the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought, the report said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

One of the missiles failed in flight, and the other was targeted by an interceptor fired from a US warship, though it was not clear if the missile was hit, The Journal reported.

Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands is one of two bases Britain is allowing the United States to use for "defensive" operations in Iran.

American forces have stationed bombers and other equipment at the base, a key hub for Asia operations, including the US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Britain has agreed to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after holding it since the 1960s, and maintains a lease for the base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.

US President Donald Trump has slammed the decision.
Israel military says striking 'regime targets' in Tehran



Jerusalem, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The Israeli military said it launched strikes on "regime targets" in Tehran early Saturday, after reporting several rounds of Iranian missile fire at Israel.

The Iranian capital has come under near daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, killing top officials including the Islamic republic's supreme leader.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks at Israel, US interests in the Gulf and other targets in the region.

A brief Israeli military statement on Saturday said forces were "striking Iranian terror regime targets in Tehran" following an earlier air raid targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital Beirut.

There were no immediate details on the outcome of the strikes.

The military earlier said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel" at least three times within six hours.

Air raid sirens sounded across large parts of Israel, according to the military's Home Front Command, and there were no reports of casualties.

In an earlier statement, the Israeli military said recent strikes on Tehran had targeted ballistic missile sites.

"The IDF (military) will continue to deepen the degradation of the Iranian regime's fire array," it said.
Iran says ready to help Japan ships through Hormuz Strait: Kyodo



Tokyo, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran is willing to help Japanese ships sail a vital route for global fuel supplies, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Saturday.

Japan depends on crude oil imports from the Middle East, most of which transits the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively closed the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, sending countries reliant on the shipping lane scrambling for alternative routes and tapping reserves.

In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi denied closing the passageway, insisting instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions, while others were being offered assistance.

"We have not closed the strait. It is open," he said.

He added that Iran was prepared to ensure safe passage for Japan.

The world's number-four economy is the fifth-biggest importer of oil, with 95 percent of it coming from the Middle East and 70 percent passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday, Tokyo said it was beginning the release of its strategic oil reserves -- among the world's largest.

The country holds reserves equivalent to 254 days of domestic consumption.

Members of the International Energy Agency agreed on March 11 to tap oil stockpiles to cushion the surge in prices caused by the war in the Middle East -- by far the largest-ever response of its kind.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Iran's Hormuz offer to Japan -



Iran is willing to help Japanese ships sail the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global fuel supplies, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Saturday.

In the telephone interview conducted on Friday, Araghchi denied closing the passageway, saying instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions while others were being offered assistance.

He added that Iran was prepared to ensure safe passage for Japan.



- Israel strikes Tehran -



The Israeli military said it launched strikes on "regime targets" in Tehran early Saturday.

The military earlier said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel" at least three times within six hours.



- Iran targets Indian Ocean base: report -



Iran recently fired two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials.

Neither missile hit the target, which is around 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from Iranian territory, but the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought, the report said.

Contacted by AFP, the Pentagon declined to comment.



- Israel strikes Lebanon -



The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut early Saturday targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, after urging residents of several areas to evacuate.

Lebanese state media said an Israeli airstrike hit a house in a southern town, killing one person and wounding two others.



- Saudi Arabia intercepts more drones -



The Saudi defence ministry said it had intercepted dozens of drones overnight in the country's east.

Neighbouring Kuwait's military said its air defence systems were responding to a missile and drone attack on Saturday.



- US eases Iran oil sanctions -



The US Treasury temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, allowing deliveries until April 19.

It follows the easing of sanctions for Russian oil already at sea, as Washington seeks to stem a global supply crunch caused by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Iran said earlier it had "no surplus crude oil" to offer to international markets, after the US Treasury chief previewed the temporary lifting of sanctions.



- War 'winding down'? -



US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran and that the Strait of Hormuz would need to be "guarded and policed" by other countries who use the vital waterway.

But he ruled out reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump posted on Truth Social.



- Britain OKs base use -



Britain has authorised the use of its bases by the United States to strike Iranian sites threatening the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, the government said.

Since the war began on February 28, Britain has let US forces use two bases for defensive operations and has deployed air assets to support allies targeted by Tehran's regional retaliatory campaign, prompting criticism from Trump.



- More US Marines? -



The United States is deploying additional Marines to the Middle East, US media reported, possibly signalling a coming ground operation.

The Wall Street Journal said Washington was deploying 2,200 to 2,500 Marines from two California-based units. CNN meanwhile said thousands of Marines and sailors were expected to deploy to the Middle East.

Both publications cited anonymous US officials.



- Khamenei: enemy 'defeated' -



Khamenei said Iran's enemies were being defeated in the war against the US and Israel in a written message for the Persian New Year, Nowruz.

"At the moment, due to the particular unity that has been created between you our compatriots... the enemy has been defeated," said Khamenei, who has yet to appear in public after being named to succeed his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the war.



- NATO Iraq mission moved -



NATO's mission in Iraq has been fully relocated to Europe, the alliance said, with the last personnel from the non-combat force of several hundred departing the country.

burs-des/js/ceg/ami
Middle East war: global economic fallout



Paris, France, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war:



- Iran's Hormuz offer to Japan -



Iran is willing to help Japanese ships sail the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global fuel supplies, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Saturday.

In the telephone interview conducted on Friday, Araghchi denied closing the passageway, saying instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions while others were being offered assistance.

He added that Iran was prepared to ensure safe passage for Japan.

Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas normally flows, and the numerous attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East have sent crude oil prices soaring.



- United trims flights as jet fuel costs spike -



United Airlines announced Friday that it was scaling back its flight capacities because of soaring jet fuel costs, which the US airline anticipates will keep rising as the war in the Middle East continues.

United chief Scott Kirby said "our plans assume oil goes to $175 a barrel and doesn't get back down to $100 a barrel until the end of 2027."

Earlier, the head of the IATA airline trade association Willie Walsh said an increase in ticket prices is "inevitable" as airlines respond to soaring prices of jet fuel.



- Iran oil sanctions eased -



The US Treasury on Friday temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, in Washington's latest step to stem a supply crisis over the Middle East war.

The move by the Office of Foreign Assets Control follows a similar lifting of sanctions on Russian oil at sea.

Iranian oil ministry spokesman Saman Ghoddoosi earlier wrote on X that "Iran basically has no surplus crude oil left on the water".



- US threatens Kharg oil facility -



The White House said the US military could "take out" Kharg Island whenever it wanted, as US media reported that up to 2,500 additional Marines are being deployed to the Middle East.

Kharg, around 30 kilometres (19 miles) off the Iranian mainland, handles almost all of Iran's crude exports.



- Damage to Qatar's Ras Laffan could have high cost -



An Iranian attack on Qatar's huge Ras Laffan natural gas complex caused "extensive damage" that Qatar's state energy company said could cost $20 billion a year in lost revenue and take five years to repair.



- Kuwait refinery ablaze -



Drone attacks hit Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery on Friday, causing several fires but no casualties, state media said.

Several refinery units were shut down, the official Kuwait News Agency reported. The Kuwaiti army later said that the fire was brought under control.

Iranian authorities had vowed to retaliate after an Israeli strike on Wednesday damaged its South Pars gas field, which draws on the world's biggest known gas reserve and is vital for domestic supplies.



- Vietnam fuel prices soar -



The cost of petrol rose more than 20 percent in Vietnam after the government announced an overnight hike amid fears of oil and gas shortages caused by the war.

Southeast Asian countries have borne the brunt of surging diesel prices following strikes against energy infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf states.

The increase has seen the price of regular petrol and diesel rise more than 50 and 70 percent respectively since the conflict began.



- Spain chops fuel taxes, freezes rents -



Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a five billion euro ($5.8 billion) package aimed at offsetting the economic impact of the Middle East conflict, including a "drastic reduction" in energy taxes.

The package's 80 measures include cuts to the value-added tax on gas and fuel, which could lower prices at the pump by up to 30 cents per litre.

Sanchez also said the government would cap the maximum price of butane and propane, and slash electricity taxes by 60 percent.

burs-aha/js/jgc/ceg/ami
Israel strikes Tehran, Beirut as Trump mulls 'winding down' war



Jerusalem, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and Beirut on Saturday after US President Donald Trump said he was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran following three weeks of war.

After Iranian missile fire at Israel overnight, the Israeli military said it had carried out strikes on what it called "regime targets" in Iran's capital, which has been under bombardment since a US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28.

The latest barrage came as Trump signalled a retreat from the objective of regime change in Iran and the Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea to ease global supply fears.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East," Trump said in a social media post.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump and the Pentagon "predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission", as the conflict headed towards a fourth week on Saturday.

However, US media reported Friday that Washington was deploying thousands of Marines to the Middle East, in a possible sign of a coming ground operation.

Trump told reporters he was not looking for a truce because Washington was "obliterating" Iran.

But Tehran has kept up its retaliatory drone and missile attacks on Gulf nations it accuses of serving as launchpads for US strikes, as well as on Israel.

Kuwait reported a missile and drone attack early Saturday and Saudi Arabia said it intercepted more than two dozen drones, as Muslims in the region and beyond celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Israel had shuttered access to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's annexed Old City and other holy sites, citing wartime restrictions but angering Muslim worshippers.

"Al-Aqsa has been taken from us," said Wajdi Mohammed Shweiki, a Palestinian man in his 60s.

"It's a catastrophic situation for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for Palestinians in general and for all Muslims across the globe."

Israel has accused Iran of attacking holy sites in Jerusalem after a strike left a crater in the Old City near Al-Aqsa, the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.



- Oil sanctions eased -



Beyond the Gulf, the war has spread to Lebanon where the Israeli military has carried out regular bombardments in response to rocket fire by Iran ally Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes against "Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets" in the Lebanese capital early Saturday.

It had called on residents to evacuate parts of Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

In southern Lebanon, close to the border, state media reported an "extensive" Israeli operation around the town of Khiam and said an Israeli airstrike killed at least one person.

Lebanon's health ministry says the war has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than one million, while Israel's army says two soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon.

In Iraq, which neighbours Iran and has been drawn into the war, a strike killed a fighter at a military airfield in the country's north, with his group blaming the US and Israel.

As concerns grow over oil prices and global supply shortages, the US Treasury said it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels.

The authorisation allows for the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other petroleum products loaded onto ships before March 20 and will last through April 19.

"By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.



- Trump 'may have a plan' -



As energy analysts and consumers count the cost of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Gulf, including the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub, Trump slammed NATO allies as "cowards" and called on them to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has choked the channel crucial for around a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas during peacetime.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not!" he said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had imposed restrictions on vessels from countries involved in attacks against Iran but was offering assistance to others.

The standoff has sent crude oil prices soaring, with a barrel of North Sea Brent crude up more than three percent on Friday to around $112.

Trump would not be drawn on reports that he was considering an occupation or blockade of Iran's key oil hub Kharg island.

US forces hit Kharg on Friday in strikes that Trump said had "totally obliterated" the island's military targets but not its oil infrastructure.

"I may have a plan or I may not," Trump said when asked by an AFP reporter.

burs-jfx/ami
Israel says targeting Hezbollah in Beirut as south Lebanon struck



Beirut, Lebanon, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Beirut claiming to target the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah early Saturday, while Lebanese state media reported strikes in the country's south.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel has since launched strikes across Lebanon and sent ground troops into the country's south.

In a brief statement on Saturday, the Israeli military said its forces were "currently striking Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets in Beirut".

A military spokesman earlier issued a warning to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, to evacuate ahead of strikes.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on two neighbourhoods in the area, without immediately saying what had been hit or whether there were any casualties.

In southern Lebanon, close to the border, the NNA said an Israeli airstrike hit a house in the town of Ghandouriyeh, killing at least one person and wounding two others.

The agency reported more strikes overnight and in the early morning on several areas of southern Lebanon, as well as an "extensive combing operation" carried out by Israeli troops in the area of Khiam town.

Hezbollah also said its fighters had targeted Israeli troops in six villages in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese group said it had also launched rockets across the border, where air raid sirens were activated, according to the Israeli military's Home Front Command.

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, gave his backing on Friday to a truce initiative proposed by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, telling reporters that "matters are not resolved without talking".

He said, however, he believed Israel "has decided not to stop" striking Lebanon yet.

"That means Lebanon has to decide whether it can meet the Israelis in this case," the ambassador added.

Lebanon's health ministry says the war has killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon and displaced more than one million more.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon, according to the military.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Iran warns UAE -



Iran's military warned the United Arab Emirates on Saturday against allowing attacks from its territory on two disputed islands in the Gulf, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb islands, which are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE, have long been a source of dispute between the two countries.



- Arab nations slam Israel on Syria -



Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned on Saturday Israel's strikes on Syrian army camps as "aggression", joining other Arab nations and Turkey in calling on the international community to intervene.

The Turkish foreign ministry earlier called the Israeli attack "a dangerous escalation" that must be stopped, while Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait all joined in condemning the Israeli strikes.



- Iran's Hormuz offer to Japan -



Iran is willing to help Japanese ships sail the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global fuel supplies, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Saturday.

In the telephone interview conducted on Friday, Araghchi denied closing the passageway, saying instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions while others were being offered assistance.

He added that Iran was prepared to ensure safe passage for Japan.



- Israel strikes Tehran -



The Israeli military said it launched strikes on "regime targets" in Tehran early Saturday.

The military earlier said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel" at least three times within six hours.



- Iran targets Indian Ocean base: report -



Iran recently fired two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials.

Neither missile hit the target, which is around 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from Iranian territory, but the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought, the report said.

Contacted by AFP, the Pentagon declined to comment.



- Israel strikes Lebanon -



The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut early Saturday targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, after urging residents of several areas to evacuate.

Lebanese state media said an Israeli air strike hit a house in a southern town, killing one person and wounding two others.



- Saudi Arabia intercepts more drones -



The Saudi defence ministry said it had intercepted dozens of drones overnight in the country's east.

Neighbouring Kuwait's military said its air defence systems were responding to a missile and drone attack on Saturday.



- US eases Iran oil sanctions -



The US Treasury temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, allowing deliveries until April 19.

It follows the easing of sanctions for Russian oil already at sea, as Washington seeks to stem a global supply crunch caused by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Iran said earlier it had "no surplus crude oil" to offer to international markets, after the US Treasury chief previewed the temporary lifting of sanctions.



- War 'winding down'? -



US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran and that the Strait of Hormuz would need to be "guarded and policed" by other countries which use the vital waterway.

But he ruled out reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran.



- Britain OKs base use -



Britain has authorised the use of its bases by the United States to strike Iranian sites threatening the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, the government said.

Since the war began on February 28, Britain has let US forces use two bases for defensive operations and has deployed air assets to support allies targeted by Tehran's regional retaliatory campaign, prompting criticism from Trump.



- More US Marines? -



The United States is deploying additional Marines to the Middle East, US media reported, possibly signalling a coming ground operation.

burs-sbk/jhb
Iranians hold Eid prayers as Mideast war rages



Tehran, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Thousands of Muslims held Eid al-Fitr prayers in Iran on Saturday to mark the end of the Ramadan fast against the backdrop of the Middle East war, state television footage showed.

Iran, a majority-Shia nation, marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan a day after most other Muslim countries, which are mainly Sunni.

The Islamic republic's supreme leader traditionally leads the Eid prayers but Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since his appointment earlier this month, did not attend.

The head of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, however, attended the prayer at central Tehran's Imam Khomeini grand mosque -- named after the founder of the Islamic republic.

For lack of space, many worshippers followed the prayer outside, with state television showing images of crowded areas around the mosque, despite the risk of strikes.

The Iranian capital has come under near-daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, killing top officials, including Mojtaba's father and predecessor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Overnight strikes again targeted several districts of Tehran and its outskirts, as well as the central city of Isfahan, according to the Fars news agency.

Iranian television also showed prayer gatherings elsewhere in the country, including in Arak in the centre, Zahedan in the southeast and the western city of Abadan.
Putin sends Iran best wishes for Persian New Year



Moscow, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his best wishes Saturday for the Persian New Year, Nowruz, to Iran's leaders and its people, assuring them of Moscow's support as they fight the Middle East war.

"Nowruz greetings were... sent to the Iranian leaders: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian," the Kremlin said in a statement.

"Vladimir Putin wished the Iranian people strength on overcoming these severe trials and emphasised that during this difficult time, Moscow remained a loyal friend and reliable partner of Tehran."

Russia, a longtime Iranian ally, has condemned the US-Israeli strikes on the country, which began on February 28, triggering the war.

On Wednesday, Moscow also condemned the killing of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike.

Russia has not officially offered assistance to Iran since the start of the war, besides sending humanitarian aid.

But US media reports have said Russia is sharing military intelligence with Iran to assist its drone and missile strikes in the Middle East.

Iran has attacked US and Israeli bases and other targets around the Gulf in response to the strikes on its territory.

The Kremlin earlier this month declined to comment on reports it is sharing intelligence with Iran.
Iran 'unsuccessfully' targeted Diego Garcia base, UK official source to AFP



London, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran was "unsuccessful" in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed to AFP on Saturday, after the Wall Street Journal reported Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at it.

Diego Garcia, which is around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iranian territory, is one of the two bases the UK has allowed the United States to use for "defensive operations" in its war against Iran.

On Friday, the UK government said it would allow Washington to use its bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford in southwest England to target Iranian "missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz".

The UK official source confirmed that Iran's "unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia" took place before Friday's announcement.

The source did not confirm additional details about the attack.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials, that while neither of the two ballistic missiles hit their target the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought.

The Pentagon declined to comment.

One of the missiles failed in flight, and the other was targeted by an interceptor fired from a US warship, though it was not clear if the missile was hit, the WSJ reported.

"Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies," a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Saturday.

"This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations."

US President Donald Trump has been critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response to the war against Iran, initially refusing to be involved before allowing Washington limited use of the two bases.

American forces have stationed bombers and other equipment at Diego Garcia, a key hub for Asia operations, including the US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Trump has also slammed Britain's decision to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after holding it since the 1960s. Under that agreement, the UK would maintain a lease for the base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his UK counterpart Yvette Cooper on a Thursday phone call that any US use of British bases would be considered "participation in aggression", according to Tehran's foreign ministry.

In turn, Cooper warned Araghchi "against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly", according to a UK foreign office statement.
Limited Iranian gas imports to Iraq resume: ministry



Baghdad, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Gas resumed flowing from Iran, Iraq's electricity ministry said Saturday, after a strike on an Iranian facility caused a three-day stoppage.

Iraq has been unwillingly drawn into the conflict triggered by the US-Israel attack on its neighbour Iran on February 28.

The total gas cutoff on March 19 dealt a fresh blow to Iraq's already-struggling economy.

While oil-rich, Iraq is heavily reliant on gas imports from Iran, supplying roughly a third of its electricity needs.

"Iranian gas flow to Iraq resumed at a rate of five million cubic metres" per day, electricity ministry spokesman Ahmed Moussa told state news.

Prior to the war, Iran had agreed to export some 50 million cubic metres of gas per day to Iraq during the boiling summer months, and roughly half that during the cooler winters.

However, those measures were not consistently met.

Electricity shortages are 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.

On Thursday, Iraq condemned the strikes on energy facilities in the region and stressed the importance of ensuring a "continuous" supply to global energy markets.
Israel says struck Iranian ballistic missile facility in Tehran



Jerusalem, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The Israeli military on Saturday said its forces struck ballistic missile production facilities belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards in overnight attacks on Tehran.

"Facilities utilised for the production of critical components for the development of ballistic missiles belonging to the Iranian regime's security apparatus were targeted," the military said.

The strikes hit a central Guards' compound, a missile components production facility, and a separate compound belonging to Iran's defence ministry, it said.

"The strikes significantly degrade the Iranian terror regime's capabilities to continue producing critical components for ballistic missiles at these sites," the military said.

The US and Israel launched their joint campaign against Iran on February 28, saying they seek to dismantle the country's ballistic missile capabilities, alongside its nuclear facilities.
Iran Guards say targeted Israeli F-16 jet over country's centre



Paris, France, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday they had targeted an Israeli F-16 fighter jet over the country's centre.

Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking a conflict that has since spread across the Middle East.

"An F-16 hostile enemy fighter jet belonging to the Zionist regime was struck at 3:45 am in central Iran," the Guards said on their Sepah News website.

The Israeli military earlier said a surface-to-air missile had been launched at an Israeli aircraft during "an operational activity" in Iran, without specifying the type of jet.

It added that "no damage was caused to the aircraft".

It was not immediately clear if the Iranian and Israeli statements referred to the same incident.

Iranian media also released an image showing smoke in the sky, saying another aircraft had been targeted, without identifying the type or whether it belonged to Israel or the United States.

AFP could not independently verify the image or what caused the smoke.

The reports came days after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a US F-35 fighter jet "was hit and seriously damaged in the skies of central Iran" .

On Thursday, CNN, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that a US F-35 fighter jet "made an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire".
Iran state-linked hospital ordered shut in Dubai: sources to AFP



Dubai, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The United Arab Emirates has ordered the closure of an Iranian state-linked hospital in Dubai, three employees at the facility told AFP, as ties between the two neighbours deteriorate amid Tehran's aerial campaign against Gulf states.

Since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, Tehran has launched waves of missiles and drones at Gulf states, with more than 2,000 attacks on the UAE alone.

The strikes have strained ties between the countries, prompting Abu Dhabi to recall its ambassador to Iran and close its diplomatic mission.

Iran-linked entities, including schools, have been shut despite longstanding economic and community links.

"The government asked all of us to leave," an employee at the hospital told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

"The hospital management told us it was because of Iran's attacks on the UAE," he added.

The Iranian hospital, which employs more than 700 people, is run by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. It is one of the oldest healthcare facilities in the UAE.

A UAE official told AFP "certain institutions directly linked to the Iranian regime and IRGC will be closed under targeted measures" after being found to violate UAE laws.

"These measures are administrative in nature and will be implemented in an orderly manner to ensure continuity of essential services," they added.

At least three staff members said they were informed of the decision last Saturday during a staff meeting and asked to vacate in the coming days.

"We never expected it to happen so quickly," one doctor told AFP. "There were officials and security personnel inside the compound when I came to work on Tuesday."

Patients have been transferred to other facilities in Dubai, staff said, while the hospital's website has been removed.

At least four Iranian schools have also been shut in Dubai, according to members of the Iranian community.

Signage at the Towheed Iranian School in Dubai has been removed, and a security guard at the site told AFP the school was closed.

The Iranian Club in Dubai, also linked to Tehran, said it suspended activities in a statement on Instagram on Monday, citing "current circumstances".

On Friday, the UAE arrested at least five members of an Iran- and Hezbollah-linked network that sought to "infiltrate the national economy" and threaten UAE financial stability.

Iran and the UAE share deep cultural and historical ties as neighbouring countries across the Gulf, with centuries-old links between coastal communities, trade routes and family networks.

Some Iranian hospital staff said they feared their lives were being upended as the conflict pitted their homeland against their adopted home.

"We came here to escape the situation back home," said a doctor who has worked at the hospital for more than a decade.

"It is heartbreaking that our lives are affected like this."
Hezbollah says clashing with Israeli troops in two south Lebanon border towns



Beirut, Lebanon, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The Iran-backed Hezbollah group said its fighters clashed with Israeli forces in two south Lebanon border towns on Saturday, in the third week of the latest war between the foes.

Lebanon was pulled into the broader Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Israeli-US attacks.

Israel has responded with heavy strikes across Lebanon and ground incursions in the border area, killing more than 1,000 people according to Lebanese authorities.

Hezbollah in a statement said that for four hours on Saturday, its fighters had been engaging in "direct clashes with forces from the Israeli enemy army in the town of Khiam with light and medium weapons" and rockets.

The strategic town, located around 40 kilometres (25 miles) inland, overlooks swathes of southern Lebanon as well as parts of northern Israel, and was the first point into which Israeli forces advanced after the start of the latest war.

In recent days, the Shia Muslim movement has repeatedly said it has targeted Israeli forces and vehicles in Khiam and nearby, or clashed with Israeli soldiers there.

Hezbollah also said its fighters clashed with Israeli forces in the coastal border town of Naqura, home to the headquarters of peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

The Iran-backed group said Israeli soldiers "tried to penetrate... towards the Naqura municipality building", adding that its fighters fought them with light and medium weapons.

Israel kept forces in five south Lebanon areas it deemed strategic despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end the previous war with Hezbollah.

One of those positions was in Labbouneh, just around three kilometres from Naqura.

Also on Saturday, Hezbollah said its fighters had targeted Israeli soldiers near the border and in other south Lebanon towns.

Israel's army instead said it struck "a number of Hezbollah headquarters" in Beirut's southern suburbs overnight after issuing an evacuation warning for the area, known as a Hezbollah stronghold.

The strikes came as Shia Muslims in Lebanon began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday that follows the holy month of Ramadan.

On Saturday morning, an AFP correspondent in the area's Haret Hreik neighbourhood saw a multi-storey building that had been partly destroyed in one of the strikes.

The Israeli army also said its troops killed several Hezbollah operatives "during a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon" overnight.
US troops in Nigeria using 'Reaper' drones for recon: Nigerian military



Abuja, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



US military trainers deployed to Nigeria are using high-powered drones for surveillance and intelligence gathering, the Nigerian military told AFP Saturday.

The troops, operating the drones from an air base in Bauchi state, are part of a deployment sent by the United States to train their Nigerian counterparts, who are battling jihadist militants.

Washington has also pledged increased intelligence sharing and arms sales to Nigeria, which has been battling an insurgency since 2009.

The use of MQ-9 "Reaper" drones comes after researchers tracked months of US drone flights over Nigeria originating from nearby Ghana last year.

The drones are capable of strikes but are only being used for reconnaissance, said Nigerian Major General Samaila Uba.

"US support is designed to enhance Nigeria's ability to independently detect, track and disrupt terrorist activity," Uba, director of defence information at Nigeria's Defence Headquarters, told AFP.

"This partnership has improved intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and the overall effectiveness of Nigerian-led efforts against violent extremist organizations."

The US troops in Nigeria are not serving in combat roles, both countries have said.

US Africa Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Washington previously operated a major drone base in neighbouring Niger, which has since shuttered after the ruling junta ordered US forces to depart the country.

However, Africom Lieutenant General John Brennan told AFP earlier this year that "we're not in the market to create a drone base anywhere" when asked about replacing the Niger operations.

Late last year, the United States launched strikes targeting militants from the Islamic State Sahel Province in Nigeria's northwest, as local jihadists and those from the neighbouring Sahel region attack areas outside long-standing jihadist strongholds in the northeast.

The strikes had Nigeria's approval but came as Abuja was under pressure from Washington.

US President Donald Trump has criticised Nigeria's government for failing to stop violence in the country, claiming it amounts to the "persecution" of Christians -- a view rejected by many analysts, who say the violence targets members of all faiths.

Nigeria, while pushing back on that framing, has found common ground with Washington in increasing defence cooperation.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war on Saturday:



- UAE closes hospital -



UAE authorities have ordered an Iranian state-linked hospital in Dubai to close, three employees told AFP, in another sign of the deteriorating ties between the Gulf neighbours.



- Iran, Israel claim strikes -



The Revolutionary Guards said they "struck" an Israeli F-16 over central Iran.

Israel's military said earlier a surface-to-air missile was launched at one of its warplanes in Iran, but it was not clear if the statements referred to the same incident.

Israel also said its forces struck Iranian factories making components for ballistic missiles.



- Iran sites 'degraded' -



The head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, said bunker-busting bombs were dropped on an underground Iranian coastal facility this week, and "Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result".



- Hormuz closure condemned -



Twenty-two countries, including Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea, jointly condemned Iran's attacks on ships in the Gulf and effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, the countries, which also included Gulf nations Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, expressed "our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait".

The United States was not among the signatories.



- Nuclear site hit -



Iran's atomic energy body said US-Israeli strikes hit the Natanz nuclear facility previously used for uranium enrichment, but "no leakage of radioactive materials" was reported.

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, called for "military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident", while Russia condemned the strikes, saying they risked "catastrophe" in the Middle East.



- Iran gas to Iraq -



Iraq said limited amounts of gas deliveries have resumed from Iran, after a strike on an Iranian facility caused a three-day stoppage.



- Diego Garcia targeted -



Iran "unsuccessfully" tried to hit the UK-US Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, a UK official source told AFP.

The Wall Street Journal had reported that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles at the base, which is around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iranian territory and which is being used by US bombers.



- Israel threatens intensification -



Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that the United States and Israel would intensify their strikes on Iran starting Sunday.

"The intensity of the strikes to be carried out by the IDF and the US military against the Iranian terror regime and the infrastructure on which it relies will rise significantly," Katz said in a statement.



- Wartime Eid -



Thousands of Muslims held Eid al-Fitr prayers in Iran to mark the end of the Ramadan fast against the backdrop of the Middle East war, state television footage showed.

Iran, a majority-Shia nation, marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan a day after most other Muslim countries, which are mainly Sunni.



- Drone kills Iraq intelligence officer -



An Iraqi officer was killed in a drone attack targeting an Iraqi intelligence services building in an upscale Baghdad neighbourhood, the agency said.



- Iran warns UAE -



Iran's military warned the UAE against allowing attacks from its territory on two disputed islands in the Gulf, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb islands, which are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE, have long been a source of dispute between the two countries.



- Israel slammed on Syria -



Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned Israeli strikes on Syrian army camps as "aggression", joining other Arab nations and Turkey in calling on the international community to intervene.



- Hormuz offer to Japan -



Iran is willing to help Japanese ships sail the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global fuel supplies, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Saturday.



burs-rmb/jhb
Iran 'unsuccessfully' targeted Diego Garcia base, UK official source to AFP



London, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran was "unsuccessful" in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed to AFP on Saturday, after the Wall Street Journal reported Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at it.

Diego Garcia, which is around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iranian territory, is one of the two bases the UK has allowed the United States to use for "defensive operations" in its war against Iran.

On Friday, the UK government said it would allow Washington to use its bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford in southwest England to target Iranian "missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz".

The UK official source confirmed that Iran's "unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia" took place before Friday's announcement.

The source did not confirm additional details about the attack.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials, that while neither of the two ballistic missiles hit their target, the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought.

The Pentagon declined to comment.

One of the missiles failed in flight, and the other was targeted by an interceptor fired from a US warship, though it was not clear if the missile was hit, the WSJ reported.

"Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies," a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Saturday.

"This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations."

Iran has "always had missiles of that sort of range that we've known about, maybe not declared", former UK Royal Navy commander and defence expert Tom Sharpe told AFP.

The attack "shows that they can still move these mobile launchers around, undetected, spin up and fire without being struck", said Sharpe, adding however that they would not be a "game changer" in the war.

US President Donald Trump has been critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response to the war against Iran, initially refusing to be involved before allowing Washington limited use of the two bases.

American forces have stationed bombers and other equipment at Diego Garcia, a key hub for Asia operations, including the US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Trump has also slammed Britain's decision to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after holding it since the 1960s. Under that agreement, the UK would maintain a lease for the base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his UK counterpart Yvette Cooper on a Thursday phone call that any US use of British bases would be considered "participation in aggression", according to Tehran's foreign ministry.

In turn, Cooper warned Araghchi "against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly", according to a UK foreign office statement.

burs-aks/rmb
Iran says ready to help Japan ships through Hormuz Strait



Tokyo, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Tehran is willing to help Japanese ships transit the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global oil supplies, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published Saturday.

Japan depends on crude oil imports from the Middle East, most of which transits the strait, located in the Gulf.

Iran has effectively closed the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, sending countries reliant on the shipping lane scrambling for alternative routes and tapping reserves.

In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi denied the passage was closed, insisting instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions, while others were being offered assistance.

"We have not closed this strait. From our perspective, the strait is open," Araghchi said according to a Farsi transcript of the interview posted on his Telegram channel.

"It is only closed to ships belonging to our enemies -- countries that attack us. For other countries, (their) vessels can pass through the strait."

He added that Iran was prepared to ensure safe passage for Japan. "They only need to contact us so we can discuss how this transit can take place," Araghchi added.

Japan, the world's fourth-ranking economy is the fifth-biggest importer of oil, with 95 percent of it coming from the Middle East and 70 percent passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday, Tokyo said it was beginning the release of its strategic oil reserves, among the world's largest.

The country holds reserves equivalent to 254 days of domestic consumption.

Members of the International Energy Agency agreed on March 11 to tap oil stockpiles to cushion the surge in prices caused by the war in the Middle East -- by far the largest-ever response of its kind.
US says 'took out' Iran base threatening blocked Hormuz oil route



Tehran, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The US military declared on Saturday it had taken out an Iranian bunker housing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, as thousands of Iranians marked Eid al-Fitr with prayer.

The US statement appeared designed to calm the concerns of energy markets and of Washington's sceptical international allies, more than 20 of whom issued a statement vowing to back efforts to re-open the key sea lane.

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, said US war planes had dropped 5,000-pound bombs on an underground facility on Iran's coast that was storing anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile launchers and other equipment.

"We not only took out the facility, but also destroyed intelligence support sites and missile radar relays that were used to monitor ship movements," Cooper said in a video statement, revealing details of a strike first announced on Tuesday.

A statement from the leaders of mainly European countries, including the UK, France, Italy and Germany, but also South Korea, Australia, the UAE and Bahrain, condemned the "de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces".

"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 preliminary planning," they said.

As consumers count the cost of attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf, including the world's largest gas hub, US President Donald Trump has slammed NATO allies as "cowards" and urged them to secure the strait.

Iran has choked the channel, through which around a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes during peacetime.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had only imposed restrictions on vessels from countries involved in attacks against Iran, and would offer assistance to others that stayed out of the conflict.

Iran also denies claims -- cited in the 20-country joint statement -- that it has deployed mines in the channel.



- Remarkable endurance? -



The standoff has sent crude oil prices soaring, with a barrel of North Sea Brent crude up more than 50 percent over the past month and now comfortably more than $105.

Analysts, meanwhile, say Iran's Islamic government has survived the loss of its top leaders and that its strike capacity is proving more resilient than expected, with drones, missiles and launchers apparently able to continue retaliatory strikes for another four to six weeks.

"They're showing a lot of resilience that we didn't perhaps expect, that the US didn't expect, when it took this on," Neil Quilliam of Chatham House told the London-based think tank's podcast.

"But the IRGC, the Iranian regime, it's deep, it has these roots, this institutional strength... it's quite remarkable how they've managed to endure."

Meanwhile, Tehran marked the end of Ramadan as the war entered its fourth week.

Iran's supreme leader traditionally leads Eid al-Fitr prayers, but Mojtaba Khamenei, who came to power earlier this month after his father was killed in US-Israeli strikes, has remained out of the public eye.

Instead, the head of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, attended prayers at central Tehran's Imam Khomeini grand mosque, which was overflowing, with worshippers flooding the streets outside.

The previous evening, airstrikes had darkened the mood as the city celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

"The atmosphere of the New Year was spreading through the city. Places like Tajrish or Golestan Shahrak, where I went, were full of well-dressed and beautiful women buying flowers," said Farid, an advertising executive, reached by AFP through an online message.

"The Israeli attacks happening exactly at the moment of the New Year were deeply upsetting. The thought that some people could be dying right at the New Year dinner table was painful."

Iran's ally Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to Khamenei, saying he "wished the Iranian people strength on overcoming these severe trials and emphasised that during this difficult time, Moscow remained a loyal friend".



- Nuclear plant -



According to Iran's atomic energy organisation, the US and Israel targeted a plant at Natanz in Isfahan province, which hosts underground centrifuges to enrich uranium for Iran's disputed nuclear programme and was already damaged in last year's June war.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, called for "military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident", but the UN watchdog confirmed that no increase in off-site radiation levels had been reported.

Asked about Natanz, the Israeli military said it was "not aware of a strike".

Iran launched what a UK official told AFP was an "unsuccessful" ballistic missile attack on the UK and US military base on Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean around 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from Iran.

If the salvo had reached its target it would have been the longest-range Iranian strike yet. Before the war, according to the US Congressional Research Service, Washington was aware of Iranian missiles that could reach 3,000 kilometres.

Iran has "always had missiles of that sort of range that we've known about, maybe not declared", former UK Royal Navy commander and defence expert Tom Sharpe told AFP.

The attack "shows that they can still move these mobile launchers around, undetected, spin up and fire without being struck", said Sharpe, adding however that these would not be a "game changer"

On Friday, the UK government said it would allow Washington to use its bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford in England to target Iranian "missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz".

The UK official confirmed that the attempted missile strike took place before this announcement.

burs-dc/smw
Iran 'unsuccessfully' targeted Diego Garcia base, UK official source to AFP



London, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran was "unsuccessful" in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed to AFP on Saturday, after the Wall Street Journal reported Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at it.

Diego Garcia, which is around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iranian territory, is one of the two bases the UK has allowed the United States to use for "defensive operations" in its war against Iran.

On Friday, the UK government said it would allow Washington to use its bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford in southwest England to target Iranian "missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz".

The UK official source confirmed that Iran's "unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia" took place before Friday's announcement.

The source did not confirm additional details about the attack.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials, that while neither of the two ballistic missiles hit their target, the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought.

The Pentagon declined to comment.

One of the missiles failed in flight, and the other was targeted by an interceptor fired from a US warship, though it was not clear if the missile was hit, the WSJ reported.

"Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies," a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Saturday.

"This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations."

Iran has "always had missiles of that sort of range that we've known about, maybe not declared", former UK Royal Navy commander and defence expert Tom Sharpe told AFP.

The attack "shows that they can still move these mobile launchers around, undetected, spin up and fire without being struck", said Sharpe, adding however that they would not be a "game changer" in the war.



- 'Strategic messaging' -

"Depending on the weight of the warhead, Iran can increase the range of some of its missiles," explained Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the Crisis Group.

"But this was less about battlefield utility than strategic messaging -- signalling to the United States and Israel that misreading Iran's resolve and capabilities could prove a costly mistake," said Vaez.

US President Donald Trump has been critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response to the war against Iran, initially refusing to be involved before allowing Washington limited use of the two bases.

American forces have stationed bombers and other equipment at Diego Garcia, a key hub for Asia operations, including the US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Trump has also slammed Britain's decision to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after holding it since the 1960s. Under that agreement, the UK would maintain a lease for the base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his UK counterpart Yvette Cooper on a Thursday phone call that any US use of British bases would be considered "participation in aggression", according to Tehran's foreign ministry.

In turn, Cooper warned Araghchi "against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly", according to a UK foreign office statement.

burs-aks/gv
War in the Middle East: casualty figures from across the region



Dubai, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Since the United States and Israel unleashed strikes on Iran on February 28, war has spread across the Middle East, with casualties reported in countries across the region.

AFP has not been able to independently verify all of the following tolls.

The figures are based on numbers released by governments, militaries, health authorities and rescue organisations in the affected countries.



- Iran -



Iran's government has not released an updated overall casualty toll in recent days.

However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on March 20 that at least 3,220 people had been killed, including 1,398 civilians -- among them at least 210 children -- as well as 1,165 military personnel and 657 people whose status had not been classified.

Due to reporting restrictions, AFP is not able to access the sites of strikes or independently verify tolls in Iran.



- Lebanon -



Lebanon's health ministry said the death toll had risen to 1,024, including 827 men, 79 women and 118 children, since the start of the war on March 2.

The ministry said the toll also included 40 healthcare workers, while 2,740 people have been wounded.

Hezbollah has not announced its losses.



- Israel -



Israeli emergency services and authorities say Iranian missile attacks have killed 15 civilians since the start of the war, including 13 Israelis -- among them four minors -- as well as one Filipino caregiver and one Thai national.

Magen David Adom, the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, said around 260 people have been injured since Iran began firing missiles at the country in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military has separately announced the deaths of two personnel in combat in southern Lebanon.



- West Bank -



The Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah said four women were killed by Iranian missile fire in the occupied West Bank.



- The Gulf -



Authorities in Gulf states and US Central Command (CENTCOM) have reported 28 people killed -- 15 of them civilians -- since the start of the Iranian attacks.

The rest of those killed were military or security personnel, including seven US service members.

Kuwait's military and health ministry have reported six deaths: two soldiers, two border guards and two civilians, one of them an 11-year-old girl.

The United Arab Emirates' defence ministry has reported eight deaths: six civilians and two military personnel who died as a result of a helicopter crash blamed on a technical malfunction.

Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency has reported two civilian deaths.

Bahrain's interior ministry has also logged two civilian deaths.

Oman's maritime security centre reported the death of a mariner at sea and two other people in a drone attack on an industrial area.

Qatar's interior ministry, meanwhile, has reported 16 injuries and no fatalities.

CENTCOM has confirmed six US service personnel killed in Kuwait and one killed in Saudi Arabia.



- Iraq -



Armed groups and officials have said at least 68 people have been killed in Iraq since the start of the war, according to an AFP tally based on their announcements.

France said an Iranian drone killed a French soldier in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

The US military said a refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members, in an incident not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

Pro-Iran armed factions and security sources say 49 Iran-backed fighters were killed in strikes they blame on the United States and Israel.

An Iraqi officer was killed on Saturday in a drone attack targeting an Iraqi intelligence services building in a residential Baghdad neighbourhood, the agency said.

Kurdish rebel groups said at least five Iranian Kurdish militants were killed in strikes attributed to Iran on their positions in northern Iraq.

Kurdish security sources said one airport guard was killed in a drone attack on Erbil airport.

Officials said one civilian was killed by rocket shrapnel following a strike southeast of Baghdad.

Authorities on Tuesday said four people were killed in a strike on a house in Baghdad, with initial reports suggesting two of the victims were Iranian advisors to Tehran-backed factions.



- Jordan -



In Jordan, security officials said 29 people have been injured by falling debris from Iranian missiles and drones in various parts of the kingdom.

No deaths have been recorded so far.



- Syria -



Syrian state media reported eight people injured by falling debris from exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel on Monday.



- US casualties across Mideast -



As well as the deaths of seven US personnel confirmed by CENTCOM in the Gulf and six in Iraq, the United States has said around 200 of its military personnel have been injured in seven countries across the Middle East since the start of the war.

Ten were categorised as seriously wounded and more than 180 have already returned to duty, CENTCOM said.
Shrapnel wounds 20 after Iran missile warning in Israel nuclear town



Jerusalem, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Israeli medics said shrapnel wounded 20 people in the town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, after warnings of incoming missile fire from Iran.

Magen David Adom first responders said their teams were treating approximately 20 victims at a number of impact sites, including a 10-year-old boy and a 40-year-old woman in moderate condition.

Israeli police released pictures of officers in a building with a large hole blown in the wall.

Dimona in southern Israel hosts a facility widely believed to possess the Middle East's sole, if undeclared, nuclear arsenal.

Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity about its nuclear programme, and the Dimona plant officially focuses on research.

The casualties in Dimona came after Iranian authorities said the nuclear facility at Natanz in the Islamic republic was struck in the US-Israeli bombing campaign.
UAE says faced drone, missile barrages after Iran warning



Dubai, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday it faced aerial attacks from Iran after the Islamic republic warned its neighbour against allowing attacks from its territory on disputed islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

"UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the defence ministry said in a statement explaining "the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones".

The Tasnim news agency reported the Iranian military's operational command had warned the UAE "if any further aggression originates from its territory against the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf, Iran... will subject Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE to heavy strikes".

Authorities in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which shares its name with the UAE's sixth-largest city, said later on Saturday the "sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations".

Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb islands, which are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE, have long been a source of dispute between the two countries.

The islands are located in the Gulf near the entrance to the critical global shipping chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.

Marine traffic there has been disrupted by the regional war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and has since spread across the Middle East.

Iran accuses Gulf states of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory, and has launched missile and drone strikes against what it calls US interests in those countries throughout the war.

Gulf states have repeatedly denied those accusations, saying even before the war that they would not allow their territory or airspace to be used to attack Iran.
Israel army says Iranian missile struck town housing nuclear facility



Jerusalem, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Israel's military said an Iranian missile on Saturday struck the southern town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, after medics reported some 20 people injured by shrapnel.

The army told AFP there was a "direct missile hit on a building" in the town in the Negev desert.
Iran state TV says attack on Israel town a 'response' to strike on nuclear site



Tehran, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iranian state TV said a missile attack on the Israeli town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, was a "response" to an earlier strike on its own nuclear site at Natanz.

Iran's atomic energy organisation had said earlier in the day that the "Natanz enrichment complex was targeted this morning", though there was "no leakage of radioactive materials reported", according to a statement carried by local media.

The missile strike in Dimona wounded at least 39 people, according to Israeli emergency services.
Israel says Iranian missile struck town housing nuclear facility



Jerusalem, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Israel's military said an Iranian missile on Saturday struck the southern town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, after medics reported treating some 30 wounded people.

The army told AFP there was a "direct missile hit on a building" in the town in the Negev desert.

Dimona hosts a facility just outside the main town, widely believed to possess the Middle East's sole nuclear arsenal, although Israel has never admitted possessing nuclear weapons.

Magen David Adom first responders said their teams treated 33 people injured at a number of sites, including a 10-year-old boy with shrapnel wounds in serious condition who was "fully conscious".

It said a woman of around 30 was in a moderate condition, while 31 others were lightly injured by shrapnel or hurt on their way to shelters. Fourteen people were also treated for shock.

The organisation, Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross, released a video of a residential building ablaze in the town.

"There was extensive damage and chaos at the scene," paramedic Karmel Cohen said in a statement.

The Israeli military said that "interception attempts were carried out" after the missiles were detected.

Images shared by Israeli media showed an object hurtling out of the sky at high speed before crashing into the town.

Israeli police released pictures of officers in a building with a large hole blown in the wall.

Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity about its nuclear programme, and the Dimona plant officially focuses on research.

The casualties in Dimona came after Iranian authorities said the nuclear facility at Natanz in the Islamic republic was struck in the US-Israeli bombing campaign.

Iranian state television said the attack on Dimona was a "response" to the strike on the nuclear site.
Iran 'unsuccessfully' targeted Diego Garcia base, UK official source to AFP



London, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Iran was "unsuccessful" in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source told AFP on Saturday, as Israel's army chief said Tehran fired an "intercontinental ballistic missile" at the base.

Diego Garcia, which is around 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iranian territory, is one of two bases the UK has allowed the United States to use for "defensive operations" in its war against Iran.

On Friday, the UK government said it would allow Washington to use its bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford in southwest England to target Iranian "missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz".

The UK official source confirmed that Iran's "unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia" took place before Friday's announcement.

The source did not confirm additional details about the attack.

"Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometres toward an American target on Diego Garcia Island," Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a televised address.

"These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals -- Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range," Zamir added.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Friday, citing US officials, that Iran launched two ballistic missiles at the base.

While neither hit their target, the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought.

The Pentagon declined to comment.

One of the missiles failed in flight, and the other was targeted by an interceptor fired from a US warship, though it was not clear if the missile was hit, the WSJ reported.

"Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies," a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Saturday.

"This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations."



- 'Strategic messaging' -



However, former UK Royal Navy commander and defence expert Tom Sharpe told AFP the long-range missiles may not be a "game changer" in the war.

Iran has "always had missiles of that sort of range that we've known about, maybe not declared", said Sharpe.

The attack "shows that they can still move these mobile launchers around, undetected, spin up and fire without being struck," he added.

"Depending on the weight of the warhead, Iran can increase the range of some of its missiles," explained Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the Crisis Group.

"But this was less about battlefield utility than strategic messaging -- signalling to the United States and Israel that misreading Iran's resolve and capabilities could prove a costly mistake," said Vaez.

American forces have stationed bombers and other equipment at Diego Garcia, a key hub for Asia operations, including the US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

US President Donald Trump has been critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response to the war against Iran, initially refusing to be involved before allowing Washington limited use of the two bases.

Trump has also slammed Britain's decision to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after holding it since the 1960s. Under that agreement, the UK would maintain a lease for the base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his UK counterpart Yvette Cooper on a Thursday phone call that any US use of British bases would be considered "participation in aggression", according to Tehran's foreign ministry.

In turn, Cooper warned Araghchi "against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly", according to a UK foreign office statement.

burs-aks/pdw
Iranian missile strikes town housing nuclear facility



Dimona, Israel, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



Israel's military said an Iranian missile on Saturday struck the southern town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, with medics reporting around 30 people wounded.

AFPTV footage from the scene showed a large crater gouged into the ground next to piles of rubble and twisted metal.

Surrounding buildings had their windows blown out and facades heavily damaged as emergency workers combed through the site.

Iranian state TV said a missile attack on the town in the Negev desert was a "response" to an earlier strike on its own nuclear site at Natanz.

The Israeli army said there was a "direct missile hit on a building" in Dimona and it was reviewing how the impact happened despite air defence interceptors being fired.

Magen David Adom first responders said their teams treated 33 people injured at a number of sites, including a 10-year-old boy with shrapnel wounds who was in serious condition but "fully conscious".

It said a woman of around 30 was in moderate condition, while 31 others were lightly injured by shrapnel or hurt on their way to shelters. Fourteen people were also treated for shock.

The organisation, Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross, released a video of a residential building ablaze in the town.

"There was extensive damage and chaos at the scene," paramedic Karmel Cohen said in a statement.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a message wishing "a speedy recovery to those injured as a result of the fire from Iran."

Images shared by Israeli media showed an object hurtling out of the sky at high speed before crashing into the town.

Israeli police released pictures of officers in a building with a large hole blown in the wall.

Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity about its nuclear programme, and the Dimona plant officially focuses on research.

The casualties in Dimona came after Iranian authorities said the nuclear facility at Natanz in the Islamic republic was struck in the US-Israeli bombing campaign.

Israel's army had earlier told AFP that it was "not aware" of the strike on Natanz, suggesting it could have been carried out by the United States.

Iran has fired repeated barrages of missiles at Israel daily in retaliation for the US-Israeli attacks that started on February 28.
UN nuclear watchdog urges 'military restraint' after attack on Israeli town with nuclear facility



Vienna, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



The UN nuclear watchdog on Saturday issued a call for "maximum military restraint" after Israel said an Iranian missile struck the southern town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility.

"The IAEA is aware of reports of an incident in the city of Dimona, Israel, involving a missile impact and has not received any indication of damage to the nuclear research center Negev," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a post on X.

"Information from regional States indicates that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected," it added.

jza/pdw
Targeting Diego Garcia, Iran sends message about capabilities



Paris, France, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2026



By firing ballistic missiles at the UK-US Diego Garcia base nearly 4,000 kilometres from its shores, Iran is sending a message that it still has cards to play after three weeks of war, experts say.

A UK official source told AFP Iran was "unsuccessful" in targeting the Indian Ocean military facility, one of two bases that London has allowed the US to use for certain missions in its war against Iran.

Until now, most had believed Iran -- under US-Israeli bombardment since February 28 -- was unable to strike at such distances, though the feat was unlikely to alter the course of the conflict.

The launch "is a notable development, since the British island used by US forces lies nearly 4,000 km from Iran's coast", researcher Etienne Marcuz of the French Foundation for Strategic Research wrote on X.

That is "beyond the previously estimated maximum range of Iranian missiles", he added.

Previous assessments put Iran's medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM) at around 3,000 kilometres (1,860 miles).

The CSIS research centre's missile laboratory estimated two MRMBs, the Khorramshahr and Sejjil, to have ranges of 2,000 kilometres, with the former still in development.

The long range of the Diego Garcia shot could be due to a lighter warhead on the Khorramshahr?4, Marcuz noted.

"The lighter the payload, the farther the missile travels," he said.

Other experts, including Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, share that view: "Depending on the weight of the warhead, Iran can increase the range of some of its missiles."



- 'Strategic messaging' -



Tom Sharpe of the UK-based RUSI said Iran has "always had missiles of that sort of range", even if they were never acknowledged.

He told AFP the launch shows Iran's military can still "move these mobile launchers around, undetected, spin up and fire without being struck".

For many analysts, the real point wasn't hitting a far-off target but sending a signal.

By demonstrating it can strike at long distances, Iran is trying to restore an image shaken by the heavy bombardment it has faced.

"This is a show of force, a political signal that Iran still has 'secret' capabilities -- at least to the public. But the actual military significance is limited," Marcuz said.

"This was less about battlefield utility than strategic messaging -- signalling to the United States and Israel that misreading Iran's resolve and capabilities could prove a costly mistake," Vaez told AFP.



- Fading restraint -



Israeli analyst Danny Citrinowicz of the INSS said the launch also reflected shifts in Iran's power structure after a series of assassinations of senior leaders.

He called it a "direct result" of the changing balance in Tehran -- notably the rising power of the Revolutionary Guards and the aftermath of the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the war's first day.

"Despite his deep ideological hostility toward the West, Khamenei exercised a high degree of caution in deploying Iran's capabilities. That restraint is no longer guaranteed," he wrote on X.

"The emerging Iran is likely to behave less like the cautious, calculating actor we've known -- and more like a risk-tolerant, North Korea-style system."

bur-fz/sva/rh/smw
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Members of the Hawaii National Guard assist in the evacuation residents of Oahus North Shore March 20, 2026, during the second Kona low storm in two weeks to hit the state. (Andrew Lee Jackson/Hawaii Department of Defense)



FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The Hawaii National Guard activated 195 soldiers and airmen Friday to respond to emergencies arising from a storm that caused massive flooding and a potential dam breach on the island of Oahu, the Guards commander said Friday evening.

For the second week in a row, a Kona low system settled near the state and brought slashing rain that has caused flooding on Oahu, particularly in the northern and central portions.

A Kona low system reverses the trade winds to the islands, bringing heavy rains to the leeward side of Hawaii islands that seldom see the brunt of storms.

On Friday, up to 13 inches of rain fell in parts of Oahu.

Gov. Josh Green ordered the evacuation of two North Shore towns, Waialua and Haleiwa, because they were threatened by a breach in the Wahiawa dam in central Oahu that had filled dangerously high from the heavy rain.

Hawaii National Guard high-water vehicle teams rescued about 50 residents of the two towns who were stranded by flooding, Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, adjutant general of the Hawaii Department of Defense, said during a news conference from the governors office Friday evening.

This afternoon, three Hawaii National Guard Black Hawk helicopters rescued 32 [children] and 15 adults who were camping during spring break, Logan said.

The helicopters also rescued two dogs that had been trapped by flooding, he said.

The Guard has 21 high-water vehicle teams stationed throughout the state. Those reconfigured combat vehicles can pass through water a yard deep, he said.

Thirteen teams are stationed on Oahu, five on Maui, three on Hawaii Island and one on Kauai, he said.

Army Garrison Hawaii sent employees and soldiers home Friday morning, advising them to remain home if they lived on the base or drive immediately to their homes if located to the south or east.

Over the past 24 hours we have received more than 12 inches of rain at Schofield Barracks alone with an additional 23 inches minimum expected in the next 24 hours, the garrison posted on Facebook Friday evening.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, avoid flooded areas, and prioritize safety, the post states.

Fort Shafter, on the outskirts of Honolulu, experienced power outages throughout the day.

The storm is not over, Green said. Tonight, were most worried about Oahu.

The brunt of the storm, however, is expected to move to the islands of Maui and Hawaii over the weekend, he said.
An image of an Iranian target struck by U.S. Central Command, which the command included in a video update on Operation Epic Fury posted on X on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (U.S. Central Command)



U.S. forces have struck over 8,000 Iranian targets, including 130 vessels, as of the 22nd day of combat operations against Iran, said Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, in a video message posted Saturday on X.

The destruction of Iranian ships constitutes the largest elimination of a navy over a three-week period since World War II, Cooper said in the video.

Cooper said the U.S. maintains air superiority over Iran, having flown over 8,000 combat flights. He also touted the recent launching of the longest field artillery strike in Army combat history.

The video emphasized the efficacy of U.S. and allied air defenses and efforts to secure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, with Cooper noting the use of 5,000 pound bombs earlier this week to strike missile sites along Irans coastline.

The video update, which Cooper has been making regularly, came after the Wall Street Journal on Friday reported that Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at a joint U.S.-U.K. military base in the Indian Ocean.

Neither of the missiles hit the strategic Diego Garcia base  a hub for long-range U.S. bombers, warships and submarines  that is some 2,500 miles from Iran. But the incident marked Irans first operational use of a ballistic missile at that range, which suggests its missiles have a greater range than Tehran has previously acknowledged.

While the U.S. generally doesnt detail where specific strike missions are launched from, many analysts say Diego Garcia has likely factored into ongoing operations against Iran.

Meanwhile, the United Nations nuclear agency on Saturday said it had been informed by Iran that its Natanz nuclear site was attacked but that no increase in radiation levels off-site were detected. The agencys director general reiterated his call for military restraint to avoid a nuclear incident.

An additional 2,500 U.S. Marines and three ships are headed to the region, even as President Donald Trump on Friday said his administration was considering winding down the military effort.

Stars and Stripes reporters John Vandiver and Matthew Adams contributed to this report.
An aerial view of the island of Diego Garcia where a joint U.S.-U.K. military base is located. (U.S. Navy)



Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at a joint U.S.-U.K. military base in the Indian Ocean, marking the first operational use of a weapon system that potentially puts targets far beyond the Middle East in range, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Neither of the missiles hit the strategic Diego Garcia base  a hub for long-range U.S. bombers, warships and submarines  that is some 2,500 miles from Iran.

One missile failed in flight while a U.S. warship fired an interceptor at the other, the Journal reported, citing multiple unnamed U.S. officials. It wasnt clear on what day the missiles were fired or if the second missile was struck by the interceptor or also failed in flight.

Still, the incident marked Irans first operational use of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which suggests its missiles have a greater range than Tehran has previously acknowledged, the Journal reported.

Nawaf Al-Thani, a defense analyst with the Council on International Mediation, said the long-held assumption was that Irans missile range was capped at around 1,200 miles. Moving up to 2,500 miles amounts to a strategic leap, he said in a post on the social media website X.

The real story is not whether the missile was intercepted. It is that Iran may have demonstrated reach far beyond what much of the world believed it possessed Major European capitals begin to enter the conversation. Paris comes into range, Al-Thani added.

Earlier this month, the United Kingdom granted the U.S. authority to conduct defensive operations from its bases after initially balking at the idea.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmers office clarified that the agreement allows the U.S. to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

While the U.S. generally doesnt detail where specific strike missions are launched from, many analysts say Diego Garcia has likely factored into ongoing operations against Iran.

The status of Diego Garcia has been a point of contention between the United States and the U.K., which in 2025 indicated that it would hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, where the base is located, over to Mauritius.

The deal, however, is yet to be finalized.

In a Jan. 20 post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump has called the idea an act of great stupidity.
Kelly M. Lee-Carroll, a 58-year-old Army veteran, was fined and sentenced to prison Friday for falsely claiming she had severe disabilities in order to collect benefits for more than a decade from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Joshua Magbanua/U.S. Air Force)



WASHINGTON  A 58-year-old Army veteran was sentenced in federal court Friday for stealing more than $1 million in benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs after falsely claiming that she was partially paralyzed and required round-the-clock care from family caregivers, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Kelly M. Lee-Carroll, 58, of Kent, Wash., was fined and sentenced to 17 months in prison for carrying out a scheme between 2012 and 2024 to defraud the Veterans Administration, according to Charles Neil Floyd, first assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of Washington state.

Lee-Carroll falsely claimed she was unable to walk, used a wheelchair and required round-the-clock care because of service-connected injuries, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

She recruited her sister and her son to help her unlawfully obtain health care and disability benefits for which she did not qualify, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

These benefits to pay for care, and for caregivers, need to be carefully utilized so that they serve veterans as intended. They should not go for second homes, cars, exotic trips or casino gambling as they did in this case, Floyd said.

This defendant not only pays the price for her conduct, she roped in her family members who now have felony convictions, Floyd said.

Lee-Carroll used the benefits to help pay for travel on exotic vacations and purchase a second home in Las Vegas, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement Friday.

Lee-Carroll had served in the Army for three months in 1986 and then served in the Army Reserve from 1986 to 1994, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Lee-Carroll was ordered to pay $932,142 in restitution.

Her son, Robert H. Nelson III, 28, was sentenced in November to 14 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $282,698 in restitution.

Her sister, Katoya F. Grant, 41, was sentenced in March to time-served with six months of supervised release. She was ordered to pay $293,787 in restitution.

All three defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property and one count of health care fraud, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

This sentence sends a clear message that individuals who steal VA benefits will be held accountable, said Dimitriana Nikolov, a special agent with the VA Office of Inspector General, which investigated the case.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Lee-Carroll falsely claimed to be bedridden with paralysis in one leg and arm.

She repeatedly misrepresented that she needed a wheelchair to leave home.

Lee-Carroll also designated her sister and son as caregivers in order to obtain more benefits from the VA, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

She filed for a service-related disability in 2012 and received caregiver funding in 2013, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors said that Lee-Carroll qualified for disability but not the more than $11,000 per month that she was receiving, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Her sister and son claimed to be caring for Lee-Carroll, even though they were working at other jobs, including as a truck driver and administrative assistant, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

On some of the occasions that they claimed to be caring for Lee-Carroll, she was traveling to Las Vegas, Tennessee, or internationally to Mexico or Jamaica, without any caregivers, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.
Former special counsel Robert Mueller testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 24, 2019. Mueller died on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the age of 81. (Susan Walsh/AP)



Former FBI director and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Robert S. Mueller III died on Friday at the age of 81, his family said in a Saturday statement reported by the Associated Press.

Mueller was best known to the public for his time leading the FBI from 2001 to 2013 and for acting as special counsel for the Justice Departments investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election.

But Muellers lesser-known military service was a formative part of his career.

After graduating from Princeton University in 1966 and then getting a masters degree at New York University, he joined the Marine Corps, where he led a rifle platoon of the Third Marine Division in Vietnam. He served as an officer for three years and would ultimately receive numerous medals, including the Purple Heart, two Commendation Medals and the Bronze Star.

His long legal career began after he completed his service and enrolled in the University of Virginia Law School. He would go on to take the helm of the FBI a week before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and played a large role in the reshaping of national security policy that followed.

Mueller would later credit his long career in public service to his time in the military. In a 2011 speech at a Department of Justice Veterans Appreciation Ceremony, Mueller said, I count my decision to join the military as one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have made it out of Vietnam, he said. There were many who did not. And perhaps because I did survive, I have always felt compelled to contribute.
One Chinese city makes seven in 10 fireworks worldwide  romance has a surprising address: Liuyang.
A bowl of luosifen, or river snail rice noodles. CHINA DAILY

In the West, connoisseurs willingly pay a premium to savor cheeses with odors so strong that lesser mortals may be felled with just a whiff, but which are prized for their rich complexity of taste. In China, a similar appreciation exists for luosifen, which is known for its aggressive fermented aroma.

Luosifen, or river snail rice noodles, is an iconic dish with a pungent smell. Originating in Liuzhou in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, luosifen typically includes pickled bamboo shoots, fresh vegetables and peanuts, all served in a spicy broth flavored with river snails.

As global interest in China grows, appreciation for this richly flavored culinary creation is being shared by a growing number of foreigners who want to embrace the complexity of Chinese cuisine.

For years, 34-year-old New Zealander Shawn Christopher thought he knew Chinese food. He had eaten many meals at Chinese restaurants with lemon chicken, spring rolls and fried rice on their menus.

Then a new eatery opened recently in his native Christchurch.

"I was warned that the smell of luosifen might be too intense for me," Christopher said.

But he did not find it harsh at all.

"The broth is fresh, with all the layers  that deep pork bone richness, then the heat kicks in. Noodles are silky and soak up all that goodness," he said, adding, "And the deep-fried egg  dunk it in the soup, soak it all up  absolute magic."

In the past, luosifen sold overseas mainly catered to the Chinese diaspora. Now, with shops and manufacturers tinkering with flavors, more foreigners are beginning to try the dish and are falling in love with it.

At the research facility of Guangxi Luobawang Food Technology in Liuzhou, technicians have been tweaking the flavor profile for international palates. They have developed a version that is less sour, less spicy and takes five minutes to cook.

"We need to preserve the essence while making it more acceptable to foreign consumers," said Yao Hanlin, chairman of the company, which has built a sales network spanning more than 30 countries and notched up nearly $20 million in exports.

The trend is also visible on social media. Posts featuring "foreigners trying out luosifen" have surged on Xiaohongshu, or RedNote.

Lu Shichang, director of the luosifen industry development center at the Liuzhou Bureau of Commerce, said the transformation of luosifen from a local street snack into a globally recognized brand "did not happen by accident".

Since 2016, the city has rolled out more than 40 targeted policies to help regional specialties expand their global reach, Lu said.

As the distinctive aroma of luosifen wafts through social media worldwide, it is winning hearts and stomachs among a growing legion of young people, Lu added.

Order tips

To savor that authentic taste of a bowl of luosifen, here are the must-order toppings

Core essentials: Pickled bamboo shoots, fried tofu skin, fried peanuts, pickled green beans and radish, and wood ear mushrooms

Recommended add-ons: Fried egg, duck feet, braised pork trotters, quail eggs and lettuce

Customizations: You can adjust the level of chili oil and vinegar. A popular alternative to the soup version is one where noodles are mixed with a concentrated sauce, fried toppings and red oil.

Online See more by scanning the code.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn
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.
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After a four-year break, K-pop supergroup BTS returned with a massive, free comeback concert in Seoul, where thousands of police locked down a central boulevard for the Netflix-exclusive spectacle that drew tens of thousands of fans.

Annyeonghaseyo! Were back, RM, the bands leader, told the crowd, using the Korean word for hello, as they opened with Body to Body, setting off delirious screams from fans waving purple-and-red light sticks and thrusting smartphones into the air.

All seven members of the band  RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook  recently completed South Koreas mandatory military service, and hope to reclaim their status as one of the worlds biggest pop acts.

The performance at Gwanghwamun Square launches a global tour spanning dozens of shows across the United States, Europe and Asia, which analysts say could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per quarter.

open image in gallery Fan of K-pop band BTS in front of a logo of BTS in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The hourlong concert came after the group on Friday released its fifth album, ARIRANG, which sold nearly 4 million copies in its first day, said the bands management company, HYBE. The company also said RM had injured his ankle during a rehearsal, but he still performed with modified choreography.

open image in gallery Jang Young Kun, owner of Yoojung Sikdang, poses for a photo at his restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juwon Park) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The BTS concert, which began at 8 p.m., drew several tens of thousands to the Gwanghwamun area, including 22,000 fans who secured free seats in the designated viewing zone and others who watched on screens nearby. The show was streamed live on Netflix.

It will be amazing because its been so long that BTS (was) not with us, Dallila Di Tullio, a 32-year-old fan from Italy, said before the concert, calling it a once-in-a-century event.

BTS debuted in 2013 and has a legion of global supporters who call themselves the Army. It became the first K-pop act to top Billboards Hot 100 chart in 2020 with their first all-English song Dynamite.

Jung Dukhyun, a pop culture commentator, said that the impact of BTS return as a full-group would be tremendous at a time when global fandom for K-pop has grown much stronger, as shown by the success of Netflixs animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters.

open image in gallery People pass by a banner for BTS ahead of a comeback concert of the K-pop band near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The dark streets blazed with light as waves of fans sang and cheered from cordoned sections, a jubilant scene that unfolded under an unusually heavy police presence managing the crowds.

I still vividly remember how, at our last Busan concert a few years ago, we asked you to wait for us. Thank you so much for coming here like this, Jin said.

The group performed songs from their new album, including SWIM, alongside hits like Dynamite and Butter. Some members appeared to tear up while thanking fans who braved the chilly night, before holding hands and bowing to the crowd to close the show.

Police and city officials closed nearby streets and roads, halted the areas subway and bus services, and sealed off dozens of surrounding buildings, in what amounted to a full-day shutdown of the district.

Thousands of police officers maintained a tight perimeter around the performance venue, channeling the crowds with a maze of fences and buses. Concertgoers began queuing by midday to secure spots along nearby roads, passing through security checks and metal detectors at designated entry points. The restrictions forced nearby shops to close and police to use their buses to shuttle wedding guests to a nearby venue.

I was hoping to (see) if we can go through some holes or be around. Apparently we cannot because they will be asking people to move, said Bernice Sanchez, a 52-year-old fan from Switzerland, as she looked for a place to wait.

While South Korean officials have taken crowd safety more seriously since a 2022 Halloween surge that killed nearly 160 people, critics say the controls went too far and undermined the symbolism of performing in Gwanghwamun, seen as Seouls spiritual heart and most prominent gathering space.

Hundreds of thousands have gathered in Gwanghwamun in recent years to mourn, protest and celebrate as the country weathered tragedy and political upheaval. The BTS concert came about a year after waves of demonstrators filled the area, calling for the ouster of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. Those monthslong rallies were marked by a festive atmosphere and a striking blend of politics and pop culture, with protesters singing and waving colorful K-pop light sticks, and ended without major safety accidents.

open image in gallery File. Korean group BTS appears at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The new BTS album, ARIRANG, takes its name from a centuries-old folk song, regarded as an unofficial anthem in both Koreas, whose themes of separation, longing and quiet resilience have echoed across generations.

Gwanghwamun and nearby Gyeongbok Palace provided a sweeping historic backdrop to Saturdays show, which was highlighted by lighting effects that bathed the palace gate and walls in purple, red and blue.

Suga told the crowd that the albums title and the decision to perform in Gwanghwamun reflected the groups focus on identity. RM said the band focused on making music that felt true to themselves as they reconvened to work on the new album.

open image in gallery Yumika Ueno, a Japanese fan of K-pop band BTS, poses for a photo with her painted nails showing the names of BTS members at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

We wanted to show who we are and how we can come together, he told the crowd.

South Korean officials, including current President Lee Jae Myung, expressed hope that the event would promote the countrys culture and soft power.

The groups comeback follows a nearly four-year hiatus driven by South Koreas mandatory military service, which requires most able-bodied men to serve 18 to 21 months under a conscription system aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea. BTS members began serving in 2022, with Suga the last to complete his service in June 2025.

Some analysts say the groups ARIRANG world tour could become the biggest K-pop tour ever by scale and revenue, with 82 shows planned globally in stadiums of around 50,000 seats. Ha Jae-keun, a cultural critic, said BTS was likely to have a second heyday, as they maintained a highly powerful fandom and would benefit from the broader international ascent of K-pop.

We will do our best to give everything we got, J-Hope said
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In October 1975, Saturday Night Live premiered in the US and, unbeknown to anyone, the show would become one of Americas most successful comedy shows, launching the careers of A-listers from Eddie Murphy to Tina Fey. Fifty years later, the first-ever UK edition is set to introduce a raft of British performers hoping to reach similar heights.

SNL stalwart Fey has channelled her inner Mary Poppins to accept the role as the UK versions first celebrity guest host, with Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed also set to present episodes throughout the eight-episode run, which will air on Sky.

But the cogs that keep the machine whirring are the fixed cast members and writers, and among those poised to become household names are Hammed Animashaun and Bella Hull.

open image in gallery The cast of SNL UK ( Sky UK )

Since the cast was announced on 4 February, its been a lengthy process waiting for the premiere date to roll around, and Animashaun told The Independent that he and his fellow cast members are now as prepared as we can be.

The uniqueness of this show keeps us on our toes constantly, he said, cryptically adding: I cant tease anything, you just have to wait and see like everyone else.

Despite nerves flying around and the pressures of sketch writing becoming so strong that theyve infested his dreams, the frenzied energy isnt getting the better of anyone; the comedian maintains that the vibe in the studios is great and everyone is raring to go.

For Hull, a stand-up comedian and writer, she was blown away by how much everyone cared about the show finally crossing the pond. But this leads to added pressure  especially from internet haters who have been quick to criticise the series before its even begun.

We are all really passionate about making this show as funny as it can be, she said. The nature of it being live means a lot of stuff has to happen at the last minute. Its all part of the magical chaos of it.

open image in gallery Tina Fey pulls Epstein files from bag in Mary Poppins gag for SNL UK teaser ( SNL UK/Sky TV )

Obviously, a lot of people are frothing at the mouth for it to fail, but were not making the show for them, she added.

Animashaun, an actor known for BBC comedy Black Ops, said its been absolutely amazing having Fey oversee proceedings for their first episode, with Hull admitting its been a little surreal working alongside the comedy titan, who starred in 30 Rock.

Tina has been incredible, she said. Most of us have been obsessed with her for our entire lives, so Im surprised she didnt turn up with a security guard. Its just been so surreal to have her working on this with us.

Hull said she grows particularly emotional when she considers just how far shes come alongside her former co-sketch writing partner, Ania Magliano, who will take on the famous Weekend Update segment with Paddy Young. In the US, this segment is hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che.

Hull and Magliano were a part of the Footlights committee at Cambridge University from 2018-19. Footlights is a comedy troupe whose alumni include John Cleese, Emma Thompson and Miriam Margoyles.

Ania and I used to write sketches together when we were teenagers. Its been quite emotional to be on this show together  weve always believed in each other and I cant wait to see her fly, Hull said.

There is definitely a level of comfort that comes from writing with people you knew before, but Ive also made some amazing new connections with other writers.

open image in gallery Hammed Animashaun says nerves are flying around ahead of SNL UK premiere ( Sky UK )

The shows writing team, led by Jonno Johnson, is comprised of Stath Lets Flats actor Al Roberts, Ayo Adenekan, Celya AB, Charlie Skelton, Chris Cantrill, Ellie Fulcher, Grainne Maguire, Hari Kanth, Humphrey Ker, James Farmer, Joseph Moore, Keith Akushie, Laura Claxton, Lorna Rose Treen, Louis Waymouth, Nathan Foad, Omar Badawy, and Omodara Olatunji.

Meanwhile, rounding out the cast are Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep and Emma Sidi.

Saturday Night Live UK airs this Saturday at 10pm on Sky and NOW.
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One sad chunk of salmon crudo in citrus soy dressing that everyones too polite to take  thats what a small plates dinner usually comes down to. Plus, one-third of a portion of miso hispi cabbage and a spoonful of seasonal risotto for the fun, unfilling price of around 65.20. Does anyone want that? one person hopefully asks, before the waiter carts away the last morsel of the meal thats worth about a fiver back to the kitchen, never to be seen again.

Small plates, even if never economical, used to be quite cool and adventurous. Stanley Tucci has openly shared his love for Duck Soup in Soho. Paul Mescal frequents Brat in Shoreditch. Youd be hard-stretched to find an Instagram dump shared by Dua Lipa without a candle-lit photo of a collection of small china plates clustered aesthetically together next to some thin-stemmed wine glasses. Singletons even mentioned small plates in their dating profiles to indicate they were edgy and elegant. This was an a la mode, not a la carte, way of eating. Until it wasnt.

Because there has been a shift. These paltry portions that were pricy but chic no longer hit the same note. Diners have small plate fatigue. We want to be full, and we have less money in the current climate to take risks. Order the recommended three to four dishes per person at 20-30 a plate? No thanks. In fact, according to data from OpenTable, 56 per cent of UK diners now prefer individual options over sharing plates. But more than the outrageous cost, small plates simply no longer feel special.

Everywhere you turn, theres another restaurant with a sign in the same scrawling font serving biodynamic wine, roasted fennel, grilled tuna belly and roasted artichoke on industrial metal tables. The formula has become so predictable that its routinely parodied by one successful content creator on TikTok whos made up her own fictional small plates restaurant, Prick. Were not actually a restaurant, were an eatery space, she says to the camera with convincing condescension. Were on a seasonal Mediterranean vibe tonight, she explains to her digital diners. So, that means if you havent pre-eaten you will be going home hungry.

Dining out used to mean youd order a starter, main and maybe some sides to share. That changed in 2009, when Russell Norman opened Polpo in Soho. Inspired by the ciccheti culture in Venice, the restaurant sold smaller servings of dishes at (importantly) a reduced price, so they could be shared with a group. The concept was immediately popular in London, with swathes of restaurants following the formula  but not always the price point.

For the last 10 to 15 years or so, East London has been the gentrifying frontier with these hip, artisanal, aesthetic restaurants, says Peter Harden of Hardens restaurant guide.

Restaurants and business people look at what sells and then everyone piles in, so weve got more and more of it  but I think we can say fairly conclusively that the East End of London is well discovered now, and that this type of eating is no longer radical.

Theres a definite possibility that the trend is running its course, he adds. It is, maybe, starting to look a bit passe in terms of its appeal.

Small plates are, TikTok parodies aside, descending into farce. A new snack section appearing on menus can see you set back 10 for one singular chicken nugget, before youve even entered into the core main small plate section of the meal. If we continue to distil at this rate, well have a crumbs section on the menu by 2027, where waiters serve you the aftermath of a bread basket, rather than the thing itself.

Instagram social commentator Socks House Meeting, who has made many a meme lovingly mocking the East London crowd who pile into small plates restaurants, says theres now a three-tier structure to the trend: Actual-experience, sit-down natural wine type restaurants, which have been there from the start of it becoming popularised; the gastropub-type, wooden-interior, public house group-adjacent places, which have jumped in; and then really off-key places youd not expect to see it, like Wetherspoons and All Bar One, who are now labelling what wouldve been called starters or sides as small plates.

As this race to the bottom continues, its perhaps unsurprising that theres been a bounce back towards restaurant maximalism in retaliation. Many recent openings in the capital  Field Notes in London Fields, The Hart in Marylebone (from the team behind The Pelican and The Hero) have opted for simple, filling menus that offer just a handful of starters and reliable mains like steak and potatoes and fish stew, over frills.

Sasha Shaker, senior director at OpenTable in the UK and Ireland, says the move away from small plates indicates a broad return to traditional dining, which has coincided with a yearning for the past. [Were seeing] nostalgia play a role, especially among Gen Z diners, he says, with retro comfort dishes like bangers and mash (29 per cent) and prawn cocktail (28 per cent) among the dishes theyd love to see on menus in 2026.

In a period of economic uncertainty that seems to have no signs of slowing down, eating out is a treat that we want to feel luxurious. Case in point: Martinos in Sloane Square, which opened in November to rave reviews and is all about old school glamour. It was de rigueur to rip off your linen tablecloths a few years ago, says Harden. They did it at The Connaught  but they were never foolish enough to do that at The Ritz. It was a bit like dad-dancing; five stars trying to get hip and down with the kids, he adds of the luxe confidence crisis.

But in the long term creature comforts dont change that much over the years, Harden muses of the direction were headed back to now. Polished hipster concrete and low lighting is nice, but people are always going to like comfy chairs... Sometimes, you just want lots of people being extremely nice to you and making you feel important.
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An old copy of Cosmopolitan, an expired ID card and a mom necklace are among the 300 personal items that Gwyneth Paltrow has put up for auction.

The sale will take place next week at Juliens, the Los Angeles auction house that typically sells rare items for six-figure sums  like Marilyn Monroes infamous naked dress. This auction is more modest by comparison, however, with prices starting at around $50.

Titled Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow Lexicon of Style, the sale includes a personalized nine-karat yellow gold Gwyneth bracelet, which has attracted six bids and currently stands at $150, a Saint Laurent vintage cigarette lighter and a signed copy of her own birth announcement from 1972, which has five bids at $140.

The auction ranges from strange pieces of memorabilia to luxury fashion items that give a glimpse into Paltrows A-list lifestyle filled with Oscar campaigns and award ceremony appearances.

Paltrow is parting ways with a set of photographs of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, her ex-husband whom she was married to between 2003 and 2014, and a pair of red and black ear defenders with Coldplay printed on the side.

open image in gallery Ralph Laurens sketches of the iconic bubblegum pink dress Paltrow wore to the 1999 Oscars, where she won for Shakespeare in Love, are included in the auction ( Getty Images )

Ralph Laurens sketches of the iconic bubblegum pink dress Paltrow wore to the 1999 Oscars, where she won Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love, are included in the auction.

The pink ombre Atelier Versace gown worn by Paltrow to the Country Music Awards in 2010 is currently under bid for $3,000, while the 1999 Versace two-piece that Paltrow wore on a visit to the White House is expected to fetch up to $2,000.

Another red carpet gown is the one-shoulder light blush pink evening gown by Ralph & Russo, estimated to make $4,000 at auction, which was worn by Paltrow when she attended the Oscars 2015.

open image in gallery Paltrow in the Atelier Versace gown at the 2010 Country Music Awards ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Paltrows 2015 Oscars gown by Ralph & Russo is up for auction ( Getty Images )

More luxury items include a brown Hermes Birkin bag from 2005, which currently has nine bids totalling $15,000, a monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunk for $9,000 and a 2006 John Galianno teal gown that has attracted bids of up to $2,500 at the time of writing.

Other pieces include a range of furniture from her own home, several portraits of Paltrow captured by photographer Mario Testino and a signed ID card from when Paltrow volunteered at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Paltrow told Vogue that the wardrobe clearout was prompted by a fire at a storage facility and a recent house move.

I was sitting with one of my great old friends, Rashida Jones, and I said to her, I have all this great stuff that doesnt go anywhere. I wish I could just have a huge garage sale, Paltrow said. Jones suggested contacting Juliens. I was like, Is that totally random? Paltrow said.

Martin Nolan, a co-founder of Juliens, told The Guardian that the auction shows even a celebrity like Gwyneth Paltrow has their stuff  It was very important to her that this not appear an elitist type of auction.

Her mantra going forward is: If I get something new, Im letting something go, Nolan added.

Paltrows belongings will be auctioned at the Peninsula Beverly Hills and online on March 24 and 25, 2026.

The proceeds of the auction will go to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization founded by Chef Jose Andres, which provides fresh meals to people impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
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Ordinary and universal, the act of writing changes the brain. From dashing off a heated text message to composing an op-ed, writing allows you to, at once, name your pain and create distance from it. Writing can shift your mental state from overwhelm and despair to grounded clarity  a shift that reflects resilience.

Psychology, the media and the wellness industry shape public perceptions of resilience: Social scientists study it, journalists celebrate it, and wellness brands sell it.

They all tell a similar story: Resilience is an individual quality that people can strengthen with effort.

The American Psychological Association defines resilience as an ongoing process of personal growth through lifes challenges.

News headlines routinely praise individuals who refuse to give up or find silver linings in times of hardship. The wellness industry promotes relentless self-improvement as the path to resilience.

In my work as a professor of writing studies, I research how people use writing to navigate trauma and practice resilience. I have witnessed thousands of students turn to the written word to work through emotions and find a sense of belonging. Their writing habits suggest that writing fosters resilience. Insights from psychology and neuroscience can help explain how.

People can use the written word to work through their feelings ( Getty/iStock )

Writing rewires the brain

In the 1980s, psychologist James Pennebaker developed a therapeutic technique called expressive writing to help patients process trauma and psychological challenges. With this technique, continuously journaling about something painful helps create mental distance from the experience and eases its cognitive load.

In other words, externalizing emotional distress through writing fosters safety. Expressive writing turns pain into a metaphorical book on a shelf, ready to be reopened with intention. It signals the brain, You dont need to carry this anymore.

Translating emotions and thoughts into words on paper is a complex mental task. It involves retrieving memories and planning what to do with them, engaging brain areas associated with memory and decision-making. It also involves putting those memories into language, activating the brains visual and motor systems.

Writing things down supports memory consolidation  the brains conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones. The process of integration makes it possible for people to reframe painful experiences and manage their emotions. In essence, writing can help free the mind to be in the here and now.

Taking action through writing

The state of presence that writing can elicit is not just an abstract feeling; it reflects complex activity in the nervous system.

Brain imaging studies show that putting feelings into words helps regulate emotions. Labeling emotions  whether through expletives and emojis or carefully chosen words  has multiple benefits. It calms the amygdala, a cluster of neurons that detects threat and triggers the fear response: fight, flight, freeze or fawn. It also engages the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that supports goal-setting and problem-solving.

About the author Emily Ronay Johnston is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Global Arts, Media and Writing Studies at University of California, Merced. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

In other words, the simple act of naming your emotions can help you shift from reaction to response. Instead of identifying with your feelings and mistaking them for facts, writing can help you simply become aware of whats arising and prepare for deliberate action.

Even mundane writing tasks like making a to-do list stimulate parts of the brain involved in reasoning and decision-making, helping you regain focus.

Making meaning through writing

Choosing to write is also choosing to make meaning. Studies suggest that having a sense of agency is both a prerequisite for, and an outcome of, writing.

Researchers have long documented how writing is a cognitive activity  one that people use to communicate, yes, but also to understand the human experience. As many in the field of writing studies recognize, writing is a form of thinking  a practice that people never stop learning. With that, writing has the potential to continually reshape the mind. Writing not only expresses but actively creates identity.

Writing also regulates your psychological state. And the words you write are themselves proof of regulation  the evidence of resilience.

Popular coverage of human resilience often presents it as extraordinary endurance. News coverage of natural disasters implies that the more severe the trauma, the greater the personal growth. Pop psychology often equates resilience with unwavering optimism. Such representations can obscure ordinary forms of adaptation. Strategies people already use to cope with everyday life  from rage-texting to drafting a resignation letter  signify transformation.

Building resilience through writing

These research-backed tips can help you develop a writing practice conducive to resilience:

1. Write by hand whenever possible. In contrast to typing or tapping on a device, handwriting requires greater cognitive coordination. It slows your thinking, allowing you to process information, form connections and make meaning.

2. Write daily. Start small and make it regular. Even jotting brief notes about your day  what happened, what youre feeling, what youre planning or intending  can help you get thoughts out of your head and ease rumination.

3. Write before reacting. When strong feelings surge, write them down first. Keep a notebook within reach and make it a habit to write it before you say it. Doing so can support reflective thinking, helping you act with purpose and clarity.

4. Write a letter you never send. Dont just write down your feelings  address them to the person or situation thats troubling you. Even writing a letter to yourself can provide a safe space for release without the pressure of someone elses reaction.

5. Treat writing as a process. Any time you draft something and ask for feedback on it, you practice stepping back to consider alternative perspectives. Applying that feedback through revision can strengthen self-awareness and build confidence.

Resilience may be as ordinary as the journal entries people scribble, the emails they exchange, the task lists they create  even the essays students pound out for professors.

The act of writing is adaptation in progress.
Louisiana could double the clock for juvenile trials. Some fear kids would languish in jail.
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PoliticsFederalMiddle East at war Albanese brushes off fuel warning, as government backs business as usual Nick Newling March 21, 2026  3:57pm 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 will meet the head of the global energy watchdog next week after brushing off its stark warning that demand for fuel must be curbed amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The International Energy Agency issued a warning on Friday for all countries to slow fuel demand, saying workers should stay at home, drivers should travel at slower speeds and air travel should be avoided. Speaking in Melbourne on Saturday, Albanese said of the agencys recommendations: Theyre not suggestions to us, of course. Theyre suggestions to the world. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holding a press conference on Saturday afternoon. Photograph by Chris Hopkins His comments came after the agency warned a variety of measures were necessary to curb fuel demand, including cutting speed limits by 10km/h and encouraging work from home. Developed countries have yet to urge cutting back travel. However, many less developed countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, have.

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Related Article Middle East at war Warning to Australia: Work from home, avoid air travel and cut speed limits to guard against oil shock According to the most recent data, Australia holds a 38-day supply of petrol, 30 days of diesel and 30 days of jet fuel. Stock of petrol and diesel are up since March 3, by two days and one day respectively. Diesel stocks have dropped by two days in the same period. The federal government is not speaking publicly about its modelling on fuel conservation measures, but sources involved in high-level briefings say the government is aware more drastic measures may be required. International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol will visit Canberra on Monday, where he will meet Albanese and address the National Press Club. In more extensive comments on the topic, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles downplayed the agencys recommendations calling them options not a directive.

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Our focus is in respect of supply and getting fuel supplies to where it is needed most, and that is very much in the regions. What happens as we go forward, depending on how long this conflict ensues, may have implications, Marles said in Sydney on Saturday. Right now, our message to the Australian people is to continue business as usual. To get on with peoples lives. Speaking at a naval event in Sydney, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was business as usual. Oscar Colman Opposition Leader Angus Taylor did not comment on the recommendations during a Saturday press conference, instead furthering an attack on Energy Minister Chris Bowen. Just a couple of weeks ago the energy minister was telling us there was no problem here. By the end of the last sitting week it was a national crisis. This government hasnt been taking this issue seriously, Taylor said.

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They havent been focused on it the way they should and the result is Australians pay the price. Taylors office was asked what measures presented by the agency the Coalition would be willing to support, but did not respond by deadline. Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said the federal government had assured state counterparts there was adequate fuel supply for the state, and encouraged citizens to go about their normal day and their business. Fuel prices continue to rise as some bowsers across the country run dry. Louie Douvis The NSW government has said it is considering the IEA advice as part of contingency planning, and has encouraged people to use public transport where possible, despite maintenance closures on the Sydney metro line through the weekend.

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NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe on Friday wrote to the major petrol companies to demand an urgent stocktake be provided to her government to allow for better contingency planning, requesting chief executives hand over information on fuel storage and stocks, as well as sales and orders. Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Its not the crisis the PM wants, but its the opportunity he needs Peter Hartcher Political and international editor There were 112 NSW petrol stations reporting they were out of diesel fuel by Saturday, compared with 122 on Friday. Forty-four stations were out of all fuel, also a slight decrease from 47 on Friday. The Greens have yet to hold a party-room meeting in which they could address the IEA measures. Federal party leader Larissa Waters this week urged the government to make public transport free as a measure to reduce fuel usage. Waters said the cost could be covered by a big [budgetary] injection from taxing obscene wartime profits of Australian gas corporations. A report from the ABC on Friday said Albaneses department had commissioned modelling on gas export levies, a move Albanese did not deny.

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Bureaucrats do modelling. If thats the case, then good on them. Thats what happens in the lead-up to budgets, the bureaucrats go about modelling different policy scenarios. So be it. Its called good government, he said. Waters wrote to Albanese on Thursday urging a 25 per cent export levy on gas exports, saying her party could pass legislation within a fortnight. Economist and former chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Rod Sims was more ambitious, calling for a 40 per cent levy. Australia has been massively undertaxing its gas resources, way less than about half of what the rest of the world does on average, Sims said. Internationally owned gas companies  [are] doing very well, and Australian households are getting whacked by the price impact. So its just a perverse effect.

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With Ashleigh McMillan, Ellie Busby, Patrick Begley and Cassandra Morgan. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Exclusive PropertyNewsVictoria residential property Weve been left out: The home owners locked out of cheap energy Caroline Zielinski March 22, 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

When Graham Palmer moved into his Ringwood apartment in 2016, the north-facing unit would cook in summertime. The 79-year-old retiree, who has a rare neurological disorder called orthostatic tremor that makes it impossible to stand and walk without support, asked his property manager if he could get an air-conditioner to stave off the heat. Graham Palmer is a 79-year-old renter in Ringwood who has been trying to get solar panels installed in his four unit block to save on power, but has been blocked by investor owners. Eddie Jim She came back to me two minutes later and said, Look, sorry, the owners just said flat no, Palmer says. While the landlord eventually agreed after he offered to put $650 towards a built-in unit, the costs have started to mount, and Palmer is keen to install solar panels to help keep his electricity bills down.

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But he cannot make these decisions without the agreement of the owners corporation  an issue raised by many other apartment dwellers. Related Article Housing affordability What the Great Australian Dream looks like today It would cost something like $20,000 to put enough solar on the roof to supply all four [units in our block] and have battery-backed storage, he says. I cant do it because I dont own the flat. My landlord has no incentive to do it whatsoever. A new submission from advocacy group Environment Victoria to the recently closed Victorian parliamentary inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments found that apartment occupiers are keen to electrify their homes, but face many obstacles, most of which they say are governance related  not technical. This comes as Australians are looking for ways to reduce their costs and reliance on international sources of energy amid conflict in the Middle East.

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Environment Victorias senior climate and energy adviser Kat Lucas-Healey says the group got a huge response when they asked apartment residents about what was preventing them from accessing renewable and affordable energy. People living in apartments are locked out of ways to reduce their energy bills, she says. They really want rooftop solar, efficient electric appliances, and they want to be able to do things to make the apartment more comfortable, like put in external shading or improve the windows. But whats weve heard is that working with owners corporations was really difficult  in many cases the landlords just say no. The 2021 census found about 12.1 per cent of Victorians lived in flats or apartments, and since then, housing affordability has worsened.

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Georgia Marett, 32, owns an apartment in Yarraville, where she is head of the owners committee. She has been trying to get her building to agree to put in solar panels for years. Its really, really challenging because, first of all, the cost is really expensive for a building of my size, [which has] 39 apartments  like $80,000, Marett says. Georgia Marett is on the board of her owners corporation and has been trying to electrify her apartment block for years without success. Wayne Taylor Solar Victoria does not give rebates to any apartment buildings on an embedded network, which we are through no fault of our own ... Its very opaque, but so were just locked out of that. An embedded network is a private electricity system in a multi-tenanted building or community, where a private company buys electricity in bulk and then resells it to residents, instead of each household having its own electricity retailer. In Victoria, there are about 190,000 customers living in apartments, retirement villages and caravan parks on an embedded network.

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The Victorian government largely banned embedded networks in new apartment buildings from January 2023 and promised to reform existing networks following a review that found Victorians were paying more. Related Article City life Anarchy: Technicality renders owners corporations effectively useless The state government offers rebates of up to $2800 per household for residents living in eligible apartments, units and townhouses under the control of an owners corporation. When asked why existing apartments on embedded networks were exempt from rebates, a spokesman for the Victorian government said it was exploring more ways to support residents in apartments and embedded networks through new technologies and regulatory reforms. He said key barriers to apartment solar included shared roofs, complex approvals/ownership arrangements, technical solutions and decisions about sharing energy across units.

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Marett says that getting every owner to agree to other measures such as getting off gas has also proved difficult. So you would need every single apartment to agree to get an induction stove, which is  in a 39-apartment building where a lot of the people own it as an investment, impossible. Liam Wallis, founder of sustainable energy property development company Hip V. Hype, says there are no technical issues when it comes to electrifying apartments. Solar panels may be easier to install for owners of detached homes. Getty Images The technology exists now to do this work cost effectively  what were finding is that its a governance issue within the owners corporation legislation, he says. Buildings with a greater proportion of owner occupiers are probably more likely to support infrastructure upgrades because they directly receive the benefit.

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According to the Victorian Owners Corporation Act, major projects typically require a special resolution (75 per cent approval), a threshold often considered too high for sustainability initiatives. Lucas-Healey would like to see the state government reform the act to lower those decision-making thresholds. She points to the governments 2025 review of the Owners Corporations Act 2006, which had an expert panel deliver its report in December, which the government has not yet released. Related Article Exclusive

Victoria residential property The Melbourne suburbs where unloved homes are getting more expensive A Victorian government spokesman said the government was considering the final report but did not offer a release time. For Marett, not having access to a detached roof means not having control over something taken for granted by detached dwelling owners.

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Roofs are a sort of value now; houses can use them to get electricity for free after they put a costing upfront, but we cant do that in an apartment, she says. Weve been left out of the equation. It does worry me when there are things going on in the world that you cant control, [and] it would be good to have that modicum of control over your home environment, which people who live in houses can get.

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Company Secretary is one ofbest career options for youth





Business Reporter :

CS Pawan Chandak, National President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), on Friday said that the profession of Company Secretary in India is experiencing a massive surge in demand, making it one of the most promising and dynamic career paths for todays youth. As regulatory frameworks tighten and businesses rapidly expand, the corporate worlds need for governance and legal professionals is at an all-time high, he said while addressing a press conference held here in the city.

Chandak was in the city to attend a conference organised by the Nagpur Chapter of ICSI. The institute has also set forth its foot in the international arena by setting up ICSI Overseas Centres in Australia, Canada, Singapore, UAE, UK, and the USA, with UAE and Australia being separate legal entities, to augment professional opportunities for ICSI members and facilitate practical training for students there..
Day-to-day trial begins in threat to Nitin Gadkari case





Staff Reporter :

Day-to-day trial begins in threat to Nitin Gadkari case

The Sessions Court in Nagpur has started a day-to-day trial against Jayesh Pujari alias Kanta and his accomplice Pasha Asfar Bashiruddin Noor Mohammed in connection with an extortion threat made to the office of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The trial is being conducted before Sessions Judge Anil Kumar Sharma. On the first day, statements of three witnesses, including the complainant, were recorded. Both accused appeared before the court through video conferencing from their respective jails.

According to the prosecution, on March 21, 2023, Jayesh Pujari made two phone calls to Gadkaris office demanding extortion money. Police registered two cases at Dhantoli Police Station. Investigations revealed that Pujari, while serving a sentence in Belgaum jail in Karnataka, came in contact with Pasha Asfar, who allegedly instigated him to make the calls. Jayesh reportedly demanded Rs 100 crore and threatened sabotage if the demand was not fulfilled. In another call, he allegedly asked for Rs 10 crore to be transferred through Google Pay to his girlfriend. Police also found that the calls were made from inside the prison. Taking the matter seriously, Nagpur Police brought Pujari from Belgaum to Nagpur on a production warrant. The case was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency for further investigation. Government advocate Liladhar Shendre is representing the prosecution. Further hearing in the case will continue on a day-to-day basis.
Din at NMCs maiden GB meet over 24x7 water as corporators corner admin

Staff Reporter :

Mayor directs to hold special sitting over 24x7 issue, 2 months ultimatum to OCW

A special meeting on 24x7 and functioning of Orange City Water (OCW) would be held within a fortnight as the issue of drinking water took centrestage at the first regular general body (GB) meeting of the new House of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Friday. Excesses and inaction on the part of the civic administration dominated the proceedings of the general body meeting of the NMC held at Suresh Bhat auditorium. An infuriated Mayor Neeta Thakre took to task the officials, particularly those of Water Works Department (WWD) for their failure to take corrective action on her earlier instructions.

Later, talking to newspersons post meeting, Mayor explained that a 15-day ultimatum is given to OCW and to administration to rectify the situation or face music. The administration is instructed to ensure that the inflated bills issued to citizens on part of OCW are corrected forthwith. The bills, if paid by consumers, are to be adjusted against future consumption. Also, as corporators questioned the non-completion of famed 24x7 project despite an extension of five years after initial five years period, the Mayor said, a two months last chance would be given to OCW to set its house in order. Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) member Abha Pande initiated the debate as she asked the action taken by administration post complaint about inflated bills issued by OCW to consumers. Moreshwar Sable of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) highlighted high-handedness on part of OCW which disconnected water connections to quarters of safaiwalas.

Leader of Opposition Sanjay Mahakalkar sought to know the preparedness on part of OCW to tackle shortage due to prediction of harsh summer. The matter, however, got entangled into a free for all debate as every other Member in the House tried to put forth their views and Pande showcased the samples of polluted water being supplied to citizens in her Prabhag. Other members also joined the chorus and even Ruling Party members sought to put OCW in dock as ground situation is putting them on path of aggression as even senior party leadership is now ready to ditch the boat to soothe the growing anger over failure to deliver the mandate of 24x7.

Aslam Khan Pathan of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) participating on the spur in the debate reminded the Mayor that in 2012 when he was on the Standing Committee they were told that OCW would charge only Rs 90 for supply of drinking water. Reminding the ruling party of the promise made to citizens, Khan sought to confront them about the current impasse over highly inflated bills. No doubt some senior members, especially of BJP sought to ally the frayed tempers, as Ruling Party Leader Narendra Borkar raised the issue of frequent tripping at Navegaon Khairy power station as a cause of shortage of drinking water in some parts of city. However, Congress young corporator Abhijeet Jha was particularly aggressive and put the administration in the dock over persistent ignoring of his complaints about severe shortage of drinking water in Gittikhadan and other adjoining areas. Dinesh Yadav of Congress also pointed out that even now tankers are deployed in North Nagpur in Samata Nagar as OCW has failed to lay pipelines despite tall claims about 24x7. Pintu Zalke of BJP tried to wade through the muddy waters but could not steer the course of discussion which veered around in the choppy waters.

Show cause notice to Water Works officials

Putting the record straight, Mayor Neeta Thakre instructed Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar to seek explanation from officials of Water Works Department as to why her instructions were not adhered to by the administration on drinking water issue. A fortnight ago, Mayor held a review meeting on issue of inflated bills issued by OCW and ordered that the same be corrected and provide relief to citizens. Also, she had ordered corrective steps to address complaints of supply of contaminated drinking water as administration said, nearly 50 areas were receiving polluted water. Thakre in reply to a query to newspersons post meeting said, the directions issued earlier in general body meeting were crystal clear. She said, it is clear as to who is in the line of fire, the Superintending Engineer, Public Health Department (PHE), Shweta Banerjee. Mayor said she is clear as to her instructions and said officers on deputation should be repatriated to their parent cadre if they cannot deliver the results. Earlier her ruling on the same matter drew wide applause from the Opposition as well as Treasury benches, as the approach of Banerjee is seen as major irritant in acting against OCW. In the House, Banerjees reply that about 25 per cent payment to OCW has been withheld failed to cut ice as Abha Pande and others said, the administration has done no favour by withholding as the same is going to be released tomorrow anyhow. She also said, OCW has been paid Rs 125 and Rs 126 crore respectively over last two financial years.





Bhandewadi dump yard issue: Mayor to hold meet of corporators of affect area To break the impasse over procedure that held up the question about Bhandewadi Dumping Yard, Mayor Neeta Thakre directed to hold a meeting in her chamber to sort the issue. Pradip Pohane of BJP raised the point of propriety insisting that as per rules on an officer of Deputy Municipal Commissioner rank is empowered to reply in the House. The administration had nominated Superintending Engineer Shweta Banerjee to reply but Pohane asked, Is she Deputy Municipal Commissioner? Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar who was in the House looked confused even as seasoned senior members of the administration can nominate any officer to reply. But Pohane refused to budge leaving administration in a quandary as no Deputy Municipal Commissioner is entrusted the subject of Bhandewadi as Public Health Engineering is looking after processing aspect. Seeing no way out, Mayor said, a meeting of all corporators affected by the foul stench emanating from the Bhandewadi would be convened.
Iran threatens world tourism sites and says it is still building missiles





DUBAI :

IRAN threatened to target recreational and tourist sites worldwide and insisted it was still building missiles. Fridays show of defiance came nearly three weeks into US-Israeli strikes that have killed a slew of Tehrans top leaders and hammered its weapons and energy industries. Iran fired on Israel and energy sites in neighbouring Gulf Arab states as many in the region marked one of the holiest days on the Muslim calendar. Iranians were also celebrating the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that is more subdued this year. With little information coming out of Iran, it was not clear how much damage its arms, nuclear or energy facilities have sustained since the war began February 28 or even who was truly in charge of the country. But Iran has showed it is still capable of attacks that are choking off oil supplies and denting the global economy, raising food and fuel prices far beyond the Middle East. The United States and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programmes. There have been no public signs of any such uprising and no end in sight to the war. Irans top military spokesman warned on Friday that parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations worldwide wont be safe for Tehrans enemies. The threat from General Abolfazl Shekarchi renewed concerns that Iran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic. US and Israeli leaders have said that weeks of strikes have decimated Irans military.

Airstrikes have also killed its supreme leader, the head of its Supreme National Security Council and a raft of other top-ranking military and political leaders. The Israeli military said Friday that Esmail Ahmadi, head of intelligence for the Basij, and internal security force, had been killed by a strike earlier in the week that hit other Basij leaders. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Irans navy was sunk and its air force in tatters, while adding that its ability to produce ballistic missiles had been taken out. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard disputed the missile claim on Friday. We are producing missiles even during war conditions, which is amazing, and there is no particular problem in stockpiling, spokesman General Ali Mohammad Naeini was quoted as saying in Irans state-run IRAN newspaper. A short time after the statement was released, Iranian state television said Naeini was killed in an airstrike. The countrys new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei also released a rare statement, saying Irans enemies need to have their security taken away.

Khamenei hasnt been seen since he succeeded his father, the 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the first day of the war. Iran has stepped up its attacks on energy sites in Gulf Arab states after Israel bombed Irans massive South Pars offshore natural gas field earlier in the week. Two waves of Iranian drones attacked a Kuwaiti oil refinery early Friday, sparking a fire. The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, which can process some 730,000 barrels of oil per day, is one of the largest in the Middle East. It was damaged Thursday in another Iranian attack. Bahrain said a fire broke out after shrapnel from an intercepted projectile landed on a warehouse, and Saudi Arabia reported shooting down multiple drones targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province. Heavy explosions shook Dubai as air defences intercepted incoming fire over the city, where many were observing Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan.
Natures Fury: Rain, hail put farmers in big trouble





Staff Reporter :

For the farmers of Madhya Pradesh, what should have been a week of golden harvests and celebration has turned into a desperate, high-stakes race against the elements. As a powerful Western Disturbance triggers unseasonal rain, lightning and hailstorms across the State, the agricultural heartland is gripped by a crisis that threatens to derail an entire year of labour and investment. The timing of this atmospheric instability, hitting during the absolute peak harvest for wheat, pulses and mustard, has plunged the farming community into a state of panic. In Damoh, where several rural belts were recently lashed by rain and heavy hailstones, the sense of despair is visible. One local farmer described the situation as shattering, noting that the sudden icy downpour and 12.0 mm of rainfall have left those with standing crops in a state of mourning, as hail can physically destroy ripening grains in minutes. In Shivpuri, the fear is equally palpable. A local farmer shared that their entire wheat crop remains in the field, vulnerable and unharvested. Even a small amount of rain right now can destroy the crop, they explained. The crisis is compounded by high-velocity winds, which reached a staggering 74 km/h in nearby Agar, causing lodging.

When heavy stalks are bent flat to the ground, they become nearly impossible for machines to cut, often leading to the crop rotting where it lies. This desperation has created a secondary economic burden, the harvester crisis. Farmers who do not own their own equipment are being forced to pay exorbitant rental charges to those who do, as everyone scrambles to secure a machine before the next cloudburst. In this atmosphere of panic, rental rates have spiked, adding a financial weight to an already precarious situation. In Narmadapuram division, which saw significant moisture, the concern is both visible and invisible. A local grower pointed out that moisture at this stage leads to lustre loss, the fading of the wheats natural golden shine, and a reduction in grain size. Even for those who have managed to harvest, the battle isnt over. They must now find ways to protect heaps of grain from moisture, as damp produce is a magnet for rot and pests like Mahau, this pest can attack the crop in this situation and that can lead to destruction of the crop. Ultimately, the fear at the mandi remains the biggest hurdle. Farmers worry that discoloured or damp grain will be rejected or undervalued by traders, leaving them unable to recover their costs. With more storms expected and another Western Disturbance looming on March 26, the States farmers are standing at a crossroads, praying for a break in the weather to save what remains of their livelihood.
Premium petrol up Rs 2, industrial diesel Rs 22





NEW DELHI :

THE price of premium or higher-grade petrol price on Friday was increased by Rs 2 per litre while the rate of bulk diesel sold to industrial users was hiked by about Rs 22 a litre, reflecting the spike in global oil prices amid conflict in the Middle-East. However, the price of normal petrol and diesel remains unchanged. Premium 95-Octane petrol price in Delhi has been increased from Rs 99.89 per litre to Rs 101.89 in the national capital, industry sources said. Alongside, bulk or industrial diesel prices were hiked from Rs 87.67 per litre to Rs 109.59 in Delhi. International oil prices touched USD 119 per barrel on Thursday on intensifying Iran war, before pulling back to around USD 108 a barrel. A litre of normal petrol in Delhi continues to cost Rs 94.77 while the same grade diesel comes for Rs 87.67 a litre. Normal petrol typically has an octane rating of 91-92 and is suitable for standard engines, offering adequate performance for everyday driving. Premium petrol, on the other hand, has a higher octane rating of 95-98, making it ideal for high-performance or high-compression engines. At a media briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said there is no increase in prices of normal petrol and diesel. Some increase is reported in the premium category which hardly makes up for 2-4 per cent of the entire petrol (sold in the country), she said. There is no increase in price for the common man. Pricing decisions, she said, are taken by oil companies independently as petrol and diesel pricing was deregulated in 2010 and 2014 respectively. It (pricing) is decided by oil marketing companies.

Government does not regulate petrol and diesel prices, she added. The Government is closely monitoring global oil markets, but there is no immediate plan to raise retail fuel prices. Oil marketing companies are expected to absorb the current cost pressure for the time being. Our priority is to make energy available to all consumers, which we have been doing all through the crisis. Till now we have not increased the prices, she added. Retail petrol and diesel prices have been frozen since April 2022, with fuel retailers like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) absorbing losses when crude prices are high and making profits when rates are low. This meant that when global fuel prices went up in response to elevated crude prices, prices were stable in India. And when softening of crude prices pushed down fuel rates globally, rates in India remained unchanged. The Government wants to continue to shield consumers, and the same policy will continue unless there is a huge spike in crude prices. India imports 88 per cent of its crude oil needs and roughly half of its natural gas requirement. These mostly come via the Strait of Hormuz. Following the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian government, military and nuclear facilities, Iran warned shipping away from the strait, and insurers withdrew coverage, effectively halting tanker movements. Prices had risen to USD 119 per barrel in June 2022 in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That year, oil companies had nominal profits, but in FY24, they posted record Rs 81,000 crore profit, helping make up for past dent in margins. This year, the three companies have posted Rs 23,743 crore profit in the December quarter alone.
Selfish interests, desire for dominance root cause of global conflicts: Dr Bhagwat





RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat speaking after laying the foundation stone for Vidarbha prant office of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, on Friday. Other dignitaries on the dais look on.

Staff Reporter :

Selfish interests and the desire for dominance were the root cause of conflicts in the world, Sarsanghachalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dr Mohan Bhagwat said on Friday, asserting that lasting peace can only be achieved through unity, discipline and adherence to dharma. Addressing a gathering in Nagpur, Bhagwat said that for 2,000 years the world has experimented with various ideas to resolve conflicts with little success. Religious intolerance, forced conversions and ideas of superiority and inferiority still exist, he pointed out.

The RSS chief was speaking at the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Vidarbha prant office of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Nagpur. Sant Trilokdarshan Das Maharaj - Sachidananda Nanakdham, Ghaziabad; Jitendranath Maharaj - Devnath Math, Anjangaon Surji; Milind Parande - VHPs National General Secretary; Anantakumar Bansal - Entrepreneur; Rajesh Gupta - Managing Director Lloyds Metals Group; Devesh Pendharkar - Director Vicco Vajradanti and others also were present on the dais. Dr Bhagwat said that Indias ancient wisdom teaches that all are connected and one, and called for a shift from conflict to harmony and cooperation. He further noted that even modern science is gradually moving towards this understanding. The RSS chief noted that selfish interests and the desire for dominance were the root cause of conflicts in the world, and added, lasting peace can only be achieved through unity, discipline and adherence to dharma.

Dr Bhagwat also said, dharma cannot remain confined to scriptures, but must be reflected in ones conduct. Discipline and adherence to moral values require sustained practice and often involve personal hardship, he said. While India believes in humanity, others believe in the struggle for existence and survival of the fittest, he said, reiterating that the world needs harmony, not conflict. Amid the ongoing conflicts, voices emerging from across the world have said that only India can end the wars because it is in the countrys nature, Bhagwat said. Dr Bhagwat said that it is Indias responsibility to restore balance in the stumbling world by giving it the foundation of dharma. People of India follow the law of humanity, but the rest of the world follows the law of the jungle. It is our job to restore balance in the stumbling world by giving it the foundation of dharma, he said.
Sindhi community celebrates Cheti Chand





Staff Reporter :

The Sindhi community celebrated Cheti Chand with devotion and enthusiasm across the city, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Jhulelal and the Sindhi New Year. Devotees visited Jhulelal temples from early morning and offered special prayers, aarti and devotional songs. A grand Jhulelal Prabhat Yatra was taken out on the occasion. Thousands of community members participated in the event. The procession began from Jhulelal Temple and passed through Galgala, Mukadganj, Tularam Chowk, Karamchand Chowk, Coffee House Road, Badi Omti and Ghantaghar before concluding at Sindhu Bhavan. The procession included tableaux of Lord Jhulelal, Lord Ganesha and Maa Durga along with traditional bands, dhamal groups and other attractions. Saints and public representatives flagged off the yatra. The city witnessed a festive atmosphere as men, women and children joined the procession with devotion and enthusiasm. A grand bhandara was organised at Sindhu Bhavan after the procession. Cultural programmes and a maha aarti was organised in the night as part of the celebrations.
Will India move !

THE Tsunami-like effect of the maniacal war in the Middle-East is now being felt all over the world. Stock markets are crashing everywhere, and gold and silver prices are dipping menacingly. An unprecedented energy crisis is threatening to arrive -- for which the world is just not prepared (for whatever reasons). In the next few days, the world may see itself at the end of the slender thread by which it is holding itself together at the moment. If immediate and effective measures are not taken to halt this war, the world will face a crisis the like of which human history has never recorded. The time is running out. There is no doubt by now that every country engaged in this war -- the United States, Israel, Iran -- is being run by maniacs whose good sense has gone into the filthy drain of human thoughtlessness and egotism.

These maniacs -- seated in the three countries -- are bombarding energy sources that are actually a common reserve of the entire humanity. Yet, unmindful of the terrible effect the bombings -- through drones and missiles -- will have on the common resources of the world, these thoughtless demons in human skin are displaying lunatic enthusiasm to bomb precious energy infrastructures in different countries. Somehow, these maniacs should be stopped in their dirty tracks right away -- so that the world can be saved from ultimate disaster. This must be done most urgently. Signs are available to suspect that the United States is now beginning to repent that it got into this war at Israels behest. US President Mr. Donald Trump appears just unable to handle the pressure of this three-week war and appears to have gone berserk making statements that make no sense at any time. He has begun showing signs of fatigue and appears as if waiting for the wars end at the earliest.

For, when a country spends billions of dollars on daily basis to sustain itself in war, it is most likely to lose its enthusiasm for conflict very fast. On the contrary, Iran appears least bothered about what would happen to the world. It has enough time until its stockpile of drones and ballistic missiles drains out completely. On the basis of that stockpile of projectile weapons, Iran can fight the war for a long time -- with a willingness to get destroyed in the process. For, in Tehran, too, a clutch of maniacs rules the roost. Of course, many countries have begun making diplomatic moves to explore possibilities of ending the war. Heads of Governments have begun meeting and talking to one another looking for solutions. Their most critical problem is that an easy solution is not available since there is no specified reason for which the war actually began three weeks ago. Of course, strange are the ways diplomacy operates. Who knows, in the next some time, at least some efforts will be made to bring the warring countries to sit down together to sort out issues. Possibly, it is time for India to take the lead. So far, India has positioned itself most equidistantly from all parties in all conflicts in the world in the past 10-12 years.

The world by now recognises the strength in Indias diplomatic positioning. By the virtue of that understanding, most countries would find India an acceptable interlocutor. Of course, everything depends upon how the Indian leadership positions itself in the rapidly changing diplomatic kinetics. Is it ready to play that all-important role? Will the Indian leadership want to become the most potent player in global geopolitics as an initiator of peace process? The answers to these questions hold the key to future action. If at all India was looking for an opportune time to step into the thick of complicated global geopolitics, then that time is now. If India starts making its thoughtful moves to bring warring nations to peace process, then the possibilities of success would be the best. If India moves decisively, then it will raise its own stock in the world like never before. A tired world will certainly appreciate the Indian initiative for world peace. This may be the god-sent opportunity for India, who knows!
LAS CRUCES, N.M., March 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated 165 student physicians who matched into residencies across a wide range of medical specialties on Match Day, March 21, 2026.

"This is a defining moment for our students and a reflection of years of hard work, resilience, and purpose. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and their commitment to pursuing careers that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities, particularly in areas where access to care is most needed, "said John Hummer, President of Burrell College.

Since its inaugural Match Day in 2020, Burrell College has consistently demonstrated a high placement rate. This year, the college placed 55% of its students into primary care specialties, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Pediatrics. When including Obstetrics and Gynecology, the percentage climbs to 61%.

Dr. William Pieratt, Dean and Chief Academic Officer emphasized the significance of these achievements.

"The success of this year's class speaks to the strength of our academic program and the dedication of our faculty in preparing students for the next phase of their training. These placements reflect not only academic excellence, but also the clinical readiness and professionalism our students bring to their residency programs."

Overall, the Burrell College students matched into 22 disciplines across programs nationwide, including 7 in Las Cruces/El Paso, 4 in Albuquerque, and 9 in Florida.

Student Success Stories:

In line with the college's mission, many students matched into residency programs that will allow them to contribute directly to the healthcare needs of New Mexico, Texas, Florida, and throughout the nation.

Las Cruces native Nereus Noshirwani matched into Family Medicine at Martin Army Community Hospital in Fort Benning, Georgia. With deep ties to New Mexico, Noshirwani credits his upbringing and training for preparing him for this next step.

"I chose Burrell because I actually grew up here in Las Cruces and saw the school as it was being built. When I got the acceptance, it felt like a no-brainer to come back to my hometown," said student physician Noshirwani. "I'm headed to Fort Benning, Georgia for residency. I'm doing family medicine and then likely pursuing an emergency medicine fellowship after."

El Paso resident Andrea de Santiago matched into pediatrics at Texas Tech University Affiliate. She is thrilled to be serving the community she grew up in.

"I'm looking forward to staying in El Paso and treating the communities that I've been raised in. I went to Burrell for this very reason, to stay home and keep physicians here, and I am very happy I'll be able to do that," she added.

Jacob Jenkins matched in Vascular Surgery at Corewell Health-Grand Rapids/Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, highlighting the continued strength and competitiveness of Burrell College students.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have matched in vascular surgery; I can't contain the excitement," said student physician Jenkins. "I'm looking forward to taking care of patients and making an impact on their lives by improving their quality of life.

Residency Matches for the Class of 2026:

 Internal Medicine  44  Orthopedic Surgery  3  Emergency Medicine  18  Pathology  3  Family Medicine  18  Internal Medicine / Pediatrics  2  Pediatrics  17  Interventional Radiology  2  Obstetrics and Gynecology  11  Child Neurology  1  Psychiatry  11  Diagnostic Radiology  1  Preliminary Surgery  9  Radiation Oncology  1  Neurology  6  Urology  1  General Surgery  5  Vascular Surgery  1  Anesthesiology  4  Transitional Year  3  Physical Medicine &

Rehabilitation  4



For more information, visit burrell.edu.

About Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine:

Burrell is a four-year, private, student-centered osteopathic medical school that utilizes the latest medical education technologies and methods to ensure student success in all fields of medicine  from primary care to subspecialties such as surgery, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine. Established in 2013, Burrell has two campuses: Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Melbourne, Florida. Learn more at burrell.edu

Media Contact: Sidney Alvarez, 504-495-4577

SOURCE Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine


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The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) on Saturday announced that an additional 20 per cent of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been allocated across the country.

This move takes the total commercial LPG allocated for commercial purposes to 50 per cent.

This LPG will be given on priority to restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairies, subsidised canteens/outlets run by state governments or local bodies for food, community kitchens, and as 5kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders for migrant labourers.

"20 States/UTs have issued orders to allocate the non-domestic LPG in line with the guidelines issued by the Government of India. For rest of the States/UTs, PSU Oil Marketing companies are releasing commercial LPG cylinders. A total of around 13,479 metric tonnes have been uplifted during the last one week by commercial entities in the States/UTs," an MoPNG statement said.

 Raids continue across States/UTs to check #LPG hoarding and black marketing



 Indias maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no congestion reported across ports



 Developments in #Gulf and #WestAsia continue to be monitored, with priority on safety and welfare  PIB India (@PIB_India) March 21, 2026

This comes as authorities have noted a decline in people panic buying gas cylinders, even as the war between Iran and US-Israel forces rages on.

The MoPNG also noted that more than 3,500 raids have been conducted so far to curb the black market trade of LPG cylinders, as a result of which 1,400 cylinders have been have been seized in various parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

The petroleum ministry added that the highest importance was being given to LPG and PNG to be used for domestic purposes, as well as in hospitals and educational institutions.

The arrival of two Indian-flagged LPG tankers from the Gulf, after crossing the tumultous Hormuz Strait, is said to have provided a major boost to India's LPG reserves amid the chaos in the Gulf.

The two tankersShivalik and Nanda Deviwere allowed to cross the strait as a part of India's ongoing diplomatic discussions with Iranian officials as a friendly nation.

They will likely be followed by two more such tankersPine Gas and Jag Vasantwhich are expected to begin their journey to India over the weekend.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Saturday, urged every citizen of the country to stay vigilant and prepared at all times as the nature of conflicts in modern times has undergone a paradigm shift.

Virtually addressing the Raising Day celebrations and the Diamond Jubilee of Sainik School, Ghorakhal in Uttarakhand, the defence minister said, "Present-day warfare transcends borders, with national security encompassing economic, digital, energy, and even food security."

ALSO READ: Pakistan hypes up Indias missile range to 12,000 km to create panic. How true is this claim?

Pointing out that a nation can be weakened through economic, cyber, space and information warfare, the defence minister highlighted the need for a robust military supported by prepared citizens capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder to protect the nation under any circumstances.

He asserted that the government is doing everything possible to equip the defence forces with niche weapons and technologies.

Singh said citizens, especially the youth, need to develop mental toughness and intellectual clarity through discipline and determination to help the nation tackle any and every situation.

Highlighting the steps taken by the Centre to ensure that youngsters imbibe values that are essential for nation-building, Singh stated that recently, a decision was taken to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across the country in the public-private partnership model.

Singh described the decision of admission of girls into Sainik Schools as historic and revolutionary, which is bolstering the countrys 'Nari Shakti'. These girls will, in the times to come, become the torchbearers of 'Nari Shakti' and scale new heights across various sectors, he added.
In what could be seen as a powerful testament to India's journey toward becoming a completely self-reliant naval power, the Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth frigate, Taragiri (F41), in a ceremony at Visakhapatnam on April 3, to be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

A formidable mix of supersonic strike, layered air defence and potent anti-submarine capabilities, INS Taragiri is armed with BrahMos missiles, MRSAM air defence systems, advanced radars, guns, and torpedoes. The stealth frigate is designed to detect, track and neutralise threats across air, surface and underwater domains with precision.

ALSO READ: Pakistan hypes up Indias missile range to 12,000 km to create panic. How true is this claim?

The weapon and sensors suite comprises BrahMos SSM, Multi-Function Search and Target Acquisition Radar (MFSTAR) and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) complex, 76mm SRGM (Super Rapid Gun Mount), and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, along with rockets and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare.

Integrated through an advanced combat management system, these weapons enable rapid, precise response to threats across all domains at sea.

"Driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, Taragiri is designed for high-speed  high endurance versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations," the defence ministry said.

TheMake in India push

The fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, Taragiri is a 6,670-tonne embodiment of the Make in India spirit and the sophisticated engineering capabilities of the country's indigenous shipyards, the defence ministry said in a release.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

The ship has over 75 per cent indigenous content.

Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, the frigate marks a major upgrade over earlier designs, with a sleeker shape and lower radar visibility, allowing it to operate with lethal stealth.

A multi-role frigate

Taragiri, a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that was part of the Indian Naval fleet from 1980 to 2013, is also a multi-role frigate, with its "flexible mission profile" making it ideal for everything from high-intensity combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"The Indian Navy continues to grow as a combat-ready, cohesive, credible, Aatmanirbhar force, safeguarding the seas for a Viksit, Samriddha Bharat guarded by ships designed by Indians, built by Indians and operated by Indians. Taragiri stands ready for a promising future as a beacon of rising maritime power and an ironclad guardian of our blue frontiers," the ministry added.
The US-Israel war against Iran has evolved into a contest where the decisive variables are geography-driven economic coercion, coalition legitimacy, munitions endurance and the political economy of Gulf energy and not simply the number of targets struck inside Iran. Across expert commentary and the ground pattern of events, five findings are now coherent: the Levant casualty ledger is dominated by the Israel-Palestine, Lebanon, Syrian and now Iran violence cycle, with Israel far outpacing its adversaries in human casualties and suffering: statistically, it emerges as the single cause of instability in the middle east; geography routinely triumphs over hard power; empires often begin declining while still militarily strong through coalition breakup and economic strain; and Gulf security structures are likely to be rewired toward conditional basing, autonomy and hedging as the costs of hosting are externalised onto Gulf societies and infrastructure.

A central lesson of strategic history is that geography routinely outperforms hard military power. Superiority in military capability does not automatically translate into strategic outcomes when the weaker side can weaponise geography. Though the US learned this repeatedly in Vietnam and Afghanistan, where decisive battlefield advantage did not produce decisive political outcomes because the wars were governed by geography-enabled endurance, sanctuary and the weaker sides ability to outlast the hegemons patience. It has not perhaps internalised it.

In the maritime domain, chokepoints such as Hormuz demonstrate the same logic: a narrow corridor can impose strategic costs that high-end strike capability cannot remove, because it forces third parties (insurers, shippers, importers, central banks) into the conflicts cost calculus. In the present war, Irans geography offers precisely this leverage. Tehran cannot match US-Israeli airpower, but it can force the conflict to be adjudicated in the Gulfs shipping lanes, energy nodes and insurance markets, where the wars price is paid by the entire international economy. The conflicts drift toward maritime/energy coercion is therefore not an accident; it is the predictable expression of geographys veto over purely kinetic concepts of victory.

For decades, US Middle East strategy largely worked on its own terms because it rested on a coherent bargain: forward basing + maritime control + partner regimes delivered predictable energy flows supported by the petro dollar, suppressed hostile domination of the Gulf and enabled rapid crisis response at acceptable cost. From the Carter Doctrine era through post-9/11, Washington could underwrite Israeli military superiority, key sea lanes, deter challengers and project power while its Gulf allies accepted US leadership because alternatives looked worse. Yet the returns are now diminishing, not because the US suddenly lacks capability, but because the strategic environment has changedthe rules-based global order, established after World War II has broken down; borders are no longer inviolable; coalitions are weaker; the global economic order is in disarray; and Chinas rise has shifted the centre of gravity to the Asia Pacific.

Further, the US domestic tolerance for open-ended enforcement has narrowed. The result is a widening gap between who pays the marginal costs (Gulf hosts and energy-importing allies facing price shocks) and who authorises escalatory decisions (Washington and Jerusalem). This gap is precisely what makes the present conflict strategically corrosive: it turns a once-efficient system of primacy into an arrangement with higher blowback and declining coalition consent.

Historical empires rarely collapse at a single moment; they enter a phase where dominance becomes expensive and brittle. The most relevant decline episodes are not those where the hegemon suddenly became militarily weak, but those where military strength remained formidable while strategic position eroded through coalition breakup, legitimacy loss and economic strain. The durable lesson is that empires typically lose the ability to command outcomes before they lose the ability to win battles. In the current war, the imperial inflexion risk for Washington is not battlefield defeat. It is strategic corrosion: rising costs, widening allied dissent, and an end-state that becomes politically unsustainable even if tactically manageable.

The recently published US National Defence Strategy had indicated de-prioritisation of the Middle East, with emphasis being on homeland defence and China deterrence. The sudden declaration of war on Iran, when nuclear negotiations were reportedly to conclude satisfactorily, gives credence to the claim that the war had been thrust upon it. And now, one of the most consequential developments is the visible divergence between US and Israeli war aims. Reuters reported that US DNI Tulsi Gabbard told Congress that US and Israeli objectives are not the same. This matters because wars with mismatched end-states drift. If one partner seeks bounded capability denial while the other seeks irreversible political destabilisation, the conflict tends to continue until either the coalition fractures or the weaker sides leverage is neutralised.

Israels attack on Iranian energy infrastructure underscores why the Gulf is alarmedit is tied to regional and global energy stability as attacks and retaliation in this sector propagate systemic risk well beyond the battlefield. This produces a strategic paradox for the Gulf states. While the US bases were sold as protection, in this war, they have functioned as tripwires that attract strikes, forcing Gulf rulers to pay for decisions taken in Washington and Jerusalem.

The basing buys security bargain appears compromised when escalation decisions are made without broad consultation, and the costs land locally. The Gulf states are absorbing the wars sharpest second-order costs: direct retaliation risk, economic disruption and domestic political exposure. Analysts note that Gulf capitals tried to stay out of the war, yet are now becoming the battlefields front line because Irans most effective counter is to punish US hosts and energy chokepointsmaking their territory and infrastructure a coercive target set.

The conflict is creating a textbook opportunity for Russia and China. They can harvest strategic distraction, learning and legitimacy erosion without direct military exposure. In this sense, the war accelerates a key feature of the emerging order: challengers gain by forcing the US to spend resources and political capital in secondary theatres while they posture as would-be mediators and defenders of stability. The capitalisation is therefore more likely to be incremental and structural, undermining US coalition cohesion and narrative authority, rather than dramatic replacement events.

The most likely postwar Gulf architecture will not be the expulsion of the US forces, but a renegotiated bargain. Iran has little incentive to accept dictated terms. While the society is not clearly revolting against the regime, it still holds the Houthi card; wartime nationalism is being mobilised, and it still has coercive economic levers. When the war looks like a sovereignty/civilisation/existential fight, nothing is off the table, and the more Iran looks like Vietnam/Afghanistanendure, escalate asymmetrically and wait for coalition fatigue. The most plausible near-term trajectory is neither a quick victory nor a negotiated peace. It is a meandering coercive war with bounded kinetic strikes alongside persistent maritime/energy pressure and piecemeal deconfliction initiatives designed to reduce global economic fallout rather than resolve the underlying conflict. Signals already point to this as corridor proposals, joint statements focused on shipping, and rising pressure from noncombatant stakeholders to stabilise energy flows even while the fighting continues.

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.)
Indias hospital procurement leaders are no longer operating from the back office but are emerging as key decision-makers shaping clinical outcomes, technology adoption, and the countrys push for self-reliance in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

This transformation was the focus of multiple panel discussions at THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit in New Delhi, where industry experts discussed import dependence, hospital consolidation and the growing conflict between cost and care.

Breaking import addiction

The session on Breaking Import Addiction moderated by Ajish P. Joy, Senior News Editor, THE WEEK, focused on Indias continued dependence on imported medical technology and the need to build a stronger domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

Dr Venkatesan of the Max Group of Hospitals said India still imports nearly 80 per cent of high-end medical equipment and around 70 per cent of consumables, describing the situation as an import addiction that needs urgent attention.

What does it take to build a more efficient healthcare ecosystem in India?



At THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit, Dr Venkatesan N, Director & Chief Procurement Officer, Max Group of Hospitals, shares a sharp perspective on one of healthcares biggest dilemmas  pic.twitter.com/F51wzAidlN  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) March 21, 2026

While India became self-sufficient in basic supplies such as masks and syringes during the pandemic, dependence on imported high-end equipment and critical care devices continues.

Rakesh Aggarwal of the CARE Group of hospitals pointed to a major innovation gap between multinational and Indian manufacturers. He said global companies invest heavily in research, training and clinical validation, while many Indian companies focus on replication without adequate investment in research and development.

However, he added that hospitals are willing to adopt Indian products if quality, finishing, clinical confidence and after-sales service match global standards, even if the price difference is only 20-25 per cent.

Dr Neeraj Dhabhai of Rainbow Hospitals spoke about the trust gap among doctors who often prefer multinational brands due to familiarity and long-term usage. He suggested that closer collaboration between hospitals and Indian manufacturers, including co-development of devices and early exposure to indigenous products during medical training, could help bridge this gap.

The panel also highlighted Indias dependence on China for key starting materials used in pharmaceuticals, stressing that self-reliance must extend beyond devices to the pharmaceutical supply chain as well. The discussion concluded that procurement is no longer about cost-cutting alone, but about value-based, data-driven decision-making, focused on clinical outcomes and long-term reliability.

Procurement in the era of hospital consolidation

The second session, Role of Procurement in the World of Consolidations and PE Investments, moderated by Kanu Sarda, Senior Special Correspondent, THE WEEK, examined how hospital consolidation and private equity investments are changing procurement decision-making.

Dr Sheenu Jhawar, Promoter and Director, Apex Hospitals, said procurement is not just about negotiating prices but about balancing clinical needs, governance and cost. She emphasised that procurement teams must work closely with doctors, because the comfort of the clinician using a device is as important as the cost of the device. Price matters, she said, but value and cost-effectiveness must go together.

At THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit, Dr Sheenu Jhawar, Promoter & Director, Apex Hospitals, shares her perspective on the evolving role of technology and human expertise in healthcare.#HealthcareIndia #AIinHealthcare #HealthTech #HospitalManagement #Innovation pic.twitter.com/kzKas3j7o8  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) March 21, 2026

Vijay Roy, Group Purchase Head at Kauvery Hospital, linked procurement directly to patient expectations. He said patients today expect efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality treatment, and procurement teams are responsible for ensuring that hospitals have the right equipment and technology to deliver those outcomes.

Bidesh Chandra Paul, Group Head (Supply Chain Management), Fortis Group of Hospitals, highlighted the need for alignment between clinicians and procurement teams, especially as hospital networks expand and procurement decisions become more centralised.

He also noted that policy measures such as price capping, if implemented carefully, could encourage innovation and support domestic manufacturing.

The conflict between cost and care

The third session, The Conflict Between Cost and Care, moderated by Maijo Abraham, Senior Assistant News Editor, THE WEEK, focused on the day-to-day challenges procurement leaders face in balancing financial pressures with clinical requirements.

Pradeep Mishra of Yashoda Hospitals said procurement and supply chain departments handle a large portion of hospital expenditure, and must constantly balance cost pressures with clinical needs.

He stressed the importance of training nursing and clinical staff to use medical equipment properly and said long-term partnerships with suppliers are essential for maintaining quality and service support. He also pointed out that new technology must be compatible with existing hospital systems for smooth integration.

Madan Sampath, Chief Supply Officer and Vice President at HCG Hospitals, said the future of healthcare in India is bright but uneven, with Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities still lacking access to advanced technology and experienced doctors.

He said the focus should not just be on Made in India but on products that are Made for India, and designed for Indian conditions and affordability levels.

Neelesh Shinde, Group Chief Technical Officer and Head - Projects at Jupiter Hospitals, highlighted the importance of product certification, training and strong partnerships between hospitals and suppliers, saying that without proper training, even the best technology cannot deliver results.

Amit Mahajan, Group Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer at Sparsh Hospital, summed up the changing nature of the profession by saying that purchasing is transactional but procurement is strategic.

With technologies such as CT machines now integrated with AI and software, procurement decisions must increasingly be data-driven. He added that the healthcare sector needs a balanced mix of global and local technology.

Cost productivity is the oxygen we breathe, he said, highlighting the financial pressures hospitals operate under.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel on Saturday said India is working towards building a resilient and self-reliant medical devices sector, stressing that the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the countrys heavy dependence on imported high-end medical equipment.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

Speaking at the THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit, presented by Helmier, Patel said that while high-end medical devices are essential for modern health care, their high cost and import dependence remain a major challenge for Indias health care system.

During Covid, we realised that we were too dependent on imports. India needs a resilient system and our own indigenous system, she said, adding that the government is now focused on building an integrated ecosystem for medical device manufacturing in the country.

The minister highlighted the National Medical Devices Policy, which aims to promote innovation-led manufacturing and reduce import dependence. She said the government is encouraging innovation, research and entrepreneurship in the medical technology sector so that India can emerge as a global manufacturing hub for medical devices.

Patel also pointed to the establishment of medical devices parks in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which are expected to reduce manufacturing costs, strengthen supply chains and promote domestic production. Strengthening of medical devices is our motto. These schemes are bringing a lot of changes in the industry. The sector has much greater heights to touch, she said.

Emphasising collaboration, the minister said the government, industry and health care sector must work together to build a stronger healthcare ecosystem.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel lights the lamp at THE WEEK India Hospital Procurement Leaders Summit at New Delhi as Riyad Mathew, THE WEEK's Director and Chief Associate Editor, Yash Kaul, Co-founder and CEO, Helmier, and Amit Mahajan, Group Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer, Sparsh Hospital, and Venkatesan N., Director & Chief Procurement Officer, Max Group of Hospitals, look on | Sanjay Ahlawat

India has intent, skill and entrepreneurial strength. We should work together with coordinated and collaborative efforts for a better, stronger and healthier India, she said.

She also congratulated THE WEEK for bringing out the Health supplement and dedicating coverage to important issues such as antimicrobial resistance, saying that the issue needs wider awareness and policy attention.

Earlier, THE WEEK's Chief News Editor Stanley Thomas said that the mission of making life-saving equipment in India is both important and life-changing for the health care sector. He noted that the availability of quality equipment in hospitals not only improves treatment outcomes but also helps in faster discharge of patients.

He also acknowledged the contribution of Yash Kaul, Co-founder and CEO of Helmier, for supporting hospitals with critical equipment and contributing to the development of the medical equipment ecosystem in India.

THE WEEK's Delhi Bureau Chief Namrata Biji Ahuja said the summit aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of Indias health sector and hospital procurement landscape, and that the discussions would take forward many of the key issues highlighted by the minister and industry leaders.

The summit brought together hospital procurement leaders, policymakers and medical device manufacturers to discuss procurement, indigenous manufacturing and policy support, with a focus on affordability, innovation and self-reliance in health care technology.
The Delhi Police on Friday sealed the office of news agency United News of India (UNI) at 9 Rafi Marg for allegedly violating the conditions of its land allotment.

The move came a day after the Delhi High Court upheld the decision of the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to cancel the allotment of government land to UNI for the development of a composite office complex for media institutions.

UNI had failed to construct the office over the past 40 years, despite multiple reminders, in violation of the terms specified in the allotment letter. The L&DO, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, cancelled the allotment on March 29, 2023, after issuing a showcause notice on January 12 of the same year.

The news agency challenged the cancellation in court, but the high court rejected its claims that delays were due to financial constraints and pending approvals, clearing the way for authorities to take possession of the premises.

The court noted that despite multiple extensions, UNI did not finalise plans, enter agreements with co-allottees, or initiate development. It also cited UNIs admission of financial incapacity and lack of intent. The court found that the agency had committed a fundamental breach of the allotment conditions by failing to construct the building for more than four decades.

The land, measuring approximately 5,289.52 sq. metres at 9 Rafi Marg, is valued at an estimated Rs 409 crore at the prevailing indicative rate of Rs 7.74 lakh per sq. metre, highlighting the significant public value of the asset, PTI reported quoting officials.

Concerns over media freedom

In a post on X, the agency said the police action has raised serious concerns over press freedom. In a video shared on X, a woman journalist is seen allegedly being manhandled by police, causing her to lose balance and fall. The agency also claimed that some police personnel were intoxicated while on duty.

The current owner of UNI, Statesman, condemned the action in a post on X, stating that employees were not given adequate time to collect their belongings or hear from management. Statesman described the incident as an unprecedented atrocity and attack on media freedom in India, adding that the police operation at the Rafi Marg office resembled a forceful anti-terror operation.

Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P. Sandosh Kumar condemned the sealing of the UNI office and called it an assault on press freedom.

"The forcible takeover of the Rafi Marg office of United News of India (UNI)the oldest news agency in the countryby the Delhi Police is a grave and unprecedented assault on press freedom," Kumar said.

"Journalists were dragged and manhandled; even women journalists were not spared. The employees were denied the basic opportunity to collect their belongings or hear from the management. The entire operation was carried out with shocking disregard for legality, dignity and democratic norms," he alleged.
With election heat building up in Kerala, the CPI(M) is pushing the narrative that both the Congress and the BJP have played equal roles in causing the energy crisis currently faced by the country. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the policies adopted by successive Union governments, led by the Congress and the BJP, which aligned with American interests, have contributed to the severe energy crisis India is currently facing. The war situation in West Asia has further aggravated this crisis, pushing the countrys energy security into uncertainty, he said.

The chief minister also said that the decision in 2006 to withdraw from the IndiaIran gas pipeline project was a historic mistake that ignored the countrys long-term interests.

The CPI(M) has, on various occasions, criticised Union governments for abandoning the ambitious Iran-India gas pipeline project. Back in 2007after India voted against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency, siding with the USthe CPI(M) had demanded that the Government of India repair ties with Iran. The party had also asked the then UPA government to review its shortsighted and harmful policy towards Iran.

Reiterating this position, Vijayan said that the gas pipeline project was abandoned under American pressure. It was solely because he supported the IndiaIran gas pipeline that the then Union Petroleum Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, was removed from his post in 2006 by the Congress leadership, he said.

Notably, Aiyar, who is closer to the CPI(M) leadership, recently praised the chief minister and said that Vijayan would return to power once again.

The chief minister alleged that pro-corporate interests influenced the UPA governments decision to replace Aiyar. The Congress replaced Aiyar with Murli Deora, who was seen as being close to corporate interests, as Petroleum Minister. The subsequent policy shifts did not strengthen Indias energy self-reliance but instead paved the way for a corporate-centric approach, he said.

Vijayan added that the current BJP government has also given disproportionate importance and concessions to a private energy company. It has also emerged that a new oil refining approval in the United Statesgranted after decadeshas gone to an Indian private company. Even in the matter of purchasing oil from Russia, India appears to be yielding to American pressure. This reflects a policy approach that prioritises corporate and international alignments over national interests, he said.

He further noted that excessive dependence on international markets has resulted in rising fuel prices and supply uncertainties. Service sectors, including hotels, are facing serious impacts. Even in such a grave situation, the lack of proactive measures by the central governmentsuch as increasing strategic reserves, strengthening domestic production, or ensuring diversified energy sourcesis deeply concerning, he added.

Congress alleges BJP-CPI(M) nexus

Meanwhile, the Congress leadership has alleged adjustment politics between the CPI(M) and the BJP in Kerala. Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan has triggered controversy by making such a claim, citing the CPI(M)s candidate selection in the Palakkad constituency, where the contest is primarily between the BJP and the UDF.

In a TV interview, Satheesan said the CPI(M) fielded its candidate, N.M.R. Razaka businessman from a minority communityto split the UDF vote base and thereby help the BJP, which has fielded its firebrand candidate, Sobha Surendran. He also suggested that, in return, the BJP could help the CPI(M) in around ten seats. The Opposition leader further alleged that in several other constituencies, the BJP-led NDA has fielded weak candidates to benefit the CPI(M). Meanwhile, the BJP has rejected these allegations, suggesting that the Opposition leaders claims are a pre-emptive excuse for a potential UDF loss in Palakkad.
What seemed like a golden opportunity for a better life abroad turned into a terrifying ordeal for a Bhopal resident, exposing the harsh reality of fake overseas job offers and a growing form of exploitation often referred to as cyber slavery.

Jitendra Ahirwar, a resident of Bhopal, was approached by an acquaintance who presented himself as a recruitment agent. He promised Ahirwar a well-paying data entry job overseas. Trusting the offer and hoping to secure a brighter future, Ahirwar agreed. The process appeared convincingan interview was conducted over Telegram, and soon after, he was sent a flight ticket to Thailand.

Ahirwar was received by associates of the agent and taken towards the ThailandMyanmar border. From there, he was forced to cross into Myanmar illegally and was subsequently sold to cyber fraud operators.

In Myanmar, Ahirwar was held captive under harsh conditions. He was physically assaulted, threatened, and forced to carry out online scam activities. Cut off from his family and trapped in a foreign land, he endured days of fear and helplessness before being rescued by the Myanmar Army. He was later sent back to Thailand and eventually deported to India.

After returning home, Ahirwar filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime and High-Tech Police Station in Bhopal on December 6, 2025. Acting swiftly, the cyber police launched an investigation that uncovered a larger, organised network involved in luring individuals with fake job offers, trafficking them across borders, and forcing them into cybercrime operations.

Using technical analysis and digital tracking, the police arrested Mohammad Faiz Akram (32) from Bihars Jamui district. Another accused, Mohit Agrawal (30), was later apprehended at New Delhi airport upon his return from abroad. Officials recovered electronic devices and documents linking them to the racket, which operated by advertising high-paying jobs and illegally transporting victims to Myanmar, where they were exploited.

Police officials say the case highlights a dangerous trend where cybercrime is no longer limited to financial fraud but is increasingly linked with human trafficking and forced labour.

In a similar case in Andhra Pradesh, the Visakhapatnam Cyber Crime Police arrested one Bongu Murali for allegedly trafficking unemployed youth abroad under the guise of lucrative job offers. Murali operated an institute named Kanaka Durga, and lured victims with promises of overseas data entry jobs. He allegedly sent them to Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand, where they were forced to work for cyber scam networks.

Murali is already being investigated in nine cases, including offences like cheating, where police officials revealed that Murali confessed to collecting money from job seekers, arranging flight tickets, and facilitating their transfer to scam companies abroad. The police issued a lookout circular against him.

The cases have prompted cybersecurity officials to launch drives to create awareness among job seekers to go through registered agents with the ministry of external affairs if they are applying for jobs abroad.
Condemning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces and the attacks on commercial vessels as well as oil and gas facilities in the region, over 20 countries have expressed their willingness to help contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait.

While the strait is not officially shut, it continues to be heavily disrupted and highly volatile amid the ongoing conflict.

In a joint statement issued by the UAE ministry of foreign affairs, leaders of the UAE, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia, expressed their deep concern about the escalating conflict, signaling the growing global anxiety over Hormuz.

The statement comes even as the conflict has shown no signs of abating amid the mixed signals sent by the US and Israel. While Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said attacks against Iran will "increase significantly" in the coming week, US President Donald Trump had said he was considering "winding down" military operations.

"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 read.

They urged 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.

"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."

The countries emphasised that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security, and demanded an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.

"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 statement read, adding, "We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security."
As the conflict in the Middle East is raging with US President Donald Trump ruling out a ceasefire, Iran has hinted at expanding its retaliatory strikes by targeting the tourist sites across the world.

General Abolfazl Shekarchi, Irans top military spokesman, cautioned that parks, recreational areas, and tourist destinations worldwide would not be safe for Irans enemies, according to the Associated Press. The warning has fueled concerns that Tehran could employ asymmetric attacks outside the Middle East as a pressure tactic, as the war enters its fourth week.

Iran has already focused its attacks on energy sites and infrastructure in neighboring Gulf countries hosting US military bases, using missiles and drones. Ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz remain heavily disrupted, driving global oil prices to record highs since the conflict began on February 28, following a joint US-Israel airstrike in Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, in a social media post on Friday, Trump suggested the US was considering winding down military operations in the regiona statement that seemed at odds with reports that his administration is bolstering its forces in the region. The US is reportedly deploying three additional amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 Marines to the Middle East.

At a White House briefing, however, Trump made clear that a ceasefire is not on the table, stating that both the US and Israel seek victory. He said, We can have dialogue, but I dont want to do a ceasefire. You dont do a ceasefire when youre literally obliterating the other side were not looking to do that.

Trump has ruled out sending ground troops into Iran but emphasised that all military options remain on the table.

Addressing security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump suggested that countries dependent on the vital shipping route should take primary responsibility.

The Strait of Hormuz will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by the nations that use it. The United States does not, he said, adding that the US would provide assistance if requested.
The United States is said to be openly exploring a blockade, occupation or even the destruction of Kharg Island as a central strategy in the escalating war with Iran. According to multiple American news outlets, President Donald Trump has placed the island at the centre of his military calculations in a bid to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where repeated Iranian attacks on commercial shipping have severely disrupted global energy flows.

The consequences are already visible. Oil prices have surged above $110 a barrel, triggering what analysts describe as one of the most serious supply disruptions in modern history. The administration had earlier attempted to bring prices down through diplomacy, including easing pressure on Russian exports and quietly allowing Iranian oil to continue reaching India and China. Yesterday, the US even lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea. Those efforts have failed to stabilise the market, leaving Washington increasingly inclined towards a more aggressive strategy.

Despite its small size, Kharg Island occupies an outsized role in Irans economy and energy strategy. The island is little more than a coral outcrop of about 20 square kilometres, roughly one-third the size of Manhattan. Yet before the war it handled close to 90 per cent of Irans crude oil exports. Its importance lies not only in its infrastructure but also in its geography. Unlike much of Irans shallow Persian Gulf coastline, Kharg is surrounded by deep waters that allow the worlds largest supertankers to dock directly at its terminals.

Over decades, Iran has built an extensive network of storage tanks, pipelines and loading facilities on the island. At its peak, the system could load up to ten supertankers simultaneously, making it one of the most efficient export hubs in the region. Much of this oil has continued to reach China through a vast shadow fleet of tankers operating outside the formal global system. The revenue from these exports is believed to fund a large share of Irans government spending, making Kharg not just an energy asset but a financial lifeline for the regime.

Against this backdrop, the Trump administration is reportedly examining three main options. The first is a naval blockade designed to cut off Irans ability to use the island. The second is a limited ground invasion to seize control of the facilities. The third is the most drastic: a targeted destruction of the islands oil infrastructure.

Preparations for a possible coastal operation are already under way. The Pentagon has deployed additional forces to the region, and more, including Marine expeditionary units and amphibious assault ships, are on their way. Military planners are believed to be considering a phased strategy in which a sustained air campaign would first weaken Iranian defences before any ground troops land. Earlier this month, US aircraft carried out a precision bombing raid on the island that struck dozens of Iranian military targets while deliberately avoiding the oil infrastructure itself.

That restraint may not last. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the islands pipeline network could be destroyed with relative ease. If the pipelines and storage systems were wiped out, Iran could lose its main source of revenue for years.

Yet many military analysts believe such a move would come with enormous risks. Khargs destruction would remove up to two million barrels of oil from the market, and the shock could push prices perhaps beyond $200 per barrel. There is also the possibility of mass casualties of American soldiers as Kharg is a small, confined space packed with highly flammable infrastructure.

Moreover, even if the United States captured the island, it might not immediately lead to the opening up of the Strait of Hormuz. Seizing it would not automatically prevent Iran from attacking shipping or mining the waters of the strait. Over the past few years, Tehran has also invested heavily in alternative export routes, including smaller Gulf ports that can still send oil to Asia. In other words, destroying Kharg might hurt Iran, but it may not break its ability to wage economic warfare.
Iran has launched two ballistic missiles towards the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, neither of the missiles struck the base as they were intercepted. However, one missile failed mid-flight, and the other was engaged by an interceptor launched from a US warship.

It is unclear if there were any damages caused to the flights stationed at the base or whether the warship was hit.

It is believed that the target was the military base, which they failed to hit.

Located 4,000 km from Irans borders, this new operational range represents a formidable leap in Tehran's military reach. The advancement suggests that Iran now possesses the capability to target European bases, a development that fundamentally alters the security calculus for the continent.

The Pentagon is yet to respond to the firing.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Manish Tewari said in a post on X that if the reports are true, then Iran has just widened the war and sent a very clear message towards the West while striking South.

If reports are correct that Iran attempted to hit the Island of Diego Garcia deep in the Central Indian Ocean



Then Iran has just widened the war and sent a very clear message towards the West while striking South https://t.co/s5prPgp9JQ  Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) March 21, 2026

Recently, UK allowed the US to use its air bases for attacks amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Iran's foreign minister has warned UK and urged them to cease any cooperation with the US.

A US submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena with a heavyweight torpedo south of Sri Lanka, marking the first major naval engagement of the war in the Indian Ocean. The strike, which targeted the vessel as it returned from a multinational exercise, resulted in at least 85 fatalities, raising significant questions regarding the legality of attacking a ship not actively engaged in hostilities.

Diego Garcia, which served as a critical staging hub for past conflicts in the Middle East, is once again at the centre of a regional theatre. It stands as one of two British facilities facilitating U.S. strikes against Iran, operations that the UK government maintains are purely 'defensive' in nature.

While Britain has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, the deal includes a critical 99-year leaseback for the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. However, US President Donald Trump has expressed formal opposition to the handover, citing concerns over the long-term security and operational integrity of the archipelago's largest strategic installation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on bringing peace and stability to the Gulf, as the war between Tehran and US-Israel forces turns three weeks old.

Offering him Eid and Nowruz (Persian New Year) greetings, PM Modi also (in general) condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, saying that these "threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains".

"Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure," he added in an X post.

Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.



Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2026

This marks the second telephonic conversation between the top leaders of the two nations since the beginning of the war on February 28.

This is in addition to a number of high-level diplomatic talks between the two nations, which led to the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Jag Laadki becoming the fourth vessel to safely cross the embattled Hormuz Strait and reach Indian shoresafter the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Shenlong, and two Indian-flagged LPG tankers Shivalik and Nanda Devi.

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

Two more Indian-flagged LPG tankersthe Pine Gas and Jag Vasantanchored near Sharjah, ship-tracking data showed.

Meanwhile, the war seems to show no signs of stopping yet, as Iran continues to retaliate strongly against US-Israel forces. Its latest offensive was against the joint US-UK military base of Diego Garciaone of its farthest-reaching attacks so far.

This comes after Iran claimed that Natanz, one of its nuclear facilities struck by bunker-buster bombs during the 12-day conflict between Tehran and US-Israel forces, had been struck again.

The US, on the other hand, is seen as slowly diverging from Israel in terms of war objectives, with US President Donald Trump on Friday discussing the possibility of "winding down" as its objectives in the war are nearly complete. Israel, however, has made no indication its war objectives were complete.

I dont want to do a ceasefire. You know you dont do a ceasefire when youre literally obliterating the other side," he said at the White House on Friday.
Imagine throwing your old, broken phone out of the window and just leaving it there, floating in the air forever. Sounds strange, right? Well, something very similar is happening hundreds of kilometres above our heads except instead of phones, we are talking about dead satellites and rocket parts silently drifting in space. And India is a part of this growing problem.

In a written reply given in the Lok Sabha, Union Science and Technology and Space Minister Dr Jitendra Singh confirmed that India currently has 129 trackable pieces of space debris orbiting the earth. Out of these, 49 are non-functional satellites, meaning they were once launched with a purpose, did their job, and now simply hang in space with no way to steer, no power, and no use. Think of them as abandoned vehicles parked on a busy highway, except this highway is outer space, and there is no traffic police up there.

Of these 49 dead satellites, 23 are in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the zone roughly 200 to 2,000 kilometres above earth, where most communication and weather satellites operate. The remaining 26 are in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), which sits about 36,000 kilometres above the equator. This is where satellites stay fixed over one spot on earth, commonly used for television broadcasting and weather forecasting. Having dead satellites in both these zones is a serious concern because these are the most active and crowded areas in space.

The remaining 80 pieces of debris include 40 rocket parts from India's workhorse rocket PSLV, 4 from GSLV, and 3 from the heavier LVM3 rocket. On top of that, there are 33 fragments that broke off from a PSLV-C3 rocket stage that fell apart in orbit. These fragments are especially dangerous because they are irregular in shape and difficult to track precisely.

Now, why should a common person on the ground care about all this?

Space debris travels at roughly 10 kilometres per second. That is about 36,000 kilometres per hour. At that speed, even a small screw or a paint flake can punch through a working satellite like a bullet. When a working satellite gets damaged or destroyed this way, it creates even more debris, which then threatens more satellites. This chain reaction is called the Kessler Syndrome, and if it goes unchecked, entire orbits could become unusable. That means no GPS on your phone, no weather forecasts on your television, no satellite internet, things that millions of Indians now depend on every single day, explained space analyst Girish Linganna.

To tackle this, the Indian government launched the Debris Free Space Mission, or DFSM, in 2024. The target is bold and clear: zero space debris from all Indian space activities by the year 2030. This applies to both government missions and private space companies operating under India's growing space sector.

ISRO has already started building new design rules where rockets and satellites must carry extra fuel. This extra fuel is used at the end of a satellite's life to push it into a disposal orbit or bring it back into earth's atmosphere, where it burns up safely. Simple logic: clean up after yourself.

A big step forward came in early 2025 when India successfully demonstrated the SpaDeX mission. In this mission, two small spacecraft automatically docked and separated from each other in orbit without any human directly controlling them at that moment. This is a crucial technology because future debris-removal missions will need spacecraft to approach, grab, and redirect dead satellites without a human sitting inside. Think of it as teaching a robot to catch a moving ball while both are floating in zero gravity.

Scientists are also developing robotic arms that can reach out and grab space junk, as well as drag sails and tethers that can slow debris down so it falls back into the atmosphere and burns up. Meanwhile, Project Netra India's own space surveillance system keeps a constant watch on all these floating objects and sends collision warnings to operators of active satellites. It is essentially India's radar system for space traffic, added Linganna.

The road ahead is not easy. With only a few years left until 2030, India must move quickly from planning to real action. Every new launch must follow stricter debris-free rules. Every old satellite must be accounted for. And international cooperation will be just as important, because space does not belong to one country alone.
Amid the ongoing Iran-US war and the rising tensions in the Middle East, media reports surfaced claiming Russia offered to stop sharing intelligence with Iran if the US ceased its supply to Ukraine. Moscow has denied the reports, calling them "FAKE".

The report in Politico, a US media firm, claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev had made a proposal about not sharing intel during a meeting with Trump administration envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami last week.

The US, which has been sharing intelligence with Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, rejected the proposal, the report added.

Refuting the claims, Dmitriev responded to the report as "FAKE".

Meanwhile, Republican lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna slammed Politico, a "mouthpiece for the pro-war machine in Ukraine."

Since the war with Iran began, the US has been accusing Russia of supplying intelligence to Tehran. The Washington Post had reported that Russia had passed sensitive intelligence, including the US warships' locations and aircraft in the Middle East, to Iran.

The Kremlin had denied the report.

During the war with Ukraine, Iran has been one of Russia's main allies. Reportedly, Iran had supplied Moscow with drones to fire on Ukrainian cities.

US President Donald Trump has said that it was inconsequential if Russia had provided Iran with information to help Iran target US military facilities and personnel.

He had told reporters last week that, "if you take a look at what's happened to Iran in the last week, if they're getting information, it's not helping them much."
Iran fired multiple barrages of missiles at the southern Israeli city of Dimona on Shabbos, and another three consecutive barrages on Motzei Shabbos. One of the missiles scored a direct hit on a building, injuring at least 51 people, including a 12-year-old boy in serious condition.

A 30-year-old woman was moderately injured, and most of the other victims are in light condition after being injured by shrapnel, or falling while running to shelter, or suffering from shock.

At least 12 impact sites in the city were reported, with heavy damage to buildings and infrastructure.

The IDF said that it is investigating the interception failure.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Irans state-affiliated Tasnim news agency said that the launches at Dimona were to avenge the attack on the Natanz uranium enrichment site earlier on Shabbos and a previously reported attack at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. However, Israel denied any involvement in the Natanz strike. According to Israeli mediia reports, US forces attacked the site with bunker buster bombs.

This is a developing story.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
NEW ORLEANS, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until April 13, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. ("Kyndryl" or the "Company") (NYSE: KD), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between August 1, 2024 and February 9, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

Get Help

Kyndryl investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-kd/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuits

Kyndryl and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On February 9, 2026, the Company disclosed that it would be unable to timely file its Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 and that "the Company anticipates reporting material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting for the period covered in the Quarterly Report, as well as for the full fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, and the first two fiscal quarters of fiscal year 2026, which are expected to include, but may not be limited to, the effectiveness and strength of certain functions at the Company, including with respect to controls related to information and communication and tone at the top," as well as the departure of its C.F.O and General Counsel. On this news, the price of Kyndryl's shares fell $12.90 per share, or 55%, to close at $10.59 on February 9, 2026.

The first-filed case is Brander v. Kyndryl Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 26-cv-00782. A subsequently filed case, Westchester Putnam Counties Heavy & Highway Laborers Local 60 Benefit Funds v. Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. et al., No. 26-cv-02211, expanded the class period.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

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Amidst the evolving situation in the Middle East region, Air Mauritius is committed to supporting the Mauritian tourism ecosystem by providing extra connectivity for visitors and for Mauritian citizens.

To meet further demand on the Paris route, in addition to its daily non-stop operations, Air Mauritius will operate two supplementary non-stop flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle in April 2026.

These two supplementary services, added to the four additional flights already announced on 11 March 2026, represent a total capacity of more than 3600 seats on the Paris route in code share with Air France, and will provide passengers with greater travel options while ensuring continuity and resilience across the airlines European operations.



Air Mauritius will continue to closely monitor the global aviation environment and adjust its operations where necessary to best serve its customers and the Republic of Mauritius while offering safe, reliable, and convenient travel for its passengers.
The United States has downgraded Venezuela's travel advisory from Level 4 to Level 3.

This means that Venezuela is no longer under the "Do Not Travel" list, and the advisory is now "Reconsider Travel."

Venezuela Now at Level 3 of US Travel Advisory

According to the US Department of State, Level 3 or "Reconsider Travel" for Venezuela means tourists should reconsider travel "due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure."

The State Department, however, notes that some areas have increased risk and has a "do not travel" advisory for the following:

Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism

Amazonas state due to the risk of terrorism

Apure state due to risk of terrorism

Aragua state outside of Maracay due to the risk of crime and kidnapping

Bolivar state rural areas due to the risk of crime and kidnapping

Guarico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping

Tachira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism

According to TravelPulse, the change in travel advisory comes after the US Department of Transportation approved flights to operate between Miami and Venezuela's Caracas and Maracaibo.

Other Countries Under Level 3

It should be noted that travel advisories change depending on the destination's current safety situation. As of press time, the following are also under Level 3 along with Venezuela:
Premium Georgia sees strong export growth to Uzbekistan in early 2026

Photo: National Statistics Committee

Georgia sees growth in exports to Uzbekistan, keeping the country among its top trading partners, as overall Georgian exports rise significantly in the early months of the year.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 21. Tajikistan and India have discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the energy sector, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan.

The issue was reviewed during a meeting between Tajikistans Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma and Indias Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar on the sidelines of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in New Delhi, which runs through March 22.

During the discussions, the parties engaged in dialogue regarding the existing framework of collaboration and the potential avenues for enhancing synergies within the energy domain.



Focused efforts were directed towards the execution of collaborative initiatives, the sharing of expertise, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies designed to promote the sustainable advancement of the sector.

Tajikistan and India have strong and expanding economic ties, particularly in development, energy, and healthcare, despite a relatively modest total bilateral trade volume. India supplies about 25% of Tajikistan's pharmaceutical market and exports tea, coffee, medical equipment, machinery, and sugar. Tajikistan mainly exports agricultural goods, aluminum, and minerals to India.

Indian investments exceed a million dollars, with key projects including the CHL Limited Sheraton Hotel in Dushanbe and the Varzob-1 hydroelectric power plant modernization. Both countries aim to enhance collaboration in IT, renewable energy, mining, agriculture, and construction, along with utilizing regional transport corridors like the Chabahar Port route to enhance trade.

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Premium Azerbaijan opens tender for internal irrigation system in Zangilan's Aghali

Azerbaijans Agroservice OJSC has announced a tender for construction works to develop an internal irrigation system as part of a pilot project in Aghali village, Zangilan district. Interested companies are invited to submit proposals by the specified deadline, with submissions to be opened on the same day.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 21. Italys Saipem announced that it has been awarded a new urea license agreement by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) for the construction of a fertilizer plant in Turkmenistan, Trend reports via the company.

According to the statement, the planned urea unit will have a production capacity of 3,500 tonnes per day and will be designed in line with high standards of efficiency, reliability, and safety.

The project follows the implementation of the Garabogazkarbamid plant, commissioned in 2018 in Garabogaz, Turkmenistan. The facility was developed with the participation of Mitsubishi and Gap Insaat Yatirim ve Dis Ticaret A.S., while Saipem supplied the Snamprogetti Urea technology under a contract awarded by MHI in 2014.

The new agreement is part of the ongoing industrial cooperation between Saipem and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which includes joint projects in several technological areas.
Flight MK059, operating from Geneva to Mauritius on Friday, 20 March 2026, was diverted to Algiers following a medical emergency involving a passenger.

The passenger, a Mauritian national travelling alone, was disembarked and attended to by the relevant authorities upon arrival at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers.

Following the completion of all required formalities, the flight departed Algiers at 05:07 (Mauritian time) and is now expected to arrive at SSR International Airport at 15:15 (Mauritian time) today, Saturday 21 March 2026.

Air Mauritius extends its best wishes to the passenger for a swift recovery and reiterates that the safety and security of its passengers and team members remain its highest priority.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has outlined urgent actions that governments, businesses, and households can take to reduce the economic impact of oil market disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Trend reports.

The war has triggered the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuznormally carrying around 20% of global oilseverely constrained. Roughly 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and oil products usually transit the Strait. The disruption has driven crude prices above $100 per barrel and sharply increased costs for refined products such as diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Restoring Strait of Hormuz transit remains crucial to stabilising energy markets. Meanwhile, countries are acting on both supply and demand. On 11 March, IEA members agreed to release 400 million barrels from emergency reservesthe largest draw in the Agencys history. Yet supply-side measures alone cannot fully offset the disruption, making demand reduction an immediate tool to improve affordability and energy security.

The IEA report identifies ten practical measures, focusing on road transportwhich accounts for 45% of global oil demandas well as aviation, cooking, and industry. Measures include working from home, reducing highway speed limits, promoting public transport, car-sharing, alternating private vehicle access in large cities, and improving freight efficiency.

Other recommended actions include reducing air travel where alternatives exist, shifting LPG from transport to essential uses such as cooking, adopting cleaner cooking solutions, and switching industrial feedstocks to free up constrained fuels.

The Middle East conflict is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in global oil market history, said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. This report provides a menu of immediate demand-side measures that have been proven effective, helping governments, businesses, and households reduce pressure on consumers while supporting energy security.

Governments can lead through public sector initiatives, targeted incentives, and regulatory measures, ensuring support reaches those most in need. While these demand-side measures cannot fully replace lost supply, they can meaningfully lower consumer costs, reduce market stress, and preserve fuel for essential uses until normal flows resume.

The IEA also reviewed all demand-related measures implemented by governments since the crisis began, noting that many countries are already acting to protect consumers through conservation and financial support.

Ten Immediate Measures Highlighted by IEA:

- Work from home where possible

- Reduce highway speed limits by 10 km/h

- Promote public transport use

- Alternate private car access in large cities

- Increase car-sharing and eco-driving

- Improve efficiency for commercial road vehicles

- Divert LPG from transport to essential uses

- Avoid air travel where alternatives exist

- Adopt modern cooking solutions

- Optimise industrial feedstocks and implement short-term efficiency measures
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group provided 366 million in new financing to Slovenia in 2025, supporting road upgrades, business growth, and technological innovation, Trend reports via the Bank.

The total includes 227 million from the EIB and 139 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), which primarily supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Separately, the EIB channelled 6 million last year to Slovenia from the European Unions Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), an EU economic-stimulus initiative established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key projects in Slovenia in 2025 included a 120 million EIB loan to the national motorway company DARS for a bypass near Novo Mesto in the southeast, a project expected to improve traffic flow and road safety near the Croatian border. The EIB also provided a 100 million guarantee to UniCredit Banka Slovenija to facilitate loans for mid-cap companies and their job-creating initiatives nationwide.

We are supporting projects of vital importance for Slovenia  from safer and greener transport to enhancing the competitiveness of local companies, said EIB Vice-President Marek Mora. Our activities ensure Slovenians have jobs, a higher quality of life, and benefit from sustainable development of the Slovenian economy.

EIB Group financing in Slovenia rose from 319 million in 2024. Over the past five years, the EIB Group has provided more than 1.4 billion in financing to the country.

The EIF reinforced Slovenias innovation and SME ecosystem in 2025 through a combination of equity and guarantees. Its flagship initiative, the Slovene Growth Equity Investment Program (SEGIP), totals 220 million and is co-funded with SID Banka. SEGIP supports growth equity, early-stage ventures, technology transfer, and succession financing.

EIF-backed initiatives have supported companies such as Chipolo, which develops Bluetooth item trackers, and SharpEdge, a high-end Japanese kitchen knife producer.

Beyond financing, the EIB Groups advisory services assisted Slovenian authorities in preparing investment projects in sustainable flood management, climate adaptation, and sustainable transport and energy. These efforts strengthened institutional capacity and aligned project pipelines with the countrys energy and climate priorities.

Advisory assignments in 2025 also focused on accelerating strategic investments and optimising the use of EU and EIB Group financing instruments.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, owned by the 27 EU member states, is one of the worlds largest multilateral development banks. In 2025, it signed 100 billion in new financing and advisory services for over 870 high-impact projects across eight core priorities: climate action and the environment, digitalization and technological innovation, security and defence, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships, and the savings and investment union.

Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure, the EIB Group mobilizes private investment for high-risk innovative projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europes venture debt, venture capital, guarantees, and securitization markets.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 21. Chairperson of the Mazhilis Committee on International Affairs, Defense, and Security of Kazakhstan Aigul Kuspan and Ambassador of Iran to Kazakhstan Ali Akbar Joukar discuss interparliamentary cooperation, Trend reports via the Mazhilis.

During the meeting, Kuspan pointed out that Iran stands out as a good neighbor of Kazakhstan in the Caspian region and plays a significant role as a trade and economic partner. She noted that interparliamentary dialogue between the two countries has been developing steadily.

In turn, the Iranian diplomat briefed the Kazakh side on the current situation in Iran. The Kazakh side expressed deep condolences over the tragic events in the country that led to the loss of civilian lives and members of the leadership.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to step up their interparliamentary cooperation and broaden their collaboration in key areas.

According to the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $430.245 million in 2025, with Kazakh exports to Iran reaching $239.274 million and import totaling $190.971 million.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 21. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed to accelerate the construction of a gas-fired power plant in the Turkestan region, Trend reports via the presidential administration.

He made the statement while addressing the public in the region.

Significant funds have been allocated for the modernization of the Kentau CHP, which has not been renovated for over 70 years. Another important issue is the need to speed up the construction of a gas-fired power plant in the region, which has been delayed. I instruct the government and Samruk-Kazyna to take strict control over this situation, Tokayev said.

According to the president, the regions economy grew by around 14% last year, with positive dynamics observed across all sectors. Tax revenues exceeded 1 trillion tenge ($2 billion) for the first time, and 1.7 trillion tenge ($3.5 billion) in investments were attracted to the region.

Tokayev pointed out that the government has indicated that most settlements are set up with access to clean drinking water, though some problems still pop up in certain areas.

"The relevant ministry, together with the local akimat, must resolve all problems promptly," Tokayev delineated.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The Israeli army is striking targets in the Iranian capital, the Israeli army said in a statement, Trend reports.

Following the attacks on Beirut, the IDF is reportedly striking targets in Tehran.

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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran does not seek war or conflict with its neighbors, Trend reports.

"Addressing Islamic countries and our dear neighbors: you are our brothers, and we do not seek conflict with you," Pezeshkian noted in a post on his X account.

According to the Iranian president, destabilizing the situation and maintaining discord between Middle Eastern states is solely in Israel's interests. Pezeshkian called on regional capitals to strengthen unity to prevent external interference.

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 21. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been informed by Iran about an attack on the Natanz nuclear facility, Trend reports.

According to the IAEA, no increase in off-site radiation levels has been recorded following the reported incident.

The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report, the statement of the organisation on X said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also reiterated his call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran over the nuclear program, the US and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and US military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 13 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Iran launched a pair of ballistic missiles targeting the UK-U.S. military base located on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean, Trend reports.

The missiles failed to reach their targets.

The U.S. armed forces deployed an SM-3 interceptor to neutralize one of the incoming projectiles. The current status of the target's destruction remains ambiguous.



The installation is situated roughly 4,000 kilometers from the borders of Iran.

Diego Garcia, a UK overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, is considered a strategically important hub for the U.S. armed forces. Long-range bombers, submarines, and guided-missile destroyers are stationed there.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. U.S. President Donald Trump is not inclined to a ceasefire in Iran, Donald Trump told reporters, Trend reports.

"I don't need a truce," he said.

According to him, a ceasefire is not required when one of the sides is destroyed.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States (U.S.) and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 8 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) the continents leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced that the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) has made an equity investment in the Corporation, becoming a sovereign shareholder and further strengthening AFCs diversified capital base and pan-African ownership structure.

The investment reflects growing sovereign confidence in AFCs mandate to mobilise long-term capital for critical infrastructure and industrial development projects across Africa. It also reinforces the Corporations strong institutional positioning following its recent A (Positive Outlook) credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, which highlighted AFCs robust capital structure, strong shareholder support, and consistent track record of delivering transformational projects across the continent.

The addition of the Bank of Tanzania further enhances AFCs shareholder diversification strategy, deepening participation from African sovereign institutions and central banks, while reinforcing the Corporations role as a trusted partner for governments seeking to accelerate economic transformation through infrastructure-led growth.

The investment comes at a time when African economies are witnessing rising demand for development capital to support industrialisation, energy transition, logistics connectivity, and value-added manufacturing. AFCs model, anchored on strong sovereign backing and access to global capital markets, continues to position the Corporation as a critical channel for directing capital into high-impact, bankable projects across Africa.

In Tanzania, AFC remains committed to scaling its support through sovereign financing and financial institution partnerships that support national development priorities. These include sovereign budget support facilities to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, as well as trade finance lines to local financial institutions to strengthen liquidity, facilitate trade, and support private sector activity. These investments will solidify AFCs continued partnership with Tanzania in advancing economic stability and enabling long-term infrastructure and industrial development.

Commenting on the equity investment, Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, said: We are honoured by this decision and value it as a strong vote of confidence in AFCs mandate and track record. BOTs commitment reinforces the strategic importance of African-led institutions that can mobilise long-term capital at scale for bankable infrastructure and industrialisation projects across the continent.

He added:

The Bank of Tanzanias investment further strengthens our sovereign shareholder base and reflects the growing recognition of AFC as a reliable partner in bridging Africas infrastructure gap and fostering sustainable development across the continent. We look forward to deepening our engagement in Tanzania and supporting priority sectors that drive industrial growth, regional integration, and long-term economic resilience.

H.E. Emmanuel Tutuba, Governor of the Bank of Tanzania, said: Africa Finance Corporation has demonstrated a strong track record in mobilising long-term capital for infrastructure and industrial development across the continent. Our investment reflects confidence in AFCs model and aligns with Tanzanias priorities to strengthen economic resilience, support private sector growth, and advance sustainable development through strategic partnerships.

Through its expanding shareholder base and strong sovereign partnerships, AFC continues to advance its strategy of mobilising domestic and international capital into Africas most critical infrastructure assets, supporting sustainable economic growth and enhancing the continents competitiveness in global value chains.
Bearcats have been creating whats next for over 200 years.

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Interested in learning more about becoming a Bearcat? The University of Cincinnati offers more than 300 top-ranked academic programs and experiential learning opportunities through internships and co-op. Meaning a Cincinnati education is worth it.
Eco-crusaders have alleged that the 1.37 lakh mangroves planted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in the Bhayandar reserved forest area are dying just three months afte the plantation was carried out in December 2025. These mangroves were planted to compensate for the felling of 46,675 trees that is supposed to take place on 103 hectares of land for the construction of the Versova-Dahisar Coastal Road. Environmentalist Dhiraj Parab, who visited the Bhayandar forest area in February, confirmed that hed found the trees to be dying. The land chosed for the compensatory plantation was already a reserved mangrove forest, which also has grass and marshy land. This stretch is part of the wetland ecosystem and the feeding zone for birds. The plantation drive can disturb this ecosystem, he said, adding that he had complained verbally to the forest department and will soon file a complaint with the BMC. Stalin D, director of the green NGO Vanashakti and a petitioner against mangrove cutting for the project, said, I have visited the spot in Bhayandar where it is claimed that mangrove plantation had taken place. I am sure no plantation was done there. The spot is not suitable for new plantation. They have claimed a 95 per cent survival rate for mangroves. We visited at high tide, but there seemed no tidal water movement at the location. However, forest officials claimed that the trees had not withered. The trees are not dead; the confusion is a result of the tide movement. Our team visited the spot today to check, but found nothing wrong. The plantation of the mangroves happened as per protocol, said a forest officer from the Thane. Vanashakti had approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court had refused to stop the cutting of mangroves. However, on Friday, the Supreme Court also refused to intervene in the matter.




A fisherman-turned habitual offender has emerged as the alleged mastermind behind a series of high-value thefts on ONGCs offshore platforms, with police claiming he built a lucrative racket targeting costly equipment like industrial batteries and copper wiring. According to police, Chandrakant Patil has 13 theft cases registered against him.



Investigators said Patil, a resident of Raigad, was once engaged in traditional fishing. His alleged entry into crime dates back to 2009, when he was first involved in a theft on an ONGC offshore installation. During that incident, he is believed to have identified the high resale value of industrial batteries and copper cables in the scrap market, with losses estimated at over Rs 2 crore. After that, he gradually shifted from fishing to theft. He identified offshore platforms as soft targets due to limited surveillance at certain places, a police officer said.



Dramatic chase, arrest



Police said Patil subsequently abandoned fishing and allegedly began systematically targeting ONGC platforms, stealing battery banks, solar panels and copper wiring, which were later sold as scrap for substantial profits. Officials estimate that, over the years, he may have earned crores of rupees through such thefts.



The latest crackdown by Mumbai Port Trusts Yellow Gate police led to the arrest of three accused  Dattatray Patil (36), Santosh Patil (40) and Vitthal Mhatre (32), all from Raigad  in connection with four theft cases registered in March this year.



During the operation, police recovered 47 stolen battery banks worth around Rs 90 lakh and seized a fishing boat valued at Rs 15 lakh, allegedly used to access offshore platforms.



Network under scanner



A special team of Mumbai Police travelled to the jurisdiction of the Dadar Coastal Police Station in Raigad to apprehend Patil. During the operation, he allegedly jumped out of a moving autorickshaw in an attempt to escape. Police chased him, after which he tried to flee again by jumping into the water, but was eventually apprehended.



According to police, Patil has seven cases registered against him at Mumbais Yellow Gate police station alone, where he allegedly carried out thefts on four ONGC platforms, causing losses of around Rs 1 crore. In addition, one case each has been registered against him at Mandwa, Vadkhal, Alibaug, Navi Panvel and Uran police stations.



Investigators said Patil is suspected to be a key figure in an organised offshore theft network.



The modus operandi involved using small fishing boats to reach the platforms, removing high-value equipment during low-surveillance hours, and quickly transporting it to the mainland for disposal in the scrap market, an officer said.



Police suspect the involvement of additional accomplices and are probing a wider network, including scrap dealers who may have facilitated the disposal of stolen material.




The ovens at Goriawallas Cake Shop in Tardeo are awake and roaring at 5.30 am, long before most of the city wakes up. Inside, the staff begin baking fresh batches of their signature chocolate cake. By the time the shutters go up, the air is filled with the aroma of cocoa and buttercream. At 9.30 am sharp, Azra Goriawalla, 82, and her daughter Nimisha Attari, 54, walk in together, a routine they have followed for years. Goriawalla heads straight to the counter to check the previous days accounts, tallying how many cakes were sold. Attari walks into the kitchen, where rows of iced cakes sit on steel tables, waiting for final details  names, messages, or a quick buttercream drawing.



This is the same cake Karan Johar mentions in his memoir, An Unsuitable Boy, and the one Kokilaben Ambani once visited the shop in person to buy. The Goriawalla legacy spans generations of loyal patrons, from the citys prominent industrial families to film industry regulars like Vidya Balan and the Kapoor sisters, Karisma and Kareena, who frequented the bakery back when it ran out of the familys home.



A slice of Mumbai



By 11 am, most of the days cakes are ready. Mother and daughter head home, leaving the rest of the day to the same trusted team that has been running the ovens since the 1980s. On an average day, the shop makes 30 to 40 cakes. Weekends can push the number to 50. There was a time, Attari says, as we sit on the blue sofas at the familys Breach Candy residence, its walls decorated with paintings Goriawalla has made herself, when they crossed 70 or even 100 orders a day. In an era of endless menus, what makes this number unusual is that almost all those orders are for the same cake.



We really make only one main cake, she says. Our chocolate eggless cake. Thats what everyone comes for. If you went to a birthday party in Mumbai in the 1990s, you probably remember it  the square chocolate cake with white, blue and pink buttercream icing, finished with a glossy chocolate glaze that tasted almost like mousse. For many Mumbaikars, one bite is enough to take them back to childhood.



The cake came about almost by accident. I never planned to start a bakery, says Goriawalla. It was just a hobby at home. More than five decades ago, she began baking from her kitchen to supplement the family income when her husbands chemical business was struggling. The first thing she sold was not even cake, but brownies from a recipe she found in a Cordon Bleu cookbook.



Built without a blueprint



But customers wanted birthday cakes, she says. They wanted icing, decoration, Happy Birthday written on top. So, I started experimenting. The iconic chocolate glaze, she insists, was never something she formally learned. It just happened. I always say it is Gods gift and my mothers blessings.



For the first 18 years, the bakery ran out of the family home. As orders grew, neighbours complained about customers coming up in the lift at all hours, forcing the family to move into a shop. They shifted to Forjett Street in 1991, and later to Tardeo in 2016, carrying the same ovens each time. Attari joined after her marriage in 1995, bringing a background in commercial arts that helped with the decoration style. Neither of us have formal training in baking, says Goriawalla. Still, the customer list grew without advertisements or expansion plans. The shop doesnt need to advertise; the citys most famous families do it for them.



Sweetness of staying small



Despite the recognition, the recipe has never changed. Even today, most cakes are finished by hand. We use the same ingredients we always have, flour, sugar, cocoa, butter and eggs. Thats all, she says. Many suppliers ask us to try different chocolate, but why change? People like this cake the way it is.



Todays cake trends  fondant, photo prints, gluten-free, vegan  barely enter the conversation. They make a few other flavours, including pineapple, walnut and strawberry, but most customers still ask for the original. What has changed is the way customers order. Earlier everyone came in person, she says. Now most orders come through Swiggy or Zomato. We also introduced smaller sizes, pastries and slices because families are smaller.



Through all these years, the bakery has remained small and family-run, by choice. I never wanted a big business, Goriawalla says. I like to paint, travel, stitch my clothes, watch films. If the bakery became too big, life would become only work.



It has been 53 years, she says. We never expanded, never changed the cake, and never advertised. But people still keep coming.




The Trump administration filed a sweeping new lawsuit against Harvard University on Friday, accusing the nation's most prominent university of violating federal civil rights law by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment  and asking a federal court to freeze more than $2.6 billion in existing federal grants while recovering billions more in funds already paid.

The Department of Justice lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, is the second time the administration has sued Harvard this year and the latest escalation in a year-long conflict that has tested the boundaries of the federal government's authority over American universities. Harvard called it "yet another pretextual and retaliatory action by the administration for refusing to turn over control of Harvard to the federal government."

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The complaint alleges that Harvard is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal funding. The government argues that Harvard created and maintained a "hostile educational environment" for Jewish and Israeli students  and that university leadership was not merely negligent, but "deliberately indifferent."

A federal task force investigating Harvard found the university was a "willful participant" in antisemitic harassment of Jewish students and faculty, and threatened to refer the case to the Justice Department unless Harvard came into compliance.

The specific conduct cited in the complaint includes students being "spit on in the face for wearing a yarmulke, stalked on campus, and jeered by peers with calls of 'Heil Hitler.'" The administration also cited Harvard's decision to allow a pro-Palestinian encampment to remain on campus for 20 days "in violation of university policy," and accused the university of failing to discipline staff or students who protested or tacitly endorsed demonstrations by canceling class or dismissing students early.

The lawsuit asks the court to compel Harvard to comply with federal civil rights law, appoint an "independent outside monitor," require Harvard to call police to arrest protesters blocking parts of campus, and recover "billions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies awarded to a discriminatory institution." "The United States cannot and will not tolerate these failures," the Justice Department wrote in the complaint.

The Timeline  A Year of Escalation

The lawsuit is the culmination of a year-long conflict that began less than two weeks after President Trump took office for his second term and has escalated at nearly every turn.

The Trump administration slashed more than $2.6 billion in Harvard's research funding, ended federal contracts, and attempted to block Harvard from hosting international students. Harvard filed its own lawsuits in response, arguing it was being illegally penalized for refusing to adopt the administration's views. A federal judge sided with Harvard in September, reversing the funding cuts and calling the antisemitism argument a "smokescreen."

Rather than retreat after losing that round, the administration doubled down. Negotiations had been heating up in early February  until The New York Times reported that the White House had dropped demands for a financial payment from the university. Trump subsequently doubled down on his demands, saying his administration was "now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages."

Friday's lawsuit also follows a February 13 lawsuit in which the government accused Harvard of failing to comply with a federal investigation and sought documents to determine whether the university illegally considered race in its admissions process. That makes Friday's complaint the second suit filed against Harvard in five weeks.

Harvard's Response

Harvard's response was unambiguous. In a statement, the university said it "has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism and actively enforces anti-harassment and anti-discrimination rules and policies on campus," and that it has "enhanced training and education on antisemitism for students, faculty, and staff and launched programs to promote civil dialogue and respectful disagreement."

Harvard's full statement concluded: "We will continue to prioritize this important work and will defend the University against this lawsuit, which represents yet another pretextual and retaliatory action by the administration for refusing to turn over control of Harvard to the federal government."

Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, accused the administration of launching a "full-scale, multi-pronged attack" on higher education. "When bullies pound on the table and don't get what they want, they pound again," Mitchell said.

The Legal Stakes

The lawsuit presents the federal judiciary with a case that sits at the intersection of three contested legal questions simultaneously: the scope of Title VI protections for Jewish and Israeli students, the limits of executive authority over university governance, and the boundaries of First Amendment protection for campus protest activity.

On the Title VI question, the law is clear that universities receiving federal funds cannot discriminate based on national origin  and both Israeli nationality and Jewish religious identity have been held in prior cases to fall within Title VI's protections. The harder question is whether Harvard's response to pro-Palestinian protests constitutes "deliberate indifference" under the legal standard, or whether the university's actions  however criticized  represent good-faith efforts to balance competing obligations.

On the institutional autonomy question, the administration's demand that Harvard appoint an "independent outside monitor" and call police to arrest protesters represents a degree of federal intervention in university governance that has no modern precedent. A federal judge has already called the administration's antisemitism framing a "smokescreen" for a broader political agenda. Whether a different judge reaches the same conclusion in this new case will shape the outcome significantly.

What It Means for Students

For Jewish and Israeli students at Harvard  and at universities across the country watching this case closely  Friday's lawsuit is a double-edged development. The specific allegations of physical harassment, stalking, and intimidation described in the complaint are serious and, if accurate, represent genuine failures of institutional protection that deserve remedy. Those students' experiences should not be dismissed or minimized because the administration pursuing the case has its own political motivations.

At the same time, the administration's track record in its conflict with Harvard  losing in federal court, having funding cuts reversed, being told its antisemitism argument was pretextual  suggests that the new lawsuit is as much a political instrument as a legal one. The students whose experiences are cited in the complaint did not choose to become the stated rationale for a multibillion-dollar institutional confrontation. How their experiences are handled by a court, rather than a press secretary, will determine whether this lawsuit ultimately helps them.

The case will be watched by every university in America. The outcome will determine how far the federal government can go in dictating university governance  and where, finally, the line is.




VILLANOVA, Pa. (March 17, 2026)Villanova University will award the 2026 Civitas Dei Medal to Peter C. Phan, PhD, DPhil, STD, the inaugural Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University. Dr. Phans research deals with the theology of the icon in Orthodox theology, patristic theology, eschatology, the history of Christian missions in Asia, liberation, inculturation and interreligious dialogue. He will be delivering the lecture, Saint Augustine the Migrant and the City of God, as part of the medal presentation ceremony on April 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. in Driscoll Hall. The Civitas Dei Medal honors Catholics who have made exemplary contributions to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness.

Dr. Phan is an award-winning author whose scholarship includes the authorship or editorship of more than 40 books and more than 300 published essays. His major works include Culture and Eschatology: The Iconographical Vision of Paul Evdokimov, Grace and the Human Condition, Eternity in Time: A Study of Rahners Eschatology, Mission and Catechesis: Alexandre de Rhodes and Inculturation in Seventeenth-Century Vietnam, Christianity with an Asian Face, and Being Religious Interreligiously. His writings have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

A native of Vietnam, Dr. Phan was the first non-Anglo individual to be elected president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. In 2010, the organization bestowed on him its highest honorthe John Courtney Murray Award, recognizing outstanding and distinguished achievement in theology. He has received numerous accolades in his career, including four honorary doctorate degrees.

Dr. Phan received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Don Bosco College in Hong Kong and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of London, where he majored in French, Latin and history of philosophy. He then attended Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, completing his bachelor, licentiate and doctorate degrees in sacred theology. He later returned to University of London and earned a Doctor of Philosophy and a Doctor of Divinity.

Dr. Phan has held academic appointments at institutions across the world for more than 60 years. He was named to his current position at Georgetown in 2003 and is the founding director of the universitys theology and religious studies PhD program.

The Civitas Dei Medal takes its name from the Latin title of St. Augustines The City of God. In this seminal work, Augustine encouraged intellectual engagement between the Church and the world. A gifted thinker and spiritual leader, he also created communities that searched for truth in unity and love.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)  Springfield has welcomed its first Korean convenience store, home to the city's first self-serve ramen station.

Jung Kim, owner of Pop in Seoul, opened the store with his wife Julie as an ode to his love for home.

"I am always missing my home. I haven't been in Korea for about ... since 2016," he said. "Every time I want to go somewhere to feel like, 'oh, I'm home.' I have to travel at least, like, one-and-a-half hours or even to Chicago."

Now Pop in Seoul, just weeks away from its grand opening, is showing a slice of what it will have to offer. With a wide array of Korean and Japanese snacks, K-beauty products, fresh kimbap made daily, stationery and a self-serve ramen bar.

With more than a dozen options, customers can pick their ramen of choice, choose their toppings and cook it right in the store.

Jung said the store was designed with community in mind.

"I would like to have our community and the residents come here, just hang out with happiness and joy. That's what we would like to offer to this community," he said.

The grand opening is planned for April 2. For updates, you can check out Pop in Seoul's Facebook or website.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
The two people killed in explosion at a disused farmhouse in Rome were known to police as members of the anarchist network linked to Alfredo Cospito.

What initially appeared to be the tragic deaths of two rough sleepers in a derelict building in Rome has evolved into a significant domestic security incident for Italy.

The two people killed when the Casale del Sellaretto in Rome's Parco degli Acquedotti was destroyed by an explosion on the night of Thursday 19 March have been identified as Sara Ardizzone and Alessandro Mercogliano.

Both were prominent figures in the anarchist movement associated with jailed extremist Alfredo Cospito, and investigators now believe they were assembling a homemade bomb at the time of their deaths.

The victims were identified through tattoos on their bodies, and their names were recognised by investigators as belonging to the so-called "Cospito group", news agency ANSA reports.

Victims of explosion

Alessandro Mercogliano, 53, had previously been convicted at first instance of association with terrorist intent as part of the Scripta Manent investigation into the Informal Anarchist Federation, though he was subsequently acquitted on appeal.

Sara Ardizzone, 35, had been investigated alongside Cospito and other anarchists in the Sibilla proceedings on charges of incitement to crime and evasion aggravated by terrorist intent, and during a preliminary hearing she described herself as an enemy of the Italian state and of every state.

The physical condition of the bodies strongly supported the bomb-making hypothesis: the man's body was found to be missing an arm and showed multiple burns, consistent with handling an explosive device at the moment of detonation, while the woman is believed to have been killed by the collapse of the roof that followed the blast.

Investigation

Investigators believe the explosion caused the roof of the farmhouse to be blown upwards before crashing back down, burying both victims beneath the rubble.

Rome anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation and is working to reconstruct the pair's final movements and contacts in the hours preceding the explosion.

As for potential targets, investigators are considering several possibilities. Investigators have not excluded that the device may have been intended for use against the railway network or against installations belonging to Leonardo, the Italian defence and aerospace group.

Anarchy and sabotage

Anarchist groups had already claimed responsibility for acts of sabotage against Italy's high-speed rail network in February, linked to protests against the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and the interior ministry has reported a 450 per cent rise in railway sabotage by antagonist groups between 2024 and 2025.

Investigators are also considering the possibility that an attack was being planned as a show of force ahead of the major pro-Askatasuna rally scheduled for Rome on 28 March, and to coincide with a renewed campaign in support of Cospito ahead of the May expiry of the four-year order placing him under the 41-bis maximum security prison regime.

Reaction

The political response was swift. Foreign minister Antonio Tajani told Tg24 that there was a "climate of tension that anarchist and far-left elements" were seeking to sustain, and that the fact two anarchists had allegedly been handling a bomb on the eve of a referendum vote was deeply troubling.

Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi convened the committee for strategic anti-terrorism analysis at the Viminale for Saturday, a meeting at which the threat posed by the anarchist movement was expected to feature prominently, ANSA reports.

Who is Alfredo Cospito?

Alfredo Cospito, the figurehead of the network to which both victims belonged, was convicted and sentenced to 23 years for an attack with terrorist intent, and remains in prison under the strict 41-bis regime, which is designed to prevent him from communicating with the broader anarchist-insurrectionist network outside.

Cospito, 58, is Italy's first anarchist to be held under 41-bis terms, a prison regime normally reserved for top mafia bosses.

He is serving time for knee-capping a nuclear energy manager in Genoa in 2012 and for bomb attacks on a police academy in Fossano in 2016, masterminded while he was in prison.

His continued detention under this regime has been the central rallying point for the movement in recent months, and the latest dramatic events are likely to intensify scrutiny of a network that Italy's intelligence services have described as the most concrete domestic security threat facing the country.

Photo Vigili del Fuoco
Waterford News & Star photographer Joe Evans was behind the scenes to capture the superb performance of Lion King JR by the TY students of Waterford's Presentation Secondary School. Here's a selection of his photos!

Check out the coming edition of Waterford News & Star as well!

Hard copy prints of photos are available to buy through the Waterford News & Star office at Gladstone Street, Waterford city.

Presentation Secondary TY students production of the Lion King JR.

Presentation Secondary TY students production of the Lion King JR.

Presentation Secondary TY students production of the Lion King JR.

Presentation Secondary TY students production of the Lion King JR.

Presentatiob Secondary TY students production of the Lion King JR.

Presentation Secondary TY students production of the Lion King JR.
Waterford Sinn Fein have praised the true strength, "compassion, and spirit that define" the west of the county on Daffodil Day.

Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy and TD Conor McGuinness say that from early in the morning, volunteers from Tallow, Lismore, Cappoquin and Ballyduff were out and about raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Daffodil Day always brings out the very best in our communities. Across West Waterford, people stepped up once again  giving their time, their energy, and their support for a cause that has touched so many of our families.

All hands on deck for Daffodil Day in West Waterford

"Its a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can make a real difference, said Cllr Mulcahy.

The West Waterford representatives thanked everyone who took part or who made a donation, however big or small.

They said they also wanted to recognise the work of the committees that make the Daffodil Day possible.

The generosity and community spirit shown across Co. Waterford is something to be truly proud of. Daffodil Day is about standing with those going through cancer and their families, and the support shown locally sends a strong message  that no one is alone in that journey, Deputy McGuinness.
Ben de la Cour, from New York, is a songwriter whose songs can be described as American Noir. His latest album, New Roses, was Grammy Award-nominated in 2025.

Having just finished a European tour with Lucinda Williams, who says "we all need Ben De La Cour", he plays Subterranean Sounds at Phil Grimes Pub, Waterford, on Thursday, April 2. Doors open at 8pm and advance booking is recommended from powertik.ie

De la Cour plays nearly every instrument on his new album and delivers what many consider his strongest vocal performance yet.

The result is a razor-sharp album full of what he calls night songs - haunting, impactful songs that feel like the witching hour, a collection filled with juxtaposition and duality.

While much has been written of the darkness that permeates de la Cours music, he finds this emphasis exaggerated.

It is an optimistic record, he says of New Roses.

You cant be hopeful if youre not willing to acknowledge the spectrum of the human condition.

"You can be overwhelmed by beauty and you can be overwhelmed by the horrors and you can be overwhelmed by both.

De la Cour remains an optimist, hopeful that his tales can help the lost, the lonely, the doomed.

Raised in Brooklyn, de la Cour lived in London, Cuba and across the United States before making his home in the American south over a decade and a half ago. Drawing on inspiration from writers and musicians alike - Townes Van Zandt, Jimi Hendrix, Nick Cave, Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen, James Baldwin and Carson McCullers among them - de la Cours gothic folk songs are as heartbreaking as they are beautiful.

De la Cours solo tour of Ireland and the UK in 2024 was met with high praise, and included sold-out performances in Kilkenny and London.

He is headlining a tour of the UK in April 2026.
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Updated NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Concerns for vessel in cyclone aftermath Dominique Tassell Updated March 21, 2026  10:30am ,first published 9:32am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Cyclone Narelle has left a monster clean-up in its wake, with approximately 1000 homes still without power and an unidentified vessel stranded in the Cape York Peninsula. The storm crossed the Cape York coast as a dangerous category 4 system about 7am on Friday, producing wind gusts of more than 250km/h and rainfall totals of 217 millimetres in some areas. Residents hunkered down as the monster storm hit, causing widespread power outages and flooding. Loading Premier David Crisafulli said it was a blessing the significant storm did not directly hit towns in its path.

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We couldnt have asked for a better deal out of this in the immediate term, Crisafulli said from Cooktown on Saturday. Were asking people to be mindful that the flood watch still exists for a large part of north and far north Queensland. Swiftwater rescue crews remain in place to assist with flooding. Queensland Reconstruction Authority chief executive Jake Ellwood said the biggest issue now is flooding. History will tell us that a lot of people injure themselves by driving into flooded waters, and I would just implore you, if its flooded, just forget it.

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Crisafulli said the damage from the storm thus far appeared to be minor structural damage and some significant road damage. A roof blown off a structure in Coen. Emergency services choppers will conduct damage assessments across 16 communities on Saturday. Some trees that are down, and obviously weve got some power and telecommunications issues, but overwhelmingly, based on the size of the system, we couldnt have asked for a better deal out of this, Crisafulli said. Authorities are concerned about a vessel in Princess Charlotte Bay that has not been identified. It was the only vessel that decided to stay in the area, as others took shelter elsewhere.

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It is not known how many people were aboard. Were most keen to find that vessel, Crisafulli said. Authorities havent been able to make contact with that vessel, so that is something were hoping to make today. A tree goes over as Cyclone Narelle pummels Far North Queensland. Almost 1500 regional homes were without power at 9.30am on Saturday, including homes at Aurukun, Coen, Lockhart River and Napranum. This reduced to 1100 homes by 11am. Ergon Energy crews have restored power to Hopevale, Cooktown, Rossville and Wujal Wujal.

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Restoring power hinges on safe access, weather conditions and damage assessments, which will be conducted when crews are on the ground, an Ergon spokesperson said. Related Article Extreme weather Damaging winds and heavy rain continue as Cyclone Narelle crosses cape Approximately 50 crew members are heading to remote sites by aircraft, with the equipment they need for emergency network repairs, they said. Weve had multiple reports of fallen powerlines, so this is our most important community safety message: Fallen powerlines can be hidden in tree branches and other cyclone debris. Take extra care when you are cleaning up, stay well away from any fallen powerlines and report them to emergency services. Making sites safe for the communities and everyone supporting them in the clean-up and recovery phase will be the first priority for our crews before they commence restoration work.

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Crisafulli acknowledged that the government needs to learn from each disaster, after he was asked about Coen not having a cyclone shelter for residents. Residents sheltered in the towns hotel and a wellness centre instead, which was described as overcrowded. We should always look at ways we can strengthen our resilience towards a disaster event, Crisafulli said. He said structures should be examined, and flood mitigation measures should be examined. Its been a long time in this state since we built levees and detention basins, he said. I want to build more of them.

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To see places like Roma, where that levy has now saved that community over half-a-dozen times in the last handful of years shows you that an investment in disaster resilience makes sense. We should always look to do better. Theres no doubt about that. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy and charged him over a string of alleged assaults on women over a two-week period, upping patrols in the area as they continue to investigate.

The incidents occurred as the women were either walking or jogging, they said, in the area of Lake Goollelal and Shepherds Bush Reserve in Kingsley, and along Hepburn Avenue in Hillarys.

WA Police are continuing to investigate. Getty Images/File photo

They claim that 14 women were indecently assaulted by the teen as he was riding an e-bike between February 28 and March 15.

The boy, from Darch, was charged with 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, four counts of no authority to drive and four counts of using an unlicensed vehicle on a road.
Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Kurt Krispyn may not be able to walk on water, but he sure can talk under it. Seated on a stool on the sea bed just off Rottnest Island, the marine biologist did what he believes is a world first  hosted a live podcast on the ocean floor. With the help of Murdoch University associate professor and seagrass specialist Mike van Keulen, the duo floated in the water for almost an hour, live-streaming to the world. I knew it wasnt going to be relatively easy, but something that I thought was going to take a bit of work ended up taking nearly every day, of every week, for the last three to four months, Krispyn said. It seemed to be the worlds first live underwater podcast out there  and I wanted it to turn into one of the most educational pieces possible because the whole idea of what were doing is to raise awareness, to educate, to inspire, especially that younger generation. Murdoch University associate professor and seagrass specialist, Mike van Keulen and Paramount Importance founder Kurt Krispyn. Ryan Chatfield As the founder of Paramount Importance  a science communication platform  Krispyn is used to sharing knowledge about the marine world, but this time his team almost didnt make it to air.

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One week before we were going to do it, the boat that we originally planned to do it on cancelled on us, he said. Because we have to power four computers, two Starlinks, four monitors, four 5G networks, theres a fair bit of power that is required, so youve got to have a boat that is one, big enough to hold everybody and everything, and then two, has enough power. So it kind of limits the amount of boat options that you have. Luckily, a family friend had a boat that fit the list of requirements needed to get the podcast up and running. Except that was only the beginning of their hurdles. Paramount Importance founder Kurt Krispyn. Nick Thake On the day that we were going out, three hours before we meant to go live, we could see Rottnest in our sights, we were probably about two kilometres from the island  and both motors failed, Krispyn said. Krispyn and his team spent two hours racing against the clock, trying to get the fuel system back up and running.

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As time was ticking by, my stress was just sky-high. Knowing everything that weve organised, everything that Ive worked towards for the last four months [might not happen], he said. We were calling people to try to tow us in, but no one could get to us on time  but with one hour to go before we meant to go live, we cranked the engine over and it started. I dont think Ive ever felt so much relief, I actually teared up. They anchored the boat, got the equipment ready and jumped in the water with mere moments to spare, but the podcast went live to Australia and the world at 10am on February 27. How to talk underwater With the help of a fibre-optic cable, a camera, and some fancy technology, Krispyn and van Keulen made broadcasting and talking underwater look easy. By pressing a button on the mask, a sound wave was sent via sonar to a transducer beneath the boat. This technology transmitted their voices to a computer on the surface using the same principles a boats sounder uses to detect fish.

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The camera was attached to the boat by a fibre-optic cable, which fed the footage straight to the computer and out to the world to be streamed in 1080p. And thanks to some nifty technology, marine biologist and podcast host from the surface Dr. James Tweedley was able to take questions from the public straight to the duo underwater. Underwater camera operator Kesia Savill filming for Paramount Importances first underwater podcast. Ryan Chatfield So when someone sent in a question, hed read it out and could speak to us while we were in the water. So that added another element of something that was really cool, that while were underwater, people that could be anywhere in the world, could be speaking to us, he said. Krispyn said they also ensured there was a delayed telecast, just on the off chance something bad happened. We had a delayed telecast so that just in case we got eaten by a shark or something like that, it didnt go out live, he said with a laugh. At least 12 different schools took part in the broadcast Q&A with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution hosting an event with 60 participants that also tuned in.

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We wanted to do something very unique to change the classroom from looking at a few pictures or someone standing at the front talking about so-and-so, to something completely new, he said. Something different to be able to give them access to something really cool and to show what marine science is really about. The event also coincided with World Seagrass Day. Seagrass ecosystems are found all over the world, and theyre a critically important ecosystem, whether thats from storing carbon, such as sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere to combat climate change, nursery habitats for fish and invertebrates to mitigate coastal erosion, Krispyn said. It is one of the most amazing and important ecosystems that we have  so hopefully [the podcast] inspired and educated a whole other generation of future scientists maybe, or even just people that want to make a better decision. I always had the philosophy that change doesnt happen from instruction, change happens from inspiration. Krispyn said while the podcast was aimed at high school students, there was information in there for people of all ages.

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WorldAsiaMiddle East at war Dont mention the war! Trump drops Pearl Harbour bomb in another excruciating White House moment Lisa Visentin March 20, 2026  12:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Beijing: When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived at the White House on Thursday, she was bracing for a difficult meeting. Donald Trump was still smarting from the reluctance of Americas friends, including Japan, to sign up to his coalition to keep the Strait of Hormuz open by sending warships to protect commercial vessels from Iranian attacks. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. AP Takaichi was in the hot seat, as the first allied leader to have an audience with the peeved US president. It was already guaranteed that whatever hopes she had for the summit, they would be derailed by Trumps preoccupation with his war of choice in Iran and a worsening global oil crisis triggered by Tehrans retaliation.

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But for the meeting to be momentarily overshadowed by another war  the Second World War no less, 80 years earlier  was not on the bingo card. Takaichi drew in a deep breath, pursed her lips and widened her eyes as Trump invoked Japans surprise bombing of Pearl Harbour in World War II when asked by a Japanese reporter why he had not informed allies about his plans to attack Iran. Loading We didnt tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise, he said from the Oval Office, as Takaichi shifted in her seat, saying nothing. Who knows better about surprise than Japan, OK? Why didnt you tell me about Pearl Harbour, OK?

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Its unlikely that Trump or Takaichi are familiar with the British TV classic Fawlty Towers and comedic genius of John Cleese. But for those of us who are, its impossible to watch this awkward moment without hearing Basil Fawlty absurdly shrieking Dont mention the war! as he hosts German guests at his shambolic hotel in the English countryside. Its a principle that world leaders generally adhere to. Or they elect to raise historical grievances in private rather than in the glare of the worlds media, particularly when seeking their present-day co-operation. The surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 precipitated Americas entry into World War II. AP Leaving aside the obvious fact that Japan and the US were enemies, not allies, in World War II, and that nearly a century has passed since then, the moment puts Takaichi in the camp of leaders who have come to the Oval Office and been ridiculed on the worlds most public stage. Japans World War II legacy as a defeated aggressor remains a deeply sensitive and divisive topic in the country, which has been bound by a pacifist constitution ever since, and whose culture is shaped by an ingrained deference to decorum and politeness over confrontation.

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Its a legacy that also continues to cause tensions with Japans neighbours, especially China and South Korea, who remain aggrieved that Tokyo has not appropriately apologised for its wartime atrocities and colonial rule. Still, Takaichi came to Washington with a commitment, if a vague one, to support Trumps efforts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, signing onto a joint statement with European leaders that condemned Iran for its attacks on commercial shipping vessels and civilian energy facilities. I am ready to reach out to many of the partners in the international community to reach our objectives together, Takaichi said at the Oval Office, adding: Only you  can achieve peace across the world. Despite the moment of friction, Trump otherwise treated Takaichi with a warm affection that he does not have for European leaders. He praised her as very popular, powerful woman, and applauded Japan for stepping up to the plate unlike NATO allies.

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Chris Johnstone, a former White House official and Japan expert at The Asia Group consultancy, said Japan has some of the best mine-sweeping ships in the world, as well as a destroyer and surveillance aircraft based in Djibouti in Africa that could also be deployed. Related Article Middle East at war European leaders, Japan offer to help Trump unblock Strait of Hormuz I think the real need will come as the conflict subsides and the focus shifts to reopening and ensuring the safe transit of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, he said. Thats the moment in which Japanese minesweepers, Japanese surveillance aircraft, and other contributions, become perhaps more valuable. Whatever form Tokyos commitment ends up taking, Takaichi will have to contend with a Japanese public deeply opposed to the war. One poll by the Asahi newspaper put opposition to it at more than 80 per cent.

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Suffice to say, this was not the meeting that Takaichi was hoping for when she was locking in dates for her debut at the White House earlier this year, before the US and Israel attacked Iran. Back then, the meeting was shaping up to be a coup of good timing. She had already cultivated a rosy rapport with Trump when she hosted him in Tokyo last year, where he pledged to give her anything you want, any favours you need. Washington is diverting forces, including marines, from the Pacific to the Middle East. 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Thursdays summit was to be her golden opportunity to talk up the Japan-US alliance as key to deterring China, and to influence the US presidents thinking before his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing later this month. Her administration had been quietly troubled by Washingtons apparent disinterest in Beijings months-long campaign of economic coercion against Japan, triggered last year by her remarks that Tokyo could be drawn into a military conflict over Taiwan.

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It is increasingly apparent that the US and Israel are pursuing different strategic agendas in their war against Iran, Middle East analyst Rodger Shanahan writes.

Outside the coalition of two, there is little support for the war. Washingtons traditional allies have found it difficult to provide other than rhetorical support, and this is rather lukewarm.

Even among Americans, polls show that while Trumps support base endorses the war, most Americans dont.

This opposition is not only because of the way Trump failed to prepare the political ground for a decision that is the most important that any president can make, but also because of a feeling that Washington and Tel Aviv are pursuing mostly overlapping, but not necessarily common objectives.

Read more of Shanahans analysis here.
Amador County, CATwo individuals have been arrested for child abuse that included torture, according to the Amador County District Attorneys office.

Morgan Avants and Virginia Knapp were arrested on a warrant and charged with torture and causing willful harm or injury to a child. Avants is alleged to have personally inflicted the great bodily injury. The D.A.s office reports that the abuse took place between January 29th and February 4th of this year. The victim was a 6-year-old child who, they noted, suffered great bodily injury while in the care of Avants and Knapp. The child has since received intensive, ongoing medical treatment and is safe.

The D.A.s official thanked the Amador County Sheriffs Office for leading a thorough and conscientious investigation, while also praising the talented medical and support staff at Shriners Childrens Northern California Hospital and UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, as well as the hardworking Amador County Child Protective Services personnel. Cases involving children are deeply impactful for first responders and law enforcement, and this victim will continue to be cared for by compassionate professionals.

The defendants were arraigned yesterday, Friday, March 20th. No further information regarding the case is being released.
Story Highlights Two Indiana University students were hit and killed while crossing a street in Miami Beach during spring break.

Police say the driver was speeding without headlights, struck the victims and fled before being detained nearby.

The suspect faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide, and told investigators he was trying to harm himself.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WDRB)  An Indiana University student and a recent graduate were killed after being struck by a car in Florida this week, and police arrested a suspect.

Police said 42-year-old Adan Negron-Morris is accused of hitting two pedestrians Wednesday night along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida, according to reporting from Fox59. The victims were later identified as Indiana University student Sarisa Kongduang and recent graduate Greatgomon Laowatdhanasapya.

Investigators said Negron-Morris was driving recklessly and without headlights when he struck the two as they were crossing the street. The impact launched Kongduang and Laowatdhanasapya in the air and they landed several feet away from where they were hit.

The two victims were taken to a nearby trauma center with life-threatening injuries and later died.

Negron-Morris reportedly continued driving before stopping nearby, then got out and ran into a Walgreens.

Witnesses followed him inside and held him there until officers arrived and took him into custody.

Negron-Morris is facing multiple charges, including two counts of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving death.

According to investigators, he told police he was trying to harm himself at the time of the crash.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  The Richmond man who allegedly broke into Kentucky Representative Andy Barr's campaign headquarters last month called the office more than 30 times before breaking in.

According to new court records, 39-year-old Blake Lashelle called Barr's campaign office more than 35 times, and more than 15 times on Feb. 26, before breaking the door, yelling at staff, and causing more than $2,000 in damage.

Lashelle is also accused of pulling on the door several times before breaking the lock.

He's charged with first-degree criminal mischief and was ordered to have no contact with Barr's office.

Lashelle is due in court on April 9.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  A southern Indiana judge denied a request for her removal in the criminal case of a New Albany man tied to a murder for hire plot.

Henry Bachmann, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, is accused of plotting to kill the vice president of a motorcycle club.

His attorneys argued Floyd County Judge Carrie Stiller should be recused from the case, citing concerns over a search warrant tied to the motorcycle clubhouse in Louisville.

Bachman's attorneys said Stiller signed a warrant, which was executed in Kentucky, without the signature of a Kentucky judge. Judge Stiller denied the motion and said the case will proceed.

Bachmann is also charged with corrupt business influence, money laundering and theft. His trial is set for April 27.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Story Highlights A Harrison County Sheriff's Department K-9, Scooby, retired from duty due to health issues.

Community members lined up during Scooby's walk of honor.

Unlike traditional K-9s, Scooby worked as a comfort therapy dog.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  A beloved K-9 with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in southern Indiana received a heartfelt sendoff as he officially retired from duty.

Scooby, a Great Dane who served nearly six years with the department, answered his final call on Friday, as health issues brought his career to an end.

Unlike traditional K-9s, Scooby worked as a comfort therapy dog, helping children facing trauma or emotional distress during difficult moments.

Community members gathered during Scooby's a walk of honor, lining up to show their appreciation for his service and the impact he made.

"To see these adults come in here when they should be working or taking time off from their busy lives, come in here to honor him, it means the world," said Det. Carrie Lamaster, Scoobys handler.

Lamaster and Scooby have been partners since he was just eight weeks old, forming a bond that extended far beyond the job.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Story Highlights The body of Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, a 26-year-old soldier killed in an attack on U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, was returned to Hardin County.

More than 100 people gathered as law enforcement escorted him from Fort Knox to a funeral home, with his hometown of Glendale showing support through flags and ribbons.

Pennington, a Central Hardin High School graduate who served in the Armys 1st Space Brigade, was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.

HARDIN COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB)  The Hardin County community came together to honor a local hero killed in the Iran conflict.

The body of Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pennington arrived at Fort Knox Friday afternoon.

More than 100 people, from young and old, gathered to pay their respects as a law enforcement led a procession, escorting Pennington's body from Fort Knox, through Glendale, his hometown, to a funeral home in Elizabethtown.

At 26 years old, Pennington died after he was hurt in an attack on American troops in Saudi Arabia.

A Central Hardin High School 2017 graduate, Pennington enlisted in the Army shorting after graduation. He was assigned to the 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado in 2025.

Last week, the Glendale community spent time putting up American flags and yellow ribbons along Main Street, representing the loss of life in service.

I saw him every day for five years or six years with kindergarten, and theyre just a wonderful family, we just wanted to do whatever we could to honor him and to honor them," said Markita Conner, who was among those honoring Pennington.

Pennington was promoted to staff sergeant after his death.

His funeral service will be held Saturday at Central Hardin High School with his interment at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Leesville, LA (71446)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 80F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
In the news release, Madison Capital Group Launches Bonus Depreciation Offering Targeting Convenience Stores and Express Car Washes, issued 17-Mar-2026 by Madison Capital Group over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Madison Capital Group Launches Bonus Depreciation Offering Targeting Convenience Stores and Express Car Washes

10% early investor incentive available for both broker-dealer and registered investment advisors

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Capital Group, a Charlotte-based vertically integrated real estate investment firm, today announced the launch of Car Wash & Convenience Opportunity Fund, LLC.

The fund is targeting $200 million in capital commitments from accredited investors and intends to use the proceeds to invest in convenience store and express car wash assets with a strong focus on no-income-tax states and markets showing positive population growth

"Convenience stores and express car washes represent compelling essential service businesses with consistent consumer demand, multiple revenue streams and potential tax efficiency," said Ryan Hanks, CEO of Madison Capital Group Holdings. "We believe this strategy aligns with our broader philosophy of identifying real assets in growth markets and structuring opportunities designed to optimize income and after-tax performance for investors."

A key component of the Fund's strategy is the potential utilization of accelerated bonus depreciation, formally known as the "additional first-year depreciation deduction" under Internal Revenue Code(IRC) Section 168(k), that allows businesses to deduct a significant portion of the cost of qualifying depreciable assets like convenience store fuel pumps and canopies; car wash tunnels, conveyors, blowers and vacuum systems; and land improvements like driveways, signage and drainage systems, in the year they are placed in service. This is in addition to any regular depreciation deductions (e.g., under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System, or MACRS) and Section 179 expensing.

The accelerated bonus depreciation deduction was made permanent as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allowing businesses to lower taxable income and boost immediate cash flow.

Investors who subscribe for interests prior to June 1, 2026, may receive an early investor preference of up to 10% of their subscription amount. Investors who subscribe on or after June 1, 2026, but prior to September 1, 2026, may receive an early investor preference of up to 6% of their subscription amount.

Car Wash & Convenience Opportunity Fund is being offered exclusively to accredited investors pursuant to Regulation D, Rule 506(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As general solicitation is permitted under Rule 506(c) offerings, purchasers must meet verification requirements for validation of their accredited investor status.

Madison Capital Group, LLC is a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm with a track record of sourcing, developing and managing value-driven real estate opportunities across multiple sectors.

About Madison Capital Group

Madison Capital Group, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm with approximately $4 billion in assets under management, focused on the acquisition, development, and operation of multifamily, self-storage, recreational storage, marina, and commercial real estate assets nationwide. The firm is committed to building long-term value through disciplined investment and thoughtful development in high-growth markets, supported by a fully integrated platform that identifies opportunities and oversees execution across the real estate lifecycle. To learn more, visit madisoncapgroup.com

Contact: Jennifer Franklin

Spotlight Marketing Communications

(949) 427-1385

[email protected]

Correction: Edits have been to the fourth paragraph and a fifth paragraph has been added for clarity.

SOURCE Madison Capital Group
By Eimear Dodd

A colonel and a major in a worldwide highly sophisticated money laundering syndicate on a breathtaking scale have been jailed for nine years and seven-and-a-half years respectively.

Ejike Francis Ogubefi (42) of Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 and Steven Silvester (32) of The Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, were both convicted of directing the activities of a criminal organisation following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February.

Ogubefi was also convicted of 32 counts of money laundering and seven of conspiracy to money launder.

The jury also convicted Silvester of five counts of money laundering, two of attempted money laundering, four of conspiracy to money launder and one of using a false instrument.

Both defendants have no previous convictions here or in another jurisdiction.

The court heard that both men are assessed to be above mule herders and money mules in the operation, with Ogubefi having a more active role.

During the sentence hearing, Judge Martin Nolan suggested to the investigating garda that the men were a colonel and a major, which Detective Garda Steven Kelly agreed with.

Imposing the sentence on Friday, Judge Nolan said both men were involved in the offending and played certain roles.

He noted that the schemes ambition was to get accounts to launder illicit monies which were undoubtedly the product of criminal behaviour and that third parties unknown to the court suffered as a result

Both men were reasonably experienced in how the banking system works and aware of its weaknesses, which they tested, sometimes successfully, the judge said.

The judge said he had considered the mitigation and there was a good chance the men would not re-offend in future, but that the court could not be certain.

Judge Nolan noted that money laundering is a serious problem and the court often dealt with cases of people who provided their bank details to be used in these schemes.

These bank accounts are necessary for all fraud, because monies have to come to earth somewhere, the judge said, noting that the defendants main role was to procure bank accounts so that money could be sent to others who profited.

He handed Ogubefi a sentence of nine years and imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence on Silvester, whom he considered to be at a lower level.

The judge said this type of money laundering is prevalent and hard to detect, and that deterrence had to be a factor in sentencing. He also directed the men to get credit for any time served on this matter alone.
Padraic McNamara, who runs Hogan's Cocktail Bar Ballina, is set to launch a new long-term project.

Padraic is putting together a cocktail book like no other!

This project is 5 years in the making, and last year Padraic and his staff from Hogan's travelled to the BCB cocktail convention in Berlin - a craft cocktail convention of small and unique family distillers, who grow and research ingredients in that part of the world.

Padraic intends to travel to each individual region of the globe to bring home the special ingredients so he can put together a cocktail from each region that is unique in itself. It is planned that a small and intimate tasting will be offered, before adding new additions to the book.

To kick this off, Padraic is starting with a product that is made in and imported from a very special distillery in Panama, in South America, The product is called Wow. And it speaks for itself! For all coffee lovers, this is an incredible product made with Geisha coffee. One of the most, if not the most expensive coffee in the world. Accompanied by a smoked Artesanal Espadin Mezcal.

Padraic has researched a special truffle chocolate to go with this beautiful product, which is also made with coffee, and its pairing is incredible.

So, for all you coffee lovers, watch out for Hogan's Cocktail Bar's social media page. As its only open to 6 people for this special tasting, this is an exclusive event with Hogan's having the only bottle of Wow currently in Ireland.
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.  A Lehigh County jury found an Allentown man not guilty on all counts after he was accused of fatally shooting a woman and her 13-month-old grandson at their front door.

The verdict was announced shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

The woman's husband, who was also shot, survived to testify in court this week.

Just before 4 p.m. Friday, participants were called back into the room for some jury questions asking to define reasonable doubt and certain evidence terms, as well as requesting to again see some of the videos the prosecution compiled.

Inside the courtroom on the fourth day of an emotional trial, two-plus years in the making, family filled both sides as both sides of the case presented closing arguments.

Over the previous three days, the prosecution went to great lengths to try to prove 45-year-old Gabriel Cartagena was the gunman who knocked on a family's door on Allentown's Chestnut Street and opened fire on the woman who answered. Ada Ortiz and her 13-month-old grandson she was holding at the time were both were killed.

Ada's husband, Leandro Ortiz, tearfully testified in court this week, saying he ran to his family's defense, pushing the gunman out but not before he also was shot once in the chest.

Earlier Friday, the prosecution reminded the jury that Ortiz said he looked the killer in the eye and was certain it was Cartagena.

But the defense went back to Ortiz first telling officials he didn't know the gunman and saying he only recognized Cartagena once he was brought in.

Over the course of the week, prosecutors showed footage from surveillance cameras with various angles leading up to and immediately following the shooting. In some, prosecutors say it's Cartagena, wearing a light hat. While the lighting at the time of the shooting is too hard to see a person's face, prosecutors say it looks like the shooter is wearing that same hat under his hood. However, the defense reminded the jury that a witness detective testified that no blood or gun residue was found on the cap they recovered inside Cartagena's home.

Prosecutors also showed footage, while saying Cartagena got into the passenger side of a car they say his brother, Angel Silva, was driving. State police testified gun residue was later found in that car, but the defense reminded the jury that Silva was later arrested for unrelated charges and all that proves is the defendant's brother had a gun and had gun residue in the car he was driving.

One last question the jurors had was about what happens if they cant come to an agreement.

The judge said to keep working on it, reminding the jury of their civic duty and the importance to both the defendant and the commonwealth. The judge also said to come back again if they can't come to an agreement.

Ultimately, the jury found Cartagena not guilty on all counts.
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CoreCivic's Midwest Regional Reception Center. [Photo: CoreCivic]

As part of the rapid expansion of the US immigration enforcement apparatus, the Leavenworth, Kansas City commission voted 41 in early March to approve a permit allowing the private prison corporation CoreCivic to reopen a shuttered facility as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center.



The Midwest Regional Reception Center facility has been closed since 2021 after its contract with the U.S. Marshals Service was not renewed amid mounting scandals over violence, understaffing and abuses that rendered it temporarily unprofitable. Its reopening under an ICE contract underscores the extent to which such facilities are not closed on principle but merely lie dormant until new revenue streams emerge.

The facility, which reportedly can hold 1,104 detainees, is expected to become one of the largest immigration detention sites in the Midwest. Its approval follows nearly a year of legal battles, protests and public hearings exposing the deep hostility among residents to the expansion of detention and deportation operations.

Opposition to the detention center has been ongoing since 2025, when CoreCivic first attempted to reopen the prison without local authorization. The city initially sued the company, forcing it to apply for a special-use permit and triggering a protracted legal and political struggle. Protests drew residents from across the Kansas City region. In February, more than 100 demonstrators rallied outside city hall demanding the proposal be rejected. During the final commission meeting, protesters again gathered in large numbers, with tensions spilling into the chamber as residents denounced the plan.

Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, warned that reopening the facility would expand a detention system long associated with abuse, lack of oversight and inhumane conditions. Religious groups, local activists and former prison workers joined in opposition. Despite this, city officials approved the permit, citing the risk of costly litigation and the desire to impose regulatory conditions on the facility rather than lose control entirely.

The Leavenworth expansion is part of a broader federal effort to rapidly expand immigration detention capacity by reopening closed private prisons and contracting with corporations like CoreCivic. At the same time, the federal government is deepening collaboration with local law enforcement agencies through programs administered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This dual strategyexpanding detention infrastructure while deputizing local policemarks a significant escalation in immigration enforcement and the repressive powers of the state.

At the center of this expansion is not only repression, but profit. Immigration detention has become a multibillion-dollar industry dominated by a handful of private corporations. CoreCivic and its chief competitor GEO Group derive a substantial portion of their revenues directly from ICE contracts, which generate hundreds of millionsand in some cases over a billiondollars annually, binding immigration policy ever more directly to corporate financial interests.

These contracts are frequently structured to guarantee income regardless of how many people are actually detained. So-called bed quotas or minimum occupancy clauses require the government to pay for a fixed number of detention beds whether they are filled or not. By 2020, ICE was paying approximately $20 million per month for empty beds under such agreements.

More broadly, studies have found that a majority of private prison contracts require governments to maintain occupancy rates as high as 80 to 100 percent, effectively obligating authorities to keep facilities full. This creates a direct financial incentive to expand arrests and detentions in order to meet contractual thresholds.



At the South Texas ICE Processing Center, a privately operated facility run by GEO Group, contracts required ICE to maintain a daily minimum populationreported at one point to be 725 detaineescreating what watchdog groups have described as a de facto quota system.

Such arrangements expose the underlying logic of the entire detention expansion now underway. Facilities like the one in Leavenworth are not simply built in response to enforcement needs; they are part of a system in which detention itself is treated as a guaranteed revenue stream. The reopening of shuttered prisons, the rapid awarding of contracts and the push to increase capacity all reflect the alignment of government policy with corporate profit interests.

Branson, Missouri protests against police involvement in immigration enforcement

The implications of this policy were sharply revealed last month in Branson, Missouri, where hundreds of residents packed City Hall on February 10 to oppose a newly approved Section 287(g) agreement. Passed with less than 24 hours public notice, the agreement authorizes local police to act as federal immigration agentsempowering them to identify and remove individuals suspected of lacking legal status. The measure was pushed by Police Chief Eric Schmitt, who justified it by citing alleged gang threats while acknowledging that authorities couldnt prove individuals were gang membersunderscoring that enforcement would proceed on suspicion rather than demonstrable evidence.

Residents responded with outrage. Protesters carried signs reading No ICE in Branson and warned that the policy would erode constitutional protections, including due process and the presumption of innocence. Many expressed concern that the powers granted under 287(g) would be used arbitrarily, particularly against immigrants and low-income residents, while undermining trust in local institutions.

Section 287(g), a provision of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act, allows the federal government to deputize state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws. After being scaled back in previous years amid widespread civil-rights concerns, the program has been aggressively expanded. Agreements now span hundreds of jurisdictions across more than 40 states, with over 1,000 memoranda signed as of late 2025. Independent estimates indicate that between 15,000 and 16,000 local officers have been granted immigration enforcement authority. Under the revived task-force model, police are empowered to question individuals about their immigration status during routine encounters, detain them based on suspicion of civil immigration violations and transfer them to federal custody.

The connection between these developments is not incidental but systemic. In Leavenworth, detention capacity is being expanded and guaranteed through lucrative contracts. In Branson and hundreds of other cities, local police are being integrated into the enforcement pipeline that will supply detainees to fill these facilities. The result is a coordinated apparatus in which arrests, detention and deportation are increasingly organized according to financial imperatives.

The opposition that has emergedfrom protests in Leavenworth to mass turnout in Bransonreflects growing anger among workers and youth at policies that threaten democratic rights and target vulnerable populations. Yet these struggles remain fragmented and localized, while the expansion of detention and deportation proceeds at the national level, backed by both major parties and powerful corporate interests.

The working class must draw the necessary conclusions. The fight against mass detention, deportation and the transformation of local police into agents of federal enforcement cannot be waged through appeals to the same institutions that are implementing these policies. It requires the independent mobilization of workers, students and young people across the country.



Rank-and-file committees must be built in workplaces, schools and communities to oppose 287(g) agreements, demand the closure of detention facilities such as the one in Leavenworth and put an end to the profit-driven system of immigrant detention. These committees must link struggles across cities and states, uniting opposition into a coordinated national movement against repression, exploitation and the subordination of human lives to corporate profit. The fight against the immigration enforcement apparatus is inseparably bound up with the struggle against the capitalist system itself, which gives rise to these policies and sustains them.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday where the two discussed Tokyos involvement in the criminal US-Israeli war against Iran. While the far-right Takaichi government has avoided making a formal statement, Tokyo has in fact backed the war from the start.

US President Donald Trump greets Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office, March 19, 2026 [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

The summit took place at the White House for approximately 90 minutes, during which Takaichi reiterated her support for Washingtons illegal attack on Iran. She echoed Trumps phony rationale for the war declaring, Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Takaichi obsequiously groveled before Trump, telling the fascistic president, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.

In turn, Trump praised Takaichi for stepping up in response to his demand that Japan and NATO countries dispatch military forces to the region, in particular to open up the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the worlds oil exports pass. During his talks with Takaichi, Trump called on Japan again to send military forces. What steps Japan will take have not been revealed, but Tokyo is already working with Washington to further develop the US economy for war.

Trump referenced a recent joint statement issued by Japan and several European nations, including the UK, France, and Germany, that was in fact released that day on the war. He stated, 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, yesunlike NATO.

Even as Iranian civilians, including children, are being targeted by the US and Israel, the highly hypocritical joint statement from Japan and the European nations condemned Iran, the victim in this conflict, in the strongest terms for what it called attacks on commercial vessels, on civilian infrastructure, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Claiming freedom of navigation as a fundamental principle of international law, the statement declared, 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.

In other words, plans are being made to send military forces to Iran to aid the US as Washington discovers that assassinations of the countrys top leaders and widescale bombing have not been enough to win the war. This is being done under the guise of protecting shipping and freedom of navigation, the same rationale that has been used to demonize China and prepare for an even more catastrophic conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

In this regard, Japans involvement is not as a loyal junior ally to US imperialism, but to use the situation to ramp up its own remilitarization by claiming defense of international law and to further war plans aimed at China by securing greater access to energy resources. Japan receives nearly 95 percent of its oil from the Middle East. In this manner, Tokyo is reasserting itself as an imperialist power capable of projecting military power abroad once again in an attempt to offset its economic crisis and decline.

The war and Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz have had a major economic impact. Dubai crude oil rose to $166 a barrel on Thursday, a new record-high, up from $71 on February 27. In Washington, Takaichi declared, Weve brought plans with us to calm the energy market. These plans involve Japans massive $550 billion planned investment in the US in a tariff agreement reached last year.

On Thursday, a White House fact sheet stated that Japan intends to invest $40 billion dollars for the construction of small modular nuclear reactors in Tennessee and Alabama and an additional $33 billion for the construction of natural gas power plants in Pennsylvania and Texas.

A White House official, according to Bloomberg, stated that the energy deal would supposedly stabilize electricity prices and raise US leadership in global technology competition. This includes building data centers, which require large amounts of power, for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) with its numerous military applications.

Separately, Japan is also planning to invest some $100 million in the research and development of shipbuilding technologies that use AI and robotics, according to Japanese government sources. This technology would be used in shipbuilding, automating processes typically done by workers.

This economic investment is bound up with the war preparations against China. The development of domestic power plants would make the US less reliant on oil from abroad that could be cut off in the event of war, as is now taking place. Trump has also emphasized shipbuilding as a major component of his agenda to prepare the US navy for war with China.

Furthermore, prior to the meeting with Trump, Takaichis government was already discussing ways to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), the formal name of Japans military, to the Strait of Hormuz.

At a press conference Friday, when asked about the dispatch of naval vessels, Takaichi responded, These were sensitive exchanges [with Trump], but the extraordinary importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was certainly emphasized. However, there are things that Japan can and cannot do within the bounds of our laws, and I provided an unambiguous and detailed explanation on this point.

Takaichi told an upper house budget committee meeting on March 16, I am examining what Japan can do on its own within the legal framework, while issuing various instructions within the government. Sources close to the government, the Asahi Shimbun reported, have stated that the possibility of deploying the SDF was under earnest consideration. Japan currently already operates in the region, having its only overseas military base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, ostensibly to combat piracy.

The legal constraints on Tokyos military forces are contained in Article 9 of the constitution, which formally ban Japan from waging war overseas. However, Article 9 has largely become a dead letter as successive governments have chipped away at it. Since coming to office last October, Takaichi has ramped up military spending to 2 percent of GDP, removed restrictions on military exports, and threatened war with China over Taiwan.

The government is not concerned with following the law, but with the reaction of the working class. Some 82 percent of the population is opposed to the war according to a poll last weekend conducted by the Asahi Shimbun. Tokyos open involvement in the conflict could spark mass anti-war protests like those that erupted in 2015 against the passage of military legislation allowing Japan to go to war overseas to fight alongside an ally.

It is that legislation that would now be used to justify dispatching the military forces to Iran under the claim that a survival-threatening situation exists due to the threat to Japans energy supplies from the Middle East. Shinzo Abe, the prime minister in 2015, specifically referred to the blockading of the Strait of Hormuz as an example of just such a situation.

For workers, the war is exacerbating an already significant economic crisis. On March 16, the price for a liter of regular gasoline had risen to a record-high of 190.8 yen ($US1.20). This takes place as workers have already suffered from years of stagnant or declining real wages and the dramatic increase in prices on major food items like rice. Tokyos increasing involvement in what is rapidly becoming a global war means even further attacks on the social conditions of the working class.
Congregants denounce Albanese and Burke at Lakemba mosque, March 20, 2026 [Photo: ABC News]

Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke received a hostile reception when they attended Lakemba mosque in southwest Sydney yesterday, with congregants denouncing them for supporting the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the broader US-led war throughout the Middle East.

The incident, which went viral on social media and was widely reported in the press, provided a rare glimpse of popular anti-war sentiment. Throughout the genocide, mass hostility has alternately been blacked out and defamed by the media. Since the US launched its assault on Iran, the press has been full of propaganda justifying the illegal war.

Albanese and Burke were at the mosque, the largest in the country, for Eid prayers marking the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. Their visit was coordinated with leaders of the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), which manages the mosque. They evidently thought this would be a benign photo opportunity.

But those plans went awry. Footage shows congregants standing up and shouting that Albanese and Burke were genocide supporters. They have supported the killing of our brothers and sisters one man yelled.

When an LMA official speaking on microphone said it was necessary to have deep intellectual discussions about how Australian Muslims engage with political leadership, several in the crowd responded: Get them out of here!

Appeals for the congregants to sit down fell on deaf ears. When the same LMA representative urged attendees to show respect to Albanese and Burke, one man responded: they dont respect us.

One of the videos pans from the angry worshippers to Albanese, sitting on the floor with a nervous expression on his face. It appears that he and Burke were ushered out of the building shortly thereafter. Walking along the street towards their cars and still being heckled, Albanese and Burke were surrounded by a phalanx of suited federal agents numbering as many as twenty.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Eid prayers at Lakemba mosque [Photo: ABC News]

The reaction among ordinary congregants was entirely fitting. Given their record and their ongoing actions, the appearance of Albanese and Burke had the character of a provocation.

For more than two years, the Labor government has steadfastly supported Israels assault on Gaza, even as it has claimed at least 75,000 lives and been branded as a genocide by all reputable human rights organisations and experts in international law.

Labor has not only backed the historic war crimes politically and diplomatically, but has also materially aided the mass slaughter, including through the export to Israel of key components for the F-35 fighter jets that have levelled Gaza.

Now Labor is an active participant in the broader war throughout the Middle East, which the genocide was always aimed at facilitating. Albanese was among the first world leaders to endorse US President Donald Trumps utterly criminal attack on Iran and has since committed an advanced Australian warplane, missiles and personnel to aid the war of extermination against that country of 93 million people.

Resolve polling, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald last week, showed overwhelming opposition to Australias involvement in the Iran war: 61 per cent of Australians say they want to stay out of the conflict entirely, with just 13 per cent eager for Australia to be involved.

Participants in the mosque protest told the media they were particularly incensed by Israels current bombardment and invasion of Lebanon, where many have relatives. Labor is backing the unprovoked onslaught, which has already claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced over a million.

In seeking to justify their invitation to Albanese, the LMA said it had been an opportunity for members of the Muslim community to politely discuss their concerns with the Labor government, including over its inadequate response to Islamophobia. That line reflects the middle-class, community politics of the LMA which is oriented to the political establishment and to government.

Albaneses response to the protest underscored the bankruptcy of those illusions. He contemptuously told the press that he had received a very warm reception at the mosque.

Albanese dismissed the protest as a couple of people who were heckling, adding, some people dont like the fact that we have outlawed extremist organisations like Hizb ut-Tahrir.

So much for a dialogue with the government about Islamophobia. Albanese was essentially dismissing anyone who condemned his governments support for the genocide and war in the Middle East as a wild-eyed Muslim extremist.

None of the footage indicates that the hecklers were motivated by the ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir. But that prohibition was a major attack on democratic rights and Albaneses boast of it is a warning of an ongoing crackdown on anti-war opposition.

In the wake of the December 14 antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydneys Bondi beach, the Labor government rushed through legislation giving itself the power to ban organisations and even political parties on the vague grounds that they supposedly promote hate speech. There is no judicial process, with the power residing in the executive.

Hizb ut-Tahrir promotes reactionary political Islamism. But there was no suggestion that it had any connection to terrorism or illegality. Instead, it was criminalised in a matter of weeks in February, solely based on its political views. This sets a precedent for broader attempts to outlaw anti-war organisations. After a ban, membership of a prohibited organisation can be punished by 5 years imprisonment.

The struggle against war and authoritarianism requires a political fight against the Labor government by the working class.
Thousands of educators and school workers rallied at Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday as United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and SEIU Local 99 announced a possible April 14 strike against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Teachers with the UTLA, SEIU99 and AALA (administrators) rally on March 18, 2026 at Gloria Molina Park in downtown Los Angeles.

The Fight for LA rally brought together UTLA, SEIU Local 99 and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, representing more than 68,000 workers. A strike would shut down the nations second-largest school district, affecting hundreds of thousands of students.

The announcement comes amid a deepening crisis of public education and American capitalism. It unfolds alongside the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran, which has killed thousands of civilians and threatens wider regional escalation.

The war and the assault on education are bound up with the same class policy. While trillions are funneled into militarism, social programs are slashed, including billions from education. At the same time, class struggle is intensifying, with strikes and protests by workers across the country.

As the Trump administration carries out its criminal and illegal war on Iran, the class struggle has expanded. Currently, the largest meatpackers strike is taking place in Greeley, Colorado; in January, there were mass protests in Minneapolis against the federal occupation murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti; and in February, there were massive strikes by healthcare workers in New York City and California and Hawaii for over a month.

Teachers with the UTLA, SEIU99 and AALA (administrators in green) rally on March 18, 2026 at Gloria Molina Park in downtown Los Angeles.

Reporters for the World Socialist Web Site spoke to several teachers about the potential strike and the way forward. Many described students living in fear of ICE raids, chronic understaffing, lack of basic supplies and deteriorating school conditions, as well as their opposition to the war on Iran.

Nicholas, a high school English teacher in South LA, said, Im fighting for not just what teachers deserve but also what our students deserve, which is mental health services.  Almost all my students are currently living in fear of their family members being unlawfully detained or deported.

I was hoping for the January 30 strike to kind of be like a general strike  a combined effort amongst workers, among all sectors of the economy.

About this new war on Iran, this government is fighting wars with the money that is supposed to be  used for what we need as Americans.

Christian, a third grade teacher with 25 years in LAUSD, opposed Trump's war on Iran and supported the call for a general strike by the working class. He said, I love it! We are the backbone of America. There are the elites and the one percenters, but really we are the backbone. We're really the foundation of this culture. And there needs to be more of a focus on that.

I mean we are the people. For the people, by the people, as the Constitution stated. And it's funny, I'm teaching third graders, and we're learning about the branches of government and the checks and balances of our system. And is it working now? Because I talk about current issues in class. I bring up international affairs....

Christian teaches third grade and has been an LAUSD teacher for 25 years.

I noticed that whenever theres a major need, the money appears out of nowhere. But in the case of teachers, why does it always seem like were the last in receiving support?

Right now theres a war on Iran.  What is the cost of this war? The human cost  Its magnified. Its horrible.

Edward, a paraprofessional and SEIU 99 member, said, One of the major problems we face is the learning environment. It needs to be maintained; it needs to be kept clean. We need more staff on board.

Edward is a paraprofessional and member of SEIU 99.

Because of the budget cuts, theyre trying [to] lay off school bus drivers and other staff. They say its because the funds are low, but they should be hiring more staff.

These ICE raids are crazy. The majority of our communities immigrated here to make a better life for themselves ... Its not right that they have to live in fear.

Hunter, a campus aide and SEIU 99 member, said, I dont feel like the resources of society are going to what we need. Theres a literacy crisis. ... I see the Department of Education being gutted, and thats not right. The money should be going back into this place.

Hunter is a campus aide and member of SEIU 99.

We see a lot of resources being redirected to ICE and this new war in Iran. We are absolutely anti-ICE. And I have no faith in a war with Iran. We do not need to be there.

Im working and living in downtown LA, with a population of students who are primarily affected by ICE. I know students and their families who were deported by ICE or impacted by it.

If theres a general strike against all this, I would support it. The governments been targeting LA a lot. LA was built on strikes, and we should continue to do so.

The way forward: Rank-and-file committees and independent political action

The decisive issue facing Los Angeles educators is political independence. The struggle cannot be left to union bureaucracies tied to the Democratic Party and corporate interests.

UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has called a strike for April 14, demanding a 17 percent raise, higher starting pay, no layoffs, smaller class sizes and expanded staffing. SEIU Local 99 leader Max Arias, meanwhile, has kept 30,000 low-paid school workers without a contract for two-and-a-half years, many earning just $35,000 annually and facing cuts to hours and benefits, even as the union proposes a limited Unfair Practice Charge action.

Teachers authorized a strike by 94 percent in January and have worked without a contract since June. UTLA has delayed action for months, diverting opposition into fact-finding and negotiations while layoffs and budget cuts proceed. This follows the pattern of the California Teachers Association, which has kept tens of thousands working under expired contracts statewide under its fraudulent We Cant Wait campaign.

The recent San Francisco strike is a warning. More than 6,000 educators walked out with broad support, only for the union to shut it down within days and impose a deal backed by Democratic officials that delivered a 2 percent annual raise, a real pay cut.

The delayed April 14 strike date provides time for another backroom deal, as seen in other cities. The role of the DSA underscores the effort to channel growing opposition into the Democratic Party, which, no less than the Republicans, has overseen the ongoing destruction of public education.

Conditions exist for a broad movement. Tens of thousands of UC workers have authorized a strike, while recent struggles by nurses and teachers have shown the willingness of workers to fight. But each has been isolated and shut down by the unions.

Educators must take control of their struggle by forming rank-and-file committees independent of UTLA, CTA and AFT, and link up with workers across industries to carry the fight forward.

These committees must fight for demands that meet the urgency of the crisis:

No layoffs and full funding of public education. The claim that there is no money is a fraud. The wealth existsin the hands of the billionaires and in the war budget. The ill-gotten fortunes of the tech and financial oligarchy must be expropriated and redirected to education, healthcare and social needs.

Unite all California educators in a statewide strike , expanding to a national movement and linking teachers with healthcare workers, logistics workers and every section of the working class in struggle.

Stop the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran. The war is not only a crime against the people of Iran, it is the instrument through which the ruling class imposes austerity and dictatorship at home. The billions being poured into bombs and military operations must be redirected to schools, hospitals and housing.

Defend immigrant students and families. No deportations. Abolish ICE, CBP and DHS. No ICE raids at schools or anywhere else.

Drop all charges against teachers and students who have participated in anti-ICE walkouts.

Break with the Democrats and Republicans. The Democratic Party is not an ally of teachers or the working class. From Bidens elimination of COVID relief funds to Newsoms imposition of austerity on California schools to the Democrats bipartisan support for the war in Iran, this party serves the same ruling oligarchy as the Republicans.

The April 14 strike date, if it is to mean anything, must be the beginning of a genuine struggle, not the culmination of a pressure campaign designed to extract a few percentage points of wage increase before sending teachers back to work under worsened conditions. This requires wresting control of the struggle from the bureaucracy and placing it in the hands of rank-and-file workers themselves.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) calls on educators, parents and students to take up this fight. Contact the World Socialist Web Site to discuss the formation of a rank-and-file committee at your school or workplace.
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) changed its position on mandatory detention, alerting its agents that any immigrant who had arrived in the US illegally could be subject to mandatory immigration detention. Prior to this change, mandatory detention without bond was largely reserved for immigrants who had committed serious violent or drug-related crimes in the United States.

In this photo taken Sept. 10, 2019, detainees walk toward a fenced recreation area at the GEO Groups immigration jail in Tacoma, Washington during a media tour. [AP Photo/Ted S. Warren]

The result is that thousands of immigrants have been placed in a position where they are ineligible for immigration bond hearings and are not permitted release from ICE detention until their removal from the United States, however long that takes. This policy change turns on legal hairsplitting of the definition of when an immigrant is seeking admission at the US border. Immigrants who are determined by DHS to be seeking admission are seen as neither having been admitted nor having been not admitted into the United States, and thus not permitted released from ICE detention once arrested.

As immigrants subject to the DHSs new mandatory detention rules are unable to secure release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention through traditional bond pathways, an enormous number of habeas corpus petitions have been filed in federal district courts. Habeas corpus is a legal right which dates back to the 1215 Magna Carta, permitting detained individuals to challenge the legality of their confinement by the government. It is specifically enshrined in Article I, Section 9, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

Habeas corpus is therefore not simply an element of American jurisprudence but a fundamental democratic right that dates back over 800 years. It is being employed now against severe administrative overreach and attacks on democratic rights. When a habeas petition is granted, the detained person must either be released or a bond hearing must be granted by the government.

In Michigan federal courts prior to 2025, immigration-related habeas petitions were rare. Neither the Eastern nor Western District saw more than five cases per month between 2008 and September 2025. After the DHS widened the scope of immigrants who are subject to mandatory detention, this number spiked, with more than 800 habeas petitions filed between August 2025 and February 2026.

Despite the fact that more than 90 percent of these petitions have been granted, immigrants who are granted bond hearings by immigration courts, organized under the Department of Justice (DOJ), are routinely denied bond or given excessively high bond amounts, in blatant defiance of the spirit of federal court grants of habeas corpus.

A spokesperson for the DOJ denounced federal judges who disagree with immigration judges position on bond hearings for detained immigrants. Ignoring the blatant violations of democratic rights, he accused the federal judges of throwing judicial temper tantrums and insulting the intelligence and professionalism of our dedicated corps of [immigration judges] with their activist rulings.

The DOJs crowing about the integrity and competence of its immigration judges flies in the face of the brazenly ideological directives they have been given to deny as many asylum claims as possible. Immigration judges have unquestionably been given similar marching orders concerning immigration bond hearings.

The DHSs attempt to widen the scope of mandatory immigration detention preceded its current push to expand detention centers across the United States. This is a necessary outgrowth of the Trump regimes anti-immigrant pogrom and its broader attack on the working class. Underscoring this point are the increasing revelations of atrocious detention center conditions.

North Lake Detention Center in Baldwin, Michigan, the largest ICE detention center in the Midwest, has been the site of dozens of 911 dispatches since it was reopened on June 16, 2025. ICE blusters that the facility has higher detention standards than most US prisons and that all detainees are provided food, medical care and opportunities to speak with their lawyers and family. An ICE spokesperson ghoulishly stated to MLive that the medical care at detention centers is the best healthcare that many aliens have received in their entire lives.

GEO Group, which runs North Lake Detention Center, denies that there are poor conditions at the facility, claiming it provides high quality support services and around-the-clock access to medical care. It claims that detainees have access to medical personnel and off-site medical specialists, imaging facilities, emergency medical services, and local community hospitals.

North Lake Detention Center is located in a remote part of Northern Michigan, and the medical help it has repeatedly sought reportedly takes more than 40 minutes to arrive. The closest local community hospital to the facility is in Reed City, 20 miles away.

North Lake received a surge of hundreds of detainees as a result of Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago in late 2025, as well as other ICE operations across the United States, without the GEO Group having adequate staff to handle the influx. The number of detainees exploded from 400 in September 2025 to nearly 1,400 by the end of 2025, approaching the limit of the facilitys 1,800 beds. Nearly two-thirds of emergency calls at North Lake were placed from October through December.

On November 22, a man who had been on suicide watch collapsed in his cell. Two weeks later, a medic was called for a man with signs of appendicitis. On December 15, 911 was called because a detainee, Nenko Gantchev, had stopped breathing. He ultimately died. Another detainee suffered irreversible damage to his eyes because his six-month detention delayed a surgery. Yet another was the subject of a 911 call due to a possible heart attack after North Lake failed to follow his medical treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes. A 23-year-old detainee attempted suicide on November 25 and was transferred to Cadillac Munson Hospital, 45 miles away.

An asylum seeker from Venezuela, arrested as he left his job at a poultry processing plant in Chicago on October 3, had undergone recent surgeries for a ureteral obstruction and was taking antibiotics to treat an infection before a third surgery. While at North Lake, the man requested medical care numerous times due to extreme abdominal pain. He informed staff about his kidney surgeries but was not given medication until his fourth visit to the infirmary, and then only medication to treat incontinence which he did not need and did not take. He was denied his antibiotics and painkillers for more than three weeks. The man was released on November 5 and required hospitalization to stop the infection and prevent septis. The man is currently suing the GEO Group in federal court for denial of necessary and emergent medical care.

The GEO Group has profited mightily from contracts with the US government, with profits increasing from $32 million to $254 million in 2025, a 700 percent increase. The federal government has paid GEO Group $5.6 million for North Lake alone.
Daphy Michel [Photo: Daphy Michel]

Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker with documented mental illness, was found dead in a Pittsburgh bus shelter on March 2still wearing the ankle monitor that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had fitted on her five days earlier, when it released her alone into an unfamiliar city in freezing weather, more than 40 miles from her home, without notifying her family or her attorney.

Michel entered the United States through a legal port of entry in Brownsville, Texas, on December 14, 2022, paroled in under a discretionary authorization for urgent humanitarian reasons. She subsequently filed for asylum. At the time of her death, an immigration hearing was scheduled for April 16 in Orlando, Floridaher case was still pending. Her brother Carlo, who had been waiting for her release, lives legally in the area under Temporary Protected Status (TPS)the same status the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to terminate for Haitian immigrants.

Michel had been living in Charleroi, Pennsylvaniaa former industrial town of coal miners and steelworkers on the Monongahela River, 40 miles south of Pittsburgh. Its deindustrialized landscape and gutted social services would prove part of the trap she could not escape.

On September 3, 2025, she was arrested after a neighbor called 911 to report that Michel was experiencing a mental health crisis. Charleroi police, who had prior contact with her and knew her history, arrested her on misdemeanor charges of harassment and terroristic threats. As is typical in the United States, instead of dispatching emergency mental health services, police were sent. She was taken to Washington County Jail and held on a $10,000 bond, waiting nearly six months for a hearingincluding waiting for a mental health evaluation that reportedly never fully materialized.

When Michel finally appeared in court on February 26, the judge dismissed both misdemeanor counts, saying there was no victim. But freedom was not waiting for her. The Washington County Public Defenders Office confirmed that ICE had placed a detainer on her jail filea formal request to be notified before she was released. ICE used that detainer to intercept her release from county custody and transfer her directly into federal hands.

Her brother Carlo, who had attended the hearing, left relieved, expecting a call telling him when to pick her up.

At the court, I saw my sister. I saw Daphy. She wasnt having any problem, Carlo told WTAE through an interpreter. He went home and waited.

The following day, February 27, ICE processed Michel at its Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Pittsburghs South Side and enrolled her in the agencys Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. A private contractor fitted her with a GPS ankle monitor. Then she was releasedalone, in an unfamiliar city, with no transportation home, no coordination with her family and no follow-up plan.

The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to reporters, defended its handling of the case: Michel had been released, it said, with all of her belongings, including a fully charged phone, in sunny weather in the middle of Pittsburgh, where public transport is readily available.

The claim is a study in selective truth. February 27 did reach a high of 50F in Pittsburgha mild afternoon by late-winter standards. What DHS did not mention: the temperature fell to exactly 32F that night. The following day, February 28, the high was 27F. By the night of March 1the night she is believed to have diedthe temperature had dropped to 5F. ICE released Daphy Michel into a pleasant Thursday afternoon and left her to survive a week that ended in single digits.

Pittsburghs South Side in late February is roughly an hour from Charleroi by car. The only bus connecting the two runs a few times a day and requires first reaching downtown Pittsburgh. Michel had no home in Pittsburgh, no family in the city and no confirmed place to stay. Between the night of February 27 and the morning of March 2, there is no public account of where she went, whether she sought shelter or whether anyone saw her.

Joseph Murphy, an attorney working with her family, noted that authorities had been fully aware of her mental health vulnerabilities throughout her months in custody. How did she end up dead? Murphy asked in an interview with TribLive. You just cant be dumping these people on the streets like this. He added: They brought her up here. They could have just as easily driven her 40 minutes back to Charleroi.

On the morning of March 2, Port Authority maintenance workers found Michel at a bus shelter on East Carson Street, beneath the Smithfield Street Bridge on the South Sideless than 2 miles from the ICE office where she had been processed. She was on the ground, unresponsive, without a pulse. Emergency responders administered naloxone, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and a defibrillator three times. She was transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Doctors told her family the cause was cardiac arrest.

Data from her ankle monitor suggested she may have been dead for many hours before she was discovered. She was still wearing the ankle monitor when she was found.

ICE did not receive a tamper alert from the device until March 3the day after her body was found, when the Allegheny County Medical Examiners Office cut it from her leg as part of standard intake. ICE officers then went to the Medical Examiners office. Staff there refused to cooperate. ICE subsequently involved the U.S. Marshals Service to retrieve the severed monitor. In a statement, DHS said ICE was never given official notification of her passing, and found out about her death via the media thanks to the local countys refusal to even have a conversation with federal law enforcement. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner has not yet released an official cause or manner of death.

Attorney Joseph Murphy told WTAE:

This is an older brother. Its his younger sister. They told him on a Thursday that the charges were dismissed and she was going to be released. She doesnt come out on Friday. He gets a call on Monday that shes dead.

A policy, not an accident

Michels death is not an aberration. It is the deliberate policy of the Trump administration, carried out with the compliance of the Democratic Party at both the local and national level.

Last year, Democrats and Republicans in Congress together approved more than $45 billion for a massive expansion of ICE detention capacity. The Washington County Board of Commissioners, which turned Michel over to ICE, is composed of two Republicans and one Democrat. Pittsburgh and Allegheny Countywhere the ICE detention center is locatedare governed by Democrats who consider themselves part of the partys so-called progressive wing. The county government passed a toothless resolution barring its employees from cooperating with ICE. It did not prevent what happened to Daphy Michel.

Haitian immigrants across the country have been a central target of the Trump administrations fascistic campaign since before the election. Trump and then-vice-presidential candidate JD Vance repeatedly spread the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating neighbors petsa lie used to terrorize Haitian communities nationwide and incite threats against residents of that city. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly sought to terminate TPS for Haitians, Cubans and Venezuelans as a step toward their detention and deportation. Pittsburgh has seen a marked increase in ICE raids on workplaces, restaurants and homes.

A documented and deadly pattern

What happened to Michel fits a well-documented pattern. According to The Marshall Project and other outlets, detainees arrested in major cities such as Chicago have been transferred to facilities in Texas, Indiana and Michiganhundreds of miles from their families and legal support. The National Immigrant Justice Center has documented cases in which individuals leave detention with little more than paperwork, no transportation and no clear path back to the communities where they were arrested.

The Vera Institute of Justice has documented instances in which immigrants with serious psychiatric conditions were released from detention without adequate planning, continuity of care or confirmed support. In one documented case, a detainee deemed mentally incompetent was released after prolonged confinement despite clear evidence he could not safely care for himself.

Michels case is not isolated. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, was dropped by Border Patrol agents at a closed Tim Hortons coffee shop in Buffalo, New York, in freezing temperatures. Five days later he was found dead on the street, miles away. His family was never notified of where he had been left.

Deaths inside immigration detention have also risen sharply. According to official tallies, at least 32 people died while in ICE custody in from 2020 to 2025. In the first months of 2026, at least 11 more have died. Investigations have repeatedly documented delayed medical care, failure to respond to emergencies and inadequate mental health support. In Texas, the death of Geraldo Lunas Camposwho had a documented history of mental illnesswas ruled a homicide following an encounter with guards during a mental health crisis.

The death of Daphy Michel is not the result of a few bad actors. It is the product of a systembuilt and funded by both political partiesdesigned to terrorize immigrant workers and the working class communities they are part of. She came to the United States seeking asylum. She was surveilled, jailed, intercepted and abandoned. The bracelet beeped. No one came.
Teamsters President Sean OBrien appeared in person at Senator Markwayne Mullins confirmation hearing this week, following his earlier public endorsement of Trumps nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Before testimony began, Mullin embraced OBrien visually underscoring the political alliance between the Teamsters bureaucracy and the domestic police state.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., President Donald Trump's pick for Homeland Security secretary, testifies during Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Teamsters President Sean O'brien is seated behind Mullin's right shoulder. [AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta]

Mullins nomination was then advanced out of committee by an 8-7 vote after Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania supplied the decisive vote. That margin was necessary because Republican committee chairman Rand Paul refused to support Mullin, citing, among other things, Mullins past praise for the assault Paul suffered at the hands of his neighbor and his refusal to offer a real apology. Mullin now appears likely to win confirmation on the Senate floor, where Republicans hold a narrow majority.

Before testimony even began, Mullin embraced Sean OBrien, who then took a seat next to former Speaker of the House and former California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, a supporter not only of the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza, but also of the ongoing illegal war against Iran and the war against Russia in Ukraine, also sat in the front row in support of Mullin. The scene provided a fitting image of the political relationship on display throughout the proceedings: the open alignment of the Teamsters bureaucracy, both political parties, and Trumps next thug to head the Department of Homeland Security.

Mullin and O'Brien embrace before the March 18, 2026 hearing. [Photo: C-Span]

Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky, opened the hearing by denouncing political violence and recalling an assault he suffered years ago. He noted that Mullin had stated publicly he completely understood why Paul had been assaulted by his neighbor.

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.

While Paul was openly hostile to Mullin, Democratic Michigan Senator Gary Peters cordially thanked him for meeting with him before the hearing and welcomed Mullins family. He then said that Democrats were prepared to fund all of the Department of Homeland Security, except Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), until reforms were enacted. We just want ICE to follow the same rules as local police, Peters said. Local police in America routinely kill more than 1,000 people per year, overwhelmingly workers and poor people, with virtual impunity.

In his questioning, Peters raised Mullins previous comments following the murder of Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Protection agents. Like former Secretary Kristi Noem, Mullin smeared the Veterans Administration intensive care unit nurse after he was gunned down in the back, calling him a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage. Peters asked Mullin whether he would offer similar quick responses if he became secretary.

Mullin claimed he would not mirror Noems behavior and said he probably should have retracted his comments, something he neglected to do either at the hearing or in the two months since Prettis killing. When Peters gave him an opportunity to apologize to the Pretti family, Mullin declined, citing an ongoing investigation.

In his opening questioning of Mullin, Paul played a video showing Mullin previously threatening to fight Sean OBrien and then defending his actions in multiple media appearances. In one podcast, Mullin declared, Im not afraid of biting... and I dont care where Ill bite, its just going to be a bite.

Paul asked Mullin whether he thought fighting was a good way to resolve political differences. Mullin replied, As you can notice over my shoulder here is my good friend Sean OBrien.

OBrien beamed as Mullin described going on his podcast and reconciling their differences.

O'Brien smiles as Mullin refers to him as "my good friend." [Photo: C-Span]

On OBriens podcast in October 2025, Mullin openly celebrated his relationship with the Teamsters president. Mullin noted that President Trump loves OBrien and that Trump helped the pair become partners.

In a Senate statement released the same day, Mullin said that under Trumps leadership he and OBrien had found quite a friendship, and added, We talk all the time.

On the podcast, OBrien added, I think weve worked together well... and I think we talk more than people think.

Yeah, Mullin replied.

One of the examples of working together and collaborating was when the nomination [for US secretary of labor] of Lori Chavez DeRemer, OBrien said. OBrien later favorably compared himself to the capitalist politician, saying they shared a similar goal.

Your goal is to always get an agreement. Your goal is never to strike in our world, said OBrien.



Trumps esteem for the Teamsters president is not a personal curiosity but a class fact. It signifies that OBrien and the Teamsters bureaucracy are recognized by the administration as a dependable instrument for subordinating workers to the financial oligarchy. OBriens collaboration with Mullin over the nomination of Chavez-DeRemer underscores that the Teamsters bureaucracy is integrating itself ever more directly into the capitalist state.

OBriens endorsement of Markwayne Mullin for secretary of the DHS exposes the class character of the Teamsters bureaucracy. On March 6, after Trump named Mullin to replace Kristi Noem, OBrien declared, If anyone is willing to stand their butt up to protect America, its Markwayne Mullin.

No genuine workers organization could support the head of DHS, the department that oversees ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the expanding network of concentration camps to imprison immigrants today and political opponents and native-born workers tomorrow.

The significance of OBriens support is sharpened by the broader political context. In September 2025, Trumps NSPM-7 memorandum cast anti-fascism as domestic terrorism and identified anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity as ideological markers of supposed violent conspiracies.

OBriens appearance at Mullins hearing also confirms the broader analysis made by the WSWS after the 2024 Republican National Convention, which explained that the union bureaucracy is a natural base of support for fascism. Completely integrated with management and dependent on the capitalist state, the bureaucracy is hostile to any independent movement from below. OBriens support for Trumps DHS nominee is not a personal aberration but the political expression of that social function.

Workers need new organizations of strugglerank-and-file committees independent of the bureaucracy, uniting immigrant and native-born workers alike on an internationalist basis against deportations, war, fascism and capitalism.
More than a decade after Australias notorious Robodebt regime was launched in 2015causing immense suffering to about 450,000 welfare recipients by falsely accusing them of owing the government huge debtsevery official inquiry has ended with all those responsible going scot-free.

In fact, in its final report last week the Albanese governments National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) went even further than Labors 2023 royal commission into the scheme by totally exonerating the former Liberal-National Coalition government leader most directly involved in Robodebtex-Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison [AP Photo/Rick Rycroft]

In addition, not a single government minister or official will be prosecuted. Instead, two former relatively senior public service executives were named as corrupt for allegedly misleading the Coalition governments cabinet or the federal Ombudsman over the legality of the scheme, with no prosecutions recommended on the grounds that no admissible evidence exists.

This has caused shock and outrage among the victims and their families, some of whom have campaigned for years for some kind of justice. Among them is Jenny Miller, whose son, Rhys Cauzzo, took his own life in January 2017 while being pursued for a false debt of up to $28,000.

Miller told the Guardian: Its hard to describe because I feel like Ive put aside nine years of my life and gotten nothing out of it at all. Like, no accountability, no justice, no nothing. It really needs to go in front of a judge and jury and for them to be found guilty or not guilty.

Felicity de Somerville, a Robodebt victim who had $11,500 drained by the governments Centrelink welfare agency from her bank account without warning under the scheme in 2017, told the Australian Associated Press that the NACC decision not to propose a single criminal prosecution was grossly disappointing but not surprising. She commented: I dont think any Australian should be surprised theyre not going to take accountability for this.

The NACC report has also effectively given a green light to the continuation of such abuses by similar punitive measures against the unemployed and disabled and aged pensioners. That follows revelations that the Labor government is inflicting financially crippling penalties on unemployed workers and teenagers through a Targeted Compliance Framework, which can cancel a persons sub-poverty payments for four weeks or more.

The automated Robodebt process was based on income-averaged data from the Australian Tax Office that distorted the meagre incomes of victims who took often-irregular casual or part-time work because they could not survive on the welfare payments.

After receiving computer-generated letters declaring that they owed the government thousands of dollars, the victims were threatened with jail terms unless they paid the demanded amounts or produced documents, going back up to seven years, to disprove alleged over-payments.

Robodebt was deliberately designed to slash billions of dollars from social spendingin fact, nearly $2 billion was directly stripped from recipientsand to cut off welfare payments, coercing recipients into seeking low-paid work, all for the benefit of the corporate ruling class.

In January 2015, Morrison, then a newly-appointed social services minister, foreshadowed the Robodebt assault. In a media interview he boasted that he would be a strong welfare cop on the beat.

Robodebt caused immeasurable grief, stress, financial suffering, trauma and, inevitably, suicide among some of the most vulnerable members of the working classincluding those suffering homelessness, medical conditions, mental ill-health, family and domestic violence, or facing crisis situations or caring responsibilities.

No reliable statistics exist on the number of suicides that resulted. In 2018, however, the Senate was given figures showing that, from July 2016 to October 2018, some 2,030 people had died after receiving a Robodebt notice.

As the royal commission report confirmed, Morrison and other ministers in the Liberal-National government knew by late 2016 that the regime was unlawfuleven infringing the draconian provisions of the Social Security Act. Media reports, including on the World Socialist Web Site, had already exposed its arbitrary and false methodology and shocking personal toll on distressed welfare recipients.

From 2015 to late 2019, when immense public outcry finally forced a halt to it, the brutal automated system set relentless private debt collectors on wrongly accused welfare recipients, arbitrarily cut benefits or garnisheed income tax returns, and deliberately blocked all objections except via an online site that many welfare dependents had neither the means nor the ability to negotiate.

When Robodebt victims, including the loved ones of those who had committed suicide, publicly objected to their persecution, government ministers unlawfully released selected confidential information from their welfare files to corporate media outlets, such as the Australian, in efforts to blacken their names and intimidate other victims.

Labors royal commission report described how public servants at all levels were placed under intense and threatening pressure by the government ministers, and any reservations were quashed, to implement the Robodebt scheme to meet welfare-cutting targets. The former ministers most criticised in the report were Morrison and fellow former social security ministers Alan Tudge, Christian Porter and Stuart Robert.

The royal commission report said that once the unlawfulness of Robodebt became obvious, the response of these ministers was to double down, to go on the attack in the media against those who complained and to maintain the falsehood that in fact the system had not changed at all. The government was, the DHS and DSS ministers maintained, acting righteously to recoup taxpayers money from the undeserving.

Yet none of these ministers will be held to account. In a sealed 56-page chapter of its report, the royal commission referred a handful of individualsnow known to be five public service officials plus Morrisonfor possible criminal or civil action. At the time, Morrison said he was not among them.

Finally released after three years, the sealed chapter reveals that the royal commission referred Morrison to investigation by the NACC, saying he had not made obvious inquiries in 2015 with the social services and human services departments about why the income-averaging scheme using tax data did not require changes to the legislation.

He failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that cabinet was properly informed about what the proposal actually entailed and to ensure that it was lawful, the sealed chapter said.

The NACC report dismissed even that limited indictment. Turning reality on its head, it said Morrisonthe political architect and driver of the schemehad been entitled to rely on the advice of departmental officials that Robodebt was legal.

I do not accept that Mr Morrison should have realised the NPP (new policy proposal) was misleading; and, accordingly, I do not consider that his failure to detect the NPP was misleading was in breach of any personal obligation of honesty or good faith, deputy NACC commissioner Kylie Kilgour said in her concluding statement.

Kilgour also rejected other related royal commission findings against Morrison. One of the reasons she gave was that as a member of parliament and minister of many years standing, Morrison would almost certainly have foreseen that, if he had been culpable, there would be a high chance of the deception soon being discovered and of his and his governments subjection to the inevitably adverse political consequences that would follow.

Kilgour ruled that Morrisons conduct did not meet the legal threshold for corrupt conduct under the NACC Act. As a result, Morrison has been largely shielded from adverse political consequences.

The Labor government happily accepted the outcome. In a joint statement with other cabinet ministers, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said: Robodebt was illegal and immoral and nothing like it can be allowed to happen again. Id like to thank the Commission for their work. Well keep working to deliver a fairer social security system for all Australians; a system that treats people as human beings.

In reality, like the Liberal-National Coalition and Labor governments before it, the Albanese government pursues similar methods to Robodebt. For example, it enforces a mutual obligation regime that compels most welfare recipients to undertake an arbitrary number of job applications, training courses or volunteer activities each month in order to keep their payments.

Last September, the Albanese government attempted to deflect from the ever-more glaring Robodebt whitewashand avoid legal liabilityby agreeing to pay $475 million in additional compensation to victims. That took the total financial payout to more than $2.4 billion, but a large chunk of that went to lawyers who ran class actions in the Federal Court.

Nearly a decade after the scheme was introduced, Robodebt has now passed through every stage of Australias supposed accountability system, including parliamentary hearings, a royal commission, an Ombudsmans investigation, several tribunal and court cases, and, finally, a corruption inquiry. The end result is a damning indictment, from which definite political conclusions need to be drawn.

First of all, Robodebt was not a one-off. It had a long pre-history. It fully automated debt accusations against welfare recipients based on false income-averaging tax data, ramping up a decades-long offensive against alleged welfare rorting. This was pursued aggressively by earlier Labor governments, those of Hawke and Keating from 1983 to 1996, and Rudd and Gillard from 2007 to 2013.

Secondly, over the past four decades, Coalition and Labor governments alike have driven thousands of people off benefits or denied them eligibility in the first place. This has been achieved also through harsher rules for disability pensions, and higher means tests and eligibility requirements for various entitlements, including aged pensions.

Finally, no justice will be obtained through the political and legal channels of the parliamentary establishment and the rest of the capitalist institutions.

The hostility to the Robodebt cruelty, which still exists throughout the working class, needs to be transformed into a conscious struggle, against the entire political and corporate establishment, including the Labor government.

Decent welfare entitlements, on which the recipients, including the jobless, disabled and retired workers can live, are a basic social right. But to achieve that requires a socialist program to totally reorganise society to meet the pressing social needs of the working class, the vast majority, not the private profits of the super-rich.
This is the first of two articles on short films at the recent Berlin International Film Festival.

This years Berlinale Shorts programme featured 21 short films from 21 countries, all of them world premieres. As in previous years, it was mostly younger directors who sought to address contemporary issues. The selection, which also included animations, offered some whimsical pieces, many focused on individual emotions, as well as thoughtful explorations of social and historical issues.

Magic and quiet defiance is how long-standing section head Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck described the visual language and underlying tone of many of this years films. She said it was moving to see how even the heavy themes are tackled with such care, warmth, humour and openness.

Someday a Child (Yawman ma walad)

This applies in particular to the winner of the Golden Bear, Someday a Child (Yawman ma walad) from Lebanese director Marie-Rose Osta, which centres on an 11-year-old boy (Khaled Hassan) with magical powers.

He lives with his uncle (Antoine Daher) in the ruins of his family home, over which Israeli bombers roar day after day. With his friends from the village, he roams between cellars and sections of concrete walls while trying to test his special powers.

One of his tests involves walnuts. He opens them simply with his gaze, without cracking them, carefully removes all the kernels and collects them in a jar. When his uncle discovers this, he reacts gruffly, making it clear to him that a world in which one cracks nuts with gentle magic does not exist. He takes a nut from the jar, This is your dream, he says sternly, and then demonstratively crumbles it. And this is reality. The boy protests: Your reality is rubbish.

The uncle wants to protect the boy, who clearly longs for his deceased mother, and raise him to adapt to the prevailing social circumstances under the constant threat of war. However, when the boy apparently uses his magical powers to bring down two fighter jets, the confrontation comes to a head.

The uncle accuses him of having conjured up a dangerous situation: Youre scaredIm not, the boy retorts defiantly. To which the uncle replies: Youd better use your brain.

In the end, flames rise on the horizon, screams ring out in the village, cars pull up outside the house and two men, clearly security agents, confront the uncle. The boy lies on his back, gazing questioningly at the sky.

Director Marie-Rose explains that Someday a Child draws on a personal memory from her teenage years:

In July 2006, I was a teenager in Beirut, bored in my bed, not following politics and not understanding what was about to happen. I heard a fighter jet overheadsomething so rare at the time that I pausedand a strange unease welled up inside me, as if something were coming my way. Almost without thinking, I said out loud: Boom. A second later, an explosion went off nearby. For a terrifying moment, because of the timing, I felt as though my voice had summoned the explosion, before I went outside, heard the news and realised that this was the start of the Israeli attack on Lebanon.

Her grandfathers unfinished house, where she played so much as a child, and that moment in Beirut when the war entered my room as sound and shock, became the motive force behind Someday a Child and raised the question: What happens when a childs inner strength encounters a world determined to discipline them into submission and silence?

At the Berlinale awards ceremony, Marie-Rose Osta herself expressed the inner strength of her child protagonist as she accepted the Golden Bear. Despite attempts by the government and the media to suppress any protest against the genocide in Gaza, she said to applause:

In reality, children in Gaza, throughout Palestine and in my Lebanon have no superpowers to protect them from Israeli bombs.

In the days following the Berlinale, her film has become dramatically more relevant in light of the Israeli armys savage bombing of Beirut.

Search for solidarity

A longing for human cohesion and solidarity in the face of official prejudice and social indifference lay at the heart of a whole series of short films, including Kleptomania (Di san xian) by Jingkai Qu from China, which won the Cupra Filmmaker Award.

Kleptomania (Di san xian)

The 24-minute work is set amongst dreary apartment blocks in Harbin (population 10 million), a socially decaying industrial city in northernmost China, where a boy wants to sell his trading cards. However, an older schoolboy forcibly takes them from him, whereupon the boy begins to take revenge on those around him. A spiral of violence ensues.

According to the director, the impetus for his film was the question of social conditions and childhood experiences, and why violence takes root. The extreme exploitation in China since the reintroduction of capitalist conditions in the early 1980s forms the unspoken backdrop to the events in the city of Harbin.

The 18-minute Les ames du Fouta (Souls of Fouta) by Alpha Diallo from Senegal explores the conflict between strict religious rules and human behaviour. In the end, the desire for humane and supportive existence prevails.

Souls of Fouta (Les ames du Fouta)

The young Dembe has left the confines and poverty of the village and sought his fortune in the capital, Dakar. He returns as a corpse, having died of a drug overdose. His father refuses to have him buried in the village cemetery because his drug addiction has defiled his soul. Dembes mother cannot accept this, and even the village elders advise the father to allow the burial, arguing that God is capable of forgiveness.

The final scene is striking: Dembes mother begins to dig a hole in the ground at the cemetery with her hands. Gradually, other villagers join in. For several minutes, the camera remains almost static, looking down from above at the backs of the neighbours shovelling together around the grave, huddled close togetheran image of human cooperation and equality, beyond any religious, or in a figurative sense, state regulation.

The debut film An Accident (Ein Unfall) from Austrian director Angelika Spangel deals with events in a rural village that appear to be unrelated.

Three teenagers pass the time by staging a car accident. They observe how passing motorists react to it.

In a pig farmers barn, the animals suffocate as a result of a short circuit, and this loss drives a wedge between father and son.

Schoolchildren play with a man with a disability, giggling and keeping their distancesmirking, fearful, never really close. Once, they playfully shoot at him with a toy gun. When he tips over onto his side on a park bench and lies motionless, the real question arises: the next morning, on the way to school, he is still lying there. The two boys who played with him stand there indecisivelythey are ashamed, dont dare to approach. Only when the other children call them cowards do they finally go over to the benchand discover that the man is as fit as a fiddle.

An Accident (Ein Unfall)

The camera remains conspicuously still, observing, almost documentary-like. Wide fields, flat landscape, a village in the middle of nowhere. The viewer sees what the villagers see. The editing weaves the three stories together so that they interlock like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, without ever being brought together in terms of content. Three facets of village life.

Spangel herself cites the moped crash as her favourite moment in the film. A boy rides off on the moped, crying, then a hard cut: the moped crashes down an embankment. The first impulse is shockan accident! But it then becomes clear that the boy destroyed the moped on purpose. For Spangel, this moment leads to the films central theme: guilt and shame. In doing so, she argues against the morality of individual guilt and shows how the villagers react to the accidents by working together to repair the damage and restore their sense of community.

The father, the pig farmer, is dejected and angry because his animals have died. He even lies down to sleep in the barn. Yet he bears no blame for this: he was out with his son to buy him a moped. The joy of this gift and the death of the animals are inextricably linkedone made the other possible in the first place.

The boy is confused and helpless. He can neither ease his fathers pain nor bear it himself, so he reacts with the only way out he can find: he destroys the moped, the symbol of this innocent chain of events. Yet the film does not end with this helplessness. Towards the end, the boy fakes an alarmanother supposed accident. He creates a shared task, a moment in which father and son once again stand together.

And he embraces him. It is one of the films most touching gestures, profoundly human in its simplicity.

One might compare the film to Michael Hanekes The White Ribbona village, a community and how people interact in 1913. The WSWS wrote at the time that Hanekes film was a pessimistic social study and depicted a brutalised society whose internal violence logically led to war.

Spangel, who studied under Haneke, turns this perspective on its head. Her characters do not become brutalised; the children do not abuse a disabled person as in Hanekes filmthey seek closeness, awkwardly and indirectly.

This is no small matter. An Accident is also set on the eve of a catastrophe: not in 1913, but in 2026, in a world moving with eyes wide open towards a third world war. That a film set in this era depicts humanity, rather than brutality, as the true response to guilt and harm is an important political stance, even if the film never spells it out in black and white.
The GM Silao complex in Mexico [Photo by General Motors / CC BY-NC 3.0

Militant support for a strike is rapidly growing among the nearly 7,000 workers at General Motors Silao Complex in Guanajuato, Mexico, as a March 25 strike deadline approaches.

The plant produced 300,000 vehicles last year and is one of the most important auto production hubs in North America.

On March 4, GM unilaterally suspended contract negotiations for a week after rejecting the unions demand for a 20 percent overall increase in wages and benefits, leaving talks that began in late February still unresolved.

The Independent Union of Auto Industry Workers (SINTTIA) was taken aback by the enthusiastic call to establish a strike committee, with 300 workers signing up.

SINTTIA General Secretary Alejandra Morales Reynoso has stressed that GMs profits are soaring, noting that in December 2025 the companys sales in Mexico grew 11.2 percent, and its premium channel, which includes models assembled in Silao, rose 27.7 percent, with the GMC line achieving its best historical sales results.

In an interview with Conexion Global, Morales declared, We dont want to reach the point of a strike, but we are prepared for it.  We are requesting a 20 percent raise directly to wages plus administrative clauses, allowing workers to take their vacations, improving mealtime in the cafeteria, as well as payment for transportation.

Rank-and-file workers speaking to the World Socialist Web Site indicate there is widespread support for a strike but insist that nothing less than the full 20 percent is acceptable.

Twenty percent directly to wages, and we are determined, whatever it takes, one worker said. He and others at the complex asked for anonymity to guard against reprisals.

At the same time, there is a deep-seated distrust of the unions intentions, based on bitter past experience in which staged conflicts ended in sellout deals. An assembly worker told the WSWS, There is an underlying situation that weve already lived through, where an agreement is reached by the leadership and the company in such a way that it suits both of their interests.

Another worker stated, It is already arranged; theyre just going to drag it out so it looks like the union is working, but for sure there is already a deal. A third worker summed up the prevailing skepticism by stating, As for the strike, many of us think it is pure theater.

There are numerous other demands not even raised by SINNTIA, including for better safety enforcement after recent accidents. A real inspection is also needed by the Ministry of Labor to detect areas with health risks, one said.

In related issues, workers are also denouncing intolerable speedups and the erosion of break times, conditions that the union has only addressed with a vague and inadequate call for longer meal breaks. A worker explained, In some areas they do what they call rotation or they run the line, which means continuing to push through trucks or transmissions or engines during lunch and snack breaks, sending half the people first and then the other half afterward; thats how their system works.

Another pointed out that, despite its independent label, the union is still effectively controlled by the Center for Labor Research and Consulting (CILAS), the same law firm that helped set up SINTTIA in the first place. It is in turn tied to the Solidarity Center, an organization run by the US AFL-CIO union bureaucracy and funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, a US government agency founded in 1983 to conduct overtly the kind of political influence operations previously carried out covertly by the CIA.

The origins of SINTTIA themselves confirm these concerns. As documented by the WSWS, the rankandfile group Generating Movement was formed in early 2019 through regular meetings where active workers discussed how to expel the gangsterridden CTM union from the Silao plant.

The groups courageous efforts culminated in a democratically decided campaign to oppose forced overtime and speedups in solidarity with the 40day national GM strike in the United States that began in September 2019, temporarily forcing GM to halt production in Silao. This budding bridge for crossborder class struggle was systematically sabotaged when Solidarity Center operatives and their partners in CILAS intervened with cash payments and promises of posts, handpicked a pliant leadership, and legally registered SINTTIA while sidelining and effectively destroying Generating Movements independent organization.

International union bodies are now trying to channel the anger in Silao into safe, procorporate channels. Global IndustriALL, to which SINTTIA is affiliated, and Brazils National Confederation of Metalworkers (CNM/CUT) have issued statements denouncing GM for refusing to meet the union halfway to avert a strike.

Workers at Silao view such gestures with growing suspicion, since these organizations, like the Solidarity Center, specialize in declarations and symbolic delegations precisely to preempt any genuine international struggle that could block the race to the bottom imposed by the global auto giants.

Neither you nor us nor anyone who doesnt bow down and enter their methodically disguised scheme of corruption will ever get in, an early Generating Movement supporter and active worker told the WSWS. Those of us who initiated the project really wanted a true change.

Disillusionment with SINTTIA has fostered internal currents, but workers warn that these are just another trap. Within SINTTIA there is a current that calls itself the Blue Movement whose objective is to get rid of the advisers and have the rank and file take control of the union, said one worker who has attended recent assemblies. But I dont think they can be trusted because they were part of the previous committee.

Another added, I think they are the same old bread, like a Trojan horse.  And they are a stopgap or a blockade against those of us who really want true change; they are its safeguard.

A third warned, Of course, thats how these mafias operate. Those people lack unity, but with the disappointment in SINTTIA, what can you expect? We have to stay alert because there are rumors that entire crews might get laid off, and those idolized officials might just respond by saying thanks.

The fear of mass layoffs is well-founded, fueled by reports of plant closures in northern Mexico and job cuts internationally. One worker cited reports that Volkswagen is preparing to fire 50,000 workers and warned, If the global situation is affecting VW, GM would be no exception.

This understanding points directly to the international character of the fight now emerging in Silao. The 2019 solidarity action by Generating Movement with the US GM strike demonstrated the power of coordinated action across borders, briefly disrupting GMs North American supply chain.

Today, the same logic applies even more acutely. In an epoch of war and global crisis, corporations like GM play a crucial role in state policy and war productionas they did in the Second World Warmaking them a strategic pillar of the ruling class.

Workers in Silao are acutely aware of this nexus between GM and the state. One recalled the US governments bailout of GM. In 2013 the government sold the shares it still held after rescuing GM with nearly $50 billion. The government lost a total of $10 billion in the operation, but it no longer has shares. It is a key company for the ruling elite and the government, because of the profits it generates, the competition with China and its capacity to produce military equipment.

Generating Movement was ultimately sabotaged by the company working together with the US Embassy and the AFLCIO to impose SINTTIA and block the emergence of a genuinely workercontrolled organization.

This remains an unresolved task: GM Silao workers must rebuild an independent rankandfile committee and immediately take control of the fight and link up their struggle with workers in the United States, Canada and beyond.

There already exists a network to launch an effective, international fight against transnational corporations and all capitalist exploitation, the International Workers Alliance of RankandFile Committees (IWA-RFC), whose construction is at the center of the campaign of Mack Trucks worker Will Lehman for United Auto Workers president.
Additional charges have been filed against Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar, in connection with an ongoing investigation involving alleged offenses against minors, according to the Tontitown Police Department.

In a Friday, March 20 update, police said arrest warrants were issued and served through the district court for both Joseph Duggar, 31, and Kendra Duggar, 27. The charges include four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree false imprisonment.

Authorities said the case remains active and declined to release further details, citing Arkansas laws that restrict the disclosure of information in cases involving minors.

In this handout photo provided by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Joseph Duggar of "19 Kids and Counting" is seen in a police booking photo following accusations of sexual abuse on March 18, 2026 in Tontitown, Arkansas.

The Tontitown Police Department remains committed to conducting a thorough, professional investigation, the department said in a statement.

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The update follows Duggars arrest earlier in the week on a warrant from the Bay County Sheriffs Office in Florida tied to a separate investigation. Tontitown police said the reported incident that prompted the initial arrest did not occur in their jurisdiction but that officers assisted the victim, the family and Florida authorities.

According to the Bay County Sheriffs Office, Duggar faces a charge of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a minor stemming from an alleged incident during a 2020 family vacation in Panama City Beach. Authorities allege the victim, now 14, reported inappropriate sexual contact when she was younger.

Duggar was arrested on March 18 in Tontitown, a city west of Springdale, after local officers received the Florida warrant.

On March 20, Duggar waived his right to extradition and is expected to be transferred to Bay County to face the charge.

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USA TODAY reported that Duggar, a former cast member of the TLC reality series 19 Kids and Counting, has not had an attorney publicly identified as of publication. The Duggar family has not issued a public response.

Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that additional information will be released as permitted by law.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Joseph Duggar, wife face new charges as investigation continues
NEED TO KNOW

Joseph Duggar confessed to molesting a 9-year-old girl in a call with the victim's father and a detective, according to his arrest affidavit

The reality star, 31, also "admitted his intentions were not pure," according to the affidavit

He and his wife Kendra are charged with 4 counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and 4 counts of false imprisonment as well

Joseph Duggar confessed to molesting a 9-year-old girl in a phone call with the child's father and a detective with the local police department, according to an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office and obtained by PEOPLE.

BCSO Criminal Investigator Chase Norris writes in the affidavit that he was told Joseph had confessed to molesting the minor while speaking with her father on March 17.

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That information was relayed to Norris by a detective from the Tontitown Police Department, at which time Norris "requested the detective and victims father call the defendant," according to the affidavit.

Once on the phone, the affidavit states that Joseph "admitted his actions," saying "he touched the victim over her clothing."

Joseph also "admitted his intentions were not pure," according to the affidavit.

Joseph Duggar's mugshot.

Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Department

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Most of the details included in the affidavit are taken from a forensic interview with the minor, who is now 14, which took place at the Tontitown Police Department.

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Norris writes that after reviewing the interview, he learned that "the victims family traveled to Panama City Beach" in 2020 for a vacation.

At the vacation home, Joseph "asked the victim to sit on his lap, numerous times" and "would cradle the victim with his arms," Norris writes.

Joseph then began to "ask the victim to sit on the couch" beside him according to the affidavit.

Related: Joseph Duggar Facing New Charges of False Imprisonment, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor After Home Search

Related: Kendra Duggar Charged Alongside Husband Joseph Duggar as Police Announce New Counts in Ongoing Investigation

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Once sitting, Joseph "covered the parties with a blanket" the affidavit says, before proceeding to "pull the victims dress up and touch the victims thighs."

In her interview the victim said Joseph "would touch the top portions of her thighs and would inch higher and higher, closer to the victims waistline."

The minor female said this happened on several occasions, and that "the defendants hand grazed the victims vagina" each time, "which made her feel uncomfortable and confused," according to the affidavit.

Joseph "eventually approached the victim and apologized for his actions" according to the affidavit, and "the incidents stopped occurring after the defendant apologized for his actions."

Kendra Duggar

Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Department

The BCSO is now preparing to extradite Joseph from the Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas to a facility in Florida where he is expected to be arraigned on a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old conducted by a person 18 years or older.

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This is now the second Duggar son who will be in court facing child sex abuse charges.

In 2021, Joseph's oldest brother Josh, 38, was convicted by a federal grand jury of receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct after investigators discovered such material on his work computer at a used car dealership he operated.

He is now serving a 12-year sentence in a Texas prison.

Joseph, who appeared on all four iterations of his family's TLC reality series franchise, is a father of four who has been married to his wife Kendra since 2017.

His wedding to Kendra was featured in a 2017 episode of Counting On.

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Now he and Kendra will also be facing state charges together as well after it was announced on Friday, March 20 that both husband and wife had been charged with four counts each of endangering the welfare of a minor ad false imprisonment.

Lawyers for the Duggar family did not respond to requests for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

Read the original article on People
The wife of "19 Kids and Counting" star Joseph Garrett Duggar will be charged alongside her husband after he was arrested in Arkansas and accused of molesting a child in Florida.

Both Joseph Duggar, 31, and Kendra Duggar, 27, have been charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of false imprisonment in Arkansas, the Tontitown Police Department announced on Friday, March 20.

TONTITOWN, AR - JUNE 03: In this handout image provided by FOX News Channel, FOX News Channels Megyn Kelly sits down with the Duggar children of the TLC program "19 Kids and Counting" at their home in Tontitown, Arkansas.

Police issued a warrant for Kendra's arrest as Joseph remains held without bail at the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, but is expected to be extradited to Florida to face his charge there.

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The former reality star, who was the seventh-oldest of 19 children on the TLC series, was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving sexual activity with a 14-year-old female victim who was 9 at the time of the alleged incident, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Florida.

USA TODAY could not determine an attorney representing Joseph or Kendra Duggar by the time of publication and has reached out to the Duggar family and the Washington County Sheriff's Office for comment.

What is Joseph Duggar accused of in Florida?

During a forensic interview, the child disclosed several moments involving Joseph Duggar during a 2020 family vacation in Panama City Beach, the sheriff's office said.

In one of these instances, he purportedly asked the child repeatedly to sit on his lap and in another manipulated the child's underwear and grazed her genitals on a couch and under a blanket. The child said she received an apology from Joseph and no other incidents occurred, according to the sheriff's office.

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The sheriff said the child's father later confronted Duggar about the incidents on March 17 and the reality TV alum admitted to his actions to law enforcement in Tontitown and local police arrested Duggar soon after.

In 2015, "19 Kids and Counting" was canceled following revelations that Josh, who is the oldest sibling, had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter when he was a teen. He also admitted that he cheated on his wife and shared a public apology in 2015.

Jill Duggar reacts to her brother's arrest

Jill Duggar Dillard addressed the arrest of her brother Joseph Duggar in a longstanding blog, saying the family is "shocked and heartbroken."

"We strongly condemn abuse," the blog post continued. "We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead."

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The family also shared words for Duggar's wife, Kendra, and their four children. "We love our sister-in-law, Kendra, and our four nieces and nephews and pray that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything," they wrote, followed by the Bible verses Isaiah 1:17 and Psalm 34:18.

In this handout photo provided by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Josh Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting is seen in a police booking photo following accusations of sexual abuse on March 18, 2026 in Tontitown, Arkansas.

Joseph Duggar's brother, Josh Duggar, was previously convicted of possessing child pornography

Joseph Duggar's arrest comes years after his older brother, Josh Duggar, was arrested for possession of child pornography in 2021. He was convicted later that year and, in 2022, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.

That same year, TLC aired a spinoff series, titled "Counting On," centered around two sisters from the Duggar family, but it was also canceled following Josh's arrest in 2021 after 11 seasons.

In 2023, a four-part limited docuseries titled "Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets" delved into revelations about the infamous family, including how the parents, Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar, joined a "cult" known as the Institute for Basic Life Principles as a young couple.

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Jill Duggar Dillard, who was one of Josh's victims, said she felt obligated to defend her brother Josh against sex abuse claims. In 2020, she revealed that there was "some distancing" between her and her family, saying they were "not on the best terms" amid "disagreements," but that they were "working toward healing definitely and restoration."

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINNs National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673.

Contributing: Melina Khan, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joseph Duggar's wife, Kendra, also charged after '19 Kids' alum's arrest
NEED TO KNOW

Kendra Duggar is formally charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree

Joseph Duggar was also hit with four additional counts of each charge, in addition to the two counts of lewd and lascivious previously filed against him

Police say the investigation remains "active and ongoing," with limited details due to the involvement of minors

Kendra Duggar is now facing criminal charges alongside her husband, Joseph Duggar, after Arkansas police announced additional counts in the ongoing investigation.

According to a Friday, March 20, press release from the Tontitown Police Department, both Joseph, 31, and Kendra, 27, are now facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree.

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Authorities said arrest warrants have been issued and served for the misdemeanor offenses through District Court.



Joseph and Kendra Duggar

Credit: Little Duggar Family/Instagram

The police department noted that the investigation remains "active and ongoing," adding that Arkansas law limits the amount of information that can be publicly released in cases involving minors and other sensitive circumstances.



To protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved, no further details will be provided at this time, the department said.

The charges were fired as part of an continuing investigation into an incident first reported on Wednesday, March 18.

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The latest filing brings four additional counts of each charge against the former 19 Kids and Counting star, on top of the two previously filed he was already facing including 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.

Kendra has been newly charged in the case.

Joseph Duggar mugshot

Credit: Washington County Sheriffs Department

The charges against Joseph were filed by the Bay County Sheriffs Office on March 18 after they learned about 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.

According to the BCSO, the girl claimed Duggar engaged in unlawful sexual activity after asking her to sit on his lap and later next to him under a blanket, where he allegedly touched her inappropriately.



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Duggar had been asked about the girls accusations by her father on the night of March 17 and allegedly confessed at that time, according to a statement from the BCSO.



"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," the statement read.



"The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology," the BCSO's statement continued.



Duggar was arrested in Arkansas, where he resides, but the case is being handled in Florida where the alleged incidents occurred. He must be extradited to Bay County to face charges there.



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Joseph, who appeared on all four iterations of his family's TLC reality series franchise, is a father of four who has been married to his wife Kendra since 2017. Their wedding was featured in a 2017 episode of Counting On.

Read the original article on People
One of the formative figures of Japans model kit fandom is Makoto Max Watanabe, who founded Max Factory. I caught up with him to find out what makes model kits great.

These days, Watanabe works in parallel with Good Smile Company, making model kits and action figures, but his route into this world is certainly a unique one.

Although his childhood was certainly quite typical, as he explains.

I suppose I was quite a typical child; I loved to play outside with my friends and run around, and at home, whenever I was given a plastic model to build, I would focus on that for a long time. Even from around the age of 5, even though that was too early, my father would help build these model kits with me. Doing that with my father was a very memorable and enjoyable time as a child, a precious time even.

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I remember building kits of the Zero fighter and the F-4 Phantom. With the latter, my mother would regularly use a feather duster around the house, and its missiles and other small parts got completely brushed away.

In terms of what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was a fairly common answer back then, but I wanted to be a pilot.

"As a child, I was also a huge fan of Leiji Matsumoto and Space Battleship Yamato. Since I also used to play sports, I had time away from watching anime and building model kits. However, when I became a junior high school student, the first Mobile Suit Gundam was released. Initially, I didnt watch it, but my friends scolded me for that. From then on, I watched it and was completely captivated, and that made my passion for anime and model kits fire up again. However, back then, the Gundam plastic model craze hadnt started, as the kits werent yet made, and I tried to kitbash my own by using whatever I could find, including Microman toys. Then, when the official Gundam plastic models, or Gunpla, were released, I became a huge fan of those.

There was also a magazine called Hobby Japan, which is still with us today, and they used to have a readers section, where readers could exchange information. There, I found out about a plastic model circle, a club basically, and I had no idea that such a thing even existed. With that, I posted a letter to the circle, and they let me join. Within that circle, I came to know that one of the writers at Hobby Japan was also a member, and that allowed me to communicate with people at Hobby Japan directly. During that period, Hobby Japan published a famous book called How To Build Gundam, and they asked me if I was interested in making something for this book. Of course, I said yes and submitted a scratch build of a 1/60 scale Gouf (shown below), which wasnt available officially, and this got a huge amount of attention from readers. That started my path to becoming a professional modeler.

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To explain a little bit about scratch building, around that time, a new material was introduced to the world of model kit building, which was polyester paste, or putty. The origin of this material started in the car industry, so they could mend dents and scratches. However, I saw this material and realized that with it, we could make whatever we wanted. So I would use this material on the Gouf every night.

With the Gouf, I also used the 1/60 scale Zaku II model kit as a base, as that was already available. Each one cost something like 2,000 yen, which back then was a lot of money, maybe equivalent to more than 10,000 yen now. I also lacked the skill to make the tubing and heat whip on my own at that point, and that meant that to get the extra tubing, I had to buy two of these 1/60 scale Zaku II kits to get all the materials I needed. Naturally, I wrote about all this in my article for the Gouf in How To Build Gundam, and the fact that I bought two Zaku II kits to make the Gouf was picked up very broadly by the readers, and they all commented on how luxurious that must be to be able to use two massive kits like that.

The 1/60 scale Gouf that Watanabe made for the first 'How To Build Gundam' book. Hobby Japan, Sunrise

Going From Being An Amateur Model Kit Builder To A Professional

The initial 1/60 scale Gouf kit garnered Watanabe a great deal of attention and respect, and so its understandable that he would end up working professionally at Hobby Japan directly.

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In those days, there wasn't any internet, so the only way people could get any information was to visit a small plastic kit model shop or go into town to bigger shops. Magazines like Hobby Japan were invaluable sources of information, and to be featured within an issue was a huge honor. I could also see letters and reactions from readers on my previous articles within the magazine. Editors would also gather this feedback and share it, good and bad, and I would read these at the Hobby Japan office. This was overall very encouraging for me as a burgeoning writer. There was also friendly competition between other writers, and you could learn a lot from them, and try to get better at building models.

By the time I joined university, I was working as a professional writer for Hobby Japan, but because I was so busy making model kits for each issue, I barely went to any of my classes. Around this time, How To Build Gundam 2 came out. For that book, I wrote an article as a professional, as the Gouf in the previous book was from the point of view of a reader. So for this one, I built a 1/60 scale kit of the Zaku II with a mine layer, and I was quite proud of that. I also spent a lot of time working on kits for Armored Trooper VOTOMS. I would also make lots of items from scratch for various VOTOMS kits around this time, and that would lead to what I now do as a job.

It may sound surprising, but while I love building military kits and love military things, Im actually not knowledgeable about the reality of these things. That means my approach is mainly this looks cool and then I added it onto a mobile suit kit. Same with paint schemes. I would just find things that I thought looked good.

Setting Up Max Factory

At this point, it follows that with all this experience in building scratch-built model kits, this could become its own business, and this is how Max Factory came about.

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Before Max Factory became a company, I had my own community, or kind of circle, in a very small and shabby apartment. My friends and I would gather every day and night, and I would work on plastic models. Showing my technique and skills, and my apprentices tried to help me build, or just watch TV and eat snacks. It was a cosy little community space. In those days, companies and IP holders were very generous and not that strict. That meant they would give me the rights to make garage kits, even as an independent person. Sometimes these IP holders would tell me that they were spending hours sorting out the rights for me for only 100 or 150 thousand yen, when really most companies would pay millions of yen. However, as times changed and the laws were updated, they eventually said one day that they could no longer give me these kinds of individual licenses and that if I wanted to continue what I was doing, I should make a proper company. With that, I spoke to my friends, raised some money, and Max Factory was set up. This was in 1987, I think.

I think one of the things that people didnt realize was difficult, but actually was, was being able to translate 2D images and illustrations into actual 3D objects. This is something I had a sense and skill for, especially in how you would try to make it look cool. So its not like watching a Godzilla movie and trying to make Godzilla model kits, as the original source is in 3D. Anime and manga were going from 2D to 3D. Acquiring the essence of those 2D images and bringing those to a 3D model kit, and making it look cool or stylish, required a certain insight. That meant I would work with my friends so they could help with the heavy lifting of building certain parts, but they didn't have the same sense as me on translating designs from 2D to 3D.

Bringing Guyver And The Sirbine To Life

Some of the most famous Max Factory model kits from this era were the vinyl kits for the Guyver manga and anime, as well as the vinyl kit for the Sirbine, which had been featured in both the Aura Battler Dunbine OVA and Aura Fhantasm artbook.

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Back then, I poured everything I had into every single kit, so I dont have any regrets, and all the kits I made were to a good standard. However, looking back from the viewpoint of today, the kits that really stand out from back then would be my kits for Guyver and the Sirbine.

When I started working with garage kits, the only material available was resin. As you know, the resin kits of those days had issues with quality and accuracy. Each kit was so different, with bubbles inside them and a general lack of consistency. That meant I wasnt a big fan of resin garage kits from that era. I would even question whether it was acceptable to sell these things, as they had such varying quality. Around this time, I came to know a company called Billiken Shokai, and they introduced me to figures made from vinyl, mainly creatures. They were very high quality and cheap, even though they were quite big. I realized making the same things with resin would be expensive and the quality control would be really difficult, and that made me think the future would be vinyl. So I spoke with people at Billiken Shokai, and they introduced me to the appropriate vendors and other partners.

With the ending data sequences in the Guyver OVAs, all of that was done by me. I spoke with Yoshiki Takaya, the original author of the Guyver manga, and wrote all the specifications for each character. I also thought it would look cooler in English, so I did it that way. Those figures shown were not vinyl, though; they were all resin and were made from scratch. I then used these master resin kits to make the vinyl sofubi versions later on. I still have all of these old Guyver master kits that I made back then. The background story for the data files is that this was meant to be the in-world database used by Chronos to catalog all the various creatures.

When we make a statue, which won't move at all, we can pursue perfect proportions. We can 100% focus on how it looks. However, when it comes to action figures, they need to be able to move. That means there are, of course, cases where we need to compromise the proportions in order to facilitate that movement. That said, we don't like to compromise too much. So there's a range where we can accept the range of motion versus the proportions.

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With Guyver, Takayas art is quite neutral and consistent from panel to panel. It's not overly exaggerated. So when I come along, I want to build that artwork completely as it is in 3D. However, with artwork by Yutaka Izubuchi, it's quite different. His art is obviously beautiful, but it can be more exaggerated and harder to consistently reproduce in 3D. Things like the right and left, like, may not be consistent and accurate, but are done in such a way to accentuate the design itself. That means transferring those designs into 3D is much more challenging. In the case of the Sirbine, that meant I used both the anime version of the design from the Dunbine OVA and also the artwork from the Aura Fhantasm artbook as reference for the model.

With my model of Sirbine, I also wanted it to carry a shield, and so I called up Izubuchi and asked him kindly to design a shield for me. As I'm the one who came up with the idea for the Sirbine to have a shield, and I asked Izubuchi to design one for me, that means that shield design technically belongs to Max Factory.

Tackling The Bellvine And Joining Forces With Good Smile Company

One of the other famous designs from Aura Fhantasm was the Bellvine, the updated version of the Billbine from the original Dunbine anime. This had quite a long gestation period, but was a hugely successful release in 2025.

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When Aura Fhantasm was originally released, I also tried to make the Bellvine, but I was in a bit of a slump, so I wasnt happy with how my model turned out and couldnt finish the master version. Many years later, I thought about going back to that model, especially as fans were waiting for it, and I checked with the IP owner, and they said, Okay. So that's how the new PLAMAX Bellvine came about.

The hugely popular PLAMAX Bellvine model kit. Max Factory

To explain the relationship between Good Smile Company and Max Factory, we set up a holding company for both, so we exist alongside each other basically. Obviously, Max Factory existed first, and then Good Smile Company was set up originally as a talent management company, with the first client of that talent management company being me. The setup is probably somewhat unique.

To explain a bit of history, around 1997 or 1998, in Matsudo, Chiba, there was a company called Banpresto, and they wanted to set up an underground mall for otaku called Conton Town, or Chaos Town. The plan was to make multiple areas for different retailers, and they asked me if I was interested in having something there. However, I wasnt really interested, as Max Factory is a manufacturer, and we had no retail aspect to our business. No direct shops. Anyway, the producer in charge of this whole Conton Town is Aki Takanori, and my first impression of him was very bad. So in order for me to say no I came up with a very difficult request. Specifically, I ask him to set up a spray paint booth equipped with professional gear for model kit builders, and allow me to give classes to these builders. The ventilation for this would be very difficult, especially underground, and would be very expensive to set up properly. The idea was that this request would force Aki to say no. Interestingly, Akis first impression of me was also very bad, and he got upset, but he also didnt want to say no to me, as that meant he lost. The amazing thing is that Aki came through and had everything set up the way I'd requested. The result of that meant I had to go there and teach classes, and by doing this, over time, I came to understand Aki's personality, and likewise, he got to know me better, and we became good friends. With us going bowling together every day.

The reason for my initial dislike of Aki was that I thought he was quite arrogant. Such as, Who does this guy think he is telling me to go all the way to Chiba? Whereas Aki only saw me as some small guy who just made models, how can he be so arrogant? However, once we got to know each other, all of that went away basically, and we became friends.

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More recently, when Good Smile Company acquired Wave Corporation, Id already had a longstanding relationship with them. Specifically, when I founded Max Factory, I had a great deal of support from Wave Corporation, so that's how I ended up as the president for Wave Corporation as well. Were all connected by fate. It's worth clarifying that for the PLAMAX Bellvine and the Wave version of the Sirbine, both have the same sculptor.

Favorite Model Kits And Toys, And The Future

Finishing up, we talked a bit about what Watanabes favorite model kits and toys were, and what plans there were for Max Factorys future.

As for my favorite action figure over the years that I've worked on, that would have to be the recent 1/6 scale Guyver. Both Takaya and I used to talk about doing something like this years ago, but it was just a pipedream. This was because the 1/6 scale was the same as G.I. Joe back in the 80s.

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When it comes to model kits that I haven't worked on but have enjoyed building, the MODEROID kits for Panzer World Galient are amazing. Specifically, the kits for Skurts and Zuwel. I am working on these now, and I feel like Max Factory should have done this, but Good Smile Company and T-Rex have done an amazing job.

The huge and very impressive 1/6 scale Guyver. Max Factory

As for why these specific kits are so great, its because the designs are great but not easy to recreate in 3D. That means there needs to be some careful interpretation done in order for them to work from 2D into 3D. Its these details that I have found really interesting and impressive as a model kit builder. Things that maybe Max Factory would not have considered. It also makes me strongly want to have Max Factory make versions of the designs from Crest of Iron.

When it comes to MAX Gokin toys, they are quite resource-intensive to make, and similar chogokin-type toys made by other companies are super high quality now. I am obviously a huge fan of these. Talking about figures using diecast, the upcoming 1/6 scale Guyver III will definitely have that.

As for chogokin that I really liked recently that I didnt work on, that would have to be the DX Chogokin VF-1 by Bandai Spirits. I own all of these DX Chogokin releases of the VF-1. I also love Metal Build toys and The Gattai releases from Good Smile Company.

As a hobby company, Max Factory has a relatively long history, and that means I want to keep our long-term fans happy by continuing to provide products from series like VOTOMS or Macross. Furthermore, things like cute figures are also very popular, and I want to continue providing those, too. Aside from that, we really want to focus on developing original content, and thats something we are investing resources into right now. Even without anime or games to back them up, just one picture could kickstart new figures or model kits, and we've seen this already happen successfully. So this part of the business we want to foster as one of our core pillars of the business.

If you are interested in the other interviews Ive done with creators like this, then you can browse through links to those here.
A beehive, painted in pastels, sits near lush greenery at a St. Petersburg retirement community.

Its just one of many locations, nearly 40, that Stephanie Ramthun visits every two weeks.

Ramthun, the owner of Tampa Bees, is one of more than 5,500 registered beekeepers across the state. Floridas mild climate is great for honeybees  so much so that out-of-state beekeepers winter here.

But beekeeping is not without its challenges, particularly in a state plagued by hurricanes and strained by development. And its not just an issue for managed bees  native bees are struggling, too.

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Ramthun and her husband began beekeeping in 2014. Her husband had returned from a trip to see his brother, also a beekeeper, and he was excited about the prospect.

I hadnt even looked at a beehive until they came, Ramthun said of the first delivered bees.

YouTube didnt do it justice, she said. She scoured images online, trying to identify the queen in a mob of bees.

But in late February, as she held up frames covered in crawling golden insects, she quickly identified the queen with its elongated, slightly deeper-amber body.

We tell people, because now we teach beekeeping classes, it takes about five years of being in your bees to really understand them, Ramthun said.

Caring for bees is a labor of love, particularly in Florida.

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During the 2024 hurricanes, Ramthun lost about 10 hives to flooding. A few disappeared, and another was found two blocks over, in the middle the street.

Now she knows which hives to move away from flooding waters. But its not easy, she said.

Ramthun lifts weights in her free time, because hives  when theyre full of honey  can weigh around 200 pounds.

Asked what keeps her going, Ramthun had a simple answer: Theyre just so fabulous.

Each day is different, she said, andyou never know what you may find when you open a box.

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The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here.
Rev. Hatfield to retire from parishes in Dover and Zoar

The Diocese of Columbus announced the following clergy assignments:

Rev. James H. Hatfield III, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Dover and Holy Trinity Parish in Zoar, will retire on July 14, according to the Catholic Times. Rev. Miguel Enrique Alvarado Santos, the parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Dover and Holy Trinity Parish in Zoar will become the pastor effective July 14.

Additionally, Rev. Brian R. Beal, administrator at Sacred Heart Parish in Coshocton and St. Peter Parish in Millersburg, will become the parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Dover and Holy Trinity Parish in Zoar July 14.

Hamfest to be held at the fairgrounds

Learn about amateur radio and browse electronics during the 2026 Hamfest, Computer & Electronics Show from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25, at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover. Admission is $5 and it is sponsored by the Tusco Amateur Radio Club. Attendees must enter through Tuscarawas Avenue gate and can purchase tickets for door prizes including a YAESU FT-991A all mode, VHF and UHF radio.

Crafts and floral fest

Learn to make a sign for your home at 5:30 p.m. March 29, at the main library or participate in a button clover craft by decorating a shamrock with buttons at 6 p.m. March 24, at the Tuscarawas Branch. Registration is required and can be made at tusclibrary.org or calling the library.

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The annual floral fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28, at the main library. It will include a floral arrangement competition, plant swap, seed bomb making, button making, a photo room, and breakout classes with local speakers. There will also be games and activities in the Childrens Department. Vendors Healers Mark and Cherry Ridge Greenhouse will be on-site. For more information visit tusclibrary.org or call 330-364-4474.

Ukulele workshop with Charissa Hoffman

A community ukulele workshop with Nashville-based artist Charissa Hoffman will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28, at the Dover Library. It will cover topics such as basic strumming and picking, beginner chord melody and a look at the ukuleles history in American music. Hoffman was the first ukulele principal to graduate from Berklee College of Music and has toured the country teaching and performing.

The workshop is $25 for adults, $15 for students. For more information or to register, visit www.doverlibrary.org or call 330-343-6123. The library also has ukuleles that can be loaned if participants do not have an instrument.

Democrat committee issues endorsements

The Tuscarawas County Democrats Executive Committee voted to endorse the candidates. They are Kent Watson for county commissioner, Joe Rinehart for county auditor, Christine Weimer for judge of Common Pleas Court, and Laura Sirot for 31 District Ohio Senate.

Fire department fundraising dinner

The Scio Volunteer Fire Department will host an all-you-can-eat roast beef dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29. The cost is $15 for adults, $8 for those under the age of 10. Dine in or carry out is available.

Meetings

 Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 23, at the TuscBDD Service and Support Center, 610 Commercial Avenue SW.

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 Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association's annual membership meeting is noon March 24, at KSU Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, 330 University Drive NE.

 Dover Township Trustees' April 7 will meeting has been changed to at 9 a.m.

 East Central Ohio Forestry Association meeting is 7 p.m. April 7, at the Dover Public Library, with panel discussion on timber harvesting.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County community news, events and things to do
Most people think of shrubs as a tree-like plant that might be used in landscaping. But Mindy McCord and Layne Cozzolino of Stevens Point are introducing customers to something completely different. They have built a business around shrub, a drink that goes back to the 1700s in England.

People confuse us with landscapers all of the time, McCord said. The shrub were talking about here isnt a plant. Its an old-fashioned beverage.

It originated before there was refrigeration when people would use vinegar to preserve fruit that had been harvested.

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Eventually it became fashionable to pour off the fruit-infused vinegar and mix it with sweetener to create a syrup for making beverages, they say on the Siren Shrub Co. website.

As McCord and Cozzolino make it, it consists simply of organic apple cider vinegar, fresh fruit, roots and herbs, and a bit of organic cane sugar or maple syrup.

The pair, friends since working at the same coffee shop in 2010, connected over a shared passion for supporting local food. Remaining in contact over the years, they enjoyed canning and preserving food. That led to a decision to sell their jams, jellies, and relishes at farmers markets as a side hobby.

McCord said, As we continued to do that, and our lives changed, and our families grew, we realized that the market was pretty saturated in those spaces. We wanted to discover a product that would take us to the next level.

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When Cozzolino was pregnant, she came across a recipe for a product that few had heard of  shrub. It was something that wasnt being sold at any of the markets. She and McCord began experimenting with various fruits and flavors, and when they thought they had some good recipes, they brought it to market.

The positive reaction from customers was all the encouragement they needed to take the next step.

In 2017, it was our experimental phase, McCord said. We were doing crazy flavors because it was just a concept; flavors like blackberry lime, basil, and cherry jalapeno. We got to see what worked and what didnt.

A business plan was crafted with the assistance of David Stauffacher, an adviser with the Small Business Development Center, a partner of SCORE and part of the SBA.

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McCord said, Layne and I wrote it together and worked with David. Initially, I had been planning on opening a coffee shop, but after crunching the numbers, it didnt make sense. When writing this plan, we had to be cautious because we were so excited and believed so much in the idea that we had to look at the reality of it.

They took a consumer-packaged goods class and the Retail Ready Program to prepare. In 2018, they formed an LLC and Siren Shrub Company was formed. Making sure that things were done professionally from the beginning, they hired an accomplished designer to conceptualize their vision for use in packaging.

Siren Shrub Co. offer their products as stand-alone beverages, cocktail mixers, and recipe enhancements.

We knew that we needed to stand out on store shelves, McCord said. It was interesting that we decided to start with co-packers right out of the gate. We both had other jobs and knew that most of our time would be needed to market the product.

With limited hours to devote to the business, they quickly fell into their roles. Cozzolino, who holds a MBA in sustainable food systems, had managerial experience as an executive manager of a food-related nonprofit. McCord, with a degree in communications and a varied career that included roles in marketing and government, was deemed the marketing person.

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McCord said, Laynes background in sustainable food systems has been large in this. In her role at the nonprofit, she helped farmers with production and managed a commercial kitchen. She had that experience. Together, we divided and conquered.

Being able to utilize the connections that Cozzolino had made over the years to know who to contact about what also proved invaluable. As she worked on systems, finances, and logistics, McCord built a website with ecommerce capability, set up social media pages, and worked on marketing.

But getting established came with challenges; a major one was shipping.

It was a hard learning curve trying to reach a balance between making customers happy and not pricing us out of the market. We worked with packaging companies trying to figure out how to ship glass and not have it arrive broken, McCord said.

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There was also the issue of scaling and how much cash flow is needed to grow.

It was a surprising piece of it. We say we didnt realize we were starting a beverage company. When you get into it, we find that we are little fish in a very big pond, McCord said.

Siren Shrub beverages are available at numerous locations in the Green Bay area.

But they are little fish that are making a big advance upstream. In 2024, a major retail grocer added their products and they are now in more than 500 retailers across the country. More surprising yet, it is still the two of them. And both work full time in addition to running the company. Their husbands offer help in the warehouse, but it is mostly their hard work that keeps it growing.

They continue to advance by promoting multiple uses of the shrubs as stand-alone beverages, cocktail mixers, and recipe enhancements. An email newsletter features new products and ideas for using the drink; a drink that McCord says is versatile, complex, and tangy sweet. In addition to being a unique beverage, the business is dedicated to promoting Wisconsin farmers. Their goal is to use at least one Wisconsin product in every bottle produced.

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McCord said, We feel passionately about local food and the impact it makes. This is Wisconsin and we want to have vibrant foods; we want to support them.

As they set goals, they say that it is all about growing, growing, growing. They want to become a household name similar to kombucha with growing distribution and ecommerce sales. Business-to-business sales have been their bread and butter and thats where they see their future success.

To realize that growth, they plan to lean on mentors like Stauffacher, of SBDC, and their network of other beverage makers and shrub producers from around the world. Their trajectory has been one of constant learning.

We were naive in the beginning, but our relationships and a little luck have helped us to put one foot forward after another, McCord said. Every year, a new piece falls into place. Layne and I have a motto we have continuously repeated, Be fluid and flexible. Because in entrepreneurship, there will always be fires to put out.

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Siren Shrub beverages are available at numerous locations in the Green Bay area. A list is available on the website, sirenshrubs.com.

Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Owners of Siren Shrub Co. seeing success with unique line of drinks
The search for the next CEO of Chicago Public Schools is now down to two finalists, after one of the candidates withdrew her name from consideration.

Now, there are calls for the mayor to move quickly to permanently fill the vacancy.

Pedro Martinez left as CPS CEO in June of last year when his contract expired and Macquline King was appointed as the interim CEO.

Now, there are calls for the mayor to support her for the job on a permanent basis.

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As the Board of Education heads into the final few months of the school year and starts looking ahead to the fall, there is still uncertainty about who will serve as the next permanent CEO.

For the last nine months, King has served in that role, having come up through the ranks at CPS. And supporters say it's time for her to get the job as the next CEO.

"In her first 60 days as interim CEO, she balanced probably one of the most challenging budgets that CPS has ever endured, with no school cut days, no furlough days, and we did not have to take out a high-interest loan," Education Committee member Alderman Stephanie Coleman said.

Coleman says those are good reasons for King to be the next CEO.

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Last week, the board named three finalists that included King.

Also in the running is Sito Narcisse, who most recently served as superintendent of East Baton Rouge Public Schools.

Meisha Porter, who served as New York City Schools chancellor, withdrew her name after it became public.

"Well, I think she got a close look at the situation we have here, what a mess," 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea said. "Who would want to come here and take this on?"

There are also calls from Latino leaders in the city for CPS to choose a new CEO with deep experience serving Latinos and immigrants.

The president of the Latino Policy Forum released a statement that said in part, "Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students are Latino and a significant and growing number are English Learners. ... Children and families deserve to see themselves in their leaders. They also deserve leaders who see them, know them, and fight for them."

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"I do hope, within a very short time period, especially considering that one of the candidates has dropped out of the running for CPS leadership, I do hope that the mayor and this administration and the board makes a decision sooner rather than later," Coleman said.

The two remaining finalists will interview with Mayor Brandon Johnson as well as a community panel of educators, parents and students. But what's not clear is how quickly that will happen and how soon the Board could meet to vote on a new CEO.
A personal bank account is what some people use to collect, store, and keep track of their money.

Approximately 16% of Harris County residents don't have a personal checking or savings account, according to Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Some neighborhoods have a higher concentration of people who are "unbanked," according to the study.

"There are some neighborhoods within Harris County where 1 in 3 residents are unbanked," Daniel Potter, the director of the Houston Population Research Center at Rice University, said.

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Researchers explained why those data points matter.

"Think about things like your debit card, checks, or a checking account, having that ability to build credit and credit scores, and those have very real implications for loans that people can take out. And those loans are going to be used to purchase cars or homes," Potter said.

Certain groups within the Harris County population are more likely to lack a bank account.

"In the people who tend to be unbanked, you're going to see a high proportion of Hispanic residents being unbanked, then you are, say, Asian or white residents, with black residents being sort of in the middle, between those groups," Potter said.

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Potter explained the varying reasons why people lack a bank account.

"You also have issues around documentation. 'Do people have the right licenses and other different forms of ID that would be needed to set up a bank account?'" Potter said. "Then, the third one is just around. Trust that for many residents, there is a lack of trust in financial institutions."

There are local programs available to help people open a bank account.

"Bank on Houston is a program that the city has. It is partnering with local banks in order to be able to try to get more people into some sort of checking or savings account. It's done through sort of helping to set up incentives for people to come in," Potter said.

For updates on this story, follow Kelvin Henry on Facebook and Instagram.
Two citizens who have dedicated their time to serving the Hardeeville community while making it a better place to live received awards during a recent Hardeeville City Council meeting.

Council recognized Lee DeCecco and Jules OMahony as the recipients of the 2026 Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award.

DeCecco and OMahony each received a plaque and proclamation from Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams and the city council. Their names were also added to a perpetual award plaque which is displayed at City Hall alongside past recipients.

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Now in its sixth year, the Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award honors individuals or entities dedicated to serving the community and making Hardeeville a better place to live, work, play, and worship, a City of Hardeeville spokesperson said.

Lee DeCecco, left, recently received a 2026 Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award for his dedication to serving the Hardeeville community.

DeCecco has been a resident of Latitude Margaritaville for almost seven years, the spokesperson said, and has made a profound impact through his commitment to volunteer service.

DeCecco, who is originally from Syracuse, NY, said he brought his passion for community involvement with him when he relocated to the Lowcountry in 2018.

Soon after arriving, he found his calling at Mercy Mission, where he volunteers at the food bank, the spokesperson said. Dedicating more than 500 hours annually  totaling over 3,000 hours of service  he oversees the meat freezer and has earned the affectionate nickname the meat man. Known for his warm smile and sense of humor, he greets everyone with kindness and compassion.

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DeCecco continued to learn more about the Hardeeville community and the police department, graduating last year from the Hardeeville Citizen Police Academy. He has also participated in numerous community events, including the annual Shop with a Cop program during the holiday season.

Jules O'Mahony recently received a 2026 Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award for her dedication to serving the Hardeeville community.

OMahony is a Pennsylvania native and moved to the Lowcountry in 1991. She has lived in Riverton Pointe since 2012. She is known for her unique ability to recognize community needs and turn ideas into meaningful actions.

Her passion for baking and holiday decorating has become a beloved tradition within her community, the spokesperson said. This past year, she and her husband, Michael, hosted a Holiday Open House where she baked 1,800 cookies (150 dozen) for residents, accepting donations to benefit the Riverton Charitable Fund.

The Riverton Charitable Fund supports local charities throughout Hardeeville and Jasper County. Last year, it distributed $42,652 to eight organizations through a grant program administered by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. In the past two years, proceeds from the Holiday Open House have generated more than $15,500 for the fund.

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OMahonys dedication to helping others is reflected not only in her generosity, but in the joy and unity she fosters throughout the community, the spokesperson said.

The previous Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award honorees include Rick Patel, Patel Foundation (2021); Stephen and Kathy Talbot, Wreaths Across America (2022); John Skistmas, Fins Up Cleans Up and Sister Mary Francis, Mercy Mission (2023); Beth Williams, Santas Toy Box (2024) and P.J. Nappi, Keep Jasper Beautiful (2025).

The selection committee this year was chaired by Peg Harvey of Latitude Margaritaville and included Carolyn Kassel of Riverton Pointe, Steve Meersman of Latitude Margaritaville, and Cindy Oliver, City Clerk.

Those nominated for the Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award must actively help neighbors and fellow Hardeeville citizens; demonstrate hospitality and earn the respect of peers; serve as a role model embodying the spirit of Hardeeville; address and fulfill a community need or concern; be individuals, communities, businesses, or churches within Hardeeville city limits; be over the age of 21, and be community members in good standing.

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For more information about the Heartbeat of Hardeeville Award or nomination opportunities, please contact Hardeeville City Hall at 843-784-2231.

This article originally appeared on Bluffton Today: DeCecco, O'Mahony named 2026 Heartbeat of Hardeeville honorees
Wondering if and when to expect a stimulus check in 2026 and who would qualify for it? Here's what to know about President Donald Trump's proposed tariff refund status.

The president's tariff dividend proposal was upended by the Supreme Court decision last month, which ruled his far-reaching tariffs were illegal, leaving U.S. Court of International Trade in New York and US Customs and Border Protection with issuing $166 billion in tariff refunds to the more than 333,000 US importers who paid the levies.

Several Democrat lawmakers, such as Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker are demanding refunds to every household in their states, claiming residents bore the brunt of higher prices on goods due to tariffs.

Experts estimate that the war in Iran is costing taxpayers $1 billion a day. With that money, Trump could provide tariff refunds to every household in America or fund affordable health care for millions.



Trump is the president of rising costs!  Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) March 20, 2026

The Democrat's tariff refund demands mirror a similar concept that Trump himself had promised American taxpayers since November, suggesting a $2,000 tariff dividend payment to "middle income people and lower income people" from the "hundreds of millions of dollars" he claimed were collected in tariff revenues.

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Here's what to know about stimulus checks in 2026.

Is there a $600 stimulus check or $2,000 tariff refund coming in 2026?

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 last July, aimed at sending checks of between $600 and $2,400 to American families from the tariff revenue. The president later touted a $2,000 dividend stimulus check proposal to "individuals of moderate income" to be sent sometime late in 2026, before the November midterm elections.

Neither the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 or Trump's proposed tariff dividend stimulus checks have been formalized or approved by Congress.

While speculation about a fourth stimulus check has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.

Will there be a tariff stimulus check in 2026?

While Trump vowed to issue tariff dividend checks to "middle income people and lower income people" from the "hundreds of millions of dollars" collected in tariff revenues, those revenues are now in question after the Supreme Court decision on Feb. 20.

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The president did respond to the Supreme Court tariff decision in February, by signing an executive order imposing a global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to impose tariffs up to 15% for up to 150 days to address deficits.

The complicated tariff refund process is being decided by the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York.

When are we getting a $2,000 tariff dividend check? Eligibility

Trump's promise of $2,000 tariff dividend payments to "middle income people and lower income people" from the "hundreds of millions of dollars" collected in tariff revenues lacks any formal proposal despite promises from the president that payments would be issued sometime in 2026, before the midterms.

There has been no order by the Supreme Court or Congress on how the refunding of the billions in tariff money already paid would work, to whom or when.

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The U.S. Court of International Trade in New York is now deciding how the complicated tariff refund process should proceed.

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Are we getting a $600 tariff refund? Who qualifies for stimulus check
President Trump said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will assist TSA agents at airports this week as delays and security staffing shortages continue to worsen amid a stalemate in Congress over how to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

The president said in a post on Truth Social that ICE agents will go to airports on Monday, after threatening the move a day earlier if Democrats didn't immediately agree to fund DHS.

"On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job despite the fact that the Radical Left Democrats, who are only focused on protecting hard line criminals who have entered our Country illegally, are endangering the USA by holding back the money that was long ago agreed to with signed and sealed contracts, and all," Mr. Trump said.

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In a statement to CBS News, a DHS spokesperson said the president "is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hours long lines at airports across the country."

"While the Democrats continue to put the safety, dependability, and ease of our air travel at risk, President Trump is taking action to deploy hundreds of ICE officers, that are currently funded by Congress, to airports being adversely impacted," the DHS spokesperson said Sunday. "This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions."

The president said border czar Tom Homan would oversee the move. Homan confirmed on CNN later Sunday morning that ICE will go to airports on Monday, while noting that he's working on the plan with ICE's director and the TSA administrator.

"We'll put together a plan today and we'll execute tomorrow," Homan said.

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Homan said ICE agents can relieve TSA agents by assisting with some security, like at airport exits and entrances, allowing TSA to focus on screenings and more specialized work. He said he would have a plan later Sunday on the assignments for ICE agents and the airports where the agency will begin. Homan said, "My opinion is that we concentrate on the airports where the longest waits are."

"We're going to do what we can to help TSA move those people through the line," Homan said.

Saturday marked the day with the highest number of nationwide call-outs when more than 3,250 employees called out. More than 400 officers have "separated" from the agency, DHS said on Sunday.

Everett Kelly, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the union representing TSA officers, said in a statement that the officers "deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be."

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"More than 50,000 TSA employees have worked without pay for over five weeks. Hundreds have quit. And Washington's answer isn't to pay them. It's to send ICE agents to do their jobs," said Kelley. The statement pointed out that "ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security" like TSA officers are, and stationing them at security checkpoints "does not fill a gap. It creates one."

Vice President JD Vance on Saturday weighed in on the situation, saying that Democrats have "unleashed" chaos in airports across the US. and that it's "preposterous that Chuck Schumer continues to hold TSA funding hostage."

"Thankfully, ICE will bring sanity to our airports starting tomorrow, but it's far past time for Democrats to fund DHS," he wrote on X.

A bill that would fund DHS and provide payments for TSA agents at airports failed to advance in the Senate on Friday.

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On Saturday, the president said that the agents would be empowered to do "Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country." He added that there would be an emphasis on Somalian immigrants.

"I look forward to seeing ICE in action at our Airports," Mr. Trump wrote.

In another post on Saturday, Mr. Trump blamed Democrats and the "radical left" for the standoff in Congress over DHS funding. He reiterated sending ICE agents to airports for security, saying, "I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.' NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!"

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement Sunday that ICE agents were expected to arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday morning.

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Dickens said those agents will support TSA's "operational needs" such as "line management and crowd control within the domestic terminals. Federal officials have indicated that this deployment is not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities."

Officials have warned that some smaller airports could be forced to close due to staffing shortages, and wait times aren't expected to improve until government funding is restored and Transportation Security Administration officers receive paychecks. The TSA screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items.

Democrats have repeatedly declined to provide the support needed to move the funding measure toward final passage as they seek reforms to DHS' immigration enforcement operation following two separate deadly shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January. Meanwhile, Democrats have attempted to pass measures to fund individual agencies that DHS oversees, including TSA. Republicans have blocked the efforts.

Security lines and screening worsen at some airports

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Long lines to get through screening at some of the country's biggest airports have made airport conditions increasingly unpredictable. Wait times have stretched into multiple hours at some airports, with passengers in cities like Houston, Atlanta and New Orleans reporting delays long enough to miss flights.

TSA officers missed their first full paycheck last weekend, and absences are climbing nationwide, according to Homeland Security. More than half of scheduled staff were absent Sunday at an airport in Houston. At Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 38% of officers missed work on Wednesday and 32% on Thursday.

More than 300 TSA employees have left the agency since the start of the DHS shutdown.

Air travelers endure long lines and two-hour wait times at the TSA security check point at Terminal E at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. / Credit: Michael Wyke / AP

Wait times of 120 minutes were reported at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston early Friday afternoon, while Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport reported an 80-minute wait time at its main checkpoint.

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"Get it passed. Work together. Come together so that we can continue to pay our people and care for the folks who keep our nation running," Corinne Gunter, who was at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Friday, told CBS News.

Elon Musk offers to pay TSA officers' salaries after missed paycheck

Billionaire Elon Musk said in a social media post Saturday morning that he would pay the salaries of TSA workers.

"I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country," he wrote.

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The vast majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the government funding lapse, even without pay.

"Our people are hurting," acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl said earlier this week. "We have individuals sleeping in their cars, drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work."

Pittsburgh International Airport partnered with a local food bank to help TSA agents and some other federal workers affected by the government shutdown. 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.

Congress standoff over funding, immigration enforcement practices

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Behind the scenes, work toward resolving the standoff intensified Friday as White House border czar Tom Homan met with a bipartisan group of senators for the second consecutive day.

Democratic lawmakers left the meeting with Homan without commenting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said that he sees "deal space" coming out of the discussions with the White House. But he also questioned whether Democrats were serious about reaching any agreement that would provide more money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"This is a pox on everybody's house," Thune said. "You've got people standing in lines at the airports. This needs to be fixed. It needs to get resolved and there are good-faith efforts being made finally on all the relevant issues."

On the Senate floor, Schumer said he agreed that TSA needs to be reopened as quickly as possible  but not under the terms Republicans are offering, which is to fund the entire Homeland Security department. Democrats are looking to fund TSA while continuing negotiations on Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Tomorrow, America will see the matter crystal clear: which senators want to open up TSA, pay TSA workers, and end the chaos at our airports, and which senators are going to block TSA funding yet again," Schumer said.

Democrats have demanded an array of policy changes as part of a funding bill that include requiring ICE agents to get a warrant from a judge before forcefully entering homes. They also are looking to require agents to wear identifying information on their uniforms and ban the use of masks.

Air travelers endure long lines and two-hour wait times at the TSA security check point at Terminal E at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. / Credit: Michael Wyke / AP

The Trump administration says it has agreed to several changes already, including expanded use of body-worn cameras, with an exception for undercover operations, and limited civil enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations, such as hospitals, schools and places of worship. Republicans also note that Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and put Homan in charge of operations in Minneapolis, actions they say show the administration's intent to make changes in ICE's operations.

Congress is scheduled to go on an extended break near the end of the month for a two-week Easter recess. Thune has threatened to keep senators in Washington if the impasse is not resolved.

"I can't see us taking a break if the government is still shut down," Thune said.

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A University of Alabama student who was found dead in Barcelona after going missing while vacationing evidently fell into the sea by accident in view of surveillance cameras  and an autopsy revealed injuries on his body that were consistent with having repeatedly struck a breakwaters rocks.

Such details about James Jimmy Gracey surfaced in the Spanish media as a spokesperson for police in Barcelona told the Associated Press that all signs point to the 20-year-olds death as having been inadvertent.

Gracey was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub at about 3am on Tuesday. The native of suburban Chicago raised alarm when he did not return to a short-term rental where he was staying with friends who accompanied him on their spring break to the Catalan regions capital.

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And, in a development that generated international news headlines, his corpse ultimately was recovered Thursday afternoon in 13ft deep waters off a beach near the Shoko club.

Related: Body of missing Illinois student found in waters off beach of Barcelona

Spains El Pais newspaper, citing police sources, reported on Friday that local surveillance cameras captured video of Gracey walking by himself toward a dock and falling into the water without third-party involvement.

El Periodico, another outlet, added on Friday that a preliminary autopsy report filed in court in Barcelona rules out foul play and supports the police hypothesis that [Gracey] accidentally fell into the sea and drowned. Furthermore, the autopsy report documented several injuries consistent with hitting the rocks of a breakwater, according to Barcelona-based El Periodico, which also wrote that toxicology test results were pending.

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The outlets reports contained details about the two-day search for Gracey. At one point, El Pais reported, Barcelona police found Graceys cellphone in the possession of a thief known to officers. But it was unclear whether Gracey lost the device or if it was stolen from him, and investigators ruled out its having anything to do with the subsequent fall into the sea, according to El Pais.

Meanwhile, El Periodico reported that police narrowed their search for Gracey after finding his wallet and some clothes. The outlet also reported that Graceys parents had traveled to Barcelona, and his body would be released to his family for repatriation and burial after the completion of the toxicology tests.

A statement from Graceys family members asked for prayers and privacy as they struggle to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.

Our family is heartbroken, the statement also said. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.

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Barcelona draws millions of foreign tourists annually. It is considered generally safe, especially compared with major cities in the US, which has significantly higher rates of deadly gun violence than other high-income nations.

The Mediterranean beaches in Barcelona are within walking distance of its bustling city center and frequently draw young visitors. When he went missing, Gracey had gone out to a stretch of beach lined with restaurants and nightclubs that are popular with both locals and visitors.

Before police confirmed Graceys death, his aunt described him in an interview with the AP as just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the USs midwest.

A statement from the University of Alabama said its community was heartbroken upon learning of Graceys death.

Jimmys loss is deeply felt across our campus, the universitys statement said. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time.

Associated Press contributed reporting
Former Vice President Mike Pence is worried about the country's $39 trillion debt, which he says has grown exponentially even since he left office in 2021. Most concerning, he told a Knoxville audience March 21, is that the problem can't be solved without bipartisan collaboration that is missing in Washington.

The former Indiana governor headlined the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs' American Patriotism at 250 Undergraduate Civics Symposium. To a crowd of about 200 students and guests, including his former colleagues U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, Pence pointedly expressed his hope that collaboration will return to politics.

It's the only way to tackle big problems, he said.

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"I came to learn in the course of my life, democracy depends on heavy doses of civility," Pence said. "I think the American people long for us to restore a threshold of civility in public life. I think it's coming back."

The event, hosted by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's Institute of American Civics, asked guests and participants to think about what it means to be a patriot in today's political climate.

Speakers including Yale University Professor Dr. Steven Smith brought up questions that feel existential but have direct impact on politics today. Where is the line between what we owe fellow our citizens and what we owe humanity? How can Americans support institutions while disagreeing with how those institutions operate?

"What I learned is the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated, showing respect for one another," Pence said. "Nobody ever begrudged me standing for what I believe in. It's when things become personal  negative personal attacks have no place in public life. When we return to respecting one another in public life the way most Americans respect their neighbors and colleagues and coworkers and friends every day, I know the future of this country will be bright."

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Baker School student John Knighton interviewed Pence and asked him about the values he used to guide his decades of service.

Former Vice President Mike Pence on the rule of law

Pence was under tremendous public pressure from President Donald Trump to not certify the election of Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021, and his life was threatened by the insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop the certification. His choice to follow the law is directly linked to being a patriot, he said.

"Whether you're a police officer, a member of the United States military or you're holding elected office, you take the same oath," Pence said. "Through thick and thin, in my years in Congress, as a governor and as vice president, even through some tumultuous days, I remembered that when you make that promise whether you're a police officer or a president, you make it to the American people."

On America's identity

Former United States Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with University of Tennessee student John Knighton, at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former U.S. Rep. John J. Jimmy Duncan speaks with former United Staes Vice President Mike Pence at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. University of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman speaks at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former United States Vice President Mike Pence chats at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Yale University professor Steven Smith speaks at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Students listen to Yale University professor Steven Smith speak at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Students listen to Yale University professor Steven Smith speak at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Tennessee State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey chats with attendees at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Yale University professor Steven Smith speaks at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former United States Vice President Mike Pence poses for a photo with University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former United States Vice President Mike Pence chats with University of Tennessee student John Knighton, at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Dean of the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs Marianne Wanamaker, chats with former U.S. Rep. John J. Jimmy Duncan at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Joshua Dunn, executive director of the Institute of American Civics at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former United States Vice President Mike Pence chats with University of Tennessee student John Knighton, at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd speaks at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Joshua Dunn, executive director of the Institute of American Civics speaks to the media after University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former United States Vice President Mike Pence mingles at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. University of Tennessee student John Knighton smiles while conversing with former United States Vice President Mike Pence, at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd speaks at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd chats with former University of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026. Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at University of Tennessee 1 of 21 Former United States Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with University of Tennessee student John Knighton, at University of Tennessee Knoxvilles undergraduate civics symposium at the Marriott in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 2026.

In all of his travels as a governor, congressman and vice president, Pence said one thing is clear: Americans' dedication to their country's founding ideals is unmatched. America is unique in that way.

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"You can go to France and it won't make you French," Pence said. "But you come to America and embrace the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence, you're American."

On civil disobedience and patriotism

Pence served in Congress alongside the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a Civil Rights Movement leader and close advisor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He famously practiced civil disobedience and faced consequences for it, including being beaten nearly to death by Alabama state troopers in 1965 during the voting rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

Patriotism requires Americans to participate in calculated acts of civil disobedience when laws are clearly unjust, Pence said. Lewis' decisions and personal suffering were in support of the founders' statement that all men are created equal, he said.

"(It's) an expression of patriotism when you're standing for the ideals of the American founding, even if it's not consistent with the law," he said.

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Lewis invited Pence to join him in Selma to commemorate the 45th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which Lewis and other civil rights leaders crossed in defiance of the law.

"I thanked him for what they'd done for America to help us through their civil disobedience,' Pence said. "They helped us become a more perfect union, to live more up to the ideals of our founders."

On Gen Z entering politics

Young people tend to be pessimistic about the pursuit of happiness, Knighton told attendees. He asked Pence about his outlook on the future.

Pence said he was optimistic. He recalled walking through rubble after tornados swept through Indiana and being struck by the number of people who rushed in to help. That's just what Americans do, he said. The American people come together prevail over struggles.

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"I am convinced, the American people are the most generous, hardest-working, resilient, patriotic, faithful people the world has ever known," he said. "We just need government as good as our people."

Pence advised students to "speak your dreams."

"I always kind of wanted to be the congressman for my hometown and I was very shy about telling people that," Pence said. "But the thing I hope you sense in this room is that when you speak your dreams and you tell people where it it is you want to go, you'll be overwhelmed how many people want to come alongside and help you get there."

He was a Democrat in college, and later switched parties. Pence recalled the day he marched into the Indianapolis Republican headquarters and declared he was ready to join the party. The party official who greeted him didn't think his declaration was a big deal.

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"I actually thought it was," Pence said. "You young people will be startled when you show up and you roll your sleeves up for a great candidate for state office, a local candidate, a federal candidate. You'll be startled how anxious people are to give you opportunities."

Former Vice President Mike Pence's years of service

Long before he was elevated to the national stage as the 48th vice president of the United States, Pence served his home state of Indiana in several ways.

An Indiana University School of Law graduate, Pence led the Indiana Policy Review Foundation and hosted a syndicated talk show. He was elected to Congress to represent east-central Indiana in 2000 and served for six years.

"On Capitol Hill, he established himself as a champion of limited government, fiscal responsibility, economic development, educational opportunity and the U.S. Constitution," according to his biography provided by the Baker School.

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He served as the as the chairman of the House Republican Study Committee and the House Republican Conference Chairman before his 2013 election as governor of Indiana, where he enacted the largest income tax cut in Indiana history and invested more than $800 million in infrastructure.

Trump selected Pence to be his running mate for his first term in 2016 and they entered office in 2017. The pair ran unsuccessfully for a second term in 2020 and left office in 2021.

Allie Feinberg is the politics reporter for Knox News. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com; Reddit: u/KnoxNewsAllie

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Vice President Mike Pence at University of Tennessee: 'American people long for civility'
MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - Office workers toiling with blocked internet. Teenagers continually forced to switch VPNs. Taxi drivers struggling to find their way around Moscow without online navigation.

The Kremlin is flexing its muscles over the internet.

The government is periodically jamming the web in regions across Russia, while restricting messaging services Telegram and WhatsApp and taking down dozens of virtual private networks that can be used to swerve bans on sites and apps.

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Over the past week, mobile internet has been completely down every day in parts of central Moscow, St Petersburg and other major cities, according to Reuters reporters in those areas and eight senior foreign diplomats in Russia.

"These measures are taking place," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters when asked about restrictions to messaging apps and internet service.

"They are partly related to the fact that a number of foreign companies refuse to comply with the norms of Russian legislation, and partly due to security measures against the threat of Ukrainian drones."

Attack drones can use cellular networks to aid navigation.

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Russia's online clampdown this year has been accompanied by the introduction of new laws which oblige mobile operators to cut off any client at the demand of the Federal Security Service and give the agency powers to create a network of pre-trial detention centres under its own jurisdiction.

The broader aim of the bolstering of online powers is to help the Kremlin shore up domestic control in the context of the war against Ukraine, according to the diplomats who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

Should the conflict drag on, it could increasingly strain popular support, the envoys said. Should the war end, Russian officials are likely keen to prepare for any dissent that may ensue, they added. One said Moscow had assembled powers that gave it the option to enact a "great crackdown" online.

The end of Moscow's war in Afghanistan in 1989 caused major social ructions in Russia with returning veterans fuelling a wave of lawlessness that blighted the 1990s. The chaos was compounded by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

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"Russia's leaders and security services remember 1991 and they remember what happened to Russia and what happened to them when Moscow stopped a big war in Afghanistan: the country collapsed, the security services were split apart - it was a disaster," said Andrei Soldatov, a Russian investigative journalist who is an expert on the security services.

"What is happening now is that the security services are trying to create a situation in which - if Putin signs a peace deal or if Putin goes for a protracted war - it would not destroy the whole thing."

Two Russian sources with knowledge of the online clampdown said Moscow had studied the experience of other countries, particularly China and Iran, and had tasked authorities with developing a way to block swathes of the internet, both mobile and fixed, while controlling online communications.

KREMLIN TARGETS MESSAGING APPS

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After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia imposed the most repressive laws seen since Soviet times, bolstering censorship powers and the influence of the FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB.

This year, Moscow has further ratcheted up security. President Vladimir Putin, who served as a KGB officer from 1985-1990, marked the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war on February 24 by attending the FSB's annual meeting in Moscow.

He told the agency to step up the fight against terrorism - in which he included attacks from Ukraine - while strengthening the "information and digital space".

Kremlin spokesman Peskov said that all measures were lawfully taken to ensure security amid the Ukraine conflict, which Putin casts as a confrontation with the West.

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Two Russian officials close to the Kremlin disputed that the moves against the internet and messaging apps were repressive, casting them as essential to improve security and ensure national unity against an attempt by the West to sow discord.

Russia's state digital and communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, did not reply to a request for comment.

The eight diplomats said Moscow's internet crackdown this year went much further than they had seen before in the country.

Mobile internet has been periodically shut down in some Russian regions for months, often after major Ukrainian drone attacks. By mid-January, Russia has blocked from than 400 VPNs, 70% more than late last year, according to Kommersant newspaper.

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In recent weeks, the crackdown has intensified in Moscow, according to the diplomats and Reuters reporters, and the government has also moved against Dubai-based Telegram and U.S. service WhatsApp.

Last month, Russia slowed down Telegram, which has more than 1 billion active users and is widely used in both Russia and Ukraine, and investigated its billionaire founder Pavel Durov as part of a criminal case involving accusations of terrorism.

Russian officials said Telegram had been penetrated by Ukraine and NATO member intelligence agencies, and that Russian soldiers had died as a result.

Telegram has denied it has been penetrated and said Moscow is trying to force Russians to use MAX, a state-backed messenger app that schools and universities have been told to use for parent and student chat groups.

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"Each day, the authorities fabricate new pretexts to restrict Russians' access to Telegram as they seek to suppress the right to privacy and free speech," Durov told Reuters. "A sad spectacle of a state afraid of its own people."

The Kremlin also completely blocked WhatsApp last month for failing to comply with local law. The app's owner, tech giant Meta, decried the move as a backwards step for people's security in Russia.

Some young Russians vowed to evade the clampdown by switching to different VPNs as services were banned, not for politics but simply to engage with Western apps such as Instagram and Snapchat, which are restricted in Russia.

"If these quite old politicians want to block everything, why have they not made any Russian apps that are interesting?" said Andrei, who declined to give his second name due to the sensitivity of the situation.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Pravin Char)
Appalachian State University is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to launch a series of Child Care Academies aimed at addressing staffing shortages in Western North Carolina.

The program provides free, accelerated training and certification for individuals entering the early childhood education field, school officials said.

The initiative is funded by a federal Preschool Development Grant through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education. The academies are designed to strengthen the regional economic infrastructure by expanding access to high-quality early learning, which allows parents to remain in the workforce.

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Dr. Teressa Sumrall, an associate professor and Rhonda Russell, a senior lecturer in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University, received an approximately $50,000 grant to develop the academies, officials said. Sumrall said that the program is designed to create both immediate relief for schools and long-term professional growth for teachers.

In rural regions like the High Country and Catawba Valley, addressing the early childhood teacher shortage requires both immediate solutions and sustainable career pathways, Sumrall said. App States Child Care Academies offer accelerated training that opens doors to employment while laying the groundwork for continued learning and advancement in early care and education.

The program is part of a larger statewide workforce initiative involving 13 community colleges and three University of North Carolina System institutions.

Each three-week academy provides a comprehensive curriculum covering CPR, first aid, playground safety and health and safety standards, NCDHS officials said.

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Participants also receive instruction on infant safe sleep, recognizing suspicions of child maltreatment and the Environment Rating Scales. The program further covers Pathways to the Stars, the states modernized Quality Rating and Improvement System and provides support for completing required criminal background checks.

To increase accessibility, the university is offering the training in multiple formats, including virtual and in-person opportunities and is partnering with regional organizations to provide venues and free child care for participants.

Business leaders in the region have also expressed support for the initiative as a means to address labor challenges.

David Jackson, president and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, said the program is an investment in the local economy.

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The staff of our child care centers are the workforce behind the workforce and we are appreciative of all who see projects like this as a positive investment, Jackson said. This effort is another display of the communitys commitment to solving the workforce challenges for this critical industry.

The next Child Care Academy will take place May 12 for in-person sessions at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, followed by self-paced online modules through June 5. A third academy is scheduled for June 1920 at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, with online coursework running through July 10. Individuals interested in the program can register by completing an online interest form provided by Appalachian State University.

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HOT SPRINGS, Ark.- The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) reviewed extensive public feedback on proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes during its meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, with more than 20,000 verified responses shaping the discussion.

AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock and AGFC Chairman Anne Marie Doraramus hear the results of the 2026 regulations proposals survey, presented by AGFC Social Science Lead Jessica Feltz. AGFC photo.

AGFC Social Science Lead Jessica Feltz presented the findings from a large-scale survey first introduced after Februarys proposed rule changes.

Of more than 24,000 responses collected, we kept 20,134 for analysis, Feltz said. After careful review, the Social Science Team validated each response. Staff removed responses that were duplicate entries from the same individual or potentially fraudulent responses, such as from a bot. Rest assured that a small team of staff went through the responses and comments to determine their validity and intent.

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According to the report, most proposals received a majority of support, though some drew notable criticism. AGFC officials say, there were critical tones in some comments regarding certain regulation changes.

One interesting note was a difference between hunters and anglers in how direct they preferred regulations to be, Feltz said. Anglers were lumpers, meaning they preferred to have one regulation like a harvest limit or length limit be consistent across an entire region or the state. Hunters were our splitters, and they wanted to have regulations target individual areas. The hunters still wanted consistency in some aspects, but they favored specific details over general areas.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission releases 2026 Fishing Guidebook, changes to trout and Lake Monticello regs

Public comments also addressed proposed changes to land designations at Camp Robinson Special Use Area and J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain SUA.

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Commission Chairman Anne Marie Doramus clarified that events like field trials and archery tournaments would still be allowed if the areas are reclassified as wildlife management areas, emphasizing that habitat protection and public access remain top priorities.

Doramus and Commissioner Phillip Tappan also requested the removal of a proposal to increase mud motor horsepower limits from 37 to 40. AGFC officials say a large percentage of people who responded to the survey were against the change and requested increased restrictions on surface-drive motors due to the increased noise.

In visiting with the public and other commissioners, that regulation seems to have led people to believe were moving in a direction of opening things up on these types of motors, but we still have a lot of concerns about the level of noise they produce and have not seen industry leaders make efforts to address this, said Tappan.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission releases 2026 Fishing Guidebook, changes to trout and Lake Monticello regs

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To see the full report on the public survey, visit the AGFC website. Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposed regulations during their April meeting in Monticello.

AGFC Elk Program Coordinator Wes Wright reported on the 2025 elk hunting season and 2026 elk population survey. AGFC photo.

Commissioners also received an update on the states elk population from Elk Program Coordinator Wes Wright.

Wright said hunters harvested 22 elk last season, with 12 being bulls and the remainder being antlerless.

The harvest has stabilized from previous years, but is still much lower than the harvest a decade ago, Wright said. That decrease is really by design as a result of our detection of [chronic wasting disease] and our targeted response to the detection of the disease. We increased the number of tags and quotas and conducted targeted removals to reduce densities because elk have a much larger home range, and we were working to prevent the spread of CWD across the landscape as we were collecting data on where it had already become established. This led to a subsequent decrease in population, which prompted lower numbers of permits and quotas as we worked to stabilize the population.

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Wright noted this years population surveys were lower than expected, but it was largely due to high winds during the survey period that prevented helicopters and drones from working like they usually do.

We saw 353 elk during the survey period, which is a decline, but the surveys we run determine trends more than absolute numbers, Wright explained. We still want to be cautious with our harvest, but one low population survey should not cause warning sirens, especially with the weather conditions taken into context.

Two of the elk harvested last season tested positive for CWD, which Wright said is consistent with an infection rate of about 10%. Two additional elk carcasses found during the population survey also tested positive for CWD.

Officials say conservative harvest limits will likely remain in place to help stabilize the herd, noting elk reproduce slower than white-tailed deer.

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AGFC Director Doug Shoenrock also shared recent agency updates, including increased participation in the Arkansas Legacy Lunker program and ongoing conservation projects.

I want to give a special shout-out to Arkansas Game and Fishs own Ethan Stokes, who contributed a fish this year to the [Lunker] bunkers, and he did it despite not being allowed to participate in the [XPress Boats Giveaway] promotion, Schoenrock said. Ethan is a fisheries biologist from Russellville, and Id like to just commend him for his dedication and support of the program; obviously, a great conservationist staff member who is passionate about this promotion and improving the fisheries in the state of Arkansas.

Michael Ankton (right) presented with his students at L.M. Goza Middle School about their experience in the AGFCs School of Conservation Leadership Program last year. AGFC photo

The commission also heard from students at L.M. Goza Middle School in Arkadelphia about their participation in the commissions School of Conservation Leadership program.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission & Historic Cane Hill unveil 2026 quail and turkey conservation stamps

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Commissioners also approved a budget increase for the Benzal Lane Bridge project at Trusten Holder Wildlife Management from $400,000 to $850,000 due to rising construction costs. Officals say the money will come from the Marine Fuel Tax money collected through ArDOT.

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A wanted Arlington man used bear spray on Fairfax County police officers after a car chase that ended on the Beltway Friday afternoon, according to law enforcement.

Police say the incident began when officers in Hybla Valley used a License Plate Reader and discovered a driver who was wanted on multiple felony warrants.

Police issued an alert for the driver around 1:39 p.m., and then located the car in the 8100 block of Richmond Highway in Hybla Valley.

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They tried to pull the driver over, but he allegedly took off.

With the help of Virginia State Police and the Fairfax 1 police helicopter, police were able to track the driver onto I-495 northbound.

They finally stopped the driver by using a so-called PIT  Precision Immobilization Technique  maneuver in Alexandria.

According to police, as they issued commands, the man behind the wheel  later identified as 46-year-old Rodney Johnson of Arlington  sprayed the officers with bear spray.

Johnson was arrested and taken to a local hospital. Police said his injuries were not life threatening. They did not say how Johnson was injured during the incident.

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Two juveniles were also inside the car during the incident, and they came in contact with the bear spray. Both of them were taken to a local hospital as a precaution, according to police.

They say multiple officers were injured by the bear spray. They were treated on the scene.

Police have not indicated what crimes Johnson was wanted for, nor have they said what charges might result from the Friday afternoon incident.
Six people were hospitalized after the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office (NHSFMO) responded to a wedding venue in the town of Tamworth after reports of a floor collapse.

The incident occurred around 4:33 p.m. when Talmoth Fire and Rescue responded to The Preserve at Chocorua, at 88 Philbrick Neighborhood Road in Tamworth, for reports that a floor had collapsed during a wedding.

Once on scene, crews found out that the staff of the establishment had begun helping those who had fallen, alongside providing first aid to some wedding goers. First responders then began assisting people.

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Investigators with the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office have responded to the scene and are leading the investigation into the incident, the State Fire Marshals Office wrote. The preliminary investigation has determined that at the start of the wedding ceremony, 144 guests were in the venues Sap House building when the floor collapsed and nearly 70 people, about half of the guests, fell through an approximately 20-by-20-foot opening into the basement.

Six people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Since then, four of them have been released.

The incident remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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ATLANTA  Republican nominee for Illinois governor Darren Bailey is vulnerable as he enters the race for a second time.

Bailey has once again secured the GOP nomination and will face Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in November in a rematch. Pritzker won in 2022 by 12 points.

Illinois voters have consistently favored Democrats in recent statewide elections, presenting a significant challenge for Bailey as he attempts to unseat a well-funded incumbent. Republicans have not won a governors race in the state since Bruce Rauner was elected in 2014, a reality Bailey acknowledged in an interview with Raising America.

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Almost all, if not simply 80 percent of all Illinoisans, are angry because they cant afford to live here. We know that 80 percent-plus of all Illinoisans dont feel safe, and they want a government that protects them, Bailey said.

His campaign is deeply rooted in personal tragedy and family inspiration, which he says makes this run especially meaningful. His late son and his family remain among his biggest motivators.

On Oct. 22, Baileys son, Zach, his daughter-in-law, Kelsey, and two of their children, Vada Rose and Samuel, were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Montana. A third child, 10-year-old Finn, was not in the helicopter and survived. He now lives with Bailey. The crash left the family paralyzed. Bailey said for months his life was completely paused, crippled with grief.

This all began because of my family, he said. When I began to crack open some of my sons information, his computer, I got his passwords. Unbeknownst to us, when we got into his computer, we discovered emails, he was considering a run as a state representative. When I saw that, I realized, he got it.

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He went on to say he had to run for Zach.

Illinois deserved a Republican governor who will actually get something done, Bailey said. Overall, in Illinois, people lost faith in the Republican Party, and they had good reason to. We know what needs to be done.

Baileys campaign a tough-on-crime stance, education reform and affordability as central pillars of his platform. He argues Illinois is too expensive and that taxes  particularly property taxes  are too high. He says the solution is to reduce overall state spending, maintaining that Illinois does not have a revenue problem but rather a spending problem.

So were now going to have a $56 billion budget. Weve legalized gambling years ago that was going to take care of education, yet we saw no change. We, Illinois legalized marijuana a few years ago. That was going to take care of mental health. But every time theres a problem comes up, J.B. Pritzker throws, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars just in the name of mental health at new spending. There is no accountability, he said.

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Bailey has sharply criticized Pritzkers policies, pointing to a $56 billion state budget and rising energy costs as key concerns for voters. He has proposed a Blueprint for Illinois aimed at eliminating what he describes as wasteful spending, including conducting a forensic audit of state finances. He also emphasized the need for improved affordability, increased public safety and education reforms, citing a 70 percent failure rate in statewide literacy as evidence of broader systemic challenges.

However, critics argue that Baileys proposed spending cuts could risk reducing funding for essential public services such as education and health care. Supporters of Pritzker point to improved fiscal stability in recent years, along with continued investments in infrastructure and social programs.

Baileys support is strongest in rural and downstate regions, and he faces a steep climb in Chicago, where Democratic support remains dominant and he lost ground to Republican primary opponents.

As the race unfolds, Baileys campaign is working to expand its appeal beyond its conservative base, with a focus on suburban voters and broader economic concerns. The contest is expected to center on competing visions for the states future  one focused on cutting spending and taxes, and the other on continued investment and fiscal management under the current administration.

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Raising America is a NewsNation podcast hosted by Elizabeth Prann.

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The Iranian attack on the US-UK base on Diego Garcia shows that European capitals such as Berlin are within range of Tehran's fire, the Israeli chief of the general staff said on Saturday.

"Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometres toward an American target on Diego Garcia island," said Eyal Zamir.

"These missiles are not intended to strike Israel," Zamir warned. "Their range reaches European capitals - Berlin, Paris and Rome are all within direct threat range."

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After three weeks of war, the Iranian regime has been weakened, Zamir argued, saying that Israel was "midway through" its operations.

He warned that the Israeli offensive against Iran would continue during the Passover festival, which begins on the evening of April 1 and lasts for a week.

The traditional Jewish festival commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their liberation from slavery.
WACO (FOX 44)  Waco police are investigating a tragic collision that claimed the life of a bicyclist in the northern part of the city Friday night (March 20, 2026).

Officers were called to the intersection of North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and Carver Avenue at 8:48 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered that a 56-year-old man had been struck by a vehicle.

According to investigators, the man was riding his bike east across the boulevard when he was hit by a vehicle traveling north. He was rushed to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead.

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The Texas Department of Public Safety is now assisting Waco police with the ongoing investigation. Authorities noted that the driver involved stayed at the scene and has been fully cooperative with officers. At this time, no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

While the victims family has been notified of the accident, his identity is not being released to the public just yet.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince Georges) walked away from a job in the Prince Georges County school system in December due to potential ethical concerns, but he didnt walk away from the issue.

Watson is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 618, which would let a legislator work for a state, county or local government if that person had served one elected term in the General Assembly and met other standards, including having objectively satisfied the minimum education, licensure and experience requirements of the job.

The bill appeared to get a boost Friday when the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics  whose leaders wrote the letter last fall that said Watson could not take the school system job and remain in the Senate  voted 10-2 to recommend that an amended version of the bill could pass ethical muster.

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Besides the language requiring that the legislator be qualified for the government job they would be taking, the bill wouldnt go into effect until Jan. 13, 2027, when the legislatures next four-year term begins.

Many of us had to forgo pension plans and take alternative small-time jobs in an effort to serve the public and to do the publics work, Watson said Friday. There are many, many members in the General Assembly where this is their only job because theyre restricted from getting employment elsewhere. This is just an issue of fairness.

Watson drafted the bill after the ethics committee determined in an October letter that state law prohibited Watson from holding the job. He eventually resigned in December as an interim senior adviser to the Prince Georges schools superintendent.

The Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics meets in the State Houses Silver Room Friday to discuss a bill on second jobs for lawmakers. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

He said in an interview Friday that hes confident the bill would pass in his chamber and in the House.

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There are currently some exceptions that allow lawmakers to hold a government job, including lawmakers who held the government job before they were elected or appointed to office, those who work in a human services position, such as a social worker or nurse, and a position that is subject to a merit system hiring process.

The legislation entitled, Public Ethics  Members of the General Assembly  State and Local Government Employment Exemption, has a similar House version sponsored by Del. Andrea Fletcher Harrison (D-Prince Georges). Both were heard last month, before the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment and the House Government, Labor and Elections committees.

Neither committee has voted on their respective bills, with the legislatures crossover day deadline on Monday, the day by which a bill has to move from one chamber to the other if its to be guaranteed a hearing in the second chamber. A bill has to be approved by both chambers before it can be signed into law.

One of the House co-sponsors on the ethics measure, Del. Mary Lehman (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel), concurred with Watsons thoughts on challenges to work as a legislator thats a part-time position, but working the equivalent of full-time hours. Legislators receive about $56,000 annually.

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I think anybody here would tell you finding secondary employment, with the unpredictable hours that occur between January and April, makes it super challenging to find something else, said Lehman, who eventually landed a virtual job with a small nonprofit foundation based in Wisconsin.

Its inevitable

The ethics committee meetings are usually closed to the public, but Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) asked that Fridays meeting remain open because were specifically talking about legislation, I believe it should be the same as any other piece of legislation.

Hersheys colleagues agreed and the committee voted unanimously to keep the nearly one-hour meeting open.

Watsons bill was brought to the ethics committee because the legislatures presiding officers sought an opinion about the bill.

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The committee asked Deadra Daly, the legislatures ethics counsel, to draft a letter to the presiding officers before the 90-day session ends April 13.

The committee also wants the General Assembly to include some guardrails, or additional information in the states ethics guide when it deals with employment by a government entity. For instance, ensuring a job has been posted for the general public as opposed to it being created or held for one person. Daly said that could be completed later this year.

Del. April Rose (R-Frederick and Carroll), who voted against recommending approval of the bill with Del. Nic Kipke (R-Anne Arundel), asked if the legislation could create legal issues.

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Senate Majority Leader Nancy King (D-Montgomery) acknowledged, if the bill gets approved, its going to make a lot more work for the ethics committee, but I think its inevitable.

But King still recommended approval for the amended bill because it will make it easier for legislators to be able to get a job legally. We dont make enough money to live on in this job. Its so very hard to get another job matching the ethics requirements.

 Maryland Matters reporter Christine Condon contributed to this story.
Property owners would be entitled to a check from the local government if new land use regulations decrease their property value, according to a bill moving through Tennessees legislature.

The bills supporters say it protects private property rights from overzealous regulation.

Its opponents say that it would effectively strip local governments of the ability to enact zoning and plan for growth without facing incalculable costs.

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Governments use zoning codes to steer growth by controlling what can be built on a piece of property. Zoning might dictate how close an industrial plant can be to a residential neighborhood, for example, how many homes can be built on a piece of property, or where short-term rental properties are allowed to operate.

Roughly half of Tennessees 95 counties have countywide zoning codes.

The Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026 would allow property owners to submit a written demand for compensation to any governing body that enacts a new land use regulation that decreases the value of their property.

The property owner must own the property prior to the regulation being passed, and must submit the written demand within three years. The governing body would then have a choice: pay the property owner, or roll back the regulation.

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This bill would function as an immediate freeze on zoning, land use, growth management and farmland protection regulations across Tennessee.

 Micah Wood, Tennessee Chapter, American Planning Association

If the regulation remains in place without compensating the property owner within 90 days, the property owner could then sue the government for the money, in addition to attorney fees and other court expenses.

Rep. Tim Hicks, a Republican serving part of Washington County, is one of the bills sponsors.

At its core, this legislation reinforces the foundational principles: If government action takes value, the government bears the cost, not the individual property owner, Hicks said during a House judiciary committee meeting.

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The bill has backing from representatives for The Beacon Center, a free market-focused Tennessee think tank, as well as the Home Builders Association of Tennessee. They say it would encourage responsible regulation and level the playing field between government regulators and property owners.

Micah Wood, president of Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association, disagrees.

This bill would function as an immediate freeze on zoning, land use, growth management and farmland protection regulations across Tennessee, Wood said. If every land use update carries a risk of financial liabilities, most communities will simply not make those updates, even when they serve the publics best interest.

The bill could result in unpredictable increases in costs to the state and local governments, according to its fiscal note.

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This would fundamentally make responsible planning for the future financially impossible for local governments, Wood said.

David Connor, executive director of the Tennessee County Services Association, said bills like this one arise in the legislature from time to time, generally backed by the development community. He similarly warned that the legislation could make it cost-prohibitive for growing counties to create new regulations.

If local governments must choose between court or paying the property owner, some of them may just cut a check because theyre afraid of having to deal with the lawsuits, Connor said. Either way, the taxpayers are paying the bills for all of this.

The bill will be heard in both the House and Senate judiciary committees on March 23.

A balancing act

Connor said zoning is not as common in less-concentrated rural areas, but when development increases, community members start to think more about where they want commercial and industrial areas, and where more infrastructure is needed to support growth. Its a delicate balance between private property rights and communities desire to control growth.

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A lot of times, in the legislature, I feel like this gets portrayed as, Well, its the local government trying to stop people from doing what they want to do with their property, Connor said. Really, its more a matter of, we dont see zoning in counties in Tennessee until the citizens start to demand it.

The U.S. Constitutions Fifth Amendment states that the government cannot take private property for public use without just compensation. Property owners have sought relief from regulatory takings through the court, and a U.S. Supreme Court case has established a test to determine whether a regulation does, in fact, constitute a taking.

Ben Storms, an attorney for The Beacon Center, said the test is very pro-government and has been criticized for not actually protecting property rights.

Landowners, Storms said, arent committed to suing whenever land use regulations change.

A Tennessee bill regulating zoning doesnt make clear whether short-term rental properties meet the definition of public nuisance. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Its usually when they had an investment plan and then the government came in and changed their use, he said.

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But bringing disputes outside of court also poses risks, Connor said.

Part of our worry about this is someones going to show up claiming economic damages, so the county has a choice: do you want to back off your land use regulations, or do you want to pay? Theres no involvement of proof, Connor said. Theres no judge involved overseeing everything, so it creates a potential for corruption.

Carve-outs and court risks

Amendments to the bill state that it wouldnt apply to health and safety laws, including fire and building codes and solid and hazardous waste regulations.

Should it pass, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2027, and would only apply to new land regulations made after that date. It also wouldnt apply to a property owners request to downzone their own property, or voluntarily restrict what can be built on the parcel.

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An amendment also carves out regulations restricting or prohibiting activities commonly and historically recognized as public nuisances under common law. But the legislation notes that this exception must be construed narrowly in favor of compensating a property owner.

These exceptions dont prevent property owners from demanding compensation, however, and the government would have the burden of showing that the law does not apply in these cases.

George Nolan, director of the Southern Environmental Law Centers Tennessee Office, pointed to short-term rentals as an example. If an out-of-town company purchases several residential homes to use as short-term rentals and local residents dont like it, this bill could diminish local governments ability to regulate where these rentals are allowed to operate.

Theyll be sued if they adopt a land use restriction that these out-of-town companies object to, Nolan said.

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Jack Powers, vice president of policy and advocacy at The Beacon Center, said the bill is not designed to increase lawsuits, offering other remedies before moving to court.

Jordan Clark, a representative from the Home Builders Association of Tennessee, said the bill doesnt apply to public nuisances, referring to Nolans short-term rental example.

Whether short-term rentals would fit within the bills narrow carveout is unclear.

Connor describes the bill as a Catch-22.

Regarding short-term rentals, Connor said communities looking to impose new limitations could face a lose-lose situation.

Thats definitely something where a person could say, Well, youve taken away my ability to make a bunch of money off of this property I own, Connor said. But then if you grant those short-term rental permits, you may have next-door neighbors  saying, I cant sell my home now for as much as I used to be able to, because youve allowed short-term rentals to come next door.

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A day after a Boston police officer was arraigned in court, there are growing calls for the body camera video to be shared with the public.

I was one of the first ones calling for the body camera because I believe that there has to be transparency in order for there to be trust, Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper said. The body camera will show exactly what happened.

Culpepper represents district seven, which is where the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Stephenson King happened on March 11. Police say King was a suspect in a carjacking and was found by officers in Roxbury. Court paperwork shows Officer Nicholas OMalley shot the suspect three times while he was in a car, backing up.

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OMalley allegedly radioed that King tried to run the officers over, but investigators say the body camera video refutes that claim and shows neither officer was in the path of the car when the shots were fired.

The contradicting report is part of why the councilor is pushing Boston Police to release the video. Culpepper added that he spoke with witnesses of the shooting who were traumatized.

I want to see what the body cam shows in terms of what I already heard from eyewitnesses, he said. They thought it was not justified and thats what really moved me to continue pressing for that body cam.

Leaders at the Black Community Information Center in Boston were frustrated with the shooting during a Friday press conference.

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What gave the officer the passage, if you will, to make the determination that he was going to put three bullets into him, Director Sadiki Kambon said. The bottom line is that it was an overreaction by Officer OMalley.

Kambon believes the shooting may have been racially motivated.

Its one thing to be charged, but for another thing, theyre saying manslaughter. He shot and killed a black man, and hes home with his family.

Another person at the press conference said he didnt appreciate what was said to King before the shots were fired.

He should have not said, bro, Im going to expletive shoot you, Robin Koza said. Hes a police officer. Hes supposed to treat the situation professionally, and he was not professional at all. I like the officer. I know the officer, and he should have not said that.

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As of now, there is no indication that the video will be released.

OMalleys next court date is in May. He pleaded not guilty on Thursday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A Broward Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested on sexual battery and false imprisonment charges at a party and has since been fired, according to the sheriff's office.

The accused former deputy, 25-year-old Edwin Horace, was fired from his position as a deputy in the Department of Detention and Community Programs following his arrest on March 17, BSO stated.

He had been employed with BSO for less than a year.

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According to BSO, a Florida woman told detectives she was sexually battered while attending a house party in Deerfield Beach in the early morning hours of March 16. Detectives identified Horace as the offender. Horace admitted to the sexual encounter with the victim but told detectives it was consensual, BSO reported. The accuser told investigators the sexual acts were not consensual.

More: Bachelorette contestant was in crash that paralyzed Madison Cawthorn

More: Florida's boating industry is spreading termites one marina at a time

Broward Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony, center, seen here speaking during during a press conference about MS-13 gang activity at the Broward County Sheriff's Office Research, Development and Training Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 4, 2025.

Special Victim Unit detectives arrested Horace on the morning of March 17 on two counts of sexual battery and one count of false imprisonment.

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BSO reported that, after further investigation, on March 18, detectives identified another female who attended the same party and made accusations against Horace. Horace faces an additional count of false imprisonment, one count of strangulation dating violence and two counts of touch or strike battery, detectives said, according to the BSO statement. BSO stated that the investigation continues.

On and off duty, I expect all employees to conduct themselves lawfully and with decency. I find the allegations in this case deeply disturbing and concerning. Therefore, immediate action was taken to terminate the probationary employee, Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony said in the statement.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Broward County deputy fired after sexual battery accusation at party
Bucks County seniors have a new place to call home with the opening of The Birches at New Hope.

Some of its very first residents were on site to cut the ceremonial ribbon the afternoon of March 19. The three-story, 98,000 square-foot building along Lower York Road includes 93 modern apartments split between 62 personal care units and 31 for memory care.

This dedicated memory care neighborhood provides specialized programs and support for those living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

The Birches at New Hope is to provide 93 housing units for seniors in the area who need extra support or specialized memory care. It has a sister site in Newtown that's been operating for more than a decade.

"The mission is to meet the needs of the residents to create a new home," said Matt Hayden, a general partner on the project.

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"A building doesn't mean anything until you fill it up with the people who need it and the people who are going to care for those people."

A studio unit in The Birches at New Hope, a newly opened facility where seniors can live comfortably and independently with support they may need right at their fingertips.

All Birches at New Hope residents can enjoy chef-prepared meals, activities and support daily from numerous on-site staff members. The first floor is home to a salon, crafts room, a large dining room and gathering spaces.

The building also has its own internal Fox Rehabilitation location with physical therapists available to help residents feel their best.

So far approximately two dozen residents have already moved in, with more expected to join their new community throughout the spring.

John Wilson talks about how long he has known Charlie E. Sharpe III and how their relationship has lasted decades at his home in Sellersville on March 11, 2026. John Wilson shows a photo of he and Charlie E. Sharpe III, right, from years ago while talking about Charlie at his home in Sellersville on March 11, 2026. John Wilson shows a photo of his son with Charlie E. Sharpe III, seated center, while talking about Charlie at his home in Sellersville on March 11, 2026. John Wilson shows a photo of Charlie E. Sharpe III kissing his wife Linda, after she rang the bell ending her chemotherapy treatment, while talking about his relationship with Charlie at his home in Sellersville on March 11, 2026. John Wilson and his son with Charlie E. Sharpe III, center, years ago. Charlie E. Sharpe III speaks during a Big Brothers Big Sisters gala years ago. John Wilson, left, honors Charlie E. Sharpe III, left, hugs John Wilson, right, after being given an award during a Big Brothers Big Sisters gala years ago. One of two medical flights Charlie E. Sharpe III had to take to get to a level one trauma center to treat him. Charlie E. Sharpe III in the hospital. Charlie E. Sharpe III works on a cabinet in his garage over the summer. Charlie E. Sharpe III, left, with John Wilson, right, from years ago. Charlie E. Sharpe III with his wife Linda after she rang the bell marking the end of her chemotherapy treatments years ago. Charlie E. Sharpe III kisses his wife Linda after she rang the bell marking the end of her chemotherapy treatments years ago. John Wilson, left, honors Charlie E. Sharpe III, right, with an award during a Big Brothers Big Sisters gala years ago. John Wilson and Charlie E. Sharpe III, right, from years ago. Sellersville Big Brother Little Brother Medical Crisis 1 of 15 John Wilson talks about how long he has known Charlie E. Sharpe III and how their relationship has lasted decades at his home in Sellersville on March 11, 2026.

Birches at New Hope is just the newest of Heritage Senior Living's residential communities in Pennsylvania. Heritage Senior Living also has a sister site in nearby Newtown that's been operating for more than a decade.

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Lacey Latch is the development reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer. She can be reached at LLatch@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: New senior living, memory care community officially open in New Hope
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday announced a sweeping settlement with the El Monte Union High School District following what he described as "horrific and unacceptable and disgusting abuses of children" that spanned decades at Rosemead High School.

The agreement requires wide-ranging reforms after a state investigation found years of sexual misconduct by faculty and staff and repeated failures by district officials to report or properly investigate allegations.

"A teacher had engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment and abuse for years and had been involved in at least four sexual relationships with students as far back as over 20 years," Bonta said during a news conference.

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The revelations spurred state Sen. Sasha Renee Perez to author the Safe Learning Environments Act, which took effect earlier this year and strengthens reporting and accountability requirements for schools statewide.

Former Rosemead High student Leslie Gaitan said the new measures could have changed her experience on campus.

"You had to look out for yourself while you were there, because no one else was going to protect you while you were there," Gaitan said. "But I think with this change, hopefully this sort of behavior stops."

El Monte Union High School District officials declined an interview but issued a written statement saying the district "is committed to continuously improving how it responds to concerns and supports students in safe learning environments... These efforts are intended to strengthen safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments across the District."

The settlement requires the district to adopt new training, reporting protocols, oversight mechanisms and studentsupport systems. Bonta said the reforms are designed to ensure that the systemic failures that allowed abuse to persist for years "never happen again."
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican running for California governor, says his department will move forward with an investigation into alleged voter fraud tied to a 2025 statewide special election on Prop. 50  despite objections from Californias top election and lawenforcement officials, as well as local election officials.

At a March 20 press conference, Bianco accused state leaders of trying to interfere with what he called a lawful investigation into the Proposition 50 special election. The probe centers on allegations that tens of thousands more ballots were counted in Riverside County than were recorded as received.

State officials  including Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber  say those claims are unsupported and risk undermining confidence in Californias elections.

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"The Riverside County Sheriff's Office has taken actions based on allegations that lack credible evidence and risk undermining public confidence in our elections.," Weber told City News Service. "The sheriff's assertion that his deputies know how to count is admirable. The fact remains that he and his deputies are not elections officials, and they do not have expertise in election administration."

The dispute is now headed into a new phase after a Riverside County Superior Court judge appointed a special master to oversee parts of the investigation.

Here's what to know about the controversy over alleged vote irregularities in Riverside County.

What the Riverside County election allegations are about

The controversy stems from complaints raised by a group calling itself the Riverside Election Integrity Team, which says it found a discrepancy of roughly 45,800 ballots in Riverside Countys count for the November 2025 special election on Proposition 50.

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County election officials strongly dispute that claim.

Riverside County Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco told county supervisors earlier this year that the groups analysis misunderstood how ballots move through the election system. Initial intake logs, he said, are rough estimates made late at night by poll workers and are not intended to match final vote totals.

After signature verification, provisional and conditional ballots, and confidential voter protections are accounted for, the county found a difference of about 103 ballots  a variance of roughly 0.016%, well below the 2% tolerance used by the California Secretary of States office.

County officials said they met repeatedly with REIT to walk through the math behind the ballot count, but members remained unconvinced, arguing that hand counts are more reliable than voting machines.

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Bianco has said the gap between the two sides conclusions is too large to ignore.

Related: What to know before watching Tuesdays California governor debate

What this fight means for California voters

For most California voters, nothing about how ballots are cast or counted has changed  and state officials stress there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Riverside County or anywhere else in California.

But the highprofile dispute carries broader implications:

Public trust: Election experts warn that aggressive lawenforcement investigations based on unproven claims can erode confidence in election outcomes.

Who oversees elections: The clash highlights the limits of a sheriffs authority over election administration, which, under state law, is handled by county election officials.

2026 governors race: Because Bianco is running for governor and has aligned himself with national electionfraud rhetoric, the case is drawing statewide political scrutiny as the June primary approaches.

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Secretary of State Weber said election reviews should be conducted by trained elections officials, not lawenforcement agencies without election administration expertise.

Related: What to know about the SAVE Act voter ID push for California voters

Why the attorney general stepped in

Attorney General Bonta says his office did not try to shut down the investigation but sought to understand its legal basis  especially after learning the sheriffs department planned to seize and count roughly 1,000 boxes of election materials.

In letters sent to the sheriff beginning Feb. 26, Bonta cited the attorney generals constitutional authority to supervise sheriffs in matters related to their official duties. He raised concerns about the legal sufficiency of search warrants and the plan to have sheriffs staff, rather than elections professionals, count ballots.

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Bonta also pointed to the registrars explanation that the alleged discrepancy had already been reviewed and resolved.

Bianco, in turn, accused Bonta of political interference and said his investigation has been approved by a judge and will now proceed under court supervision.

How the Riverside County Registrar of Voters is selected

In Riverside County  as in most California counties  the registrar of voters is not an elected position.

The county Board of Supervisors appoints the registrar and is responsible for administering elections in accordance with state law and guidance from the Secretary of State. That includes ballot processing, signature verification, tabulation, postelection audits and certification of results.

What happens next in the investigation

Bianco says the ballot review, which was temporarily paused, will now resume under the oversight of a courtappointed special master, though no timeline has been set for completion.

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Bonta has said his office will continue monitoring the situation and may take further action if necessary. Secretary of State Weber reiterated that her office has reviewed the allegations so far and found them unsubstantiated.

For California voters, state leaders say the bottom line remains unchanged: the November 2025 special election results stand, and there is no evidence that ballots were improperly counted or that the outcome was affected.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California officials challenge Riverside sheriff over election probe




As concerns about a California exodus spread during the COVID-19 pandemic, media across the country speculated about the end of the reign of coastal metros like San Francisco and Los Angeles. It turned out that while many residents did leave those cities, they tended to simply move to other parts of the state to settle down. A new report out this week shows that trend continuing with California renters opting to pingpong all over the state instead of moving to another state altogether.

For San Francisco renters searching for a new place to live, 40% were looking at a different metro area, according to a new report from rental site Apartment List. San Jose was the most popular place, with 23.3% of searches focused on its Bay Area neighbor. Sacramento was the second most sought-after market at 10.3% of searches, and Los Angeles had 6.3%.

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For those looking to move to San Francisco, the trend was similar, with most searches coming from San Jose (20.5%). Los Angeles (11.2%) and Sacramento (7%) were next in line, respectively.

Of the San Jose residents looking for a change of pace, 33.1% of searches were for San Francisco. Los Angeles had 6.9% and Sacramento had 5.6%.

In Los Angeles, the top queried moving spot was Riverside, with 18.3% of searches. San Diego had 9.5%. Phoenix was third on the list, with 5.7% of searches looking at apartments in the Arizona city. It also appeared in Riverside's top 3 list of searches, the only city outside of California to show up in these top spots.

For those who were looking for a bigger move, the states Californians were considering for relocation weren't surprising. Texas is still the top place for renters, with Nevada and Arizona close behind. Washington state, another popular place for Californians to flee to, took the fourth spot. Meanwhile, Colorado has been gaining ground, landing in the fifth spot this year.

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What may come as a surprise is that California renters seem to be losing their desire to move to Florida. More than 5% of renters looked to move there in 2023, but that number fell to 4.2% in 2024 and to just 3.8% in 2025. At the same time, interest in Texas has steadily risen, from 11% in 2023 to 12.4% in 2024 and 12.8% in 2025.

Apartment List analyzed search data on its site and net domestic migration from the U.S. Census Bureau to calculate its report.

Rob Warnock, a senior research associate for Apartment List, told SFGATE he doesn't expect any big fluctuations in these trends in the coming year, especially as artificial intelligence jobs remain a big draw for the Bay Area and the overall economy is strong. Using San Francisco as an example, he said there's almost always a proximity leader (San Jose) and an affordability leader (Sacramento) in the top searches from any given place.

"It paints that nice picture of the cycle of who's moving to and from these major job centers," he said.

More on California

- Stinson underwater, Ocean Beach halved: California's beach reckoning is here

- America's obsession with California failing

- What it's like to live in a Calif. tourist attraction being swallowed by the sea

- There's a quiet housing fix spreading across California

- California remote workers are bringing their high salaries elsewhere

- The unlikely (and unofficial) boundary between Northern and Southern California

This article originally published at California renters show decreasing interest in moving to once-popular destination.
A car thief caught by cops trying to boost a Honda and a Jeep at a Brooklyn mall parking lot escaped authorities by diving into the creek behind the building, police said Saturday.

A woman sidekick with the car thief wasnt so lucky and was collared by cops during the harried chase inside the Kings Plaza parking lot at 11:50 p.m. Friday.

A security guard monitoring the parking lot saw the couple casing cars in the Flatbush Ave. lot near Avenue U in Mill Basin and called police.

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Arriving officers spotted the pair and quickly grabbed the woman, identified as 22-year-old Carlyne Hyacinthe.

The man she was with sprinted off to the eastern side of the lot and plunged into the Mill Basin Inlet, cops said.

Cops and firefighters searched the water and the shoreline, but the suspected car thief had vanished.

The two had already broken into a Honda and were trying to get into a Jeep when cops arrived, police said. Hyacinthe had a pocket knife on her, as well as a key fob reprogrammer, which would allow the thieves to turn on the vehicles engine.

Cops charged Hyacinthe with car theft, possession of burglars tools, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal trespass and weapons possession.

Her arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court was pending Saturday.
The Nashoba Regional School Building Committee announced an update to the new Nashoba Regional School District high school projects gender-neutral bathrooms design after receiving feedback on the original design from community members.

The original layout featured traditional multi-stall restrooms with individual gender-unassigned floor-to-ceiling toilet rooms that include full doors. Shared sinks and mirrors are located in an open area visible from the hallways.

Nashoba serves the Central Massachusetts towns of Bolton, Lancaster and Stow.

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The new design showcased at a Building Committee meeting on March 19 now features 10 total stalls, with four female stalls on one side of the bathroom and three male stalls on the other, reducing the number of unassigned stalls to three in total.

The design also incorporates safety features such as occupancy indicators, sensors and vape detection systems. Cameras will monitor common areas near sinks and mirrors, but not inside the private stalls.

The majority of incidents, bullying incidents, et cetera, happen in front of the mirror, Olsen said during the meeting, adding that increased visibility is intended to really diminish those issues.

The bathrooms are placed along main hallways to allow passive supervision. The layout also includes larger accessible stalls and dispensers for sanitary products.

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Student safety and security is the number one priority, Olsen added. He said the design reflects input gathered during community visioning sessions, including feedback from students, staff and the building committee.

Concerns over the previous design were shared in social media forums in the past weeks, citing fears of sexual activity and vaping in the bathrooms. In addition to social media, a Change.org petition was started on Feb. 17 petitioning the school district to require separate gender bathrooms in Nashoba Regional High School. As of March 20, the petition has more than 630 signatures.

Nashoba Regional School Committee chairperson Leah Vivirito said during the meeting that she believes this updated design addresses these community concerns.

There were some concerns amongst some parents that this design somehow lacks a safety component and that they are concerned for their kids having to share bathrooms that are universal, Vivirito said. When I was actually in the building, it was very clear to me that this is a superior design.

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Vivirito said the new layout addresses longstanding supervision challenges in traditional school bathrooms.

I cannot see what is happening inside the boys bathroom, she said of her current experience. And unfortunately, a lot happens in the bathrooms.

She added that the new design gives her a tremendous amount of confidence that supervision is not going to be a problem, and said student input supported the approach. The kids wanted this design, she added.

Building committee members said the bathroom plan is part of a broader effort to create a safer, more inclusive environment in the new high school, which is currently under construction.

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The use of multi-stall gender-neutral bathrooms is not common among high schools in Massachusetts, though Nashoba Regional High School would not be the only district to propose the concept. The new Lexington High School project also plans to incorporate multi-stall gender-neutral bathrooms, according to the Lexington Observer.

The Nashoba Regional High School project has been in development since 2022 and currently has an opening date of fall 2027.

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The Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office responded to a situation in Patrick involving a person who had barricaded themself inside a home.

Deputies responded to a call at a residence on Crowley Park Drive on Friday evening concerning 29-year-old Jonathan McCaskill.

McCaskill fired a shot towards a deputy as he was leaving, authorities said, and barricaded himself inside the home.

Around 2 a.m. Saturday, deputies said they secured the area but that McCaskill was still believed to be inside the home.

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The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or SLED, was also called to the scene to assist.

The standoff lasted hours before McCaskill was taken into custody, deputies said.

Officials said McCaskill was charged with breach of peace high and aggravated in nature, threatening the life of a public official, and assault and battery in the first degree.

There is no excuse for this type of dangerous behavior, said Sheriff Cambo Streater. Im thankful our deputies handled this situation with professionalism and that no one was injured.

The investigation is ongoing, but police say there is no active threat to the public.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: Pregnant woman stabbed in Cotswold in random act of violence
Chicago police have arrested a 25-year-old Rogers Park man in connection with Thursdays fatal shooting of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman, according to records obtained by the Tribune.

An arrest report obtained by the Tribune offers no information about a possible motive for the shooting, which took place shortly after 1 a.m. on the Loyola Beach Pier. It states that witnesses told police a man wearing black clothes and a black mask pointed a gun at Gorman and fired one round at her as she tried to run away.

Nearby surveillance video captured the suspect a few minutes after the shooting walking westbound to Pratt Avenue, according to the report. Police were able to identify the man, in part, because of his distinct limp. The suspect then entered a nearby apartment building, the report stated, and appeared on the buildings internal surveillance cameras without a mask.

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The Tribune is not naming him because he has not been charged. Cook County court records show the suspect has a single misdemeanor charge for shoplifting from the State Street Macys in June 2023.

A judge issued a warrant for him in that case after he failed to appear for a court date. Records show the warrant was still outstanding as of September 2023.

A police report obtained by the Tribune offered scant details about the shooting, only stating that Rogers Park (24th) District police found Gorman on the pier at Loyola Beach in Rogers Park with a gunshot wound to the back.

Officers recovered a single shell casing about 40 feet from Gormans body, the report stated. Police said in a statement shed been walking with friends when a gunman walked up to them, pulled out a weapon and fired at them.

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Gorman, of Yorktown Heights, New York, was studying business at Loyola and involved with the Christian campus group Cru, friends said at a memorial service Thursday night.

Classmates described Gorman as cheerful and always smiling, with a good reputation around campus despite the short time she spent there.

In a statement released Saturday morning before news of the arrest, Gormans family said she had been out with her friends Thursday in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights.

Describing Gorman as someone with a way of leaving people better than she found them, her family said she was exactly where she should have been  close to campus, surrounded by friends, living her life.

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What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to the idea of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the statement said. This is not an abstraction. This is the loss of a daughter. The loss of a sister. The loss of a future filled with milestones that will now never come. Our family is forever changed.

Tess Kenny contributed.
The Chicago Transit Authority sued the Trump administration on Friday to claw back billions in federal funding that the White House froze amid a lengthy federal shutdown last year.

Blasting the White Houses maneuver as political retaliation, CTA alleged in its complaint that it was part of an effort by President Donald Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to punish Democrats for their role in starting the government shutdown last October.

Indeed, in the days before and after Defendants froze CTAs funds, the Administration made clear its desire to single out for adverse treatment those jurisdictions and programs affiliated with leaders from a different political party, CTA wrote.

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At issue are more than $2 billion in federal money for expansion and maintenance of the citys red and purple lines. Without it, work on CTAs crucial infrastructure projects is set to grind to a halt, the lawsuit contended.

Demobilization and work stoppages will lead to a cascade of negative consequences affecting CTA, its ridership, and the greater Chicago area, the CTA wrote. Among others: Hundreds of people will soon be out of work, and thousands of future jobs will be jeopardized, if not eliminated.

The White House targeted Chicago, arguing the CTA had contravened new federal standards clamping down on diversity, equity and inclusion practices in contracting processes. The move came just after the administration employed a similar justification to pause $18 billion in federal funding for two major rail tunnel projects in New York City and New Jersey. But the New York, New Jersey and Chicago transit projects were the only ones that saw their funding frozen by the administration in the wake of the new rules, the CTA wrote in its complaint.

In the early days of last years shutdown, Trump made it clear the White House would turn the screws on institutions popular with Democrats, such as climate-related projects in Democrat-run states. Federal workers were laid off.

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Were only cutting Democrat programs, I hate to tell you, but we are cutting Democrat programs, he said in an October Cabinet meeting. We will be cutting some very popular Democrat programs that arent popular with Republicans, frankly.

The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Illinois, lists the Federal Transit Agency and Department of Transportation as defendants.

The FTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
The public is getting a new look at how close a serial child molester is to walking the streets of Fresno.

David Funston used candy and toys to lure children in Sacramento County back in the 1990s. His youngest victim was three years old.

"It was the worst serial child predator case I've ever seen in my history," former Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert told Action News.

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She prosecuted the case in 1999, securing a conviction and three life sentences.

"A prosecutor had a belief that when you got life, it meant life," Schubert said. "We made promises to these families, to these children. 'Don't ever worry, he's never going to get out.'"

But under new laws, the 64-year-old Funston received parole in February. He is considered "elderly" under a state program that allows the possibility of parole for any inmate who is 50 years of age or older and has served a minimum of 20 consecutive years.

The decision to release the convicted child molester from prison came even after stunning comments.

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Documents obtained by Action News reveal Funston told the parole board last September that he still has sexual fantasies.

He describes a thought from four years ago involving his daughter's 8-year-old playmate.

"This parole board felt that he was still safe to release, which is really quite shocking," Schubert said.

Asked where he wanted to go, Funston said the Centers for Living in Fresno.

Funston was set to walk free and would likely be in Fresno. However, on his release date in February, Placer County authorities arrested him on prior charges by reopening a case they dropped 30 years ago after the three life sentences.

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"They were dropped 'in the interest of justice' because the belief was David Funston would never get out," Schubert said. "And so now those interests of justice have been flipped on their head."

His imprisonment now hinges on the new case and the potential trial to come.

Schubert now recalls what the judge said about Funston in her case.

"He essentially described him as every parent's worst nightmare, and that no amount of time would ever be enough for the crimes that he committed," Schubert said.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sent the following statement after this story's publication:

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Commissioners for the Board of Parole Hearings take many factors into consideration when determining a candidate's release suitability. This includes the Comprehensive Risk Assessment, the candidate's central file, parole plans and impact statements. The law requires that a hearing panel must grant parole at a parole hearing, unless it determines the incarcerated person currently poses an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released from prison. Commissioners may not deny parole based solely on the facts of the crime.

On background:



On Sept. 24, 2025, the Board of Parole Hearings granted parole to David Funston. On Jan. 9, 2026, Governor Newsom referred the case back to the Board, pursuant to Penal Code section 3041.1 and California Code of Regulations, Title 15, section 2044, subdivision (b), to request en banc review of a parole decision by a majority of appointed commissioners. At the executive board meeting on Feb. 18, 2026, the Board's en banc panel affirmed the Sept. 24, 2025, decision to grant parole to Funston.

Please refer to the Parole Suitability Hearing Transcript for factors that led to the decision in this case.

Under California law, the narrow question commissioners must answer at a parole hearing is whether the person currently poses an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety. The Board's standard is stringent, involves numerous steps and use of validated risk assessment tools, including evaluation by forensic psychologists.

Parole commissioners receive extensive training on evaluating the current risk of incarcerated people, including the use of validated evidence-based risk assessment tools. Hearing officers use these tools to analyze the person's risk factors and determine whether the person can safely return to their communities and if their proposed parole plans and conditions of parole are sufficient to manage their individual risk factors.

The Board does not determine who is entitled to a parole hearing - eligibility is set by the sentences courts impose and the laws enacted by the legislature, including Youth Offender, Elderly Offender, and Non-Violent Offender laws. Eligibility for a parole hearing does not necessarily mean release on parole.

The Board of Parole Hearings is an independent Board that conducts suitability hearings at which they determine if an individual currently poses an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety. Those found to pose an unreasonable risk are not released on parole. BPH works closely with the Office of Survivor and Victim Services to ensure crime victims receive timely notice and support through Board processes. Crime victims and survivors, and their next-of-kin are encouraged to register to request services from CDCR's Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services.

It is also important to clarify the Governor's authority. Under state law, the Governor may only reverse a parole grant in murder cases. In cases involving non-murder offenses, the Governor's only options are to allow the person to be released on parole or refer the decision back to the Board of Parole Hearings for review by the commissioners sitting en banc.

The Board grants parole at fewer than 12 percent of scheduled parole hearings. The recidivism rate for people released after an Elderly Parole hearing is 1.8 percent for any conviction. None of those re-convictions involved sex offenses. The recidivism numbers are similarly low for people with a sex offense conviction released after an Elderly Parole hearing. Of the 15 sex offenders released after an Elderly Parole Hearing in 2022, one was convicted during the three-year follow-up period. The crime was misdemeanor driving without a license.

Overall, the Board's record of protecting public safety by granting parole only to those who are not likely to recidivate is among the best in the United States. More than 97 percent of people released after a parole hearing successfully transitioned to the community without being convicted of another crime within three years. Less than 3 percent (2.5%) were convicted of any new misdemeanor or felony within three years. Less than 1 percent (0.5%) were convicted of a new felony offense against a person during that same period.

These outcomes are consistent with decades of research showing that recidivism declines sharply with age. Individuals over 60 have some of the lowest reoffending rates of any demographic group in the correctional system.



For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For years, Mark Robinson built a political identity on condemning LGBTQ+ people and warning that American culture had fallen into moral decay. Now, after a scandal that helped sink his campaign for governor, he is speaking out.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ + news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

In a recent interview on After the Call, a little-known right-wing podcast with a modest online following, the former North Carolina lieutenant governor admitted that he had long consumed pornography and described himself as living a dual life.

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I spent a large portion of my life as a young adult walking on the fence like this, Robinson said. On this right hand foot right here, oh, I believe I believe in Jesus, and I believe in God. On this left hand foot right here, I also like to party. I was like, tell dirty jokes. I just like to watch pornography.

Related: Mark Robinson sues CNN for leaking 'Black Nazi' porn site messages

Related: Anti-trans Mark Robinson called himself a 'Black Nazi,' admitted to liking trans porn: report



Related: 18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said

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He went further, describing what he called an obsession with pornography that began in childhood and persisted into adulthood.

I dont know where it came from. An obsession with pornography, an obsession with sex, he said, adding that it was one of the things in my life that I have never admitted in public.

Those admissions are a far cry from his reaction to a 2024 CNN investigation that reported Robinson had posted on a pornography website message board under a username the network said it linked to him through emails, usernames, and identifying details. Among the posts was one in which the user referred to himself as a Black NAZI! which quickly became shorthand for the controversy.

The reported posts also included explicit sexual commentary, including statements about watching pornography involving transgender women. That detail drew intense scrutiny because Robinson had repeatedly attacked transgender people in public speeches and policy positions.

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As lieutenant governor and a gubernatorial candidate, Robinson made opposition to LGBTQ+ rights central to his political brand. He described LGBTQ+ identities as immoral, opposed protections for transgender people, and backed policies restricting their rights, framing those positions as part of a broader moral crusade.

Related: Mark Robinson blames 'coward' Republicans for loss, not 'Black Nazi' trans porn scandal

Related: Mark Robinson, the disgraced anti-LGBTQ+ Republican, sees mass exit of staff following scandal

Robinson denied authoring the posts and sued CNN for defamation, calling the reporting false and politically motivated. He later dropped the lawsuit without a court ruling on the truth of the claims. In the podcast interview, Robinson does not directly confirm writing the posts. But he does say that key elements surrounding the controversy were grounded in reality.

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Well, I think more than anything, there were allegations that I watched pornography and was involved with people that watched pornography, and that was absolutely true, he said.

He also conceded that his past behavior made the more extreme allegations easier to believe. I dont deny the fact that at some point I said enough salacious things where they could certainly make it seem as so, he said, describing the scandal as this eclectic mix of truth and exaggeration.

At one point, Robinson admitted that his public response during the campaign was not fully candid. I wont say that I completely lied. Some of the things about the whole story, some of it, theres some truth to it, he said, adding that he chose not to fully engage the allegations because the most expedient thing to do for the people around me was to just continue to fight.

The political fallout was swift. Robinsons campaign for governor unraveled as the controversy dominated headlines and allies distanced themselves. Voters ultimately elected Democrat Josh Stein.

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After the election, LGBTQ+ advocates at the Campaign for Southern Equality described Robinson as an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ candidate, arguing that his defeat reflected a rejection of politics built on targeting marginalized communities.

Watch Mark Robinson admit to his porn "obsession" below.

- YouTube youtu.be

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Christian Black Nazi Mark Robinson admits to porn obsession he denied while campaigning

RELATED
It may never even take effect, but that did not make the debate any less intense Friday over the Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act of 2026, which could regulate the ability of charitable organizations to participate in partisan activity.

Senate Bill 4 ended up as one of the most hotly debated issues in a hurried day of House and Senate action on bills Friday, after some Black lawmakers worried it could have a chilling effect on the historically important voice of Black churches.

I dont think this bill is needed, and I think its an attempt to stifle conversation that occurs in Black churches, Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince Georges) said. If it were not for people like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King and the things that they brought to the attention in the African American community, I probably wouldnt be standing here right now as a state senator.

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The bill, sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery) and Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), would codify the Johnson amendment, a provision of the federal tax code that prohibits 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits from engaging in political campaigns in exchange for tax-exempt status.

The rule has been in place for 72 years, but the Trump administration has moved toward weakening the rule, with the IRS proposing last summer that churches and houses of worship should be allowed to formally endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status.

The emergency bill would take effect if that happened. It says a charitable organization in Maryland could not participate in or intervene in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office, including through publication of or distribution of statements. It says the rule would be interpreted as it was by the IRS as of Jan. 19, 2025, the day before Trump took office.

Watson raised his concerns in January, when SB 4 was heard in the Education, Energy and the Environment committee and the Budget and Taxation committee, voting no on the bill in committee.

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But Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince Georges), a minister who joked that he endorses himself from the pulpit every Sunday, said he did not believe the bill would halt any political activity that is taking place in religious spaces now.

The Black Church has always been the powerful voice of the church, going way back to slavery, they have always had a voice. Going back to the time of Jim Crow and all else, Muse said, before invoking King.

We would not have had a Civil Rights movement if it were not for a 26-year-old preacher coming to his new congregation in Alabama and bringing people together in that church to say we will have a voice, he said. We want to make sure were not stifling any voice  which I dont think that this particular bill does.

Sen. Charles Sydnor (D-Baltimore County) agreed with Muse, adding that most nonprofits do not want to be put in the position of being political animals.

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But Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-Prince Georges) said he was deeply concerned that the bill could lead to a chilling effect on speech in the religious institutions that he said serve as the public square for many of us as African Americans.

After about a half-hour of debate, Kagan agreed to hold the bill for a day, to give senators more time to review and offer amendments on the bill. But that also puts the bill right up against Mondays crossover day deadline, the day by which bills have to clear their originating chamber and move across the hall to the other chamber for consideration to have the best chance of passage before the end of the legislative session.

It was just one of the battles waged Friday as Maryland lawmakers work through as many bills as possible that still need full chamber approval before Mondays crossover deadline, when bills need to move from their originating chamber to the other for best consideration.

Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince Georges) discusses the importance of religious spaces in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

Missing the crossover deadline is not necessarily fatal to a bill, but its chances of getting across the finish line and becoming law can decrease after Monday, when there are just three weeks left in the session. Thats why both the House and Senate had multiple daily floor sessions last week, and why the House is schedule to come in on Saturday, as lawmakers churned through long lists of bills before crossover.

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The Senates second floor session went until 7:30 p.m. Friday and the House will convene at noon Saturday.

SB 4 may have been one of the most-charged, but certainly not the only bill generating debate Friday, as lawmakers rushed to beat the crossover deadline. Other measures included:

Senate approves No Kings Act

The Senate passed Senate Bill 346, dubbed the No Kings Act, which would allow Marylanders sue federal agents in state courts for constitutional violations. The title references a series of anti-Trump demonstrations  a third one is scheduled next Saturday  that have occurred since the start of his second term, and which gave some Republicans in the chamber pause.

If it werent for the title, I think people on this side of the aisle would vote for it, Sen. Johnny Ray Salling (R-Baltimore County). I think this is very political.

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He was the only one who spoke on the bill before the Senate voted to approve the bill 30-11 sending it off to the House for consideration. Delegates approved similar legislation earlier this month.

House ready for vote on Vax Act

Many of the bills worked on Friday were on the second reader calendar, when lawmakers can offer amendments to a bill before taking a final vote. While amendments can be offered, few are adopted at that stage of the process.

Such was the case for House Bill 637, a bill to grant the state health secretary authority to issue vaccine recommendations based on guidance from national medical societies, state health groups and federal agencies  a response to the narrowing of vaccine recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

After shooting down a couple Republican amendments that would have watered down the legislation or required additional data reporting, the bill awaits a final vote in the House. The Senate version of the bill is teed up for a full vote next week, likely on Monday.

Surveillance pricing

Both the House and Senate are set to vote on a bill that would prohibit grocery stores from using personal data to set prices in a discriminatory manner.

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Theres still debate on how prevalent the issue is in Maryland, but both versions of the bill now includes language to help quell some of the concerns raised by lobbyists for Marylands retailers, who worried that the bill is too broad and could, for example, disrupt standard customer loyalty programs.

Senate Bill 387 and House Bill 895 are now ready for a full vote in their respective chambers. But as priority legislation for Gov. Wes Moore (D), with support by the Senate president and the House speaker, the legislation is likely to be successful.

 This story was updated on Saturday, March 21, to correct the number of years the Johnson Amendment has been in place.

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Loved ones are sharing the legacy of a Veterans Affairs social worker killed on the job this week.

Nic Crews, 34, died Tuesday after investigators say a patient shot him at a VA clinic in Jasper.

An armed bystander and police shot and killed the patient, Lawrence Michels, 51. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said he is from Jasper. They have not confirmed his military status.

One of Crews closest friends, Cody Porter, spoke to Channel 2s Courtney Francisco Friday.

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He said its hard to imagine how life will go on without Crews.

Were devastated, just absolutely devastated, said Porter.

Porter said he met Crews when they were students at Kennesaw State University.

He was infectious, said Porter. It was hard not to feel close to Nic Crews.

He said Crews went on to earn his masters degree in social work at the University of Tennessee.

He was in ministry before that, and his heart has always been to serve people, to talk to people, and draw people out, said Porter.

For more than two years, Crews family said he worked with veterans at the clinic in Jasper

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Anyone who would walk in and be in need and be at that point where, I need help, he felt like there was hope for that person, said Porter.

Tuesday, investigators said Michels walked in for a mental health consultation and shot Crews.

I feel like I can speak for Nic on this because I knew him so well. He had a compassion on that guy. He had a compassionate heart towards him, said Porter.

He said even he has compassion for the veteran that investigators said killed his friend, for what happened to him in his life, for the desperation he felt, said Porter.

Crews leaves behind his wife, Alyssa. She said they just celebrated his 34th birthday over the weekend with their two children: a 2-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy. His wife is expecting their third any day now.

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It feels like the world can be so divisive, said Porter. Cherish that there are good people in this world. There is hope. For me and for Nic, I believe that hope is in Christ. That is what he would want people to know about him, said Porter.

If viewers would like to support Nics widow, Alyssa, and their three children, a GoFundMe account has been set up to collect donations.

A memorial service for Nic Crews will be held this Sunday, 2 p.m., North River Church of Christ, 320 Austin Avenue, Marietta, GA 30060.

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Crews battled a large forest fire in Moore County near Vass.

Forestry officials said a spotter plane identified a forest fire covering 145 acres.

A helicopter dropped water on the blaze as crews worked to contain the flames.

Cypress Point Fire & Rescue said the fire is contained.

One vacant structure was damaged.

No injuries were reported.

Authorities shut down Union Church Road in Vass as a safety measure while firefighting operations continue.

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NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Molina Healthcare, Inc. ("Molina" or the "Company") (NYSE: MOH).

On July 23, 2025, the Company reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and cut its full-year 2025 earnings guidance, disclosing that "GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year" and that it "now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share," a 13.6% cut to guidance of earnings per share at the midpoint, from the cut to guidance announced less than two weeks earlier. The Company also cut its guidance for its full year 2025 GAAP net income 27% to $912 million. The Company attributed its results to a "challenging medical cost trend environment," including "utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services."

Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Molina's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Molina shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-moh/ to learn more.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 960

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NEWS: Donald Trump cheers former special counsel Robert Muellers death

Within minutes of President Donald Trump posting Saturday afternoon that he was glad former FBI Director Robert Mueller had died, elected officials, journalists, and commentators moved to define the moment as something more than a breach of decorum.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

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Trump wrote on Truth Social after news broke that Mueller had died at 81, Robert Mueller just died. Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!

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Delaware U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride, a Democrat and the first out trans person elected to Congress, appealed to peoples sense of humanity. No matter your political affiliation, decency matters, she wrote. To celebrate the death of a veteran and public servant is unconscionable for anyone, let alone the President. She added, I am thinking of Robert Muellers family today as they grieve his passing and honor his memory.

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Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat and former federal prosecutor, responded by describing Muellers life in opposition to Trumps reaction. We mourn the passing of Robert Mueller, a true public servant Yet the President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Muellers death simply because he exposed Trumps efforts to steal the 2016 election.

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Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, a Marine veteran, widened the lens. Whether you support the President or not, you know this comment is disgusting, he wrote, adding that Mueller earned a Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart as a Marine fighting for this country and calling Trump a horrible human being and an embarrassment to the United States.

x.com

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer distilled the moment into a familiar critique: The cruelty is the point. The New York Democrat added that Trumps goal was to distract from rising gas prices, his aimless war, ICE abuses, and the Epstein files.

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For some, the reaction raised concerns about precedent. MS NOW host Jonathan Lemire wrote that the president was cheering the death of Robert Mueller  an American citizen, public servant and veteran.

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Former Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa called the post disgusting and grossly inappropriate, noting, Robert Mueller was a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart recipient. This is not how we treat a distinguished veteran, prosecutor, and former FBI Director.

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Others pointed to what they described as a normalization of extreme rhetoric. I expect every Republican who was outraged at people for celebrating Charlie Kirks death to immediately condemn Trump, wrote commentator Harry Sisson. This is disgusting.

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Writer Charlotte Clymer drew a sharper contrast between the two men. Trump and Mueller, she noted, were born just two years apart and raised in similar privilege. But while Trump received five draft deferments during Vietnam, Mueller volunteered for service was wounded in combat, and received a Bronze Star w/ Valor for rescuing one of his wounded soldiers under intense enemy fire. The comparison, she wrote, crystallizes Trumps toxic jealousy toward Mueller.

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Journalist Mehdi Hasan turned his attention to the press, arguing that very few acknowledgements in early coverage noted how insane and inappropriate it is for the president to respond like this, and asking readers to imagine their response if it was Biden.

www.instagram.com

Gay political strategist and influencer Keith Edwards took Trumps reaction differently. "Donald Trump just gave everyone permission to celebrate like crazy when that motherf***er dies, the Keith Edwards Show podcast host said in a video captioned, "Thank you, sir."

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Officials say its disgusting that Donald Trump is celebrating Robert Muellers death

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Getting old goes much deeper than wrinkles and gray hair - many of the cells in your body are literally wearing out due to age. So what if your own immune system could be harnessed to sweep out aging cells and restore youth from the inside out?

That's one potential use of a class of gene therapies that are quickly moving from research labs at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington and clinical trials at Yale University to doctor's offices across the state.

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"Science fiction ideas" like curing cancer with the help of engineered viruses are now becoming standard treatments, said Dr. Derya Unutmaz, a professor of immunology and researcher at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington. In the last few years, AI has also jump-started innovation and brought the technology into new realms, he said.

"We're focused on curing aging, you know, making people young again," Unutmaz citing recent experiments in mice that have eliminated aged and damaged cells. "AI is facilitating at every level."



The technology used in the aging experiments, CAR T-cell therapy, has shown such promise in fighting cancer and autoimmune diseases that it has drawn the attention of Connecticut lawmakers this year.

"The challenge before us is no longer whether these therapies work, but whether every patient will be able to access them in time, regardless of where they live," said state Senator Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, who introduced a new bill. Anwar, a doctor who specializes in lung diseases, said he drafted the legislation at the recommendation of a national scientific group in an effort to ensure access and affordability for the new treatments.

On Monday, the legislature's Public Health Committee is set to vote on the bill, which would set up a new advisory council on CAR T-cell therapy. The group would advise public health officials and other state agencies on how to expand access to the treatment, which has shown success in curing some forms of blood cancer.



"Gene therapy and CAR T therapy are no longer experimental ideas. They are already saving and transforming lives in rare and deadly diseases such as leukemia, sickle cell disease, spinal muscular atrophy and hemophilia," Anwar said.

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At a forum on rare diseases in Farmington on Tuesday, Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine CEO Lon Cardon spoke of personalized gene therapy treatments that can move from the lab to the patient within months.



"That's not an incremental change, that is a sea change," Cardon said. At Jackson Laboratory alone, researchers are taking part in 300 different preclinical studies and 90 programs for different rare diseases, he said.

Immune cells altered to fight cancer

A type of immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy traces its roots to a doctor's observations in the 1920s that patients infected by tuberculosis were less likely to suffer from cancer, leading to the discovery that an immune system mobilized by bacterial infections can also block the growth of cancer cells. By the 1970s, vaccines made from bacteria that activated the immune system were standard treatment for types of bladder cancer.



Work on the biology of the AIDS virus in the 1990s opened up another path - engineering viruses to alter immune system T-cells, reprogramming them to kill cancer cells, said Unutmaz, who took part in some of the early research. That research led to CAR T-cell therapy, which has been proven highly effective against some types of cancers of the blood like lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia. Now the treatments are being tested for autoimmune conditions like lupus, caused when immune system components called B-cells go rogue.

"If you can kill those B-cells, you kind of reset the immune system," Unutmaz said. "And so these people are getting cured."

Another type of gene therapy based on muting defective genes was the focus of the keynote talk at the rare disease forum at Jackson Laboratory.

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Gene-editing technology like CRISPR has unlocked new approaches to treatment, said Dr. Timothy Yu, a researcher at Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital. The FDA in February outlined a streamlined approach to speed approvals for innovative gene therapies, sparking hope for the rapid introduction of new cures in coming years.



"We can now deliver therapies and now begin to develop these approaches to not just read out from the genome, but write back to the genome and influence the way that the genome works," Yu said.

More CT patients get gene therapy

With many uses of CAR T-cell and other gene therapies still in the clinical trial phase, most of the patients in Connecticut benefiting from the technology right now are patients with forms of blood cancer, said Dr. Micheal Hurwitz, a cancer researcher and associate professor of medicine at Yale. The therapy has also been approved for a rare type of sarcoma, or cancer of the soft tissue.

About 150 patients have been treated with CAR T-cell therapy at Yale in recent years and more are part of clinical trials run by the university, Hurwitz said. Intensive research is also being done to lessen the potentially serious side effects of treatment.

Newer trials are looking at combination therapies and the use of other immune system components to kill a wider range of cancers.

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"If we can get more advances like that, then that opens this up to many, many, many different cancers," Hurwitz said. "There will be different cells being used, using it for non-cancers, for immune issues that's going to become huge, honestly."

Hartford HealthCare offers CAR T-cell therapy as part of its partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said Dr. Peter Yu, physician-in-chief of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute.



"Our processes allow rapid referral and patient appointments at MSK," Yu said. " We have a dedicated nurse navigator to assist with coordination of care at MSK and at HHC during the treatment and follow-up."

Cost limits access to innovations

Hurwitz said he appreciates the legislature's CAR T-cell advisory council bill as part of efforts to give more patients access to the therapy. Due to the treatment's cost and high demands of patients - like a 24-hour caregiver at home in the month after treatment - relatively few people can take advantage of CAR T-cell therapy right now, he said.

The engineered cells alone needed for CAR T-cell therapy cost up to $475,000 per patient due to the intensive lab work needed, according to the American Cancer Society. The price of hospital admission, tests, procedures and other expenses boosts total costs over $500,000 for most patients.



"While Medicare and many commercial insurances do cover some of the costs of CAR T-cell therapy, they usually don't cover the full amount," the cancer group said.

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The treatments are also currently limited to major medical centers, and patients need to stay nearby to be monitored.

"If you have the means, you get treatments that we know can be life-saving, and if you don't have the means, you just may not be able to get it," Hurtwitz said. "Government should know about this, and they should know about this huge disparity, and ideally, maybe they could do something about it."

Connecticut residents can also benefit from learning more about the treatments and advocating for more research into CAR T-cell and other advanced therapies in a time of federal cutbacks, Hurwitz said.

"Raising the profile of anything that's experimental is important so that people understand how important research is to getting treatments to cure people," Hurwitz said. "These are the kind of things that are going to eventually result ideally in people living a lot longer and better."

This article originally published at CT researchers explore gene therapy that shows promise to slow aging, fight cancer.
By Eva Korinkova

PRAGUE, March 21 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Czechs rallied on Saturday in the country's biggest anti-government demonstration since 2019, protesting against defense spending cuts under Prime Minister Andrej Babis and over fears his administration will target public media.

Protesters started arriving hours before the rally began at Letna plain overlooking the historic center, where many waved Czech and European Union flags. Organizers estimated the turnout at around 250,000 people.

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"I'm here because I care about my country's future," said 22-year-old Tomas Chaloupka. "It upsets me that the current government is trying to manipulate the free and independent media, and freedom and democracy are paramount."

Babis and his populist ANO party returned to power in December after four years in opposition, leading a government with right-wing and far-right parties.

Protest organisers Milion Chvilek (Million Moments for Democracy) have warned the country could head the way of Slovakia or Hungary, central European neighbours that have clashed with the European Union executive over rule-of-law issues.

"We don't want to be Hungary," teacher Hana Malanikova said. "We don't want to follow the Slovak Republic's path. So it's time to wake up."

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Critics have also raised concerns over the new government's shifts in policy, and a similar protest in February in support of President Petr Pavel, who has clashed with Babis' government over ministerial nominations and defence spending, drew up to 90,000 people.

Opponents of Babis' government have also highlighted a cut in defence spending in the budget, along with plans to change financing for public television, which they warn would hurt its independence, and tightening disclosure rules for non-governmental organisations.

Babis, who built a business empire in the food, chemical and agricultural sectors, was prime minister in 2017-2021. Milion Chvilek organised similar protests in 2019 that drew over 200,000 people.

(Writing by Michael Kahn, Editing by Rod Nickel)
When Jonathan Pender didnt show up to work on Jan. 30, his family started looking for him right away  but it was already too late.

As they would learn 10 days later, around 4:50 a.m. that that day a cyclist found Pender in the snow on a pedestrian walkway of the Manhattan Bridge and called 911, telling cops that Pender appeared to be having a medical episode, an NYPD source said.

Medics rushed him to Brooklyn Hospital, where he died about four hours later, the day after his 42nd birthday. The city Medical Examiners office later determined Jonathan died of hypothermia with a secondary cause of chronic and acute alcoholism.

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Mostly everybody liked Jonathan, said his mother Barbara Pender, 63, who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He used to like to make people laugh a lot.

He was one of 19 people who perished in NYC in the extreme cold between late January and early February, according to City Hall.

Like many of the victims who succumbed to the cold, Jonathan struggled with substance abuse, in his case, alcohol  he had recently started having seizures after years of heavy drinking  and may have had bouts of homelessness.

The day he died the temperature high was only 12 degrees and the city was in an enhanced code blue, a state of emergency where outreach workers work overtime to make sure no one is out on the streets in need of shelter. Little is known about many of those who died.

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When Jonathan didnt show up to his federal job as a maintenance worker at the Post Office on Ninth Ave. and W. 30th St. in Chelsea on the day he died, Barbara got a call from his boss, who was concerned about his absence.

Barbara had spoken to Jonathan briefly on the phone for his birthday the night before but now he wasnt picking up his phone.

Two days later, she posted on his Facebook timeline, which was full of birthday wishes: Everyone is looking for you. Reach out to us. That day Jonathans older brother filed a missing person report.

The family was unsure about Jonathans current address  he deflected every time his family asked.

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We would hit him up, said Jonathans brother, who asked not to be named. I sent him a message, like, Where are you staying at? But he wouldnt answer. He wouldnt tell us.

He was still coming over to my moms house every week, the brother added. He would come over hang out for a few hours and leave like nothing was wrong,

Some of Jonathans co-workers later told his brother he had turned down offers to stay with them and they suspected he was riding the subways overnight.

Barbara spent the first week of February calling hospitals.

For some reason, I never called Brooklyn Hospital, Barbara said. I forgot all about that hospital.

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People were drawn to Jonathan, his mother said. For several years he worked as a bartender on cruise ships, using his natural charisma to rake in money.

Even when his drinking became problematic, people still wanted to hang out with him, Jonathans brother said. He would just be drinking and cracking jokes.

When he started trying to seriously make it as a stand up comic in his mid-twenties, his siblings were surprised. As a kid, growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, Jonathan was more into art and drawing, inspired by his lifelong love of comic books, especially Superman.

He always seemed more reserved growing up. He was sensitive. Hes funny. Hes a great artist, his sister Sharaya said. I didnt realize how outspoken he was.

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He would be in the clubs, comedy clubs doing stand up. He really pursued it, his brother said. I was close to him but some stuff I dont know. As he got older, he just started developing these skills out of nowhere.

It wasnt till the last few years that I really felt like [the drinking] was taking a toll on his health, Sharaya said. He said he wanted to stop, he just couldnt stop.

When he started having seizures two years ago his health deteriorated rapidly. He stopped always making sense when he spoke and became uncharacteristically stubborn.

The seizures were really messing with his brain, his mother said. He wouldnt take advice from us anymore.

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Jonathans boss even went so far as to secure a spot for him at a rehab facility in Oklahoma, promising him his job would be there when he came back, but Jonathan didnt want to leave the city.

He needed help. But I couldnt force him to go, said Barbara.

I dont understand why they say we cant force them to go in the hospital because theyre not thinking straight. So to me, they need somebody to think for them. To me that doesnt make sense.

Eight days after her sons death, a social worker at Brooklyn Hospital called and told Barbara and Sharaya that Jonathan had been admitted to the hospital and discharged the same day, on Jan. 30. She was seeking his insurance information.

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The call gave me a little hope, because that was the first time we heard about him, Sharaya said. We just started creating scenarios for why he didnt contact us after he was discharged.

But when a nurse in the coroners office called on Feb. 9 and told them Jonathan had been dead for over a week, the bubble of hope burst.

It was shocking, Barbara said. If he was dead, we figured somebody would have called us.

That was a blow. To find out he was dead for like 11 days already, because we were searching, Jonathans brother said. It was just a huge let down. My mother told me that Johnny was gone and there was just a sinking feeling, of nothing I can do about it. Theres no more searching. Its over.

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Brooklyn Hospital did not return requests for comment.

The string of hypothermia deaths during the blizzard and historic cold stretch brought scrutiny to the new Mamdami administration.

These deaths are not inevitable, Council Speaker Julie Menin said at an oversight hearing about the citys response to the freeze. They are the result of gaps in outreach, shelter capacity, mental health services and follow-up. Every person who freezes to death in this city is a reminder that systems that are designed to protect human life are failing the people who need them most.

Several of the victims had previous contact with the shelter system and social services, according to City Hall. At least two were found directly outside of hospitals, including a 54-year-old man found outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell on the Upper East Side and 60-year old Lance Vega, who was discovered outside St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, both around 7 a.m, on Jan. 24.

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A third person, Nolberto Jimbo-Niolas, had hospital discharge papers in his pocket when he was found in a park, according to the Ecuadoran consulate.

On Feb. 25, Barbara was finally able to lay her son to rest. At a memorial service attended by about 80 people at Funeraria Juan  Johns Funeral Home in Brownsville, Jonathans ashes were displayed in a blue urn emblazoned with Supermans S logo.

A cousin delivered his eulogy.

Whatever questions we still hold, we know that Jonathan is safe right now, and that his story did not end here on earth, the cousin told her fellow mourners. Jonathan is safe. Jonathan is okay. Jonathan is good.

With Rocco Parascandola
A driver is dead after a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning, according to Atlanta police.

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Officers responded to the southbound lanes of Georgia 400 at Lenox Road around 2:23 a.m.

When first responders arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed after failing to navigate the exit ramp.

According to APD, the vehicle was traveling south on GA 400 when it went through a median, crossed over Lenox Road, passed through a second median and ultimately hit a concrete barrier.

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Atlanta firefighters arrived on scene and provided medical care and assisted with removing the driver from the vehicle.

Despite those efforts, the male driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers age and identity were not released.

APDs Accident Investigations Unit is now working to determine what led up to the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

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WASHINGTON, March 21 (Reuters) - Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the worlds richest person, said on Saturday he would cover the paychecks of U.S. Transportation Security Administration officers during their second unpaid work stoppage in six months amid a protracted federal funding lapse.

The budget impasse over funding for the TSAs parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, is in its fifth week. Screeners and other TSA personnel are days away from missing a second full paycheck, but are being pressured to show up as screening times at some airports stretch on for hours.

I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country, Musk said in a post on his social media platform X.

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DHS, TSA and representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Airlines and travel groups say absences among the TSAs roughly 50,000 airport security officers could increase again this weekend.

TSA staffers earn an average of $61,000 annually, according to federal data. Airports are running food drives and accepting donations for security screeners amid the partial U.S. government shutdown.

DHS funding timelines remain uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Friday that bipartisan negotiators have narrowed the remaining disputes over DHS funding, but a deal has not been finalized. Democrats in Congress in February agreed to fund most of the government in exchange for withholding funds from DHS following the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota by immigration authorities.

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Last year, President Donald Trump said a wealthy donor provided $130 million to help cover possible military pay shortfalls caused by that government shutdown, which lasted 43 days and was the longest in U.S. history.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Sergio Non, Rod Nickel)
Elon Musk said in a post on social media that he wants to pay the salaries of Transportation Security Administration employees who are working without paychecks during the partial government shutdown and as spring break travel ramps up.

About 50,000 TSA officers aren't being paid as the shutdown stretches on for over a month, affecting funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Security lines at airports around the country have become chaotic, stretching outside terminals at some airports. Some TSA workers have not shown up to work, and officials have warned smaller airports could close if the situation drags on much longer.

"I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country," Musk said in a post on X the morning of March 21.

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It is unclear whether there is a legal pathway for a donor to pay government salaries. USA TODAY has reached out to the Office of Management and Budget for comment.

Musk, who in March was found liable to Twitter shareholders in a fraud lawsuit over his takeover of the platform now known as X, is the richest man in the world. He did not say how much money it would cost to pay TSA salaries. USA TODAY has reached out to TSA for comment.

Traveling this weekend? Here's what to know if you're flying during the government shutdown

Workers are set to miss their second full paycheck on March 27, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said. TSA employees who continue working through the shutdown will receive back pay after the shutdown ends and funding resumes, under a 2019 law.

TSA absences reached 10% last weekend, a jump from the standard rate of under 2% during normal operations, DHS said. Some airports had much higher no-show rates, with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport seeing a 29% absence rate, 32% in Atlanta and 27% in New Orleans on March 18, the agency reported.

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Since the shutdown began, 366 TSA officers have quit, DHS said.

Donations to the government are accepted into the Treasury Department  which holds the government's cash  and then disbursed based on congressional appropriations  rules set by Congress about how they can be distributed  just like other federal funds.

Any money donated to the federal government goes into the Treasury. That doesnt mean that an agency has the authority to take it out, Philip Candreva, a professor of national security policy and budgeting at Duke University, previously told USA TODAY.

Contributing: Zach Wichter, Eve Chen and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elon Musk offers to pay TSA salaries amid partial government shutdown
(Fixes typo in Michaela in paragraph 1)

By Charlotte Van Campenhout

AMSTERDAM, March 21 (Reuters) - Structural racism remains deeply embedded across Europe and institutions need to confront its colonial legacy, the European Union's anti-racism coordinator Michaela Moua said on Saturday.

Moua said data from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights showed that nearly half of people of African descent in the bloc said they had experienced discrimination, while many face barriers to work, despite holding university degrees.

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Dismantling entrenched inequalities was essential for democracy, she told a symposium on racism in Amsterdam.

"Racism is not a relic of the past. It's a living structure. It's very tangible for many of us. We feel and we sense the urgency, especially in these political times," Moua said, adding that better equality data was crucial, as EU member states still diverge widely in collecting information on race and ethnicity.

Moua said the bloc's new anti-racism strategy aims to tighten enforcement of existing laws, strengthen national action plans and tackle racism in public administration.

The strategy, which was adopted in January, has drawn criticism from NGOs. The European Network Against Racism said it failed to offer a genuine commitment to reparatory justice or redress for the ongoing consequences of Europe's history.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Flooding across Oahu is now the worst Hawaii has seen in over 20 years. More than 230 people have been rescued so far. Some 5,500 people remain under evacuation orders in part because of rising water levels at the Wahiawa dam.

Dozens  if not hundreds  of homes were damaged Friday but officials haven't been able to fully assess the destruction, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. Damage estimates have hit $1 billion and are climbing, with homes, roads, schools, airports and a Maui hospital all impacted.

Emergency crews are still conducting search-and-rescue operations.

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The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp in affected areas.

AP Photo/Mengshin Lin

This round of flooding rain is being caused by a Kona low located north of Hawaii, but repeated rounds of rain and their resulting rainfall runoff since last week's heavy rain continue to escalate flood worries and concerns that the Wahiawa dam will be overtopped even as rain slows.

Kona lows are low pressure systems that reverse the winds across the Hawaiian islands, causing heavy rainfall and gusty winds in communities that don't typically have such foul weather.

(MORE: What Is A Kona Low?)

At least 10 people have been hospitalized for hypothermia.

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Parts of Oahu have seen 8-12 inches of rain with several more inches expected this weekend.

Officials are monitoring the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam, which is near critical levels and at risk of failing.

Officials have told residents to leave the area immediately as the dam "may collapse or breach at any time." The warning adds that residents should carpool because of heavy traffic on the island.

Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

The area north of Honolulu has been inundated by heavy rain and catastrophic flash flooding has hit the island of Oahu.

Emergency sirens blared along Oahus famed North Shore, where rising waters also damaged homes. Honolulu officials issued a LEAVE NOW evacuation order at 5:35 a.m. Friday for Waialua and Haleiwa: Extremely dangerous flooding and Wahiawa Dam is high.

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The North Shore of Oahu has been under flash flood warnings since early Friday morning.

A series of low pressure systems continues to dredge up tropical Pacific moisture and fling that moisture over the Hawaiian Islands. Given the very heavy rainfall in the first of these Kona lows last weekend in addition to these smaller system, the rainfall has really added up. Without an extended break, this flooding could continue for a while.

Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

According to senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles, "This flooding in some ways is connected to the heat dome entrenched into the Lower 48. We often talk when one area of the country is seeing heat, another is seeing cooler, wetter weather." Belles adds, "Right now, the West is seeing heat and the East is seeing slightly stormier weather. Well, that pattern continues west, too. That cooler, wetter weather persists over Hawaii and into Alaska. Until some major storm system can shove this pattern into a different gear or the pattern can slowly break down, this flooding and heat will persist."

The Hawaii National Guard has been activated in response to the flooding. Gov. Josh Green says, "The storm of course is very severe right now, particularly on the northern part of Oahu." He added, "It's going to be a very touch-and-go-day."

Most of the state remains under a flood watch.

Portions of this report are from the Associated Press.
Dozens of people gathered at Micklers Beach in St. Johns County to remember the life of Melissa Wood.

She was my best friend, said Woods daughter Sienna Valdez. I love her.

The St. Johns County Sheriffs office says 32-year-old Christian Barrios shot and killed Wood and her boyfriend, who family members identified to Action News Jax as Jason Chatham, outside of a Walgreens near TPC Sawgrass last week.

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Investigators say that Barrios and Wood had prior history together.

He was the brightest star that I know, said Aliya Jade, the niece of Jason Chatham. He had the ability to walk in a room and light up the whole room and he had the ability to shut the party down.

Jade says when her mom told her what happened, she lost it.

I fell to the floor screaming, crying in tears, said Jade. I couldnt believe it.

Jade says her uncle was a father to an 11-year-old sonwho turns 12 this week.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

We asked Jade what she wants to see happen to the man accused of pulling the trigger and changing their family forever.

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The angry part of me really wants him to get the death sentence and be in misery until then. And the part of me that has a good heart wants him to sit in prison and think about what he did for the rest of his life, said Jade.

Barrios formally pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Hes currently in the St. Johns County jail.

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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.
The fourth day of trial in the case of the former Missouri City police officer charged with manslaughter saw emotional testimony and a field trip outside the courtroom.

The jurors and Blademir Viveros, who is accused of killing three people in a high-speed wreck while responding to an emergency, were taken outside the courtroom to see the mangled vehicles involved in the crash.

On Friday, the state and the defense rested their cases after the families of the three victims delivered emotional testimonies. The trial will continue on Monday, when closing arguments are expected to begin shortly after noon. Charges are also expected to be discussed on Monday.

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Viveros is charged in a crash that killed three people, including a mother and her 16-year-old son, and a prisoner who was unsecured in the back seat of his cruiser, in June 2024 on Cartwright Road. Prosecutors say Viveros was going 107 mph as he was responding to an emergency call without his lights and sirens on.

SEE ALSO: Tense back-and-forth exchanged in third day of trial of former officer charged with manslaughter

Investigators said 53-year-old Angela Stewart and 16-year-old Mason Stewart were pulling out of a Missouri City shopping center parking lot when Viveros slammed into them. That day was Mason's 16th birthday.

A man in the back of the police car, identified by family as Michael Hawkins, died after being left there for hours following the crash. Investigators said Hawkins was unrestrained and unconscious when he was found after firefighters put out the fire of the police vehicle.

ORIGINAL REPORT: 16-year-old 'died on his birthday' when Missouri City police car hit him and his mom, dad says

For updates on this story, follow Daniela Hurtado on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The number of far-right criminal offences and acts of violence fell in Germany last year, but remains high compared to previous years, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The authorities recorded 36,951 far-right extremist offences in 2025, including 1,395 violent offences, the ministry confirmed in response to a parliamentary question.

In 2024, there were a total of 42,788 far-right extremist offences, including 1,488 violent offences. In 2023, the police were notified of 28,945 offences, including 1,270 violent offences with a far-right background, according to data from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).

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Between 2015 and 2022, the total number of offences remained at a lower level, ranging between approximately 20,500 and 23,600.

Green Party parliamentary faction chief Irene Mihalic told RND news outlet that the high number of offences show the extent of the problem with the far right.

Six attempted homicides and around 1,400 violent crimes prove the scenes unbroken propensity for violence, she said.

Of the 84,172 offences in the area of politically motivated crime in 2024, around half (42,788) were attributed to far-right extremism, BKA figures show.

Nearly 10,000 offences fell within the category of far-left extremism, 9,000 classed as foreign ideology and religious ideology, and around 22,000 in an "other" category.

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Typical politically-motivated offences include denigration of the state and its symbols, incitement to hatred, and insult.

Violent offences include homicide, bodily harm, breach of the peace, dangerous interference with road traffic, unlawful detention and resisting arrest.
The FDA has recommended that Raw Farm LLC remove its raw cheese products from the market due to an E.coli outbreak investigation.

The company has declined.

Food safety experts say this is dangerous for public health.

A multi-state E. coli outbreak tied to cheddar cheese has left two people in the hospital. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that a cheese be removed from the market, the company behind the cheese has declined to do so.

FDA has recommended that Raw Farm, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined, reads an outbreak investigation report published on the FDAs website.

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According to the report, all of the people who became sick during this outbreak and were interviewed by state and local public health officials said they ate Raw Farm-brand raw cheddar cheese. But the cheese remains on shelves and is advertised on Raw Farms website.

Meet the experts: Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, Ph.D., the director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia; Darin Detwiler, L.P.D., an associate teaching professor of food policy at Northeastern University and author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions; Wade Syers, D.Soc.Sci., extension specialist for food safety at Michigan State University Extension; Ellen Shumaker, Ph.D., director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at North Carolina State University.

Food safety experts say this isnt unheard ofand there are like a few reasons behind it. Heres what you need to know.

What is happening with the market withdrawal request?

The FDA statement involves a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. As of March 14, seven confirmed infections have been reported across California, Texas, and Florida. The first known illness linked to the outbreak started September 1, 2025 and the most recent reported illness began on Feb. 13, 2026, per the FDAs report.

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Genome sequencing from the people who were sick suggests that these people share a common source of infection. Four out of the seven cases are in kids who are aged 3 or younger, and two patients have been hospitalized.

Based on patient interviews and epidemiological evidence, the investigation suggests that Raw Farm-brand raw cheddar cheese products are the likely source of the outbreak, per the FDA.

Raw milk is unpasteurized, which means it doesnt undergo a heating process to kill off potential organisms that can make you sick. As a result, it can expose people to pathogens like campylobacter, cryptosporidium, E. coli, listeria, brucella, and salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of pub time, no Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese products have tested positive for E. coli, per the FDA and Raw Farm, but testing is ongoing.

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A representative of Raw Farm shared the following with Prevention: The FDA has no actual product evidence and no actual proof to their claim that connects ill people to our products or brand besides the fact that over a course of several months a small group of people across the nation all ate the same product (the product is still unknown) but happened to list our brand to their doctor as a product they loved to consume. There is NO ACTUAL LINK to our brand or products to associate our products to any outbreak. All our tests and the governments tests are NEGATIVE for E. coli, and all of the other harmful bacteria we test for each milking. You are safe to consume ALL of our amazing products.

Why is E. coli dangerous?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria thats commonly found in the intestines of people and animals, according to the CDC. Most forms of E.coli are harmless, but some can make you very sick.

The form of E. coli in this outbreakE. coli O157:H7is dangerous.

E. coli infection can cause a range of symptoms, per the CDC, including:

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Diarrhea that can be bloody or watery

Stomach cramps that can be severe

Vomiting

Low fever

While most people recover from an E.coli infection within a week, some develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to permanent health complications and death, according to the CDC.

A contaminated product that has already been confirmed to be responsible for foodborne diseases poses a serious danger to the public, says Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, Ph.D., the director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia. If the food continues to be consumed, there is a high risk of more people getting sick and threatening their health. It is essential that public alerts reach as many people as possible.

How can products involved in an investigation stay on shelves?

Until the Food Safety Modernization Act was passed in 2011, the FDA did not have the power to force food recalls, points out Wade Syers, D.Soc.Sci., extension specialist for food safety at Michigan State University Extension.

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They do now, but it requires following procedures that can take some time, and certain criteria have to be met, Syers says. In most cases where this happens, the companies dispute that their product is the cause of the illnesses.

The delay in pulling a product from shelves can happen for a few reasons, according to Ellen Shumaker, Ph.D., director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at North Carolina State University. She points out that food producers should recall a product when the problem has been identified.

It is their responsibility to clearly communicate that information downstream, Shumaker says. Responsibility also lies with the retailer to ensure that all of the product has been removed from the shelf and from storage in all of their stores.

But Shumaker says that can get complicated with incomplete or confusing notices. Sometimes recalls occur in several stages, where only one batch is impacted but the recall later expands to others, Shumaker says.

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This has happened before, according to Darin Detwiler, L.P.D., an associate teaching professor of food policy at Northeastern University and author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions.

He points to I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter staying on shelves for months after a recall began in 2017 due to an E. coli outbreak. More recently, ByHeart infant formula stayed on shelves for weeks after it was recalled due to botulism concerns, Detwiler says.

While Detwiler says its not common for a food product linked to an outbreak to stay on shelves, it happens often enough. The public tends to assume that once people start getting sick, the product is quickly identified and removed, he says. In reality, the process is slower, more cautious, and driven by evidence that takes time to build.

What happens now?

The FDAs investigation is ongoing, with the agency trying to determine the source of the contamination and if other products are linked to the illnesses.

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The first of six gang members named in a federal racketeering case were sentenced this week to 14 years in prison.

Angel Medina-Sahagun, aka Tito, 25, of West Valley City, is a known member of the criminal organization Florencia 13 gang, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to commit racketeering-related crimes.

In his plea statement, he admitted to stabbing a man and intending to kill him at a TRAX station on Nov. 18, 2017, after a fellow gang member summoned him to the station. The victim was targeted because he was believed to be part of a rival street gang, court documents state.

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Medina-Sahagun also pointed a gun at the victims brother when he attempted to intervene during the assault.

I knew that if I participated in the stabbing, I would be viewed in a more favorable light by my peers and the leadership of Florencia 13 and that if I did not participate, I would potentially be targeted for physical violence for failing to support my fellow members, he said in his plea.

Medina-Sahagun said he would conspire with members to purchase firearms for the gang and gave some of the firearms to convicted felons, juveniles and individuals who he knew would use them for violent crimes, according to his plea statement.

As part of my association with Florencia 13, I committed felony crimes myself and conspired with others who committed felony crimes on behalf of the enterprise. For a time, I was the president of Florencia 13 and exercised decision-making authority, including enforcement of gang rules and approval of firearm purchases made on behalf of the gang, Medina-Sahagun said in his plea.

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Medina-Sahagun, who was sentenced Monday, will serve three years on probation when he is released, during which he is prohibited from communicating with anyone connected to a criminal street gang, court documents state. He is also ordered to pay restitution to the victim, but the court has yet to determine the amount.

It is our hope Medina-Sahaguns sentence will deter others from committing violent crimes and bring awareness to these criminal organizations that target children to carry out their criminal behavior, said first assistant U.S. attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah.

Medina-Sahagun is one of several defendants from the same gang named in a racketeering conspiracy investigation that has delayed a state murder sentencing.

Steven Carmona, 20, pleaded guilty last year to the July 2024 killing of 18-year-old Fayzan Ali at a West Jordan party. His state sentencing was delayed due to being named in the federal charges and him attempting to withdraw a guilty plea, but he is now scheduled to be sentenced on April 1.

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In federal court, however, Carmonas case is ongoing. He will have a status conference on April 20 along with codefendants Yaeger Gleave, Luis Mendoza and Christian Catemaxca-Trujillo.

Gleave was said to have been the gangs primo, meaning he was, for a time, the direct conduit between the gang and incarcerated members of the Surenos organization and the Mexican Mafia, court documents state. Gleave is also accused of helping Medina-Sahagun with purchasing firearms.

According to charges, Gleave and Mendoza beat and stabbed a man in November 2017. Mendoza was Florencias vice president and aided in enforcing the organizations rules and disciplinary punishments of members, charging documents state.

Mendoza and Catemaxca-Trujillo face charges of racketeering-related attempted murder and discharge of a firearm to further a violent crime for a June 9, 2023, incident with rival gangs. According to charges, Catemaxca-Trujillo is also accused of kidnapping a person and robbing them with a dangerous weapon in March 2020.

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The final defendant, Javier Rafael Pedregon-Magana, 25, of West Jordan, was the first person to be indicted in the racketeering case. He pleaded guilty in February to a conspiracy racketeering charge and stated he had committed armed robbery, attempted murder and other crimes as part of Florencia 13.

In his plea, he stated he attempted to murder a fellow gang member, who happened to be his brother, to restore his own standing within the gang. He stated in his plea that he had stabbed his brother several times on Christmas in 2024 before attempting to run him over with a car. Pedregon-Magana is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
A Cornelius man pleaded guilty Thursday to running a music streaming fraud scheme that used artificial intelligence and bot accounts to steal more than $8 million in royalties.

Federal authorities said the case involving 54-year-old Michael Smith is the first of its kind in the United States.

Smith used automated programs to manipulate platforms including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube Music between 2017 and 2024. By generating billions of fraudulent streams for AI-created songs, he diverted royalty payments intended for legitimate musicians and songwriters into his own accounts.

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Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the Southern District of New York. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the charge. As part of his plea agreement, Smith agreed to the forfeiture of more than $8 million in stolen funds.

The scheme relied on thousands of automated bot accounts to mimic human listeners. According to a September 2024 indictment, Smith emailed himself a financial breakdown in October 2017 showing he operated 52 cloud service accounts. Each of those accounts held 20 bot profiles, creating an initial network of 1,040 automated listeners that grew over the following years.

To provide content for these bots to stream, Smith used artificial intelligence to generate hundreds of thousands of songs. This allowed him to create a massive library of music without employing traditional artists. At the height of the operation, Smith generated approximately 661,440 streams per day, resulting in annual royalties exceeding $1.2 million.

Federal prosecutors said Smith intentionally spread the manipulated streams across a vast number of tracks to avoid being flagged by the streaming platforms fraud detection systems. They said Smith knew that concentrating billions of streams on a single song would be detected, so he distributed the activity across thousands of different AI-generated tracks.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2026.

WATCH: Vape stores raided in Chesterfield County
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Flash flooding caught many East Honolulu residents off guard, especially in Kaimuki, where streets turned into rivers in a matter of minutes.

On 16th Avenue and Keanu Street, things have definitely dried up, but the area was submerged in the early hours of March 20 when heavy rain came down and overwhelmed the area in minutes.

Residents saw water rushing down the street, looking like a river and surrounding cars, forcing drivers to act fast.

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Residents said the water came from four different directions and the storm drains in the area are not big enough to handle the water.

Resident Tyler Watanabe captured the moment as it unfolded, calling the event intense.

It just came, like, within two seconds. Thats what it seemed like, just like, five minutes of intense rain, all of a sudden, this entire area, lets see behind here was a raging river from both sides of 16th Ave and Keanu, straight down there like a funnel, and it was about two, maybe three feet deep. Had a car tried to cross, got stuck right here, was floating like a boat, and then we came over here. We rescued him after the flood subsided.

Emergency crews were also spotted responding to dangerous conditions along Palolo Stream.

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Honolulu firefighters rescued a homeless woman near the waters edge as the stream swelled. We were told she didnt want to leave, but crews convinced her and helped her out.

Further east, the parking lot at Maunalua Bay was a pond, making ducks happy. But the brown water conditions were not bad enough to keep kite surfers out of the bay.

Back in Kaimuki, we caught kids making the best of the situation by body surfing in the ponding water. Not part of their spring break plans, but finding a bright spot in the rain.

Officials are reminding residents that even brief downpours can quickly lead to dangerous floodingespecially in low-lying areas and to not drive through flooding water.

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And until were in the clear, residents in this area are staying vigilant, mopping up and hoping this is over soon.

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 KHON2.
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A woman in Florida has been charged with felony criminal mischief after allegedly urinating on property in two different Airbnbs

The woman, Nicolette Keough, 31, was allegedly filming videos of herself urinating and uploading them to an adult film site for money, according to the Pensacola Police Department (PPD)

Some of the property destroyed included a television, coffee pot and rug, per the PPD

A Florida woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly urinating on thousands of dollars' worth of items in two separate Airbnb rentals.

Nicolette Keough, 31, of Pensacola, was named as the suspect in the alleged incident, according to WDBJ 7, News Channel 8 and Fox 34.

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An Airbnb owner filed a criminal mischief complaint against Keough on March 15 after she received information that Keough had urinated on a number of items in her property, according to arrest documents from the Pensacola Police (PPD), per News Channel 8.

Nicolette Keough

Credit: Escambia County Sheriff's Office

The owner later allegedly found videos of a woman  who was identified as Keough  urinating in the Airbnb that were uploaded to an adult content website. The owner also reported that there was a strong smell of urine in the home following Keoughs visit, per the PPD, according to News Channel 8.

Police additionally said that Keough urinated in another Airbnb property owned by the same person on the same street, according to News Channel 8.

The owner found that an antique Crown Royal chair, rug, typewriter, four dining room chairs, coffee maker, bed, TV, record player, toaster and electric fireplace had been ruined, per the police report, according to the outlet.

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In a statement to PEOPLE, PPD public information officer Mike Wood said that police approached Keough after learning about the incident and eventually arrested her for felony criminal mischief, as the damages were in excess of $3,000.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Wood added that Keough was allegedly uploading the videos to make money.

Airbnb (stock image)

Credit: Getty

Keough has since been released on bond, according to WDBJ 7.

It is currently unclear if Keough has legal representation at this time.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Airbnb said: This kind of behavior has no place on Airbnb. Weve removed the guest from our platform and are continuing to assist the host with their reimbursement request through our AirCover damage protection for hosts.

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Property damage incidents during Airbnb stays are rare, and our hosts are backed by our 24/7 global Community Support and AirCover, which are included with every reservation, the spokesperson added.

Read the original article on People
The states biggest law firm pushed back on Friday against a claim that it violated a fundamental ethics rule when it asked former Chief Justice Richard Robinson, then a recently hired partner, to assist in the preparation of an appeal in a case that had been argued before him previously when when he led the Supreme Court.

The law firm, Day Pitney, admitted the violation and said it and Robinson deeply regret the error. In a legal filing at the close of business Friday, the firm argued that Robinsons contribution to the appeal was so inconsequential that a legal sanction punishing anyone for an ethics violation is not justified.

An email attached to the Day Pitney filing shows that, nearly a year after Robinson joined the firm, at last one of his partners was aware he was being asked to consult on a case he had presided over as chief justice.

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In the interest of full disclosure, you were on the panel for an earlier argument/decision in this case, and I dont know whether that precludes you from advising on this latest opinion. If you are able to advise us, Howie and I would value your opinion on the attached options which were released today, the July 28, 2025 email from Day Pitney partner Glenn Dowd to Robinson said.

Day Pitney billing records introduced as evidence show that Robinson had been billing time to the suit  at $1,100 an hour  for work such as reviewing motions and drafting emails since joining the firm nearly a year earlier.

The Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers say a lawyer shall not represent anyone in connection with a matter in which the lawyer participated personally and substantially as a judge . . . unless all parties to the proceeding give informed consent, confirmed in writing.

The ethics complaint against a former chief justice and a premier law firm has riveted the attention of lawyers and judges across the state.

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The complaint implicates one of the defining principles of the Supreme Court  that discussions among judges when deliberating decisions are confidential. Lawyers learning of the judges private thoughts on legal questions could gain an unfair advantage in future litigation.

The complaint arose from a contract dispute and fight over over money among partners winding down the Hartford private equity firm CCP Equity Partners more than a decade ago. The suit was filed in 2013 by investment firm founder and Day Pitney client John Clinton. Clinton sued three partners, who are represented by West Hartford attorney Garrett Flynn, along with Barbara Schellenberg and David Sabel of New Haven.

Flynns clients accused Day Pitney and Robinson of the ethics violation and argue the firm should be disqualified from further involvement in the case, just as the suit is about to go to trial for a second time.

The Day Pitney legal papers filed Friday include affidavits by Robinson and two partners asserting that his involvement in the suit did not involve providing advice on substantive matters. They said his work was limited to procedural questions and suggestions on writing style. Still, the partners pressing for disqualification have asked for a hearing to explore what Robinsons involvement entailed.

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Ultimately, a judge will rule on disqualification.

Over its long history, Clintons suit over the private equity partnership has reached the Supreme Court twice.

The first time, in 2022, Robinson was chief justice and led the panel that heard arguments. The court did not issue a decision that time, concluding that the case had reached it prematurely because the Superior Court had not made a final decision. After conferring, Robinson and the other justices returned the case to the lower court for further proceedings.

Robinson joined Day Pitney after retiring from the Supreme Court in 2024. The billing records show he was involved with the case soon after, as the firm was preparing to bring it to the Supreme Court a second time. That time the justices  three of whom sat with Robinson during the earlier appeal  ruled on the merits of the case. They returned it to Superior Court again for a new trial, which is scheduled to begin this spring.

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Thirteen years into this litigation and on the eve of a retrial scheduled for June 9, 2026, Defendants seek to disqualify Clintons longstanding attorneys based on speculative allegations that have no basis in fact, Day Pitney wrote in the Friday filing. Clinton acknowledges that former Chief Justice Richard Robinson served on the Supreme Court panel that heard an appeal earlier in this case where the court determined it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter on the merits.

Contrary to the Defendants speculation, Chief Justice Robinsons contributions to Day Pitneys representation of Clinton were minimal and immaterial. Therefore, his prior judicial role should not disqualify the entire firm from continuing to represent Clinton.

Day Pitney said Robinson has had no involvement in the case since August 2025 and will not be involved in the future regardless of the outcome of the disqualification motion.

That is sufficient to address the concerns raised in the Defendants motion, the law firm said. However, his limited past work should not disqualify the entire firm, as neither Clinton nor his long-time attorneys have received any information or advice from Chief Justice Robinson that benefited Clinton at the expense of the Defendants or that could be used in this case going forward.

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Robison spent 15.7 hours working on this case, Day Pitney said in its filing, and most of that time was spent reading briefs.

The law firm said none of the partners ever asked Chief Justice Robinson about anything that happened with this case while it was pending at the Supreme Court.
Grab your credit card and brace yourself. Experts said New Jerseys average price for a gallon of regular gas could top $4 a gallon next week.

That prediction comes as the average gas price increased from $3.79 on Thursday to $3.82 on Friday, AAA reported. The national price was $3.91.

Crude oil prices hit $98.66 a barrel Friday and finished the day at $98.07 on commodities markets. Brent crude commanded the highest price at $112 a barrel.

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Experts said the war in Iran and the ripple effect of oil tankers refusing to sail through the Straits of Hormuz under the threat of attack are the prime reasons for gas price spikes.

New Jersey saw gas prices increase by 30 cents a gallon in the past four days. Prices continue to climb, said Pat De Haan, GasBuddy.com petroleum analyst.

Adding to that pricing pressure is New Jerseys impending switch to reformulated, cleaner burning summer gas which will increase prices by 22%, said Tom Kloza, petroleum expert and founder of Kloza Advisors, LLC.

That will come in before the end of the month, he said. Even if crude oil prices calm down, New Jersey is looking at $4.

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Kloza predicted the nation will top $4 in the next couple of days and New Jersey will be right behind it.

In the last couple of years after the (state) gas tax increased, New Jersey has moved with the national numbers, he said. Now its only under the national numbers by 10 cents a gallon.

Both experts said that tactics being used or proposed to slow rising gas prices will just be Band-Aids.

The big Kahuna is restoring confidence that ships can navigate through the Strait, De Haan said. Until they do, I wouldnt want to take a gamble on $25 million in cargo. These shipping companies dont want to risk everything.

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Until that happens, oil markets are going to remain elevated, he said.

The Trump administration has taken several steps to bring more oil on the market, but experts said its not enough to meet demand from drivers.

On March 18, the administration suspended the Jones Act for 60 days, which allows foreign tankers to transport oil and gas between U.S. ports.

But shipping rates for foreign tankers have become increasingly expensive. Gas shipments will likely go from Gulf Coast refineries to the West Coast, where they will fetch a higher price, Kloza said.

Other measures could include having the US Environmental Protection Agency waiving rules requiring the use of reformulated or summer gas, Reuters reported.

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While that would increase gas production by 150,000 barrels per day, its not much when demand is nine million barrels a day, Kloza said.

It might not lower gas prices significantly either because of the low price of benzene, which is used in reformulated gas, De Haan said.

Other measures are being taken, such as President Donald Trump authorizing the release of 172 million barrels of crude oil from the nations strategic oil reserve on March 11.

That is being done in conjunction with a worldwide release of 400 million barrels of oil from the strategic of 32 nations, the U.S. Energy Department said.

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Thats not having much impact on the market other than we (United States) were $15 to $16 below the world market, Kloza said.

The higher prices for oil in other nations will affect the U.S. because oil companies will likely sell oil overseas. That could affect the northeastern U.S., which is dependent on imports of one million barrels a day of gasoline, he said.

The rest of the world is trading way higher, Kloza said. That means less gasoline coming to New York and Boston."

Other proposals include allowing U.S. oil companies to export Venezuelan oil.

Thats not going to move the needle, Venezuela has a few hundred thousand barrels a day and the market is trying to address the loss of 20 million, De Haan said.

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Another proposal to ban U.S. oil companies from exporting domestically produced oil has been dropped by the administration, Bloomberg reported.

De Haan said that would be counter productive.

Oil companies are going to pull back on future investment if they dont have an export market, he said. In the short term it may be a Band-Aid, but its terrible idea because it will impact us significantly in the long run.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius kicked off his Asia trip in Tokyo on Saturday, aiming to deepen military and defence industry cooperation with strategic partners in the region.

The trip will also take him to Singapore and Australia, as Berlin seeks closer coordination with "like-minded" countries in response to what Pistorius described as an erosion of the international order.

"The erosion of the international order requires us to coordinate even more closely with like-minded partners," Pistorius said at the start of the trip in Tokyo. He added that discussions would also cover developments in the Middle East.

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Pistorius is accompanied by senior executives from major German defence companies, underscoring the focus on expanding industrial ties alongside military cooperation.

The German Defence Ministry said the talks would focus on the security of sea lanes, adherence to international law, and the regions importance for global supply chains.

Pistorius is also expected to discuss the regional security situation, the expansion of strategic dialogue, and closer cooperation with the armed forces and defence industries of partner countries.

Germany has stepped up its military engagement in the Indo-Pacific in recent years. Pistorius noted that the Bundeswehr has increased its presence in the region, including by expanding the number of liaison officers in regional bodies.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Friday urged President Trump to consider removing U.S. military bases from countries who wont let us fly from them, again lashing out at European allies over their refusal to assist the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran.

Graham reiterated the suggestion after Trump told reporters earlier Friday that the senator was right about asking that.

Mr. President, one of the things I like about you most is that, now, our allies take America for granted at their own peril, the South Carolina Republican wrote in a post on the social platform X.

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As to my suggestion, I meant it then and Ill repeat it now: We should consider removing U.S. bases from countries who wont let us fly from them as we confront the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism who has been hellbent on developing a nuclear weapon and was extremely close to achieving that goal, the senator added.

Trump and Graham have slammed NATO allies in recent days for their reluctance to support U.S. military operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital choke point that has been effectively closed to shipping traffic since the start of the conflict on Feb. 28.

The continued Iranian blockade and escalating attacks on vessels and oil and gas facilities have rattled the global economy, sending fuel prices sharply higher.

The president said last Sunday that he requested seven countries to send warships to help secure the strait, but so far none have agreed to lend military assets.

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The United Kingdom recently approved the use of U.K. military bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites that target ships in the strait, though Trump suggested the move was a very late response.

Still, other NATO countries such as Spain said earlier in the war that they would not do the same.

The joint-use bases, but under Spanish sovereignty, will not be used for anything not included within the treaty nor outside the U.N. Charter, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said during a March 1 broadcast appearance, according to a translation from RTVE.

Graham on Friday called Spains refusal to allow American aircraft stationed there to be used in the military operation an insult and an outrage to the long-standing alliance, saying the president should consider relocating.

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Mr. President, I think Americas interests would be well-served to move those aircraft from Spain to a country that we can actually rely on in a time of great need, he wrote. I trust your judgement.

The senator, a staunch war hawk, has long been one of the most vocal advocates on Capitol Hill for expanded U.S. military intervention in Iran, frequently pressing Trump to take a more aggressive approach to the conflict.

He urged Trump earlier this week to take Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal in the Gulf, arguing it would cripple the weakened Iranian regimes economy.

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.
This story has been updated to add events in Madeira and Mason, and remove a listing for Newport, Kentucky, where a march is not currently scheduled.

Greater Cincinnati is set to host about a dozen No Kings events on March 28, joining a third national "day of defiance" aimed at the Trump administration.

One is scheduled near the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, running over the Ohio River between Downtown Cincinnati and Covington. That was the site of a July 2025 march, related to immigration, that ignited a social media storm and sent demonstrators to area jails and courts.

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The nearby events, stretching from Ohio's Butler County to Northern Kentucky to Lawrenceburg in Indiana, are scheduled for midday March 28.

9 events planned north of Ohio River, with 2 in NKY, 1 in southwest Indiana

In Cincinnati, No Kings participants will march through Downtown from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will start and end at City Hall, 801 Plum St., according to Jackie Limke, a volunteer with the local 50501 chapter, a national group named for creating 50 protests in 50 states as one movement.

Here's where to find other No Kings events on the Ohio side of the river:

Loveland, Loveland Madeira Road and Valley View Lane, 3-5 p.m.

West Chester, Tylersville and Cox roads, noon-2 p.m.

Lebanon, East Main and South Mechanic streets, 3-5 p.m.

Batavia, 270 E. Main St., noon-3:30 p.m.

Middletown, South Breiel Boulevard and Grand Avenue, noon-2 p.m.

Hamilton, 345 High St., noon-2 p.m.

Mount Carmel, 4585 Eastgate Blvd., noon-3 p.m.

Madeira, Dawson Road and Miami Avenue, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Mason, Mason Montgomery and Tylersville roads, noon-2 p.m.

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Northern Kentucky will host two No Kings' events:

Covington, starting on sidewalks approaching the Roebling Bridge, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Florence, starting at Mall Road north of Costco Wholesale, noon-2 p.m.

The Lawrenceburg, Indiana, march will run noon-1:30 p.m., starting at 215 W. High St.

Scholar Timothy Snyder, author of 2017's "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the 20th Century" and 14 other books, speaks at Smale Riverfront Park on Oct. 18, 2025, the second national No Kings day. He's scheduled to speak at the Cincinnati City Hall event on March 28.

Cincinnati turning up for anti-Trump protests

Cincinnatians have been protesting Donald Trump and his policies since he started his second term as president on Jan. 20, 2025.

Last June, thousands attended the first No Kings event at the University of Cincinnati in Clifton. Thousands more showed up for the second No Kings march in October at Downtown's Smale Riverfront Park. A May Day event at Over-the-Rhine's Washington Park likewise attracted large crowds.

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In Northern Kentucky, protesters have taken to the streets in Covington, Newport, Florence, Independence and other cities.

Last July, the march onto the Roebling started as a vigil in support of local imam Ayman Soliman. Days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained him, about 100 vigil participants crossed the bridge to waiting Covington Police Department officers. Officers told protesters to disperse, then quickly arrested 15 of them and charged some with crimes. One officer was suspended for 30 days after repeatedly punching a man in the head.

More: 'Living in hell.' How 2025 became the year of ICE in Greater Cincinnati

Body camera footage from the Covington Police Department showed officers shocking a woman with a Taser and punching a man in the head, as they attempted to clear the Roebling bridge of people protesting immigration actions last July.

Covington 'respects the right ... to peacefully assemble,' police say

Covington police know about plans for a No Kings event in the city, according to Capt. Justin Bradbury, department spokesperson.

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"We are aware of the planned protest and respect the right of individuals to peacefully assemble," Bradbury told The Enquirer via email.

Organizers have indicated the gathering will take place at Roebling Point, near the foot of the bridge, with participants remaining on area sidewalks, he said.

Bradbury said Covington police would "monitor the situation and ensure the safety of participants, motorists and the public."

A location marker on the No Kings website map puts the Covington event, running 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the middle of the bridge. But a link from the site indicates it will take place "on the sidewalks approaching the bridge."

Protesters packed Downtown Cincinnati's Fountain Square on Jan. 8, 2026, to protest the death of Renee Good, shot to death by immigration officials in Minneapolis the day before.

3,000-plus No Kings events planned across U.S.

More than 3,000 No Kings events are planned across the country on March 28, more than any other day in American history, a Facebook post from No Kings organizer Indivisible said.

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The group's post advised participants to:

Bring signs or props to march with.

Avoid violence, de-escalate confrontations and refrain from carrying any kind of weapon.

Post photos and videos to social media, tagged #NoKings.

Protesters gather for a May Day event in Over-the-Rhine's Washington Park on May 1, 2025.

Did we miss a local No Kings event? Send to pnewberry@enquirer.com and The Enquirer will update this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where are the March 28 No Kings events in Cincinnati?
More than 2,000 people remained without power Sunday afternoon after Hawaii suffered its worst flooding in more than 20 years when heavy rains fell across the islands.



Heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago. Raging waters lifted homes and cars, causing an expected $1 billion in damages. The storm prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu  though they were later lifted  and more than 200 people were rescued from the rising waters. No deaths had been reported as Sunday afternoon, Molly Pierce, spokesperson for Oahu's Department of Emergency Management, said.



By Sunday afternoon, Hawaiian Electric restored power to about 1,200 people in Waialua on the North Shore of O'ahu, according to the company. Customers' power was proactively turned off Friday because of the flooding.



Crews continue to assess the damage and make repairs, and Hawaiian Electric expects to return power to 2,000 more people later Sunday. On Maui, which is still reeling from a deadly 2023 wildfire, about 100 people were without power Sunday afternoon. All major outages were addressed on Hawai'i Island, according to the company.

The worst of the storms appear to be over, Hawaii meteorologist Matthew Foster told The Associated Press.

Fooding covers a residential neighborhood in Waialua, Hawaii, Friday, March 20, 2026. / Credit: Mengshin Lin / AP (Craig Fujii / AP)

Racquel Achiu, a Waialua farmer who stayed to care for her livestock, found her goats in knee-high water Thursday night, and an hour later, her family's seven dogs were in danger of drowning in an elevated kennel. Her nephew and son-in-law rushed out into chest-high water to save them.

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"My dogs' heads were literally just sticking out of the water," Achiu recalled.

Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, people's homes and a Maui hospital in Kula.

"This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state," Green said at a news conference. He also said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances of federal support.

Worst flooding in over 2 decades

Green said the flooding was the state's most serious since the 2004 floods in Manoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaii library.

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"In some places in our state, we've had between 40 and 50 inches of rain," Green said in a video update posted to social media Saturday morning local time.

Dozens  if not hundreds  of homes were damaged Friday, but officials haven't been able to assess the destruction fully, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. There were over 233 rescues so far, Blangiardi said.

"There's no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic," he said.

Officials blamed some of the devastation on the sheer amount of rain that fell in a short amount of time on saturated land. Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches, the National Weather Service said. Kaala, the island's highest peak, got nearly 16 inches in the past day, according to the agency.

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There were over 233 rescues so far, Blangiardi said. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said.

Crews searched by air and by water for people who had been stranded  efforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to get images of the flooding, said Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu.

A view of a storm-damaged home near floating felled branches in flood waters caused by severe rains in Waialua, Hawaii, on March 20, 2026. / Credit: Mengshin Lin / AP

The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahu's west coast called Our Lady of Kea'au, according to city and camp officials.

Winter storm systems known as "Kona lows," which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air, were responsible for the deluges in the past two weeks. The intensity and frequency of heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming, experts say.

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Eyes on an aging dam

Officials have been closely watching the Wahiawa dam, which has been vulnerable for decades, saying it was "at risk of imminent failure."

Water levels in the dam  about 17 miles northwest of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu  receded by late Friday. The dam appeared to be less of a concern the following morning than the "breadth of hazardous conditions" across the island, said Pierce.

She noted substantial flooding, including in residential parts of Honolulu.

"We're seeing the waters receding in a lot of places, but again with that saturation, just the smallest amount of water can bring those raging back up," Pierce said. "So even if it's blue skies where you are, I think we all know in Hawaii that if rain is falling on the mountain, it's coming to you soon enough."

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Overnight into Friday, the dam went from 79 feet to 84 feet  just 6 feet shy of what it can handle, authorities said. After peaking at more than 85 feet, the water level had dropped by Saturday evening to 81.14 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Green on Saturday said that 85 feet marks "the threshold of great concern" for the dam.

The state had said the Wahiawa dam had "high hazard potential," and that a failure would "result in probable loss of human life."

Debris from a storm-damaged house sits against a bridge along Kaukonahua Stream, caused by flooding from severe rains in Waialua, Hawaii, Friday, March 20, 2026. / Credit: Mengshin Lin / AP

The earthen dam was built in 1906 to increase sugar production for the Waialua Agricultural Company, which eventually became a subsidiary of Dole Food Company. It was reconstructed following a collapse in 1921.

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The state has sent Dole four notices of deficiency about the dam since 2009 and, five years ago, fined the company $20,000 for failing to address safety deficiencies on time, according to records. Afterward, Dole proposed to donate the dam, reservoir and ditch system to the state in exchange for the state's agreement to repair the spillway to meet and maintain dam safety standards.

The state passed legislation in 2023 authorizing the dam's acquisition. It also provided $5 million to buy the spillway and $21 million to repair and expand it to comply with dam safety requirements. But the transfer has not been completed. A state board is due to vote on the acquisition next week.

"The dam continues to operate as designed with no indications of damage," Dole said in an emailed statement.

The state regulates 132 dams across Hawaii, most of them built as part of irrigation systems for the sugar cane industry, according to a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

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Under a mid-morning sun, huddled beneath tents and silver tarps, doctors and nurses handed patients at a homeless outreach clinic water bottles, hats, sunglasses and cooling towels to drape around their necks  all to stave off the worst effects of a premature triple-digit heat wave.

Three weeks ago, when Circle the City started planning its heat safety and pre-summer skin check event, it had no idea what was heading this way. On March 18, temperatures in Phoenix reached 102 degrees, the citys earliest 100-degree day on record  and the heat shows no signs of relenting. Three-digit temperatures are forecast through at least Wednesday.

The average first 100-degree day of the year in Phoenix is May 2, according to the National Weather Service.

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Traditionally you think of it as May. Last year it was April, said Dr. Rebecca Moran, a physician with Circle the City. In 2024 it arrived on April 21 and in 2025, on April 10. This year it's March, she said.

Since its not officially summer, the Heat Relief Network, a regional collaboration between city governments and organizations in Maricopa County, isnt fully operational. That means many of the citys designated cooling centers, like a 24/7 respite site, are closed. In the peak of summer, those centers provide places for people without reliable access to air conditioning to cool off.

But temperatures outside are already deadly. Climate change is bringing the inevitable: hotter weather earlier in the year, experts say. In 2024, nearly half of all heat-related deaths in Maricopa County were among people experiencing homelessness. In metro Phoenix, rates of homelessness continue to rise. From 2024 to 2025, the number of unsheltered people in the county, those sleeping in places like parks and cars, climbed by 28%, according to last year's point-in-time count.

For the past two years, heat deaths in the county have been on the decline. Cooling centers have become a fixture of the countys heat relief response. Phoenix opened its first 24/7 respite site in 2024. Last year, there were over 44,000 visits to all of its cooling and respite centers throughout the summer months, according to city officials.

A runner makes his way along Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Kathryn Worth practices tipping over and re-entry into the kayak during a City of Tempe advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers from the Rio Salado Rowing Club arrive at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. David Murphy goes through an advanced Kayak Touring class hosted by the City of Tempe at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Emily Schumacher and her rescue dogs Poncho and Lady Bird, sit alongside the beach at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. David Murphy kayaks back to the shore at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers make their way around at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers from the Rio Salado Rowing Club make their way at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Boating instructor Ryan Hearn (L-R) watches as David Murphy and Kathryn Worth attend the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Boating instructor Ryan Hearn (L) talks with David Murphy (R) and Kathryn Worth attend the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers from the Rio Salado Rowing Club arrive at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. A runner makes his way along Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers pass by the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class as they work on skills near the shore at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. David Murphy goes through an advanced Kayak Touring class hosted by the City of Tempe at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Kathryn Worth practices tipping over and re-entry into the kayak during a City of Tempe advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Emily Schumacher and her rescue dogs Poncho and Lady Bird, sit alongside the beach at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. David Murphy kayaks back to the shore at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Boating instructor Ryan Hearn (top) works David Murphy during the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Boating instructor Ryan Hearn (L-R) watches as David Murphy and Kathryn Worth attend the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Boating instructor Ryan Hearn (L) talks with David Murphy (R) and Kathryn Worth attend the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers from the Rio Salado Rowing Club make their way at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Rowers make their way around at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Boating instructor Ryan Hearn (L-R) watches as David Murphy and Kathryn Worth attend the City of Tempes advanced kayaking class at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history. Record-breaking March heat wave roasts Phoenix area. Take a look 1 of 23 A runner makes his way along Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. on March 18, 2026. Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits, the earliest in the year in Arizona history.

At a press conference last November, the Director of the Office of Homeless Solutions Rachel Milne said that the 24/7 respite site was an essential lifeline for people facing homelessness. This week, they are navigating the heat without that lifeline.

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Libraries throughout the Valley can be AC havens, and so can city-owned community centers but often they have limited hours, operating 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., for example, or closing on Saturday or Sunday. That leaves people experiencing homelessness with fewer resources for staying safe.

The weather patterns are changing, Moran said. As a society, we need to adapt to this because these people are so vulnerable.

March heat: Where did the Phoenix heat wave come from and when will it end?

Water, ice cream and shelter as temperatures rise

Trenton Rednour is a volunteer with AZ HUGS, a homeless outreach non-profit in Tempe. He's faced homelessness himself and knows first-hand what being out in triple-digits all day, every day feels like.

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 Have you ever turned on your oven on to 350 degrees? You know that hot air that hits your face as soon as you open the oven door? It's like that, he said.

Outside the Tempe Public Library on March 20, Rednour and other AZ HUGS volunteers stationed a table in the shade and passed out water, Powerade, popsicles and ice-cream to passersby. The shade was fleeting. It was 103 degrees.

Alisha Altiveros, 6, flies her butterfly kite during a breezy overcast day at Christy Cove Park on April 6, 2026, in Phoenix.



Arizona has amazing sunrises and sunsets: See the photos Overcast skies and a breeze allowed for kite flying at Christy Cove Park on April 6, 2026, in Phoenix. Overcast skies and a breeze allowed for kite flying at Christy Cove Park on April 6, 2026, in Phoenix. The wind blows the U.S. flag on a construction crane at the former Paradise Valley Mall, now known as PV on April 6, 2026, in Phoenix. The wind blows the U.S. flag on a construction crane at the former Paradise Valley Mall, now known as PV on April 6, 2026, in Phoenix. The entrance to the Piestewa Peak summit trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is closed from 8 AM to 5 PM due to an extreme heat warning on March 20, 2026, in Phoenix.



Weather records: Arizona's wettest day became its deadliest after extreme rains The entrance to the Piestewa Peak summit trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is closed from 8 AM to 5 PM due to an extreme heat warning on March 20, 2026, in Phoenix. Park ranger Sam Weller guards the entrance to the Piestewa Peak summit trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve as trails are closed from 8 AM to 5 PM due to an extreme heat warning on March 20, 2026, in Phoenix. Toni Bacon watches her son, Tristen Bacon (#45 LB) during ASU's football practice at Kajikawa Practice fields March 19, 2026, in Tempe. Roman Pitre (#13 DL) cools off during ASU's football practice at Kajikawa Practice fields March 19, 2026, in Tempe. A Cactus League spring training game at Salt River Fields is delayed to an evening start due a heat wave on March 19, 2026, near Scottsdale. The infield is watered before a spring training game that was delayed until evening due to a heat wave at Salt River Fields on March 19, 2026, near Scottsdale. Rain begins to fall and clouds fill the skies over East Mesa near Power and Brown roads the evening of March 9, 2026. The snow-capped San Francisco Peaks as seen from Flagstaff on Jan. 9, 2026. The snow-capped San Francisco Peaks as seen from Flagstaff on Jan. 9, 2026. Paragliders Roy Devilbiss (top) and Chuck Woods sail under a storm cloud alongside a bird at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Paraglider Roy Devilbiss takes off from Gila Valley Lookout at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Paraglider Roy Devilbiss stands at the edge of Gila Valley Lookout over Ahwatukee as he prepares to take off from South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Roy Devilbiss prepares his paragliding gear as he waits for the right wind conditions to take off from Gila Valley Lookout at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Paraglider Roy Devilbiss puts on safety gear as he prepares to take off from Gila Valley Lookout at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Paraglider Roy Devilbiss puts on safety gear as he prepares to take off from Gila Valley Lookout at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Paraglider Roy Devilbiss takes off from Gila Valley Lookout at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Paraglider Chuck Woods waits for the right conditions before taking off at South Mountain on Jan. 2, 2026, in Phoenix. Carlos Espinoza blows his shofar at Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain Park in Phoenix, on Jan. 1, 2026. A hiker and her dog enjoys the weather in the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A mountain biker rides a trail through the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A monarch butterfly lands on a brittlebush in the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A mountain biker rides through the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A brittlebush flower in the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A bicyclist rides through the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A hiker enjoys the weather in the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A monarch butterfly lands on a brittlebush in the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A hiker follows a trail in the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area on Jan. 13, 2026, in Phoenix. A runner jogs past a flock of geese near the Eastern Canal on Jan. 15, 2026, in Chandler. Arizona weather in 2026. Heat, rain, snow and monsoon storms in photos 1 of 34 Alisha Altiveros, 6, flies her butterfly kite during a breezy overcast day at Christy Cove Park on April 6, 2026, in Phoenix.



Arizona has amazing sunrises and sunsets: See the photos

AZ HUGS often collaborates with organizations throughout the summer to offer cooling services, but this is the first year theyve had to do it so early.

We've never had a situation where it's 105 degrees in the middle of March, said Austin Davis, who founded the non-profit in 2020. In situations like this, where the weather comes out of nowhere and we're dealing with unprecedented heat, it's the responsibility of the community to come together to figure out an immediate solution to try to mitigate the risks.

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We're not ready: Arizona in for heat shock as temps about to top 100 earlier than ever

The group has hosted other cooling pop-ups around Tempe this week at local churches in an attempt to bridge the gap between what municipalities are offering and what the community needs, said Ben Minkler, another volunteer.

This is a crisis response, Davis said.  Libraries are incredibly important right now because they're filling this gap where cooling centers aren't already open. But hed like to see cities in the Valley doing more.

It's not too late to adjust to a model that meets needs in an immediate sense. There are a lot of community spaces and rec centers that could be converted, very quickly, into emergency cooling centers, he said.

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That need is especially relevant for families with children who are on waiting lists for shelters but dont have anywhere to go in the meantime, he said. There needs to be a 24/7 respite site where a family who's displaced can go and, at the very least, be out of the heat.

Around noon, the librarys community service director informed the volunteers that they could not remain on the library property stationary and asked them to remove their table. They were still allowed to walk around the campus and distribute water and snacks, but that meant lugging around coolers full of ice and wandering in the direct sunlight.

How to help when heat seasons grow longer

So far, Phoenix is not prepared to open its 24/7 cooling center early.

There's a lot we need to do to get that building ready to go, get staffing ready to go, said David Hondula, director of the city's Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, at a press conference on March 19. That's not a resource that we can activate as quickly as some of these others. We're hopeful that folks are able to find relief out in the community.

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The city is thinking about long-term strategies for becoming more flexible on the start and end dates of its operational heat season, between May 1 and Sept. 30, to accommodate a clear trend toward longer and hotter heat seasons, he said.

Phoenix has opened its splash pads ahead of schedule, but those are generally geared toward kids and young families.

Our patients get very stigmatized," Moran said. Often, those cool-down options arent available to them. Still, she encourages people to get their clothes and hats wet using water bottles and showers at available shelters, which can help keep the body cool throughout the day. Circle the Citys downtown Phoenix building is open to anyone who needs relief from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday to Friday.

Moran, who has worked with the clinic for three years, said shes noticed heat related illnesses among those experiencing homelessness starting earlier in the year.

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What we really worry about is heat stroke, she said. When your body temperature goes over 104, its basically your brain getting fried. Thats a medical emergency. Being exposed to extreme heat can also lead to burns, skin rashes, and long-term health issues.

Read more about the heat: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter

In the summer, the city allocates water resources to organizations like Circle the City, Moran said. But outside of that heat relief season there are fewer options. This month, the bottles they are handing out to patients were purchased by the clinic. Circle the City also deploys five mobile rehydration units and five street teams that can administer water via IVs.

We appreciate the help and support of the city, the county, the state, she said. It takes a village  it just takes all of us working together to try and prevent the heat related deaths that we are going to start seeing now.

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Next year, she said, they might have to start their heat safety preparations in February.

Sarah Henry covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to sarah.henry@arizonarepublic.com.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix heat wave hits, but water, shelter aren't ready yet
Friday marked judgment day for high school construction students from across Fresno County as they competed in the Central California Builders Exchange Design Build Competition.

What began as a construction-focused contest three years ago has expanded into a larger career technical education event, now featuring disciplines such as welding and automotive.

Organizers say the competition is designed to expose Valley students to multiple career paths and give them hands-on experience tied to real-world industry standards.

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"It's just been so amazing that I'd be able to know that I have options after," said Albert Gutierrez, a Madera High senior.

Students were tasked with designing and building an 8-by-10 structure, putting their power tool skills to the test while meeting professional construction requirements.

Madera High claimed first place as the Design Build Ready Frame Champions and was awarded a $3,000 check.

The competition activities stretched over multiple days.

On Wednesday, hundreds of teams worked throughout the Caruthers fairgrounds during the third annual Design Build Competition, transforming parts of the site amid the sounds of hammering, sawing and welding as students collaborated on their projects.

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The event was hosted in collaboration with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and brought together students and industry professionals from across the region.

Several real-world partners participated, including Swinerton, which worked with students from Madera and Mendota ahead of the competition.

"We teach them certain phases of the construction process as well as business development, how to pitch what they're selling," said Erich Klemme of Swinerton.

Community-based businesses also played a role. Elite Private Landscaping, a women- and minority-owned Valley company, took part in the event to support students preparing to enter the workforce.

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"The kids here during this event are the next generation to be building tomorrow's future," said Sarah Souza, general manager of Elite Private Landscaping.

Among the participants was Enterprise High School sophomore Abigail Gastelum, who helped build a bench at the fairgrounds as part of her team's project.

"I think it's a good experience. I'm glad people are going to see this, and when I come back, I'm going to see it and know that I had a part in helping create it," Gastelum said.

This year's competition also broke new ground by featuring two all-girls teams from Madera High for the first time. In addition, two students were awarded the Golden Hammer, an honor recognizing leadership, attitude and potential.

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Organizers said the continued growth of the Design Build Competition reflects increasing interest in career technical education and the demand for skilled workers across multiple industries, with students gaining exposure to potential futures through hands-on learning close to home.

For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook, X and Instagram.
After spotted lanternflies were first reported in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014, there has been a concerted effort to get rid of the invasive species.

According to The Guardian, while the insect is harmless to humans directly, they can damage trees and fruit crops.

With many areas in the United States waging an "if you see it, stomp it" campaign against the winged menaces, one Pittsburgh resident could not believe a neighbor was seemingly breeding them in his backyard.

If the Lions can squish other teams this season, you can squish spotted lanternflies.



See.

Squish.

Report. https://t.co/tmS1KQ0nXb pic.twitter.com/iFryP20WdF  Michigan Department of Natural Resources (@MichiganDNR) September 25, 2023

Posting in the r/Pittsburgh subreddit, the concerned community member broke down the story, saying they spotted the neighbor scraping lanternflies from his tree and putting them in mesh enclosures.

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"At first I thought maybe he was collecting them to take somewhere for some sort of study, but the enclosures never seem to be moved [from] that spot," they said. "Then more mesh enclosures were added. I can see that the meshes are getting pretty full. Sometimes he does let some of the lantern flies out."

Upon asking for advice about what to do next, one Redditor reached out to a friend who works in spotted lanternfly management. Upon hearing back from their associate, the Redditor commented: "It is apparently a ticketable offense."

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's website says, for example, in bold font: "Intentional movement of [the spotted lanternfly] is expressly prohibited and is a serious offense. Violations could result in criminal or civil penalties and/or fines."

Lanternfly sightings in Pennsylvania reached 150,000 in 2019, as The Guardian noted, but the numbers dropped to 61,000 in 2021, which is the last year of available data.

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National Geographic noted lanternflies feed on 70 different kinds of plants and trees, and according to a study published in the Science of the Total Environment journal, the estimated economic cost of biological invasions was $21 billion between 2010 and 2020.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture told The Guardian that female lanternflies can lay between 30 to 60 eggs.

"And every time you stomp one out, that's one more that isn't reproducing," Cecilia Sequeira said. "Every little bit helps; it is a very prolific pest, and we're probably their biggest natural enemies. It's pretty important that people do their part."

Keeping them or breeding them, then, is certainly not advised. Hopefully this Pittsburgh resident saw the light and got rid of their lanternfly collection.

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.
For thousands of years, humans living high in the Argentinian Andes have relied on drinking water that would make most people deathly ill.

There, naturally occurring arsenic in volcanic bedrock leaches into the groundwater, contaminating the local water supply with levels of the toxic metalloid that would pose serious health risks to most human populations.

But for one group in northern Argentina, natural selection may have provided an unusual genetic advantage.

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According to a DNA analysis of people across western South America, a population in the Argentinian Andes carries a gene variant that likely helps them metabolize arsenic more safely.

"Adaptation drives genomic changes; however, evidence of specific adaptations in humans remains limited," wrote a team led by evolutionary biologists Carina Schlebusch and Lucie Gattepaille of Uppsala University in a 2015 paper.

"Our data show that adaptation to tolerate the environmental stressor arsenic has likely driven an increase in the frequencies of protective variants of AS3MT, providing the first evidence of human adaptation to a toxic chemical."

CC BY 3.0) The Argentinian town of San Antonio de los Cobres sits at an altitude of about 3,775 meters (12,385 feet). ( Roberto Ettore/Wikimedia Commons

Given enough time and gentle enough exposure to a hazard, life has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to all sorts of wild conditions  from extreme heat to complete lack of oxygen to dangerous radiation levels.

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However, relatively little is known about how human populations adapt to toxic chemicals in their environment. Arsenic is highly toxic, associated with cancer, skin lesions, birth defects, and early death. It's also widespread, naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of many regions around the world.

The current recommended limit for arsenic in drinking water, set by the World Health Organization, is 10 micrograms per liter.

Until a filtration system was installed in 2012, the remote, high-altitude town of San Antonio de los Cobres, in Argentina's Puna de Atacama plateau, had drinking water that contained around 200 micrograms of arsenic per liter  about 20 times the recommended limit.

Yet the region has been inhabited for thousands of years  at least 7,000 years, and perhaps as long as 11,000.

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This apparent ability to shrug off dangerously high arsenic levels puzzled scientists for decades. In 1995, scientists noted that women from the Argentinian Andes had a "unique" ability to metabolize arsenic, as evidenced by metabolites in their urine.

The Puna de Atacama plateau in northern Argentina, where groundwater naturally contains high levels of arsenic. (jarcosa/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

When arsenic enters the body, enzymes convert it through several chemical forms. One of these intermediate forms, called monomethylated arsenic (MMA), is particularly toxic. A later form, dimethylated arsenic (DMA), is easier for the body to excrete in urine.

People in San Antonio de los Cobres tended to produce less of the toxic intermediate and more of the easily excreted form, suggesting their bodies were unusually efficient at processing arsenic.

Intrigued, Schlebusch, Gattepaille, and their colleagues wanted to solve the puzzle at the genetic level.

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The team collected DNA from 124 women in San Antonio de los Cobres using cheek swabs, whose urine samples showed the same arsenic metabolite profile as in the 1995 study. Then, they analyzed millions of genetic markers across the genome.

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To determine whether the gene variant was unique to the Argentine population, the researchers compared their results with publicly available genome data from Peru and Colombia, drawn from the international 1000 Genomes Project.

Previous research showed that an enzyme called arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) could play a key role in arsenic metabolism, so that is where the researchers focused their efforts.

What they found was a cluster of genetic variants near the AS3MT gene that strongly influenced how the body processes arsenic. These variants were far more common in people from San Antonio de los Cobres than in genetically similar populations in Peru and Colombia.

The variants appear to make the body more efficient at converting arsenic into forms that can be safely excreted in urine, reducing the buildup of the most toxic intermediate compounds  a result that neatly aligns with earlier studies of arsenic metabolites in urine.

Related: Humans Are Still Evolving Before Our Eyes on The Tibetan Plateau

While arsenic contamination is common around the world, very few communities have lived with such high levels of exposure for long periods of time.

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In San Antonio de los Cobres, people have lived with arsenic in their groundwater for thousands of years  long enough for natural selection to favor traits that reduce vulnerability to arsenic's toxic effects.

Later research suggests similar genetic signals may also appear in other Andean populations exposed to arsenic for generations, supporting the findings that long-term exposure can drive genetic tolerance, and hinting that the adaptation may be more widespread across the region.

"Given the severe deleterious health effects of arsenic in both children and adults," the researchers wrote, "individuals who carry the arsenic-tolerance haplotype could have a very strong selective advantage in high-arsenic environments."

The research was published in Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Related News
Drivers spend an average of 17 hours a year searching for parking spots, according to an INRIX study.

While the transportation analytics companys study was done in 2017, many drivers today still know the pain of looking for a parking spot. When youre in a pinch, can you park outside someone elses house?

In Massachusetts, its not illegal to park in front of someones house on a public street. However, it is illegal to park in front of someones driveway, and there are other restrictions.

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Heres what to know about Massachusetts transportation laws.

City traffic with many cars parked in line on street side.

What does Massachusetts law say about parking in front of someones house?

In Massachusetts, parking in front of someones house is generally legal if on a public street. However, there are restrictions.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation traffic regulations and rules for driving, you may not park a vehicle:

Where parking is prohibited by signs or markings

In a way that interferes with the removal or plowing of ice

On grass

In a way that obstructs a road, driveway, parkway, intersection, sidewalk or pedestrian crossing

On a hill or curve where it would be a hazard for traffic

Within 20 feet of an intersection

Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant

Over 12 feet from a curb

A stranger is parked in front of my house. Can I get them towed?

Under Massachusetts law, if a vehicle has been left unattended for over 72 hours and determined to be abandoned, it can be removed by a city or town.

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In Worcester, a suspected abandoned vehicle will be tagged and towed 72 hours from the date the vehicle was tagged, according to the city website. The vehicle will be held by the tow company for 30 days, and then it becomes the property of the tow company.

More: Helping yourself or stealing? What MA law says about picking your neighbor's fruit

What are the rules on towing in Massachusetts?

Vehicles may be towed in Massachusetts if they are parked in a tow zone or any other areas that qualify as a violation, like if they are double parked, too close to a fire hydrant or within an intersection or crosswalk.

Officers are also authorized to remove vehicles found on roads or state highways in certain cases. They include if a vehicle was stolen, if the operator of the vehicle is arrested, if the vehicle is too hazardous or dangerous to be driven or if adverse weather conditions or other emergency reasons necessitate its removal.

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Massachusetts law also says that vehicles left on public or private way without the permission of the private owner or appropriate authority are considered abandoned and the police may dispose of it after obtaining ownership.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Is it illegal to park in front of someones house? MA law says this
Three weeks after the outbreak of war, Iran was maintaining a defiant stance on Saturday.

According to state broadcaster IRIB, the intelligence arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had analysed the "enemys vulnerabilites" and was preparing a new wave of attacks "using new strategies and more advanced systems."

The Guards also renewed threats of retaliation for strikes on the countrys infrastructure.

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Ali Akbar Velayati, a foreign policy adviser to the supreme leader, was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying the US and and Israel were "talking so much about victory, as if trying to convince themselves."

He added that the world would be different after the war ends  "multipolar and with Iran as the main axis of the Islamic pole."
March 21 (Reuters) - Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that there needs to be an "immediate cessation" of what he described as U.S.-Israeli aggression to end the war and wider regional conflict, Iran's embassy in India said in an X post on Saturday.

Pezeshkian spoke with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone earlier in the day.

Pezeshkian told Modi that there should be guarantees to prevent a recurrence of such "aggression" in the future. He also called on the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies to play an independent role in halting aggression against Iran.

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The Iranian president proposed a regional security framework comprising West Asian countries to ensure peace without foreign interference, according to the country's embassy in India.

In a separate post on X earlier on Saturday, Modi said he condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the Middle East in the discussion with Pezeshkian.

The Indian Prime Minister further reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure.

(Reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Israel struck additional targets in Iran and Lebanon on Saturday and intercepted incoming attacks from Iran, the military said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said rocket attacks were launched from Iran against Israel during the night and in the morning.

The emergency services are heading to several impact sites in the Tel Aviv area, the IDF said. There were images of the destruction, but no reports of injuries.

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Media reports said a kindergarten in the city of Rishon LeZion, south-east of Tel Aviv, was hit, though no one was inside at the time. Iran was also reported to have used cluster munitions in the attack.

That came after the Israeli military continued to attack Iran and Lebanon overnight.

"Israeli ground forces fired on several armed members of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon," the IDF said.

"The troops eliminated one terrorist in a ground engagement. In addition, they directed an Israeli Air Force aircraft that struck several additional terrorists who fired toward IDF troops. Subsequently, the troops eliminated three additional terrorists using tank fire."

That came after shrapnel from an Iranian missile fell in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City on Friday.
In a new chapter of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, law enforcement sources tell The Miami Herald that bags of shredded documents tied to the disgraced financier were found at a New York jail shortly after his death, raising fresh legal and transparency questions about one of the most controversial criminal cases of the past decade. According to reporting from the Herald, these materials were discovered during a cleanup or document review process in the days after Epsteins August 2019 death in federal custody, and they have drawn scrutiny from advocates and investigators who say they may relate to evidence that has never been fully disclosed.

Epstein, the wealthy financier convicted of procuring minors for prostitution and charged in a broader sex trafficking conspiracy, died by suicide in a federal detention center while awaiting trial on new charges. In the years since, the Herald has led investigative efforts to unseal tens of thousands of court documents related to his crimes, prompting the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates broad public release of files tied to his investigations and prosecutions.

The discovery of shredded records comes amid an ongoing federal review of Epsteinrelated material, with the Justice Department recently acknowledging it is assessing whether some documents were improperly withheld from the public, including a small tranche of files containing uncorroborated accusations and heavily redacted information. Victims lawyers have criticized sloppy and inconsistent redactions in the released files, and some federal lawmakers have openly questioned whether all pertinent evidence has been disclosed.

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Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown, whose work helped reignite the Epstein investigation and expose the controversial plea deal that kept him out of federal prison in 2008, framed the ongoing release as a test of the justice systems commitment to transparency and accountability.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

As litigation and political pressure continue to unfold around the Epstein files, the shredded documents could complicate efforts to fully understand what investigators knew  and when they knew it  about the breadth of Epsteins crimes and the institutional failures tied to them.

The post Justice in fragments: Epsteins shredded records resurface appeared first on Salon.com.
At least 47 injured in direct strike on reported school in Dimona  19 injured in North after Hezbollah rockets hit homes in northern Israeli border towns  Rishon Lezion kindergarten damaged

Over 100 people were wounded throughout Saturday after Iranian ballistic missiles directly struck residential buildings across southern Israel as Hezbollah pummeled northern Israeli border towns with rockets.

At least 47 were injured in Dimona after a building, reportedly a school, collapsed as a result of an impact from an Iranian munition, Magen David Adom said, including a 10-year-old boy in serious condition. A woman in her 30s was moderately wounded by glass shards in the impact, it added.

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Some 31 others were lightly wounded, including those wounded in at least 12 separate shrapnel impact sites across the southern Israeli city.

An Iranian ballistic missile strikes a building in Dimona, March 21, 2026 (VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

Later on Sunday, scores were wounded after a direct strike on the city of Arad, including seven in serious condition.

IDF sources confirmed that it failed to intercept missiles in both Dimona and Arad, adding that the military was investigating the incidents. The sources added that the missiles were of the kind that Israel has intercepted in the past.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was aware of reports that a projectile had struck the city of Dimona, but had received no indication of damage to the Negev nuclear research center there.

The agency said regional authorities reported no abnormal radiation levels following the incident and that it was closely monitoring the situation and would continue to seek further information.

IDF search and rescue forces operating at the scene of a munition impact in southern Israel on March 21, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Hezbollah pummels Israel's North with rockets, at least 19 injured

In the North, at least 19 people were wounded in several direct hits on homes across northern Israeli border towns, as per MDA.

A fire broke out in Kfar Vradim after a rocket directly struck a house, which sustained minor damage. Four other shrapnel impact sites were reported in the area.

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Another direct hit was reported on a home in the border town of Maalot-Tarshiha. External damage was also caused to a four-story building.

Rishon Lezion kindergarten damaged

Earlier on Saturday, a kindergarten in Rishon Lezion was reportedly damaged after a suspected cluster missile launched from Iran targeted the Gush Dan area in central Israel.

Security forces working at the Kindergarten damaged during an Iranian missile barrage. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Initial reports suggest that shrapnel caused significant damage to the structure, with no direct missile impact reported. MDA said a man in his 70s was lightly injured while making his way to a shelter. The Shamir Medical Center said a man in his 40's was treated for mild injuries sustained from a blast in Rishon Lezion.

The missile is believed to have weighed around 100 kilograms, according to Hebrew media, though this has not been officially confirmed. The incident appears to be another example of a splitting warhead, which has been used in previous missile strikes on central Israel.

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Initial reports suggested over 20 impact sites across central Israel, including in Rishon Lezion, Bnei Brak, Shoham, and Rosh Ha'ayin. MDA later confirmed at least seven impact sites in Rishon Lezion, including damage to two residential buildings.

'The strength of the home front is what allows us to keep going'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that he spoke with Dimona Mayor Benny Biton and Rishon LeZion Mayor Raz Kinstlich after the incidents.

The prime minister praised the residents resilience and wished a speedy recovery to those who were wounded following the firing from Iran.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that Israel would continue its campaign against Iran for as long as necessary, stressing that the operation would not be halted by the upcoming Passover holiday.

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Talking to reporters at a missile impact site in Rishon Lezion, Katz said Israels ability to press ahead depends in large part on the resilience of the civilian home front, and said the fighting would continue until its objectives are met.

The strength of the home front is what allows us to keep going, and we will continue until the objectives are achieved, he said.

Katz said 11 impact sites had been identified in the city, and accused Iran of using weapons that amount to a war crime. Katz added that such conduct was consistent with what he described as the behavior of a terror regime.

Education system in Rishon Lezion to remain closed, mayor says

We will restore everything to its original state, Rishon Lezion Mayor Raz Kinstlich said while visiting the site of the struck kindergarten on Saturday morning.

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The windows were blown out, with some landing on the other side of the street, he said. This is a kindergarten, a place where children were supposed to learn, he continued, emphasizing that, fortunately, the children were not at the kindergarten during the strike, as schools are closed on Shabbat.

"Theres a hole in the ceiling. You can see it outside. Until I feel secure, the education system in Rishon Lezion will not return. I want to thank the residents for their discipline.

Cluster bombs challenge Israel's missile defense shield

Iran has launched dozens of missiles with cluster munition warheads at Israel since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion, posing a challenge for Israel's missile defense shield, as they need to be hit before they split and disperse into smaller explosives.

Cluster munitions open in mid-air and scatter as many as several hundred "bomblets" over a wide area. They often fail to explode, creating virtual minefields that can kill or injure anyone who finds them later.
Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, leaving buildings shattered and dozens injured and in an attack not far from Israels main nuclear research center, as the war spun into a dangerous new direction.

The Iranian strikes came after Tehrans main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz was hit earlier in the day.

Israels military said it was not able to intercept missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad, the largest near the center in Israels sparsely populated Negev desert.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said more emergency crews were being sent to the scene.

If the Israeli regime is unable to intercept missiles in the heavily protected Dimona area, it is, operationally, a sign of entering a new phase of the battle, Irans Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X before word of the Arad strike spread.

The death toll has risen to more than 1,500 people in Iran, more than 1,000 people in Lebanon, 15 in Israel and 13 U.S. military members, and a number of civilians on land and sea in the Gulf region. Millions of people in Lebanon and Iran have been displaced.

Here is the latest:

Saudi air defenses intercept missiles, drones

Air defenses early Sunday tracked the launch of three ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabias capital, Riyadh, intercepting one, while the other two fell in an uninhabited area, according to the defense ministry.

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The ministry also said it downed six drones headed toward the kingdoms eastern region, one of its least densely populated areas near Iran and home to major oil installations.

No casualties or damage were immediately reported.

Projectile hits close to a vessel off UAE coast

A projectile struck close to a bulk carrier off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said early Sunday.

The attack occurred about 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah in the UAE.

The UKMTO said the ships crew was safe.

Trump threatens Iranian power plants over opening of the Strait of Hormuz

Trump said hes giving Iran exactly 48 hours to open the vital waterway or face a new round of attacks.

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He said the U.S. would destroy various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!

He issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend in Florida.

Trump faces increasing pressure to secure the strait as oil prices soar.

Israels air defense systems operated but did not intercept missile

Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said that Israels air defense systems had operated but did not intercept the missile that struck in the southern city of Arad.

He said the military is investigating to understand what happened but that it is not a matter of a different or special type of missile.

Missile hit in the Israeli city injures nearly 70

Rescue workers say a missile hit in the Israeli city of Arad injured nearly 70 people and damaged at least 10 apartment buildings.

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Ten of the nearly 70 people brought to the Soroka hospital in Beer Sheba were in serious condition, they said.

Three of the buildings in the southern Israeli city were completely destroyed and are in danger of collapsing.

Rescue services are currently carrying out searches in each of the buildings to determine if there are additional victims.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a very difficult evening in the campaign for our future.

More than 1,500 killed in Iran during the war, ministry says

Irans state broadcaster said late Saturday, citing the health ministry, that the death toll in the war had risen to more than 1,500 people.

Dozens injured in sou

thern Israel near nuclear research site

Israeli rescue services were responding to what appeared to be a direct strike in the southern Israeli city of Arad that is located close to Israels main nuclear research center.

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Initial footage from the scene showed a bus with its windows blown out and heavy damage to several buildings, and dozens of firefighters and police responding to two separate impact sites.

Israels rescue services said 4 people were seriously injured, including a 4-year-old girl, and 29 injured lightly. Authorities are still looking for a number of people who are unaccounted for.

Iran had previously threatened on Saturday to target Israels nuclear program in response to a strike on the Natanz nuclear enrichment center.

Surprise, unease in Japan after Trump uses Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war

Senior U.S. and Japanese officials tend to shy away from anything but very careful public comments about Japans 1941 sneak attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor. So there was embarrassment, confusion and unease on Saturday in Japan after President Donald Trump casually used the World War II attack to justify his secrecy before launching the war against Iran.

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The Japanese discomfort was compounded by the fact that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was sitting awkwardly at Trumps side as he spoke.

Partly, the reaction is linked to the crucial security and economic role that the U.S. plays for Japan, its top ally in the region. Put simply, Japan needs to make sure the U.S. relationship thrives. Thats why Takaichi was in Washington.

But its also a reflection of just how fresh the political debate about Japans role in World War II remains here, even 80 years after its end.

Saudi Arabia declares several Iranian diplomats persona non grata

The kingdoms Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the security attache and his assistant, along with three other staffers in the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia, should leave within 24 hours. Hours earlier, Saudi Arabia downed 20 Iranian drones, according to its Defense Ministry.

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Earlier Saturday, the Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said it responded to three ballistic missile and eight drone attacks. Jordans military said 240 missiles and drones have been fired at Jordan since the war began, wounding 24 people.

Egypts president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed Saturday that the Iranian escalation against Gulf states endangers the safety and the stability of the region, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. And Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the visits of el-Sissi and his Jordanian counterpart King Abdullah II to multiple Gulf states over the past few days reflect full Arab solidarity.

UN nuclear watchdog says no reports of leak or damage at Israeli site

The International Atomic Energy Agency said on X that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected after Iran said it targeted Israels nuclear assets.

The remote city of Dimona houses Israels main nuclear research center. The country is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though its leaders neither confirm nor deny it.

4 Palestinians killed, 9 injured in West Bank in first three weeks of war, police say

At least four Palestinians were killed by missiles from Iran in the Israeli-occupied West Bank during the first three weeks of war, according to the Palestinian police spokesperson. Three women, one of whom was pregnant, and a child from the same extended family were killed in a trailer that served as a beauty salon in the town of Beit Awa.

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The police have identified 198 missile fragments that fell across the West Bank, injuring nine people and damaging 27 buildings and properties. One person also died after falling from height while watching rockets.

The West Bank does not have the same safety infrastructure as Israel to protect citizens from missiles, including warnings, sirens, or bomb shelters. In previous rounds of conflict, missiles targeting Israel from Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen have avoided the majority-Muslim West Bank and east Jerusalem. This time, Irans missiles have inflicted heavy damage, with some fragments falling near the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalems Old City.

A wave of executions is feared in Iran after 3 young men hanged

The hanging by Iran of a 19-year-old star wrestler and two other young men this week is raising alarm among rights groups that a wave of executions may be underway as authorities facing relentless attacks from the U.S. and Israel seek to squelch public dissent.

Tens of thousands were arrested during a January crackdown on nationwide protests. Rights groups say at least 27 death sentences that have been issued, another 100 face charges that carry the death penalty, and Iranian state media have aired hundreds of forced confessions to crimes punishable by death.

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Amnesty International said their trials have been grossly unfair, using confessions extracted by torture.

The executions were intended to instill fear in society and deter new protests, said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group. He worries many more executions of protesters and political prisoners may be imminent.

 Read more

Israel-Iran war expected to last several more weeks, Israeli military chief says

Israel is only at the halfway point in the war with Iran, the militarys chief of staff said on Saturday, as the country entered the fourth week of war against Iran.

Dear citizens of Israel  we are at the midway point, but the direction is clear, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. In about a week, on Passover, the Festival of Freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future.

Israel: Iran used two-stage intercontinental missile against Diego Garcia

Iran targeted Diego Garcia Island with a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile, Israels military said. This refers to missile with at least two rocket engines, one allowing the missile to reach space, and the other propels it to its target, at a range of up to 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).

These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range extends to the capitals of Europe  Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Saturday evening.

Analysts split over whether lifting Iranian oil sanctions will lower prices

Some analysts are skeptical that oil prices will drop due to the Trump administrations move to lift sanctions for 30 days on Iranian oil already at sea.

Prices will likely still continue to rise so long as the Strait remains silent, Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a U.S. fuel-tracking service, said Saturday.

Henning Gloystein, managing director for energy, climate and resources for Eurasia Group, a New York-based risk consulting group, said he expects crude oil prices to fall slightly on Monday, but not because lifting sanctions will increase supplies.

Its more because its seen as part of Trumps efforts to start to find an off-ramp, he said. Iran has already been shipping oil out of the Strait of Hormuz throughout the war, he noted.

Israel-Iran war expected to last several more weeks, Israeli military chief says

Israel is only at the halfway point in the war with Iran, the militarys chief of staff said on Saturday, as the country entered the fourth week of war against Iran.

Dear citizens of Israel  we are at the midway point, but the direction is clear, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. In about a week, on Passover, the Festival of Freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the Natanz attack

Irans official news agency Mizan said Saturdays airstrike on the countrys Natanz nuclear facility did not result in any radiation leakage. Natanz is Irans main enrichment site and was also hit in the first week of the war, damaging several buildings according to satellite images.

Israels military said it was not responsible for striking Natanz, which Russia condemned Saturday as a violation of international law. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a social media post Saturday that Iran informed it of the attack, with no increase in off-site radiation levels reported.

The same nuclear facility was targeted by Israel and the United States during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025.

Iran says there is no crude oil stranded at sea for US to lift sanctions on

The U.S. announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian crude stranded at sea is an attempt to manipulate the market, since there is no such oil, Irans Oil Ministry spokesperson, Saman Ghodousi told Irans state media.

At present, Iran essentially has no crude oil left in floating storage or any surplus available for supply to other international markets, and the U.S. Treasury Secretarys remarks are solely intended to reassure buyers and manage the market psychologically, he said late Friday.

Iran war halts Qatar helium output, threatening global tech supply chains

Irans attack this week on Qatars natural gas export facility threatens to disrupt not just world energy markets but also global technology supply chains because the helium it produces is crucial for a range of advanced industries.

The gas that makes party balloons float is a byproduct of natural gas production, and a key input in chipmaking, space rockets and medical imaging.

Qatar supplies a third of the worlds helium, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and had to halt production shortly after the war erupted three weeks ago. After repeated Iranian drone attacks on Ras Laffan, the worlds largest liquefied natural gas plant, state-owned QatarGas reported extensive damage that will take years to repair and cut annual helium exports by 14%.

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Iran said it is targeting Israels nuclear program, dozens injured in Dimona

Rescue services said more than two dozen people were lightly injured in a missile attack on the southern Israeli city of Dimona. They also treated a 10-year-old boy in serious condition and a 40-year-old woman in moderate condition, both with shrapnel injuries.

The remote desert city of Dimona houses Israels main nuclear research center, which opened in 1958. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though its leaders neither confirm nor deny this.

Iran said it is targeting Dimona after the Natanz nuclear enrichment site was targeted earlier. Israels military said it was not responsible for striking Natanz.

Israeli prime ministers foes in Iran and Lebanon could shape his election prospects

Benjamin Netanyahu must soon decide when to hold Israels next elections. With war raging on multiple fronts and no end in sight, Israels enemies in Iran and Lebanon may help make that decision for him.

The stakes could hardly be higher: A victory will add to his legacy as Israels longest-ruling leader and fend off, if not quash altogether, calls for a reckoning over the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that triggered 2  years of war across the region.

A defeat risks turning him into the highest-profile political casualty of that attack  the deadliest in Israels history  which still casts a long shadow over the countrys psyche and already has led to a string of high-profile resignations and firings.

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Trumps mixed messages on Iran: Winding down the war and easing sanctions but adding more troops

Trump frequently contradicts himself, sometimes in the same speech, social media post or even sentence. In the past 24 hours, he sent a torrent of mixed signals about the Iran war, raising more questions about the direction of the conflict and his administrations strategy.

Within the space of a few hours Friday, Trump said he was considering winding down the war, his administration confirmed it was sending more troops to the Middle East and, in an effort to lessen the economic impact on global energy markets, the United States lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil for the first time in decades  relieving some of the pressure that Washington traditionally has used as leverage.

The confusing combination of actions deepens a sense among Trumps critics that there is no clear, long-term strategy for the war the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran. Now in its fourth week, the war remains on an unpredictable path and a credible endgame is unclear even as the global economy is being roiled.

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Several people injured in Israel from missiles

Several people in northern Israel were wounded by shrapnel as the area came under constant missile fire from Lebanon. Israels Magen David Adom rescue services said at least five people were injured in a barrage Saturday evening.

Israel has also been striking hundreds of targets in southern Lebanon and the suburbs of Beirut after Hezbollah joined the war in support of Iran.

Death toll in Lebanon from war with Israel reaches 1,024

The Health Ministry said Saturday that three deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and 99 people were wounded, raising the total injured to 2,740.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, when the Iran-backed militia fired rockets into northern Israel two days after the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran triggered a widening war in the Middle East.

Israel has since ordered evacuations from large parts of southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs, and more than 1 million people have been displaced.

UK base on Cyprus wont be used to strike Iran

Britain has reassured Cyprus that the U.K. air base on the island wont be used for American attacks on Iran.

The U.K. is allowing the U.S. to use bases in England and on the island of Diego Garcia to strike Irans missile program.

The British government says Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Saturday that RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UKs continuation of its agreement with the U.S. to use U.K. bases in collective self-defense of the region.

Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian-made drone early in the conflict, causing damage but no injuries. Iran also launched missiles at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean in Saturday, failing to hit the base.

Trump needs to show a comprehensive Iran strategy or risk congressional blowback, lawmakers say

Trumps quip the war will end when I feel it in my bones has drawn alarm, especially as lawmakers are asked to approve billions in new spending.

When he feels it in his bones? Thats crazy, said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The administrations stated goals  of ending Irans ability to obtain a nuclear weapon and degrading its ballistic missile supplies, among others  have perplexed lawmakers as shifting and elusive.

 Regime change? Not likely. Get rid of the enriched uranium? Not without boots on the ground, Warner said. If Im advising the president, I would have said: Before you take on a war of choice, make the case clear to the American people what our goals are.

Iran may have used space launch vehicle to aim ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia

The joint British-U. S. base in the Indian Ocean is almost 4,000 miles (2,500 kilometers) away. Iran previously limited the range of its ballistic missile program to 1,240 miles (2,000 kilometers), but U.S. officials have said Irans system for satellite launches could extend their range.

Irans Simorgh space launch vehicle could offer greater range at the likely cost of terminal accuracy, said Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a defense think-tank.

Ballistic missiles are space rockets. They launch, they go really high up and they come down really fast, said Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore. If youve got a space program, youve got a ballistic missile program.

Prest said the launches were likely a message of defiance, to say look what we can do, in response to Trumps claims that Irans military has been obliterated.

US House speaker said mission is all but done

Trumps fellow Republicans appear unlikely to directly challenge him, even as the conflict drags on. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the military operation will be over quickly.

I do think the original mission is virtually accomplished now, Johnson, R-La., told the AP and others at the Capitol this week. We were trying to take out the ballistic missiles, and their means of production, and neuter the navy, and those objectives have been met.

Johnson acknowledged that Irans ability to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz is dragging it out a little bit, especially as U.S. allies have largely rebuffed the presidents request for help, but said As soon as we bring some calm to the situation, I think its all but done.

Republicans have backed the commander in chief, so far

The Republican presidents decision to launch the U.S.-Israel-led war with Iran is testing the resolve of the Congress, which is controlled by his party.

Under the War Powers Act, the president can conduct military operations for 60 days without approval from Congress. So far, Republicans have easily voted down several resolutions from Democrats designed to halt the military campaign.

But the administration will need to show a more comprehensive strategy ahead or risk blowback from Congress, lawmakers said, especially as they are simultaneously being asked to approve billions in new spending.

Iranian hospital and tourist site damaged in strikes

A hospital and tourist site in southwestern Iran have been damaged from U.S. or Israeli strikes, killing at least one child, according to Iranian news agencies.

Strikes killed a child at the Ritaj entertainment complex in Ahvaz, according to Irans state news agency, and damaged the Andimeshks Imam Ali Hospital hospital, according to the semiofficial Mehr and Fars news agencies. Both are in the Khuzestan province on the border with Iraq. The hospital said the blast created significant damage and it is no longer accepting patients, but did not give any other information.
(Editors note: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing.)

A now-former guard at a prison south of Norman is accused of raping an inmate after grooming him for weeks.

Daniel Ackah, a 55-year-old correctional officer at the Lexington Correctional Center, was charged Friday, March 20, with rape by instrumentation and sexual battery. The felony charges against Ackah stem from a March 13 reported sexual assault of an inmate, detailed in an arrest affidavit written by an agent with the state's Office of Inspector General.

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The alleged victim, a 20-year-old man incarcerated in Lexington, said Ackah had singled him out with special treatment for several weeks, including contraband food and hygiene items. He'd also been allowed to remain out of his cell when other inmates were locked down and was allowed to use the shower multiple times a day, according to the affidavit.

The inmate told investigators Ackah had said he "was like his son." Other inmates said Ackah appeared to have been grooming him, according to the affidavit.

The 20-year-old said that on March 12, Ackah gave him a bottle of body wash and a razor and told him to "shave everything." According to the affidavit, he then said Ackah came into his cell around 12:15 a.m., March 13, and physically forced himself on him, kissing the inmate's face and neck while inserting his finger into his body.

More: Oklahoma prison staff face charges, lawsuit for allegedly directing inmates to assault another inmate

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An inmate in a neighboring cell told investigators that he heard the 20-year-old say, "No, stop!" twice after he saw Ackah enter the cell.

A review later showed that Ackah removed his body-worn camera around 10:30 p.m. March 12 and did not put it back on until around 2:40 a.m. March 13.

According to the affidavit, body camera footage corroborated the inmate's account of Ackah's order for the inmate to shave his body so that he could "inspect" it. In addition, surveillance camera video cited in the affidavit showed Ackah left the inmate's cell area without his glasses, then returned to the area minutes later to retrieve them.

When interviewed by investigators later that day, Ackah claimed he did not give anything to the inmate before his shower. According to the affidavit, after an agent showed him body camera footage of the interaction, Ackah admitted he gave the inmate a razor, but only because he was asked. When the agent asked why he initially lied, Ackah then said he didn't lie and also denied "numerous times" that he gave him a razor, the affidavit said.

The Lexington Assesment and Reception Center and the Lexington Correction Center. [Oklahoman Archives]

Questioned further, Ackah also said he did not actually follow through with the inspection he'd mentioned on the body camera footage. The investigator also wrote that Ackah said he did enter the man's cell but only pushed him into it because the inmate "was intoxicated on an unknown substance." The guard told investigators he'd forgotten to put his body camera back on after using the restroom, according to the affidavit.

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Body camera footage cited in the investigator's report also showed that Ackah had a conversation with the inmate around 4:30 a.m. Ackah was heard telling the inmate that a nurse had seen him out of his cell when he shouldn't have been but that Ackah had "promised to cover for (him) and keep him out of trouble," according to the affidavit.

The document says that Ackah admitted lying to the inmate about potential misconduct and that he would cover for him because he stated "he wanted to scare" the inmate. But he "denied any sexual activity and denied leaving his glasses in the cell," the agent wrote.

More: An Oklahoma prisoner reported sexual harassment. She says the DOC did little to help

In a news release Wednesday, prison officials said Ackah's alleged behavior did not live up to the "high standard" set by the overwhelming majority of detention staff.

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Ackah was fired after the alleged assault came to light, prison officials confirmed.

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, Jason Sparks, ODOC chief of operations, said in a statement. Incidents like this erode trust and damage the reputation of our profession as a whole.

Ackah was arrested Wednesday, March 18 and booked into the Cleveland County jail. Staff said he was released that same day on a $150,000 bond.

Spokespeople for the prison system announced Friday, March 20, that they would now be posting all arrests of prison employees on social media in an effort to increase transparency.

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When people violate the law, we hold them accountable, even if they are staff. This is why Im glad we are now highlighting our efforts to keep our facilities safe, spokesperson Kay Thompson said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Charges of rape, sexual battery filed against Lexington prison guard
Longmont residents and Colorado legislators came together Saturday morning to discuss the states legislative priorities  from environmental protections to gun violence prevention  at the midpoint of the 2026 session.

The town hall, hosted at Best Day Ever Coffee and Crepes in downtown Longmont, featured state Rep. Karen McCormick and state Sen. Katie Wallace. The two Democrats talked about the legislatures recent struggles and successes.

Many of the struggles, McCormick explained, have come from budget constraints. The cuts to federal programs last summer have exacerbated budget pressures felt by the legislature, she said.

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Were struggling, as many of you know, with a horrific budget situation this year and last year, McCormick told guests Saturday. We are having to cut spending in all kinds of very important areas.

McCormick represents House District 11, which covers Longmont west of Pace Street. Wallace represents Senate District 17, which encompasses Longmont, Erie and Lafayette.

State Rep. Karen McCormick speaks to constituents during a town hall meeting at Best Day Ever Coffee and Crepes in Longmont on Saturday. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

McCormick spoke on her support for environmental bills, including one that would recycle unused pesticides through the hazardous waste system to keep them away from soil and water. That bill, she shared, is moving through the system.

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She also mentioned that, even though Colorado outlaws conversion therapy for minors, the U.S. Supreme Court could remove that protection with a ruling this year. McCormick is sponsoring a bill that would help conversion therapy survivors receive financial compensation for the harm they suffered.

Its our way of playing defense and offense for what the federal government and the Supreme Court is doing, McCormick said.

Wallace, who lives in Longmont, backed up McCormicks frustration with the states budget problems. The Joint Budget Committee members consistently look devastated, she said, as core services are being threatened.

While they are attempting to make precise cuts, it is hard for them to do so at this level, Wallace said.

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Wallace also talked about her efforts to mitigate gun violence in its various forms, from suicides to domestic violence situations to mass shootings. She is sponsoring a bill to prohibit the 3D printing of firearms, which she expects the Senate to pass.

We can intervene in this, and we can do it as this technology progresses, Wallace said. We have to.
WASHINGTON  Several Catholic bishops have taken the extraordinary step of freeing parishioners from their Sunday obligation to attend Mass if they fear leaving home makes them a target for immigration enforcement.

The entire U.S. conference of bishops has issued a rare public condemnation of the Trump administrations tactics on illegal immigration.

The church is now hoping its moral firepower will persuade the Supreme Court to rule against the administration in two upcoming immigration cases.

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Strikingly, the U.S. Catholic bishops are making not just a legal  but also an ethical  argument in their court filings.

The bishops view President Donald Trumps attempt to end birthright citizenship for some children born in the United States as immoral, the church wrote in a brief supported by biblical passages.

And allowing the federal government to turn away asylum-seekers at the border would be a moral disaster, not just a legal error, the church wrote in a separate case that will be argued March 24.

Its the Catholic bishops saying that the position of the current administration is not only anti-constitutional and anti-American; it is anti-Christian, said Darrell Miller, a professor of the University of Chicago Law School. That is a remarkable position for the conference of bishops to be making about the current administration.

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More: Trump DOJ backs Catholic schools in Supreme Court appeal over LGBTQ+ issue

Most of the Supreme Court justices are Catholic

Its also a view that could have a uniquely receptive audience. Six of the nine justices are practicing Catholics, and a seventh, Neil Gorsuch, was raised Catholic. (Ketanji Brown Jackson is Protestant; Elena Kagan is Jewish.)

And while faith considerations aren't formally part of the judicial process, the justices' backgrounds are often scrutinized for indications of how they're likely to vote.

"Some suggest that people of faith have a particularly difficult time following the law rather than their moral views," Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in her 2025 book, "Listening to the Law," referring to the scrutiny her Catholic faith received when she was first nominated to the federal bench. "I'm not sure why."

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More: Amy Coney Barrett says 'I'm nobody's justice.' That includes Trump.

An analysis of cases decided by the court in the nine years after it became a majority-Catholic bench found a stark division between how often the Catholic justices sided with the church on cases it cared about versus how often the non-Catholic justices did. But that difference was largely a function of ideology rather than ecclesial affiliation, according to a 2015 scholarly article by Kevin Walsh, a Catholic University law professor who clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia.

Dino Christenson, coauthor of a 2025 report about outside groups' influence on the court, said studies have consistently highlighted the justices ideology as playing one of the strongest roles in their decisions.

However, the Court is largely Catholic and reminding them that the church and some of their parishioners are on one side may resonate with the Justices, Christenson, a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said in an email to USA TODAY.

Pope Leo XIV gestures during an audience to representatives of the media, at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican, on May 12, 2025.

More: Texas Bishop visits Vatican with immigration concerns. What has Pope Leo said about Trump?

Bishops have taken strong stand on immigration

The justices may have been aware, going into this batch of cases, of the strong stance the Catholic Church has taken on immigration.

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In November, the U.S. Catholic bishops issued a "special message" expressing concern for how immigrants are being treated in the United States.

It was the first time in a dozen years that the church invoked that particularly urgent manner of speaking. The last occasion was in 2013, when the bishops criticized a provision in President Barack Obamas health care overhaul requiring some Catholic employers to cover contraception in their insurance plans.

More: 'Nationalism on steroids:' Trump, Catholics battle over morality

Supreme Court has sided with church in recent cases

In one of a string of recent victories for the church, the court ruled in 2020 that employers with religious or moral objections did not have to help provide insurance coverage for contraceptives under the Affordable Care Act.

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After siding with the Little Sisters of the Poor in that case, the court in 2021 ruled in favor of a Catholic social services agency that refused to certify same-sex couples as foster parents.

Last year, the court unanimously backed a Catholic charity in Wisconsin in a dispute over unemployment tax exemptions for religious groups but deadlocked over whether to allow the church to create the nations first religious charter school in Oklahoma.

Even when the church is not a direct participant in a case, the U.S. Catholic bishops will weigh in on legal battles that touch upon important tenets of Catholic teaching.

In recent years, the church has done so most often in cases involving religious rights, abortion, questions surrounding marriage and sexuality, and immigration.

A demonstrator holds a large cross outside the U.S. Supreme Court on July 8, 2020, as the court ruled that religious institutions like churches and schools are shielded from employment discrimination lawsuits.

Church notes Jesus Christ was a refugee

More: A street preacher whose group yelled 'whores' gets a Supreme Court win

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The immigration case the court will debate March 24 concerns the governments ability to limit the number of people seeking asylum at border crossings by prohibiting migrants from setting foot in the United States, where the law allows them to request protection.

Immigrant rights organizations and asylum-seekers challenging the turnback policy argue the government has falsely claimed migrants were being denied entry because the border crossings lacked capacity to process them.

Though the policy is not being used now, the Justice Department wants to retain the option of using it.

The U.S. Catholic bishops note that Christ, whose parents fled with him to Egypt to escape persecution, was a refugee.

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The policy violates the obligation to care for refugees  a fundamental legal and moral principle that runs through nearly two millennia of Catholic faith, an international humanitarian consensus, and this Nations history, the church told the court in a filing.

More: Pope Francis, a 'son of immigrants,' leaves lasting legacy

The bishops make a similar argument in the dispute over Trumps executive order limiting birthright citizenship, which the justices will take up April 1 in one of the terms most high-profile debates.

The church said in a filing that the effects of the presidents order are immoral and contrary to the Catholic Churchs fundamental beliefs and teachings regarding the life and dignity of human persons, the treatment of vulnerable people  particularly migrants and children  and family unity.

A demonstrator holds up a sign saying "Jesus wouldn't do this" during a protest outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Broadview, Illinois against the latest US immigration crackdown, on October 10, 2025. Pope Leo XIV's criticism of the "inhuman treatment" of migrants in the United States has energized Catholic clergy and activists opposed to ongoing crackdowns in American cities, while infuriating hardline supporters of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Moral argument is 'predicated on history'

Miller, the University of Chicago law professor, views it as a shrewd move for the bishops to make a religion-based argument.

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They know that this is a Supreme Court that tends to be sympathetic to appeals that sound in the mode of religious discrimination, he said. And to say that this is a form of anti-religious bigotry ... is going to land different with this court than it might have with a court from 20, 25 or 30 years ago.

Adam Feldman, a lawyer and political scientist who runs a blog called Empirical SCOTUS, said the churchs emphasis on religious teachings seems to be a major pivot from the more substantive legal arguments the church has filed in other big cases.

That focus on the Judeo-Christian tradition, he said, could be persuasive to a court that has increasingly used history and tradition to try to discern the original meaning of the Constitution and later amendments.

The moral argument is really predicated on history, Feldman said.

Michael DeBruhl walks past a mural on the Sacred Hearth Catholic Church migrant shelter in El Paso, Texas.

Can justices be swayed by moral arguments?

University of Virginia law professor Douglas Laycock, a leading authority on religious law, said moral arguments matter most when the law is unclear.

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This is a Court that claims to be textualists, and often claims that policy issues are not its concern, Laycock said in an email. If the law can readily be interpreted in more than one way, moral arguments may help a judge choose, although many judges don't like to admit it, even then.

Though Laycock doesnt see much ambiguity in the law in either immigration case, he said the possibility that a supportive filing  known as an amicus brief  could make a difference is too important to ignore.

If you care about an issue, you feel obligated to file, just in case, Laycock said. But most amicus briefs turn out not to matter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will the Supreme Court listen to the Catholic Church on immigration?
A man was acting erratically, jumping into yards, screaming and taking off his clothes before he died after being arrested by El Paso County sheriff's deputies, a sheriff's commander said.

Roel Contreras, 46, died at Del Sol Medical Center on Friday evening, March 20, after being taken into custody during a disturbance in San Elizario, Cmdr. Jerome Washington said on Saturday morning, March 21, at a news conference at headquarters.

Borderland: Is Juarez Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar the next governor of Chihuahua?

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The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy by the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office, said Washington, who heads the Criminal Investigations Division of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

El Paso County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Jerome Washington speaks at a news conference on March 21, 2026, about the in-custody death of Roel Contreras, 46, who died after being arrested by deputies in San Elizario, Texas, on March 20, 2026.

Sheriff Oscar Ugarte was unavailable Saturday morning because he was attending a Montana Vista community cleanup event with County Commissioner Jackie Butler, sheriff's spokeswoman Priscilla I. Contreras said.

Man dies after disturbance in San Elizario

The incident started minutes before 5 p.m. Friday when residents reported a man acting erratically, yelling and climbing into yards and attempting to enter properties in the 12000 block of Campo Bello Drive, Washington said.

"He was also seen running almost full speed, yelling and screaming and jumping over fences," Washington added.

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Deputies arrived to find Contreras in an open field with some of his clothes missing, Washington said, explaining that deputies attempted to check on the man's well-being.

"As they approached, he was still acting erratic. He was rolling around in the ground, he was yelling and screaming and seemed very incoherent," Washington said.

More: Autopsy deems El Paso man's death during police arrest a homicide

When deputies attempted to check on the man, "he became combative as they were speaking with him and they had to place restraints on him, but this was done with minimal force. No issues at all," Washington said.

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No Taser electric-stun guns and no other weapons were used during the arrest, Washington added.

El Paso County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Jerome Washington speaks at a news conference on March 21, 2026, about the in-custody death of Roel Contreras, 46, who died after being arrested by deputies in San Elizario, Texas, on March 20, 2026.

As is common practice, paramedics were waiting nearby for safety reasons until the scene was secure.

As deputies escorted Contreras to a shaded area to wait for paramedics, he became unresponsive and deputies started first aid and CPR, Washington said. Paramedics arrived within minutes, continued CPR and transported him to Del Sol Medical Center. At 6:21 p.m., hospital medical staff pronounced him dead.

El Paso County in-custody death under 3 investigations

The death was unfortunate, traumatic for all involved and "very tragic," Washington said, explaining that the situation developed very quickly without giving deputies time to determine if they were dealing with a drug-related or mental health issue, nor time to determine if the man faced any criminal charges.

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El Paso community news: Citizen Police Academy, tree planting, park upgrades

As is standard practice, three separate investigations are looking into the in-custody death, Washington said. Those investigations are by:

Texas Rangers of the Texas Department of Public Safety

Sheriff's Office's Major Crimes Unit

Internal affairs looking at policy and use-of-force procedures.

The three deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave as standard practice during the investigation, and it is "not an indication of wrongdoing," Washington added.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.

El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte is photographed at the El Paso County Sheriffs Office headquarters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte checks on an inmate in a separation cell block on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, at the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility. These cell blocks do not have cameras but are subject to regular checks and are designated for individuals who are or were gang members or those with mental health conditions. El Paso Sheriff Oscar Ugarte escorts Patrick Crusius out of the courtroom after the conclusion of victim statements and the end of the state trial for his crimes at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse on April 22, 2025. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte speaks with residents at the Socorro Ramirez Community Center in Sparks on Jan. 17, 2026, as residents voice concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could enter their homes after recent ICE operations in the county. A model El Paso County sheriffs patrol car sits on a desk as El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte speaks during an interview at the Sheriffs Office headquarters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte sits inside a courtroom at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse on Monday, April 21, 2025, ahead of a state court hearing where the Walmart mass shooter is expected to plead guilty. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte waves to spectators during the 2025 Sun City Pride Parade in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, June 21. New El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte is joined by newly promoted Cmdr. Ruben Soria (left) and newly promoted Chief Deputy Manny Soria at Ugarte's swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 1, 2025, at El Paso County Sheriff's Office Headquarters in El Paso, Texas. A new El Paso County sheriffs patch on the uniform of Sheriff Oscar Ugarte is photographed at the El Paso County Sheriffs Office headquarters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte speaks with residents in eastern El Paso, Texas, at the Socorro Ramirez Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, as they voice concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could enter their homes after a series of anti-immigrant raids in the area earlier in the week. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte speaks during an interview at the El Paso County Sheriffs Office headquarters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. El Paso Sheriff Oscar Ugarte escorts Patrick Crusius out of the courtroom after the conclusion of victim statements and the end of the state trial for his crimes at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse on April 22, 2025. New El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte holds up his sheriff's badge and a certificate after taking his oath of office on Jan. 1, 2025, at El Paso County Sheriff's Office Headquarters. Photo portraits of the county's past sheriffs line the wall behind Ugarte. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte talks in the general population cell block on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, at the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility. These cell blocks do not have cameras but are subject to checks every 60 minutes. They house 20 inmates, with 10 beds on each side, and are designated for low-risk individuals. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte hosted members of the public, law enforcement, and families of fallen officers to attend the 8th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. This annual ceremony pays tribute to local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte greets El Paso residents during the Independence Day Parade on the West Side of El Paso, Texas on July 4, 2025. He has a special enforcement campaign underway to curb DWI incidents this holiday weekend. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte speaks with residents in eastern El Paso, Texas, at the Socorro Ramirez Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, as they voice concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could enter their homes after a series of anti-immigrant raids in the area earlier in the week. Oscar Ugarte, the Democratic candidate for El Paso County sheriff, speaks during a luncheon hosted by the El Paso Central Business Association on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte checks on an inmate in a separation cell block on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, at the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility. These cell blocks do not have cameras but are subject to regular checks and are designated for individuals who are or were gang members or those with mental health conditions. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte greets the public at the 8th Annual El Paso County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, honoring local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte speaks during an interview at the El Paso County Sheriffs Office headquarters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Oscar Ugarte, the Democratic candidate for El Paso County sheriff, gestures while speaking at a luncheon hosted by the El Paso Central Business Association on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Residents gather for a selfie with El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte after a meeting at the Socorro Ramirez Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Sparks. Some residents voiced concerns about recent ICE operations that left many families fearful. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte marks first year leading in El Paso County 1 of 23 El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte is photographed at the El Paso County Sheriffs Office headquarters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Man's death during El Paso County arrest under investigation
A man connected to the disappearance of a Colerain Township teen was arrested and has also previously been investigated for allegedly transporting a different teen across state lines.

The FBI told Fox News that investigators and local law enforcement agencies identified and arrested a Tennessee man, who they identified as Negron, in connection to the disappearance of 16-year-old Madison Fields, who went missing in mid-February.

Agents also determined the man was investigated in 2024 after another teenage girl from Texas was transported for sexual activity.

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Madison was found safe in Florida, according to a March 13 release from the FBI. Negron's charges are currently pending.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation, which was coordinated between multiple field offices, along with local police and the elite Hostage Rescue Team. He added that protecting children from violent criminals is a top priority and that the teams "no doubt saved lives."

"This case is the best of the FBI working with our great local partners: Acting quickly, using elite technology capabilities, and deploying the best of the best tactical units to find the alleged kidnapper and very likely save a young girls life," Patel said in a statement sent to The Enquirer.

"Protecting kids against violent criminals has been a top priority of this FBI from the start, and day after day our teams continue to get it done all across this country. Our Cincinnati, Nashville, and Jacksonville field offices working with local partners  as well as our incredible Hostage Rescue Team  all did outstanding work in this case and no doubt saved lives."

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The Enquirer has reached out to the FBI to ask for Negron's full identity and more information on his involvement in the 2024 case, but the agency declined to provide further details.

In addition to the arrest of Negron, Kyle D. Lawrence, 43, who officials say stayed with Madison at a Sharonville hotel two weeks before she disappeared, was indicted March 12 on federal sexual exploitation charges.

A Buffalo resident, Lawrence has not been charged in connection with the disappearance of Madison, but a federal magistrate judge ordered that he remain in custody pending trial. He is charged in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati.

Enquirer reporters Matthew Cupelli and Kevin Grasha contributed.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man arrested in Ohio teen's disappearance, linked to similar 2024 case
Prosecutors revealed new details in court on Saturday about a North Side fire that led to the death of a Chicago firefighter this week.

Sheaves Slate, the Chicago man who allegedly set the fire, has been hospitalized, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said, and he did not appear at Saturday's hearing. The reason for his hospitalization was not immediately known.

Slate, 27, is facing murder and arson charges in connection with a Rogers Park fire that he allegedly started on Monday morning.

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Prosecutors allege Slate was squatting in a building in the 1700-block of West North Shore Avenue, and he started a fire in the basement after arguing with two tenants.

While battling the blaze, Chicago Fire Department firefighter Michael Altman fell from the building's first floor, which collapsed, and into the basement around 11:30 a.m. Monday.

The 32-year-old CFD EMT died from his injuries on Tuesday.

Slate was later arrested in the 800-block of West Irving Park Road on Wednesday.

The ABC7 I-Team learned that Slate also has a history of drug and retail theft charges.

Officials in court on Saturday said Slate recently failed to appear for a hearing in connection with a retail theft case, and he was already on suspension in connection with another retail theft case.

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At Saturday's hearing, Slate was ordered detained pending his detention hearing, which is now set for Monday morning.

This comes as the community continues to support the Altman family.

Members of the public lined the streets to pay their respects as Altman's body was taken from the medical examiner's office to an Oak Lawn funeral home on Friday.

Altman, a fourth-generation CFD firefighter, was a husband, and a father to a young child. His wife is pregnant with their second child.

Reilly's Daughter, an Oak Lawn bar, is selling $25 t-shirts, with all of the proceeds going to the Altman family.

And at the United Center on Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks and fans took a moment of silence to honor Altman.

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Altman's funeral is set for Friday at Saint Rita of Cascia at 10 a.m. The visitation is scheduled for Thursday, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the same location.

ABC7 will have live coverage of Altman's funeral on our air and wherever you stream on Friday morning.
A man was wounded in a slashing at a Brooklyn subway station Friday, but managed to subdue his attacker and, with the help of fellow straphangers, hold him until police arrived, cops said.

The 46-year-old victim was slashed on his right hand on the platform at the Clark St. station in Brooklyn Heights around 8 p.m., according to law enforcement.

The victim had been riding a southbound No. 2 train with his wife when the suspect began harassing them, police said.

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When the victim exited the train at the Clark St. station, the other man followed him out and then attacked him on the platform, cops said.

The victim and other subway riders held the suspect on the platform until officers from the 84th Precinct arrived to take him into custody, according to law enforcement.

He followed them off the train, an MTA worker told the Daily News at the scene. He had a knife. He slashed one of them and they wrestled him to the floor.

The victim was taken to New York Downtown Hospital in stable condition.

Charges against the suspect remained pending Friday night.
During his Wednesday confirmation hearing, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary nominee, said he would reverse the agency's current policy allowing immigration officers to forcibly enter homes without a judicial warrant.

"A judicial warrant will be used to go into houses, into places of business, unless [agents] are pursuing someone that enters in that place," said Mullin.

The issue over immigration agents obtaining judicial warrants has been contentious ever since a whistleblower revealed a secretive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memo signed by Acting Director Todd Lyons. The memo instructed immigration agents to forcibly enter homes without a judicial warrant, and asserted that certain kinds of administrative warrants grant officers the broad authority to enter homes to make arrests. The guidance was out of step with previous ICE training and ran counter to Fourth Amendment law.

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Despite fierce pushback against the policy after agents were filmed using a battering ram to break into a Minnesota home with only an administrative warrant, the DHS under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied that the policy was unconstitutional. "Every illegal alien who DHS serves administrative warrants (known as I-205s) has had full due process and a final order of removal from an immigration judge," and "officers issuing these administrative warrants have also found probable cause," according to a DHS statement.

Except immigration judges are executivenot judiciaryofficers. And without a signature from a true judicial officer to provide a meaningful check on executive power, administrative warrants used to forcibly enter homes fall short of what is required to meet what's required under the Fourth Amendment. Mullin is right to endorse reversing the DHS' unconstitutional policy, which would help protect Americans' constitutional rights. But there's no guarantee that the DHS under Mullin will operate more lawfully than under Noem.

Although Mullin stated that he would require agents to have a judicial warrant to enter homes and businesses, he also carved out an exception: "unless we are pursuing someone that enters that place."

The statement nods towards the hot pursuit doctrine, which exempts officers from the judicial warrant requirement to enter homes if they are pursuing a fleeing suspect. However, the narrow doctrine comes with some strict standards that Mullin did not address during his testimony, and that have generally been inapplicable to immigration enforcement operations.

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"Law-enforcement officers do not have blanket authority to arrest anyone who runs from them," Dylan Moore, an attorney at the Institute for Justice, told Reason. "Without an actual risk of danger or evidence of a serious crime," he continued, "the hot-pursuit doctrine should not automatically justify officers' warrantless trespass onto private property."

"Courts are most likely to find that the hot-pursuit doctrine applies in cases where someone commit a serious crimelike a violent felonyand then runs away to avoid arrest, destroy evidence, or inflict harm," according to Moore. Immigration arrests, however, usually involve only civil infractions or criminal misdemeanors.

The Supreme Court addressed hot pursuit in situations involving minor offenses in Lange v. California (2021), stating that in such cases, "police officers do not usually face the kind of emergency that can justify a warrantless home entry." The Court ultimately ruled against allowing officers the blanket authority to enter homes without a warrant while pursuing individuals suspected of minor offenses unless a real emergency exists.

It remains to be seen just how far Mullin, if confirmed, would attempt to stretch the hot pursuit doctrine to cover immigration arrests. Given the Trump administration's comfort skirting constitutional and legal lines in the name of mass deportations, however, it's not outside the realm of possibility that Mullin's vague carveout for pursuit could open the door for future abuses by immigration officers. But, for now at least, a reversal of one of the DHS's more unconstitutional policies means Americans can stay secure in their houses a little while longer.

The post Markwayne Mullin Says Agents Don't Need a Warrant If They're Pursuing a Suspect. Here's What the Law Says. appeared first on Reason.com.
A couple in Maui, Hawaii, watched as their home was destroyed by a powerful storm.

The Bashaws were among thousands affected by what officials described as a historic storm system.

Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency on March 9 ahead of the Kona low, which brought in heavy rain and wind that was over 100 mph, according to AccuWeather.

"Trees started falling upriver from us, and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh,'" Tom Bashaw told Hawaii News Now.

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Kona storms tend to form in the winter months and impact parts of the island not usually exposed to winds or rainfall, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As Accuweather observed, they also cause "higher-than-normal water levels and coastal flooding."

"When we lost the mango and monkey pod, we started throwing stuff in bags and packing up," Tom told Hawaii News Now, referring to two of the nearby trees.

"Half an hour, 45 minutes later, the river had come all the way up to the edge of the deck of the house, the back deck, which was about 60 feet straight down."

When the Bashaws returned after spending the night in a nearby barn, the couple saw that the "whole backside of the house was in the river," including their two bedrooms.

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"No food, no clothes," Tom continued. "Only a few pieces of furniture, tools, and cat food."

Fortunately, nobody was hurt. But as the couple, who bought the property in 2018, inspected their house on Saturday, another section collapsed.

"It just went boom, right into the water," Tom said.

The couple lived in Iao Valley in Central Maui. According to Beat of Hawaii, Maui saw 32 inches of rain within a 72-hour period during one part of the storm.

More than 100,000 residents were without power during the storm's peak, and residents were warned about landslides and infrastructure damage. Hawaii News Now noted that another Kona low with heavy rain was expected to hit sometime the following weekend.

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Other Hawaii residents told Civil Beat that they blame an increase in expensive housing developments, invasive species, and rising global temperatures for the destructive storm.

Land changes from property development can shift natural topography, altering river flow, causing erosion, and preventing land from absorbing water effectively.

Meanwhile, invasive plant species can crowd out resources for native plant species that tend to better absorb excess water and maintain soil quality.

According to the State of Hawai'i Climate Portal, Hawaii has experienced its warmest years on record since 2015. Warm air holds moisture more effectively, which can lead to heavy rainfall. Severe wildfires have also destroyed land, contributing to the loss of 1.5 million acres of native forests that help regulate water.

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This emphasizes the importance of reducing planet-warming pollution from human activity such as energy production, transportation, and agriculture.

The Bashaws had seen the river rising a few times every winter, but never seen anything so severe. According to their daughter's GoFundMe, their home was not in a designated flood zone, so they did not have flood insurance.

"We're pretty much homeless now," Tom told Hawaii News Now.

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Driftwood Sauna Club, a family-owned sauna business in Milwaukee's Harbor District, burned down in an early morning fire March 20.

Owner Derek Collins said the 40-foot sauna at 820 S. Water St. caught fire around 5 a.m. Friday, March 20. Unaware, Collins arrived at the site later that morning to set kindling when he saw it in ruin.

"It was really devastating," Collins said. "I was in such disbelief."

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The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene and told WISN-12 News the cause of the fire is under investigation. Nobody was inside the building, and no firefighters were injured.

The fire department said a nearby boater alerted them to the fire but initially gave an incorrect address.

Driftwood Sauna Club opened on Feb. 21 and quickly became a popular neighborhood spot to relax and socialize. Its opening day party on March 7 drew more than 100 people, Collins said.

Driftwood featured two saunas equipped with Bluetooth speakers, as well as a cold plunge. Collins wanted to create a casual atmosphere that encouraged easy conversation between customers.

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Driftwood was one of a number of saunas open to the public that have become increasingly popular.

A Shorewood resident has invited neighborhood women to share her backyard sauna and received interest from dozens. A new proposal calls for redevelopment of a Historic Third Ward warehouse into a spa and restaurant.

Collins runs multiple small businesses across Milwaukee, including Milwaukee Peddle & Paddle Tavern, Brew City Kayak and Milwaukee By Bike. But Driftwood was the first business Collins opened without the help of a partner, and he worked on it every day for six months.

"It was a passion project," Collins said.

The Driftwood Sauna Club destroyed by fire in Milwaukee's Harbor District at 820 S. Water St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 21, 2026. The family-owned sauna business caught fire around 5 a.m. Mar. 20. Milwaukee firefighters say the cause is under investigation; no one was inside and no injuries were reported.

Relatives of Collins have set up a GoFundMe to help rebuild the business. Collins has insurance on the business, but it likely won't cover the full loss. The saunas were not salvageable.

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Collins said he appreciates the outpouring of support from customers, loved ones and community members. He may hold a fundraiser in the near future, and he'd love to reopen the business someday.

But that doesn't make rebuilding any less difficult.

"I put everything into it, and I was working on it basically nonstop," he said. "That's not replaceable."

Francesca Pica can be reached at fpica@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Driftwood Sauna Club burns down
This story was originally published on mynorthwest.com.

A Monroe man is under arrest after police say he killed one of his ex-girlfriends other former boyfriends in a shooting Friday.

Monroe police said the woman called 9-1-1 late Friday afternoon to report that her ex-boyfriend from Oregon was threatening her on social media and posting explicit photographs. She told police the Oregon man had confronted her at a Monroe business but had already left the scene.

Woman asked another ex-boyfriend to check on her home

During the onsite interview with police, the caller shared that she asked another ex-boyfriend to check on her Monroe residence to see if the Oregon ex-boyfriend was there, Monroe Police said in a news release. The caller shared information with the police provided by the second ex-boyfriend that the Oregon ex-boyfriend may have been injured.

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When Monroe police arrived at the womans home in the 17400 block of West Main Street, they discovered a shooting had occurred. Officers found the womans 25-year-old ex-boyfriend from Oregon dead inside a vehicle.

Through GPS tracking on the suspects phone, automatic license plate reader (Flock) cameras within Monroe, the suspect was found by deputies from the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office, with assistance from Monroe Police, and Monroe Police K9 Thor, on the Centennial Trail near the Machias area of Snohomish County, the release said.

Ex-boyfriend from Monroe arrested

The suspect is the womans other ex-boyfriend, a 33-year-old Monroe man, police confirmed. He was taken into custody and booked early Saturday morning into Snohomish County Jail on charges of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree murder, and aggravated murder, according to Monroe police.

Investigators declined to provide details about what happened between the two ex-boyfriends before the shooting. Police also declined to comment on why the suspect faces multiple charges in the Monroe homicide.

I would have to defer to investigators on that, Monroe Assistant Police Chief Ryan Irving told KIRO Newsradio. Its pretty early on and as things develop in the investigation, those are prosecutorial recommendations and they will be the ultimate decision maker in that.
KYIV, March 21 (Reuters) - Russian attacks killed four people in southeastern Ukraine and left much of the northern region of Chernihiv without power on Saturday, officials said.

Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov said the morning attack on the city killed a man and a woman, and injured six others, including two children.

In the adjacent Dnipropetrovsk region, officials said two people died in an area southeast of the main regional centre, Dnipro. Five people were injured in attacks at multiple places.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, noted Russian strikes in several regions across eastern and southern Ukraine.

He said power had been cut to parts of Chernihiv region, where Governor Viacheslav Chaus said efforts were under way to fix damage after a drone strike on an energy facility.

The region borders Russia and Belarus. The regional capital, also called Chernihiv, was fully without power, the city administration said.

Power and water supplies were cut to parts of the capital Kyiv after what officials described as an incident on the power grid.

Russia has conducted a bombardment campaign against Ukrainian energy facilities throughout the war, causing regular, hours-long blackouts across the country.

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Chernihiv was badly hit by power outages over the winter as Russia carried out its biggest bombing campaign of the four-year war against Ukraine's electricity grid.

Across the Russian border in Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukrainian forces shelled a public building in the village of Smorodino, killing four people.

Belgorod has come under frequent Ukrainian attack during the war.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Kirsten Donovan, Alexander Smith, Rod Nickel and Ron Popeski)
The first time Scott Montgomery heard the noise, his son thought it was a helicopter.

He kept asking, What are those helicopter noises in the background? Montgomery said. And its just gotten worse over time.

From the back porch of his Vineland home, surrounded by three acres of farm fields, Montgomery said the low, steady hum from a nearby artificial intelligence data center is hard to ignore. It is maddening enough to keep him up at night.

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His property sits about a half-mile from the massive data center, which will eventually be one of the largest ever in New Jersey. It is still under construction but has already secured a $17 billion contract to supply AI computing power to Microsoft.

Many in the area say the facility rose behind 14-foot concrete perimeter walls with little notice  until the sound started vibrating across the farmland.

Across Vineland, a sprawling South Jersey city known for its agriculture, residents say the humming is carrying through backyards and open fields, keeping them up at night and causing anxiety.

It is unclear exactly what residents are hearing. The 2.6-million-square-foot, multi-building data center  which will eventually be more than twice the size of the nearby Cumberland Mall  isnt close to finished yet.

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The company overseeing the project says residents are hearing construction-related noise and the project isnt violating any local noise ordinances.

In a public statement, the Cumberland County Department of Health said it is investigating the issue and working to confirm the source of the sound.

We have responded to many concerns and have made several visits to the area in question to measure sound levels, the department said in a statement.

The complaints are the latest flashpoint in growing tensions surrounding the facility as residents say they were largely left out of the approval process for one of the largest AI data center developments ever in New Jersey.

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The project, built on a former sand mining site, is being built by Data One, which owns the facility. Nebius Group  a Netherlands-based company  will operate the artificial intelligence infrastructure inside.

Nebius recently announced its $17 billion deal with Microsoft to supply computing power from its Vineland facility to help meet growing demand for AI.

In response to the recent complaints, Data One and Nebius said the noise is temporary and tied to ongoing construction, adding that the site is complying with local regulations.

Based on recent inspections and acoustical monitoring conducted by the Cumberland County Health Department, our site is operating in full compliance with Vinelands noise ordinance limits, the company said in a statement. We take our role as a community partner seriously and will continue deploying sound reduction measures to minimize any impact on our neighbors.

AI data center spanning 2.6 million square feet is under construction in Vineland

The center is expected include multiple data center buildings, office space and supporting infrastructure. Construction on phase one is ongoing, with at least three data rooms already online, according to company officials.

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Once complete, the site will operate at about 300 megawatts  an energy demand comparable to a small city, according to environmental advocates.

Data centers  large buildings filled with computer servers and cooling systems  have expanded rapidly across the country as tech companies invest billions to support artificial intelligence. While supporters say the projects bring jobs and tax revenue, critics have raised concerns about their energy use, water demand and environmental impact.

Some AI data centers have been criticized for creating a constant hum, usually from massive cooling systems and backup generators.

New Jersey is home to about 80 data centers, most of them located north of Trenton, according to DataCenterMap, an industry database.

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In Vineland, the AI facility will be the first of its kind at this scale in South Jersey. Located in the poorest county in New Jersey, Vineland spans about 69 square miles, making it the largest city in the state by land area. It has a population of roughly 60,800 and a median household income of about $54,500.

In June 2024, the Vineland Planning Board approved the first phase of the project with little public comment, and construction quickly followed. The second phase of the development is scheduled to go before the planning board on March 26. Plans include additional data center space, a power generation facility, a water treatment plant and a liquefied natural gas system.

Over the past few months, public concerns about energy use, water demand and financing have taken over recent Vineland City Council meetings. A petition calling for state intervention has gathered nearly 2,000 signatures, and a rally opposing the project is scheduled for Saturday.

At a January town hall organized by the city, Data One CEO Charles-Antoine Beyney addressed growing concerns and took questions from the public.

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Beyney, who comes from a small town in France, said the facility is designed to limit its environmental impact. He said the company will cover most of its energy costs and argued emissions would be lower than other industrial uses.

Many attendees, however, said the outreach came too late and that they only learned about the projects scale and potential impacts after construction was already well underway.

Data centers require large amounts of water to keep equipment from overheating as thousands of servers run around the clock. The Vineland facility is expected to use about 20 million gallons annually  less than some existing industrial users in the city, according to Data One.

Our entire 300-megawatt power plant emits roughly the same methane as a few hundred cows, the company said.

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The project will create about 500 construction jobs and between 150 and 200 permanent positions once operational. The company has also proposed systems to pull water from the atmosphere and recycle air pollutants to reduce strain on local resources.

Beyney said if the facility does not meet its environmental and community commitments, operations would not continue.

Still, some residents and environmental advocates remain skeptical, calling the companys promises too good to be true.

Even if the Data One project becomes everything it is promised to be, it will still degrade the local environment and negatively impact the lives of those living directly adjacent to it, said Stephen Elliott, director of watershed programs at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, an advocacy group.

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And for those living closest to the site, the bigger concern is what happens next as construction continues.

Its not even fully built yet, Montgomery said. Thats the scary part. If it sounds like this now, whats it going to be like when everythings up and running?

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A juvenile with autism who had gone missing on Friday has been found after an exhaustive two-day search and reunited with his family in Egg Harbor Township, investigators said early Sunday.

Thank you to EVERYONE that never quit, never lost hope and assisted with this HAPPY ENDING! Egg Harbor Township police said in a statement on Facebook. We will do a larger post later, as its been a long two days!

Authorities sent officers and detectives from multiple jurisdictions, as well as EMS personnel, county sheriffs, drones, K-9s, bloodhounds and infrared technology.

State Police and Coast Guard helicopters were also been used.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The solar year 1404 (2025-2026) proved to be a difficult and painful period for Afghan migrants, with large-scale deportations and tightening migration policies significantly disrupting the lives of thousands of families, deepening their instability, Tolo News reported. According to Tolo News, throughout the year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that nearly 2.9 million Afghans returned to the country, with around half of them forcibly repatriated. Of these, approximately 1.9 million were deported from Iran, 1 million from Pakistan, and 1,953 from Tajikistan. The total number of migrants deported from Iran and Pakistan during the same period exceeded three million, Tolo News reported, citing Afghanistan''s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation. Maroufa Eshaqi, an Afghan migrant in Iran, said that the Iranian authorities had earlier issued census documents that migrants could use for education, healthcare, and other services. However, she noted that these documents have now been declared invalid, raising concerns among migrants, as reported by Tolo News. Mohammad, who was recently deported from Pakistan, said their homes were destroyed and that outstanding debts owed to them were not repaid. He added that despite reaching out to those they had business dealings with, they received nothing and returned to Afghanistan empty-handed, as per Tolo News. According to Tolo News, the forced deportations also drew reactions from officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Abdul Salam Hanafi and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir expressed concern and urged Iran and Pakistan to treat Afghan migrants in accordance with Islamic principles, humanitarian values, and good neighbourly relations, Tolo News reported. Hanafi said that the Islamic, humanitarian, and neighbourly rights of Afghan migrants must not be violated, adding that neighbouring countries are obliged to refrain from mistreating migrants in line with Islamic and international laws and must respect their property and places of residence, Tolo News reported. According to Tolo News, Kabir stated that any concerns should be brought to the ministry so that necessary reforms can be undertaken, adding that a meeting with UNAMA would be held as a follow-up step. The deportations also faced criticism from international organisations advocating for migrant rights, as reported by Tolo News. According to Tolo News, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said that the forced return of individuals who have been recognised as refugees for decades contradicts Pakistan''s long-standing humanitarian approach and violates the principle of non-refoulement. At the same time, pressure on Afghan migrants extended beyond neighbouring countries, Tolo News reported. Several European nations, including Germany, Turkey, Austria, Tajikistan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, also emphasised deportations of undocumented Afghan migrants during the year, as reported by Tolo News. Turkey alone detained more than 42,000 Afghan migrants, placing Afghans at the top among detained foreign nationals, Tolo News reported. As per Tolo News, the United States also tightened its immigration stance, with President Donald Trump calling for a review and restriction of Afghan migrants'' presence. He said that all foreign nationals who entered the country from Afghanistan during the Biden administration must be reviewed and that those who do not qualify should be removed, adding that the United States would not tolerate threats and would never surrender in the face of terrorism. Alongside deportations, reports also emerged of the violent treatment of migrants, including incidents in which some were targeted by Iranian border forces, leading to deaths, Tolo News reported. Ahmad Shah Abdali, a relative of the victims, urged officials of the Islamic Emirate to address their concerns, stating that the nine individuals who were martyred were all from a single village, Tolo News reported. Additionally, the execution of 85 Afghan citizens in Iran emerged as one of the most controversial issues of the year, as reported by Tolo News. According to Tolo News, legal expert Rohullah Sakhi Zada said there are serious doubts about whether the fundamental rights of the accused, including access to defence lawyers and fair trial standards, were upheld, noting that reports suggest these principles were often not observed. During the year, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said it is working to address the migrant situation and announced that the process of resettling returnees has begun, including the distribution of free land across various provinces, Tolo News reported. (ANI)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A nineteen-year-old from Nashville faces charges including driving under the influence after a crash in Knoxville Saturday morning, the Knoxville Police Department said.

Boston West also faces charges of speeding, vandalism between $2,500 and $10,000, reckless endangerment  vehicle/felony, driving while license suspended, simple possession/casual exchange, evading arrest flight  vehicle, and more.

Community stewardship Volunteers clean trash along Tennessee River

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Around 3:15 a.m., the KPD and the University of Tennessee Police Department went to Cumberland Avenue and 19th Street to investigate a car crash. The officers found that a Mercedes was speeding west on Cumberland Avenue when it left the road, damaging a light pole, tree, bike rack and bench before coming back into the road, according to court records.

No injuries were reported. Police said crash debris broke windows at the Cumberland Food Hall. According to court records, West said he was probably going around 90 miles per hour. The records also said officers found a mason jar with 30 grams of marijuana in his car. The court records also state that West smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes.

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.
Neighbors and family rallied around Stephanie Staszak after a fire destroyed her childhood home in South Orange, New Jersey.

"I had three dogs in there. And one of them just passed, and the other one is not doing good," she said, "I left home to go get my haircut...and my neighbor called me and said 'your house is on fire.'"

Crews from South Essex, Millburn, Newark and West Orange all responded to the scene on Melrose Place after noon on Saturday.

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Officials say medics rushed one firefighter to the hospital.

Sisters Tina and Luisa live across the street.

"I saw near our neighbor's house. There was rising smoke," Luisa said.

"We smelled smoke and like, we, that was something in our house when we saw neighbors outside talking," Tina added.

Community members say they are rallying behind Staszak.

"It was heartening, actually, to see how quickly everyone came to respond," neighbor Lauren Charlotte said.

Neighbors also set up a GoFundMe to help Staszak.

As for Staszak, the unknown is worrying.

"I'm sort of sitting here waiting to see what I could find out," she said.

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She is grateful for the support from family and neighbors.

"I'm as good as I can be for right now," she added.

Staszak was able to save a few treasured items in the middle of the rubble - like a family photo with her mom holding her brother. She is cherishing a life once lived at the home as loved ones and neighbors helped keep her spirits up

The Red Cross was at the scene offering assistance to Staszak.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Remember the No Kings protests from a few months ago? They're back.

No Kings protests are taking place March 28, intent on drawing a "historic" flood of protestors across the nation in the latest in a series of mass protests against President Donald Trump's "chaos, corruption and cruelty," No Kings organizers said.

Over 1,000 No Kings marches are planned, including a massive No Kings NYC protest, five months after a No Kings Oct. 18 protest that drew over 300,000 people to Manhattan and Times Square alone, according to the New York Times.

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Around 50 No Kings March 28 protests in New Jersey have been organized, with dozens of locations across North Jersey, Central Jersey, South Jersey, and near Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.

Indivisible, a progressive activist group, 50501 and other organizers have helped launch the third round of No Kings rallies, a slew of anti-Trump protests during the president's second term. The first No Kings June 14 protests drew millions of people during the so-called Trump military parade.

Organizers say the nonviolent protests are meant to celebrate free speech, the right to assemble and the First Amendment, while pushing back against the Trump administration's immigration agenda following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minnesota in January. Funding for ICE and Border Patrol have been at the forefront of a bitter impasse on Capitol Hill, with another failed Senate vote this week to reopen the government amid a DHS shutdown.

Here's all you need to know about No Kings protest, rallies, and demonstrations near you, including nearly 55 locations in New Jersey.

When is the next No Kings rally 2026?

The next No Kings protest in 2026 is on March 28, with over 1,000 No Kings marches and protests planned across the nation.

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This is the third No Kings protest during President Donald Trump's second term: millions turned out at roughly 2,700 protests on No Kings on Oct. 18. A No Kings June 14 protest drew millions during Trump's birthday that coincided with a massive military parade to celebrate the Army's birthday in Washington DC.

What is a No Kings protest March 28?

No Kings protests, rallies and demonstrations are planned across the nation on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Organizers are protesting President Donald Trump and his administration, with organizers saying Trump has doubled down on:

Sending masked agents into streets, terrorizing communities

Targeting immigrant families

Profiling, arresting and detaining people without warrants

Threats to overtake elections

Gutting health care, environmental protections and education

Rigging maps to silence voters

Ignoring mass shootings at schools and communities

Driving up costs of living, while providing giveaways to billionaire allies

No Kings NYC protest route, time

The No Kings protest in NYC starts at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, with the NYC protest ending at 4 p.m. ET. The No Kings NYC protest begins at 7th Ave and Central Park South  slightly different from the No Kings NYC Oct. 18 march, which started at Father Duffy Square.

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The "No Kings NYC" route for March 13 has not yet been listed. Check NoKingsNYC.com for more information or to sign up.

No Kings protests NJ; where are March 28 protests in NJ?

Over 1,000 No Kings protests are planned Saturday, March 28, 2026, across the US, with over 600 across the Northeast. There are now around 50 protests in New Jersey as of today, March 13:

This list will likely continue to grow in the coming days. Check USA TODAY reporting for the latest on the protests. Make sure to check protest times ahead of the event, as some have shifted since our initial reporting earlier this month.

What does 'No Kings' mean?

The name "No Kings" comes from the organizers' belief that President Donald Trump is ruling the country as a monarch, rather than what a leader of a democracy.

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"The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don't have kings, and we won't back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty," organizers say on their event pages.

Find a 'No Kings' protest near me

The biggest "No Kings" protest will be in Minnesota/St. Paul (Twin Cities), Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, and New Orleans.

To find "No Kings' locations, head to the No Kings website, where you can input your ZIP code to find a protest near you.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: No Kings March 28 2026 locations, next no kings rally 2026
(KRON)  A Northern California high school parent volunteer is accused of having an unlawful sexual relationship with a 17-year-old boy.

Nichole Woodall, 47, of Placer County, was arrested Thursday by Rocklin Police Department detectives. Police said the mother volunteered at Rocklin High School until school administrators discovered the relationship and alerted RPD.

Detectives launched an investigation in late 2025. As the investigation progressed, the juvenile disclosed that a sexual relationship had occurred, RPD wrote.

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Evidence obtained during the investigation resulted in detectives submitting the case to the Placer County District Attorneys Office.

Teen says she couldnt escape from Los Gatos Party Mom

Woodall was booked into South Placer County Jail on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, as well as annoying or molesting a minor.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A North Carolina man has agreed to pay over $8 million after pleading guilty in the first-ever criminal music streaming fraud case brought by law enforcement.

The feds had first indicted Mike Smith in 2024, alleging that he had used artificial intelligence music generators to help him create mass amounts of songs to be streamed millions of times by bots tied to thousands of accounts Smith had set up. Smith earned millions of dollars from his fraudulent streams, siphoning off royalties from the legitimate artists in the royalty pool.

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Smith pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York said, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Smith will also return the nearly $8.1 million hed made.

Smiths brazen scheme is over, as he stands convicted of a federal crime for his AI-assisted fraud, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement Thursday.

Streaming fraud has been a rampant issue in the music industry for years, a problem only exacerbated by AI now that fraudsters can quickly generate thousands of songs to flood the zone on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. The French music streaming service Deezer previously reported that its seeing 60,000 AI songs uploaded to its platform every day, further noting that as much as 85 percent of streams on those tracks are fraudulent.

As The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported in February, Apple Music doubled its penalties for those caught engaging in streaming fraud, with the company saying AIs impact on fraud was a factor in the decision.





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Massachusetts residents are facing unsettling news this winter: a local town is infested with a highly destructive invasive insect species, triggering concern among officials and property owners alike.

What's happening?

According to MassLive, authorities with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources have found spotted lanternfly eggs in Bridgewater  a sign that the pest has established a foothold rather than being a one-off sighting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture explained that the spotted lanternfly is a non-native planthopper originally from Southeast Asia that has spread rapidly across the northeastern United States since its first detection in 2014.

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It feeds on a wide variety of plants, including grapevines, maples, fruit trees, hops, and walnuts, and it can seriously injure or kill susceptible plants over time.

Why is the spotted lanternfly invasion concerning?

While the insect does not bite or sting humans, its economic and ecological impacts can be severe. Heavy infestations in other states have led to significant vineyard losses, orchard damage, and weakened forests during prior events, according to the Massachusetts government.

Any invasive species harms the native ecology of an area and outcompetes plants and animals for resources, leading to biodiversity loss. Lanternflies excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew as they feed, which can encourage black sooty mold that interferes with plant health and outdoor recreation.

Spotted lanternflies can easily hitch rides on vehicles, landscaping equipment, and plant materials, making containment difficult once populations are present. Egg masses are especially concerning in winter and early spring because they can overwinter on nearly any surface  from tree bark to outdoor furniture  and hatch in warmer months.

What's being done to stop the lanternflies?

Bridgewater officials have encouraged residents to report any lanternfly sightings through the MDAR's website and destroy egg masses when found  either by crushing them or putting them in a container with rubbing alcohol. Elsewhere, Tennessee agricultural officials have employed a black Labrador retriever to detect lanternflies before they become a problem.

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Protecting native species starts in our backyards, where planting local flowers and grasses can help pollinators and keep ecosystems balanced. Supporting wildlife organizations that prioritize conservation and being on the lookout for egg masses is also important for environmental health.

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 Ohio National Guard is preparing to honor three airmen who were killed in a refueler crash on March 12 in western Iraq.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As previously reported on News Center 7, Captain Curtis Angst, 2014 Wilmington High graduate, Captain Seth Kovaland, and Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons (who was posthumously promoted by Ohios Adjutant General from the rank of technical sergeant) died in support of Operation Epic Fury.

TRENDING STORIES:

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A spokesperson for the Ohio National Guard told our news partners WBNS-10 TV that plans are underway to bring the fallen service members home to Ohio.

A formal return to Ohio for our recently fallen airmen will occur in the near future at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. An announcement will be made once dates and details are available, the spokesperson said.

All three airmen were returned to the United States in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday.

Preparations are currently underway at the 121st Air Refueling Wing, where fellow airmen are mourning the loss and working to support one another, WBNS-10 TV reported.

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Leaders say their immediate focus remains on the families of the fallen.

Major General Davis B. Johnson, Assistant Adjutant General for Air with the Ohio National Guard, told WBNS-10 TV that teams are in place to help loved ones through the difficult days ahead.

Be patient  were with the families right now. Thats our focus. We have teams supporting spouses, parents, and loved ones as they prepare for their worst day, Johnson said. I know this community will respond. Ive seen it before  unfortunately, too many times.

More details about the formal return ceremony will be released soon, according to officials.

News Center 7 will continue following this story.

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A man was shot and killed by law enforcement in Everett overnight, according to officials.

Everett Police Department officers and Snohomish County Sheriffs Office deputies were involved in the shooting, which happened along 7th Ave SE at approximately 3 a.m. Friday.

Law enforcement confirmed that no officers were injured, but one man was taken to the hospital.

Later that same morning, officials confirmed that the man had died from his injuries.

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After many attempts to negotiate and de-escalate, the individual advanced towards officers. Multiple tasers were deployed and when the individual continued to approach officers, they discharged their firearms, said Mandy Kruger, a spokesperson for the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART).

SMART said the man was allegedly firing a gun into the air.

Its unclear whether the man shot at officers or how many officers fired their weapons.

The SMART team will also look at why officers tasers apparently werent effective enough to subdue the man.

Tasers are an effective tool, but theyre not always effective. Theres a lot of circumstances that can change that. It can be substance related, that can neutralize some of the effects of it  clothing, distance the elements in the weather  all of those can be factors that can either diminish or actually negate the effects of the taser, said Commander Peter Barrett.

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7th Ave SE was closed from 84th St SE to 90th St SE, and drivers were asked to avoid the area while law enforcement investigated, although they reiterated that there was no ongoing threat to the public.

According to an alert on their website, Emerson Elementary School was closed on Friday due to an active police investigation in the area. The school says that Everett PD has restricted all access to the campus.

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School was also closed on Friday, due to an officer-related shooting in the area with massive police response.
India is increasingly being seen as a rising economic power, with the potential to become a wealthy nation by 2047, marking 100 years of its independence, Washington Examiner reported. According to Washington Examiner, over the past two decades, the country has recorded strong economic growth. Since 2003, India's economy has expanded at an average annual rate of over 7%. If this momentum continues for the next 20 years, India could cross the high-income threshold, with per capita GDP exceeding $15,000 in 2025 terms. Sustained growth at this level would also help the country avoid the "middle-income trap" that has stalled economies such as Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey. India's growth prospects are supported by favourable policies, demographic strength, and a growing technological base. One of its biggest advantages is its young population. With a median age of around 28, India is significantly younger than the United States and China. Over the coming decades, a large number of young people will enter the workforce, boosting productivity and driving consumption. This demographic trend is expected to support a strong domestic market, reducing reliance on exports for growth, as reported by Washington Examiner. To fully leverage this advantage, policymakers are focusing on improving productivity. Investments in infrastructure--such as highways, airports, ports, and logistics corridors--are accelerating. A more efficient transport network is expected to strengthen supply chains and support the expansion of the domestic economy, Washington Examiner reported. As per Washington Examiner, at the same time, global shifts in supply chains are working in India's favour. Western companies, particularly from the United States, are increasingly moving operations away from China. Major firms like Apple are expanding their presence in India, bringing capital, technology, and expertise that can enhance productivity and innovation across sectors. Technology is another key pillar of India's growth story. The country's digital infrastructure--including identity systems, mobile payments, and online public services--has brought millions into the formal economy. This digital expansion is improving efficiency, boosting tax revenues, and enabling small businesses to access funding and scale operations, as per Washington Examiner. India also stands out for its strong entrepreneurial culture. A growing startup ecosystem, supported by venture capital, is driving innovation in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce. These developments are helping India move towards higher-value economic activities, Washington Examiner reported. Despite these strengths, challenges remain. Issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and political divisions continue to pose risks. However, the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated gradual reforms in areas like taxation, the judicial system, and education to support long-term growth, as reported by Washington Examiner. According to Washington Examiner, historical trends show that countries can transition to high-income status through sustained investment, expanding labour forces, and technological adoption. India appears to possess all three. Investor confidence also reflects this optimism. Global technology firms and major financial institutions are increasingly backing India's growth story. The strong performance of the Indian stock market, which has delivered average annual returns of around 15% over the past two decades, further reinforces expectations that India could emerge as a major economic and political power in the years ahead, as reported by Washington Examiner. (ANI)
Pete Buttigieg criticized President Donald Trump for not grasping the long-term consequences of entering another Middle East war, suggesting he unleashed forces in Iran he doesnt know how to contain.

On the latest episode of Raging Moderates, the former Transportation Secretary warned that Trump getting the U.S. mired in another conflict in the Middle East could have far reaching effects that might last for years. Buttigieg was also concerned about the loss of American lives, as the death count in the new war reached 13.

You think about Vietnam  nobody thought that that was going to last a long time. Nobody thought that was really going to lead to major troops on the ground, Buttigieg said. It started with advisers and then it was troops and then it was more troops and then it was years and years and years. You know, when I got to Afghanistan as a lieutenant  that was 13 years into the war  and I thought I was one of the last troops turning out the lights, and it was almost a decade more before that conflict was over.

He added: So, theyve unleashed forces that I dont think even they know how to contain and we dont know what the consequences will be to our economy or in terms of how many more troops have to go out there.

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Three weeks into this new war with Iran, and Trumps administration has received much pushback. Much of it comes from the political left, but the president has also been targeted by allies like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson  both of whom decried the country getting tangled up in another conflict abroad.

My own feeling is no one should have to die for a foreign country. I dont think those four service members died for the United States. I think they died for Iran or for Israel, Kelly said on her SiriusXM show after the initial attacks. I understand how this helps Iran perfectly well. They seem rather jubilant, 80% of the country does not support the Ayatollah. He was a terrible, terrible man. No one is crying that hes dead, no normal person, but our governments job is not to look out for Iran or for Israel. Its to look out for us. And this feels very much to me like it is clearly Israels war.

The president has also demonstrated unpreparedness following the first strikes, as his administration did not have plans for how to get Americans out of the Middle East and  more recently  how to deal with the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

The last several days the president has been placing public pressure on numerous U.S. allies for help defending the Strait of Hormuz. Mostly recently, he made his case to Japan to help in that effort, insisting that Japans reliance on imported oil from the Middle East makes clearing the Strait of Hormuz a necessity for the Asian nation.

Watch Buttigiegs full commentary above.

The post Pete Buttigieg Says Trump Unleashed Forces in Iran He Doesnt Know How to Contain | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Open-air parties attended by hundreds of Berlin school leavers escalated with attacks on police officers, authorities said on Saturday.

Since Monday, the German capital has seen daily celebrations in some parks, leaving behind large piles of rubbish and broken glass.

In the final week of school before exams, known in Germany as "Abitur," pupils at many schools organize themed weeks with different costumes each day.

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Up to 1,000 young people gathered near the Planetarium in the trendy neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg on Friday, with police reporting loud music and littering with empty bottles.

After police spoke to the revellers, bottles were thrown and firecrackers set off, leading officers to clear the area.

Five youngsters were held on suspicion of breach of the peace and assault. In total, 15 cases of grievous bodily harm, damage to property and pickpocketing were investigated.

In the western Schoneberg district, police officers were attacked after around 600 youths gathered at the Rathaus Schoneberg underground station at around 9 pm (2000 GMT).

The B.Z. newspaper reported that the gatherings had been advertised online as an flash mob.
Chicago police said they are questioning a person of interest in connection with Thursday's deadly shooting of a Loyola University student.

Sheridan Gorman, 18, was walking with friends at Tobey Prinz Beach, less than 1 mile from campus, around 1 a.m. Thursday.

A male suspect approached the group on foot, took out a gun, and opened fire, police said.

Gorman, shot in the head, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

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The student, a New York native, was just months away from finishing her first year of college. Police say she was not the intended target.

Gorman's family issued an updated statement on Saturday, asking anyone with information to come forward.

"Our lives were shattered in a way no family should ever have to endure," their statement, reads, in part. "We ask anyone who knows anything - anything at all - to come forward and speak with law enforcement. Someone out there has information that matters. Doing nothing is not neutral. It only allows this to remain unresolved."

The family said private and public services to honor her life are being planned for next week in Yorktown, New York.

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Gorman's relatives have described her as "the light of our lives," saying, "she made people feel seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was."

Classmates gathered inside the chapel for a private vigil as the bell tolled and shared memories of Gorman on Thursday evening. Students are also demanding more safety protocols moving forward.

Police did not immediately provide further information on Saturday.

Full statement from Gorman's family:

"Three days ago, our lives were shattered in a way no family should ever have to endure.

Sheridan was our daughter, our sister, and the heart of our family. She was full of life, full of kindness, and full of a love that she gave freely to everyone around her. She made people feel seen. She made people feel valued. Whether it was her friends, her family, or someone she had just met, Sheridan had a way of leaving people better than she found them.

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She was only 18 years old and just beginning her journey as a college freshman-embracing new experiences, building friendships, and living the life every parent hopes their child will have.

On the night she was taken from us, Sheridan was doing something completely normal. She was walking with a group of friends near her dorm, in an area that was understood to be safe. There was nothing reckless about her actions. There was nothing unusual about where she was. She left her dorm to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. She was exactly where she should have been-close to campus, surrounded by friends, living her life.

What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to the idea of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is not an abstraction. This is the loss of a daughter. The loss of a sister. The loss of a future filled with milestones that will now never come. Our family is forever changed.

We are deeply grateful for the support we have received. The Yorktown community has stood behind us with strength and love. The Loyola community has shown compassion that we will never forget. We also thank Law Enforcement for their ongoing efforts and for the care they have shown our family during this investigation.

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But gratitude alone is not enough.

We cannot accept a world where moments like this become something people grow used to. We cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to violence. When we begin to accept these tragedies as inevitable, we all become vulnerable to them. Apathy is not harmless-it allows these moments to repeat.

We ask anyone who knows anything-anything at all-to come forward and speak with law enforcement. Someone out there has information that matters. Doing nothing is not neutral. It only allows this to remain unresolved.

Private and public services to honor Sheridan's life are being planned for next week in Yorktown, the community that helped shape the incredible young woman she became.

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Sheridan deserved a full life. She deserved the future that was taken from her. We will not allow her to be remembered as just another story. She was extraordinary, and she will always be loved."

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Police are investigating the citys first homicide of the year after a man was shot to death early Friday afternoon outside of a Canfield Road barbershop.

Officers were called about 12:10 p.m. Friday for a report of several gunshots and found a man shot to death in the parking lot of the 719 Canfield Road barbershop.

Several shell casings were in a parking lot.

A man in a blue jogging suit, who said the victim is his son, tried to make his way to the ambulance and wrestled with police who tried to keep him back and asked him to remain calm.

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His cries could be heard after friends and family came over to comfort him, and he had trouble standing. One of the onlookers held him up to keep his legs from splaying on the ground.

A woman arrived later and, from across the street, shouted to others about a man she was worried about. When told he was inside and not harmed, she looked relieved.

Boomer Redding, a resident who lives in the neighborhood, said he was walking his dogs near the old Idora Park when he heard gunfire, but he did not expect it to be at the barber shop.

Its a lot of older folks that live near here. Its quiet. Nothing happens at that barber shop, Redding said. I dont want nobody going around saying things is bad about it cause its not.

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Redding said the neighborhood is a quiet one, and he cannot remember the last time an act of violence happened there.

The owner of the barbershop released a statement Friday saying he is committed to preserving a safe and peaceful environment in the community.

A detective supervisor deferred comment to city spokesman Andy Resnick. No arrests have been made.

Police are looking for information regarding a grey Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack in connection with the homicide. They ask anyone who recognizes it or has any information to contact YPD at 330-747-7911.

The victims name has not yet been released.

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Last year, Youngstown had 13 homicides.

canfield road police scene youngstown Youngstown police homicide detectives Det Sgt. Phil Skowron, left and Detective Sgt. Michael Cox, right, talk Friday outside of a 719 Canfield Road barber shop where a man was shot and killed early in the afternoon. WKBN Photo by Joe Gorman Youngstown police and paramedics from EMT ambulance Friday on the scene of a homicide outside a 719 Canfield Road barbershop where a man was shot to death early in the afternoon. It is the citys first homicide of the year. WKBN Photo by Joe Gorman Youngstown police officer B. Lee, left, and Detective Sgt. Curt Hileman, keep watch Friday over the scene of a homicide on Canfield Road (WKBN Photo by Joe Gorman).

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 WKBN.com.
Immigration enforcement has been a priority for the current administration in the White House.

The issue affects most communities in the country, and Cass County is no different.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offers the 287(g) Program to all state and local law enforcement agencies. The program allows ICE to enhance collaboration with the local law enforcement agency through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties, including arrest and removal of people who havent been granted citizenship. Local law enforcement officers will get access to ICE resources and training. ICE covers the cost of training.

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Three Republicans have filed to run for the position: Dale Campbell, Ryan Preston and Brian Swartzell. A.J. Rozzi is the lone Democrat to file and will face the winner of the Republican primary in the November general election.

The candidates were sent surveys to fill out from the Pharos-Tribune featuring 10 questions relevant to voters. Every candidate responded within the timeframe. Answers have only been edited for grammar and clarity.

The sheriff candidates will attend a town hall hosted by the League of Women Voters of Cass County from 5:45-7:15 p.m. March 31 in the Community Rooms at Ivy Tech Community College, 1 Ivy Tech Way, Logansport. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Early voting begins on April 7. Primary election day is May 5.

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What would be your policy on interacting with ICE and other immigration authorities? Would you enroll in the sheriffs office in the 287(g) Program?

Dale Campbell: As a law enforcement officer, my primary responsibility is to uphold the laws of the State of Indiana and the Constitution of the United States. I understand that immigration enforcement, including the work of ICE, affects real people and families, and I do not take that lightly.

Our nation was founded by immigrants, and that history is important. At the same time, laws and established procedures exist to maintain order, fairness, and public safety. My approach is to carry out my duties professionally, lawfully, and with respect for the dignity of every individual, while recognizing that broader immigration policy decisions are made at levels beyond local law enforcement.

Based on current information provided by ICE, I believe that I would enroll the office in the 287(g) program. The program currently offers $7,500 for equipment per task force officer, up to $100,000 for new vehicles, salary and benefits reimbursed to the agency per officer, and pays up to 25% of overtime funds.

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Ryan Preston: When it comes to interacting with ICE and other immigration authorities, we will continue to uphold the Constitution and the law. At the Sheriffs Office, our primary responsibility is public safety for Cass County citizens. We would comply with orders that are applicable to State and Federal Law. We would not interfere with Federal Law Enforcement doing their jobs.

As the Sheriff, I would not enroll the Sheriffs Office in the 287g program. Our priority is public safety to the citizens of Cass County. The Cass County Sheriffs Office does not have the man power to do the work of our federal law enforcement partners.

Brian Swartzell: The primary responsibility of the Sheriffs Office is to protect the citizens of Cass County and enforce the laws of the State of Indiana. Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility. As Sheriff, my office would comply with all applicable federal and state laws. If federal agencies, such as ICE, request assistance that falls within our legal authority and does not compromise our ability to serve local residents, those requests would be carefully evaluated and addressed appropriately.

Regarding the 287(g) Program, participation is a significant policy decision that requires thoughtful consideration. Enrollment involves additional training, oversight, and resource commitments. Before entering into any such program, I would evaluate the financial impact, staffing requirements, legal obligations, and the potential effect on community trust.

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My focus will remain on local public safety priorities addressing violent crime, drug activity, and protecting victims while maintaining professional working relationships with all law enforcement partners. Any cooperation with federal agencies must be lawful, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the best interests of Cass County residents. Public safety works best when there is clarity, professionalism, and respect for the law. Those principles would guide any decisions regarding cooperation with immigration authorities.

A.J. Rozzi: With the passage of Senate Bill 76, local law enforcement in Indiana is required to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. As Sheriff, I will follow state law and ensure our office remains compliant while protecting the rights of all individuals.

Regarding the 287(g) program, I would not commit to enrollment without a thorough review. That process would include consulting with the Cass County Prosecutor, evaluating legal obligations, assessing manpower and budget impacts, and considering how participation would affect our jail operations and community relationships.

My primary focus is public safety. I fully support the removal of serious violent offenders from our community, regardless of immigration status. At the same time, the Sheriffs Office must use its resources wisely and maintain the trust and cooperation of the community we serve. Any decision on 287(g) would be based on what best supports safety, legal compliance, and the effective use of our personnel.
Topline

A correctional officer at the Manhattan-based prison where Jeffrey Epstein was being held called the FBI about suspicious document shredding days after Epstein died, the Miami Herald reported Saturday, as one prison guard faces newfound scrutiny over the financiers death.

Two officers on duty the night Epstein died denied having removed or destroyed documents. AFP via Getty Images

Key Facts

A federal corrections officer at the Metropolitan Correctional Center called the FBI on Aug. 16, 2019, six days after Epsteins death, to say that he had never seen this amount of bags of shredded documents being thrown away, the Herald reported, citing a document released by the Justice Department as part of the Epstein files.

The officer, who said they found it suspicious that a team tasked with probing Epsteins death would be shredding documents with nearby federal officials also tasked with investigating, told the FBI that an inmate said they were tasked with throwing the documents away.

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In a memo to investigators on Aug. 19, 2019, a back gate corrections officer said he witnessed an inmate bringing bales of shredded documents to throw into a dumpster, and that the inmate told them that Federal Bureau of Prisons officials were shredding everything.

That officer suggested to the FBI that this conduct may be inappropriate for an investigative team and you may want to investigate why BOP employees were destroying records.

Steven Lopez, who was identified as removing the shredded documents, told the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General no when asked if he had any information or overheard anyone talk about shredding documents, adding, No idea what, if anything, was shredded, just did usual trash bin runs.

Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, the two prison guards on duty the night Epstein was found dead in his jail cell, replied no when asked if they ever removed or destroyed any of Epsteins paperwork, the Herald reported.

Documentation of a corrections officer's call to the FBI. Justice Department

Another officer describing shredded documents. Justice Department

What To Watch For

Whether the House Oversight Committee receives testimony from Noel. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., requested Noel to testify after newly released documents raised questions about her actions the night Epstein died. The guard was online shopping and searching the internet, including for information about Epstein, and performed searches for latest on Epstein in jail the morning he was found. Chase Bank also flagged to the FBI suspicious payments made to Noels account in 2018 and 2019, the largest of which came days before Epsteins death. No formal subpoena has been issued to Noel as of Saturday.

Key Background

Both Thomas and Noel have faced scrutiny over their actions in the lead-up to Epsteins death, including their actions the morning he was found. Noel and Thomas admitted to investigators that they had falsified records indicating they had checked on Epstein every 30 minutes before he was found dead in his cell. The pair was charged with falsifying prison records, though prosecutors later dropped these charges and the case against them was dismissed.

Further Reading
About 50 people gathered at Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit on Saturday, March 21, to stand in solidarity with the Our America Convoy to Cuba, and call for the end of the United States' energy blockade of Cuba.

Michigan Action for Cuba Committee organizer Lauren Kenny said the informational picket was organized to educate people about the situation in Cuba and encourage people to take action.

Protesters gather during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Were here to talk about the recent imperialist aggressions on Cuba that have increased recently, but we all know that Cuba has been living under a decades-long criminal blockade, Kenny said.

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Protesters represented a variety of groups, including Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Detroit Anti-War Committee, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Metro Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, Moratorium Now and Wayne State Students for Democratic Society.

Darryl Jordan, of Detroit, said hes been to Cuba with brigades and conferences three times since 1980. He said he wishes more people in Detroit and Michigan knew more about Cuba.

Protesters hold signs and Cuban flags during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. From left, Loren Branch, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation Detroit, plays a drum as Marcelo Ulacia holds a flag behind Kassandra Rodriguez of the Detroit Community Action Committee and Jackson Robak, an organizer with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Noelle Belanger, an organizer with the Peoples Assembly of Detroit (Asamblea Popular), stands alongside others during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Protesters gather during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Theoderic Strider holds a newspaper during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Tyler Adams, left, stands next to Jamie Fitzgerald, as she holds a sign reading Compassion for Cuba during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Dylan Cherry, 27, holds a banner during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. A protester holds a sign reading Solidarity with Cuba during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Protesters gather in Detroit to oppose blockade of Cuba 1 of 8 Protesters hold signs and Cuban flags during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Cuba has done nothing to try and take the U.S. down, but for the last 60 years, weve been trying to mess them up, Jordan said. Our work has got to be paying attention to whats going on in Cuba and interacting with all our friends and all the people in our family and all the people that we work with, and tell them to support Cuba. Whats going on right know is ignorant as hell.

What's happening in Cuba?

On Friday, March 20, a group of about 650 delegates from 33 countries began arriving in Cuba with donated solar panels, food and medicine to the island, the Associated Press reported. The aid comes days after the power grid in Cuba collapsed.

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On Jan. 29, Trump signed an executive order to impose tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba, saying communist Cubas policies, practices, and actions pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy, USA TODAY reported.

Cuban officials said they have been meeting with U.S. representatives to work out national differences while Cuba is running on about 40% of the fuel it needs.

During the fuel shortage, thousands of people are waiting for medical surgeries, trash is accumulating on some streets because garbage trucks lack the fuel to collect it, and public transportation has been reduced causing long lines and overcrowded buses, CNN reported.

On Monday, March 16, President Donald Trump said he believes hell have the honor of taking Cuba in some form, adding: "I think I can do anything I want with it."

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Tensions between the United States and Cuba are not new. The country has had a trade embargo on Cuba for 64 years. Cuba is currently on the U.S. State Sponsor of Terrorism list.

No Kings: 115 protests planned in Michigan for March 28. See where

What metro Detroiters are saying, doing

Freedom Road Socialist Organization organizer Marcel Ulacia, 26, said he thinks Cuba has been targeted with sanctions and threats of destabilization because of its socialist policies and its refusal to submit to foreign domination."

As an Afro-Cuban, I carry the history of resistance in my blood, Ulacia said. The legacy of enslaved Africans who fought for freedom are revolutionaries who stood up against exploitation and are people who have refused time and time again to bow to empire. That is exactly why Cuba has been targeted. What we are witnessing today is not random. ... It is a natural result of monopoly capitalism in crisis.

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Kenny said Michigan Action for Cuba Committee started organizing after the Mayday Brigade in 2023 with the goals to remove blockades from Cuba, return Guantanamo to Cuba and remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

Tyler Adams, left, stands next to Jamie Fitzgerald, as she holds a sign reading Compassion for Cuba during the Hit the Streets for Cuba protest at Grand Circus Park in Detroit on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

A number of people at the protest said they had been on brigades to Cuba, where they said they connected with people in Cuba as well as activists from around the world.

Michigan Action for Cuba Committee is currently hosting a medicine drive and taking monetary donations ahead of its plan to caravan with Cuba action groups from around the United States to take a charter plane full of medical supplies on a flight from Miami to Havana, Kenny said.

More information about Cuba campaigns can be found @michiganactionforcuba on Instagram and at www.letcubalive.info.

Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cuba protesters in Detroit stand in solidarity with convoy sending aid
All five teens involved in an altercation with Quakertown police during an anti-ICE protest last month appeared in court on Friday, where two felony charges were dropped, and all five were taken off house arrest, according to attorneys.

Lawyers representing the teens said the legal process has been traumatizing for their clients and that they want to move forward. Four of the teens are expected to return to court next month.

"The DA's office withdrew the felony charges, which is fantastic," said Don Souders, an attorney for one of the teens.

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Souders said his client accepted an offer that resulted in the felony charges being dropped. Under the terms of the offer, the teen must complete community service and counseling for the next six months, after which the remaining charges are likely to be expunged.

RELATED | Tensions high at Quakertown School Board meeting after clash with police during protest

Tensions high at Quakertown School Board meeting after clash with police during protest

The five teens were involved in an altercation with Quakertown police during what was described as a student walkout against ICE that escalated into a violent clash between protesters and police. The incident included an encounter involving Police Chief Scott McElree, who was seen in video footage placing a girl in a headlock.

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Four of the teens had their cases continued during Friday's court proceedings.

"This is a self-defense case because unidentified individuals without barkings, without badges, without reflective vests. It's difficult for anybody to know who that was," said attorney Tim Pendergast.

Other attorneys representing the teens expressed similar concerns about how their clients were treated.

"I feel these children are being persecuted; they are being taught to keep their mouths shut, you don't have a right to speak," said attorney Ed Angelo.

Attorneys cited the volume of evidence involved as a factor in the court's decision to continue four of the cases.

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Chief McElree remains on leave while the Bucks County District Attorney's Office conducts an independent review of the police response. However, attorneys said the chief is expected to meet with the teens as part of a possible restorative justice process.

Souders said prosecutors offered the remaining defendants an opportunity to participate in a restorative justice component that could include a meeting with the chief, counselors and probation officials.

"The DA offered to give other defendants the opportunity of being involved in a restorative justice component... where there would be an opportunity to meet with the chief, I'd assume some counselors, and probation to kind of air out what happened," Souders said. "It would be my hope that the process the chief would take the high road and offer these kids an apology."

According to the attorney, the meeting is expected to happen, though the timing has not yet been determined.

Four of the teens are scheduled to return to court in mid-April.
A driver has been taken into custody on suspicion of intentionally hitting a motorcyclist in an act of apparent "road rage" Wednesday night in Chandler.

Court records show Gustavo Elias was arrested following a collision reported near Alma School and Ray roads that resulted in a motorcyclist sustaining life-threatening injuries.

A witness reportedly told Chandler police they saw a vehicle abruptly turn right and strike the motorcyclist with the car's front bumper.

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When questioned by police, Elias allegedly disclosed having consumed 12 beers earlier in the evening before driving his stepson and the stepson's friend to a sleepover, court records show.

After getting into the car, the driver allegedly recognized a motorcyclist who lives in his apartment complex. Elias, 29, claimed he felt this motorcyclist had "taunted him" on prior occasions by revving the motorcycle's engine.

Elias claimed while stopped at a red light, he became "enraged" at the motorcyclist, resulting in the car allegedly speeding up and ramming into the motorcyclist.

The juvenile passengers of the vehicle reportedly told police that a "confrontation" occurred between the driver and motorcyclist before the crash, records show.

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The driver was booked into the Maricopa County jail.

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Reliance on domestically sourced coal has shielded Vedanta's Power operations from global geopolitical disruptions, mainly in recent conflicts in the Middle East, Vedanta Power's CEO Rajinder Singh Ahuja told ANI today at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. "Most of our plants are based on Indian coal, which largely insulates us from global tensions and supply-side uncertainties seen in international energy markets," Ahuja said on the sidelines of the Bharat Electricity Summit held in the national capital, adding that domestic sourcing ensures stability in both fuel availability and pricing. However, he acknowledged that certain assets remain exposed to international price movements. The Meenakshi plant in Andhra Pradesh, designed to run on imported coal, has been impacted by rising global coal prices. "With all this tension, the imported coal prices have flared up," he said. To mitigate this, the company has reworked its fuel mix. "We have now started using 80 per cent of Indian coal in that plant, which was designed for imported coal," Ahuja said, adding that the shift supports operational continuity while balancing costs. He described the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity for the company. "That is an opportunity for us to have sustainability of operations," he said. Rising crude-linked fuel costs are adding pressure on operations at Vedanta's power business, even as the company works to manage broader input cost volatility, he said. "We need start-up oil, which is LDO, and since the fuel prices have gone from USD 68 per barrel to USD 120 per barrel, that is definitely an impact which is coming on us," Ahuja said. He explained that Light Diesel Oil (LDO), used during plant start-up and stabilisation, has become significantly more expensive due to the surge in crude prices, increasing operational costs for power producers. Ahuja said that while such auxiliary fuel costs are rising, the company's dependence on domestic coal for most of its plants has helped limit exposure to global market volatility. "Fortunately, most of our plants are Indian coal-based, so that immunes us from the global tensions," he said. He said that the summit is a great congregation of industry and policymakers, and it provides opportunities for collaboration across domestic and international stakeholders. Vedanta's power business, which is set to be demerged into an independent entity following regulatory approvals, aims to capitalise on India's growing electricity demand. "We would love to be among the top five players," Ahuja said, outlining the company's expansion ambitions. On the policy front, he called for improvements in the operating environment. "We are looking for an environment where ease of doing business is further improved," Ahuja said, while emphasising the need for timely payments from government buyers. He also highlighted challenges related to regulatory compliance, particularly biomass co-firing requirements. "Last year they said 5 per cent biomass has to be used... but there was no one in the market who could supply," he said, adding that this year we are one of the top companies who have used 5 per cent and above biomass, but now government is looking at penalising for the last year. "We want government to look at these policy changes as a win-win... rather than penalising," Ahuja said. Despite near-term pressures, Ahuja expressed confidence in the sector's long-term growth, citing strong demand fundamentals and policy support. (ANI)
A federal judge in Oregon ruled Thursday that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overstepped his authority when he publicly disparaged gender-affirming care for minors and chastised medical professionals for providing it.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai is the latest loss on the issue for the Trump administration and offers a reprieve to clinics, hospitals and other medical outlets who treat children with gender dysphoria, a medical condition in which a person experiences a distressing disconnect around their gender.

Kasubhai found that Kennedy had violated accepted procedures by publishing a document in December 2025, in which he declared that gender-affirming care for minors was neither safe nor effective and that those who offer it were threatening the health and safety of children with gender dysphoria.

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The decision came in a lawsuit 18 states including California and New York filed against Kennedy and the Trump administration, arguing that the declaration was an overstep of Kennedys rule-making power and improperly threatened federal funding for clinics and others that provide gender-related care.

Blue states have taken the Trump administration to court several times over the administrations attempts to stop hospitals from providing gender-affirming care to minors. In January , several states filed a lawsuit over an administration policy to cut health and education grants from institutions that promote gender ideology. In February 2025 , a judge blocked enforcement of President Donald Trumps executive order threatening federal funding from hospitals that provide gender affirming care to teenagers.

So much of the conversation around transgender health care has lost sight of the real people harmed by the federal governments attacks, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement after Thursdays ruling. Young people are losing access to life-saving treatment, families are being left in the dark, and medical providers are being threatened just for doing their jobs and following standards of care.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has launched an investigation into a potential discrepancy in the number of ballots cast in last year's special election.

On one hand, the Riverside County registrar of voters said the number of ballots counted by machines numbered more than 657,000.

But an independent investigation by a group of concerned citizens shows the number of handwritten logs filled out by various elections officials and poll workers showed just more than 611,000 votes cast.

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"I'm not saying anyone is lying, or there's a series of mistakes," said Bianco at a news conference Friday morning. "I'm saying I don't know."

"We're not talking about ten, we're not even talking about a thousand. We're talking about the difference between having a perfect count, and a 45,800 vote difference. That's massive," he said.

Sheriff's investigators recently served searched warrants at the Registrar of Voters, seizing multiple boxes of ballots from the 2025 special election.

Bianco said a superior court judge recently ordered the appointment of a special master to supervise sheriff's investigators as they count all of the ballots.

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"The purpose of this investigation is just as much to prove the election is accurate, as it is to show otherwise. We will not know until the count is complete."

At a recent Riverside County board of supervisors meeting, Registrar Art Tinoco stood by the machine count of the ballots, saying the handwritten logs were completed by people working long hours, who might have made mistakes.

"Those documents are completed by temporary employees that are out in the field collecting them, and working at these sites," said Tinoco at the meeting. "So those forms, again, may come back and the counts may be imprecise, because again, it's humans completing the document."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement denouncing Bianco's investigation.

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"I was surprised and disappointed by Sheriff Bianco's statements in his press conference this morning. In light of the misleading statements he made, I want to clarify my office's role," Bonta said. "We were concerned to learn late last month that the Riverside County Sheriff's Office planned to execute warrants to seize approximately 1,000 boxes of ballot materials pertaining to the November 2025 Special Election.

"Sheriff Bianco's investigation is unprecedented in both scope and scale - and appears not to be based on facts or evidence but on unfounded allegations that have already been refuted by the Riverside Registrar of Voters," Bonta added.

Bianco said that Rob Bonta sent him two letters over the past month asking him to stop his investigation.

"The outrage that an investigation was happening was extremely concerning to me," said Bianco.
Former FBI director Robert Mueller, who served as special counsel in an investigation into Russia's interference during the 2016 presidential election, died on March 21 at age 81, leaving behind a decorated legacy and notable foes.

Mueller  who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, according to the New York Times  died on Saturday, his family confirmed in a statement obtained by USA TODAY.

"With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night," Mueller's family said in the statement. The family didn't specify the cause of death, but asked for their privacy to be respected.

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Mueller leaves behind his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann Cabell Standish, two daughters and five grandchildren.

He earned the enmity of President Donald Trump by serving as special counsel investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump said on social media: "Im glad hes dead."

Here is what to know about Robert Mueller.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller , who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported. Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.



As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.



Scroll through to look back at his career. A trader works at his post, as a television broadcasts Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testimony before Congress, on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on July 24, 2019. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs after delivering a statement on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election at the Justice Department in Washington on May 29, 2019. Special counsel Robert Mueller walks with his wife Ann Mueller at St. John's Church across from the White House on March 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Special counsel Robert Mueller has delivered his report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to Attorney General William Barr. Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing about his report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the Rayburn House Office Building July 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mueller will later testify before the House Intelligence Committee in back-to-back hearings on Capitol Hill. Special Counsel Robert Mueller speaks on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on May 29, 2019. Mueller said that charging President Donald Trump with a crime of obstruction was not an option because of Justice Department policy. Special Counsel Robert Mueller arrives at his office on March 21, 2019 in Washington DC. It is expected that Mueller will soon complete his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and release his report. Mueller testifies during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2013, where he confirmed that the FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance. FBI Director Robert Mueller listens to opening statements at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats on Jan. 31, 2012 in Washington. A Secret Service agent keeps watch as U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to speak at FBI headquarters in Washington April 28, 2009. Ascending the steps is FBI director Robert Mueller. FBI Director Robert Mueller testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the oversight of the FBI on March 27, 2007 in Washington. FBI Director Robert Mueller talks with the USA TODAY Editorial Board on April 30, 2003 in McLean, Va. Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, left, along with FBI Director Robert Mueller, right, hold a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington to announce that a federal grand jury in Houston had indicted former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey K. Skilling on charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and insider trading on Feb. 19, 2003. Attorney General John Ashcroft, left, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, center, and FBI Director Robert Mueller testify at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2002 in Washington. Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies. Look back at his career in government 1 of 14 Former FBI Director Robert Mueller , who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported. Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.



As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.



Scroll through to look back at his career.

Who was Robert Mueller?

Born on Aug. 7, 1944, in New York City, Mueller grew up outside of Philadelphia before graduating from Princeton University in 1966 and later earning a master's degree in International Relations at New York University, according to his bio on the FBI's website.

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Following college, Mueller joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as an officer for three years, leading a rifle platoon in Vietnam. For his service, Mueller received a Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Purple Heart (given to those wounded or killed in action) and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, his bio says.

After Mueller's military service, he earned a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School in 1973. Mueller would then work as a litigator in San Francisco until 1976, before serving 12 years in U.S. Attorneys Offices, first in the Northern District of California in San Francisco and then in Boston as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Mueller would go back and forth between Boston-based law firms and U.S. Attorney's Offices until 1998, when he was named U.S. Attorney in San Francisco. He held this position until 2001, when former President George W. Bush and the Senate unanimously confirmed him to become the sixth director of the FBI on Sept. 4, 2001. He took office just one week before 9/11, remaining in the role until his 12-year term ended on Sept. 4, 2013.

Robert Mueller led Russia collusion investigation

Appointed as special counsel on May 17, 2017, by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Mueller was tasked to "oversee the previously-confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters," according to a Justice Department news release.

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The investigation came to a head when Mueller gave his final report in 2019, which concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Trump. However, there was no evidence that anyone associated with Trump's campaign at the time colluded with the Russian government.

Trump would call the investigation a hoax on several accusations. He also blamed former President Barack Obama's staff.

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before a House Intelligence Committee hearing on the Office of Special Counsel's investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2019.

What was Robert Mueller's cause of death?

A statement from Mueller's family didn't specify the cause of death, but asked for their privacy to be respected.

Mueller's death comes nearly five years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He learned of his diagnosis in the summer of 2021, the New York Times reported, citing a 2025 family statement the outlet obtained, which came days before he had been called to testify before a congressional committee about the government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigations.

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs from the U.S. Capitol following his testimonies before the House of Representatives, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2019.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Parkinson's disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition that causes parts of the brain to deteriorate, causing slowed movements, tremors and balance issues.

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Contributing: Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Robert Mueller? Former FBI director, Trump foe has died.
Robert Mueller, a former FBI director who led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, has died, his family confirmed to CBS News on Saturday. He was 81.

"With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away" on Friday, his family said in a statement, asking for their privacy to be respected.

A cause of death was not shared. Mueller is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann Cabell Standish, their two daughters, and three grandchildren.

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Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013. In 2017, the Justice Department appointed him special counsel to investigate potential coordination between Russia and the Trump team during the 2016 presidential election.

The nearly two-year investigation resulted in seven guilty pleas and charges against 34 individuals, including Trump allies Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, and three separate companies. It did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 election. The report detailed 10 instances in which President Trump may have obstructed justice, but did not conclude whether he had done so.

President Trump frequently criticized the investigation as a "witch hunt." On Saturday, Mr. Trump addressed Mueller's death on Truth Social.

"Robert Mueller just died. Good, I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!" Mr. Trump wrote.

Special counsel Robert Mueller speaks at the Department of Justice about the Russia investigation. / Credit: Carolyn Kaster / AP

Former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush gave their condolences to the Mueller family later Saturday, recognizing Mueller's decades of public service.

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"Bob Mueller was one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, transforming the bureau after 9/11 and saving countless lives," Obama said in a statement posted on X. "But it was his relentless commitment to the rule of law and his unwavering belief in our bedrock values that made him one of the most respected public servants of our time. Michelle and I send our condolences to Bob's family, and everyone who knew and admired him."

In a statement through the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Bush said Mueller led the FBI "effectively, helping prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Laura and I send our heartfelt sympathy to his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann, and the Mueller family."

Former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who served in the post from 2017 until January 2025, said in a statement provided to CBS News that he was "deeply saddened to learn" of Mueller's death, saying that Mueller "embodied the virtue of prioritizing service to the country over self, and he always put the mission first."

Mueller was born in New York City and grew up outside of Philadelphia. He graduated from Princeton University and served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer for three years during the Vietnam War. During his service, he led a rifle platoon and was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and two Navy Commendation Medals. He then enrolled in the University of Virginia School of Law and graduated in 1973.

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In the late 1970s and through the 1980s, Mueller worked as a U.S. Attorney, rising quickly through the ranks. In 1990, he was appointed the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's criminal division. He oversaw high-profile prosecutions, including those of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and New York crime boss John Gotti.

In 2001, he was named director of the Federal Bureau of Intelligence. The September 11 attacks were a week later. Mueller oversaw a massive transformation of the bureau over the next 12 years. He was known for personally digging into the details of bureau investigations, even on minor cases, and surprising agents who suddenly found themselves on the phone with him.

"The management books will tell you that as the head of an organization, you should focus on the vision," CBS News previously quoted Mueller as saying. But "for me, there were and are today those areas where one needs to be substantially personally involved."

Robert Mueller, left, speaks with reporters at FBI headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001. / Credit: AP

Mueller said in 2012 that he "expected to focus on areas familiar to me as a prosecutor  drug cases, white-collar criminal cases and violent crime," but instead "had to focus on long-term, strategic change."

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"We had to enhance our intelligence capabilities and upgrade our technology. We had to build upon strong partnerships and forge new friendships, both here at home and abroad," he said.

The FBI Agents Association, a nonprofit and advocate of active and retired agents, called Mueller "a lifelong public servant" who led the agency "during a period of significant change and played an important role in strengthening its ability to confront evolving national security threats while maintaining its core criminal investigative mission."

"The FBIAA extends its condolences to Director Mueller's family and honors his commitment to public service and to the FBI's mission," the organization said in a statement to CBS News.

Mueller led the FBI until 2013, when he was replaced by Comey.

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"Bob Mueller was a truly good and honest person and an extraordinary American patriot. May his example inspire people of integrity to serve our country," Comey said in a statement on Saturday.

When he was named head of the Russia investigation, Republicans and Democrats alike praised Mueller as someone widely respected for his integrity and independence.

After the Russia probe ended, Mueller participated in a six-session course on the investigation at the University of Virginia School of Law. He also wrote the introduction for a book by a top prosecutor who helped lead the investigation.

In September 2025, Mueller was subpoenaed to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee about the case involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but the request was withdrawn due to new information on his health, a committee aide told CBS News at the time. The aide said that Mueller had "health issues that preclude him from being able to testify."

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The New York Times reported in September 2025 that Mueller had Parkinson's disease. His family told the paper he was diagnosed with the condition in 2021.

Some U.S. lawmakers and political figures in Washington also reacted to the news of Mueller's death, remembering him for his public service to the country.

"I joined many Americans mourning the loss of Robert Mueller. He led a career of public service, always committed to the rule of law," Sen. Mark Warner told reporters at the Capitol. "I didn't always agree with him, but I join many and mourning is passing."

The Virginia Democrat said he was disappointed in the tone of the president's message, saying, "I guess I shouldn't be shocked anymore, but it still seems shocking."

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By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, March 21 (Reuters) - Robert Mueller, the no-nonsense former FBI chief who documented Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election and its contacts with Donald Trump's campaign but opted not to bring criminal charges against a sitting president, has died at age 81, his former law firm confirmed on Saturday.

Media reports did not mention a cause of death for Mueller, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who led the FBI in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S. The New York Times last year reported that Mueller had Parkinson's disease.

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WilmerHale, where Mueller had worked as a lawyer until his retirement in 2021, said it mourned Mueller's passing. "Bob was an extraordinary leader and public servant and a person of the greatest integrity," the law firm said in a statement on Saturday.

Mueller retired after 12 years as Federal Bureau of Investigation director in 2013 but was summoned back to public service by a senior Justice Department official four years later as a special counsel to take over an inquiry into Russia's election meddling after Trump fired then-FBI chief James Comey.

Mueller conducted a 22-month investigation that produced indictments against 34 people, including several Trump associates as well as Russian intelligence officers and three Russian companies, and a series of guilty pleas and convictions. Mueller ultimately stopped short of a criminal indictment of the Republican president, bitterly disappointing many Democrats.

Trump on Saturday celebrated Mueller's passing. "Good, I'm glad he's dead," Trump wrote on the Truth Social site. "He can no longer hurt innocent people!"

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During his career as a prosecutor and FBI chief, Mueller displayed a patrician manner and sometimes wooden personality - just about the opposite of the bombastic Trump. He was known by some as "Bobby Three Sticks" because of his full name - Robert Mueller III - a moniker that belied his formal bearing and sober approach to law enforcement.

His Russia inquiry, detailed in a 448-page 2019 report, laid bare what Mueller and U.S. intelligence agencies have described as a Russian campaign of hacking and propaganda to sow discord in the U.S., denigrate 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and boost Trump, the Kremlin's preferred candidate. Russia denied election interference.

"First, our investigation found that the Russian government interfered in our election in sweeping and systematic fashion," Mueller said during 2019 congressional testimony.

"Second, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired with the Russian government in its election interference activities. We did not address 'collusion,' which is not a legal term. Rather, we focused on whether the evidence was sufficient to charge any member of the campaign with taking part in a criminal conspiracy. It was not," Mueller added.

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In analyzing whether Trump had committed the crime of obstruction of justice, Mueller looked at a series of actions. These included Trump's attempts to have the special counsel fired and to limit the scope of the investigation as well as the president's efforts to prevent the public from knowing about a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in New York between senior Trump campaign officials and Russians. Mueller pointedly did not exonerate the president, as Trump claimed.

"Based on Justice Department policy and principles of fairness, we decided we would not make a determination as to whether the president committed a crime," Mueller told lawmakers.

"The president was not exculpated for the acts that he allegedly committed," Mueller added.

'NUMEROUS LINKS'

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Mueller was named by the Justice Department's No. 2 official, Rod Rosenstein, to take over the Russia investigation.

The investigation, according to the report, unearthed "numerous links" between the Russian government and Trump's campaign and said the president's team "expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts," referring to hacked Democratic emails.

Mueller, a longtime Republican, faced unremitting attacks by Trump and his allies on his integrity as they tried to discredit the investigation and the special counsel himself. Trump used social media, speeches and comments to news media to assail Mueller, accusing him of running a politically motivated, "rigged witch hunt," going "rogue," surrounding himself with "thugs" and having conflicts of interest.

"It's all a big hoax," Trump said in 2019.

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"Absolutely, it was not a hoax," Mueller told the congressional hearing, noting the numerous charges arising from the probe.

Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was convicted in 2018 on eight charges of financial wrongdoing and pleaded guilty to two others, receiving a 7-1/2-year prison sentence. Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone was convicted in 2019 of seven counts of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering and sentenced to more than three years in prison. Trump later used his executive clemency power to pardon them. Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, entered a guilty plea to lying to the FBI. Trump also pardoned Flynn.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives at the time twice impeached Trump after Mueller had finished his work, though those actions did not grow out of the special counsel's findings.

AN AGENCY IN CRISIS

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Appointed by Republican President George W. Bush to head the FBI, Mueller took over as its director one week before the September 11 attacks on the U.S. by al Qaeda militants using hijacked planes that killed about 3,000 people. Democratic President Barack Obama later extended Mueller's appointment. By the time Mueller left the position, his tenure was exceeded only by J. Edgar Hoover's 48-year stint.

Mueller was credited with transforming the premier U.S. law enforcement agency after Congress and an independent government commission determined that the FBI and CIA had failed to share information before the September 11 attacks that could have helped prevent them. Mueller revamped the FBI into an agency centered on protecting national security in addition to law enforcement, putting more resources into counterterrorism investigations and improving cooperation with other U.S. agencies.

He put his career on the line in 2004 when he and Comey, then the deputy attorney general, threatened to resign when Bush White House officials sought to reauthorize a domestic eavesdropping program that the Justice Department had deemed unconstitutional. The two rushed to a Washington hospital and prevented top Bush aides from persuading an ailing Attorney General John Ashcroft, recovering from gallbladder surgery, to reauthorize the surveillance program.

Comey succeeded Mueller as FBI director in 2013, only to be fired by Trump.

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Born into an affluent New York family, Mueller grew up outside of Philadelphia, graduated from Princeton University, earned a master's degree at New York University and joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as an officer for three years, leading a rifle platoon in Vietnam and receiving honors including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Mueller then earned a law degree from the University of Virginia and later became a federal prosecutor and headed the Justice Department's criminal division, supervising cases including prosecution of the crime boss John J. Gotti and the probe into the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland, before Bush chose him to lead the FBI.

"He really hates the bad guys," former Massachusetts Governor William Weld, who preceded Mueller as the U.S. attorney in Boston, told the New York Times in 2013.

Mueller and his wife, Ann, had two daughters.

(Reporting by Will Dunham and Mike Scarcella; editing by Diane Craft, Sergio Non and Paul Simao)
It was a nearly $20 million flip.

But according to a recently unsealed whistleblower complaint that was a focus of federal and state authorities for nearly two years  it was an inside deal.

At issue was a piece of property in Bayonne not far from the Newark Bay Bridge that was once the site of the former Marist High School. A developer had purchased the 9.5-acre property from the city in 2021 for $11.4 million after the Catholic school closed the previous year.

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Not long afterward, a planned New Jersey Turnpike expansion project led to the acquisition of the property through eminent domain proceedings for $31.1 million, netting the developer close to $20 million in profit.

How that all happened, though, wasnt just a lucky break, claim the court documents that just came to light.

In what is known as a qui tam, or whistleblower lawsuit, the citys former business administrator, Melissa Mathews, alleged that the deal had been wired.

Filed under seal on behalf of the government in 2024 to allow the U.S. Attorneys Office to review the matter, the False Claims Act lawsuit outlined what Mathews as the relator in the case described as a scheme contrived by politicians in Bayonne.

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Mathews said city officials conspired with the developer to transfer the school site to the company, all while knowing it would be subject of an eminent domain taking by the Turnpike Authority.

The former business administrator, who has a separate lawsuit against the city alleging gender-based harassment and a hostile work environment which led to her being forced her out of her job, declined to comment on the federal case.

The whistleblower filing, unsealed by a judge last week after the U.S. Attorney and state of New Jersey notified the court of their decision to decline to intervene, claimed that Bayonne held special meetings to upzone the property, changing the zoning to allow greater density of any future development on the site. That, she claimed, would ensure the developers reap a significant but ill-gotten windfall.

Upzoning raises the value of any property. In this case, the increased value also served to raise the cost of acquiring it even through eminent domain, as a result of its higher assessment.

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The Bayonne City Council ultimately approved the supposed redevelopment plan, permitting a developer to build up to 14 stories of new housing, six stories for a self-storage facility or office or a handful of other types of new buildings.

Yet it was no secret that the authority had been eyeing the property.

In fact, after the city had acquired Marist with plans for it to become a public school, Bayonne had pulled the plug over the high costs of the project and a plan emerged for a redevelopment that would be spearheaded by the Alessi Organization.

The Alessis, according to the court filing, are Bayonne developers who exert economic and political influence in Bayonne by way of campaign contributions and related activities.

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But well before Bayonne finalized its deal with Alessi, it had already been publicly reported that city officials knew the New Jersey Turnpike Authority was interested in the property. The lawsuit said the Turnpike Authority had expressed interest directly to Bayonne officials and the public at large prior to the re-zoning of the property and its transfer to the developers.

By selling and then upzoning the property, the lawsuit  which named Bayonne, then-Mayor Jimmy Davis and city officials, as well as The Alessi Organization  claimed the public and the government was defrauded by more than $19.7 million.

The Alessis did not participate in good faith negotiations because they, in coordination with Bayonne and the Bayonne officials, artificially crated an enhanced value for the property through new permitted uses incorporated into the redevelopment plan that substantially increased the developmental density and fair market value of the property, the court filing alleged.

The Office of the State Comptroller later sued Bayonne for records related to the Marist sale, but never issued any report related to those records.

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Christopher Porrino, an attorney for 1241 JFK Boulevard IPX, LLC, one of the entities tied to the Alessi Organization for the acquisition of the Marist school property, called the False Claim Act charges frivolous, politically motivated allegations that both the federal government and the New Jersey state government declined to litigate.

We intend to seek prompt dismissal of the case and will seek reimbursement of our legal fees, said Porrino.

Joe Ryan, a spokesman for Bayonne, said the city does not comment on pending legal matters.

Davis, who is now the Hudson County sheriff, did not respond to a message left with his office.

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The cost of the property is still a matter of an unrelated court action over the value of the property.

The Turnpike Authority sought the site as a construction staging area and for a drainage pit in connection with its proposed $10 billion Newark Bay Hudson County Extension proposal to widen the roadway from Newark to the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has since downsized the original proposal calling for the building of twin bridges to carry the New Jersey Turnpike across Newark Bay, instead directing that a smaller single bridge be built instead.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Supreme Court broke new ground this month when it ruled the Constitution forbids school policies in California that prevent parents from being told about their child's gender transition at school.

But the reach of this new parental right remains unclear.

Does it mean all parents have a right to be informed if their child is using a new name and pronouns at school?

Or is the right limited to parents who inquire and object to being "shut out of participation in decisions involving their children's mental health," as the high court said in Mirabelli vs. Bonta.

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Both sides in this legal battle accuse the other of creating confusion and uncertainty. And that dispute has not subsided.

UC Davis law professor Aaron Tang says understanding the Supreme Court's order calls for a close reading of the statewide injunction handed down by U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego.

That order prohibits school employees from "misleading" or "lying" to parents. It did not say school officials and teachers had a duty to contact parents whenever they saw that a student changed their appearance or used a new name, he said.

By clearing this order to take effect, the Supreme Court's decision "means that schools must tell parents the truth about their child's gender presentation at school if the parents request that information," Tang said.

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"But the initial burden is on the parents. This is not a rule that schools have an affirmative obligation to inform any and all parents if their child is presenting as a different gender," he said.

Read more: What the Supreme Court ruling on gender identity means for students, parents, and schools

The high court's 6-3 order also indicated the reach of the judge's injunction was limited.

It "does not provide relief for all the parents of California public school students, but only those parents who object to the challenged policies or seek religious injunctions."

Religious conservatives who sued say they seek to end "secret transition" policies that encourage students to adopt a new gender identity without their parents knowing about the change.

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The lawsuit challenging California's "parental exclusion" policies was first filed by two teachers in Escondido.

Peter Breen, an attorney for the Thomas More Society, said many of the parents in Escondido "had no clue" their children were undergoing a gender transition at school.

"We need to activate parents," he said.

Ruling for them, Benitez said the state's "parental exclusion policies are designed to create a zone of secrecy around a school student who expresses gender incongruity."

His injunction also said schools must notify their employees that "parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school child expresses gender incongruence."

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The Supreme Court's order cited a dramatic example of nondisclosure.

Two parents who joined the suit had gone to parent-teacher meetings and learned only after their eighth-grade daughter attempted suicide that she had been presenting as a boy at school and suffered from gender dysphoria.

John Bursch, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom, argues the Supreme Court's opinion goes further to empower parents.

"Fairly read, the Mirabelli opinion creates an affirmative obligation on school officials to disclose," he said. "It's consistent with the way [the court] describes the parental right: 'the right not to be shut out of participation in decisions regarding their childrens mental health.' School officials silence (rather than lying) is not notice to and is shutting out parents."

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"All that said, the California attorney general is obviously not getting that message," Bursch said.

He said the Supreme Court needs to go beyond an emergency order and fully decide a case that squarely presents the issue of parents rights.

"School officials should not be socially transitioning children without parental notice and consent. Period," he said.

He filed an appeal petition with the Supreme Court in a case from Massachusetts that dissenting Justice Elena Kagan described as a "carbon copy" of the California dispute.

It takes only four votes to grant review of a case, but since November, the justices have repeatedly considered the case of Foote vs. Ludlow and taken no action.

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The case is set to be considered again on Friday in the court's private conference.

Meanwhile, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta went back to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals seeking a clarification to limit the potential sweep of Benitez's order.

He objected to the part of the judge's order that said schools must post a notice that "parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence."

Bonta said that goes beyond what the Supreme Court approved.

This "could be understood to suggest that public school officials have an affirmative constitutional duty to inform parents whenever they observe a students expression of 'gender incongruence,' effectively imposing a mandatory 'see something, say something' obligation in all circumstances," he said.

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But the 9th Circuit said it would not act until he first presented this request to Benitez.

Meanwhile, transgender rights advocates say the voices and the views of students have been ignored.

"This case has been about states' and parents' rights but students have been left out of the conversation. Their voices have not been heard at all," said Andrew Ortiz, an attorney for the Transgender Law Center. "School should be a place where young people can feel safe and confident they can confide in a teacher."

"We're hearing about fear and anxiety," said Jorge Reyes Salinas, communications director for Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.

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"There are students who are unable to speak with their parents. Teachers can encourage them to have a conversation with their parents. But this will weaken the trust they have in their teachers," he said.

In the past, the court had been wary of reaching into the public schools to decide on education policies and the curriculum, but it took a significant step in that direction last year.

In a Maryland case, the court said religious parents had a right to "opt out" their young children from classes that read "LGBTQ+-inclusive" storybooks.

The 1st Amendment protects the "free exercise of religion" and "government schools ... may not place unconstitutional burdens on religious exercise," wrote Justice Samuel A. Alito, the lone conservative who attended public schools.

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The same 6-3 majority cited that precedent to block California school policies that protect the privacy of students and "conceal" information from inquiring parents if the student does not consent.

But the California case went beyond the religious-rights issue in the Maryland "opt out" case because it included a "subclass of parents" who objected without citing religion as the reason.

The justices ruled for them as a matter of parents' rights.

"Parents  not the state  have primary authority with respect to the upbringing and education of children," the court said.

That simple assertion touches on a sensitive issue for both the conservative and liberal wings of the court. It rests on the 14th Amendment's clause that says no state may "deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law."

In the past, a liberal majority held that the protection for "liberty" included rights to contraceptives, abortion and same-sex marriages.

Conservatives fiercely objected to what was dubbed "substantive due process."

Read more: Supreme Court: California parents may be told about their transgender child at school

In the California case, Kagan, speaking for the liberals in dissent, tweaked the conservatives for recognizing a new constitutional right without saying where it came from.

"Anyone remotely familiar with recent debates in constitutional law will understand why: Substantive due process has not been of late in the good graces of this Court  and especially of the Members of today's majority," she wrote.

She noted that when the court struck down the right to abortion in the Dobbs case, Justice Clarence Thomas said he would go further and strike down all the rights that rest on "substantive due process."

In response to Kagan, Justice Amy Coney Barrett filed a concurring opinion that staked out a moderate conservative position.

Since 1997, the court has said it would stand behind rights that were "deeply rooted in the nation's history and tradition," she wrote. That includes "a parent's right to raise her child ... and the right to participate in significant decisions about her child's mental health."

She said California's "non-disclosure policy" is unconstitutional and violates the rights of parent because it applies "even if parents expressly ask for information about their child's gender identification," she wrote.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh signed on to her opinion.

While Kagan dissented on procedural grounds, she did not disagree with bottom-line outcome.

"California's policy, in depriving all parents of information critical to their children's health and well-being, could have crossed the constitutional line," she said. "And that would entitle the parents, at the end of the day, to relief."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Washington  The Senate on Friday again failed to move forward with legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security, extending the shutdown that has snarled air travel around the country.

In a 47 to 37 vote, the legislation failed to reach the 60-vote threshold it needed to advance. Sixteen senators did not vote. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted with Republicans.

Friday's vote marks the fifth time since Feb. 12 that the Senate has attempted to advance a House-passed bill that would fund the department through September. DHS has been shut down since Feb. 14. Democrats are insisting on reforms to immigration enforcement practices to fully reopen the department.

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A bipartisan group of senators met with border czar Tom Homan on Thursday, in what Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama said was the first time both sides have met in six weeks. Leaving the meeting, Britt said "today was not negotiation, it was conversation."

Homan met with the group again Friday, though Democrats left the meeting after less than an hour. Still, Republican Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota said he thought it was "very congenial" and "another step forward."

Earlier in the day, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that the meeting would shed light on whether a breakthrough is possible.

"This can't continue," the South Dakota Republican said, adding that both sides "have now had an opportunity to kind of sharpen their pencils."

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"I think we're going to know today whether we're actually serious about it," Thune said.

Earlier this week, Senate Democrats sent the White House their latest counteroffer. In a letter Tuesday to Republican senators involved in funding discussions, the White House said it had made several proposals to Democrats in its previous counteroffer. The offer included expanded use of body cameras, limiting civil immigration enforcement activities at schools and hospitals and requiring officers to wear visible identification. But Democrats have dismissed the offer, saying the White House has refused to budge on masks and warrants.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said after Friday's meeting that the White House "has added to its offer," calling it a "very fair, reasonable offer." Collins declined to share specifics.

Asked whether the group would meet again Saturday, Hoeven said it depends on what Democrats "come back with." Collins said the next step is for Democrats to make a new counteroffer.

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"I would be hopeful that our Democratic colleagues would come back with an offer that shows that they're looking to find a pathway forward," Britt told reporters.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said earlier Friday that negotiations on immigration enforcement "still have a way to go," citing "deep disagreements."

The effects of the shutdown have been most apparent at airports across the U.S. Travelers are facing long lines, with unpaid Transportation Security Administration officers calling off work or quitting altogether. One TSA official warned this week that some airports might need to be shut down if the situation is not resolved soon.

Republicans have blocked Democrats' repeated attempts to pass funding for other agencies under the DHS umbrella, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Meanwhile, Democrats have shut down efforts by Republicans to approve temporary funding for all of DHS.

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Schumer said that lawmakers would have another chance to fund TSA on Saturday, when a procedural vote on legislation funding the individual agency is expected.

"The chaos at TSA is reaching a boiling point. We need to reopen it as quickly as possible," Schumer said in a floor speech Friday.

Body found in Barcelona identified as missing American student James Gracey

Joseph Duggar arrested, facing child sex abuse charges

Couple sees rolled-up carpet removed from home as neighbor disappears
Following its high-octane release on March 19, 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' has earned a resounding seal of approval from visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli. The sequel to the 2025 record-breaking blockbuster has not only captivated audiences but is also garnering acclaim from the film industry's biggest stalwarts for its scale, soul, and storytelling depth. Taking to his X, the 'RRR' director penned a tribute to the film, noting that while he loved the first installment, the sequel surpasses the original. "The writing, casting, technical execution, music, world design, and direction are flawless," Rajamouli stated, specifically highlighting the emotional stakes that ground the massive production. Rajamouli reserved high praise for director Aditya Dhar, commending his "guts" to release a four-hour-long film. Despite the runtime, Rajamouli noted that the "audience is glued to the seat till the last frame," credited to a script that weaves genuine tension with emotional plot twists. He wrote, "The writing manages to weave plot twists that create genuine tension charged with emotion. @AdityaDharFilms, you hit it out of the park. It takes guts to make and release a film 4 hours long. The audience is glued to the seat till the last frame." The director's accolades extended to the lead cast, particularly Ranveer Singh, who reprises his role as undercover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi (operating under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari). Rajamouli described Singh's performance as a "masterclass in acting," specifically citing a sequence with the character's sister in a shed as a standout moment. "@RanveerOfficial, what a performance man... The sequence with the sister in the shed is a masterclass in acting. From that beginning to the heart-wrenching climax, you mesmerized us both as Hamza and Jaskirat," he wrote. He further lauded R. Madhavan for portraying the "helplessness and frustration of a nation" through his character, Ajay Sanyal. https://x.com/ssrajamouli/status/2035210972089262351?s=20 The film, which navigates a dark narrative involving a complex terror network, features a powerhouse ensemble including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam, veteran actor Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun. The first part also featured Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait. Earlier, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma called the film a "verdict" on the current state of cinema, suggesting it "cut off the head" of films that prioritize visual excess over narrative depth. Varma, who likened the franchise's impact to classics like 'Sholay' and 'Mughal-e-Azam', warned other producers to return to their "drawing boards" to avoid becoming obsolete. Adding to the praise, actor Preity Zinta also took to social media to describe Singh's performance as "stunning," highlighting his "range, depth, and sincerity." As the sequel to the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, 'Dhurandhar 2' entered theaters as one of the most anticipated movies of the year. (ANI)
The Senate is planning to debate and vote on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, called the SAVE America Act, through this weekend as Senate conservatives warn that a failure to make significant progress on President Trumps No. 1 legislative priority could result in Republican voters sitting out the election in November.

The Senate is expected to vote Saturday on an amendment sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a staunch Trump ally, to bar transgender athletes from participating in womens sports.

Then the Senate will pivot to vote Sunday on a motion to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which would set up a final confirmation vote for Mullin on Monday.

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The Senate will then move back to debating the SAVE America Act, which conservatives want to keep on the floor for weeks longer.

If we dont get it done or at least do everything we possibly can to try to get it passed, I think there is a very significant risk that our own base doesnt show up for us in November, said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a leading proponent of the bill.

We also worry about the integrity and security of our elections. Nobody knows exactly how things will pan out in part because we dont yet know the extent of the problem, he said, referring to the prospect of noncitizens voting in the midterm elections.

What we do know is that in states that have started reviewing the voter registration files in order to weed out those [ineligible people] who might have registered, perhaps inadvertently  already there have been thousands of voter registration files identified in just the handful of states doing their own reviews, Lee said.

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He said Democratic-led states are not reviewing their voter files and refusing even to share their voter registration files with federal officials  which begs the question, why?

Trump told House Republican lawmakers at an issues conference in Doral, Fla., earlier this month that Republicans would be in big trouble if they dont pass the SAVE America Act before the midterm elections.

Other Trump allies warn the bill is a top concern of voters this election year.

I think its important for voters, said Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.), a former chair of the Senate Republicans campaign arm. If you want to get elected, you focus on the things that people care about.

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In my state, this is really important to people. Its important to Democrats, Republicans and independents, so Im going to keep fighting for it. Im not going to give up.

Trump on Tuesday called the SAVE America Act one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of Congress, and America itself.

NO MORE RIGGED ELECTIONS! he posted on Truth Social.

Some Republican senators, however, say that while passing the SAVE America Act is important, they dont see it as necessarily pivotal to keeping Republican control of the Senate and House in November.

And some GOP senators are chafing at Republican colleagues who are whipping up support for the bill through social media, putting more pressure on the Senate to pass the bill.

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I would say everything has an effect [on the outcome of the midterm elections]. I wouldnt say this would be the effect, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said. Theres still a lot of time to November.

Some Republicans see the strength of the economy and voters views about costs and affordability as bigger issues in November.

Some GOP lawmakers grumble that the most outspoken proponents of the SAVE America Act are creating unrealistic expectations for passing the bill, which needs 60 votes and the support of seven to 10 Democrats to overcome a filibuster.

Ive heard the leader say, and Ive been in news conferences where hes said, we do not have the votes to pass this, Capito said, referring to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).

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I think laying it on the line for one particular vote within your own conference is  I dont agree with the tactics, she added.

Democrats argue that incidents of noncitizens voting in federal elections are rare.

The Fair Elections Center, a nonpartisan voting rights advocacy organization, points out that the conservative Heritage Foundation has found only 99 incidents of noncitizens voting going back to 2000.

But Lee says noncitizens voting in U.S. elections is more prevalent than Democrats admit.

He said there are a handful of states in which some local elections openly allow noncitizens to vote and where local officials have declined to explain how they ensure those noncitizen voters arent also voting in federal elections.

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It is already illegal under current law for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.

San Francisco allows resident noncitizens whose kids attend local schools to vote in school board elections while several municipalities in Maryland and Vermont permit noncitizens to vote in municipal elections, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC).

Washington, D.C., began allowing noncitizen residents to vote in local elections in 2022, according to the BPC.

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.
Hudsonville  Global energy company RWE held a public hearing March 17 to hear concerns from the public about a 1,900-acre proposed solar development in Zeeland Township and Jamestown Township.

The hearing was part of a pre-application process for the Michigan Public Service Commission under PA 233.

A resident speaks during the public comment portion of RWEs presentation on a proposed solar energy project Tuesday, March 17, at Evergreen Ministries in Hudsonville.

The proposed development, Silver Maple Solar, is a 200megawatt project on agricultural-zoned land south of I-196 near Ottawa Executive Airport.

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"There's been communities in this world for hundreds of years that have gotten by without electricity, but never one that got by without food," said resident Loran Moyer during public comment.

RWE says the $330 million, 35-year project could power more than 34,000 homes. The company hopes to start construction as early as 2027, but that timeline depends on which approval process developers choose to pursue.

Public Act 233 allows developers of utility-scale solar, wind and battery energy storage projects to seek approval directly from the Public Service Commission, unless all affected local governments have adopted ordinances that are no more restrictive than state standards. Zeeland Township previously indicated an interest in adopting a "Workable Incompatible Ordinance," which permits large-scale projects, but has more constraints than a Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance. Jamestown Township passed an ordinance in July 2025.

WIOs offer developers a feasible alternative to the more expensive, time consuming and backlash-prone state process, but there's no guarantee RWE will be interested  particularly after planning commissioners in Zeeland Township leaned toward an Unworkable Incompatible Ordinance on March 10.

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RWE hasn't yet filed an application with MPSC, according to the state's website. The site plan and documents can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ynzc2e9z.

'Local is always our preference'

RWE began the public hearing March 17 with a brief presentation and general overview of the project, including the process of approval through MPSC, economic impacts and permitting.

Development Manager Joe Brochu said the project's location was chosen for transmission line capacity, flat and buildable land, landowner interest, proximity to areas with electricity need, and reliable permitting. During the hearing, RWE said the land would be restored for agricultural use after the development is decommissioned.

The project would reportedly produce $31.6 million in tax revenue, with about $15 million going toward local school districts.

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We are confident this is a big positive for (Zeeland Township), Brochu told The Sentinel.

Despite taking steps toward an application with MPSC, he added, RWEs preference is to permit locally.

A local route  provides the best opportunity to work directly with the townships, directly with the people who are going to live by the project, Brochu told The Sentinel. Local routes usually take less time to approve, its less costly to draft the application  local is always our preference.

A local farmer displays tractors with signs reading, "We plant corn, not solar," outside Evergreen Ministries ahead of RWE's presentation Tuesday, March 17, in Hudsonville.RWE doesnt plan to close the door on local permitting until it submits an official application, according to Brochu, largely because Zeeland Township is actively working on an ordinance.

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Were focused right now on preparing for (the state) path while also having conversations locally," he said. "We intend to proceed with the best permitting option available.

Brochu said public opposition isnt new for RWE.

Any type of land use is always going to have multiple opinions, whether its a housing development, whether its solar, he said. We respect all those views  thats why we have these public hearings."

'The contract  is saving my family farm'

The majority of the audience, which totaled over 100, stood firmly against the project and clapped after each public comment.

We will be fighting this (until) the very end," said Cadence DeVree. "We will win because we actually care about our community."

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Among the crowd were multiple politicians, including gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard and Ottawa County Commissioner Joe Moss. There were representatives from Laborers Local 355 and several of the farmers who've chosen to lease their land to RWE.

Dan Elzinga farmed his land for 42 years, but rising costs encouraged him to partner with RWE.

We think this is a great opportunity to partner with solar because  we keep the land and theres a real need right now for energy, Elzinga said. We see this as a way to keep the land in the family for the foreseeable future and, at some point in time, if our grandchildren or great-grandchildren want to farm, they'll have an opportunity.

This land is my parents' 401K," said Lisa Rumsey, the daughter of another farmer leasing to RWE. "I dont understand why so many people have the right to dictate what they do. The contract with RWE is saving my family farm by allowing it to remain in the family and be utilized for purposes other than agricultural farming.

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Residents, however, worry about water and soil contamination, the loss of local control, decommissioning and property values.

"If there wasnt (PA 233), this thing would never pass, said Dan Kerkstra.

Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel.

ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com

X: @cassideykava

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Zeeland area RWE's proposed solar project creates tension with farmers, residents
By Uditha Jayasinghe

COLOMBO, March 20 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka declined permission for two U.S. combat aircraft to land at a civilian airport earlier this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday.

The U.S. had requested permission for the two aircraft to land at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the southern part of the country from March 4-8, Dissanayake told lawmakers.

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"They wanted to bring two warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti," he said during a statement.

"We turned down the request to maintain Sri Lanka's neutrality," he added to applause from parliamentarians.

The U.S. had made the request on February 26. The same day Iran requested three of its ships to make a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from March 9-13 after participating in an Indian naval exercise. That request was also denied.

The U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, leading to a regional war that has severely restricted energy supplies and rattled markets.

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"We were considering this request. Had we said 'yes' to Iran, we would have had to say 'yes' to the U.S. as well," he added.

Sri Lanka's navy rescued 32 Iranian crew off IRIS Dena on March 4 after it was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine, in an attack that killed at least 84.

A second ship, IRIS Booshehr, and its crew were rescued by the Sri Lankan navy after it developed technical issues just beyond the island nation's territorial waters.

U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor is currently visiting Sri Lanka and met Dissanayake on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, which is recovering from a severe financial crisis that peaked in 2022 and was caused by a shortfall of dollars, faces a supply squeeze linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

The U.S. is Sri Lanka's largest export market while Iran is one of its key tea buyers.

(Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Another 40 paraprofessionals could be accepted into South Dakotas teacher apprenticeship program, which is meant to reduce the teaching shortage across the state.

The program, started in 2023, allows full-time paraprofessionals  sometimes called teachers aides  to pursue a teaching degree online through Dakota State University in elementary or special education, or through Northern State University in secondary education, at a steep discount while retaining their position.

Gov. Larry Rhoden said in a news release that the program is a strong partnership between the state and its universities to address a statewide issue.

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When paraprofessionals can earn a degree right in their home community, it strengthens our workforce and helps our rural communities thrive, Rhoden said.

Applications will be accepted through April 15, according to the state Department of Education. The program will start in July.

As of December, 72 paraprofessionals had graduated from the program, and 240 had participated. Of the graduates, 59 signed teaching contracts  all at South Dakota public and private schools. Five graduates earned degrees in secondary education, 17 in special education, 17 in elementary and special education, and 33 in elementary education.

Stacie Becker graduated from the programs first cohort.

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This experience showed me that I have the skills, perseverance and passion to become an effective educator, Becker said in a news release, and that with commitment, I can achieve my goals.

Statewide, 144 teaching positions were unfilled as of July last year, weeks before the school year started, according to the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. Thats the lowest number in recent years: There were 202 unfilled positions in July 2024, 256 in 2023, 225 in 2022 and 174 in 2021.

The Department of Education started the program, but it is currently funded through the state Department of Labor and Regulation with a combination of state and federal grants to reimburse universities for the discounted portion of tuition and other programming.

School districts pay $1,000 a year per apprentice. Apprentices are responsible for up to $1,000 a year in tuition, books and state assessments.

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A Scarborough High School student was exiting a school bus in northwest Houston when he was shot by a fellow classmate, the Houston Independent School District said.

SkyEye was over the active scene, showing yellow police tape near the bus, which was stopped next to a park.

HPD said the shots were fired in the 4000 block of Bolin Road around 4:45 p.m. on Friday. SkyEye was over the active scene, showing yellow police tape near the bus.

The student was shot in the leg and rushed to the hospital, HISD said. It added that nobody on the school bus was injured.

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During the active investigation, HISD said the nearby Benbrook Elementary was holding after-school activities and was placed on lockdown.

According to investigators, the juvenile suspect was identified by HISD Police and was found at a home near the crime scene.

HISD said an investigation is underway.

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Zoom school, March 12: For young children, parents, and university stu dents, people are juggling many roles. (photo credit: FLASH90)

Israeli students juggle Zoom classes, sirens, and exams while navigating life during war with Iran.

After completing a packed semester studying law at Bar-Ilan University, I knew March was almost here. It was going to be a month full of celebrations: anniversaries, family gatherings, and the ultimate party that is Shushan Purim in Jerusalem.

On the Shabbat when the Iran war began, I was in the synagogue reading parashat Zachor (the portion in Deuteronomy that outlines the commandment to remember what Amalek did to the Israelites) as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei likely found his end. Within two hours, the day was turned upside down as alerts overloaded my phones messaging system and half a dozen sirens forced us to the shelter.

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Today, as I write this reflection, it is uncertain when the next warning alert or siren will sound. My small apartment lacks a proper reinforced room (mamad), compelling my wife and me to take cover in a public bomb shelter a block away. Not that this is unique. Statistics show that 60% of Israelis lack a safe room in their apartment, forcing them to rely on other sheltering methods, such as using a building stairwell, a shelter in their buildings basement, or a public shelter outside their residential building.

What was supposed to be a beautiful month and a beautiful break from my university studies has turned into a survival frenzy. Instead of the usual party scene in Jerusalem, Purim became a private affair  Megillat Esther readings out of the public eye and surreal prayers in bomb shelters. Family gatherings and joyous occasions have become bonding sessions in reinforced rooms as guests and relatives huddle together over repeated sirens while trying to enjoy a celebration. Going outside, one must always be vigilant about where to go if a siren sounds. Walks are planned with bomb shelters in mind.

For those who rely on a routine, every day has become unpredictable, yet life must go on. Our phones watch over us with the Orwellian Home Front Command app, knowing where we are at all times, waiting at the ready to give us the call to go to a bomb shelter.

The university administration expressed hope that classes would soon return to the beautiful green grass of Bar-Ilan. (credit: FLASH90)

The second week of the war was meant to mark the beginning of my second semester. Instead, the academic year was postponed by a week and eventually resumed through Zoom classes. In a mass email to students, the university administration expressed hope that classes would soon return to the beautiful green grass of Bar-Ilan. Yet for many students, the messaging feels uncertain and at times contradictory, leaving them unsure what the coming semester will actually look like.

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Any attempts to repeat final exams are on hold. A recent email from the administration has students repeating exams over the Passover break in April. However, certain exams may have been deferred further. One student, N, has decided to leave Tel Aviv for a smaller community in the Negev. At least they dont have many sirens, he said. A student group chat debated the pros and cons of leaving the country through Taba, Egypt. One cannot study under these alerts and sirens. At least somewhere else, we can concentrate, another student wrote. Other students are attempting to project a business as usual vibe, but little is usual as students abandon their Zoom screens to take cover in reinforced rooms and bomb shelters in the middle of lectures.

Additionally, many students, tutors, and lecturers are on reserve duty, with their absence felt by their families and by their university environment. The situation has taken its toll on students across the country. An Israeli Students Union survey of 1,220 students, which included 240 reserve soldiers, found that 82% were unable to study. In contrast, only 6% were able to concentrate, 61% felt fatigued and drained, 55% experienced anxiety, and 59% were unable to attend one or more exams due to the war. The union spoke of a need to adapt to the situation, preserving students rights, and the need for transparent communication.

Tips on managing exam stress

According to Dr. Naama de la Fontaine, director of the Trauma Center for Children and Adolescents at Safra Childrens Hospital (part of Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer), who also sees many adult clients in her private clinic, the war has caused many students to attempt to function academically while managing a heavy psychological burden. We are all dealing with it from different perspectives and developmental standpoints, she explains. For young children, parents, and university students, people are juggling many roles. Many students are working, some are parents, and some are serving in the military.

De la Fontaine emphasizes that the current strain did not simply spring up on students but is built up from a constant, volatile period of tension. Our systems are already burdened with the effects of the past three years, she says. [For] many of us, whether we are fully aware of it or not, our bodies and minds are carrying the impact of ongoing exposure. As a result, students may experience fatigue, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm as they recall previous trauma because this situation can deeply trigger previous experiences of stress or trauma.

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One of her key recommendations is self-compassion. Many times, students internalize academic expectations without recognizing the circumstances they are operating in. If classes are being held and deadlines are expected, we internalize that expectation, she explains. We think that if the university placed a demand, this must mean we can meet that demand.

At the same time, de la Fontaine warns against extreme thinking. One trap is the all-or-nothing approach, she says. Students may feel that if they cannot perform exactly as they would in normal times, there is no point in trying. Either it has to be handed in perfectly, to receive the same grade as in peacetime, or we feel we have failed. Instead, she encourages students to adjust expectations. The goal is to do the best we can under the circumstances and not let our performance define our entire self-worth.

Sleep disruption is another major challenge, particularly for students who are repeatedly woken during the night due to air-raid sirens. Adding to the strain is that many students are living in older apartments with roommates, with no reinforced rooms. As a result, the trauma effect from a simple wake-up call becomes profound as students physically leave their beds for a bomb shelter in a different dwelling. The result is an amplified effect of the sleep disruption. When students dont reach deep REM sleep, concentration, memory, and organization are affected, she explains.

To help counter this, she recommends small practical steps. Try to get some sleep, even if its an hour-long nap during the day, she says. Creating routines can also help stabilize daily life. Create anchors throughout the day  meal times, movement, or social interaction.

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Finally, she stresses the importance of connection and purposeful action. Behavioral activation is key, she says. Its not whether we feel like doing something; we do it, and the emotions follow. Maintaining connection with others can also restore meaning. Doing something for someone else helps us maintain a sense of belonging and purpose.

Despite the feeling of strain, looking outside my window the streets are full of people walking. Shops remain open, people are walking their dogs, and some people are even jogging toward the Mediterranean coastline. When asked how they are, people still reply, I am doing well as if the war was an afterthought. This surreal scene may be the ultimate key to pushing through. Uncertainty abounds about university studies, and sleepless nights may continue to plague the home front, but people are still doing what they can to maintain a sense of having a normal life.
It's a world away from the hallways of a public high school in Nassau County. Roosevelt Schools Superintendent, Dr. Shawn Wightman made a trip at his own expense to San Marcos, Guatemala, to make a special delivery for a student.

"Are you haunted by Alvaro's story?"

When asked if Alvaro Velasquez's story haunted Wightman, he said, "Yeah. It's very difficult as a superintendent, a father, to think about if something like that were to have happened to any of my kids."

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Last May, only weeks away from his high school graduation, Velasquez was randomly picked up by ICE and never made it to his graduation.

"He wasn't a hardened criminal or anything like that, didn't have any type of record. That was the moment when everybody realized that this is a real thing," Wightman said.

Velasquez was taken to a detention center in Texas, where he spent months alone, before self-deporting to Guatemala.

In September, Dr. Wightman visited the detention facility because he felt Velasquez deserved his cap, gown and diploma. But he was turned away.

"A very stark reality for me going in there, because there was a barrier," Wightman said.

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He knew he needed to try again.

After refusing to give up, Wightman took two plane rides and a five-and-a-half-hour car trip through the foothills of Guatemala, where he was finally reunited with Velasquez and his family.

"This is amazing for me. He helped me. And he supported me, for all this time," Velasquez said.

"When he got detained, it really upset a lot of us," Wightman said.

In Roosevelt, where the student population is 65% Latino and Hispanic, it was only the beginning.

Since Velasquez was detained, three other students in Roosevelt have had their lives upended by ICE.

One was detained, another is likely to be deported, and a third, whose father was detained, now has to work to support the family.

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Velasquez came to the U.S. alone when he was only 16 and has been through so much.

"I'm not feeling I'm alone. I know I have him and my family," Velasquez said.

He also has his diploma from a man who taught him not to abandon people you care about.



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A vehicle crashed into the front exterior wall at the Target on West Tennessee Street, though it didn't penetrate the store.

The Tallahassee Police Department said in a Facebook post shortly before 2 a.m. March 21 that the crash involved one vehicle.

"The driver sustained serious injuries," TPD said.

Police asked drivers and bystanders to avoid the area because portions of the parking lot were closed. However, traffic was back to normal later in the morning, and the store appeared to be operating normally.

A vehicle crashed into the front exterior wall of the Target at 1861 W. Tennessee St. in the early morning hours of March 21, 2026, but did not penetrate the store. The driver suffered serious injuries, according to police

It was the second time in less than two months that a driver crashed into a business along the same stretch of West Tennessee Street.

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On Feb. 7, a white sedan plowed through the entrance of Whataburger just east of the Target, causing extensive damage. Two people were injured, and the driver was arrested on a charge of DUI.

Also, a vehicle crashed into The Lunchbox, a beloved breakfast spot further away on Tennessee Street at Magnolia Drive, on March 13. Two people were hurt.

Shards of windshield glass and pieces of the grill were still embedded in the Targets stucco-like exterior wall. A store employee was out taking photos of the damage.

"This remains an open and active investigation, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available," TPD said.

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TPD asked any witnesses who haven't already spoken to an officer to call 850-891-4200.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Target on West Tennessee Street struck by car in late night crash
A jury found a teen who was charged in the death of a man in Stowe Township not guilty.

Cy-Miar Amari Woods, 16, was charged with criminal homicide criminal attempted burglary, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and gun charges in 2024.

Police said he shot and killed 26-year-old Michael Dean on the 800 block of Bendwood Avenue on Nov. 22, 2023.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man shot, killed in Stowe Township

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Court documents show that a jury found Woods not guilty of criminal homicide on Thursday.

He was also found not guilty of his gun possession charge.

All other charges were dismissed.

Arrmon Hagans, 46, was also charged in connection with the shooting. His case is still ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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On the occasion of Eid, veteran actor Annu Kapoor extended his heartfelt greeting to all, while calling for peace and an end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking to ANI, Kapoor said, "I would like to wish all a very happy and blessed Eid." He highlighted the importance of the festival as a time for reflection, harmony and goodwill. The actor also expressed concern over the escalating war in West Asia, urging world powers and parties involved to halt the hostilities. "While people everywhere are struggling with hunger, weapons keep flowing. We must bring this war to an end. To everyone involved, I make a heartfelt appeal: whatever your reasons, be they religious, geographical, or geopolitical, this conflict is a severe threat to all of us. It's time to stop, here and now," Annu Kapoor urged. The development comes against 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. 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)
PRAGUE (AP)  Tens of thousands of people protested in Prague on Saturday against the policies and plans of the new Czech government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

The protesters from across the Czech Republic attended the peaceful demonstration at Letna park, the scene of huge gatherings in 1989 that greatly contributed to the fall of communism.

They came to express their concerns that Babis, a billionaire, and his coalition Cabinet, are a threat to democracy, steering the country away from supporting Ukraine and toward an autocratic path.

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People in the crowd, who organizers estimated at 200,000, were waving Czech national flags, while one of the banners on display read: Lets defend democracy.

Were here to clearly stand against dragging our country onto the path of Slovakia and Hungary, said Mikulas Minar, the head organizer from the Million Moments for Democracy group, referring to the pro-Russia and autocratic leanings of those two countries.

Babis returned to power in the Czech Republic after his ANO, or YES, movement, won big in the countrys October election and formed a coalition with two small political groups, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves.

His new alliance with the groups, some of whose views are considered extreme, the government began to significantly redefine the nations foreign and domestic policies.

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Babis has opposed some key European Union policies on environment and migration and rejected any financial aid for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion, joining the ranks of Prime Ministers Viktor Orban of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia.

The new government is preparing a bill that critics say is inspired by a Russian law on foreign agents and would require nongovernmental organizations and individuals involved in vaguely defined political activity and receive foreign aid to register or face big fines.

This law can easily be used to restrict personal freedom, Vaclav Paces, the former head of the Academy of Sciences, told the crowd.

Another plan on the agenda is to change the funding of public radio and television, a move many say would give the government control of the broadcasters.

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Organizers said that they decided to hold the rally after a recent decision by the lower house of parliament to reject a motion to lift the immunity from prosecution of Babis in a $2 million fraud case involving EU subsidies.

Approval would have allowed a court to issue a verdict any time soon, but the rejection of the motion means that he can stand trial only after his term in the house expires in 2029.

Lawmakers also refused to agree to allow for the prosecution of lower house Speaker Tomio Okamura, the head of the Freedom party, on charges of inciting hatred.

The Million Moments group said t hat those decisions divide the nation into two categories: the ordinary people and the untouchables.

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I came to defend something that is extremely important to me, said Michael Cernohlavek, a 19-year-old student. I know that the system we have, our freedom, cant be taken for granted and it is important for me to protect it.

More protests are planned to follow.
Neighbors react after one person was killed and another person was injured after a shooting in a Dayton neighborhood on Friday afternoon.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 11, the shooting was reported around 1:13 p.m. in the 2100 block of Piccadilly Avenue.

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A 911 caller said that he heard 12 shots being fired and saw a minivan filled with bullet holes.

Theres a guy laying down on the car, halfway in the car and halfway out, the caller told a Montgomery County Regional Dispatcher.

The caller said the man was trying to get back into the car, but he couldnt make it.

Dayton Police officers blocked off Piccadilly Avenue and placed more than two dozen evidence markers on the scene.

The minivan was also taken as evidence.

Police said that two men were transported to an area hospital, where one of them later died.

Officers are asking for the publics help to figure out what led to the shooting.

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Its a neighborhood where theres possibly people walking around, said Sergeant Criegee Coleman.

A woman a few streets over said the shooting has her worried for her teenagers at home.

I talk to them about it all the time, to be aware, be mindful of your surroundings, said Cassandra Gregory.

Gregory said that she hopes someone with information speaks out and says something about the shooting.

I think its very tragic... I believe that you should say something, she said.

Dayton Police said they would release the condition of the second victim when they get more information.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Towering flash floods and an imminent dam failure in the northern part of Oahu triggered mass rescues and evacuation warnings in Hawaii on Friday, as the state continued contending with a powerful storm this week.

The waters came on quickly in the middle of the night, and videos on social media captured inundated streets and cars being swallowed by the muddy flood waters.

More than 230 people were rescued as heavy rains pummeled the island of Oahu and triggered the worst flooding the island has had in 20 years, inflicting what the governor said could top $1bn in damage.

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Water levels have been receding at the dam that authorities warned could fail, but that could change if more rain falls. In less than 24 hours, water at the dam went from 79ft (24 metres) to 84ft (25.6 metres)  just 6ft (1.8 metres) shy of what it can handle, authorities said.

Related: Hawaii faces flash flooding, blizzard conditions and landslides with more rain to come

No deaths were reported, and no one was unaccounted for, Hawaiis governor, Josh Green, said at a news conference. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said.

Crew searched by air and water for people who had been stranded  efforts hampered by people flying drones to get images of the flooding, he said.

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Dozens  if not hundreds  of homes had been damaged, but officials have not been able to fully assess the destruction, Honolulus mayor, Rick Blangiardi, said in a news conference. About 5,500 people were under evacuation orders.

Theres no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic, he said.

Blangiardi said officials felt confident in the stability of the dams on the island, but that it was hard to predict how much rain would come and what it might do.

Officials have been monitoring dam levels since a storm last week dumped heavy rain across the state, leading to catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes. Two people were seriously injured in that event  one in the neck and another in the head. A similar but weaker storm was forecast to bring more rain through this weekend.

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Its going to be a very touch-and-go day, Green said in a social media post.

Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

One shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate School was evacuated because of flooding, Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu, said. There were about 185 people and 50 pets there who needed to be bussed to another evacuation center, but by midday 54 people remained in the shelter.

Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of rain overnight, further saturating the ground after last weekend's storm. Kaala, the islands highest peak, got nearly 16 inches (40 cm) in the past day, NWS said.

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Amy Perruso, a North Shore state representative, told Honolulu Civil Beat that emergency services were having trouble reaching people, and many residents vehicles were under water. Theres no exit possibility for a lot of folks right now, Perruso said.

The Honolulu emergency department said in the early hours of Friday: If you are trapped, go to the highest level. Stay out of attics without a way to the roof.

As she prepared to evacuate to a friends home on higher ground, Waialua resident Kathleen Pahinui told the Associated Press in a phone interview that the ageing dam was a concern every time it rained.

Just pray for us, she said. We understand theres more rain coming.

In 2006, seven people were killed when the Ka Loko dam on the island of Kauai collapsed, and water rushed downhill.
After two powerful storms struck Hawaii over the past week, officials are warning that one of the largest dams on the island of Oahu is at risk of imminent failure.

Water was flowing over the top of the Wahiawa dam on Thursday morning local time. Officials issued evacuation notices for two towns, Waialua and Haleiwa, which were already dealing with local flooding but could get inundated if the dam fails.

Weve got a little over 4,000 people directly within the dam evacuation area, said Molly Pierce, a spokesperson for the Oahu Department of Emergency Management.

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Hawaii Gov. Josh Green urged residents to follow the guidance from emergency officials.

If you are in these areas, please evacuate now, he said in a statement.

The 660-foot-long earthen dam can hold up to 9,200 acre-feet of water (roughly 4,600 Olympic sized swimming pools). It is equipped with a 183-foot wide spillway.

It could fail, Pierce said of the dam. At this point, we dont have a good way of determining if it is a risk of imminent failure or just overtopping.

The dam was built in 1906 and is owned by the Dole Food Company. It holds back irrigation water, forming a reservoir named Lake Wilson, but was considered in poor condition at the time of a 2020 inspection, according to Hawaiis Department of Land and Natural Resources. The department said in an email on Friday that its flood risk management team was not available for interviews because they were handling imminent public safety issues.

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William Goldfield, director of corporate communications for the Dole Food Company, said in an email that the company is working closely with authorities and continues to monitor the reservoirs including Lake Wilson, with public safety as the top priority.

The dam continues to operate as designed with no indications of damage, he continued.

The state of Hawaii had been in talks to acquire the dam from Dole for several years. State records show that dam safety officials had been tracking the structures deficiencies for more than a decade.

In a major storm event, the undersized spillway may not be able to pass the Probable Flood, which could potentially result in a failure from water overtopping the dam embankment, Carty Chang, the states chief engineer, wrote in a 2024 letter.

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The letter says about 2,500 people would be at risk if the dam failed.

Oahu is expected to remain under flood watch through Sunday, said Stephen Parker, an NWS meteorologist based in Honolulu.

Weve had 8 to 12 inches of rain across northern Oahu over the last 12 to 16 hours, he said. Its hard to find a spot where there hasnt been some flooding.

Nate Serota, a spokesperson for the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, said there have been multiple reports of flooding on roadways in Waialua and Haleiwa, including a few cases in which officials sent high clearance vehicles to rescue people.

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Footage of Oahu shared on social media showed cars submerged in water and neighbors wading through flooded streets. A home in Mokuleia, on the island's north shore, was washed away overnight.

This is the second week of intense rainfall in the Hawaiian islands. More than 5 feet of rain fell in some parts of Maui from March 10 to 16, during whats known as a kona storm, a weather pattern in which winds come from the south, drawing heavy precipitation to leeward areas of the islands that are usually more sheltered from heavy rain.

The ground was still very wet from last weekends system. Not much of this was absorbed, Parker said on Friday.

The current storm, he added, is expected to deliver one or two more pulses of rain. Although streamflow gauges suggested that water levels were falling at Wahiawa dam by Friday afternoon, Parker said, the dam is not out of the woods.

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If we were to get a big dose tonight, it would reinvigorate that threat, he said.

Green closed Hawaii state offices and departments on Friday, with the exception of emergency management, and sent employees home.

With catastrophic flash flooding already impacting parts of Oahu, including evacuation orders on the North Shore and the potential for dam-related impacts, we are taking this situation extremely seriously, he said. Closing state offices will allow families to focus on getting to safety.

The extreme rain coincides with a period of wild weather across the United States. California and the desert Southwest have been baking in a severe heat wave this week. Lake Martinez in Arizona hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, the highest March temperature in U.S. recorded history. Earlier this week, heavy snow fell in the Midwest, and Nebraska experienced its worst wildfire in state history.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A new, two-week trial for a long-anticipated custodial interference case is set for summer after an initial trial stalled in February for a Wisconsin mom accused of helping her teenage son leave Delavan for Canada in 2023.

Julie Valadez, 41, is charged with being a party to a crime of interfering with custody of her ex-husband Ricardo Valadez, and bail jumping, both felonies.

The case has its roots in a family court case in Waukesha in which a judge granted custody and placement to Ricardo Valadez in 2020, despite his history of domestic abuse.

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In a third-floor courtroom March 19, Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Johnson set 10-day, 12-person jury trial regarding the custodial felony charge for June 8-19, granting the defense's request for a speedy trial.

He denied all outstanding defense motions, including motions to dismiss the case for discovery violations and to appoint a special prosecutor to the case.

The judge also found probable cause and bound Julie Valadez over for trial in the bail jumping charge, which alleges she violated her bond conditions by having her pastor contact her ex-husband in December 2025.

The Wisconsin mom, who had been seeking asylum in Canada, returned to the U.S. in May 2025 and was held on $500,000 bail in the Walworth County Jail for over two months before she was released on bond in August when an anonymous donor paid the steep price.

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Julie Valadez appeared in court beside her attorney Amanda Riek, and Ricardo Valadez appeared by phone.

Their son, who has sided with his mother's defense in previous court appearances, sat in the gallery with other supporters, although his mother's bond conditions prevent the two of them from speaking to each other.

In the Walworth County Circuit Courthouse March 19, Julie Valadez stands among a small group of supporters as a camera crew watches. Valadez will go to trial for her felony charge of custodial interference in June.

Outside the courtroom following the judge's decisions, Julie Valadez spoke with a huddled group of supporters as a cameraman and individual with a boom microphone documented.

Valadez and Riek declined to comment to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following the judge's decisions. They also declined to comment on what the camera crew was filming for.

Why was the Julie Valadez custody interference trial moved?

A 12-person jury trial was initially set to take place Feb. 16-19. It was stalled after Valadez's attorney, Amanda Riek, said the state had not turned over all the evidence it should have before the trial. The two parties and the judge spent two days in court talking over Riek's list of alleged discovery violations.

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Riek requested the state to turn over more evidence, or for the judge to dismiss the case.

Deputy District Attorney James Sempf, representing the state, has maintained that the state has met the requirements of handing over any records that exist in the case.

Back in court March 19, Riek said Sempf had since produced more evidence from agencies, but missing documents, recordings and other items from law enforcement agencies remained.

"Every time I come to court, I am more concerned about what I don't have than I was before," Riek said.

Riek argued that law enforcement in a variety of agencies did little to preserve their work throughout the case, including when making contact with the Valadez child when he returned to the U.S.

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Judge Johnson said that the state can't produce police reports that never existed.

Language in the defense's motions about discovery lacked case law and attempted to "poke holes in the state's case," the judge said.

A Town of Delavan patrol officer who responded took the stand regarding the bail jumping felony charge for much of the motion hearing March 19.

Ricardo Valadez claimed Julie Valadez violated her bond conditions by making contact with him through a third party  her pastor, according to a criminal complaint.

The officer, who was sent to respond to Ricardo's home, answered questions from the state, and then was cross-examined by the defense.

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The judge ultimately found probable cause, and set an April 15 arraignment date in the bail jumping charge.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New trial set for Wisconsin mom accused of helping son flee to Canada
An oil truck driver reversed into a 44-year-old pedestrian on the Upper East Side, went to check on him, then got back into his rig and drove off, prosecutors said Saturday.

Vincent Spano, a 33-year-old Palm Harbor, Fla., resident, was operating a dark-green and red oil truck early Friday near E. 61st St. and Lexington Ave when he backed up through the intersection and ran over Terrill Jenkins, who was in the crosswalk around 4:49 a.m., according to a criminal complaint.

Spano then drove forward and stopped the truck at the corner, got out and checked on the victim, then got back in the truck and drove off, per the complaint.

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First responders found the victim crumpled in the roadway suffering from massive injuries across his body.

EMS rushed Jenkins to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he died of his injuries about three hours later.

Jenkins lived in Harlem, cops said.

Spano was granted supervised release by Judge Jeffrey Gershuny after prosecutors requested bail be set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond at his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court late Friday night.

Spano was arrested around 7 a.m. Friday after he turned himself in at the NYPDs 76th Precinct stationhouse in Brooklyn and told police there that he was responsible for the deadly collision, cops said. He was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and failure to exercise due care.

Spano admitted to police that he realized he struck something and observed the injured man before getting back in the truck and driving off.

He is due back in court on May 6.
The Trump administration is temporarily lifting longstanding sanctions banning the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin for the next month in hopes of curbing the meteoric rise in oil prices.

The increasing cost of oil has threatened economies across the globe since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran started last month.

A General License issued by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control released late Friday permits the purchase of Iranian oil that has already been loaded onto any vessel  including ships that have already been sanctioned  by waiving 10 separate sets of sanctions that have targeted both Russian and Iranian oil.

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The sanctions that are being temporarily set aside have been in place for years, with many originating during Trumps first term.

They were imposed to punish Russia for its unprovoked 2022 invasion of Ukraine and other harmful foreign activities and to penalize Iran for years of malign activities, human rights violations, support for terrorism and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

The price of oil has continued rising following Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point through which one fifth of the global oil supply must pass each year (REUTERS)

By waiving the sanctions, the U.S. will allow Iranian and Russian oil that is currently at sea to be purchased and unloaded without penalty until April 19, at which point the sanctions will resume unless the Treasury extends the waiver.

In a post on X announcing the decision, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it as a narrowly tailored, short-term authorization that applies only to Iranian petroleum that is currently stranded at sea.

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He claimed the sanctions have permitted China to hoard Iranian oil on the cheap while also suggesting that temporarily relaxing sanctions would inject approximately 140 million barrels into global markets. He said this would help in expanding the amount of worldwide energy and relieving what he described as temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.

In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury, Bessent said.

President Donald Trump claims the U.S. may soon wind down the three-week-old war he started against Iran (REUTERS)

The Treasury Secretary added that the temporary, short-term authorization permitted by his department was limited only to oil that is already in transit and would not apply to any new production.

He also claimed that Tehran wont easily benefit from the sanctions relief because of separate longstanding sanctions cutting off Iranian banks from the global financial system as part of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign against the countrys Islamic Republic regime.

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Bessents announcement comes after days of turmoil in world markets caused by escalating attacks on energy facilities across the Middle East coming from both sides of the war.

The price of Brent crude climbed as high as $119 per barrel and European gas prices briefly surged by 35 per cent on Friday after Iran pounded Qatars Ras Laffan energy hub and other Middle Eastern oil and gas infrastructure with missiles.

The Iranian attacks on Qatar came in response to an Israeli strike on the vital South Pars gas field, which drew condemnation from the Gulf states as well as Tehran.

Oil and gas prices remained volatile on Friday as stock markets also suffered ongoing turbulent trading due to the escalating Iran conflict (REUTERS)

In response, Iranian forces fired missiles at multiple energy sites across the Gulf, including a Saudi oil refinery, Qatari gas facilities and two more oil refineries in Kuwait.

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The attacks on oil and gas facilities have led major producers across the Middle East to cut production and shut down facilities to render them less vulnerable to what could be catastrophic strikes that could take years to recover from.

Those supply squeezes have been compounded by Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point through which one fifth of the global oil supply must pass each year.

President Donald Trump has spent much of the last week grousing about the supposed unwillingness of NATO member states and other American allies to offer their own naval forces towards protecting tanker traffic from Iranian threats, even as he has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. has obliterated much of Tehrans capabilities.

Earlier on Friday, he wrote on Truth Social that the 32-member defensive alliance was a PAPER TIGER and called many of Americas closest allies COWARDS for purportedly refusing to heed his demand for assistance.

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Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but dont want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk, he said.

Several hours later while en route to Florida aboard Air Force One, he posted again, writing that the U.S. was getting very close to meeting our objectives after three weeks of war and said he was considering winding down the bombing campaign.

He also suggested that the U.S. does not need to commit any resources towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz because the U.S. is a net exporter of oil even though oil markets are global and a bottleneck in the Strait will cause high prices everywhere.

The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldnt be necessary once Irans threat is eradicated, he said.

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Despite his suggestions that the U.S. may be winding down the war, Trump is currently weighing the deployment of thousands of additional troops to the Middle East.

At the same time, the Pentagon is seeking an additional $200 billion in order to wage the offensive. The department recently sent the request to the White House, according to a senior administration official. The first six days of the war alone cost more than $11.3 billion, the Pentagon told Congress in a closed-door briefing on March 10.
The U.S. Treasury has authorized the purchase of Iranian oil that's already at sea, exempting buyers from the tight sanctions that have restricted the country's oil industry for years  a move aimed at stemming soaring prices amid the U.S.'s war with Iran.

The sanctions license allows oil from Iran to be purchased if it was loaded onto a ship by 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday. The authorization lasts until April 19. They do not cover people located in North Korea, Cuba or the parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday the move could free up around 140 million barrels of oil that otherwise would've been "hoarded by China on the cheap," referring to China's status as the largest importer of Iranian oil.

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"In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury," Bessent said in a statement, casting it as a way of "expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran."

Bessent argued that Iran won't be able to access much of the proceeds from the sales, writing that "the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system."

But the move  which Bessent had telegraphed earlier this week  still marks a wartime loosening of President Trump's strategy of "maximum pressure" against Iran, which dates back to his first term and consists of heavy sanctions that make it difficult to do business with wide swaths of the Iranian economy, including its energy industry.

Last week, the U.S. also greenlit the purchase of Russian oil that's already at sea for one month, a reprieve from the intense sanctions that have hampered Russia's economy since the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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The moves are controversial. Congressional Democrats have sharply criticized the Trump administration for loosening sanctions on Russian oil, arguing the decision could deliver a windfall to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The new channels for evasion the President is opening, coupled with dramatically higher global energy prices, are giving Putin a huge financial boost and the means to continue his bloody war in Ukraine," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and several other Senate Democrats said in a joint statement earlier this month.

The Trump administration is grappling with a surge in oil prices wrought by the war with Iran. Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz  a chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that carries some 20% of the world's oil  has slowed to a crawl as oil tanker operators fear Iranian attacks, making it difficult for major Arab oil producers to export petroleum. But Iran has allowed its own oil exports to make their way through the Strait.

The sanction reprieves are aimed at easing oil prices by at least temporarily boosting supply. Mr. Trump has tried a few other strategies, including ordering the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and allowing foreign ships to move oil between U.S. ports.

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But so far, prices have remained near multiyear highs.

Mr. Trump has also floated offering military escorts to tankers in the the Strait of Hormuz, though on Friday, he said he wants other countries to be involved in any potential escort operation since the U.S. isn't reliant on Middle Eastern oil.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated," the president wrote on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, petroleum industry targets in both Iran and U.S.-allied Arab states have been struck over the course of the war. Last week, Mr. Trump ordered strikes on military targets on Kharg Island, which serves as Iran's main oil export terminal, and threatened to strike oil-related targets there if Iran interferes with the Strait of Hormuz.

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Asked by reporters Friday if he has a plan for Kharg Island, Mr. Trump said: "I can't tell you that. Certainly a place that people are talking about, but I can't tell you that."

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President Trump announced Friday that he met with a primary challenger of Rep. Jeff Hurds (R-Colo.) and was able to get her to drop her bid as Republicans look to avoid a nasty contest in a House race that Democrats are eyeing this November.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that he had met with Hope Scheppelman, a critical care nurse practitioner who aligned herself closely with the president, and her husband to discuss various opportunities to serve our Country in a different capacity than her current run for the United States Congress.

Trump said Scheppelman would be suspending her campaign bid to join his administration in a capacity to be determined.

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Together with them, we decided that Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorados 3rd Congressional District, should in no way, shape, or form, be impeded from winning the District in that the Democrat alternative is a DISASTER for our Country, he wrote.

Therefore, I will be fully supporting Jeffs Re-Election to the House of Representatives, giving him my Complete and Total Endorsement! he added.

Hurd in a post on the social platform X said he was grateful to have Trumps backing, adding the President and I share the same goals: securing the border, American energy dominance, and helping working families.

Trumps post is notable given that several weeks ago, the president endorsed Scheppelman over Hurd, saying in a Truth Social post in February that Congressman Hurd is one of a small number of Legislators who have let me and our Country down.

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He argued Hurd was more interested in protecting Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for decades than he is of the United States of America.

Hurd represents a massive House district in western Colorado, which went for Trump by about 10 points, according to The Downballot.

While the district favors Republicans, Democrats have come within striking distance of flipping it in recent years.

Democrats elevated a hardline conservative in the GOP primary for Colorados 3rd Congressional District last cycle against Hurd, who was running for the first time, though the strategy failed and Hurd won his primary and the general election in 2024.

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But Democrats still see the western Colorado district as a potential pickup opportunity. Trumps decision to nix what could have become a nasty GOP primary helps ease the path for Hurd as he looks toward reelection in November.

The Hill has reached out to Scheppelmans campaign for comment.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Veteran actor Annu Kapoor recently met a devoted fan who travelled from Bareilly to Mumbai to fulfil his long-standing wish of meeting the actor, highlighting the deep connection audiences often share with their favourite artistes. Fans are often known for their unwavering admiration, going to great lengths and waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of their favourite star. In a similar instance, Pawan Gupta, a resident of Bareilly, journeyed to Mumbai with the sole aim of meeting Annu Kapoor, a dream he had cherished for years. Speaking to ANI, elated Pawan Gupta shared that he had wanted to meet the 'Mr. India' actor for many years, and finally, that long-awaited dream had come true. He shared that years ago, he heard Annu Kapoor on the radio, and the warmth in his words made him feel a deep connection, giving him the firm belief that one day they would meet. "Now that I have met him, I feel completely satisfied, and my heart is filled with joy," Pawan Gupta said. Responding to the gesture, Annu Kapoor said that such moments are deeply touching for any artist. He remarked that when someone travels from afar just to meet you, it reflects genuine affection and respect. The actor said that witnessing such affection fills the heart with gratitude, but he also emphasised that admiration for any artist or public figure should always remain balanced. Earlier on Thursday, on the occasion of Eid, Annu Kapoor extended his heartfelt greeting to all, while calling for peace and an end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking to ANI, Kapoor said, "I would like to wish all a very happy and blessed Eid." He highlighted the importance of the festival as a time for reflection, harmony and goodwill. The actor also expressed concern over the escalating war in West Asia, urging world powers and parties involved to halt the hostilities. "While people everywhere are struggling with hunger, weapons keep flowing. We must bring this war to an end. To everyone involved, I make a heartfelt appeal: whatever your reasons, be they religious, geographical, or geopolitical, this conflict is a severe threat to all of us. It's time to stop, here and now," Annu Kapoor urged. (ANI)
CAIRO (AP)  Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, leaving buildings shattered and dozens injured in dual attacks not far from Israels main nuclear research center, while President Donald Trump warned the U.S. will obliterate Iranian power plants if it doesnt fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The developments signaled the war was moving in a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week.

Trump  who is facing increasing pressure at home to secure the strait as oil prices soar  issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend at his Florida home.

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Trump said hes giving Iran 48 hours to open the vital waterway or face a new round of attacks. He said the U.S. would destroy various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!

Iran warned early Sunday that any strike on its energy facilities would prompt attacks on U.S. and Israeli energy and infrastructure assets in the region, according to a statement carried by Irans state media and semiofficial outlets, citing an Iranian military spokesperson.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the globes oceans, is a critical pathway 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 through the passage. Thats also led to cuts in output from some of the worlds largest producers, because their crude has nowhere to go.

The Iranian strikes in Israel came after Tehrans main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz was hit earlier in the day.

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Israels military said it was not able to intercept missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad, the largest near the center in Israels sparsely populated Negev desert. It was the first time Iranian missiles penetrated Israels air defense systems in the area around the nuclear site.

If the Israeli regime is unable to intercept missiles in the heavily protected Dimona area, it is, operationally, a sign of entering a new phase of the battle, Irans Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X before word of the Arad strike spread.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said more emergency crews were being sent to the scene.

This is a very difficult evening, he said.

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Rescue workers said the direct hit in Arad caused widespread damage across at least 10 apartment buildings, three of them badly damaged and in danger of collapsing. At least 64 people were taken to hospitals.

Dimona is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the nuclear research center and Arad around 35 kilometers (22 miles) north.

Israel is believed to be the only Middle East nation with nuclear weapons, though its leaders refuse to confirm or deny their existence. The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on X it had not received reports of damage to the Israeli center or abnormal radiation levels.

A dangerous new direction in the war

The war is not close to ending, Israels army chief, Gen. Eyal Zamir, said earlier in the day.

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Iran also targeted the joint U.K.-U.S. Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) away, suggesting that Tehran has missiles that can go farther than previously acknowledged  or that it had used its space program for an improvised launch.

The U.S. and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programs and its support for armed proxies. There have been no signs of an uprising, while internet restrictions limit information from Iran.

The wars effects are felt far beyond the Middle East, raising food and fuel prices.

It is not clear how much damage Iran has sustained in the U.S. and Israeli strikes that began Feb. 28  or even who is truly in charge. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since being named to the role.

Israel had denied responsibility for attack on Natanz

Israel earlier Saturday denied responsibility for the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, nearly 220 kilometers (135 miles) southeast of Tehran. The Iranian judiciarys official news agency, Mizan, said there was no leakage.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency has said the bulk of Irans estimated 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium is elsewhere, beneath the rubble at its Isfahan facility. It said on X it was looking into the strike.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the strike on Natanz, which was also hit in the first week of the war and in the 12-day war last June. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said such strikes posed a real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East.

Iran retaliated hours later.

US can use Diego Garcia base to protect Strait of Hormuz

U.K. officials did not give details of the strike that targeted the Diego Garcia base Friday, which was unsuccessful. Britains Ministry of Defense described Iran as lashing out across the region.

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Its unclear how close the missiles came to the island. Iran previously asserted that it has limited its missile range to below 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles).

But military experts said Iran may have used its space launch vehicle for an improvised firing. If youve got a space program, youve got a ballistic missile program, said Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore.

Israels army chief, however, said Iran had fired a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. There was no statement from Iran.

Britain has not participated in U.S.-Israeli attacks but has allowed U.S. bombers to use its bases to attack Irans missile sites. On Friday, the U.K. government said bombers could use Diego Garcia to attack sites used to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Global pressure increases to get shipping back on track

As Iran threatens shipping on the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates joined 21 other countries including the U.K., Germany, France and Japan in expressing "readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage.

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The Trump administration announced it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil that was already loaded on ships as of Friday, but that does not increase oil production, a central factor in surging prices. The oil ministry of Iran, which has evaded sanctions for years, replied that it essentially has no crude oil left in floating storage.

The head of U.S. Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, asserted that Irans ability to attack vessels on the strait had been degraded." He said 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) bombs were dropped earlier in the week on an underground facility along Irans coast used to store anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile missile launchers.

The U.S. is deploying three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional Marines to the Middle East, an official told The Associated Press. Two other U.S. officials confirmed that ships were deploying, without saying where they were headed. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the operations.

Gulf countries reported more attacks. A missile alert sounded Saturday night in Dubai. Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in its east, home to major oil installations.

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Irans death toll in the war has surpassed 1,500, the state broadcaster reported, citing the health ministry. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles and four others have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed, along with well over a dozen civilians in Gulf nations.

Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants clash in Lebanon

Israel's military said it was conducting a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon and at least four militants were killed. Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with troops in the southern village of Khiam.

Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 1 million, according to the Lebanese government. Hezbollah's civilian assets also have been targeted.

___

Lawless reported from London and Lidman from Jerusalem. Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump is believed to be ready to overhaul one of his most controversial departments following frank conversations with his wife and top aides.

Trump, 79, is said to have realized that his administrations fixation on brutal ICE raids has become election poison and is planning a new approach.

A new report by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the matter, says the penny has dropped for Trump that ICE had gone too far and that voters hate the term mass deportation.

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The Journal says the new direction was inspired by conversations Trump had with his wife, Melania, 55, and some of his key advisers, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 68.

President Donald Trump with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. / Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS

Wiles reportedly believes the controversy around ICE raids, which saw federal agents shoot and kill American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January, has turned the issue of immigration and deportation toxic for voters ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

Trump would rather focus on arresting bad guys and wants less divisive chaos in American cities, according to the Journals report.

ICE would dump high-profile operations in Democrat-skewed cities like Minneapolis, Chicago and Washington, D.C., the publication claimed. Arrests of immigrants have dropped from over 1,500 a day to around 1,200, it added, citing people familiar.

Posters of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens fatally shot by immigration agents, are seen during a candlelight vigil in Minneapolis, Minnesota. / Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement to the Daily Beast, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson denied Trump was making any alterations to existing ICE policy.

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Nobody is changing the Administrations immigration enforcement agenda. President Trumps highest priority has always been the deportation of illegal alien criminals who endanger American communities, Jackson said.

The statement said the DHS has deported around 70 percent of illegal aliens with criminal records.

Thanks to President Trumps strong immigration enforcement policies, approximately 3 million illegals have left the United States, either through forced deportation or self-deportation, with zero illegals coming through the most secure border in U.S. History for nine straight months.

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin. / Evan Vucci / REUTERS/Evan Vucci

The report comes as Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Trumps pick to replace failed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, promised to transform the departments tarnished public image.

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Addressing the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday, Mullin, 48, said he hoped his unpopular department would slip off the media radar.

My goal at six months is that were not in the lead story every single day, Mullin said. My goal is for people to understand were out there. Were protecting them.

He added he planned to work every single day to not just secure our homeland, but bring peace of mind and confidence to the agency.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trumps border czar Tom Homan, 64, admitted that former MMA fighter and plumber Mullin has been put in the role despite having no background in immigration enforcement.

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I can tell you that hes focused on the mission, Homan told Fox News on Wednesday.

Hes counting on the experts who have done this job for decades to advise him on the next steps to take, he added. And thats big. He dont know the immigration game very well, but hes counting on people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him.
As farewells and condolences circulated following the death of Robert Mueller, the former special counsel got no sympathy from the most powerful man he investigated, President Donald Trump.

Mueller, who served as special counsel during the investigation into possible Russian interference in favor of Trump during the 2016 presidential election, died at 81 following a multi-year battle with Parkinsons disease. He served as FBI director from Sept. 4, 2001, to Sept. 4, 2013.

Trump reacted to Mueller's passing in a March 21 post on Truth Social that said: "Robert Mueller just died. Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

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Former FBI unit chief Paul Bresson, who served under Mueller for 12 years, called Trump's words "devastating," adding that he "admired his integrity, professionalism, and humility." Mueller, he told USA TODAY, "merits better."

More: 'Tough cookie.' Trump responds to Chuck Norris death

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller , who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported. Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.



As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.



Scroll through to look back at his career. A trader works at his post, as a television broadcasts Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testimony before Congress, on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on July 24, 2019. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs after delivering a statement on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election at the Justice Department in Washington on May 29, 2019. Special counsel Robert Mueller walks with his wife Ann Mueller at St. John's Church across from the White House on March 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Special counsel Robert Mueller has delivered his report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to Attorney General William Barr. Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing about his report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the Rayburn House Office Building July 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mueller will later testify before the House Intelligence Committee in back-to-back hearings on Capitol Hill. Special Counsel Robert Mueller speaks on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on May 29, 2019. Mueller said that charging President Donald Trump with a crime of obstruction was not an option because of Justice Department policy. Special Counsel Robert Mueller arrives at his office on March 21, 2019 in Washington DC. It is expected that Mueller will soon complete his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and release his report. Mueller testifies during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2013, where he confirmed that the FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance. FBI Director Robert Mueller listens to opening statements at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats on Jan. 31, 2012 in Washington. A Secret Service agent keeps watch as U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to speak at FBI headquarters in Washington April 28, 2009. Ascending the steps is FBI director Robert Mueller. FBI Director Robert Mueller testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the oversight of the FBI on March 27, 2007 in Washington. FBI Director Robert Mueller talks with the USA TODAY Editorial Board on April 30, 2003 in McLean, Va. Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, left, along with FBI Director Robert Mueller, right, hold a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington to announce that a federal grand jury in Houston had indicted former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey K. Skilling on charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and insider trading on Feb. 19, 2003. Attorney General John Ashcroft, left, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, center, and FBI Director Robert Mueller testify at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2002 in Washington. Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies. Look back at his career in government 1 of 14 Former FBI Director Robert Mueller , who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported. Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.



As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.



Scroll through to look back at his career.

Trump comments condemned, celebrated

Here is more reaction to the president's comments:

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered condolences to Mueller's family, and said in a social media post: "The cruelty is the point. Trumps goal is to distract you from rising gas prices, his aimless war, ICE abuses, and the Epstein files."

Michael Steele, a former head of the Republican National Committee, called Trump "a vile disgusting man. Petty and pathetic, you are a hypocrite who reeks of weakness and insecurities with no moral core."

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts  who like Mueller, is a former Marine posted: "Whether you support the President or not, you know this comment is disgusting."

Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska called Trump's comments wrong and unchristian behavior in a text message to Politico, and said the vast majority of Americans want better.

MAGA activist Laura Loomer defended Trump. "We shouldnt be sad when bad people die," she wrote.

Longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, who was convicted of several felonies in the Mueller probe, wrote on X: The judgement of Robert Mueller has moved to a much higher court.

The Russia investigation

Trump and Mueller's feud stems from the former FBI director's investigation and his 2019 final report, which concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump. However, there was no evidence that anyone associated with the Trump campaign at the time colluded with the Russian government.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort arrives for arraignment on a third superseding indictment against him by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on charges of witness tampering, at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S. June 15, 2018.

According to Trump, the investigations into his first White House campaign and its connections with Moscow are a hoax. The president, along with some other Republican lawmakers, has continued to claim that former President Barack Obama's staff is responsible for the "Russia collusion hoax."

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Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush responded to Trump's claims, telling the BBC and New York Times in 2025, "Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response."

"But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction," he added.

Thirty-four people were indicted in Mueller's Russia probe, including six former Trump advisers, 26 Russians, one California man, and a London-based lawyer. Seven, including five of the six former Trump advisers, pleaded guilty.

Mueller continued to defend Russia probe

Before Mueller's death, he continued to defend his two-year investigation into collusion between Russia and Trump during the 2016 presidential election, writing in a Washington Post op-ed in 2020, "The work of the special counsels office  its report, indictments, guilty pleas and convictions  should speak for itself, he wrote.

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Mueller also responded to Trump's and others' claims that the investigation was "illegitimate" and the special counsel's "motives were improper."

President Donald Trump speaks about Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the Rose Garden at the White House May 22, 2019, in Washington, DC.

"Russias actions were a threat to Americas democracy. It was critical that they be investigated and understood," Mueller writes. "By late 2016, the FBI had evidence that the Russians had signaled to a Trump campaign adviser that they could assist the campaign through the anonymous release of information damaging to the Democratic candidate."

In addition to defending the investigation, he also disputed the claims that Roger Stone, a longtime Republican strategist and Trump ally, was a "victim of our office." Stone was convicted in 2019 of seven felony charges in relation to the 2016 Russia probe, including obstructing a congressional investigation, making false statements and witness tampering. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison but was later granted clemency.

"We made every decision in Stones case, as in all our cases, based solely on the facts and the law and in accordance with the rule of law," Mueller wrote in the op-ed. "The women and men who conducted these investigations and prosecutions acted with the highest integrity. Claims to the contrary are false."

Mueller diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021

In a statement obtained by USA TODAY, Mueller's family said, "With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night. His family asks that their privacy be respected."

Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies at 81 after a distinguished career in law enforcement and military service.

Mueller's death comes nearly five years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He learned of his diagnosis in the summer of 2021, the New York Times reported, citing a 2025 family statement the outlet obtained, which came just days before he had been called to testify before a congressional committee about the government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigations.

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"He retired from the practice of law at the end of that year," the statement said, per the Times. "He taught at his law school alma mater during the fall of both 2021 and 2022, and he retired at the end of 2022. His family asks that his privacy be respected."

Contributing: Josh Meyer, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Aysha Bagchi  USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he's 'glad' following Robert Mueller's death
President Donald Trump says he will begin sending immigration officers to airports to conduct arrests of illegal immigrants if Democrats dont reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

The latest threat came in a post on Truth Social on Saturday morning, in which Trump said if Democrats dont immediately sign an agreement to reopen the department he would assign Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to handle airport security. Trumps comments come as airports face major delays and security concerns due to staffing shortages with the Transportation Security Administration.

If the Radical Left Democrats dont immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, Trump wrote.

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The latest ultimatum from Trump comes as negotiations between White House officials and Senate Democrats have ramped up in recent days, with the administration transmitting a written legislative offer on Friday evening. That proposal came just days after Democrats sent their own counteroffer on Monday, which Republicans say did not go far enough to reach a compromise.

However, Trumps threat to send ICE agents to airports could anger top Democrats working with White House officials to reopen the department. The immigration enforcement agency has been at the center of controversy after federal immigration officials shot and killed two U.S. citizens in separate occasions in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Those deaths prompted Democrats to demand changes to how immigration officers can operate, resulting in the five-week shutdown and dragged-out talks with administration officials.

Its not clear what the White House included in its written offer. But administration officials shared what concessions they have offered in previous talks, including an expansion of the use of body cameras, with exceptions for undercover operations. The administration also offered to limit civil immigration enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations such as hospitals and schools.

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Both those proposals were main demands from Democrats.

But Democrats are still pushing for other reforms, such as judicial warrants to carry out arrests  something Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is poised to become the next DHS secretary, has committed to but has not been put in writing.

Senators are expected to meet with White House officials again this weekend, marking the third such meeting in the last week.
President Donald Trump defended the proposed increase in the defense budget on Thursday, but refrained from discussing the possible deployment of U.S. troops.

On the sidelines of a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump gave an ambiguous response when asked about the Pentagons reported request for a $200 billion budget increase, stating, Were asking for a lot of reasons.

The president said that U.S. ammunition stockpiles were depleted by extensive aid to Ukraine, accusing former President Joe Biden of providing $350 billion in cash and military support without replenishing supplies.

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He went on to emphasize that the U.S. needs vast amounts of ammunition and that defense firms like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, a unit of RTX Corporation, are building at a level theyve never seen before.

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Trump said Raytheon is building four factories and Lockheed Martin five to six, after pressure from his administration, adding that companies are no longer allowed to prioritize massive stock buybacks.

While Trump underscored the nations robust defense posture, he expressed a wish to further strengthen it.

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"we're in very good shape, but we want to be in the best shape," said the president.

However, he refused when questioned about the potential dispatch of U.S. troops to the region, but stated, If I were, I certainly wouldnt tell you, to a reporter.

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White House Flip-Flops On War Funding Plans

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not confirm the actual figure, but said the upcoming funding request to Congress will cover past and future military needs and ensure ammunition stockpiles are not only replenished but expanded beyond current levels.

"We're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we're properly funded," said Hegseth.

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However, Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council (NEC), said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that the U.S.-Iran war since February 28 has cost about $12 billion so far, adding that the administration does not currently see a need to seek additional funding from Congress.

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Democrats Slam War Spending Priorities

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y) criticized the Trump administration for spending billions on military operations in the Middle East while neglecting domestic issues like healthcare. Jeffries told MS Now that Democrats would continue to oppose Trumps reckless war of choice and the administrations spending priorities.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized the demand, saying $200 billion could fund major domestic programsboost education spending, extend ACA tax credits, expand SNAP benefits, and deliver middle-class tax reliefbut is instead being spent on a war, with warnings of further costs and loss of life.

Meanwhile, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told MS Now that the $200 billion figure has been discussed informally within the administration, while Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told CNBC that he has not received any official confirmation and suggested it may include funding planned for the 2027 budget.



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This article Trump Says Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Are Building Like 'Never Seen Before,' Defends $200 Billion Pentagon Request originally appeared on Benzinga.com
Donald Trump was widely slammed for his Saturday comments following news of the death of former special prosecutor Robert Mueller, in which the president said: Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.

Whether you support the President or not, you know this comment is disgusting, wrote former Marine and Senate candidate Seth Moulton.

Robert Mueller earned a Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart as a Marine fighting for this country. He was a great American, he added. Donald Trump is a horrible human being and an embarrassment to the United States.

Whether you support the President or not, you know this comment is disgusting.



Robert Mueller earned a Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart as a Marine fighting for this country. He was a great American.



Donald Trump is a horrible human being and an embarrassment to the pic.twitter.com/Qe9EeaxnxO  Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) March 21, 2026

Unlike Trump, who swindled his way out of the U.S. draft and military service five times, Mueller voluntarily served in the Marine Corps. during the U.S. war in Vietnam.

God help us. This is disgraceful language coming from a Christian, or anyone with a soul. It was just as wrong to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk as it is to celebrate that of Robert Mueller. May they rest in peace. And may we never forget that Jesus's message is about mercy. pic.twitter.com/oGvoM3AMZc  James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) March 21, 2026

God help us. This is disgraceful language coming from a Christian, or anyone with a soul, wrote Jesuit priest and editor at large of America Magazine James Martin. It was just as wrong to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk as it is to celebrate that of Robert Mueller. May they rest in peace. And may we never forget that Jesuss message is about mercy.

In an era when many young menincluding President Trumpwere trying to avoid serving in Vietnam, Mueller not only volunteered for the Marines after graduating from Princetonhe spent a year waiting for an injured knee to heal so he could serve. I have always found that be the https://t.co/eEzjpP56Kr  Ken Dilanian (@KDilanianMSNOW) March 21, 2026

In an era when many young menincluding President Trumpwere trying to avoid serving in Vietnam, Mueller not only volunteered for the Marines after graduating from Princetonhe spent a year waiting for an injured knee to heal so he could serve. I have always found that be the most compelling fact about him, MS NOWs Ken Dilanian wrote on X.

Heres a screen recording of Donald Trumps TS account for all those MAGA folks who are crying about Donald Trumps post celebrating the death of Robert Mueller being fake.



Its still there. pic.twitter.com/GtqRQ2wiHv  Art Candee   (@ArtCandee) March 21, 2026

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Liberal pundit Art Candee shared a screen recording of Trumps post, which is still live on Truth Social.

Trump and Robert Mueller were born two years apart, both into wealthy families and both with private school upbringings.



Trump received five draft deferments during Vietnam and became a parasitic real estate baron.



Mueller volunteered for service, graduated from Officer  Charlotte Clymer  (@cmclymer) March 21, 2026

Trump and Robert Mueller were born two years apart, both into wealthy families and both with private school upbringings, writer and activist Charlotte Clymer noted.

Trump received five draft deferments during Vietnam and became a parasitic real estate baron. Mueller volunteered for service, graduated from Officer Candidate School and Ranger School, was wounded in combat, and received a Bronze Star w/ Valor for rescuing one of his wounded soldiers under intense enemy fire. And that pretty much crystallizes both the difference between the two and Trumps toxic jealousy toward Mueller.

Robert Mueller earned his place in history; Donald Trump just proved he belongs in a comment section, artist Andrea Junker added on Bluesky. Character cant be faked, and integrity cant be bought. No matter how many buildings you put your name on.  Rest in peace to a true public servant.

I expect every Republican who was outraged at people for celebrating Charlie Kirks death to immediately condemn Trump for saying Im glad hes dead about Robert Mueller. This is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/Ow2fxyKyR3  Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) March 21, 2026

I expect every Republican who was outraged at people for celebrating Charlie Kirks death to immediately condemn Trump for saying Im glad hes dead about Robert Mueller, wrote liberal commenter Harry Sisson. This is disgusting.

This is disgusting and despicable.



Trump literally just celebrated Robert Mueller dying.



Mueller did so much good for America. pic.twitter.com/0nzI2kskpU  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) March 21, 2026

This is disgusting and despicable. Trump literally just celebrated Robert Mueller dying. Mueller did so much good for America, contributed podcaster Ed Krassenstein.

President Donald Trump cheering the death of Robert Mueller  an American citizen, public servant and veteran pic.twitter.com/Aj8mbjK6GS  Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) March 21, 2026

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President Donald Trump cheering the death of Robert Mueller  an American citizen, public servant and veteran, noted Morning Joe co-host Jonathan Lemire.

We mourn the passing of Robert Mueller, a true public servant: bronze star Vietnam veteran, federal prosecutor, FBI Director, and impartial special counsel.



Yet the President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Muellers death simply because he exposed Trumps efforts  Rep. Dan Goldman (@RepDanGoldman) March 21, 2026

We mourn the passing of Robert Mueller, a true public servant: bronze star Vietnam veteran, federal prosecutor, FBI Director, and impartial special counsel. Yet the President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Muellers death simply because he exposed Trumps efforts to steal the 2016 election, wrote New York Congressman Dan Goldman. Mueller and Trump represent polar opposites of what a public servant should be. May Director Mueller rest in peace.

Muellers death at age 81 was announced by MS NOW on Saturday. His tenure at the FBI was marked by indictments brought against Trump in relation to Russias attack on the 2016 presidential election. The investigation  and its conclusion, known colloquially as the Mueller Report  ultimately concluded Trump could not be absolved nor accused of a crime.

The post Trump Slammed for Saying Im Glad Hes Dead After Robert Muellers Death: An Embarrassment appeared first on TheWrap.
President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would send ICE agents to airports around the U.S. on Monday amid an ongoing standoff between Senate Republicans and Democrats over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

"If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!" he wrote in one of several posts on Truth Social, adding later, "I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.'"

The move came hours after the president first threatened to move ICE agents to airports, writing in a post on Truth Social earlier Saturday, "If the Radical Left Democrats dont immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before."

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In the first post, Trump also said ICE agents work in airports would include the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country.

His comments come as Senate Republicans on Saturday blocked a Democratic effort to pass a stand-alone bill to fund TSA in a 41-49 vote and a day after Senate Democrats voted down Republicans efforts to pass a bill to fully fund DHS, which has been partially shut down since mid-February.

Following the rare Saturday vote, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a key negotiator for Democrats on making a deal to end the partial shutdown, accused Republicans of tying TSA funding to ICE funding.

Today, Senate Republicans voted against paying TSA agents because they insist on tying TSA funding to their push to give even more money to ICE  without basic reforms. That is not how this should work  and it is just plain wrong that Republicans are preventing TSA agents from getting paid while airport lines grow longer across the country, Murray said.

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The shutdown has led Transportation Security Administration officers who conduct security checks at U.S. airports to go unpaid, leading to callouts en masse and lengthy security lines at airports across the country.

ICE, another agency under DHS, is not affected by the ongoing shutdown, as that agency received $75 billion in additional funds from the big, beautiful bill, the presidents major legislative package that was passed and signed into law last year.

In February, Democrats vowed to shut down DHS until Republicans agreed to new checks on ICE agents such as requiring them to wear identification and banning them from wearing face coverings.

The move came after two Americans  Renee Good and Alex Pretti  were killed by federal law enforcement in Minnesota in January during a major immigration crackdown in the state.

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This week, bipartisan negotiators on Capitol Hill met with fresh energy to work to end the shutdown. Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, met with a bipartisan group of senators twice this week, but a third planned meeting between him and the senators Saturday evening was postponed, multiple sources told NBC News. The senators hoped to hold the meeting Sunday, a Democratic aide told NBC News.

One lawmaker, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told reporters on Friday that Republicans offered Democrats a new proposal this week.

Weve offered body cams, more training, limiting arrests for sensitive areas like churches and hospitals and so forth, schools, its a long list, Hoeven said. I think the Democrats need to come back to us now and talk to us about what theyre willing to do.

Also this week, senators on a key committee weighed the presidents nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to lead DHS. Earlier this month, Trump said that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would step down at the end of March and that Mullin would be nominated as her replacement.

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In remarks on the floor Saturday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., blamed Democrats for long TSA lines, saying, The situation at U.S. airports continues to worsen thanks to Democrats refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Thousands of Homeland Security employees have been working without pay for more than a month. The problems of having an unfunded Homeland Security Department continue to multiply, and Democrats, well, they just seem to shrug.

Later, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor, It is unacceptable for workers and travelers in entire airports to get taken hostage in political games, but that is what the Republicans are doing. It is unacceptable to say we will only pay TSA workers if it is attached to a bill that funds ICE with no reforms, but thats what the Republicans have been doing. Democrats want to pay TSA workers ASAP with no strings attached.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to deploy federal immigration agents to US airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to measures aimed at strengthening security and immigration enforcement.

If the Radical Left Democrats dont immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports, Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Airport security is currently handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handles immigration enforcement. Both are under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ICE has been a pillar of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, drawing criticism from Democrats, civil liberties advocates and immigration advocacy groups.

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Trump added that ICE will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our country, and pointed to a focus on arresting immigrants from Somalia who, he said with no evidence at all have totally destroyed Minnesota. Trump has gone on xenophobic rants about Somali immigrants in the past, calling people from Somalia, including Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, garbage.

In a subsequent post, Trump said the deployment would begin on Monday if the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country.

The remarks come amid political tensions over immigration policy and a broader debate over federal enforcement powers. Trumps post came hours after Democrats blocked a DHS funding bill  the fifth time since the shutdown of the agency began in mid-February.

On Saturday, the Senate rejected a motion by Democrats to take up legislation to reopen the TSA and pay workers who are now going without paychecks. Republicans argue that they need to fund all parts of the DHS, not just certain ones. A bill to fund the cabinet department failed to advance in the Senate on Friday.

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Democrats are demanding changes in immigration enforcement operations, including ICE, after an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis led to clashes that resulted in the deaths of two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Democrats are asking for better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies and more use of judicial warrants, among other measures.

Trumps threat to put ICE agents at airport security checkpoints comes as a growing number of TSA agents are calling out sick or leaving the agency, many citing financial struggles. TSA workers could miss their second full paycheck next week as Washington lawmakers feud over the resolution to a partial government shutdown.

The DHS has said that at least 366 TSA agents have quit their jobs since the government shutdown began on 14 February.

Placing ICE at airports also comes almost a year after TSA began requiring airline passengers to show federally compliant drivers licenses or passports at security, giving the federal government a clearer idea of air travelers immigration status.

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However, its disputed whether ICE or Customs and Border Protection has statutory authority to pick up non-US citizens within the country without a warrant  including at airports.

The relevant code  USC 1357  permits arrests without a warrant within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States, to board and search for aliens any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railway car, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle, and within a distance of 25 miles from any such external boundary to have access to private lands, but not dwellings, for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States.

There were signs of progress in the Senate, though, with the restarting in recent days of stalled talks between Democrats and the White House. On Saturday, Republican and Democratic senators were set to meet for a third consecutive day with White House officials behind closed doors as the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, spoke of productive conversations.

The Senate majority leader, John Thune, urged the bipartisan group to act quickly. He has said repeatedly that Democrats and the White House need to find compromise as lines at airports have grown.

If that group thats meeting cant come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse, Thune said Saturday.
President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to send federal immigration agents to airports across the country on Monday if Democrats dont agree to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, now approaching five weeks.

If the Radical Left Democrats dont immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, he wrote.

Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia would be targeted with an especially firm hand, the president wrote on Truth Social.

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Shortly thereafter, Trump followed up to say he plans to send ICE to airports in just days.

"I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.' NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!" he wrote in a separate Truth Social post on Saturday.

Its his latest bid to push Democrats, who have refused to greenlight DHS funding without changes to how it carries out immigration enforcement, pointing to deadly incidents as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descended en masse on major American cities. Increased callouts among TSA agents and airport staffers are expected to roil airports in the coming weeks, with major interruptions to airport procedure likely to follow.

Both sides have seemingly made progress in recent days toward ending the shutdown. The White House made several concessions on immigration enforcement policies in a proposal shared with Senate Democrats on Friday. But the ICE agent masking ban Democrats are seeking in exchange for their support on a funding package remains a bridge too far, Republicans argue.

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Trumps latest threat isnt likely to make the prospects of a truce any more viable, especially given his focus on Minnesota, where tensions flared after federal immigration agents killed two protesters during a major surge of personnel in January.

In a post on X following Trumps threat, Rep. Lauren Boebert said, The airport in Minnesota is about to be a ghost town.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair, mocked the plan.

"Oh yeah, Im sure the next thing the American people want after long lines at TSA is to get wrongfully detained, beat up, and harassed by ICE," Murray wrote in a post on X. "No blank check for ICE. We need reform & accountability. In the meantime, how about you tell Republicans to just vote to pay TSA."

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The presidents threat Saturday lands squarely in the middle of a confirmation fight over his pick to run DHS, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a process that has quickly become a proxy battle over the future of ICE itself.

At his hearing this week, Mullin tried to strike a more measured tone than in some of his past remarks, pledging to rein in some enforcement tactics and lower the agencys public profile. But he repeatedly defended ICE agents amid mounting scrutiny, including backing officers involved in high-profile civilian deaths and arguing Democrats are tying the agencys hands.

Republicans  including Mullin  have instead pushed to expand ICEs resources and authority, framing the standoff as a fight over public safety.

The backdrop is the messy ouster of Kristi Noem, whose tenure was defined by aggressive deportation policies, costly PR campaigns and a series of controversies that ultimately led Trump to push her out after a bruising round of congressional hearings.

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The enforcement-heavy approach Trump threatened Saturday sets up a preview for what Mullin will perhaps be asked to defend  and potentially formalize  as the next head of DHS.

ICE and the Transportation Security Administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment from POLITICO.
Dressed in a gold Jamdani-inspired corset paired with a deconstructed single-sleeve cutwork jacket and a draped skirt, Nimrat Kaur showcased an Indo-fusion ensemble that balanced traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The look reflected a seamless integration of heritage textiles with contemporary silhouettes.

Speaking to ANI, the actor shared her perspective on fashion and individuality, emphasising authenticity and comfort.

"Fashion for me is staying true to yourself, your body type and the climate you live in, and trying to be original and remaining original," she said.

Nimrat, who was recently seen in 'The Family Man 3', also spoke about her experience of portraying a different kind of character in the series. "I really had a great time working on it. It was wonderful," she added.

Sharing a personal anecdote, the actor recalled celebrating her birthday in Varanasi for the first time.

"It was beautiful. I was in Banaras for my birthday. I went there for the first time ever and I spent it at Kashi Vishwanath," she said, describing the experience as memorable.

The multi-designer showcase at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI featured collections by Triune by Prasoon Sharma, Jajaabor by Neelanjan Ghosh and Kanika Sachdev, and Line Outline by Deepit Chugh. Each designer presented unique narratives inspired by personal journeys, cultural memory, and urban influences.

Jajaabor's collection, Calcutta Kolkata, paid tribute to the evolving identity of the city through Bengal's textile heritage and modern silhouettes. Nimrat Kaur's presence as a showstopper added star power to the presentation, highlighting the seamless fusion of craft and contemporary design. (ANI)
President Donald Trump frequently contradicts himself, sometimes in the same speech, social media post or even sentence. Within the space of a few hours Friday, he sent a torrent of mixed signals about the Iran war that raise more questions about the direction of the conflict and his administration's strategy.

During this time, Trump said he was considering winding down the war, his administration confirmed it was sending more troops to the Middle East and, in an effort to lessen the economic impact on global energy markets, the United States lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil for the first time in decades  relieving some of the pressure that Washington traditionally has used as leverage.

The confusing combination of actions deepens a sense among Trump's critics that there is no clear, long-term strategy for the war the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran. Now in its fourth week, the war remains on an unpredictable path and a credible endgame is unclear even as the global economy is being roiled.

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Just 24 hours after saying the U.S. was thinking of walking away from the conflict, Trump issued another contradictory statement Saturday evening, threatening to escalate the conflict by targeting Iran's power plants unless the country lets oil shipments pass through the Persian Gulf.

Winding down the war

After another rough day in the financial markets, Trump said Friday afternoon on his social media network: We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.

Trump contended the U.S. has adequately degraded Iranian naval, missile and industrial capacity and prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The Republican president then suggested the U.S. could pull out of the conflict without stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz, the channel through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supply travels. The strait has been ravaged by Iranian missile, drone and mine attacks during the war.

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The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not! Trump wrote. But, in another contradiction, he said the U.S. would help if asked, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated.

While oil that traverses the strait is usually bound for Asia and other places rather than North America, the chaos still affects the United States. Oil is bought and sold globally, so a shortage in oil for Asian countries leads to bidding up prices on oil sold to companies in America, too.

That fact, coupled with an Israeli strike on Iran's gas fields and an Iranian retaliation that crippled a major terminal to ship liquefied natural gas from Qatar, helped tank U.S. equity markets Friday, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.5%. There also was a sharp increase in U.S. fuel prices.

Trump's concern about the persistent blockage of the strait erupted Saturday night when the president posted on social media that he'd hit and obliterate Iran's power plants unless the country opens the strait within 48 hours. The threat against Iran's civilian infrastructure was yet another escalation.

More US military might to the Middle East

Even as Trump said the U.S. was close to winding down the war, the administration announced it was sending three more warships to the Middle East with about 2,500 additional Marines. It was the second time in the week that the administration said it was deploying more forces to the conflict. The military says some 50,000 are supporting the war effort.

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Trump has been coy about sending in ground troops, while his administration has hinted at a possible deployment of special forces or similar units.

The Marines being sent to the region are an expeditionary unit designed for quick amphibious landings, but their deployment does not mean a ground invasion is certain. Analysts have suggested it may require the presence of U.S. forces on the ground to ultimately secure the strait.

The surge in troops came just a day after news emerged that the Pentagon was seeking an additional $200 billion from Congress to fund the war. That extraordinarily high number does not suggest that the war was being wound down.

Sanctions on Iranian oil sales

The administration said it would lift sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil, provided it was already at sea as of Friday. The move was an attempt to help lower skyrocketing energy prices by allowing freer sale of oil that Iran has let pass through the strait. It also extends a financial lifeline to the Iranian government that Trump is targeting.

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His administration has tried other methods to lower oil prices. It has tapped the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve and lifted sanctions on some Russian oil. Yet Brent crude remained at $112 per barrel Friday, and analysts say oil prices are likely to remain high for months regardless of the next steps in the war.

The Iranian oil eventually would have reached another country, but now the United States and its allies can bid on it as well, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote on X.

At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap, Bessent wrote. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.

While 140 million barrels may seem like a lot, that is only a couple of days worth of oil on the global market.

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Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a U.S. fuel-tracking service, said he does not expect the temporary suspension to have a major impact on gas prices. The de facto closure of the strait has a much greater effect, he said. Prices will likely still continue to rise so long as the Strait remains silent, De Haan said.

And the contradictions in the position were obvious in Bessent's post announcing the move, which labeled Iran the head of the snake for global terrorism. He said the administration would take steps to prevent Tehran from cashing in on the sales, but it was unclear how that would be done.

Even among some Republicans, the contradictions triggered rare public skepticism.

Bombing Iran with one hand and buying Iran oil with the other, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted on X Saturday.

___

AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Ann Arbor, Michigan, contributed to this report.
Two residents of Fitchburg are facing motor-vehicle charges after leading police on a high-speed, multi-town car chase.

According to the Ashburnham Police Department, the incident began at approximately 10:30 a.m. when a vehicle failed to stop for the Orange Police Department after the vehicle was wanted in connection with a suspected robbery. The pursuit traveled through Westminster and Winchendon before entering Ashburnham, where officers used stop sticks to disable the car near the center of town.

Ashburnham officers first observed the suspect vehicle entering the town at a high rate of speed from the Winchendon town line. The driver failed to stop and continued traveling south on Route 12. In an effort to stop the car before it reached Main Street, officers deployed stop sticks near Lashua Road. Ashburnham Police Chief Chris W. Conrad stated that the deployment resulted in an effective hit on the vehicle.

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The vehicle continued to Main Street losing control at the intersection of Main and Cushing Street, Chief Conrad said. The vehicle struck several curbs and ran off the road in front of #85 Main Street where it struck and moved 2 vehicles parked at St. Denis church.

The two occupants fled the crash site on foot but were apprehended by Ashburnham and state police officers almost immediately. According to Chief Conrad, one of the suspects was taken into custody behind a building on the Cushing Academy campus.

Authorities identified the suspects as Echevarria Torres, 42, and William De Jese Rodriguez, 37, both of Fitchburg. Chief Conrad reported that both had active arrest warrants at the time of the pursuit. Officers from Westminster, Winchendon, Orange, and the state police all assisted during the incident.

One suspect and one police officer were transported to a local hospital. Both were treated for minor injuries sustained during the incident.

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The Orange Police Department arrived at the scene to take custody of Torres and Rodriguez. Both suspects will face motor vehicle and property damage charges in Ashburnham, as well as additional charges in other communities.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Footage has emerged that purportedly shows a Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft operating over Ukraine. If legitimate, this would be the first time that the radar plane has been seen in Ukrainian service, as far as we know, and would mark an important new capability for Ukraine, and one that we have discussed in depth in the past.

Russians are posting footage they claim shows likely a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C long-range radar and control aircraft flying over Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/XkFZlok2B3  WarTranslated (@wartranslated) March 20, 2026

The video in question appears to have been first posted to a Russian Telegram account and clearly shows one of the aircraft, with its distinctive balance beam radar fairing on the upper fuselage, in level flight during the daytime. The date and location of the video cannot be confirmed. It should also be noted that we cannot verify the footage itself, but there is nothing to immediately suggest it may have been doctored.

As mentioned, this appears to be the first time we have ever seen one of the Ukrainian Air Forces two Saab 340 AEW&C planes, although there are suggestions that the type has been flying in Ukrainian skies for some time.

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In April of last year, open-source flight-tracking platforms suggested that a possible Ukrainian radar plane was operating in the Lviv region, in western Ukraine, flying circuits and using the callsign WELCOME. Before that, an unidentified aircraft with the same callsign was observed operating in airspace near Poland and Hungary. If true, that suggests that the track over Lviv may have been a post-delivery acceptance or calibration flight. Its also worth noting that transponders can be manipulated to provide false aircraft tracks, too.

 Saab 360 AEW&C airborne early warning and targeting aircraft "transferred" to #Kyiv & conducted its first test flight over the #Lviv region in western

 #Ukrainepic.twitter.com/f9gMSDTM1S  C4H10FO2P  (@markito0171) April 21, 2025

Stockholms transfer of two Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to Ukraine was announced in May 2024, as we reported at the time. The donation was part of the biggest Swedish military aid package for Ukraine up to that point, worth around $1.25 billion.

At the time, it was said that it would take around a year to train the aircrew and maintenance personnel, as well as prepare the ground facilities for the new aircraft.

The Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft is known in Swedish military service as the ASC 890 and alternatively as the S 100D Argus. The Swedish Air Force operated two of these aircraft, with both understood to have been provided to Kyiv. Another two ex-Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft are operated by Thailand, and another pair were sold to Poland, having previously been operated by the United Arab Emirates.

For Ukraine, the significance of the Saab 340 AEW&C is hard to overstate.

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It brings an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has never operated any type of AEW&C platform.

The core of the aircraft is its Saab Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Carried atop the fuselage, this can detect air and sea targets at ranges of up to around 280 miles, with the aircraft typically operating at an altitude of 20,000 feet. Reportedly, the AESA system can track up to 1,000 airborne and 500 surface targets simultaneously.

All this data is handled by a three mission crew: a mission control officer, a combat control operator, and a surveillance operator. It can also be downlinked to ground stations and to other aircraft, at least in theory, of which we will discuss more later.

Unlike a surface-based air defense radar, the Erieye provides a lookdown capability. Without the line-of-sight limitations of terrain, the radar will be especially useful for detecting low-flying Russian drones and cruise missiles. These are otherwise notably tricky targets, due to the low altitudes at which they fly and their small radar signatures. With that in mind, the aircraft should provide Ukraines air defenses with a huge situational-awareness boost.

A photograph taken on December 27, 2025, shows an Iranian-designed Shahed-136 (or Russian-made Geran-2) drone flying over Kyiv during a Russian drone and missile attack. Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP via Getty Images SERGEI SUPINSKY

Within its layered air defense network, Ukraine relies heavily on crewed fighter jets (as well as other aircraft platforms) to intercept drones and cruise missiles. Adding the Saab 340 AEW&C to the equation, the radar plane should be able to work as a fighter controller, detecting targets, prioritizing them, and then assigning them to the fighters for interception. Equally, this data could be provided to other air defense assets.

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Especially useful in this regard would be the NATO-standard Link 16 datalink communications system. This would, in theory, be compatible with Ukraines F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters, as well as Western-supplied ground-based air defense systems.

However, in late 2024, it was reported that the F-16s donated to Ukraine have had Link 16 systems removed or disabled, due to U.S. worries that they could end up in Russian hands.

This would deprive those fighters of a real-time air defense picture sourced from the Erieye radar, and, at this point, its unclear if the Link 16 connectivity is available to Ukraine.

As of March 2025, it was reported that the delivery of the radar planes was on track, and they would be able to operate effectively with Ukraines F-16s.

A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 takes off for an air defense sortie. Ukrainian Air Force

The timing of ASC 890 deliveries is linked to when certain modifications to F-16 fighters will be ready. There is no delay in the transfer of airborne early warning aircraft to Ukraine, the Lithuanian Delfi news agency reported. This sounds very much like a reference to enabling the Link 16 connectivity.

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However, even without Link 16, the Saab 340 AEW&C is able to provide much-enhanced air and sea surveillance for Ukraine.

Later versions of the Erieye radar also have a synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indication (SAR/GMTI) capability, although its not clear if Ukraine has received that either. While SAR provides detailed image-like mapping of the ground at standoff ranges, GMTI detects and tracks movements on the ground over time, which would allow monitoring of Russian troop movements.

Should Ukraines ambitious plans to buy Saab Gripen fighters in the future materialize, the combination of these jets and the Saab 340 AEW&C could make a tailor-made solution for air defense and other missions.

For all its capabilities, the Saab 340 AEW&C will also be a prime target for Russia.

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Russias own A-50 Mainstay AEW&C aircraft have been repeatedly targeted by Ukraine, in recognition of their value as force multipliers.

A Russian Aerospace Forces A-50U Mainstay. Russian MoD Russian Air Force A-50U Mainstay. (Russian MoD)

Russia was estimated to have nine A-50s in active service at the start of the full-scale invasion. Since then, there have been two combat losses, and another of these aircraft was damaged in a drone attack while on the ground at a base in Belarus, and its current status is unknown. More recently, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed an A-50 had been hit in a strike on a maintenance facility in the Novgorod region of Russia.

#ruZZias A-50 AWACS just underwent a "rapid unscheduled modernization" in #Alchevsk  



The General Staff confirms the strike while it was undergoing maintenance. Its now successfully upgraded to scrap metal status     https://t.co/YI2dUGQewHpic.twitter.com/mG9tSWBQhn  Aurora Borealis  (@aborealis940) March 20, 2026

This reality almost certainly means Ukraine operates the Saab radar planes from the far west of the country, likely moving them between airfields to reduce their exposure to airstrikes. Similar tactics are also employed by Ukrainian F-16s. With a maximum of two aircraft, round-the-clock coverage is also impossible, so one aircraft may well be kept on permanent ground alert to respond to particularly intensive Russian drone and missile barrages.

It is likely for this reason, too, that we have not seen anything of the Ukrainian Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft since their delivery.

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With time, we will hopefully learn more about what these secretive assets are bringing to Ukraines air defenses and what kind of effect they are having on countering the near-constant Russian drone and missile attacks.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
The Trump administration has waived sanctions on Iranian oil purchases at sea for 30 days to ease surging oil prices driven by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said the waiver would bring about 140m barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on energy supply.

The move reflects White House concern that soaring oil prices  up about 50% to more than $100 a barrel, the highest since 2022  will hurt US businesses and consumers ahead of the November midterm elections, when Republicans hope to retain control of Congress.

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However, Bessents earlier suggestion of a waiver raised concerns that it could benefit Irans war effort.

It is the third time the US has temporarily waived sanctions in about two weeks.

It had previously eased sanctions on Russian oil, and on Friday issued a general licence allowing the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of Friday to 19 April, according to the licence posted to the US treasury website.

By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran, Bessent said in a statement on X.

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In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury.

The licence, posted to the treasury website after market hours, said Iranian oil could be imported into the US under the waiver when necessary to complete its sale or delivery. The US has not meaningfully imported Iranian oil since Washington imposed measures after the 1979 revolution.

It was unclear whether any Iranian oil would enter the country as a result of the waiver. Cuba, North Korea and Crimea are among the regions excluded from the license.

Bessent had floated lifting the sanctions in a Fox Business interview on Thursday, prompting analysts to point out the policy could actually benefit Irans war effort.

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To put it mildly, this is bananas, the Blackstone Compliance Services director, David Tannenbaum, told the BBC. Essentially, were allowing Iran to sell oil, which could then be used to fund the war effort.

Bessent pushed back on that analysis in his Friday statement. This temporary, short-term authorization is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production, he wrote.

Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system.

Vital energy infrastructure in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has been attacked, and Iran has effectively closed the strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about 20% of the worlds oil and liquefied natural gas.

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Energy analysts, including Brent Erickson, a managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors, have said the administrations efforts to control prices would not have a meaningful impact until the strait is opened to vessels.

The easing of sanctions raises concerns about the rapid depletion of Washingtons economic toolkit, to dampen oil prices, Erickson said. If weve reached the point of loosening sanctions on the country we are at war with, were really running out of options.

The move is expected to benefit China, the top buyer of Iranian oil. The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, said supplies could reach Asia within three or four days and hit the market after being refined over the next month and a half.

Meanwhile, Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, told a Japanese news agency Tehran had started talks with Tokyo about possibly opening the strait to allow the passage of Japanese-related vessels.

Japan depends on the Middle East for about 95% of its oil supplies and gets about 90% of its oil shipments via the strait. Japan is among the countries forced to release oil from their reserves amid the surging prices.
A Georgia woman has become the first person to be charged with murder under the states restrictive law banning abortions after allegedly taking drugs to induce a miscarriage when she was around five months pregnant.

The Peach States Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, which was passed in 2019, bans abortion after embryonic cardiac activity can be detected, which comes roughly around the six-week mark in pregnancy.

Alexia Moore, 31, a U.S. Army veteran from Kingsland, close to the Florida border, was rushed to a Southeast Georgia Health System hospital in Camden County on Dec. 30 last year while around five months pregnant and reporting extreme abdominal pain, according to The Current.

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Doctors at the facility delivered a severely premature baby girl who lived for approximately an hour, after which a security guard at the hospital reported what had transpired in the emergency room to the police.

Officers arrived and concluded Moore had been pregnant for 22 to 24 weeks after medical staff recorded the infant as having a heartbeat and struggling to breathe.

The Camden County courthouse in Woodbine, Georgia, where Alexia Moores case will be considered (Getty)

In 2010, Georgia enacted a bill that outlawed abortion after 22 weeks.

I know my infant is suffering, because I am the one who did the abortion, the patient told the nursing staff, according to the investigators. I want her to die.

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Then, on March 4, Kingsland Police charged Moore with attempted murder and possession of a controlled substance and dangerous drug  oxycodone and misoprostol, respectively  which they allege she took as part of the attempted illegal abortion.

Those charges were later upgraded to murder, The Washington Post reported.

Officers said they planned to use a friends testimony given at the scene as evidence, along with the patients health records and the blood work of both her and her deceased infant.

Moore, who already has children aged six and nine, is currently in jail awaiting arraignment.

Her mother, Edith Moore, a Christian pastor, said: As a mother, and me talking as a grandma, shes an excellent mother. I believe her children are her life. She has been a good provider for her children.

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Moore explained that her daughter was adopted and had been discharged from the military after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Abortion rights protesters demonstrate outside the State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, in May 2022 in response to the overturning of Roe vs Wade (Reuters)

She never could understand being adopted, Moore said of Alexia. I believe that was traumatic. I believe going into the military and winding up with PTSD It was trauma after trauma, it was situation after situation.

The circumstances of the arrested womans pregnancy are not currently known, nor is it known how she acquired the blue bottle of misoprostol, which listed no doctors name or pharmacy on its label, suggesting she may have bought it online.

Another friend of Moores, who spoke to The Current but did not wish to be identified, said: I remember her calling me, freaking out. She was bawling her eyes out. She said she didnt know what to do.

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If worse comes to worst, I said, If you 100 percent go through with having the baby, and if you dont want it, you can always give it to me, and you know, itll be taken care of.

They added: She is a great person. She is super bright. She has two amazing little boys that shes raising to be young men.

Its just, its mind-blowing that she got charged with that over something like this. This is just crazy.

Camden County Sheriff Kevin Chaney said the hospital security guard who reported Moores case had acted appropriately.

Georgias Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, which was passed in 2019, bans abortion after embryonic cardiac activity can be detected, which comes roughly around the six-week mark in pregnancy (AP)

Theyre law enforcement at the hospital, so theyre not just security officers, he said. Theyre actually sworn peace officers in the state of Georgia. And plus your mandated reports and stuff like that. Along those lines, we share information constantly.

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Sheriff Chaney said officers are monitoring Moores health after her mother expressed concern over her mental well-being.

Dana Sussman, senior vice president of the advocacy group Pregnancy Justice, said in a statement, No one should be criminalized for having an abortion, calling Moores case an unprecedented murder charge for an alleged abortion.

A 2024 study by Pregnancy Justice found that at least 210 women across the U.S. were charged with crimes related to their pregnancies in the 12 months after the Supreme Courts 2022 ruling that overturned Roe vs Wade and allowed states to enforce abortion bans.

That tally was more than the group found in any other 12-month period. Most of the cases involved allegations of substance use during pregnancy.

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Andrew Fleischman, a Georgia defense attorney not involved in Moores case, said: Murder is intentionally causing the death of a person Im not sure prosecutors are eager to be the first one to jump this hurdle.

I think its a totally legally permissible case. I think they could do it. Id be surprised if they go through with it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Former FBI Director Robert Mueller was considered a hero to many, including the Marines under his command in combat in Vietnam and the FBI agents working for him after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

And ultimately, in a career-defining move, Mueller became a hero to those working the politically-charged criminal investigation by the Justice Department into associates of then-President Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin over Russian interference in the 2016 election that brought Trump to power.

Mueller made many enemies along the way, especially Trump and his supporters, after refusing to say that the then-President hadn't broken any laws during Russia's election meddling.

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Trump responds to Mueller's death: 'I'm glad.'

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller , who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported. Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.



As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.



Scroll through to look back at his career. A trader works at his post, as a television broadcasts Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testimony before Congress, on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on July 24, 2019. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs after delivering a statement on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election at the Justice Department in Washington on May 29, 2019. Special counsel Robert Mueller walks with his wife Ann Mueller at St. John's Church across from the White House on March 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Special counsel Robert Mueller has delivered his report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to Attorney General William Barr. Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing about his report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the Rayburn House Office Building July 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mueller will later testify before the House Intelligence Committee in back-to-back hearings on Capitol Hill. Special Counsel Robert Mueller speaks on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on May 29, 2019. Mueller said that charging President Donald Trump with a crime of obstruction was not an option because of Justice Department policy. Special Counsel Robert Mueller arrives at his office on March 21, 2019 in Washington DC. It is expected that Mueller will soon complete his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and release his report. Mueller testifies during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2013, where he confirmed that the FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance. FBI Director Robert Mueller listens to opening statements at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats on Jan. 31, 2012 in Washington. A Secret Service agent keeps watch as U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to speak at FBI headquarters in Washington April 28, 2009. Ascending the steps is FBI director Robert Mueller. FBI Director Robert Mueller testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the oversight of the FBI on March 27, 2007 in Washington. FBI Director Robert Mueller talks with the USA TODAY Editorial Board on April 30, 2003 in McLean, Va. Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, left, along with FBI Director Robert Mueller, right, hold a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington to announce that a federal grand jury in Houston had indicted former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey K. Skilling on charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and insider trading on Feb. 19, 2003. Attorney General John Ashcroft, left, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, center, and FBI Director Robert Mueller testify at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4, 2002 in Washington. Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies. Look back at his career in government 1 of 14 Former FBI Director Robert Mueller , who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported. Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.



As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.



Scroll through to look back at his career.

Here's five things to know about Mueller, who died March 21 at the age of 81 after a years-long struggle with Parkinson's disease.

From the Ivy Leagues to the Jungles of Vietnam

Before leading the FBI, Mueller served as a Marine officer in Vietnam, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with a distinction for valor.

Unlike many enlistees, Mueller had graduated from an Ivy League school, Princeton University, with a BA in Politics in 1966 before getting a Masters Degree in international relations from New York University. He even spent a year waiting for an injured knee to heal so he could serve in some of the bloodiest combat zones of the war, said Garrett Graff, author of "The Threat Matrix: Inside Robert Muellers FBI and the War on Global Terror."

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In April 1969, after more than 33,000 Americans had been killed in Vietnam, Mueller led his unit into combat again, and engaged the enemy in a close firefight.

More: Robert Mueller, former FBI director who investigated Trump, dead at 81

The incoming fire was so intense  the stress of the moment so all-consuming, the adrenaline pumping so hard  that when he was shot, Mueller didnt immediately notice, Graff wrote in a 2018 WIRED magazine article.

Amid the combat, he looked down and realized an AK-47 round had passed clean through his thigh, Graff wrote. Mueller kept fighting.

I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have made it out of Vietnam, Mueller said years later in a speech. There were many  many  who did not. And perhaps because I did survive Vietnam, I have always felt compelled to contribute.

Heading a Post-9/11 FBI on the verge of extinction

After law school at the University of Virginia, Mueller built a career as a federal prosecutor handling cases involving homicide, organized crime, terrorism and public corruption. President George W. Bush nominated Mueller  described at the time as a conservative Republican  as FBI director on July 5, 2001.

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He was sworn in on Sept. 4, 2001, just one week before the Al Qaeda suicide hijacking attacks on New York and Washington that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York and at the Pentagon.

FBI Director Robert Mueller listens to questions as US Attorney General John Ashcroft looks on during a press conference about the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon September 12, 2001 in Washington, DC.

The FBI faced intense criticism  in Congress and elsewhere  for failing to detect or prevent the plot. In response, Mueller led a sweeping transformation that is widely credited with saving the bureau from being stripped of many of its critical functions.

He did so by shifting it from a traditional crime-fighting agency into a counterterrorism and intelligence-driven operation.

More: Former FBI director Robert Mueller, special counsel in Trump-Russia probe, dies at 81

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There were some in Congress who wanted to create a domestic intelligence agency separate from FBI, modeled on Britains MI5, and just have it act as a national law enforcement agency with no intelligence or national security responsibilities, former FBI official Javed Ali told USA TODAY on March 21.

Ali said his position as the FBIs senior counterterrorism analyst from 2007 to 2010 was a direct result of the changes Mueller brought to the bureau.

Threatening to quit over a secret domestic surveillance program

Mueller nearly resigned in a surveillance showdown with the Bush administration over a secret surveillance program, highlighting his reputation for independence.

On March 10, 2004, when Bush Attorney General John Ashcroft was at a Washington, DC, hospital for gallbladder surgery, then-deputy attorney general James Comey got a call that two White House officials were about to visit a groggy Ashcroft to get him to renew a controversial warrantless wiretapping program that the DOJ believed was unconstitutional.

President George W. Bush with Justice Department veteran Robert Mueller, who he nominated to head the FBI July 5, 2001, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC.

When Ashcroft refused to sign and the White House renewed the program anyway, Mueller  and Comey  both threatened to resign. After meeting with both at the White House, Bush supported changing the program to satisfy their privacy concerns.

Clashing with Trump over the Trump-Russia investigation

Long after retiring from government service, Mueller was called back to lead the investigation into whether Russia  possibly with help from then-candidate Trump and his political team  interfered in the 2016 president election to help Trump defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

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Mueller earned Trump's enmity by serving as special counsel for the probe beginning in May 2017  and for amassing a crack team of prosecutors and investigators, and then writing a massive report that detailed its findings.

By June, 2017, Muellers team was investigating Trump personally for possible obstruction of justice in connection with the case, The Washington Post reported at the time. Four months later, Mueller filed charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign co-chairman Rick Gates, including for conspiracy against the United States.

President Donald Trump speaks about Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the Rose Garden at the White House May 22, 2019, in Washington, DC.

The Mueller Report ultimately found that Russia launched multiple, systematic efforts to interfere with the election, and detailed scores of embarrassing details about the conduct of Trump and his allies.

Thirty-four people were indicted in the probe, including six former Trump advisers, 26 Russians, one California man, and a London-based lawyer. Seven, including five of the six former Trump advisers, pleaded guilty.

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And while Mueller said the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel prohibited the prosecution of a sitting president, If we had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said that."

Mueller said, adding that investigators were essentially blocked by long-standing Justice Department policy that prohibits the criminal prosecution of sitting presidents.

Damaging testimony over the Mueller report

In a career-defining moment, Mueller was hauled before Congress to testify about his report and whether it exonerated Trump.

In dramatic but often halting testimony on July 24, 2019, Mueller refused to say that it did, and confirmed his view that a president could face charges after leaving office.

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Mueller, consistent with his decades as a button-down lawman, gave many one-word answers. That frustrated Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike. But he rejected claims that his investigation was a "witch hunt"  or that it totally exonerated the president, as Trump and his Republican supporters claimed.

Former special counsel Robert Mueller, accompanied by his top aide in the investigation Aaron Zebley, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee hearing on his report on Russian election interference, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., July 24, 2019.

Critics were brutal, describing Muellers testimony as excruciatingly awkward, confused, struggling and a stammering, stuttering mess.

But one former federal prosecutor, Renato Mariotti, wrote that, History will show that he had one big goal, and nailed it.

Muellers down-the-middle, leak-free handling of the high-stakes investigation was an object lesson in professionalism, Mariotti wrote in Politico.

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Trump has insisted that Mueller's investigation into his first White House campaign and its connections with Moscow are a hoax. A Trump-appointed federal prosecutor in South Florida is now leading an investigation into it, and subpoenaing Comey and others as part of it.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about former FBI chief and Trump foe Robert Mueller
A West Bend man faces 18 felony charges after investigators say they found illegal drugs and firearms in his home at a Girl Scouts campground.

Washington County deputies responded to a domestic violence call March 15 at the home belonging to Paul David, 48, located at Camp Silver Brook, a Girl Scouts camp in West Bend, WISN 12 News reported. There, deputies found nearly 700 grams of processed marijuana, nine marijuana plants and "substantially more" psychedelic mushrooms than for personal use, according to the criminal complaint.

David lived in the home near University Drive and Decorah Road with his wife, a Girl Scouts employee, and two children. A Girl Scouts spokesperson told WISN 12 News the employee has since been placed on leave.

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On March 17, David was charged with three felony counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances on or near a youth center, according to court records. Prosecutors charged David with another 13 counts of unlawful firearm possession after investigators said they found more than a dozen guns in his home, including some that were loaded.

David has previous felony convictions for driving while intoxicated and is not allowed to own firearms, according to court records.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast said in a statement the organization is working with local authorities, adding that "no Girl Scouts were hurt or placed in danger in conjunction with this complaint."

"Our primary concern  now and always  is the safety of the girls in our care. We are committed to ensuring that our spaces remain safe for local Girl Scouts to explore and learn," the organization said. "GSWISE has camp leadership in place to ensure we are still offering Camp Silver Brook as a safe, fun place for Girl Scouts."

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David posted bond on March 17 and is no longer in custody. His next court appearance is set for May 6.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: West Bend man faces charges after drugs found at Girl Scouts camp
When Michigan state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) filed her reelection paperwork this January, she wasnt just considering policy goals. She was weighing her safety. For her, the decision to run for reelection was a calculated risk, one made easier only because the threats on her life had slowed.

I hadnt had a really bad death threat in a while, she said.

Like many public figures, Pohutsky has received several death threats throughout her seven years in office.

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At one point, I had the address for someone who had sent my office a death threat via email, and they said that all of the legislators  and this was during COVID  all of us should be shot and killed, she said. And I flagged that for law enforcement, and they said it wasnt specific enough.

State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) talking about legislation to update Michigans sex education curriculum. Nov. 13, 2024. Photo by Jon King.

As the 2026 midterms approach, and less than a year after a state legislator was killed in Minnesota, security and financial concerns trouble would-be contenders for state legislative offices.

State deadlines to declare candidacy vary, so it will not be clear until July whether nerves over security risks or financial concerns have increased the number of uncontested races. Since 2016, 30% to 50% of state legislative candidates had no opponent from the other major party. In 2024 alone, of the 5,087 seats up for election, 2,224 were uncontested.

Trading safety for service

While elected officials willingly chose to sacrifice their time and energy during legislative sessions, most did not realize they would also be sacrificing their sense of safety, both for themselves and for their families.

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On June 14, 2025, Minnesota Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their home in a targeted attack, which sent shockwaves through statehouses nationwide. The suspect, Vance Boelter, was indicted for their murders, as well as the shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.

State Rep. Erin Koegel (D-Minnesota), who was a friend and colleague of Hortman, not only endured her grief, but also worried for her own safety, as she learned that she was on Boelters hit list of Democratic Minnesota lawmakers.

I was, as far as distance from Melissas house, my house was probably the next closest, Koegel said.

After the assassination, Koegel decided to stay at her moms house over that weekend. When she came back to her house that Monday, someone started sending pizzas to her doorstep.

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They ordered pizzas to my house the second I got home, Koegel said. They knew when I was home, and it was, like, hey, we know where you live, and we know that youre there right now, and that totally freaked me out.

She called the police.

These safety concerns often go beyond the state level, with many members of the U.S. Congress echoing those sentiments.

When former U.S. Rep. Debbie Muscarcel-Powell (D-Florida) served in office from 2019 to 2021, she and her colleagues in Washington were in a constant state of worry.

Ive had conversations with members of Congress that have told me: I did not sign up to serve, to then be threatened; for my life to be threatened, or my familys to be threatened, she said.

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In a 2023 survey, the Brennan Center for Justice found that more than 40% of state legislators in their study experienced threats of political violence, with 29% reporting that the seriousness of the incidents had only increased.

Incidents of politically targeted violence impose a significant emotional and physical toll on public officials and distract them from their responsibilities in serving their communities.

Priced out of representation

The financial strain that accompanies state office further discourages candidates for budding legislators and the barriers to retention for lawmakers.

According to the National Conference of State Legislators, the average annual salary for a state legislator in 2025 was $44,320. The lowest annual salary for New Hampshire state legislators is $100. While many states have part-time legislatures, some have full-time positions, with higher salaries. For example, in Michigan, the salary for full-time legislators starts slightly over $71,000.

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Vermont state Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone, a Democratic legislator vocal about the financial struggles she faces as a working mother, has found the pay to be unsustainable in the long run.

Im most likely not going to be able to continue to serve just because now I have another mouth to feed, Stone said. I have a little one, and its just a lot to only make, you know, $15,000 a year, and its a part-time legislative job, but youre really working full-time for half a year.

For legislators with children, low legislative pay is only one of their biggest concerns when serving in office and trying to support their families, as many struggle with the logistics of child care and the demands of their busy schedules.

Right now, I dont have daycare for my child. My husband is on parental leave from the Air Force for 12 weeks. So he was able to start his parental leave at the start of the session, but come the end of this month, I have no idea what Im gonna do, Stone said. Ive just been bringing the baby into work every day, but Im gonna have to do that solo April through May.

For many legislators with salaries on the lower end of the spectrum, full-time jobs alongside their part-time legislative roles help keep them afloat.

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Matthew Foster, a government professor at American University, sees a silver lining in lawmakers handling full-time jobs outside their state offices.

You want your representatives to look beyond their own self-interest in their pocketbook, Foster said.

However, these financial barriers can also reduce the number of qualified candidates willing to run for little financial benefit.

Those that dont have resources are kind of priced out, because they cant get a salary to live off of, Foster said. It perpetuates the reality that those who get into politics tend to be more privileged economically.

The growing recruitment gap

According to Foster, another cause of the lack of competition at the state level is the failure of the Democratic and Republican party committees to recruit qualified candidates.

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The first place you should point a finger at is the state party for not trying to do that recruitment, Foster said.

Organizations such as the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and the Republican State Leadership Committee typically recruit candidates ahead of campaign seasons.

I think a lot of parties focus too much on the actual election, the advertising, the money and the campaigning, and not enough prep for the groundwork of cultivating this talent, Foster said.

Legislators in office often bear recruitment responsibilities as well, especially when seeking young candidates to replace them when they retire.

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I tried to recruit somebody from our local school board, said Koegel, who is not running for reelection. The candidate she attempted to recruit was a woman of color with experience in office.

And she was doubting herself, and she decided not to run, Koegel added.

For Rep. Pohutsky, the stakes of fewer diverse candidates running are clear.

If we are only represented by people who are independently wealthy or are retired, then its gonna result in bad policy, she said.
The facility, which was located inside Tehrans Malek-Ashtar University, was used to develop ballistic missiles in addition to nuclear weapons, the IDF stated.

The Israeli Air Force struck a research and development facility used by the Iranian regime to develop nuclear weapons components in Tehran, the military announced on Saturday.

The facility, which was located inside Tehrans Malek-Ashtar University, was used to develop ballistic missiles in addition to nuclear weapons, the IDF stated.

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Earlier on Saturday, the military announced that it had completed wide-scale strikes against dozens of Iranian regime targets overnight, including ballistic missile production facilities.

According to the IDF, the strikes "significantly degrade" Irans capability to continue producing ballistic missiles.

As part of the air force strikes, which were conducted based on intelligence from the IDFs intelligence directorate, Israel hit Iranian defense industrial base facilities that produced critical components for the development of ballistic missiles.

Israel Air Force fighter jet seen in central Israel amid the ongoing war between Israel-US and Iran, March 16, 2026. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)

Among the sites struck were a central Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ballistic missile production and development compound, a missile component storage facility, an Iranian Defense Ministry missile fuel production site, and a missile component production site.

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Further, in the same announcement, the military said it had hit several defense systems of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran without specifying further. It noted, however, that the strikes were part of efforts to undermine the systems maintaining the regimes grip on power.

Israel Air Force conducts rapid strikes on large-scale ballistic missile site in western Iran

Later on Saturday, the IDF announced that the air force had conducted five strikes on targets in a "large-scale ballistic missiles array site in western Iran." The military published footage of the strikes, which it said occured in a span of seconds and resulted in the killing of numerous Iranian ballistic missile array personnel.

The military noted that targeting Iran's ballistic missile array has been an emphasis of its offensive actions against the Islamic Republic's firepower. It added that the Iranian operatives at the western Iranian site had used the facility to advance attacks against Israel and other countries in the region.

IDF footage showing five successive airstrikes on a large-scale ballistic missiles array site in western Iran on March 21, 2026. (Credit: IDF Spokespersons Unit)

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It further vowed to continue operations to destroy Iran's ability to strike at Israel.

Investigation reveals US-Israeli strategy in degrading Irans missile capacity

On Friday, CNN published the findings of an investigation it conducted to uncover how the US and Israel were hunting down Irans missile apparatus.

The outlet said its analysis of satellite images from 27 Iranian underground bases, including 107 tunnels, indicated a US-Israeli campaign of airstrikes to demolish the entrances to bases where munitions were stored, burying them underground.

Of the tunnel entrances CNN was able to acquire satellite images of, the US and Israel had bombed at 77%.

However, the investigation also revealed evidence of rapid Iranian efforts to dig out munitions. At one site, CNN noted, such evidence appears less than two days after it was bombed.

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The outlet noted that the Islamic Republic has a history of rushing to repair its assets following strikes.

After Junes 12-day war, CNN reported, Iran restored damaged parts of its missile production network, a complex linked to uranium enrichment centrifuges, and underground mid-range missile sites, indicating that strikes on such targets may only serve as temporary solutions.

Nevertheless, the US and Israel say they are approaching the completion of their goals in the war against Iran, although it is yet unclear when the countries will decide that those goals have been achieved.

Meanwhile, the US and Israel continue to fly missions in airspace, where they have boasted dominance.

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On Saturday, the IDF reported that Iran had fired a surface-to-air missile at an IAF aircraft, but that the projectile had missed and the aircraft sustained no damage.

Later, the semi-official Iranian Mehr News Agency reported that a passenger pier in the southern coastal city of Bushehr was hit in US-Israeli strikes and that facilities and passenger vessels at the pier sustained damage.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Police arrested a woman who previously reported a man shed allegedly met online for sending her child pornography, with officials saying she was more involved than she let on.

Mystea Krissalyn Driver, 21, of Wichita Falls, was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence with intent to impair. She was released the following day after posting a $25,000 bond.

Court documents show that the charge against Driver is connected to the recent arrest of Robert Lee Fox, 41, of Wichita Falls, who was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Saturday, March 14, 2026, on nine counts of possession of child pornography.

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RELATED: Man accused of sending child porn to woman he met on dating website

According to court documents, Wichita Falls police were contacted at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, regarding a woman who alleged shed been sent child pornography on her cell phone.

Officers said that the woman alleged she and Fox met on a dating website and exchanged phone numbers. She said they began texting, and that she later received one video and eight pictures depicting a prepubescent male and a prepubescent female engaging in sexual conduct.

According to the affidavit, Driver was identified as the woman who reported Fox to authorities, and after she spoke with police, she agreed to a forensic examination of her cell phone.

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A spokesperson with the Wichita Falls Police Department told Texomas Homepage on Friday, March 20, 2026, that Driver was more involved than she led on.

Police said the forensic examination of Drivers phone revealed that shed deleted 58 text messages between herself and Fox. They said that 35 of the deleted text messages were part of a conversation between Driver and Fox over a period of an hour and a half on March 12.

According to police, the text messages that were deleted from Drivers phone included an exchange where the two talked about sexually explicit child pornography.

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.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
With Bollywood stars like Vicky Kaushal, Hema Malini and Bhumi Pednekar set to participate, Delhi is gearing up to turn into a global cinema hub as the International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) 2026 has opened public registrations and unveiled a line-up of over 140 films from 47 countries. Scheduled from March 25 to 31, the city-wide festival will offer free access to screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, workshops and cultural programmes across the national capital, according to a release from the Delhi Chief Minister's Ofiice (CMO). The festival will see participation from leading names in Indian and international cinema, including Vicky Kaushal, Hema Malini, Bhumi Pednekar, Khushboo Sundar, Rana Daggubati, Divya Dutta, Annu Kapoor, Dr Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ramesh Sippy, Subhash Ghai, Sudipto Sen, Shiboprasad Mukherjee, Venkatesh, Arvind Swami, Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, Harish Bhimani, Esha Gupta, Malini Awasthi and Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan. IFFD 2026 will open on March 25 at Bharat Mandapam with a red carpet gala and opening ceremony hosted by Arjun Kapoor and Nimrat Kaur. The evening will feature Anupam Kher, Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Lauren Gottlieb, followed by the gala screening of the Oscar-nominated film 'Sirat'. The festival will be held across Bharat Mandapam, PVR-INOX theatres and curated public venues, with screenings also extending to outdoor locations, inflatable theatres and mobile LED units across the city, according to the release. Public registrations are now live at https://www.iffdelhi.com/, with all screenings and public programmes free to attend, subject to prior registration and venue capacity, the release said. At its core, the festival will present a diverse film programme selected from over 2,000 submissions, spanning international features, documentaries, short films, animation and hybrid formats. Key highlights include 'Indian Cinema Now' featuring over 40 gala screenings across multiple Indian languages with cast and crew in attendance, and a Partner Festival Showcase presenting selections from the Singapore International Film Festival, including works by Anthony Chen and Jeremy Chua, with 'Amoeba' as the closing film, according to the CMO. The festival will also showcase restored classics in collaboration with NFDC-NFAI, including a 4K restoration of 'Pyaasa' as part of the Guru Dutt centenary tribute, along with post-screening conversations and filmmaker Q&As. IFFD 2026 will host a series of masterclasses and in-conversation sessions featuring Manoj Bajpayee, Boman Irani, Guneet Monga, Imtiaz Ali, Shekhar Kapur, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Bhumi Pednekar, Huma Qureshi and Enrique Arce, among others, each followed by audience interactions. Workshops aimed at students, emerging filmmakers and first-time creators will focus on practical learning and direct engagement with industry professionals. The festival will also present curated cultural evenings at 7 PM, including performances by Sonam Kalra on March 26, Ashish Vidyarthi on March 27, Fouzia Dastango on March 28 and Ricky Kej on March 29. Additionally, the CineVerse Expo at Bharat Mandapam will explore the intersection of cinema, technology and emerging storytelling formats, with select sessions open to registered audiences. Marking the birth centenary of Guru Dutt, the festival will feature a special retrospective with restored screenings of his iconic works, including 'Pyaasa'. Alongside its public programme, IFFD CineXchange will serve as the industry platform, bringing together filmmakers, producers, financiers, distributors, OTT platforms and festival programmers through curated labs, co-production markets and project showcases such as Co-Pro, Rough Cuts, Viewing Room and Pitch Your Idea, according to the CMO. Suneel Anchipaka, Managing Director and CEO of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd, said, "With IFFD 2026, we wanted to build a festival that feels open, welcoming, and truly connected to the city. The idea was simple: bring world cinema to people, remove barriers, and create spaces where audiences and filmmakers can come together." (ANI)
Mar. 20A woman was sentenced to prison for robbing a person at gunpoint, then throwing a chemical in their face after trips to multiple ATMs.

Jacinda Osborne, 52, was sentenced by Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge E. Gerald Parker Jr. to a total of eight to 12 years in prison, with credit for 253 days spent in confinement, for one count each of aggravated robbery and kidnapping.

She was also ordered to pay $2,530.74 in restitution to the victim.

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Osborne's charges stem from June 27, 2025.

At about 9:11 a.m., Osborne reportedly approached the victim while wearing a mask and surgical gloves at the Meijer at 9200 N. Main Street. She reportedly made a brief comment before they both carried on shopping, according to an affidavit filed in Vandalia Municipal Court.

At around 10:30 a.m., the victim was putting their groceries in their vehicle when Osborne approached them again, claiming that her husband was in a car crash and asking for a ride to the nearby Miami Valley Hospital North Campus.

The person agreed, and when they pulled into the hospital parking lot Osborne reportedly pulled out a handgun and said, "This is a hold up (expletive), give me your money," the affidavit said.

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Osborne had reportedly seen the person withdraw money from the ATM inside Meijer, so knew they had cash.

However, Osborne said that the cash was not enough, saying that she needed at least $600 in cash. So, she told the victim to drive to another ATM to withdraw more money, and the victim complied.

Finally, Osborne had them drive to an alley on Wilkinson Street near Sinclair Community College and threatened to shoot the victim, demanding their purse and car keys.

As Osborne got out of the vehicle, she reached into her purse, took out a clear plastic bottle and threw an unknown chemical onto the victim's face, the affidavit said. The chemical reportedly smelled like ammonia, and burned the victim's lips as well as making them cough heavily.

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Investigators found video footage of Osborne arriving at the Meijer on an RTA bus. Bus cameras showed her boarding the bus at Apple Street around 7:30 a.m., then riding for around two hours before disembarking at the Meijer, court documents said.

The account used to pay the bus fare was connected to Osborne, documents said.

At the time of writing, Osborne is in the Montgomery County Jail.
In the nearly three weeks since President Donald Trump struck Iran, conventional wisdom has set in that his base is sticking with him on the war.

Its true that Trumps base hasnt ditched him in huge numbers  and an overwhelming number of MAGA supporters, especially, say they support the war. The opposition from the likes of Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Megyn Kelly and other influencers hasnt translated to wide swaths of the GOP base itself.

But Trump has alienated some significant portions of his base, and hes risking alienating more.

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A fresh batch of polling in recent days reinforces that.

The focus of these analyses has often been self-described MAGA voters. In most polls, about 9 in 10 of them support the war.

But that shouldnt be too surprising, given these people are quite literally the ones who identify themselves as supporters of Trumps political movement.

When you expand the universe to all Republicans and, even more broadly, to 2024 Trump voters, the numbers arent nearly as sterling for the president.

A new Reuters-Ipsos poll, for instance, shows 21% of Republicans disapprove of the war. (Americans overall disapprove 59%-37%.)

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And a Yahoo News-YouGov poll conducted over the weekend showed not only did 17% of Republicans disapprove of Trumps handling of Iran, but so did 24% of people who say they voted for him in 2024.

Its great for Trump that his devoted supporters are still on board. But thats still about 1 in 4 people who turned out to vote for him just 16 months ago who dont like this war. And 15% of those 2024 Trump voters say they strongly disapprove, suggesting this is a big deal to them.

In context, these numbers arent too surprising. Weve seen around 1 in 5 Republicans or more opposing Trump on lots of issues over the past year.

But thats also kind of the point here. These are voters that the GOP probably needs to keep in the fold to avoid a blue wave in the 2026 midterm elections. And here is Trump continually giving many of them reason to be disillusioned. Hes not alienating a majority or anywhere close to it, but its still numbers of people who, if they voted Democratic or even just stayed home, could put a huge dent in the number of seats Republicans win.

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A good way to think about this is to look back on the Iraq war, which emerged as a real political liability for Republicans two decades ago.

But it wasnt until 2006  three years after the war began  that GOP opposition started to creep into the high-teens. Thats basically where we started with the Iran war.

And its quite possible we could see support fall, especially if the war drags on and the costs increase.

One of the other really significant facets of the early polling is that Trumps support in the GOP base is relatively wide but not very deep.

That Yahoo-YouGov poll, for instance, shows only around half of Republicans (49%) and 2024 Trump voters (47%) said they strongly support the way Trump is handling Iran. Thats compared to around 8 in 10 Democrats (81%) and 2024 Kamala Harris voters (79%) who strongly disapprove.

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So the opposition overall is much more passionate. And around half of Republicans and Trump voters are either critical or lukewarm.

Which suggests they might not be on Trumps side forever.

A new Strength in Numbers-Verasight poll points to one of the most logical ways that some of them could begin to sour on the war in the near term.

The poll, which was conducted earlier this week, found that 24% of Republicans said the war in Iran wasnt a good use of taxpayer dollars. Then it asked about what theyd say if the price of gas rose by $1 per gallon. The number saying it wasnt worth the cost rose to 31%  nearly one-third of Republicans.

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Well, guess what: The price of gas has already risen by about $1 since the war began, with no relief in sight.

Throw in the huge amount of money the administration may be seeking (as much as $200 billion) for the war, and the possibility of boots on the ground and increased casualties, and its easy to see these lukewarm Trump supporters joining the ranks of war critics.

And it wouldnt take too many of them to break from Trump for this to start looking a lot like when the Iraq war became a really big problem for Republicans.

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Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Shriraj Nair has spoken about the film 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', asserting that it is based on "complete research" and reflects changing audience preferences in India. In a conversation with ANI, Nair said that post-2014, filmmakers have gained the confidence to produce films centred on "love for the country, religion, and respect for Indian culture and saints." "After 2014, filmmakers have gathered the courage to present the truth. Earlier, there was an environment where Hindus were made to feel apologetic and even second-class in the film industry," he said. Nair credited the film's success to a "mature audience," stating that viewers today cannot be misled by "artificial or imaginary narratives." He added that strong word-of-mouth and growing theatre footfall indicate public acceptance of such content. Rejecting allegations that the government is promoting propaganda through films, Nair said, "The Indian government has more important priorities like infrastructure, employment, and foreign policy. It has no agenda to run films." He alleged that prior to 2014, the film industry was influenced by selective narratives and financial pressures. "There was a pattern where Hindu traditions, saints, and symbols were mocked, while other communities were portrayed positively. This was part of an agenda," he said. Nair also claimed that past funding in the film industry was influenced by the underworld, which created a "fear environment" among filmmakers. "Today, the situation has changed. Aaj sachai purna roop sa parosi ja rahi hai aur Vishwa Hindu Parishad iska swagat karta hai (the truth is being presented in its full and VHP welcomes it)" he added. Criticising what he termed "selective activism" and "pseudo-liberals," Nair said opposition to films like Dhurandhar stems from an inability to accept changing narratives. He cited past controversies, including the removal of certain films from streaming platforms following protests, as examples of public pushback. "There was no real brotherhood in the industry earlier; it was born out of helplessness," he claimed, referring to the dynamics between different communities in Bollywood. Calling on filmmakers to focus on "nation, religion, and Indian culture," Nair said such films will find both acceptance and success among audiences. The film "Dhurandhar: The Revenge" has recently sparked debate, with critics questioning its ideological leanings and alleging "agenda" while supporters have hailed it as a bold and research-driven project. 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' is the sequel to the 2025 blockbuster 'Dhurandhar', which became the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year and one of the most successful Indian films of all time.The sequel continues the story of undercover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi, played by Ranveer Singh, who operates under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari within a complex criminal network. The film features an ensemble cast including R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun, with its narrative diving deeper into themes of espionage and patriotism. 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', the latest instalment in the franchise, has released in theatres on March 19 and continues to generate significant buzz. (ANI)
Several devotees converged at the Jama Masjid in the national capital on Saturday morning to perform the special prayers of Eid-ul-Fitr. The atmosphere remained vibrant as families exchanged greetings, signalling the start of day-long festivities across the city. Following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, the mosque premises and surrounding streets of Old Delhi were filled with worshippers, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan. A massive crowd of devotees and shoppers on Friday gathered at the Jama Masjid and its surrounding markets to make final purchases for Eid al-Fitr. Meanwhile, on Friday night, the Delhi Police 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. The market around Jama Masjid is in full fervour as people shop for clothes and food items. Security was also heightened near the Uttam Nagar East metro station. The development comes after the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Police to make adequate arrangements in the area in apprehension of violence during Eid. The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police and sought a response. The court also directed to keep the Police arrangement till the festival of Ram Navami. The matter is listed for further hearing on April 6. The Muslim community around the country is gearing up for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr tomorrow. People in large numbers offered namaz on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan in the Jama Masjid in Johari Bazar in Jaipur. On the other hand, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday extended heartfelt greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, according to a press release. In her message, the President has said, "On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to Muslim sisters and brothers living in India and abroad. Celebrated after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, this festival gives the message of self-control, charity and compassion for the underprivileged. It also conveys the message of love, brotherhood, peace, and mutual harmony." Meanwhile, Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Palam MLA Kuldeep Solanki accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of politicising a prayer meeting held for the 9 victims of the recent tragic fire in southwest Delhi. Solanki alleged on Friday that Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj reacted 'aggressively' to requests to keep politics out of a local condolence gathering. During the condolence meeting with an AAP worker, a political confrontation between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) occurred. BJP MLA Kuldeep Solanki, while speaking to ANI, said, "A major fire accident occurred in our Palam area. The head of the market, Rajendra Kashyap, and his family lived there. He had a showroom for cosmetics and garments. How the fire started is a matter of investigation. But his family has suffered a huge loss. Nine family members died from suffocation and burns. We stand with the entire family, and our condolences are with them. We will definitely provide any assistance the government and administration can provide, and we will also support them socially..." He further added, "Rajendra ji is a worker of Aam Aadmi Party. Saurabh Bhardwaj ji came yesterday. The people of the market had organized a condolence meeting there. I also went there. Two or three of his MLAs, councilors, workers, everyone was sitting nearby. As soon as I went and sat next to Rajendra ji, they started saying that the administration has failed, the government is useless, and blamed the government and the BJP. I requested him twice, I said Bhardwaj ji, this is not the right topic right now. It is time for a condolence meeting. Then he got angry and started abusing. And then the matter heated up..." Meanwhile, Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has alleged lapses in the fire response and equipment malfunction during the recent fire in Palam, claiming that the lives of those 9 people could have been saved if timely action had been taken. Speaking to reporters after meeting the bereaved family, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener said that he was informed the fire brigade's ladders were allegedly not functioning when they reached the spot. "I came to know that when the Fire Brigade reached here, their ladders were not working. Had the Fire Brigade taken timely action, perhaps lives could have been saved," Kejriwal said. He further alleged that workers and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in hooliganism at the site instead of expressing sympathy towards the affected family. "A family lost nine of its members; instead of sympathising with them, they have started hooliganism. I am sad to see the BJP stooping so low," he added. Kejriwal also claimed that people were being prevented from meeting the bereaved family and alleged that they were being threatened. "They are not allowing people to meet the bereaved family. They are being threatened. It is very sad," he said. (ANI)
Government sources have clarified that the sealing of new agency UNI's office at 9 Rafi Marg in the capital was carried out as the Government was duty bound to ensure optimal use of public resources. According to Government sources action was taken after the High Court concluded that UNI, failed to fulfill the core condition of construction for the planned composite office building for the past four decades and demonstrated lack of intent and capacity while not cooperating in joint development and acted in violation of usage conditions. Accordingly, the cancellation of allotment by L&DO was held to be lawful, justified, and in public interest. The court upheld the principle that land allotted for specific purposes must be utilized, within a reasonable timeframe and strictly in accordance with allotment conditions. Failing which, the Government is duty-bound to take corrective action to ensure optimal use of public resources. Government sources further said that the Court after examining the factual and legal position spanning several decades, held the cancellation to be valid and justified. The grounds of the same were: 1: Breach of Fundamental Condition: The allotment, made in 1979, was subject to the essential condition of constructing a composite office building within a stipulated timeframe. UNI failed to undertake any construction for over four decades, constituting a serious and fundamental violation. 2: Persistent Inaction Despite Opportunities: Despite multiple extensions and modifications granted by the Government (notably in 1986, 1999, and 2000), UNI: - Did not finalize building plans - Did not execute agreements with co-allottees - Took no concrete steps toward construction This reflected continuous neglect and lack of progress. 3. Admission of Financial Inability: UNI, in 2022, admitted its financial incapacity to undertake construction. The Court held that an allottee unable to fulfill the purpose of allotment cannot retain rights over public land. It is also pertinent to note that the allottee entity underwent Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, culminating in approval of a resolution plan by the Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal in February 2025 in favour of The Statesman Limited. As a consequence, effective ownership and management control of the allottee has stood transferred to a private commercial entity without any prior approval of the lessor. 4: Non-Cooperation in Joint Development: The project envisaged joint development with stakeholders, including the Press Council of India (PCI). However, UNI: - Failed to cooperate in development - Did not vacate allocated portions - Avoided coordination efforts This frustrated the purpose of the allotment. It is also relevant that the Hon'ble Court took note of the position of the Press Council of India (PCI), a co-allottee of the land and a statutory body, which had been allotted a substantial portion of the premises for the same composite development. 5: Non-Compliance and Misuse of Land: Instances were noted of: - Unauthorized/commercial usage - Requests inconsistent with institutional use (e.g., leasing a substantial portion commercially) Such actions were contrary to allotment conditions. 6: Unsatisfactory Response: UNI's reply to the Show Cause Notice was found vague and unsupported, with no substantive justification for prolonged inaction. 7: Conditional Nature of Allotment: The Court reaffirmed that the allotment was not absolute ownership, but a conditional grant, liable to cancellation upon breach of terms. 8: Public Interest Consideration: The land, situated in a prime location, was meant for institutional/public use. Decades of non-utilization amounted to wastage of valuable public resources, warranting intervention. Further Government sources detailed the sequence of events as: --Land allotted to UNI (1979 onwards). The condition was to, build composite office within time limit --No construction was carried out for decades (40 plus years) | --The Government gave multiple chances (1986, 1999, 2000 revisions) --However there was still no action by UNI -- UNI actions further worsened the situation; there was no agreement with co-allottees and No coordination with meetings being skipped --UNI admitted financial inability (2022) and fefused or sighted inability to participate in construction --Obstructed Press Council (co-allottee) -- Did not vacate land and blocked development --Misuse of land; was used for commercial purposes (like running a canteen etc.) -- A show Cause Notice was issued in 2023 hoever there was a weak and vague reply by UNI -- According to the Court's analysis the fundamental condition was violated and the long delay unjustified -- No intent or capacity was shown and public land was wasted Thus a final decision was taken. The cancellation was held valid and the L&DO in compliance of the High Court's judgment, took possession of 9 Rafi Marg. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari on Saturday offered prayers at Shahi Masjid, Hazratganj in Lucknow on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, calling for peace, harmony, and progress across the country. Speaking to the media, Ansari said, "Today is the festival of Eid, celebrated across the country with joy. It is certainly a very significant day for the Muslim community. From mosques throughout the nation, prayers have been offered for peace, harmony, and progress." Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim community, cutting across party lines, offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital, extending greetings to the nation and wishing peace and harmony for global welfare. Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day." BJP national media incharge Yaser Jilani, also offered prayers at Parliament Street Mosque, said that this is a joyous day. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace." Meanwhile, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered namaz at Imamia Hall Masjid on Panchkuian Road, joining citizens in prayers on the festive occasion. At the end of Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee joined thousands of people at Red Road in Kolkata to offer Namaz and celebrate Eid ul-Fitr on Saturday, marking the conclusion of a month of spiritual reflection. Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Banerjee said, "Those who pit Hindus and Muslims against each other and launch war on each other can try as much as they want, Bengal's brotherhood will remain intact," he said, stressing that divisive forces would not succeed in the state. He further highlighted Bengal's shared cultural traditions and festivals, calling for mutual respect and coexistence. "I will join you in your festive celebrations, and you will join me in mine--this is Bengal's culture. There is Ram in Ramzan and Ali in Diwali. The moon which we look at to celebrate Eid is the same one that we look at to celebrate Karwa Chauth," Abhishek Banerjee added. He also condemned attempts to marginalise people or incite fear, stating, "Those who think that they will delete names, make people homeless and push them out of the country, that they pit brothers against each other, to them I would say that nobody would cower down." Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim Community, cutting across party lines, on Saturday offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital and extended greetings to the nation, wishing peace and harmony for global welfare. Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day." BJP national media in-charge Yaser Jilani, also offered prayers at Parliament Street Mosque, said that this is a joyous day. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace." BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered namaz at Imamia Hall Masjid on Panchkuian Road, joining citizens in prayers on the festive occasion. At the end of Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday criticised the Centre, accusing the PM Modi-led government of remaining silent on the ongoing conflict after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. He described the government's stance as "moral cowardice and political betrayal of India's civilizational values." In a post on X, Ramesh questioned the government's stance, pointing out that it has been over three weeks since the aerial assault on Iran began. He alleged that the Centre has neither condemned the attacks nor taken diplomatic initiative to de-escalate tensions in the region. "It has been exactly 21 days or three weeks since the aerial assault of the US and Israel on Iran began. It has also been 23 days since the PM returned from his much-trumpeted visit to Israel. Has the Modi Govt condemned or criticised or deplored the launch of the heavy aerial assault on Iran by the US and Israel that has now led to severe economic dislocations everywhere including India? The answer is NO," he remarked. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2035230905665822869 He further asked, "Has the Modi Govt. condemned or criticised or deplored the targeted assassinations of top Iranian leaders by the US and Israel that continues unabated? The answer is NO. Has the Modi Govt. condemned or criticised or deplored the brutal efforts of the US and Israel to force a regime change and state collapse that could lead to civil war in Iran? The answer is NO. Has the Modi Govt mounted serious diplomatic efforts and initiatives to bring the bombing of Iran and Iran's attacks on energy and other essential infrastructure in the Gulf countries to an immediate halt? Has the PM used his much-claimed friendship with the US President and the Israeli PM to bring about a cease-fire? The answer is NO." "These 4 NOs reflect the moral cowardice and political betrayal of India's civilisational values," he added. His remarks come amid escalating tensions in West Asia, where the US has intensified its military operations against Iran. US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) indicated that Washington is close to achieving its objectives and may soon wind down its military campaign. In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined key goals, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities, dismantling its defence infrastructure, and preventing it from acquiring nuclear capability. He also stressed the importance of protecting US allies in the region, including Israel and Gulf nations. Meanwhile, US Central Command has reported significant damage to Iranian military assets under "Operation Epic Fury", including strikes on drone production facilities and naval infrastructure. The Pentagon stated that thousands of targets have been hit in recent operations. (ANI)
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member and Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali on Saturday said that Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in Lucknow. Speaking to ANI, Maulana Rasheed Mahali said, "The festival of Eid is being celebrated, and here in our city of Lucknow, it is marked with great enthusiasm and joy. At the historic Eidgah in Lucknow, worshippers began arriving from early morning, and the weather is pleasant. Eid is being observed in a cheerful atmosphere, with the main namaz scheduled for 10 o'clock." On the occasion, UP Congress president Ajay Rai also extended his greetings. "I have come again this year to extend my greetings. Eid is a time when people share happiness with one another. In light of the current situation in the country and the world, we as citizens stand united. With this spirit of solidarity, we send a message of unity to the nation and to the world," Rai told ANI. In Ayodhya, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Awadhesh Prasad extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of Eid, emphasising the festival as a time of joy, harmony, and brotherhood "Eid is a festival of joy, harmony and brotherhood. In the city of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya, thousands of people are offering namaz at the Eidgah. I extend my congratulations to everyone. This festival is of peace, tranquillity, and brotherhood, and accordingly, this celebration is being observed across the country. On behalf of the Samajwadi Party, I congratulate everyone," he told ANI. SP leader ST Hasan told ANI that namaz was offered in a positive atmosphere. "Here, the namaz has been offered in a very good atmosphere. Everyone has prayed for peace, love, and communal harmony. We hope that we will move our country forward with communal harmony," he said. In Varanasi, a large turnout at the Aishbagh Eidgah, with worshippers offering prayers amid tight security measures. Ramazan, 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 Ramazan, 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 Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)
Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Sanjay Seth on Saturday praised Shashi Tharoor's support for India's foreign policy concerning West Asia, asserting that Tharoor consistently stands with the nation and speaks "the truth". The Minister further said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi should "learn from this", emphasising that every decision made by the ruling government should not be blindly criticised by the opposition parties. "Shashi Tharoor always stands with the country... he always says the truth. Rahul Gandhi should learn from this. Not everything should be opposed... Because of PM Modi's diplomacy, the whole country is living in peace and there is no panic here. There is no shortage of diesel, petrol and gas. The propaganda and the panic which was created, it was done by the leaders of Congress party... All Congress party leaders should learn from him..." Seth told ANI. Earlier, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described India's response to the ongoing West Asia crisis as an exercise in "responsible statecraft," stressing that restraint in such a volatile situation reflects strength rather than weakness. In an interview with ANI, Tharoor said, "Restraint is not surrender. Restraint is strength... it shows that we know what our interests are and we will act first of all to protect our interests." Referring to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, Tharoor, however, said India should have expressed condolences earlier following the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, while maintaining a cautious diplomatic stance. "There is a difference between condemnation and condolence... condolence is an expression of sympathy," he noted. Additionally, he also called for a clearer end goal in the ongoing military campaign. Tharoor questioned the strategic direction of the conflict. "We don't know exactly what the desired end point is... I would have liked to have thought there was some strategic logic behind this assault," he said. Hence, he urged countries like India to play a constructive diplomatic role in de-escalation efforts. "What many countries like us ought to be doing... is to actually take an initiative to call for peace, to give both sides a ladder to climb down," he said. (ANI)
NCP (SP) MP Fauzia Khan on Saturday claimed "internal disharmony" within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that people in the ruling party were angry since it lacks democracy. Speaking to ANI, she alleged that several BJP members have expressed disappointment over the matter and that it is evident in the lead-up to the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. "Everywhere I saw, including West Bengal, it seems that there's internal disharmony within the BJP. People are angry about many things because there's no democracy within the party itself. People making such statements are from within their own party. We're getting these signals in Bengal as well, and I believe one day this will be revealed openly to the nation," Khan said. She further denounced the practice of introducing welfare schemes and direct money transfers right before the elections as a way to influence the elections. She asked for such practices to end. "Today is an election season, so whatever is being discussed is natural, and it's inevitable that all our states will benefit their citizens. The only question is that nothing unauthorised, nothing illegal should happen, and if the names of eligible voters are being deleted illegally, if authority is being misused, then that's wrong. We've seen in past elections that when elections come, schemes are introduced just before the election, where direct money transfers are made, which I believe is illegal. In this way, if the benefits of any scheme are transferred directly to someone's account just before the election, it has a direct impact on the election, and therefore, this should not happen," Khan said. Earlier in the day, NCP (SCP) MP Fauzia Khan extended warm greetings to citizens across the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, emphasising the festival's core message of charity, compassion, and unity. She highlighted that during the holy month of Ramadan, acts of charity hold deep significance in Islam, and urged people to carry forward these values in everyday life. Calling Islam a peace-loving religion, she expressed concern over rising global unrest and said that the need of the hour is to restore peace across the world. Khan further appealed to citizens to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and coexistence, stressing that harmony among communities is essential for a stable society. Speaking on the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, she questioned the very basis of the conflict, stating that its objectives remain unclear. Referring to recent statements by Donald Trump regarding the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, she suggested that such remarks indicate limitations in the United States' global influence. Khan further said that if there are now signals from Trump about winding down or reducing the conflict, it is a welcome step. However, she also criticised what she described as the initial escalation, attributing it to "madness" that began from his side. Reiterating her stance, she called for an immediate end to violence and bloodshed, urging all global powers to prioritise peace and stability over conflict. (ANI)
Janata Dal (United) leader Lalan Singh reaffirmed Nitish Kumar's absolute leadership within the party on Nitish Kumar Nomination For National President of JDU, stating that, as its creator, his position as the national president is only natural. "The party was created by him. This party is made by him. Nitish Kumar ji is the all-in-all of this party. So who will be the national president?" said Singh. Singh also took a swipe at West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's promise of monthly financial aid to the SC/ST community, comparing it to past empty promises made by Tejashwi Yadav and predicting her defeat in the upcoming elections. "Forget Mamata Banerjee. Tejashwi ji used to speak like this before the elections. Mamata ji is leaving this time; she is being bid farewell," Singh added. Earlier on Friday, multiple leaders of the JDU filed the nomination for the post of the party's president on behalf of Nitish Kumar, with him set to lead the party at the national level for the fourth consecutive term. The Rajya Sabha MP is currently in Delhi after being elected in the Upper House recently. JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha confirmed the development, noting that the move follows a collective request from party members to see the veteran leader remain at the helm of the organisation. Sanjay Kumar Jha, while talking to the reporters, said on Thursday, "We have filed a nomination on behalf of Nitish Kumar for him to become the National President (of the party)... The last day of nomination is 22 March..." Ram Nath Thakur, while speaking to ANI, said, "Nitish Kumar is our guardian and a senior leader of the party... Workers wished for his nomination. He will contribute to the party as well as keep an eye on the progress of Bihar." Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said that he did not participate in the latest membership drive of the party, clarifying that there is no personal friction between him and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar due to the Rajya Sabha seat allocation. Tyagi, a founding member of the party since its inception, maintained that his "relationship with Nitish Kumar and the Bihar JDU remains the same". "I am the founder of Janata Dal (United) alongside George Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Digvijay Singh... I have been a member ever since. However, I did not participate in this membership drive," he said. The senior leader also addressed the speculations regarding his parliamentary ambitions, denying that his exit was linked to a desire for a seat in the Rajya Sabha. "There is not a single instance of me trying for a Rajya Sabha ticket. Even in 2013, Nitish Kumar called me and offered me a ticket," said Tyagi. (ANI)
A large number of people gathered at the Dargah Hazratbal Shrine on Saturday in Srinagar to offer namaz on the occassion of Eid al-Fitr. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief Farooq Abdullah also joined the crowd. Speaking to reporters, the CM said that Eid namaz was offered peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir, but unfortunately, permission was not granted to offer namaz in Jamia Masjid Srinagar. "I extend heartfelt greetings to everyone. This Eid is being celebrated at a time when the entire nation is worried, and a war is going on. I prayed that this illegal war that has been imposed on our people by the US and Israel end soon, and peace be reinstated. May such a situation not occur again. Eid namaz was offered peacefully in J&K. But unfortunately, permission was not granted to offer namaz in Jamia Masjid Srinagar. I think there is a difference between the words and actions of the authority that takes care of security and law & order. They say that the situation is normal, but what normalcy is this? I hope such decisions are changed, and people are permitted to offer namaz freely," Abdullah said. Inspector General of Police (IG) Kashmir VK Birdi said that multi-layered security and traffic measures were deployed to ensure peaceful prayers and smooth movement for citizens across the Valley. "Jammu and Kashmir Police ensured peaceful Eid prayers across the Valley with large-scale security and traffic arrangements. Multi-level security, outside forces, drones, CCTV, and foot patrols are deployed to maintain safety and smooth movement, allowing people to celebrate comfortably," said Birdi. The former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also extended her festive greetings and appeal for the global Muslim community, urging them to pray for those facing hardships in Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon. Speaking to reporters, Mufti said, "We extend Eid greetings to the entire Muslim world. I appeal to everyone to pray for the Muslim Ummah, which is facing hardships in places such as Palestine, Lebanon, and especially Iran. I urge people to support Iran generously at this time". (ANI)
Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgain on Saturday expressed optimism over the resumption of India-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in the district, being restarted after a gap of six years. Speaking with ANI, the DM said that directions have been given to the officers regarding the preparation for the trade. He further reflected on the enthusiasm among the traders for the same. "I convened a meeting related to the trade through Lipulekh Pass. The trade is resuming through this route after 2019. So, discussions were held in this regard. All officers have been directed to make timely preparations for this. This is resuming after 6 years, so there is excitement. Traders are also excited and making preparations for the same," he said. Shedding light on the statistics of the previous trade session in 2019, the DM expressed anticipation of the issuance of a similar number of trade passes as then. "It is expected that a similar number of trade passes will be issued as before, with preparations also being made by the traders. In the last trade session in 2019, approximately 1.9 crore worth of imports and around 1.3 crore worth of exports were recorded. Another meeting with local traders involved in this trade will be held soon," he stated. On the other hand, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha questioned the Union government over India's diplomatic relations with China. "The truth is that the language of our diplomacy has been weakened. A lot has happened that the government hasn't clarified to date, especially regarding China... When things got worse, TikTok was banned. We're a country in a lot of trouble...," he said. In August 2025, India and China agreed to reopen border trade through Lipulekh Pass, a point located 56 kilometres inside Nepal's western frontier in Limpiyadhura. The agreement was made during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India. Both countries agreed during a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Point nine of the joint communique mentions the resumption of border trade. "Both sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass." These border trade points were established through bilateral agreements and have been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened tensions between the two nations. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday launched an attack against the ruling BJP over the death of an individual allegedly by cattle smugglers in Mathura, questioning the law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to reporters here, the SP chief flagged concerns over the law and order in the state, citing the death of the individual, a student's alleged killing in Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi. He also condemned the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly spreading hatred. "Where is the BJP not creating tension? If this is the way a 'Sadhu' is treated in Mathura, Vrindavan, at a religious place, and in Kashi, where the Prime Minister has been elected several times, a student openly killed another student. Bullets are being fired openly. In the entire state, anyone can do whatever they want. There is no law and order left, and if anyone wants to learn how to turn things into hatred, they can learn from the BJP," Yadav said. He further condemned the BJP for allegedly weaponising the police against opposition members. "We can see the reaction to the wrong being done. A murder occurred in Mathura, and in Varanasi before that, even in Gorakhpur earlier. So, this series has been going on in Uttar Pradesh. Women are also unsafe. When you make the police do something else, they will sleep away. If you use them to trouble the politicians, they won't do their actual work. They are working for the BJP, not doing its own work," the SP chief said. Meanwhile, CM Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. He also instructed officials to reach the incident site immediately. The Chief Minister directed that criminals involved in the incident be identified as soon as possible and strict action be taken against them. The CM said that criminals should not be spared under any circumstances. The reactions came after a scuffle broke out between the police and locals in Mathura's Kosi area, as people blocked the road and protested against the death of an individual who they claimed was allegedly run over by cattle smugglers. Speaking with ANI, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mathura Shlok Kumar said that the incident occured in the Kosi Police Station area, in which a truck with a Rajasthan registration plate approaching from behind struck the activist, resulting in his death amid dense fog. "Last night, between approximately 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM in the Kosi Police Station area, Chandrashekhar, also known as Pharsa Baba, intercepted a vehicle he considered suspicious. Due to the dense fog, a truck with a Rajasthan registration plate approaching from behind struck him, resulting in his death," he said. "The container truck that had been intercepted was found to be carrying grocery items, while the Rajasthan-registered truck that caused the collision was loaded with wire. Both the driver and the helper of that truck are residents of Alwar, Rajasthan; the truck was damaged in the accident, and the driver, who sustained injuries, is currently undergoing medical treatment," he added. The SSP denied any link to the incident and an alleged case of cow smuggling. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said the labelling of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a party of "thieves, goons, and traitors" by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was not sufficient, as it is the same party that has "betrayed" Ganga Maiya after making promises to clean it. He further voiced immense confidence in her leadership, stating that even if she were to fight the upcoming elections alone, she would emerge victorious in the polls. "Those who have betrayed Ganga Maiya...those who claimed to clean Ganga. Where did the crores of rupees go? We remember who bulldozed the Manikarnika Ghat (in Varanasi). What Mamata Banerjee said for the BJP is less. Even if she fights alone, she will win. I have heard in Bengal that a large number of officials have been removed. But whenever the BJP was elected in Uttar Pradesh, it did not remove a single official. With the help of the Election Commission, the BJP chose officials who were related to them. They have won elections because of this only," Yadav told reporters here. The SP chief also addressed the reports of a possible cabinet expansion in Uttar Pradesh, dismissing the move as mere "drama" by the BJP. He declared that the "Samajwadi Party is now prepared to oust the ruling party from power in UP". "This is all BJP's drama. We have seen their drama. Who will take the oath? The oath will be in 2027. It is going to be a big oath. 'Samajwadi' people, with the PDA, are going to oust them. They can either expand or shrink; it doesn't matter," added Yadav. His remarks come after Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP government in centre, over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue, declaring that she will continue the fight against it while vowing that she won't let PM Modi snatch away the rights of the people. She went on to describe the BJP as a "party of thieves, goons, and traitors". The West Bengal CM was attending the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which were held at Red Road in the heart of Central Kolkata today. "People's names were deleted in SIR. I went from Kolkata to Delhi, from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court for this. I hope that people's rights are safeguarded. I stand with everyone in Bengal, with all castes, communities and creeds. I will continue this fight. We will not let Modi ji snatch away our rights. You are trying to forcibly control our Govt, you want to impose President's Rule. Still, we won't be scared. Jo darte hain, wo marte hain. Jo ladte hain, wo zindagi mein kamyab hote hain. BJP is a party of thieves and goons, a party of traitors. There are also traitors who take money from the BJP to divide votes. To them, I would say - Muddai lakh bura chahe to kya hota hai, wahi hota hai jo manzoore khuda hota hai," said Banerjee. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday alleged the integrity of India's democratic process, claiming that elections are being systematically "manipulated, hijacked, and pressured." Speaking to Reporters, Raut challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global assertions regarding India's democracy. He called upon the United Nations to send observers to the country to witness firsthand how elections are conducted. "Our Prime Minister Modi goes around the world talking about India's democracy. I would like to invite people from the United Nations to come to our country and see how elections are conducted here, how they are manipulated, hijacked, pressured, and even hacked. Let the world see how false these claims are. No fair elections are happening anywhere. Whether it was in Bihar or Maharashtra, none were conducted fairly," Raut told ANI. Raut alleged that since PM Modi and Amit Shah took power in Delhi, no election, from local village panchayats to the Lok Sabha, has been conducted fairly. "Ever since Narendra Modi and Amit Shah came to power in Delhi, not a single election in this country has been fair, whether it is a village panchayat election, municipal elections, or even Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, booths were captured; now new methods are used, money, power, manipulation of voter lists, and more," Raut added. He also stated that the Election Commission is no longer an impartial body, alleging that in West Bengal, an undeclared President's Rule has been imposed; I would even call it an undeclared emergency. Raut said that if there had been a BJP government in West Bengal, there would have been bloodshed, because they want to win Bengal at any cost, and not through democratic means. "The kind of politics the BJP plays across the country, they want to play an even worse game in Bengal. So far, Mamata Didi and her party have not allowed the BJP's tactics to succeed, and they will not allow it in the future either." Future, he added, "In West Bengal, within 24 hours, the Chief Secretary, Additional Director General, Deputy Inspector General of Police, District Magistrates, over a hundred officials, are transferred, and people are brought in who, despite wearing uniforms, act like BJP workers. What is this? Is this a democracy? Are these elections? This is like a gang war. Just like Mumbai had the underworld of Dawood Ibrahim, this is the BJP's gang, an underworld being deployed in West Bengal against Mamata Didi. But Mamata Didi will not lose; the people are with her." He also said, "Modi ji, if you lose one or two states, what's the problem? If the opposition wins, why does it trouble you? Why do you want to forcefully take control of states that are not with you? How will this work?" Raut also challenged PM Modi, stating that large-scale changes of officials are being done in West Bengal, then do the same in Gujarat and Assam, alleged that there is no difference left between the Election Commission, the Supreme Court, the judiciary, and the BJP, as they are all the same. "If elections were truly fair, Modi ji would lose in Gujarat as well. If such large-scale changes of officials are being done in West Bengal, then do the same in Gujarat and Assam. In fact, Assam needs such changes even more. The kind of game being played in West Bengal is not needed there; it is needed in Assam. In Assam, there is no difference between the Election Commission and the Supreme Court. We have been fighting this battle for four years. The way our party was broken, Balasaheb Thackeray's and Uddhav Thackeray's party was handed over to random people. Sharad Pawar is still alive, yet his party was given to Ajit Pawar. The Election Commission, the Supreme Court, the judiciary, and the BJP are all the same; they are not separate," said Raut. (ANI)
Thol. Thirumavalavan, founder-president of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party, on Saturday criticised AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, calling it a setback for the party. Speaking with ANI, the VCK chief hailed the leadership of the AIADMK under former Chief Minsiter Jayalalithaa, stating that earlier Delhi leadership would arrive to meet her. Asking EPS to "protect the movement" of the party, he said that AIADMK should lead the alliance with the NDA. "It is a pathetic one. Usually, Delhi people visit Madam Jayalalithaa's house. But now, AIADMK leaders, former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is waiting to meet Amit Shah and PM Modi in Delhi. I feel this is a setback for the AIADMK party. Anyhow, it is their problem. But one thing I would like to convey to our EPS is that at any cost, he has to protect the movement of social justice of AIADMK... AIADMK has to lead the alliance...," he said. Regarding the seat-sharing talks with DMK for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, he said that the candidates will be announced once the ruling party provides the number of constituencies, which he described as a large process due to the joining of nearly 10 parties in the alliance. "We will settle it amicably very soon. Before that, we have to get applications from the cadres who are willing to contest the forthcoming assembly elections across the state. From 234 constituencies, our office cadres are willing to apply. But it is not possible to get more seats to distribute among our cadres. based on the numbers we get from the DMK Alliance, we will decide later on... Nearly about 10 new parties have joined our alliance... DMK has to accommodate everyone in this alliance...," he stated. His remarks come after Edappadi K Palaniswami's visit to Delhi, where the AIADMK leader said discussions on seat-sharing within the National Democratic Alliance are progressing and that details will be announced soon Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The current tenure of the 234-member state assembly ends on May 10. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday underscored the evolving nature of warfare, asserting that national security now extends beyond borders to encompass economic, digital, energy, and food security. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence, he highlighted the importance of a strong military backed by citizens prepared to stand united in defence of the nation. "Present-day warfare transcends borders, with national security encompassing economic, digital, energy, and even food security," said Rajnath Singh as he underscored the need for a robust military supported by prepared citizens capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder to protect the nation under any circumstances. Virtually addressing the Raising Day celebrations and the Diamond Jubilee of Sainik School, Ghorakhal in Uttarakhand, he asserted that the nature of conflicts has undergone a paradigm shift as a nation can today be weakened through economic, cyber, space and information warfare, which demands every citizen to remain vigilant & prepared at all times. While the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to equip the defence forces with niche weapons & technologies, the Defence Minister emphasised that the citizens, especially the youth, need to develop mental toughness and intellectual clarity through discipline & determination to help the nation tackle any and every situation. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the concept of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous), he exhorted the students to develop their own version of VUCA, i.e., Vision, Understanding, Courage and Adaptability, to navigate modern challenges effectively. Highlighting the steps taken by the Government towards ensuring that a larger number of youth imbibe the values essential for nation-building, Rajnath Singh stated that recently, a decision was taken to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across the country in the Public-Private Partnership model. He added that another initiative includes increasing the number of vacancies within the National Cadet Corps (NCC). "Earlier, the NCC had an intake capacity of 17 lakh cadets; this has now been expanded to 20 lakh," he said. Defence Minister described the decision of admission of girls into Sainik Schools as historic and revolutionary, which is bolstering the country's 'Nari Shakti'. These girls will, in the times to come, become the torchbearers of 'Nari Shakti' and scale new heights across various sectors, he said. Extending his greetings to students, faculty, alumni and their families at Sainik School, Ghorakhal, completing 60 years of dedicated service to the nation, Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the students will continue to uphold the highest standards of discipline and dedication, bringing pride to their families, institution and the nation. He added, "Over decades, the school has sent more than 800 students to the National Defence Academy and over 2,000 candidates to the Armed Forces through various entry schemes such as Combined Defence Services Examination and Air Force Common Admission Test." The release stated that he hoped that the institution would continue to produce leaders who contribute meaningfully to nation-building. The distinguished alumni of the school, including General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen MK Katiyar, are a source of inspiration to the students, he added. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed the "Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, 4 Saal Bemisaal" programme in Haldwani on Saturday, marking the completion of four years of the BJP government in the state. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the event. During the event, the Chief Minister asserted that Uttarakhand has established new dimensions of development across every sector over the past four years under their tenure. He emphasised that this period will serve as a definitive milestone in the state's progress, laying a robust foundation toward achieving the goal of a "Developed Uttarakhand." "In the past 4 years, Uttarakhand has established new dimensions of development in every sector. These years will prove to be a milestone in the state's progress and will prepare a strong foundation towards realizing the goal of a developed Uttarakhand," said CM Dhami. He further declared that under the leadership of PM Modi, Uttarakhand has witnessed unprecedented progress in the areas of road, rail, and air connectivity. "Under the able leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Uttarakhand is today establishing new dimensions in the field of infrastructure development. In the areas of road, rail, and air connectivity, unprecedented works have been accomplished in the history of the state, which have never happened before," said CM Dhami. Highlighting Uttarakhand's transformation under BJP rule, the Chief Minister criticised previous Congress administration, mentioned that under the leadership of PM Modi, consistent efforts are being made to revive India's religious heritage. He alleged that under the tenure of past Congress governments, the religious heritage sites faced persistent neglect in the country. "Under the able leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, continuous efforts are being made towards the enrichment and revival of our religious heritage, while during the tenure of the previous Congress governments, these sacred sites were consistently neglected. They held dear the plunder carried out in the name of Waqf, and the construction of the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram always remained a thorn in their vision," added CM Dhami. CM Dhami further alleged that before 2014, Indian politics were dominated by discussions of scams, scandals, misgovernance, and corruption, and India was portrayed as a weak and vulnerable nation on the international stage. However, he claimed that since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has now set new development milestones. "Earlier, in the country's politics, only scams, scandals, misgovernance, and corruption were discussed. India's image on the international stage was portrayed as a weak, backward, and vulnerable nation. However, after 2014, under the powerful leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a historic period of reawakening India's self-respect, self-esteem, and sense of nationalism began. Today, with the policy of reform, perform, and transform, India is setting new development milestones. At the same time, we are establishing ourselves as a strong, capable, and powerful nation on global platforms..." added CM Dhami. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a public gathering at the M.B. Inter College Ground in Haldwani to mark the completion of four years of the BJP-led state government. (ANI)
Telangana Minister for Minorities Welfare and Public Enterprises, Mohammad Azharuddin, offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Eidgah in Zeheranagar, Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, on Saturday morning, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan with devotion and gratitude. The Minister was accompanied by his son, Mohammed Asaduddin and Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender, along with a large number of worshippers who gathered to offer special Eid prayers on the occasion. Extending warm greetings to the people, Azharuddin conveyed a message of peace, unity and communal harmony. He emphasised the importance of brotherhood and mutual respect in society, particularly during such auspicious occasions, and urged people to uphold these values in their daily lives. He also expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the prayers and appreciated the spirit of togetherness displayed by the community. The Minister prayed for continued peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of Telangana and countrymen. Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour across the region, reflecting the rich cultural traditions and communal harmony of the state. Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim Community, cutting across party lines, on Saturday offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital and extended greetings to the nation, wishing peace and harmony for global welfare. Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day." BJP national media in-charge Yaser Jilani also offered prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque and described the occasion as a joyous day for the community. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace." BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered namaz at Imamia Hall Masjid on Panchkuian Road, joining citizens in prayers on the festive occasion. Eid al-Fitr, celebrated at the end of Ramazan, marks the breaking of the fast. Families and friends gather to share festive meals, exchange gifts, and extend charity to the underprivileged. Fasting during the month of Ramazan is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a warning through the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) about a medium danger level avalanche expected above 3,500 meters in Gangtok and Pakyong districts over the next 24 hours. Residents, trekkers and tourists in higher altitudes have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and heed local advisories. The Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, also issued a similar forecast for Gangtok and Pakyong. Earlier on March 15, a severe thunderstorm accompanied by a hailstorm that occurred across several parts of Pakyong, Gangtok, and Mangan districts led to tripping of several 66 kV transmission lines, resulting in power supply disruptions in certain areas. According to the state Power Department, in Pakyong District, one conductor of the 66 kV Rorathang-Rongli Transmission Line snapped near the Amba area, affecting power supply to Rongli and Rhenock areas. In Gangtok district, sparking accompanied by a loud noise was reported near the Namli area on the 66 kV Marchak-Macleods Transmission Line, affecting supply to Nimtar, Topakhani and Singtam, a release said. Additionally, the 66 kV LLHP-Sichey Transmission Line could not be sustained during trial charging. Meanwhile, on Friday, the DRGE, Chandigarh, also issued an alert for the possibility of snowfall and avalanche on the higher altitude areas of Uttarakhand. The State Emergency Operations Centre, Dehradun, issued instructions to the District Magistrates of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar to exercise special caution in view of the possibility of snowfall and avalanches. "The above is to inform that as per the forecast issued by Defence Geoinformation Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, on 20.03.2026 at 05:00 PM, there is a possibility of snowfall/avalanche in the high altitude areas of the state from 20.03.2026 to 05:00 PM on 21.03.2026. Especially in the districts, Taharkashi, Bamoli and Pithoragarh (placed in danger level-3) and Rudraprayag and Bageshwar (placed in danger level-1), there is a possibility of snowfall/avalanche. In such a situation, in case of heavy snowfall in these areas, there may be sudden collapse or avalanche," they wrote. (ANI)
The Kerala Health Minister and Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Veena George on Saturday filed her nomination papers for the Aranmula Assembly constituency at the Pathanamthitta Collectorate ahead of the Assembly elections 2026. Earlier today, Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate P Rajeev also filed his nomination papers for the Kalamassery constituency in Ernakulam district for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on March 15, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23. Both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress-led United Democratic Front seek to unseat the incumbent CPI(M)-led LDF and gain control of the 140-member assembly. The LDF-led government has governed the state for around a decade. In the Kerala Legislative Assembly election, held in a single phase on April 6, 2021, with results being declared on May 2, 2021. The incumbent LDF retained power with 99 seats, marking the first time since 1977 that a ruling alliance secured consecutive terms in the state. The UDF won 41 seats, while the NDA saw a decline in vote share and lost its only seat in the Assembly. Following the victory, Pinarayi Vijayan became the first Chief Minister of Kerala to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term in office. In terms of vote share, the LDF received 41.5 per cent of the total votes, significantly ahead of the UDF, which secured 38.4 per cent. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 11.4 per cent of the votes but failed to win a single seat in the election. Among individual parties in 2021, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) emerged as the single largest party with 62 seats and a vote share of 25.5 per cent. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 21 seats with a comparable vote share of 25.2 per cent, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) secured 17 seats. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, won 15 seats. (ANI)
Hashim Baba's wife Zoya on Saturday moved a petition before the Delhi High Court alleging harassment at the hand Tihar Jail officials. She alleged that jail officials started harassing her and demanding money in the month of Ramadan. She has also alleged that even she was not allowed to keep her roza on March 2. She is seeking an independent enquiry against the four Tihar Jail officials, including two Assistant Superintendents and two matrons. Her petition is scheduled for a hearing on Monday (March 23). Zoya was arrested in the Nadir Shah murder case and two other cases, including one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). She is currently lodged in judicial custody in Tihar Jail. Petition moved through advocate Joginder Tuli has stated that in February, 2026, during Ramadan, Jail Staff allegedly started harassing the Petitioner and demanding money. It is also mentioned that on February 13 incident of harassment took place in Ward No.9 area around 9:00 AM to 10:AM with the Petitioner by the Jail Officials. The petition has also mentioned that on March 2, another incident of harassment took place outside the Deputy Superintendent's (DS) office, around 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with the Petitioner. The jail officials did not let the Petitioner keep her fast/Roza in violation of Rule 1142 of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018, during the Ramadan period. Her counsel, Advocate Anand Devi, visited the jail on March 9 and conducted a legal meeting with her. Zoya informed about illegal violation of Prison Rules and harassment by Jail Officials, illegal demand of money and gold Jewellery. It is also stated that on March 10, a Complaint was sent by her counsel through email to the DG Prison and the Superintendent of Central Jail of Jail 6 regarding the illegal conduct of jail officials against the Petitioner, for which no action has been taken to date. Petitioner informed her counsel regarding the continued demand for money and jewellery for arranging a meeting with her family. (ANI)
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Anoop Antony on Saturday filed his nomination papers for the Thiruvalla Assembly constituency at the Sub-Collector's office, ahead of the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. The Election Commission of India, on March 15, announced that the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23. The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and gain control of the 140-member Kerala Niyamasabha. The LDF has governed the state for approximately a decade, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan leading consecutive terms. Earlier in the day, Kerala Health Minister and LDF candidate Veena George also filed her nomination papers for the Aranmula Assembly constituency at the Pathanamthitta Collectorate, highlighting the active contest among major parties ahead of the elections. In the Kerala Legislative Assembly election, held in a single phase on April 6, 2021, with results being declared on May 2, 2021. The incumbent LDF retained power with 99 seats, marking the first time since 1977 that a ruling alliance secured consecutive terms in the state. The UDF won 41 seats, while the NDA saw a decline in vote share and lost its only seat in the Assembly. Following the victory, Pinarayi Vijayan became the first Chief Minister of Kerala to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term in office. In terms of vote share, the LDF received 41.5 per cent of the total votes, significantly ahead of the UDF, which secured 38.4 per cent. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 11.4 per cent of the votes but failed to win a single seat in the election. Among individual parties in 2021, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) emerged as the single largest party with 62 seats and a vote share of 25.5 per cent. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 21 seats with a comparable vote share of 25.2 per cent, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) secured 17 seats. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, won 15 seats. (ANI)
On the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrations, CPI (M) leader Hannan Mollah on Saturday extended his greetings to the nation, highlighting the festival as a symbol of joy, unity and communal harmony. Speaking on the significance of the day, Mollah noted that Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, a period of fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection for Muslims across the world. "After a month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid with joy and unity, gathering with friends and family, including those from other faiths. It is a festival of happiness, brotherhood, and harmony, with the hope that people across the nation live peacefully together," the CPI (M) leader said. Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim Community, cutting across party lines, on Saturday offered namaz on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in the national capital and extended greetings to the nation, wishing peace and harmony for global welfare. Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb, after offering prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque, told reporters, "This is an important day because for 30 days, we seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and we pray. We celebrate after 30 days of prayers. Ramzan is a month when we cleanse our souls and give a message of love. This is a joyous day." BJP national media in-charge Yaser Jilani also offered prayers at the Parliament Street Mosque and described the occasion as a joyous day for the community. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad extended his greetings and said, "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid. We pray to Allah that the war and bloodshed, especially in West Asia, where about 1 crore Indians work, which benefits the country, end and there be peace." Eid al-Fitr is one of the most significant festivals in Islam, marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan. It is celebrated with special prayers (namaz), charity, feasting, and community gatherings. On this day, Muslims begin with morning prayers at mosques or Eidgahs, followed by greeting each other, sharing meals, and spreading messages of peace, unity, and compassion. Ramazan, 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. (ANI)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the state government has zero tolerance for drugs and addiction, stating that over 10,000 smugglers have been arrested so far and their properties have been confiscated. Speaking to reporters, CM Mann said discussions were being held on law and order and the Punjab Police's work towards the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. He said the government has zero tolerance for drugs and addiction, whether they are a party member, an official, or in any high position. Those found involved in these activities will be punished accordingly. "We will discuss law and order and how the Punjab Police is working towards the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' campaign. The Punjab government has zero tolerance for drugs and addiction, whether they are a party member, an official, or in any high position. Anyone involved in these activities will be punished accordingly. Charity begins at home. We must make Punjab free from these and healthy again. We have arrested over 10,000 smugglers so far. We have also confiscated the property of drug smugglers," Mann said. The Chief Minister said Punjab Police works not just for Punjab but for the entire country, as it works on the front lines with the BSF on the border with Pakistan. "The Punjab Police works not just for Punjab but for the entire country, as we work on the front lines with the BSF on the border with Pakistan. We have arrested many gangsters who operate rackets from abroad. We work with the Home Minister to issue Red Corner Notices for their arrest. Otherwise, we also contact the Embassy for further action," he said. CM Mann said the state government has provided new vehicles to strengthen police infrastructure. "We have provided new vehicles to the SHOs of 450 police stations and 508 PCRs (Police Control Rooms) in Punjab," he added. Meanwhile, on March 14, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing party workers and supporters during the BJP's "Badlav Rally" in Moga, alleged that Punjab has been facing multiple challenges, including drug abuse, gangster activity, corruption, and rising debt, under the current political leadership. "We are fighting the elections to form the government in 2027 in Punjab...Only the BJP government can make Punjab free from drugs...Punjab has collapsed due to the terror of gangsters, debt, religious conversions, corruption," Shah said. The Home Minister also criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP leadership, alleging that the state government was functioning under the influence of leaders from Delhi. (ANI)
A total of 275 signatories, including 25 retired judges, 119 retired bureaucrats and 131 armed forces officers on Saturday slammed the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report asking Washington DC to sanction India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over alleged discrimination against minority communities. The US-based Commission had alleged that India's "political system facilitates a climate of discrimination toward religious minority communities" despite offering some constitutional protections for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). It called for sanctions against the RSS and the RAW. In a statement, the signatories called the USCIRF report "disturbing" and "off-the-mark," and said that the US-based organisation's recommendations against the RSS were "highly motivated, and displayed intellectual bankruptcy." Citing the 2011 Census data, the Former Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee and former Additional Chief Secretary M Madan Gopal highlighted a "broad pattern of demographic expansion or stability among major minority communities," in defence against the alleged discrimination. Penning the notice, former government servants said, "We, the undersigned, bring to your notice a very disturbing and completely off-the-mark report cobbled up by the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom(USCIRF). Particularly, the way to assess the credibility and balance of reports issued by bodies such as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) needs to examine the long-term demographic trends across the Indian subcontinent with an approach that provides a more objective and longitudinal measure of religious freedom than selective or episodic narratives." "The demographic trajectory in India presents a remarkably different picture reflecting continuity, stability, and in some cases, growth as well. The data includes: Muslims in India: 9.8 per cent (1951) 14.2 per cent (2011). Christians in India: approximately 2.3 per cent (1951) 2.3 per cent (2011). Sikhs in India: approximately 1.79 per cent (1951) 1.72 per cent (2011). This data is taken from official census data, which reflects a broad pattern of demographic expansion or stability among major minority communities over more than six decades of independent constitutional governance in India," the statement read. "Such longitudinal evidence is critical and suggests that the overall ecosystem in India has not produced the kind of sustained demographic contraction among minorities that would ordinarily indicate systemic persecution or institutionalised exclusion," the signatories added. They argued that the negative aspects of the RSS were presented "without proper macro-level evidence." The statement said, "In this context, it shows the recurring tendency of USCIRF to portray Indian state institutions and socio-cultural organisations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in overwhelmingly negative aspects, often without proper macro-level evidence. It raises legitimate concerns about analytical balance. The RSS, with its extensive grassroots presence and contributions to social service and nation-building, may well be subject to critique, but such critique must be grounded in verifiable evidence and contextual understanding, not only on broad generalisations." "Bharat is the largest democracy in the world. Given the robust, time-tested judicial system, vibrant democratic institutions and Parliamentary oversight, there's very less scope for individuals or organisations to go scot-free after violating someone's religious rights. Religious freedom is both necessary and appreciated in a globalised world, but it must be exercised with intellectual rigour, fairness, and respect for all," it added. Further, they questioned the credibility of USCIRF and asked the US government to conduct a "strict background check" of all the contributors to their report. The statement said, "The reports based on selective in their use of evidence are subject to reduce their own credibility and, more importantly, there is a need to advance the genuine cause of religious harmony and human rights. USCIRF's recommendation to freeze assets, restricted movement of Bharatiya citizens and placing restrictions on those associated with RSS is highly motivated, and displays intellectual bankruptcy and deranged conclusions." "All six commissioners of USCIRF are appointed by the US Government and funded by American Taxpayers through the US Congress. We call upon the US Government to carry out a strict background check of all the contributors to this report in USCIRF. It will be an eye-opener to the taxpayers of the US, whose funds are being used by USCIRF to produce highly prejudiced and untenable reports to promote the hidden agenda of some anti-Bharat vested interests to vitiate their goodwill with the people of Bharat. We seek your indulgence and attention to this highly significant and important matter," the statement read. Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry also accused the USCIRF of "persistent attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast aspersions on the country's vibrant multicultural society." This comes after USCIRF in its 2025 report said, "Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals' or entities' assets and/or barring their entry into the United States." (ANI)
March 20, 2026: The primary Russian combat technique was quickly overcoming shortcomings that only became obvious once they were under fire. For example, Russian troops entered combat in 2022 with an improvised, under fire, tactical radio network. On paper Russia was supposed to have a modern tactical radio system, but in reality, corruption in the military-industrial complex prevented that from happening. For a while the Russians used black-market Starlink systems until the Ukrainians complained to SpaceX and the Russian Starlink access was turned off. This left Russian units operating without radios to coordinate, organize or carry out attacks or defensive operations. Russian troops are still trying to improvise their way out of this mess.

There were other problems, like a lack of coordination between air force bombing attacks and Russian troops on the ground. Before taking off, pilots would be briefed on potential targets. Pilots marked their maps and went off seeking targets to bomb. Sometimes Russian troops had mo0ved into the target area and got hit by their own aircraft. This sort of thing only occurred in the first year or so of the war. Once drones became the prominent weapon for both sides, aircraft were no longer used for tactical bombing operations.

Drones are the major military development of the Ukraine War. Most NATO nations are scrambling to adapt their armed forces to drone warfare. The NATO nations that border Russia or Ukraine are the most eager to do this. NATO members farthest from Ukraine, like the United States are having a difficult time implementing the lessons of drone warfare. The Americans have one advantage. The U.S. Army has developed a rapid way of noting new combat techniques used by the enemy, and getting that information, along with successful ways to cope with the enemy practices, back to units preparing to fight in some future war. This is done when each combat unit, headed for combat, gets a month of training. There is always emphasis on how the enemy is currently fighting. The training is carried out with troops using lasers attached to their weapons, and laser detectors attached to their clothing. Thus, if they are hit by the enemy, they know they are out of the fight. In addition, each soldier carries a transponder, which records their position throughout the exercise. After each training exercise, the instructors can show where everyone was, and point out who was not where they were supposed to be. These post-exercise briefings are often the most valuable part of the training, since it's what you don't know, or do right, that is most likely to get you killed. These training exercises also use American troops dressed and trained to operate like the enemy. There are also civilians, who speak the language of the combat zone the troops are headed for, and trained to do role playing exercises with the troops, to give them a realistic taste of what they will be facing for a year.

For the infantry, it's not enough to know your own combat techniques. The more you know about how the enemy operates, the easier it is to negate their techniques and defeat them. In the last century, armies have sought to distribute knowledge of enemy techniques to their own troops as quickly as possible, especially to new troops or units entering combat for the first time. Currently, the U.S. Army and Marines gather data on enemy techniques and get it distributed very quickly, using Internet tools the troops are comfortable with. But the information also goes back to the United States, and other areas where U.S. combat troops are stationed, so everyone can stay current. Thus, if a Taliban unit employs a new combat technique, they have to assume that all American and NATO troops in Afghanistan will know about that trick within days, if not hours. In effect, the foreign troops have better knowledge of how the various Taliban contingents fight, than the Taliban themselves who don't have as effective a system for passing around combat knowledge. Ukrainians with combat experience and proficiency in conducting drone operations are als0 passing on that information and experiences to their NATO supporters.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Uttarakhand is known as the 'Veerbhoomi' in India, underlining that the people of the State don't hesitate to protect the borders of the country. While speaking at a public gathering in Haldwani to mark the completion of four years of the Uttarakhand government, the Union Defence Minister said that the Centre has fulfilled the demand of 'One Rank, One Pension' for ex-servicemen and soldiers. He praised the Uttarakhand government for providing financial assistance, employment opportunities, and implementing various welfare schemes for the families of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country. "Uttarakhand is a 'Devbhoomi'. However, if any land in India is known as 'Veerbhoomi', then it is none other than Uttarakhand. Whenever it comes to protecting the country's borders, people of Uttarakhand do not lag behind in protecting the country's borders. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, the Central Government fulfilled the long-standing demand of 'One Rank, One Pension' for ex-servicemen and soldiers. But I want to express my gratitude to the Uttarakhand government for its concern for our veterans and the families of our martyrs. Whether it's providing financial assistance to their families, reservations in education, employment opportunities, or implementing various welfare schemes for them, Pushkar Singh Dhami has contributed and made efforts on all fronts," he said. Rajnath Singh further praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for tackling the issue of illegal immigrants living in the State saying that more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed under his leadership. "Because our Uttarakhand is the land of Gods and the centre of our faith and culture, it is very important to protect it and preserve its sanctity. I want to appeal to all the people of the state that we must both protect Uttarakhand and enhance its sanctity. CM Dhami's leadership and our government have given a clear message that there is no place for illegal immigrants in Uttarakhand. Under his leadership, more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed," he said. (ANI)
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi has demanded a CBI investigation into the suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a District Manager of Warehouse Corporation in Amritsar, after he was allegedly tortured by AAP MLA Laljit Singh Bhullar, who was forced to resign as state Transport Minister today after opposition parties demanded action against him. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann today accepted Bhullar's resignation, following the political uproar triggered by a Randhawa's suicide. According to the Chief Minister's Office, Mann has directed the Chief Secretary to conduct an impartial inquiry into the matter and has asserted that "no negligence of any kind will be tolerated". Randhawa was allegedly tortured by Minister Bhullar and later died by suicide. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, CM Bhagwant Mann said, "A District Manager of a warehouse has died by suicide. It is very sad, and we have taken the resignation of Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar so that the investigation can be carried out impartially." Strongly criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) , Channi said "government is in hands of criminal-minded leaders" and demanded action against Bhullar. "An educated man died of suicide due to the AAP government. The CBI should investigate the incident, and action should be taken against those behind the incident. It was a mistake that the government was given into the hands of criminal-minded leaders. They are arresting journalists and taking action against social media. Now, the minister physically assaulted the man," Channi told reporters. He said, "The Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar should have been arrested rather than being asked to resign. Now the Chief Secretary will carry out the investigation rather than the police. A pattern can be seen where, one after another, the resignations of the ministers are being sought. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, should resign as he has no moral right to continue as CM." Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal General Secretary Bikram Singh Majithia asked the state government to conduct a fair, independent probe, including a CBI investigation, and provide justice to the victim. The row came to light when Majithia and other leaders shared a purported video of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, where he mentioned the minister. (ANI)
Kollam Additional District and Sessions Court on Saturday sentenced the accused G Sandeep to life imprisonment in the 2023 Dr Vandana Das murder case. House surgeon Dr Vandana, at the age of 23, was fatally stabbed to death in the government hospital in May 2023 while on duty. The case had shaken the state and prompted the Left government in Kerala to bring in a policy for workplace safety in healthcare facilities. Advocate Prathap G Padickal told reporters that the court did not find the case to pass the 'rarest of the rare' test for capital punishment. The advocate said, "The trial court held that this case does not fall under the rarest of the rare category. So, we are recommending an appeal before the High Court. The prosecution argued for the maximum punishment that can be awarded to an accused." Meanwhile, the victim's family also expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence. Dr Vandana's father, Mohan Das, said that they intend to challenge the verdict in the High Court. "This type of case should be considered as a crucial one. We are not satisfied with the imprisonment of the accused, so we will proceed in the higher courts," Mohan Das said. The incident had occurred when Sandeep, who was a school teacher, was brought to the government hospital by the police for a mandatory medical checkup following a brawl with his neighbours. According to police, the incident took place at 4:30 am when S Sandeep stabbed the house surgeon, Dr Vandana Das, when she was dressing his wounds. Having grabbed scissors from the dressing room, Sandeep, who was reportedly under treatment in a de-addiction centre, stabbed Dr Vandana six times, causing injuries to her abdomen and back. He also attacked others and vandalised the hospital. A home guard and a sub-inspector also sustained stab injuries. Dr Vandana was shifted to KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where she succumbed to her injuries, police said. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minsiter Mamata Banerjee on Saturday offered her prayers at Maa Bagalamukhi Temple in Kalighat, seeking divine blessings of the Mother Goddess for the continued protection and well-being of the Maa, Mati, Manush of Bengal. The Chief Minister prayed for peace, good health and prosperity for all, invoking strength and guidance for the welfare of every citizen. Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also attended the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which were held at Red Road in the heart of Central Kolkata on Saturday. During the gathering, the West Bengal CM declared that the Trinamool Congress's primary objective is to oust the BJP from the state and to protect the country from the party's influence. "Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai, dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai..May Allah bless you...May India and Bengal prosper...Raise yourself so high that before every fate, God Himself asks the servant, tell me, what is your will...We have just one intent - to remove the BJP and protect the nation," said Banerjee. Ahead of the state Assembly elections, the West Bengal Chief Minister further launched a scathing attack on the central ruling party BJP, over the SIR issue, declaring that she will continue the fight against SIR and vowed that she won't let PM Modi snatch away the rights of the people. She went on to describe the BJP as a "party of goons and thieves. "People's names were deleted in SIR. I went from Kolkata to Delhi, from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court for this. I hope that people's rights are safeguarded. I stand with everyone in Bengal, with all castes, communities and creeds. I will continue this fight...We will not let Modi ji snatch away our rights...You are trying to forcibly control our Govt, you want to impose President's Rule. Still, we won't be scared. Jo darte hain, wo marte hain. Jo ladte hain, wo zindagi mein kamyab hote hain...BJP is a party of thieves and goons, a party of traitors...There are also traitors who take money from the BJP to divide votes. To them, I would say - "Muddai lakh bura chahe to kya hota hai, wahi hota hai jo manzoore khuda hota hai," said Banerjee. (ANI)
Former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane on Saturday highlighted his consistent focus on themes while writing. Speaking to reporters about his latest book, 'The Cantonment Conspiracy', he explained, "I always had this particular theme in mind. There's always a little bit of clash between the harder right and the easier wrong. That is one aspect which I bring out through this modernist." Earlier on Friday, General Naravane held a book signing event in Maharashtra's Pune for his book 'The Cantonment Conspiracy'. Speaking to reporters on the occasion, he stated that now he is into fiction writing, apart from penning military reports for academic journals. He said, "My book 'The Cantonment Conspiracy' was released last year, and I'm glad to say that the book is relatively well for a first-time author who had no idea how to write. It has been an interesting journey to write this book and transition from being a soldier to being a storyteller. So I enjoyed writing it, and I'm sure all those who read it will enjoy reading it too." "I've always been writing from time to time, not only military reports but also for various academic journals of the Army. I had also written a few short stories, one of which was even published in the Femina. I am now only into writing fiction," he added. 'The Cantonment Conspiracy', published with Penguin Random House India, is a murder mystery, following two army officers fresh out of the National Defence Academy (NDA). Meanwhile, the former Army chief and his unpublished memoir were surrounded by controversy after the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, cited the book to target the Centre over the 2020 standoff against China. On February 2, during the motion of thanks on the President's Address, Lok Sabha witnessed sharp verbal exchanges after the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House sought to quote a magazine article containing excerpts from General Naravane's unpublished memoir. Gandhi's reply was interrupted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who raised concerns that a Congress MP cannot quote from an unpublished book, which he said has not been authenticated. The ruling benches objected to Gandhi's attempt to cite excerpts from the book. The row escalated to an extent where Opposition MPs brought a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with allegedly not letting Rahul Gandhi speak in the House being one of the reasons. The motion was dropped after a voice vote in the second phase of the Budget Session of the Parliament. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday accused the Central Government of treating India like a "vassal state of the United States", criticising both the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress for sharing similar stances on imperialism. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Vijayan said India is failing to take a firm stand against global imperialism and expressed concern over the country's growing dependence on US policies. He recalled that a similar closeness toward imperialist powers had emerged during PV Narasimha Rao's tenure as Prime Minister. "If we do not move forward by condemning imperialist positions, where will we end up? The stance our country adopts must be read along with that. Our country is not taking a clear stand against imperialism. That is a sad matter. India was a country that had taken a strong stand against imperialism. But during the time when Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister, a situation arose where there was a closeness towards imperialism. A position emerged accepting the policy of globalisation. A stance came to recognise Israel," Kerala CM said. He criticised Congress for its willingness to cooperate with the US, underlining that a nuclear agreement between India and the United States was signed during the UPA government (Congress-led coalition). "Subsequently, during the UPA government period, a situation arose where a nuclear agreement was signed with the United States. Widespread opposition arose in the country. Pushing aside that opposition, the Congress was ready to cooperate with the United States," he said. "On such matters, both Congress and the BJP have the same stance. That is why when the BJP came to power, it began to implement Congress policies more intensely," he added. The Kerala CM emphasised that the situation has reached a point where the US has started to position itself to allow the purchase of Russian crude oil. He further condemned the Central Government for accepting the situation 'submissively' and bringing 'humiliation' to the country before the world. "Now, the situation has reached a point where our country is functioning like a vassal state of the United States. That is why the USA took a position of allowing the purchase of oil from Russia. Trump is ready to say that, and Narendra Modi and India are ready to accept it submissively. Who gave such authority to the United States? Are we not a sovereign nation? As part of being a sovereign nation, it is our country that should decide where to buy oil. Do we need America's consent for that? Did the central government have the courage to say that? We must view such matters seriously. The stance taken by the central government is one that humiliates our country. India has now become a country that is most humiliated before the world. The backward slide of the country began with Congress, and the BJP has taken it to completion," he asserted. The Election Commission of India, on March 15, announced that the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised India's stature in the world and emphasised that New Delhi has called for a solution to the West Asia conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Rajnath Singh was addressing a gathering in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, organised to mark four years of the BJP government. He said the situation in West Asia is a matter of concern not only for India but for the entire world. "Today, the whole world is going through a period of crisis. There is a war going on in the world right now. The way there are continuous attacks in West Asia, I believe that this is not only a concern for India, but a concern for the whole world. But India has clearly said, keeping its side, and even today our PM Modi has said... that we have to find a solution of this through dialogue and diplomacy," he said. "As far as India is concerned, the way in which PM Modi, has raised India's status in the world, no matter how much we praise him, it is not enough... Today, if our India, if it says something on the international stages, the whole world listens carefully to what India is saying... Today, this is India's status in the whole world," he added. Rajnath Singh said India has dealt with the situation of global energy supply constraints well under the leadership of PM Modi. "When there is a war going on in the world, it is possible that there will be a crisis of energy and food. No country in the world can remain unaffected in this moment of crisis. It is possible that India will also be affected by that crisis. But till date, our Prime Minister has not allowed India to get into that crisis on the basis of his ability, capability, and intelligence. But nothing can be said about what will happen in the future. Today, from the land of Uttarakhand, I would like to appeal to all of you to support whatever efforts are being made by PM Modi to resolve the crisis on the international level..." Rajnath Singh said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has given a clear message that there is no place for infiltrators in Uttarakhand. "Because our Uttarakhand is the land of gods and the center of our faith and culture, it is very important to protect it and preserve its sanctity. I want to appeal to all the people of the state that we must both protect Uttarakhand and enhance its sanctity... CM Dhami's leadership and our government, has given a clear message that there is no place for illegal immigrants in Uttarakhand... Under his leadership, more than 10,000 encroachments have been removed," he said. "Uttarakhand is a 'Devbhoomi'... However, if any land in India is known as 'Veerbhoomi', then it is none other than Uttarakhand. Whenever it comes to protecting the country's borders, people of Uttarakhand do not lag behind in protecting the country's borders... Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, the Central Government fulfilled the long-standing demand of 'One Rank, One Pension' for ex-servicemen and soldiers," he added. Lauding the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Rajnath Singh said he should be called 'Dhurandhar Dhami'. "This meeting has been organized after the completion of 4 years in office of the hardworking Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami... At the time of the elections, while addressing a public gatheringm I said that our Dhami isn't just this ordinary Dhami, but a 'Dhaakad Dhami' ...After listening to what he had accomplished during his 4 years in office, I concluded that Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami shouldn't just be called 'Dhaakad Dhami', but rather Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami should be called 'Dhurandhar Dhami'. He has done tremendous work." Rajnath Singh also expressed gratitude to the Uttarakhand government for its concern for veterans and the families of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country. "Whether it's providing financial assistance to their families, reservations in education, employment opportunities, or implementing various welfare schemes for them, Pushkar Singh Dhami has contributed and made efforts on all fronts," he said. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday accused the Central Government of obstructing the development work in the state, highlighting the repeated "opposition" of the Centre towards the K-Rail project. While speaking to ANI exclusively, the Kerala CM claimed that the Centre "stood" with the stance of "certain vested interests" that the project should not be implemented when the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is in power. "The K-Rail project can be seen as a project necessary for improving our country's transportation facilities. What justification is there for opposing it? Saying that the K-Rail project should not be implemented when the LDF government is in power reflects the stance of certain vested interests here. The central government stood along with that position. Is that the duty of the central government?" he asked. Furthermore, the Kerala Chief Minister said that instead of supporting the development activities, the central government intends to oppose them. "The central government is supposed to support development activities carried out in a state. But they were not willing to do so. Priority should be given to the development of the country. Unfortunately, there is a section in Kerala that stands against development, the opposition. Whenever development projects come up, the opposition looks for ways to obstruct them. We must recognise that opposition," he added. Vijayan also condemned the Centre for "submissively" accepting the decision of the United States 'allowing' the purchase of Russian oil amid West Asia tensions, saying that it has brought a great level of 'humiliation' to the country. "Now, the situation has reached a point where our country is functioning like a vassal state of the United States. That is why the USA took a position of allowing the purchase of oil from Russia. Trump is ready to say that, and Narendra Modi and India are ready to accept it submissively. Who gave such authority to the United States? Are we not a sovereign nation? As part of being a sovereign nation, it is our country that should decide where to buy oil. Do we need America's consent for that? Did the central government have the courage to say that? We must view such matters seriously. The stance taken by the central government is one that humiliates our country. India has now become a country that is most humiliated before the world. The backward slide of the country began with Congress, and the BJP has taken it to completion," he asserted. The remarks come as Assembly elections will be held in Kerala on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23. (ANI)
Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Jairam Thakur, on Saturday strongly criticised the reduction in the outlay of the State Budget, cautioning against a "grave crisis." In a major austerity push, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced a six-month deferment of salaries for ministers, legislators and senior officials, along with a Rs 3,586 crore reduction in the overall budget size. Speaking to ANI, the BJP leader pointed out that the Congress government will face difficulty in fulfilling its promises amid a crunch of funds. "I don't know who prepared the budget, and if it was the officials who prepared it, action should be taken against them as well. The budget was presented in three phases. This budget has a deficit of about Rs 9.5 thousand crores. This budget is less than the previous budget. So, this budget clearly sends a clear message: Himachal Pradesh is in a grave crisis, and in such a crisis, Himachal Pradesh faces a significant challenge. Meeting this challenge will be extremely difficult," he said. He said that the deferment of salaries of Class One Gazetted Officers, Cabinet Ministers, and MLAs indicates a "financial emergency." "I must say that you have no funds left for development. The announcements you are making are solely for the sake of elections. The truth is that if you implement the announcements you made today, you will face great difficulty in fulfilling them. One such situation, which was seen for the first time in Himachal Pradesh today, was the announcement of the salary deferment. The Chief Minister announced the deferment of salaries of Class One Gazetted Officers, Cabinet Ministers, and MLAs. This simply means Himachal Pradesh is heading towards a financial emergency," the BJP leader added. Earlier, the Chief Minister Sukhu, who presented the 2026-27 budget in the state assembly, sought the support of all sections and said the state will move towards self-reliance. The total budget outlay has been reduced from Rs 58,514 crore in 2025-26 to Rs 54,928 crore for 2026-27, reflecting what the Chief Minister described as "extraordinary financial challenges" following the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) by the Centre. "We are working for the state and its people, not for elections. I seek six months' support from all sections, and I assure that Himachal Pradesh will move towards self-reliance," Sukhu said. Announcing stringent expenditure control measures, the Chief Minister said that 50 per cent of his salary, 30 per cent of ministers' salaries and 20 per cent of MLAs' salaries would be deferred for six months, while senior bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Secretaries and DGP-rank officers, would see a 30 per cent deferment, and other officials 20 per cent. Police officers from ADGP to DIG rank would also face 30 per cent deferment, SP-level officers 20 per cent, and other staff 20 per cent, while the planned 3 per cent salary increment for employees would be deferred for six months, with Group D employees not receiving the increase during this period. The government also indicated that it may appeal to the judiciary for similar voluntary deferment measures. (ANI)
BJP MLA from Mant constituency in Mathura, Rajesh Chaudhary, on Saturday said the death of a 'Gau Rakshak' in Mathura is a very tragic incident and the government will take strict action against those responsible. Speaking to ANI, BJP MLA Rajesh Chaudhary termed the incident is very unfortunate and he has been deeply saddened ever since he heard that a saint lost his life protecting the religion. "I'm a resident of Braj. As a resident of Braj, it's incredibly sad that a saint lost his life protecting the religion. Farsa Baba was a very popular saint. This is a very tragic incident, and the government will take strict action against those responsible," Chaudhary said. The BJP MLA said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the case. "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of this case. The culprits will be caught very soon. One person has been arrested; the conspiracy behind the incident and how it happened are all still under investigation," he said. Hitting out at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, the BJP MLA said he has no right to say anything as he himself orchestrated riots. "Akhilesh was the Chief Minister, and over 1,100 riots took place in Uttar Pradesh," Chaudhary said. Earlier on Saturday, a scuffle broke out between police and locals in Mathura's Kosi area, as people blocked the road and protested against the death of a 'Gau Rakshak' who was allegedly run over by cattle smugglers. The case has already taken on a political overtone with Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav questioning the state government on the issue. "We know what wrong is being done where. We can see the reaction to the wrong being done. A murder occurred in Mathura, and in Varanasi before that, even in Gorakhpur earlier. So, this series has been going on in Uttar Pradesh. Women are unsafe...When you make the police do something else, they will sleep away. They won't do their work. They are working for the BJP, not doing its own work," Akhilesh Yadav said. CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of Incident in Kosi. The CM expressed condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. He also instructed officials to reach the incident site immediately. The Chief Minister directed that criminals involved in the incident be identified as soon as possible and strict action be taken against them. The CM said that criminals should not be spared under any circumstances. (ANI)
March 21, 2026: China has established a network sustained by thousands of groups around the world that strive to make the Chinese Communist Party acceptable and respectable, and to assist diplomatic, economic and espionage efforts. Each of these groups works to improve the image of China and all manner of Chinese activities in their vicinity. The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre required Chinese groups worldwide to try and explain what happened and lessen the blemish on Chinas image and reputation. This worked better in some countries than in others.

Meanwhile, some of the countries where these Chinese operations were most active found themselves under scrutiny and counterintelligence pressure. Over the past two decades American counter-intelligence efforts have been snagging more Chinese spies. This may be more because of increased spying effort by China than increased effectiveness by the FBI and CIA. For example, a former U.S. Army analyst was arrested as he was boarding an airliner headed for China. He had a one-way ticket. In his possession were electronic versions of classified army manuals. Another recent development was the indictment of a Chinese born man for stealing $300 million worth of trade secrets on how to manufacture new organic insecticides for use in China.

Incidents like this are examples of China's use of industrial espionage to turn their country into the mightiest industrial and military power on the planet. For over three decades, China has been attempting to do what the Soviet Union never accomplished; steal Western technology and then use it to move ahead of the West. The Soviets lacked the many essential supporting industries found in the West most founded and run by entrepreneurs and were never able to get all the many pieces needed to match Western technical accomplishments. Soviet copies of American computers, for example, were crude, less reliable and less powerful. Same with their jet fighters, tanks and warships.

China gets around this by making it profitable for Western firms to set up factories in China, where Chinese managers and workers can be taught how to make things right, both at the same time. China allows thousands of their best students to go to the United States to study. While most of these students will stay in America, where there are better jobs and more opportunities, some will come back to China and bring American business and technical skills with them. Finally, China energetically uses the thousand grains of sand approach to espionage. This involves China trying to get all Chinese going overseas, and those of Chinese ancestry living outside the motherland, to spy for China, if only a tiny bit.

This approach to espionage is nothing new. Other nations have used similar systems for centuries. What is unusual is the scale of the Chinese effort. Backing it all up is a Chinese intelligence bureaucracy back home that is huge, with nearly 100,000 people working just to keep track of the many Chinese overseas, and what they could, or should, be trying to grab for the motherland. It begins when Chinese intelligence officials examine who is going overseas, and for what purpose. Chinese citizens cannot leave the country, legally, without the state security organizations being notified. The intel people are not being asked to give permission. They are being alerted in case they want to have a talk with students, tourists or businesspeople before they leave the country. Interviews are often held when these people come back as well.

Those who might be coming in contact with useful information are asked to remember what they saw, or bring back souvenirs. Over 100,000 Chinese students go off to foreign universities each year. Even more go abroad as tourists or on business. Most of these people were not asked to actually act as spies, but simply to share with Chinese government officials, who are not always identified as intelligence personnel, whatever information they have obtained. The more ambitious of these people are getting caught and prosecuted. But the majority, who are quite casual, and, individually, bring back relatively little, are almost impossible to catch.

Like the Russians, the Chinese are also employing the traditional methods, using people with diplomatic immunity to recruit spies, and offering cash, or whatever, to get people to sell them information. This is still effective, and when combined with the thousand grains of sand methods, brings in lots of secrets. The final ingredient is a shadowy venture capital operation, sometimes called Project 863, that offers money for Chinese entrepreneurs who will turn the stolen technology into something real. No questions asked. If you can get back to China with the secrets, you are home free and potentially very rich.

But there are some legal problems. When the Chinese steal some technology and produce something that the Western victims can prove was stolen via patents and prior use of the technology, legal action can make it impossible, or very difficult, to sell anything using the stolen tech, outside of China. For that reason, the Chinese like to steal military technology. This kind of knowledge rarely leaves China. And in some cases, like manufacturing technology, there's an advantage to not selling it outside of China. Because China is still a communist dictatorship, the courts do as they are told, and they are rarely told to honor foreign patent claims.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the impact of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi on the party's growth in the state. When asked whether the presence of Rahul Gandhi and other national leaders was helping the Congress expand in Kerala, Vijayan in exlusive interview with ANI, said, "What growth has the Congress party achieved in the places where Rahul Gandhi and other national leaders are working? There isn't any major growth visible in those places. I don't think their coming will bring any particular change in Kerala." Kerala CM said that some leaders turning against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over personal ambition is an unprecedented and serious matter, and asserted that the rebel candidates will not affect the prospects of the Left Democratic Front in any manner and expressed confidence that the front will secure convincing victories in all such constituencies. The Kerala Chief Minister termed the dissidents as "class traitors" and said they are acting as tools in the hands of rivals, adding that party workers should not cooperate with them. "This has two aspects. First, some individuals have taken a different stand and come out against the party. There is no doubt that such a situation should not happen. In a party like the CPI(M), it is something unprecedented for individuals to turn against the party out of personal ambition. We view this development very seriously, and it needs to be evaluated in depth. However, the fact that such incidents have occurred in a few places will not, in any way, affect the party or the front. Former CPI(M) leaders G Sudhakaran in Ambalappuzha, PK Sasi in Ottapalam, TK Govindan in Taliparamba, and Kunjikrishnan in Payyannur have come forward as candidates. Their candidature will not affect the LDF in any manner. It will not create even the slightest dent in the LDF's victory," CM said. "In all these constituencies, the LDF will win convincingly. That is what is going to happen, and there is no need for any concern about it. All of them have turned into tools in the hands of the enemy. They are being viewed as complete class traitors, and no one in the CPI(M) should be expected to cooperate with them," he added. Responding to a question on alleged double standards in cases involving PK Shyamala, wife of CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan, and PP Divya, the Chief Minister defended his party's stance. He said, "That is not a double standard. We take positions based on the facts before us. If you examine that position, it was not found that PK Shyamala had committed any specific wrongdoing at that time. Therefore, there was no need to take action against her. That is what happened.In the case of PP Divya, she attended an uninvited event and made remarks that should not have been made. This caused significant embarrassment to the party. Therefore, the two incidents are different." Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed "double standard" allegations, arguing that while Shyamala was exonerated after investigations found no "specific wrongdoing" in the 2019 suicide of NRI businessman Sajan Parayil, the case of P.P. Divya was fundamentally different. Divya, the former Kannur District Panchayat President, was stripped of her posts and faces abetment charges after publicly shaming ADM K. Naveen Babu at an uninvited event shortly before his death in 2024. Vijayan, in an interview with ANI, commented on the Bharatiya Janata Party's growth in the state and expressed confidence that it would not make electoral gains in the upcoming Assembly elections. "Some people wish for the BJP to grow, and they are taking steps for that. The fact that the BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the local self-government elections also remains. However, that should not be misunderstood as the entire people of Kerala accepting the BJP. I am firmly convinced that the BJP will not get even a single seat in this Assembly election," said the Chief Minister. Speaking on the opposition's strength in the state, the Chief Minister asserted that it lacks widespread public support. He said, "Those who are with the opposition may have a good opinion about them. But the people are not with them. Just a few people coming together is not enough to win or to come to power; the support of the people is needed for that. The opposition in Kerala has not yet risen to a level that is accepted by the people." Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) announced that it will contest 86 seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, which will be held in a single phase on April 9. CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan announced that the party will contest 86 seats in the upcoming elections, with 56 sitting MLAs seeking re-election. "CPI(M) will contest in 86 seats. 56 sitting MLAs will contest again. The Politburo meeting decided that one member from the Politburo should contest in the election. PB member and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will contest in the election. CPI(M) candidates were selected in a completely democratic manner," Govindan said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will contest from his current Dharmadam seat in northern Kannur district, and senior leader and former Health Minister KK Shailaja will contest from the Peravoor constituency in Kannur. The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced today, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The main electoral contest in the State is expected between the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Indian National Congress. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, is also in the fray for the Assembly polls. (ANI)
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday expressed confidence that the BJP government will be formed in West Bengal and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will win less than 100 seats. Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Majumdar said the BJP has complete trust in the public and they will teach a lesson to the Mamata Banerjee-led government. "The BJP government will be formed in West Bengal and TMC will win less than 100 seats. We have complete trust in the public and they will teach a lesson to the Mamata Banerjee-led government," Majumdar said. The Union Minister said Mamata Banerjee is a unique leader in the whole country as no other Chief Minister uses such derogatory words for the Prime Minister. "Even the CPI(M) Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, doesn't do that. You'll find only Mamata Banerjee. Now, only God can save West Bengal," he said. The remarks come after Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP government in centre, over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue, declaring that she will continue the fight against it while vowing that she won't let PM Modi snatch away the rights of the people. She went on to describe the BJP as a "party of thieves, goons, and traitors". The West Bengal CM was attending the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which were held at Red Road in the heart of Central Kolkata today. "People's names were deleted in SIR. I went from Kolkata to Delhi, from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court for this. I hope that people's rights are safeguarded. I stand with everyone in Bengal, with all castes, communities and creeds. I will continue this fight. We will not let Modi ji snatch away our rights. You are trying to forcibly control our Govt, you want to impose President's Rule. Still, we won't be scared. Jo darte hain, wo marte hain. Jo ladte hain, wo zindagi mein kamyab hote hain (Those who fight, are sucessful in their lives). BJP is a party of thieves and goons, a party of traitors. There are also traitors who take money from the BJP to divide votes. To them, I would say - Muddai lakh bura chahe to kya hota hai, wahi hota hai jo manzoore khuda hota hai (No matter how much an adversary wishes ill, only that which is destined by God happens)," said Banerjee. The West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026. West Bengal has a total of 6,45,61,152 electors as per the Election Commission of India, including 6,44,52,609 general electors and 1,08,543 service voters. The state has 5,23,229 young electors aged 18-19 years. (ANI)
Qatar has strongly condemned an Israeli attack targeting military facilities in southern Syria, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law. In a statement issued on Friday, Qatar''s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X that the strike on the Syrian Arab Republic constituted "a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations." https://x.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/2035085255816732721 The ministry warned that continuing such actions without accountability threatens regional stability. "The continuation of such practices in the region without deterrence reflects a serious disregard for international law and undermines the foundations of regional security and stability," the statement said. It further pointed to the role of the international community, stating that "the international community''s inability to curb and put an end to these violations has contributed to the worsening of the crisis facing the region." Reiterating its position, Qatar expressed solidarity with Syria. The ministry said it stands "alongside the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic," affirming its support for efforts aimed at preserving the country''s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This comes after Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday said that its overnight strikes in southern Syria targeted a command centre and combat equipment at the military camps in response to the attack on Druze civilians in As-Suwayda region. Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that it would not tolerate harm to the Druze people in Syria and act for their protection. IDF further said that it continues to monitor the developments in southern Syria and would thus act in accordance with the directions from the political leadership. The post read, "In response to attacks against the Druze population in the As-Suwayda area: IDF strikes Syrian regime infrastructure in southern Syria. The IDF struck overnight a command center and combat equipment in Syrian regime military camps in the southern Syria area. This was in response to yesterday''s events in which Druze civilians were attacked in the As-Suwayda area. The IDF will not tolerate harm to Druze in Syria and will continue to act for their protection. The IDF continues to monitor developments in southern Syria and will act in accordance with the directives of the political echelon." (ANI)
Finland has joined its international partners in issuing a joint statement condemning recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and calling for adherence to international law. United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania have all signed the statement condemning the targeting of ships. In a post on X, Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote, "Finland, together with our close partners, today joined a joint statement regarding the situation in the Persian Gulf and, in particular, the Strait of Hormuz." https://x.com/alexstubb/status/2035087904670667003 He added that the statement "condemns Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels and attempts to disrupt commercial shipping." The joint statement also emphasised the need for countries to follow global norms. "The statement also calls on all countries to respect international law and uphold the principles of international security," Stubb said. Highlighting collective intent, he noted that participating countries have expressed willingness to act. "The countries participating in the statement express their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait," he added. The joint statement comes from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania on the Strait of Hormuz. "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 read. Expressing concern over rising tensions, the leaders said, "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." The statement underscored that freedom of navigation remains a core principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and warned that the impact of disruptions would be felt globally, particularly by vulnerable populations. "Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security," it said, calling for "an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations." The countries also expressed readiness to act collectively to maintain maritime security. "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 statement added. The countries also expressed readiness to act collectively to maintain maritime security. "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 statement added. They also pledged support for affected nations. "We will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs," the statement said. Reiterating the importance of global cooperation, the leaders added, "Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security." (ANI)
Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian Tom Cooper has warned that Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure could escalate the conflict in West Asia and potentially trigger retaliatory attacks on energy facilities in Qatar, with wider implications for countries like India that depend on Gulf energy supplies. In an interview with ANI on Friday, Cooper criticised the strike on the Iranian side of the South Pars gas field. "And then we see the Israelis striking, doing such nonsensical things like striking South Pars gas field--the Iranian side of the South Pars gas field--which is absolutely mindless, because of course this is provoking Iran into striking back upon similar facilities in Qatar," Cooper said. He warned that any escalation involving Qatari energy infrastructure could have broader global repercussions, including for India. "And as you know, in India, not only India, but plenty of other countries are heavily dependable on sourcing their gas from Qatar, and not only gas, but also fertilizers for production of food," he said. Cooper also said Iran retains the ability to continue retaliatory attacks despite heavy airstrikes by Israel and the United States. "They're using bulldozers, dig out the entrances which are hit by American or Israeli bombs, pull out their missiles or UAVs, launch them, go back hiding into their underground facilities and then the entire game is repeated and repeated and again and again and again," he said. According to Cooper, Iran faces overwhelming firepower from its adversaries but remains capable of sustaining retaliatory strikes due to deeply buried infrastructure. "Iranians have no chance of military victory in this war. No way can they win. They are so overpowered by the enemy firepower," he said. But he also said that Iranians are "well protected " and called the Iranian assets as "crucial". He said, "But they're also well protected. Their crucial assets, assets which they can use to exercise some sort of violence against Israel and against their neighbours, they are so well dug in. So deep dug in that they can continue this." He added, "And this is how this is now going to go on, who knows how much longer." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held separate meetings on Friday with the High Commissioner of Bangaldesh and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation. Minister Jaishankar met Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, in New Delhi, where the two leaders discussed ways to further deepen ties between the neighbouring countries. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Met with High Commissioner @hamidullah_riaz of Bangladesh. Our conversation was focused on advancing our bilateral ties." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2034903931751735686 In a separate post, Bangladeshi High Commissioner Hamidullah said he was "privileged" to pay a courtesy call on the minister and reaffirmed Dhaka's commitment to cooperation with New Delhi. "Privileged to pay Courtesy Call on the Indian EAM and affirmed #Bangladesh's readiness to walk | work with #India, together, in shared interests and for shared benefits," he said. https://x.com/hamidullah_riaz/status/2034914271151399257 Jaishankar also met the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India, Azamat Yeskarayev, where discussions focused on advancing the partnership between the two countries. "Received Kazakh Ambassador to India Azamat Yeskarayev this morning. Discussed taking forward our partnership," Jaishankar said in another X post. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2034903632500695443 Earlier, on March 16, India and Bangladesh discussed the review of the Line of Credit (LOC) and Bangladesh's participation in India's power exchange market. They also talked about how Bangladesh can gain insights from India's digital financial system. High Commissioner Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser (Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning) in the Prime Minister's Office on 16 March 2026. They discussed various aspects of India-Bangladesh economic cooperation, including ways to strengthen transport, energy and digital connectivity between the two countries. They also explored new areas for future collaboration in people-centric domains aligned with the respective developmental priorities of the two countries based on mutual interest and mutual benefit. On March 15, an official said that Bangladesh will import an additional 45,000 tons of diesel from India by April. "Recently, 5,000 tons of diesel arrived in Bangladesh from India, and we will receive another 5,000 tons around the 18th or 19th of March in Bangladesh from India", Md. Murshed Hossain Azad, General Manager (Commercial & Operations) of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), told ANI over the phone. "We have received a proposal to import an additional 40,000 tons of diesel from India. Once the procedural work is completed--that is, the opening of the LC and other formalities--this 40,000 tons of diesel will also arrive in Bangladesh by April," he added. (ANI)
Iran''s highest operational command unit has warned the United Arab Emirates against allowing its soil to be used again as a launch pad for aggression targeting the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf. The warning was issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran''s highest operational command unit that coordinates operations between the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). In a statement, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, "As we have previously announced, and demonstrated in practice, we will strike the origin of any aggression against our territory and national sovereignty." "We warn the United Arab Emirates that if any further aggression originates from its territory against the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf, Iran''s powerful Armed Forces will subject Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE to heavy and crushing strikes," he added. The comments came amid Iran''s ongoing Operation True Promise 4 against the latest bout of US-Israeli action. The Iranians claim to have struck key American military facilities across the region, including those lying in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan. Earlier, Iran''s Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi warned that the Islamic Republic would show "Zero restraint" if its infrastructure was attacked. "We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: Zero restraint if our infrastructure is attacked," he wrote on X. "We are men and women of principles. Iranians do not sneak attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond," the top diplomat added. On Friday, UAE''s Ministry of Defence said, UAE air defences engaged 4 ballistic missiles and 26 UAVs launched from Iran on Friday. According to the MoD of UAE, "Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 338 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,740 UAVs. These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as 6 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities. A total of 158 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe... The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities." Meanwhile, Iran''s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the execution of the 70th wave of its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, saying the latest phase targeted more than 55 locations occupied by the US and the Israeli regime across the region. In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC described the opening moments of the latest phase as marked by "loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke" throughout the targeted areas. (ANI)
Japanese biggest lake--Lake Biwa is located in Shiga prefecture. It originated 4.4 million years ago. In its long history Lake Biwa worked as a center of waterborne logistics, resource of water supply and the stage of fishing industry. Its clean circumstances are protected by enthusiastic trial and development of technology. Clean environment and healthy consciousness made Shiga pref. best longevity prefecture. Based on establishment of clean environment and livable society Shiga pref.'s attention is paid to contribution for progressing foreign countries, especially India. Shiga pref. Governor Taizo Mikazuki explains characteristic of Shiga pref., "Lake Biwa is old established lake supplying water and various convenience to 15 million people of Kansai area including 1.4 million citizens of Shiga pref. Utilizing advantage of rich water and respect to the benefit of water are policy and philosophy of Shiga pref. We studied the protection of water resource contributes to the development of society. In 1980's Shiga pref. set friendship agreement with Hunan Province having Lake Dongting in China. It progressed mutual exchange of knowledge about water management, agricultural project and so on. For Vietnam, Shiga pref. contributed to purify water of Ha Long Bay. Those experience will be useful for Indian society." In addition Governor Mikazuki envisages hydrogen project will contribute to establish clean society in India. "Shiga pref. organizes supply network of hydrogen. It covers Chubu region, Kansai region and Hokuriku region. Shiga pref. located at the center of those vast areas. " Governor Mikazuki emphasizes to make progress of "Circular Economy" in Shiga. "We started "Repair Challenge" to renew wasted old furniture for resales. Sewage dirty mud and water plant of Lake Biwa are reborn to agricultural fertilizer. We are targeting which experience including its technology is useful for which state in India. Not only industry but also Indian music festival and business seminar including Shiga pref.'s companies ---Fujitec, Shiga bank, Hiyoshi, Yanmar, Panasonic and so on." The project to keep clean Lake Biwa brought up environment company like Hiyoshi Ecological Services. Local government has the experience to face to real scene to be improved. It provokes to grasp detail information and develop treating technology and skill. It is the resource of local government to establish sustainable, clean and comfortable society. (ANI)
Hundreds of followers of Islam gathered in Nepal on Saturday morning at the Jame Mosque as they mark Eid-Al-Fitr, as they end a month-long fast of Ramadan. After offering special prayers, the attendees exchanged blessings with each other. There is a tradition of eating and serving special sweet dishes on this occasion. "We underwent thirty days long Roza, on the day of Eid, we gather for the mass Namaz," Rihan, one of the attendees told ANI. Eid, celebrated after the discipline of fasting (Roza), self-restraint, and devotionally performed prayer rituals, is a symbol of spiritual purity and elevation. "After the Namaz, we meet with friends and relatives, hug each other and exchange wishes. We also feast on the sweets at home," Rihan added. The festival teaches people the lessons of restraint, patience, and self-control. The 'Iftar' and collective prayers organised on this occasion strengthen the spirit of unity and coexistence in the nation and community. The tradition of charity and assistance fosters compassion and sympathy towards the helpless, the poor, and those in need of support. The tradition of saying 'Chand Mubarak' or 'Eid Mubarak' upon sighting the Eid moon is not just a greeting but an inspiring custom expressing mutual harmony and brotherhood. Eid-ul-Fitr is not only a religious festival but also a symbol of social harmony and cultural solidarity. The unique tradition of wearing new clothes, offering prayers, and embracing each other to exchange greetings further strengthens social bonds. "After the Namaz of Eid, we exchange greetings with each other. After this, we have various delicacies and sweets prepared at home. Today, it's 'Mithi Eid' that's why sweets are preferred more," Sohail, another Namaz attendee, told ANI. The custom of preparing and sharing special dishes help keep alive the tradition of sharing collective happiness, while the practice of charity and assistance helps make society just and compassionate. This festival aims to embrace the values of fraternity, reconciliation, and collectivism. The fundamental purpose of religion is humanity. No religion accepts discrimination; rather, it encourages sacrifice, purity, non-violence, public welfare, wisdom, and good deeds. Religion inspires people to be honest, industrious, and dutiful. Faith in religion provides people with patience and courage during adversity. Harmony, good conduct, and coordination are the pillars for building a civilised society. In this view, Eid-ul-Fitr motivates us to move forward not only in religious faith but also on the path of social justice, equality, and coexistence. On the occasion, the government announced a public holiday for Saturday, today, the Home Ministry stated. Eid-Al-Fitr- Arabic for "the feast of the breaking of the fast"- is when the Muslims return to regular eating cycles after undergoing vigorous fasting of one month. On this day, the Muslims typically enjoy a small breakfast ahead of morning prayers and then visit friends and relatives, where a lavish feast is served. Gifts are also exchanged with clothes the most popular presents. The annual celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr is marked by the Prophet Mohammed in 624 CE following a victory in battle. After a month of abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours, Eid marks a time of festivity, where Muslims express their gratitude for the strength and patience shown during Ramadan. Eid reinforces the values of charity, kindness, and compassion. In addition to giving Zakat, many people choose to help others by providing meals, clothing, and support to those less fortunate, reflecting the Islamic principles of empathy and care for others. Eid-ul-Fitr, a major Islamic festival, holds deep significance in promoting love, charity, social solidarity, and spiritual devotion. The tradition of fostering stronger bonds between communities has made this celebration even more meaningful. (ANI)
Baloch political activists and human rights organisations have strongly challenged Pakistan authorities' version of events surrounding a woman recently presented in Quetta, rejecting allegations that attempt to associate Dr Sabiha Baloch with militant activity, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, the officials stated that Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and senior police personnel introduced a woman identified as Laiba, also known as Farzana Zehri, claiming she had been apprehended in Khuzdar through intelligence-based operations. Authorities labelled her a "potential suicide bomber," asserting that her arrest prevented large-scale destruction. They further alleged that she had been in contact with Dr Sabiha Baloch and was to undergo training after meeting her. However, these claims have been firmly disputed by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which issued a statement raising serious questions about the timeline of Zehri's detention. The group stated that she had been forcibly disappeared on December 1, 2025, and remained incommunicado for over three months before being brought before the public. The BYC questioned why she had not been produced in court during this period and argued that any statements made under such conditions cannot be considered credible. It also dismissed allegations linking Dr Sabiha Baloch or the organisation to armed groups, demanding that authorities provide verifiable evidence or issue a public apology. Dr Sabiha Baloch, in her response, described enforced disappearances as instruments of intimidation and coercion. She termed the public presentation of Zehri a "media trial" following prolonged secret detention and highlighted that several leaders of her organisation have been imprisoned for extended periods without proven charges. She also alleged continued harassment of her family, including the detention of her father, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. Activist Sammi Deen Baloch criticised what she described as a recurring pattern, questioning Zehri's whereabouts for "three months and eighteen days." Other rights advocates, including members of the Baloch Women Forum and the Human Rights Council of Balochistan, warned that such actions appear aimed at discrediting peaceful political voices and restricting civic space in the region, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
WASHINGTON  When Professor Tamas Horvath, chair of Yale School of Medicine's comparative medicine program, learned that hiring a single international scholar would now cost his department $100,000 in federal visa fees  on top of an already strained budget  he reached a straightforward conclusion: "Our department is not in the position to finance such applications."

It was a quiet admission with sweeping implications. Horvath's predicament is playing out at universities from New Haven to Gainesville, from Seattle to Austin. The Trump administration's second-term campaign against American higher education  encompassing immigration restrictions, DEI bans, funding freezes, and deportation of student activists  has set off a chain reaction that is reshaping who gets hired, who gets funded, what gets taught, and who dares to speak.

The scope of the transformation is without modern precedent. In little more than a year, the administration has paused or terminated hundreds of millions of dollars in university research grants, launched investigations into dozens of institutions, imposed a $100,000 fee on foreign faculty hires, and moved to deport noncitizen academics and students it deems ideologically suspect. The result is a higher education sector in the grip of institutional anxiety  and, critics warn, intellectual retreat.

The $100,000 Wall: Shutting Out Global Talent

At the heart of the administration's immigration pressure on campuses is a September 2025 presidential proclamation that added a $100,000 fee to every new H-1B visa application  a program that universities have long relied on to recruit international faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists. The fee multiplied costs that previously ran under $4,000 per petition by roughly 25 times overnight.

The consequences have been immediate and far-reaching. Yale alone sponsors more than 200 international tenure-track faculty and research scientists under the H-1B program annually; more than 90% of its H-1B holders are postdoctoral associates described by university officials as "critical to the university's mission of research and teaching." David Vasseur, chair of Yale's ecology and evolutionary biology department, told the Yale Daily News he is "concerned about the additional cost this will add to recruiting international scholars in these already fiscally challenging times."

The American Immigration Lawyers Association called the fee "exorbitant" and unconstitutional, arguing that only Congress holds the power to set visa fees. Jeff Joseph, AILA's president, said the measure "effectively shut out teachers, non-profits, researchers, rural doctors, clergy, and other professionals" and would "undermine innovation and prevent businesses both large and small from accessing the talent they need."

Britta Glennon, who studies global innovation at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, put it plainly: universities will be forced to hire "only the best U.S." candidates regardless of whether a more qualified international scholar exists.

The fee has now become a catalyst for broader action at the state level. Florida's Board of Governors voted 14 to 2 in early March to impose a one-year freeze on H-1B hiring across the state's 12 public universities, effective immediately through January 2027  a move championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Texas Governor Greg Abbott followed with his own freeze through May 2027. A federal appellate court is now weighing whether the $100,000 fee constitutes a lawful exercise of executive authority or an unconstitutional tax  but universities cannot wait for that verdict.

"It's also a restriction on academic freedom," said Brendan Cantwell, a higher education professor at Michigan State University. "It's telling departments: here's a group of scholars who are off-limits to you, even if they're doing research or teaching in areas that are really important for your students."

Hiring Freeze: The Research Engine Slows

The visa crisis compounds a broader hiring slowdown that preceded it. The administration began pulling millions of dollars from elite universities in 2025, initially citing allegations of antisemitism on campuses. Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins were among the first targets. The loss of funding triggered hiring freezes at top research institutions and led to thousands of layoffs at Johns Hopkins University alone.

Mike Gavin, president and CEO of the Alliance for Higher Education, described the damage in direct terms: "The quality is not at the same level in the states that are imposing different kinds of restrictions on academic freedom and also diversity, equity, and inclusion. So the retention of quality scholars and the attracting of that has been not great."

Foreign professors face particularly treacherous terrain. A recent federal lawsuit alleges the First Amendment rights of noncitizen academics have been violated by an administration policy barring researchers who study fact-checking and social media  on the theory that such work could lead to censorship of Americans. Foreign-born faculty have self-censored or been barred from re-entering the country, according to the suit. Social media screening for H-1B applicants was expanded in December 2025, with immigration officials now scrutinizing the online profiles of visa applicants  prompting universities to advise international scholars to carefully audit their digital presence.

"There are certainly challenges attracting international academics," said one senior university administrator who spoke on background. "Some of that is driven by concerns about U.S. politics more broadly, but a lot of it is driven by the H-1B visa issue  if it costs $100,000 to hire a person, there are other candidates who could potentially be hired for that money instead."

Even some schools that reached settlements with the administration to restore funding have not seen a corresponding recovery in hiring. The institutional caution has taken on a life of its own.

DEI: The Dismantling Continues

Parallel to its immigration offensive, the Trump administration has waged a systematic campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on college campuses  and in February 2026, it won a major legal victory in that fight.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a preliminary injunction that had been blocking two executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI practices in higher education, ruling that the groups challenging the orders  including the American Association of University Professors and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education  lacked standing on one provision and were unlikely to succeed on the others. The ruling gave the administration renewed authority to pursue its anti-DEI agenda.

The administration had issued its first anti-DEI executive orders within the first two days of Trump's second term, directing federal agencies to eliminate any "equity-related" grants or contracts and requiring federal funding recipients to certify they do not operate programs promoting DEI. Since then, the federal government has cancelled vast numbers of diversity-related research grants, threatened to pull funding from noncompliant universities, and established a dedicated portal for reporting DEI programs in schools.

The Department of Education sent letters to universities warning of funding cuts for DEI programs that persist. Multiple red states enacted outright DEI bans. Some academics have quietly removed words like "equity" from federal funding proposals to avoid rejection.

Even in liberal-leaning California  where courts ultimately ruled against several administration DEI measures  educators acknowledged that the campaign had chilled behavior well beyond what any court order required. "One of my concerns is that the strategy of the Trump administration is to disrupt and instigate a sense of conflict within local communities," said John Rogers, a professor at UCLA's School of Education. "The administration's campaign has had a major effect on the landscape of higher education, even in California."

Some universities capitulated without legal compulsion. Brown University settled with the administration in July 2025, agreeing to adopt the administration's definitions of "male" and "female" and remove race as a consideration in admissions in exchange for restored research funding. "Woke is officially DEAD at Brown," Trump posted on social media after the deal.

The "Trump Did It" dynamic  institutions using the administration's directives as cover for reversals they were already inclined to make  has become a defining feature of the moment. As legal scholar Jonathan Turley observed, many administrators "did not want to risk being tagged by the far-left mob for taking meaningful action" on campus unrest. The election, he argued, gave them political cover to act.

Targeting the Scholars Themselves

Beyond policies, the administration has targeted individual academics and students. The deportation of Mahmoud Khalil  a lawful permanent resident and 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian encampment leader  became a flash point. The administration invoked a rarely-used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 allowing deportation of noncitizens deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy, regardless of lawful status.

Lebanese Brown University professor Rasha Alawieh was deported despite a court order. Over 300 student visas were revoked in 2025 alone, with the administration targeting those it accused of supporting Hamas or engaging in antisemitic activity. A "catch and revoke" strategy emerged, with federal agencies monitoring international students' social media for what the State Department termed "terrorist sympathizing" activity.

The chilling effect has extended far beyond the individuals directly targeted. Faculty unions report widespread self-censorship among noncitizen academics. Conference participation by international scholars has declined. Some foreign researchers have chosen Europe or Canada over the United States.

"If they realize that there is no opportunity for them to make a life here and work here, they might as well go to Germany, Japan, the UK," said one university professor, reflecting a fear voiced by administrators across the country.

The Administration's Defense

The Trump administration has been unapologetic. Department of Education press secretary Savannah Newhouse said the administration is "carrying out a clear mandate from parents: get politics and DEI out of classrooms, cut federal administrative bloat, and ensure education dollars are spent directly on student achievement."

Ellen Keast, the department's press secretary for higher education, outlined the administration's vision going forward: universities should "continue to make progress in aligning programs with workforce needs, expanding high-ROI pathways for students, and reducing costs by cutting unnecessary administrative bloat."

Supporters argue that elite universities had long been insulated from accountability, tolerating campus unrest and ideological conformity while receiving billions in federal funding. The H-1B fee, proponents say, protects American workers from wage suppression and visa exploitation.

What Comes Next

Higher education advocates are pressing universities to fight back more forcefully in 2026. "One of the lessons is that universities should invest in strong legal and policy teams and build contingency plans for sudden retaliatory shifts," said Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. "Last year, many campus leaders thought if they kept their head down and minded their own business, they wouldn't be attacked. But that wasn't the case."

Ray Brescia, a professor at Albany Law School, framed the choice starkly: "The right thing to do is to stand up for academic freedom and the values that the American university is supposed to stand for."

The long-term consequences remain uncertain. Scientists warn that funding cuts and immigration restrictions are already damaging the U.S. research enterprise. Many have said they are considering leaving the country. The National Science Foundation, NIH, and major research universities have all flagged talent loss as an existential concern.

What is not uncertain is the scale of what has already happened. In just over a year, the Trump administration has altered the hiring practices of major research universities, dismantled diversity programs built over decades, targeted individual scholars for deportation, and imposed costs on international recruitment that some institutions simply cannot absorb.

Whether the courts, Congress, or a future administration ultimately reverse those changes, the professors who were not hired, the researchers who left, and the students who chose other countries will not easily be recalled. American higher education's greatest competitive advantage  its ability to attract the world's best minds  is being tested in ways that will take years to fully measure.
As the security situation continues to evolve in West Asia and the Gulf region, an Iranian military source warned the United States against any ground aggression on Iran, calling it one of the red lines and that a "surprise" would await Trump, Tasnim News Agency reported on Saturday. The military source made the remarks to Tasnim news agency in response to the recent reports where the US has hinted towards possible ground operations in Iran. The military said, "Obviously, a ground attack on Iranian soil is one of our red lines, and just as we had a surprise against every enemy operation, we will show it again in this case also." The source referred to the attack on Iranian energy infrastructure, noting how when it was hit the entire region''s energy facilities suffered and thus warned United States against ground ops in Iran. "When our energy infrastructure was hit, all the energy infrastructures in the region became inactive, and this time too, we are ready, so that if the terrorist Trump makes a mistake in this regard, we will have a surprise for him in a way that he will not even be able to remove the coffins of his soldiers from our land", the source told Tasnim News Agency. The source further said that the destruction of Iranian islands would lead to destruction of the coastal areas of the UAE, adding that, Dubai and Abu Dhabi may not be "merely" in the initial stages of the attack. This comes as CBS news reported on Friday (local time), citing sources briefed on the discussions, that the Trump administration has been strategising ways and options to extract Iran''s nuclear material. According to CBS News, while the timing of any such operation, if Trump orders it remains unclear, one of the source said that the US President is yet to make a decision about it. However, plans have centred around the possible deployment of forces from the secretive Joint Special Operations Command- America''s elite military unit often tasked with the most sensitive counter-proliferation missions. Amid the ongoing conflict, Trump said Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. Speaking outside the White House, he said, "We can have dialogue, but I don''t want to do a ceasefire. You don''t do a ceasefire when you''re literally obliterating the other side. We''re not looking to do that." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and extended greetings on the occasion of Eid and Nowruz, while also expressing concerns over recent developments affecting regional stability amid the ongoing conflict. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he conveyed his wishes for peace, stability and prosperity in West Asia during the festive season as the conflict escalates, with the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. "Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia," the post read. The Prime Minister also strongly condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions pose a serious threat to regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, particularly commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating India's stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that the shipping routes remain open and secure amid the tensions. "Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure," the PM wrote in his post. He further appreciated Iran's continued support in ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals residing in the country. The conversation comes against 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. 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. Earlier today, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz, as reported by Iranian state media Tasnim News Agency. The strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility were not at risk, according to Tasnim News Agency. Earlier on Thursday, 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. This strike comes in retaliation from Iran after Israel struck the Islamic Republic's South Pars Gas field on Wednesday. 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. 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. (ANI)
The Chinese Embassy in India on Saturday stated that Air China has resumed direct flight services between Beijing and Delhi, describing the development as a significant step beyond connectivity between the two nations. Reacting to the development, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing, in a post on X, said the move signals broader cooperation between the two countries, impacting trade, tourism and bilateral and multilateral ties. "Air China resuming direct flights between Beijing & Delhi = more than just travel! It's Trade, Tourism, Trust -- and a BIG green light for SCO & BRICS people-to-people cooperation!" the post read. Last year in October, direct flights between India and China were officially resumed after more than four years, marking a major step forward in restoring normal ties between the two neighbours as flights between the two countries were suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, one of the deadliest border confrontations in decades. Since then, diplomatic and economic relations between New Delhi and Beijing were tense. However, in October 2024, both sides reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), seen as a key step in easing tensions. The resumption of direct flights was also confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier in October 2025. The first flight took off from Kolkata to Guangzhou on October 26, 2025, while the Shanghai-New Delhi route began operations on November 9, with three flights every week. Indian carrier IndiGo had announced that it would be among the first airlines to restart services between the two countries following the COVID-19 suspension. In its October 2 press release, the airline said it would start daily, nonstop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26, 2025, using Airbus A320neo aircraft. (ANI)
India's former High Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma has expressed satisfaction over the remarks of RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme that no transnational repression is taking place linked to India and said he was "very glad to see the statement" and hoped that it augurs well for the future of relationship between the two countries. Sanjay Kumar Verma was recalled as Ambassador by India in October 2024 in the wake of a sharp deterioration in ties with Canada over former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations against India over the killing in 2023 of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Sanjay Verma told ANI in an interview that it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. India and Canada ties have seen a sharp upswing under the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visited India from February 27 to March 2. Days after Carney's India visit, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner said in an interview that they are not seeing any connection with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information. Sanjay Verma said his remarks as Ambassador at that time were unfortunately not accepted by the Trudeau government. "He (RCMP Commissioner) has kept it in two different buckets. One bucket is the Khalistan terrorist who was killed there. And another bucket is transnational repression and transnational crimes. So these are two buckets. So when you look at the first bucket, so their court case is already on. Charges have been filed against four Indian nationals. These four Indian nationals went to Canada as international students, got to know what happened in the society and they became whatever they have been alleged to have become, and their trial is on, Verma told ANI. "The second bucket is India's overall engagement in Canada, and when I was still serving in Ottawa, a lot of noise was there on India's role in transnational repression as well as transnational crimes in Canada. I always said it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Unfortunately, this was not accepted by the regime of that particular point of time. But I'm very glad to see the statement which came out... I hope that this augurs well with the future relationship of India and Canada," he added. India had in October 2024 strongly reacted to the diplomatic communication from Canada over 'person of interest' allegations against Verma and rejected them. "We have received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics," MEA statement had said. The statement said that since Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests. The strongly-worded statement said this leaves little doubt that, on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains. It accused Trudeau of hostility to India and said it has been "long been in evidence". It also accused the Trudeau government of pandering to the "anti-India separatist agenda" for its narrow political gains. The statement had said that aspersions cast on Sanjay Kumar Verma "are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt." RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said in interview with CTV, earlier this month that they are not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information. "Well, what I quoted in 2024 was based on the criminal investigation that we had at the time. The government official who made that quote, I'm not quite sure who briefed him. What I'm saying is that that particular file at that time, yes, I did say you had agents or proxies from the government. But what we're seeing right now in transnational repression...the dots don't always connect to a foreign entity. We work closely with law enforcement from across the country to make sure that it's a coordinated approach," he said. "But it's important for people to report it. If it's not reported, there's little we can do. And I can appreciate sometimes that people are fearful of reporting it. But what I encourage people, if they see something, say something. We're not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information, the investigation that we have presently. What we have in our holdings is we have people that are intimidating people, harassing people, but connecting the dots to a foreign entity. we don't have that," he added. India and Canada have worked consistently over the recent months to normalise and strengthen bilateral ties, culminating in Carney's visit to India. (ANI)
Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri on Saturday said India is likely to maximise oil purchases from Iran during the temporary sanctions waiver period while continuing to diversify its energy imports to safeguard long-term energy security. In an interview with ANI, Sikri said the recent lifting of sanctions appears temporary, given the evolving conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. "Well, I think it's good that, you know, we are again able to buy oil from Iran. I think the lifting of the sanctions seems to be very temporary because there's no idea how the conflict between Iran on one hand and the US-Israel on the other hand how it's developing," she said. She noted that the waiver period may last about 30 days, during which India could increase imports from Tehran. "So this may be very temporary, but at the moment, for 30 days, there's a temporary waiver. So certainly, because of India's long-standing relations with Iran, our good relations with Iran, we know that a very special exception has been made for India for the ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, and three more ships have also sailed. So now, just like that, we will also buy as much as we can get. We are buying Russian oil as well," Sikri said. According to her, India's energy strategy relies heavily on diversifying suppliers to maintain stability in supplies and prices. "In fact, I think the Government of India has done the right thing. In recent years, they have seriously diversified their sources of supply. Maybe earlier, when we were buying oil from maybe about 15 or 20 countries, now we've increased it. We've gone up to 25, 30, 35, 40 countries, even," she said. Sikri added that the diversification allows India to adapt to changing geopolitical conditions. "If it is available from Iran, fine, we will buy from Iran. If it is a problem with Iran, then we go and see the Russian oil tankers," she said. She also highlighted the safe passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy shipping routes. "Yes, certainly it's very good news that it has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz. First three ships had come, now two more, and we hope over the next few days some more will come because there are several Indian ships over there getting supplies from one or the other of the Gulf countries," she said. "It is very important that they pass through the Strait of Hormuz peacefully. So far it has gone well, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it will continue to be like that," she added. However, Sikri cautioned that the broader regional situation remains uncertain, pointing to reports of US naval developments in the region. "There is all this news coming in about these American aircraft carriers, USS Tripoli, USS Boxer, moving to the region, one is moving from Japan, the other is moving from San Diego in California. It will take time for them to reach, maybe it will take another 30 days or so, but in the meanwhile we have to stock up and see what is happening," she said. She added, "But I think the serious concern is the escalation, the potential for escalation of the conflict with the Gulf country, with the Gulf countries." (ANI)
More than 20 countries on Saturday have strongly condemned what they described as the "de facto closure" of the Strait of Hormuz, expressing readiness to take appropriate steps to ensure safe passage through the critical maritime route amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. In a joint statement issued by leaders of over 20 nations, including the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia, the countries denounced the recent attacks carried out by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, as well as strikes on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations. "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. The signatories expressed deep concern over the escalating situation and called on Iran to immediately cease threats, including the laying of mines and drone and missile attacks aimed at disrupting commercial shipping in the region. They also urged compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, emphasising that interference with international shipping and disruption of global energy supply chains pose a serious threat to international peace and security. "Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations," the statement read. "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," he added. Reaffirming that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law under frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the countries warned that the consequences of such actions would be felt globally, particularly by vulnerable populations. "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," the statement stated. They also welcomed the decision of the International Energy Agency (IEA) to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves, and said additional measures would be taken to stabilise energy markets, including working with producing nations to increase output. The IEA, last week, announced the largest-ever release of emergency oil stocks in its history, making 400 million barrels of oil available to global markets to mitigate disruptions caused in the global energy supply by the ongoing West Asia conflict. In a video statement, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol highlighted that the conflict has severely impacted global oil and gas markets, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, and the decision was taken "to offset the supply lost through the effective closure of the Strait." Further, the countries pledged support for nations most affected by the crisis through multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and international financial institutions. "Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security," the statement added. The development comes 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. 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)
Former High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, on Saturday welcomed the recent remarks by Canada police chief indicating no link between the Indian state and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, calling it a vindication of India's long-held position. In an interview with ANI, Verma said the latest statement by the Canadian National Police Chief clearly separates two aspects: the ongoing criminal case related to Nijjar's killing and broader allegations of transnational repression or foreign interference. "When I look at it, what he said - let's be very clear what he said first. He has kept it in two different buckets. One bucket is the Khalistani terrorist who was killed there. And another bucket is transnational repression and transnational crimes," Verma explained. The former envoy noted that the four accused individuals had reportedly entered Canada as students and that their trial is currently underway and emphasised that the legal process should take its course independently. The remarks come as the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has said that there is no threat to Canadians from any agent linked to India. In an interview with CTV, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said the dots do not connect to a foreign entity. "Well, what I quoted in 2024 was based on the criminal investigation that we had at the time. The government official who made that quote - I'm not quite sure who briefed him. What I'm saying is that for that particular file at that time, yes, I did say you had agents or proxies from the government. But what we're seeing right now in transnational repression, the dots don't always connect to a foreign entity," Duheme said. On the issue of the Bishnoi gang, which has been linked to extortion in cities like Surrey, Brampton and Calgary, Duheme noted the complexity of these cases and stressed that there are currently no confirmed links between the gang's criminal activities and the Government of India. On the broader issue of alleged foreign interference, Verma reiterated India's consistent stance, adding that earlier allegations lacked credible evidence. "When you look at the first bucket, so there a court case that's already on; charges have been filed against four Indian nationals. These four Indian nationals went to Canada as international students. God knows what happened in the society and they became whatever they have been alleged to have become. And their trial is on. Now the second bucket is India's overall engagement in Canada," Verma stated. The former envoy expressed satisfaction over the recent clarification by Canadian authorities. "And initially, if you recall when I was still serving in Ottawa, a lot of noise was there on India's role in transnational repression as well as transnational crimes in Canada, and I always said it is not India's policy to interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Unfortunately, this was not accepted by the regime of that particular point of time. But I'm very glad to see the statement which came out. And what he said was that right now he doesn't see any link with any foreign entity, which includes India," the former envoy said. "So personally, I'm very happy. Personally, I feel that what we all have been advocating for has seen the end of the tunnel. And I hope that this augurs well with the future relationship of India and Canada," he added. India and Canada encountered a diplomatic chill in 2023 when New Delhi expressed concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani extremist and separatist elements, with then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada the same year. Amid this diplomatic wrangle, Canada issued a diplomatic communication suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats were "persons of interest" in Nijjar's killing. India "strongly" rejected the claims and termed them "preposterous imputations" and part of the political agenda of the Trudeau government. Following this, Verma and five other diplomats were recalled by New Delhi. Verma, during the interview, described these earlier accusations against India as politically motivated. "We always said that this is politically motivated; we always said that this is vote-bank politics; we always said that there is no--there is no evidence available to say so. And we are glad that this is coming true and finally they will see India for what it is, a deep civilization and India, which doesn't interfere with any other country's internal affairs," he said. He also expressed hope that the new development would help improve bilateral ties between India and Canada. "I hope this augurs well for the future relationship between the two countries," he added. Both nations have worked consistently to normalise ties, culminating in Mark Carney's visit to India. (ANI)
Russia on Saturday strongly condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, calling the attacks a "brazen violation of international law" and warning of serious consequences amid the escalating tensions in West Asia. In an official statement released on Telegram, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticised the continued targeting of Iranian infrastructure, including sensitive nuclear sites. "The US-Israeli tandem continues to launch massive strikes against Iranian military, civilian, and--most dangerously--nuclear facilities, showing no regard for civilian casualties or for potential radiological and environmental consequences," the statement read. Zakharova noted that despite earlier claims made by US President Donald Trump about the destruction of Iran's nuclear programme, which also included targeting the Natanz nuclear facility, back in June 2025, which now operates under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was again targeted earlier today. She termed the attack a serious breach of global norms and legal frameworks. "Despite well-known claims regarding the 'complete destruction' of the Iranian nuclear program as a result of US airstrikes as early as last June, on the morning of March 21, the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran--which is under IAEA safeguards--was once again subjected to an attack," the statement read. "This constitutes a brazen violation of international law, the Charters of the UN and the IAEA, and relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the Agency's General Conference," it added. Calling for an immediate response from international bodies, Zakharova urged the global community to take a firm and impartial stand. "The international community, including the leadership of the UN and the IAEA, is duty-bound to immediately provide an objective and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions, which generate real risks of a catastrophe on a Middle East-wide scale and are blatantly aimed at further undermining peace, stability, and security in the region," it read. Earlier today, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz, as reported by Iranian state media. The strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility were not at risk. Following the attack, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Iran has informed the agency that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked, adding that no increase in radiation levels outside the site has been reported so far. In a post on X, the United Nations nuclear watchdog stated, "The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report." The post further stated that the IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has reiterated the need for restraint amid rising tensions, warning of the risks associated with military actions near nuclear sites. "IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident," the post added. The development comes against 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. 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, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, today said that military strikes against Iran are set to intensify in the coming week, signalling a further escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Times of Israel, the defence minister made these remarks during a meeting with top officers at the Israeli military's underground command centre at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. He stated that the strikes that will take place will be jointly conducted by the IDF and the US military. "This week, the intensity of the strikes that the IDF and the US military will carry out against the Iranian terror regime and the infrastructure it relies on will significantly escalate," he said, as quoted by Times of Israel. Katz added that Israel remains committed to continuing its offensive operations against Iran and weakening the Islamic Regime's military and strategic capabilities. "Israel is determined to continue leading the offensive against the Iranian terror regime, to decapitate its commanders and thwart its strategic capabilities, until every security threat to the State of Israel and to US interests in the region is removed," he stated. He further stressed the strength and resolve of both the military and civilians amid the ongoing situation, stating that the war with Iran will continue until their "objectives are achieved." (ANI)
A fresh controversy has erupted in Pakistan's Balochistan province after authorities in Quetta presented a previously missing woman as a suspected suicide bomber, raising serious questions over the state's conduct and transparency. According to The Balochistan Post, the woman, identified as Farzana Baloch, also known as Farzana Zehri, was produced during a press conference by provincial officials, who alleged links to militant networks. However, the development has once again spotlighted Pakistan's widely criticised record on enforced disappearances. As reported by The Balochistan Post, officials claimed that Farzana Zehri, daughter of Mohammad Bakhsh Zehri, had been detained in a recent operation and was allegedly in contact with a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander. Authorities further alleged that she was being prepared for a suicide attack and was expected to undergo training after a meeting with Dr Sabiha Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). These claims, however, remain unsubstantiated in the absence of publicly disclosed evidence. The case has drawn sharp criticism due to Farzana Zehri's prior status as a missing person. According to The Balochistan Post, she had reportedly been missing since December 1, 2025, when family members alleged that Pakistani security forces detained her while she was returning from a hospital in Khuzdar. Her disappearance had been highlighted by rights groups as part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances in Pakistan's restive Balochistan region. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, during the press briefing, accused militant groups of exploiting women for attacks and alleged that Zehri had been directed by individuals linked to the BYC. However, Baloch political activists and human rights organisations have strongly rejected these assertions, describing them as part of a systematic attempt by the Pakistani state to criminalise dissent. Dr Sabiha Baloch dismissed the allegations, terming the press conference a "media trial" and reiterating that Zehri had been forcibly disappeared. She maintained that enforced disappearances are being used as a coercive tool by Pakistani authorities. Similarly, Dr. Naseem Baloch, chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), condemned the incident as a violation of human rights, alleging that detainees are often pressured into making statements. (ANI)
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 Tibetan Government in Exile on Saturday strongly condemned China's newly passed Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, saying it will further intensify repression in Tibet and other regions. The law, signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 12, calls for ethnic unity and will come into effect on July 1, 2026. It is widely seen as a legal mechanism to assimilate China's 55 officially recognised ethnic minorities into the dominant Han Chinese population, raising concerns over potential human rights violations. The leaders described the move as a longstanding repression that accelerates the erasure of Tibetan, Uyghur, and other minority cultures. Dorjee Tseten, a member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, told ANI that "The so-called China Ethnic Unity Law is effectively legalising the genocide of Tibetan people and other regional communities." Tseten said the law, already informally enforced in parts of China, is now being codified into formal legislation and represents "China's colonial objective of eradicating Tibetan values, rights, language, and culture." "We strongly condemn this Act," Tseten added, warning that it could criminalise people for practising their language and culture -- "a basic human right." Thubten Wangchen, another MP in exile, echoed these concerns, asserting that Beijing's wider objective is to "Sinicise Tibet, Uyghurs, Xinjiang, and other regions", enforcing a doctrine he paraphrased as "one country, one language, one nationality". "This is extremely dangerous," Wangchen said, urging the international community to "work together to prevent the success of this project." Tenzin Lekshay, spokesperson for the Tibetan Government in Exile, criticised China's narrative of stability under the law, saying it masks "a new mechanism to control people who are already oppressed and have a dissenting voice." Instead, he said, "this ethnic law is not about unity but about uniformity -- creating a homogeneous China under Chinese characteristics." He argued that true stability would come from granting freedoms, not legal restrictions. The Tibetan leadership in exile has called on the international community to closely monitor the implementation of the law and raise concerns over its potential impact on human rights and cultural freedoms. (ANI)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday called for a more proactive and independent role of BRICS in addressing the ongoing conflict in West Asia during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the discussion, Pezeshkian emphasised the need for BRICS to contribute towards halting ongoing hostilities and ensuring regional and global stability, referring to New Delhi's chairmanship for this year and urged member nations to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions. Iran is the part of BRICS. "Referring to India's rotating presidency of BRICS, Pezeshkian called for the group to play an independent role in halting aggressions against Iran and in safeguarding regional and international peace and stability," the statement from the Iranian Embassy in India read. The Iranian President briefed Prime Minister Modi on the current situation in the region, including recent military developments, and reiterated Iran's position on the conflict. He underscored the importance of ending hostilities and preventing further escalation. Pezeshkian also highlighted the need for a regional security framework led by countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability without external interference. "President also proposed the establishment of a regional security framework composed of countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region through regional cooperation without foreign interference. He further underscored that a prerequisite for ending the war and conflict in the region is the immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future," the statement read. Pezeshkian further outlined what he described as aggression, unlawful attacks, and crimes committed by the United States and Israel, asserting that Iran did not initiate the conflict and stating that military strikes were launched against Iran during ongoing nuclear negotiations without "justification, logic, or legal basis", leading to the deaths of senior leadership, military commanders, and civilians, including schoolchildren, as well as damage to public infrastructure. "President Pezeshkian further stated that the US targeted the school in Minab from bases located in neighboring countries hosting US military installations, leading to the tragic martyrdom of 168 innocent schoolchildren," the statement read. Rejecting claims by the US President that the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian said that Iran's leadership had consistently opposed such weapons and noted that in multiple meetings attended by the Supreme Leader, firm administrative and religious directives had been issued prohibiting any move toward nuclear weapons development. He also dismissed US allegations portraying Iran as a source of regional instability, asserting instead that Israel has carried out attacks and assassinations across countries, including Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Iraq and Qatar, under the pretext of maintaining security, while in reality fuelling unrest. Meawhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the Iranian President on the occasion of Eid and Nowruz, while also expressing concerns over recent developments affecting regional stability amid the ongoing conflict. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he conveyed his wishes for peace, stability and prosperity in West Asia during the festive season as the conflict escalates, with the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. "Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia," the post read. The Prime Minister also strongly condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions pose a serious threat to regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, particularly commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating India's stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that the shipping routes remain open and secure amid the tensions. "Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure," the PM wrote in his post. He further appreciated Iran's continued support in ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals residing in the country. The conversation comes against 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. 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. Earlier today, the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran's key uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz. The strike targeted the Natanz Nuclear Facility, one of Iran's most significant nuclear sites; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack, and residents living near the facility were not at risk. (ANI)
Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, P Kumaran on Saturday visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Museum in Siem Reap, highlighting the shared cultural heritage of the Mekong-Ganga region. According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, Kumaran visited the museum during his trip to Cambodia. In a post on X, he said, "Secretary (East) Shri P. Kumaran visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The first museum of its kind in the country, it showcases rich textile traditions from the Mekong-Ganga region, highlighting shared cultural heritage." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2035379847673913678 According to the X post, the museum in Siem Reap displays traditional textiles and cultural artefacts from countries connected through the Mekong-Ganga cooperation framework, underscoring the longstanding cultural and civilizational ties between India and Southeast Asia. Earlier on March 11, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran on Wednesday bid farewell to Indonesia's Ambassador, Ina Krisnamurthi, at a dinner attended by ASEAN country heads. Kumaran thanked Krisnamurthi for strengthening India-Indonesia ties and wished her success. In a post on X, MEA said, "Secretary (East) Shri P Kumaran hosted a dinner to bid farewell to Indonesia's Ambassador, Ms Ina Krisnamurthi, with the Heads of Mission of ASEAN countries in attendance. Secretary (East) thanked Ambassador Krisnamurthi for her valuable contributions towards further strengthening India-Indonesia bilateral ties and wished her success in her future endeavours." In February, P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, undertook an official visit to the Republic of Korea on February 12-13 to co-chair the 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) alongside his counterpart, Park Yoon-joo, First Vice Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK, according to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During the deliberations, both sides agreed to take forward the 'India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership' in 2026 through regular high-level engagements, including the visit of the ROK's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT to India for the AI Impact Summit, Foreign Ministers-led Joint Commission Meeting and several other ministerial and senior official-level dialogues. In a post on X, India in ROK said, "P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), called on Cho Hyun, Foreign Minister of the ROK, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership. The discussions focused on exploring the avenues for enhanced cooperation in shipbuilding and the maritime sector, AI, as well as cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties." (ANI)
Foreign Ministers of G7 countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union on Saturday (local time) collectively condemned the attacks by Iran on its neighbours. "We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies," the statement read. The statement said that the condemnation was in line with UNSC Resolution 2817. "We condemn in the strongest terms the regime's reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Iraq, in line with UNSC Resolution 2817. The Iranian regime's unjustifiable attacks against these states also threaten regional and global security. We call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of all attacks by the Iranian regime," the statement added. "We reaffirm the importance of safeguarding maritime routes and safety of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and all associated critical waterways, as well as the safety and security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets. We stand ready to take necessary measures to support the global supply of energy, such as the stockpile release decided by International Energy Agency members on March 11," the statement added. "The G7 has repeatedly stated that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and that it must halt its ballistic missile program, end its destabilising activities in the region and around the globe, and cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people," it further said. The statement upheld the right of those countries attacked by Iran to defend themselves. "We support the right of the countries unjustifiably attacked by Iran or by Iranian proxies to defend their territories and protect their citizens. We reaffirm our unwavering support for their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," the statement said. "We condemn the brazen attacks in Iraq by Iran and its militias against diplomatic facilities and energy infrastructure, particularly in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and against U.S. and Counter ISIS Coalition forces, and the Iraqi people," it added. The statement comes as the Israeli Defense Forces said earlier in the day that Paris, Berlin and Rome could be Iran's next targets after it attacked US and UK bases, which are over 4,000km away. (ANI)
TOKYO, Mar 20 (News On Japan) - Japan and the United States advanced economic discussions during their latest summit, agreeing on a new round of large-scale investment exceeding 11 trillion yen, though questions remain over whether the deal will ultimately serve Japans national interests.

The agreement represents the second phase of a broader plan in which Japan is expected to invest up to 80 trillion yen in the United States, with the latest tranche totaling as much as 11.5 trillion yen. The investments will focus on building small modular nuclear reactors, constructing new gas-fired power plants, cooperating on the development of rare earth and other mineral resources, and expanding the production of US-based energy.

While the initiative may help Japan diversify its energy sources away from heavy reliance on the Middle East, concerns have emerged over whether such large-scale overseas investments will generate sufficient returns domestically.

Following the summit, a dinner event attended by prominent figures including SoftBank Group Chairman Masayoshi Son and Google CEO Sundar Pichai reflected a celebratory atmosphere, with Prime Minister Takaichi declaring, "Japan is back! Japan will once again lead global innovation." Music from X JAPAN, a band long favored by Takaichi, played during the event, underscoring the cordial tone of the gathering.

The warm reception from the US side is widely seen as tied to Japans commitment to major financial contributions. A key highlight of the investment package is the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs), which are significantly more compact than conventional nuclear power plants and require only about one-twentieth of the land area.

The push for nuclear expansion in the United States has accelerated amid growing demand for electricity driven by AI data centers. Japans role in financing these projects places it at the center of a rapidly evolving energy strategy. The construction initiative will be led by a joint venture between Hitachi and a US company.

Yajima Koji of the NLI Research Institute described the project as a rare opportunity for Japanese firms, noting that such large-scale investments are uncommon domestically and could provide strong earnings potential for participating companies.

However, Yajima cautioned that the benefits may not flow back to Japan. He suggested that companies are increasingly likely to retain profits earned in US dollars and reinvest them within the US, reducing the likelihood of those funds being repatriated. As a result, he warned that the degree of economic return to Japan could decline.

The investment aligns with the Trump administrations "America First" policy, effectively positioning Japan as a financial partner supporting US growth. How much this strategy contributes to Japans own national interest remains an open question.

The structure of the joint projects highlights a clear division of roles, with Japan providing capital while the United States supplies land, infrastructure, energy resources, and regulatory support.

Nakabayashi Mieko, a professor at Waseda University, pointed out that a broad agreement to invest approximately 550 billion dollars, or around 87 trillion yen, had already been reached in 2025, with the latest announcement representing its second phase. She emphasized that detailed discussions on the projects have not been conducted publicly.

Nakabayashi also raised concerns about profitability and accountability, warning that similar public-private investment schemes in the past have sometimes resulted in inefficient allocation of funds. If public money is involved, she stressed, there must be clear explanations regarding returns and efficiency.

At present, key details such as expected profitability and long-term economic impact remain unclear, leaving unresolved questions over whether the massive investment will ultimately benefit Japan.

Source: TBS
The first lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska in seven years became the most successful auction in the area ever, as oil majors bid on hundreds of tracts, signaling they havent given up on Alaskas petroleum resources despite development and court challenges.

This weeks oil and gas lease sale for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, one of five mandated in the next decade under the Trump Administrations One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), drew a record high of $163.7 million in high bids and resulted in 187 leases in total, awarded to companies including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and a consortium of Repsol and Shell subsidiaries.

The lease sale set a record for Alaska with the most revenue generated ever, the most tracts receiving bids, and the second most acreage sold in a single sale, the Bureau of Land Management said.

The BLM offered 625 tracts across about 5.5 million acres for bid in the sale, revived at the end of last year by the Trump Administration. No lease sales were held in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska under President Biden.

In the first sale since 2019, a total of 11 companies submitted bids on 187 tracts covering 1,334,967 acres.

The Trump Administration, the state of Alaska, and the local oil and gas association welcomed the results of the record-setting lease sale as a vote of confidence for Alaskas role in American energy dominance, while environmentalists vowed to challenge any oil and gas drilling in court, the way they are already doing for the lease program itself.

Related: The Three Companies Rebuilding Americas Rare-Earth Arsenal

Todays lease sale underscores the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaskas vital role in strengthening Americas energy security while fueling economic growth across Alaska, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said.

Alaskas Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy noted that the lease sale reinforces Alaskas role as a reliable energy producer, supports high-paying jobs for our families, provides additional revenue to the state, and strengthens American energy security at a time when energy security is more important than ever.

The Alaska Oil and Gas Association and other business organizations in the state said that the strong participation and unprecedented results underscore renewed investor confidence in Alaskas North Slope and the states long-term resource potential.

The Trump administration deserves credit for helping restore access and certainty in the petroleum reserve, allowing industry to step forward with meaningful commitments, said Steve Wackowski, president and CEO of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association.

That confidence is critical to advancing responsible development of Alaskas vast resources, supporting jobs, sustaining the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and strengthening U.S. national security in an increasingly uncertain world.

The National Petroleum Reserve already hosts one massive oil development the $9-billion Willow project by ConocoPhillips, which was approved by the Biden Administration in 2023, and is expected to start producing oil in 2029. Peak production is designed to be about 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude.

Going forward, the development of any additional resources in Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve would not be a fast and easy task. The conditions are harsher than in other areas, while environmentalists have vowed to fight both the latest lease sale and any future oil and gas drilling and development plans.

Related: The Invisible Metals Powering a Trillion-Dollar Economy

Two groups represented by Earthjustice, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the Earth, restarted litigation last month challenging the lease sales and the underlying management plan, which opens 18.5 million acres within the 23-million-acre Reserve to potential oil and gas drilling and infrastructure.? Three other lawsuits also challenge the lease sale or decisions related to it.

The results of this sale will spell disaster for the surrounding area, said Hallie Templeton, Legal Director at Friends of the Earth U.S.?

We will continue to see the Trump administration in court over its blatant disregard of federal law and complete failure to protect this vulnerable and rapidly shrinking area of our planet.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The Louisiana Legislature's 2026 regular session opened March 9 with the Southern University System  the nation's only system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities  sitting at the intersection of nearly every major challenge facing American higher education simultaneously: chronic underfunding, declining revenue, a governance vacancy, federal DEI scrutiny, hazing legislation born from student deaths, and a broader statewide debate about whether Louisiana simply has too many universities to sustain.

How the legislature responds to what the Southern University System is asking for this session will say something significant about Louisiana's commitment to the institutions it created to educate Black citizens  and about whether a century-old funding gap can finally begin to close.

The Budget Reality: A $33 Million Decrease

Under Governor Jeff Landry's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27, the Southern University System would see an overall budget decrease of approximately $33 million compared to the current year  driven primarily by decreased tuition and fee revenue as well as a small dip in state appropriations. This stands in stark contrast to the LSU System, which would see a budget increase of about $46 million driven by record enrollments and self-generated revenue, and the University of Louisiana System, which would see a $14 million increase.

The disparity is not new, but it is sharpening. Southern's appropriated funds for fiscal year 2025-26 were already $191.9 million  a figure that is $22.9 million less than what had been appropriated the prior year, according to the system's own budget narrative.

Meanwhile, the Louisiana Board of Regents has told the legislature that the state's current higher education budget is $869 million short of what it considers full funding  and has requested $119 million in additional state general fund money for fiscal year 2026-27. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed called the circumstances a "perfect storm" for many schools and warned that if the legislature does not award the requested funds, some universities may have to severely curb their offerings. "It will be extremely tight," she said.

The $1 Billion Land-Grant Disparity

Beneath the immediate budget numbers lies a structural inequity that has persisted for over a century. The Biden administration's 2023 joint letter from the secretaries of education and agriculture found that Louisiana had funded Southern University more than $1 billion less than LSU over three decades  with states legally required to match federal land-grant funds dollar for dollar but routinely failing to do so for their 1890 institutions.

The Southern University System is the 1890 land-grant institution for Louisiana. LSU is the 1862 land-grant institution. Both are supposed to receive equivalent state matching support for federally funded agricultural research and extension programs. The gap between what they have actually received  more than $1 billion over 30 years  represents one of the most well-documented examples of racial inequity in public higher education funding in the American South.

Trump's executive order on HBCUs, signed last spring, committed to "encouraging states to provide the required state matching funds for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions." The recently signed USDA Memorandum of Understanding with the Council of 1890 University Presidents similarly emphasized closing state matching fund gaps as a priority. Whether that federal encouragement translates into legislative action in Baton Rouge this session is an open question.

Hazing Legislation and a Posthumous Degree

Among the most emotionally charged issues before the 2026 legislature is a package of anti-hazing bills born directly from student deaths within the Southern University System.

The Southern University System Board recently voted to confer posthumous degrees on two students who died last year  one of whom was Caleb Wilson, whose death catalyzed Louisiana lawmakers to take action. A task force named in Wilson's honor has recommended several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, including requiring annual anti-hazing training for all students and student organization advisers  including "external advisers" such as those working with Greek organizations who are not university employees  and adopting amnesty policies that would allow students to report hazing without fear of repercussions for other rule violations.

Last year, lawmakers passed Act 174 doubling the required hazing prevention training from one to two hours. The 2026 proposals go further, addressing the external adviser gap and the chilling effect that fear of punishment has historically had on hazing reporting.

The Southern University System, which has one of the most storied Greek life traditions in HBCU culture, faces the delicate task of supporting legislation that will reform the very organizations that give its campuses much of their identity  while honoring the students whose deaths made that reform unavoidable.

The DEI Investigation

The Southern University System is also navigating a federal DEI investigation that has broader implications for all of Louisiana's public universities.

Governor Landry formally requested in February that the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights expand its existing inquiry into the Louisiana Board of Regents' 2019 strategic plan  which included an objective to increase the number of Black and Hispanic students receiving degrees  to cover every public higher education institution in Louisiana.

The Southern University System, made up entirely of HBCUs, has received particular legislative attention for its low graduation rates and is a named focus of the Board of Regents' student attainment goals. The irony of a federal civil rights investigation targeting programs designed to improve educational outcomes for Black students  at institutions that were themselves created because Black students were excluded from white universities  has not been lost on higher education advocates.

"The plan does not contain any prohibited DEI preferences, but instead reflects the Regents' goal to improve the educational attainment levels of ALL Louisiana citizens," the Board of Regents' staff wrote in response to legislative questions.

The Presidential Vacancy and HBCU Day at the Capitol

The Southern University System is also conducting a presidential search after its previous leader departed. The Board of Supervisors named a presidential search committee in January and the search is ongoing  a leadership vacuum that complicates the system's ability to advocate forcefully for itself during a critical legislative session.

On March 17, the Louisiana Senate adopted SR 21, formally recognizing the day as HBCU Day at the Capitol  a symbolic gesture that took place as Southern University students, faculty, alumni, and staff made their annual appearance at the Statehouse to press for the system's legislative priorities.

The Broader Question Louisiana Must Answer

The Southern University System's challenges in the 2026 session are, at their root, a single question that Louisiana has avoided answering for more than a century: does the state believe that the institutions it created to educate Black Louisianans deserve the same investment as the institutions it created for everyone else?

As LSU System President Wade Rousse acknowledged publicly in February, looking at the per-pupil metrics across Louisiana's university landscape, "It's hard to understand how it all works and how it's sustainable." That sustainability question applies across all Louisiana's systems  but it falls hardest on the system with the oldest funding deficit, the most political vulnerability, and the deepest institutional roots in the story of Black education in the American South.

The legislature's response to what Southern is asking for this session will be one measure of whether that question is finally getting a serious answer.


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

Oregon Independent journalist Andy Ngo reports that the former principal for Rainier Junior/Senior High School has been sentenced to five years in prison for possession of illegal images of exploited minors. Read below and then follow Andy Ngo here and donate here.

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A former Oregon school principal who mocked Charlie Kirks assassination has been sentenced to prison after admitting to engaging in child sx crimes. Jeremy P. Williams tried blaming trauma from his Christian upbringing. Read: https://t.co/dvlkvpbFJt  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) March 18, 2026
Authorities tour Cancuns Nichupte Bridge as it undergoes load testing

Cancun, Q.R.  Authorities touring Cancuns Nichupte Bridge say it is in its final stages. The SICT says it is in its load testing phase and should be operational in mid-April.

President Claudia Sheinbaum toured the bridge with and Governor Mara Lezama Friday. They were accompanied by Jesus Antonio Esteva Medina who heads the states SICT (Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation).

The group conducted a supervisory visit of the Nichupte Bridge,verifiying final progress. During the tour, Esteva Medina reported that the project is showing considerable progress and is in the load testing phase, a key process to guarantee structural safety.

The group toured the bridge Friday. President Claudia Sheinbaum (front center right) walked with Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama (center left). March 20, 2026.

He explained that these tests involve placing loads of up to 150 tons on different sections of the bridge to measure its behavior. Through topographic leveling and the use of accelerographs, both the deformation and the structures recovery capacity are evaluated.

Of the four spans that have been tested, all have passed. A deformation of up to 4 centimeters was expected, but only 1 centimeter was recorded with full recovery which confirms that the structure is within the expected elastic range, he explained.

He also indicated that testing will continue in the coming weeks, including the evaluation of the metal structure, with the goal of concluding this process by mid-April.

If current conditions persist, the bridge could be reopened to traffic toward the end of that month.

The project, considered the longest built over a body of water in Mexico, will have a total length of 11 kilometers, of which more than 9 kilometers cross the lagoon area of the Nichupte system.

He also explained that work will begin in April on the interchange with Kukulcan Boulevard, which will have two lanes in each direction and will be essential for the operation of the bridge.

That interchange is estimated to handle around 12,000 vehicles daily and is expected to be completed in December.

With the opening of the Nichupte bridge, travel time between Luis Donaldo Colosio Boulevard and the hotel zone will be significantly reduced, going from up to an hour and a half to approximately 10 minutes in the connection between Colosio Boulevard and Kukulcan Boulevard.
Government investigating after another Mexican national dies in ICE custody

Mexico City, Mexico  The Government of Mexico says all diplomatic and legal means will be used to investigate a death. The Government said Thursday that a Mexican national died while in ICE custody.

It is reported that a Mexican national has tragically died while detained at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

This county-run facility operates under an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the custody of individuals detained for immigration-related offenses.

The Government of Mexico reiterates its unacceptable stance on these deaths and again demands a prompt and thorough investigation by immigration authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding this death, determine responsibility and establish effective guarantees of non-repetition.

The Consulate General of Mexico in Miami activated the corresponding consular protocol, visited the detention center in question, and will continue to take the necessary steps to provide consular assistance and support to the families.

Through this representation, the reports and documentation required for a full clarification of the facts have been formally requested. U.S. authorities have indicated that the case is currently under investigation.

The appropriate diplomatic efforts will be undertaken to actively urge the U.S. federal government to address the conditions that facilitate these types of regrettable events. All possible legal avenues will be used to ensure support for the families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its commitment to ensuring the protection and dignity of Mexican citizens in the United States and will not hesitate to use all available legal and diplomatic resources to defend the rights of its community abroad.

On March 18, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement reported on the death of 19 year old Royer Perez-Jimenez.

Royer Perez-Jimenez 19, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico who was arrested and charged with misdemeanor fraud for impersonation and resisting an officer, passed away March 16 at the Glades County Detention Center in Moore Haven. He was pronounced deceased at 2:51 a.m.

At approximately 2:34 a.m., a Glades County detention officer on duty found Perez unconscious and unresponsive. They immediately called a medical emergency in the dormitory and staff started cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Two medical personnel responded a couple of minutes later, determined Perez to be without a pulse, and took over CPR. They requested emergency medical services. At approximately 2:42 a.m., Moore Haven Fire Rescue EMS arrived at the Glades County Detention Center and initiated life-sustaining interventions on Perez.

He died of a presumed suicide; however, the official cause of his death remains under investigation.

On Jan. 21, Perez was arrested by the Edgewater Police Department, taken to the Volusia County Jail, and charged with fraud for impersonation and misdemeanor resisting an officer. ICE placed an immigration detainer on him Jan. 22, and he was transferred into ICE custody on Feb. 21.

He was subsequently moved to Glades County Detention Center on Feb. 26. At intake, Perez was evaluated by medical staff. He denied any behavioral health issues or concerns and answered no to all suicide screening questions.

Perez initially entered the United States Feb. 19, 2022. He was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol and granted a voluntary return to Mexico on the same day. On an unknown date, he illegally reentered the United States, a federal felony.

Consistent with ICE policy, ERO notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center.

ERO has notified the Mexico consulate in accordance with international and domestic laws and notified his next of kin or other designated contact.

He is the second Mexican national to die in U.S. ICE custody this year. In February, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported 48 year old Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes died at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville.
Police take person of interest into custody from scene of Riviera Maya vehicle attack

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  UPDATED: One person of interest was taken into custody Friday after a police unit was fired upon. The incident happened around 2:30 on the federal highway near Xpu-Ha.

According to available information, the attackers were on a motorcycle when they targeted a Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) vehicle with gunfire. It is not clear if the police vehicle was hit.

Police and military implement a search for the motorcycle that shot at a SSC unit Friday afternoon. March 20, 2026.

Officers inside the shot-at vehicle reported being fired upon by gunmen on a motorcycle. A large-scale land and air search involving police and military was implemented in the area.

There are reports of one male person of interest in custody and the seizure of his motorcycle. Authorities have not commented on who the man is or if he was the person firing the shots.

Early information says the officer inside the vehicle was a commander assigned to Puerto Aventuras.

The motive for the attack remains unknown. There were no reports of injuries in Friday afternoon shooting.

UPDATE: An update from the SSC: The Playa del Carmen Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) informs the public that, as part of operational actions carried out in the vicinity of Puerto Aventuras, Municipal Police officers conducted an intervention resulting in the arrest of an individual allegedly involved in the events.

During the police operation in the area, gunshots were heard, a situation that was handled according to established protocols. It is reported that no police officers were injured.

Furthermore, it is confirmed that no Municipal Police vehicles sustained damage from gunfire. The arrested individual was turned over to the Quintana Roo State Attorney Generals Office, which will conduct the corresponding investigations to clarify the facts.

The Secretariat of Citizen Security reiterates its commitment to acting promptly and in accordance with the law to preserve the safety and tranquility of the public.
Quintana Roo included in seven-state wide search for illegal wildlife trafficking

Lazaro Cardenas, Q.R.  The municipality of Lazaro Cardenas in Quintana Roo was part of a recent inspection set up in seven states. Federal inspectors from Profepa set up inspection points in search of illegal wildlife trafficking.

The municipality of Lazaro Cardenas is in the north of Quintana Roo, bordering with Cancun. During their four day inspection, environmental inspectors did not find any illegal wildlife trafficking in that municipality.

The Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection (Profepa) conducted an operation to prevent and combat the illegal trafficking of species. The checkpoints included the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche, Veracruz and Tabasco.

As a result, 138 wildlife specimens were seized including songbirds, ornamental birds, psittacines, reptiles, arachnids and mammals.

The operation took place from March 11 to 15 and included actions such as setting up checkpoints and conducting highway patrols. These resulted in the inspection of more than 300 vehicles, boats and public transportation units at strategic locations.

In Quintana Roo, Veracruz, and Tabasco, no irregularities were detected during these operations, reinforcing the deterrent effect of these actions.

In terms of prevention, operations were carried out in priority areas for poaching, particularly in Yucatan. Patrols were conducted in Protected Natural Areas in Chiapas, including surveillance by land and river.

Furthermore, in Oaxaca and Chiapas, actions stemming from citizen complaints led to the identification of irregularities, the seizure of specimens, and the initiation of corresponding administrative proceedings.

Additionally, a spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) was received, given medical evaluation, and reintegrated into its habitat, as well as the transfer of four red macaws to a Wildlife Conservation Management Unit (UMA) for their protection and monitoring.

The activities were carried out with the support of various security agencies: 45 inspectors from Profepa and 150 security personnel from the National Guard, Sedena, Navy, state police, and local authorities participated. At least 234 kilometers were covered in operations and patrols.

The featured stocks by state are:

Campeche: Three reports related to the possession of wildlife specimens were addressed, resulting in the seizure of a coati (Nasua narica). Compliance with the Non-Extractive Management Plan was verified at a turtle camp, with no irregularities detected.

Chiapas: Five checkpoints were set up in the municipalities of Acapetahua, Mazatan, Marques de Comillas, and Benemerito de las Americas; surveillance patrols were conducted in areas surrounding the La Encrucijada and Montes Azules Biosphere Reserves.

A spider monkey was voluntarily surrendered, received medical evaluation and was released back into its habitat. Four scarlet macaws were also transferred to a Wildlife Management Unit (UMA).

A spider monkey was voluntarily surrendered and released into the wild. March 2026.

Oaxaca: At the Margarita Maza de Juarez Wholesale Market, authorities seized 20 bottles of mezcal containing wildlife and 34 specimens, including tarantulas, scorpions, a scorpion snake, and a coral snake.

A report was filed for failure to prove their legal origin. In the La Soledad neighborhood of the town of Zaachila, a crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) was rescued and taken to a Wildlife Management Unit (UMA) for evaluation, safekeeping, and subsequent release back into its natural habitat.

Quintana Roo: Checkpoints were set up at the State Committee for Livestock Development and Protection tollbooth in the municipality of Lazaro Cardenas. Highway operations were carried out to inspect vehicles and verify that no specimens of wild flora and fauna were being transported. A total of 140 vehicles were inspected with no irregularities detected.

Veracruz and Tabasco: To combat the illegal trafficking of psittacines, highway operations were carried out at two toll booths and in areas where sales are suspected. No vendors were observed.

Additionally, awareness campaigns were conducted with neighboring local governments to strengthen the prevention and eradication of the illegal capture of these birds in the region.

Yucatan: Nine inspection visits were conducted in response to citizen complaints in the municipality of Merida and its surrounding areas. As a result, 103 specimens of wildlife were seized due to their possession and sale without authorization from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) or documentation proving their legal origin.

The specimens included psittacines, a white-tailed deer, a sea turtle, a collared peccary, reptiles, and others. Additionally, two surveillance patrols were carried out in different municipalities with a high incidence of poaching and bird capture, without detecting any irregularities.

Illegal wildlife trafficking is a crime that damages our ecosystems and biodiversity, and we will combat it relentlessly throughout the country, in coordination with federal and state security institutions. With these operations, we want to make it very clear that the law is enforced and that wildlife is protected, not traded or illegally extracted.

Defending biodiversity is also defending the balance of our ecosystems and the future of our communities, stated Mariana Boy Tamborrell, Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection.
Three sentenced to 22 years for extorting their Cancun boss

Cancun, Q.R.  Three people have each been sentenced to 22 years for extorting a Cancun business. All three were hired on as construction workers who sold drugs to other on-site workers and extorted their boss.

Police say Salatiel Alvarez Garcia, Blanca Estela Hernandez Martinez and Gabriel Alexander Garciliano Jimenez were found guilty of extortion. All three were found guilty of extorting the two people who hired them as construction workers.

The events for which they were sentenced occurred in January 2023 when Salatiel Alvarez Garcia was hired by the victims as an employee at a construction site located in Supermanzana 5.

Later, the subject brought Blanca Estela Hernandez Martinez and Gabriel Alexander Garciliano Jimenez to join the construction site and sell drugs to the workers, police reported.

Days later, the now-convicted individuals entered the victims office and, threatening them with a firearm, forced them to pay 3,000 pesos as protection money, as well as to add Blanca Estela Hernandez Martinez and Gabriel Alexander Garciliano Jimenez to the company payroll.

Police said that on at least two occasions, the victims handed over the amount demanded by the assailants.

A complaint was filed and all three were arrested in February of 2023. On Friday, a Cancun judge handed down a sentence of 22 years in prison for each of them for the crime of extortion, in addition to imposing on each of them a fine of 155,610 pesos.
The University of North Texas announced Thursday it is cutting or consolidating more than 70 academic programs, minors and certificates to address a projected $45 million budget deficit  the first concrete indication of how the Denton-based university plans to close a shortfall its president has described as "structural," meaning the underlying causes are not going away on their own.

In a message to faculty and staff on March 19, UNT President Harrison Keller and Provost Michael McPherson outlined the most sweeping academic restructuring in the university's recent history. The most significant change: the Department of Linguistics will be merged with the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, with all linguistics degree programs phased out entirely. Also being eliminated: a bachelor's degree in Latino and Latin American Studies, a master's program in Women's and Gender Studies, and a master's program in Media Industry and Critical Studies. Among the 25 undergraduate minors being cut are LGBTQ Studies, Mexican American Studies, Africana Studies, Asian Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, and language minors in Arabic, Italian and Latin.

New students will not be able to enroll in affected programs. Students already enrolled will be able to complete their degrees as planned.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

UNT's $45 million deficit is larger than the $31.2 million deficit budget that was originally approved for FY 2026. The gap widened because two financial pressures hit simultaneously and harder than expected.

The first was a steep decline in international graduate student enrollment. The Fall 2025 declines in international student enrollment were sharper than expected and amplified the existing fiscal challenges. International students typically pay significantly higher tuition than domestic students, making their enrollment a critical revenue driver at research universities. The decline at UNT is part of a national pattern: tightened visa policies, immigration enforcement fears, and global competition for international students have all contributed to falling overseas enrollment at American universities.

The second cause was a $32 million decline in state appropriations. The budget shortfall is the result of enrollment decreases  especially among international graduate students  and decreases in state formula funding for instruction and operations. The state funding cut was not an emergency reduction but a structural change to the state funding formula from the last legislative session  meaning it will persist into future years unless the formula changes again.

Keller warned the university community in February that tackling the $45 million budget gap would "inevitably require hard choices, and the impact will be felt across our university."

What Is Being Cut  and Why

The university will phase out three master's programs, one undergraduate major, 25 undergraduate minors, 21 graduate and 21 undergraduate certificates. The 25 undergraduate minors being cut have average enrollments of 20 students or fewer since 2021. The 21 graduate and 21 undergraduate certificates being phased out have average enrollments of below two students per year.

That enrollment data is the university's stated rationale for the cuts  and it is relevant. Programs with fewer than two students per year in graduate certificates are difficult to justify at scale. But the specific programs being eliminated tell a more complicated story.

The cuts come amid a broader political climate in which Texas public universities have faced pressure from state Republican leaders and conservative activists to limit teaching about gender, race and sexuality. Last fall, the UNT System ordered a review of its courses, which some university systems said was meant to ensure compliance with an executive order from President Donald Trump, a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott, and House Bill 229, all of which recognize only two sexes. It is unclear whether that review factored into Thursday's decisions.

What is clear is that the list of eliminated minors  LGBTQ Studies, Mexican American Studies, Africana Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, Asian Studies  tracks closely with the areas that have been targeted by conservative legislators across Texas. Earlier this year, Texas A&M eliminated its women's and gender studies program, while the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at San Antonio moved to consolidate similar programs. UNT's announcement is the latest entry in a pattern that has now touched multiple major Texas public university systems.

University leadership has not confirmed whether the course review played a role, and Keller's stated justification  low enrollment  is a legitimate independent reason for the specific programs chosen. The two explanations are not mutually exclusive.

What Comes Next

The program cuts announced Thursday are the first piece of a larger budget strategy. UNT on Friday did not answer questions about whether the program cuts would lead to faculty layoffs. In February the university launched a Voluntary Separation Program for faculty, and university leaders had previously warned that higher teaching loads and hiring freezes for vacant positions were also being considered.

UNT leaders said the closures and consolidations are cost-saving measures that sustain programs that lead students into good-paying jobs. "This move is part of a broader effort to position UNT for long-term stability and strengthen academic and career pathways," the statement said.

Growing revenue will be one of the chief strategies to stabilize the structural budget deficit. Increasing enrollment will both strengthen an important revenue stream and play a central role in reducing the budget deficit. Student retention is also of primary importance for revenue growth. UNT's new strategic plan, Look North: UNT 2030, outlines goals for improving student retention and increasing enrollments through the end of the decade.

The university is also talking with other institutions in the region to design pathways for students who are interested in pursuing credentials that UNT does not offer. For students currently exploring programs in linguistics, Latino studies, or women's and gender studies, that pathway planning will be critical  even as the details remain unclear.

The full list of affected programs is available at unt.edu/budget-updates.
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Gabfest Reads is a monthly series from the hosts of Slates Political Gabfest podcast. This month, David Plotz talked with Gabriel Sherman about his new book Bonfire of the Murdochs: How the Epic Fight to Control the Last Great Media Dynasty Broke a Familyand the World. During part of their discussion, they explored how Rupert Murdoch pitted his children against each other and what those rifts reveal about the family dynamics driving Fox News.

This partial transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

David Plotz: What is a story about the family and the family dynamics that most shocked you, that seemed most grotesque when you told your wife about it?

Gabriel Sherman: I guess the darkest anecdote, or one of, I should say, is the way Rupert manipulated his children to turn on each other to advance his own agenda and aims. And I think one prime example of that is in 2011, at the height of the London phone-hacking scandal Rupert used Jamess older sister, Elisabeth, who was sort of desperate for her fathers attention and love. And she was really angry that the familys name was being dragged down in the scandal. And Rupert turned to Elisabeth and told her, Well, you should tell James to essentially quit. I want you to fire your brother, in so many words.

And I thought that is sort of the cruelest thing, the way Rupert, as a father, abdicated his responsibility, used one of his children to sort of punish one of the others. And Elisabeth and James went years, really, after that without speaking. And kind of ironically, the thing that brought them back together was when they united several years ago to sue their older brother, Lachlan, and Rupert for trying to change the trust and hand the empire to Lachlan. So sort of, what tore them apart was Rupert, and I think what brought them together was their mutual animus towards Rupert.

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David Plotz: Do you get the sense that Lachlan has the ruthless brilliance and the eye for talent that Rupert Murdoch has had? And without that, do you forecast some kind of degradation of Foxs role in the decades to come?

Gabriel Sherman: Yeah, Ive thought a lot about that. I mean, I think my prediction is that after Ruperts death, Lachlan sells the company, or does some sort of transaction where hes no longer running the company, because hes shown no evidence throughout his entire career that he has the same hunger that his father did to travel the globe, buying companies, building an empire.

In fact, Lachlan has gone the complete opposite direction. When he was rising the ranks early in his career through News Corp, he first started out in Australia, then he came to New York. And in the mid 2000s, after feuding with Roger Ailes and Peter Chernin, who was Ruperts other deputy at the time, Lachlan quit the company and moved back to Australia to raise his family. He married a former model and TV host, and theyre sort of royalty in Sydney society.

Now that hes running the company, he continues to do it from Australia where Rupert made an escapeRupert tried to get away from Australia as soon as he could when he was building his empire. So Lachlan is someone that I think wants to protect what his father built, but I dont see any evidence that hes aggressively going out and trying to do new deals and build things.
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Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, Slates politics newsletter, which is about to crack this Strait of Hormuz thing any day now.

Once again, the haters spent all week talking about the biggest war in the Middle East in decades and how its destabilizing countries everywhere. As if theres not anything more important, such as a beautiful new ballroom under construction in Washington, to discuss. Elsewhere, we look at a delightfully spicy confirmation hearing this week, Illinois primary results, and the presidents announcement of a member of Congress imminent death.

But first, those who bet on Polymarket that the Surge would return to a conceptual lead item on March 21 can collect their winnings.

1. A barrel of oil

Since when does war have destabilizing consequences?

We would describe the administrations attitude this week toward its war on Iran as one of frustration. Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is still at a trickle due to Iranian threats, and President Donald Trump is lashing out at NATO countries for refusing to offer much help in securing the passage. Our big, beautiful barrel of oil price has exploded since the war began and touched $120 per big, beautiful barrel this week, before slightly retreating. Gas prices in the U.S. are at four-year highs. Thats not the only energy disruption: Israel struck a major Iranian gas field, and Iran responded by retaliating against energy infrastructure in Israel and the Gulf states. An Iranian attack on a Qatari liquefied natural-gas facility, which Qatar says will take years to repair, further rattled markets.

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The administrations response has been that everything is going precisely as plannedahead of schedule, even!while furiously brainstorming behind the scenes to reassure crude markets not to panic. Some of these efforts are contradictory. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, for example, said the department will combat rising energy prices during its war on Iran by  removing sanctions on Iranian oil. Another drawdown of the already diminished Strategic Petroleum Reserve could be on tap. Then theres the possibility that Trump will send troops to take over Kharg Island, where most of Irans oil exports are processed, to apply more pressure to the regime. That would mark a rather serious escalation, and its not clear that it would have the intended effect of choking off Irans oil revenue anyway, or allowing the U.S. to safely reopen the strait. We dont yet want to say that the situation has spiraled out of control, but the spiral could be only a couple of headstrong choices away.

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2. Pete Hegseth

Oh, is that all?

The administration, which is waging a Middle East war that it did not consult Congress about, and did not spend a second selling to the American people before launching, is reportedly preparing to ask Congress for a fresh $200 billion to replenish its arsenal. This would be supplemental funding on top of the ever-increasing annual defense budget and the bonus $150 billion Republicans gave the Pentagon in last years One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Its also in spite of recent estimates that pin the cost of the war, which is supposed to end soon, at only about $1 billion to $2 billion a day. It takes money to kill bad guys, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who hasnt yet finalized the figure, explained on Thursday. Heres one possible response for Congress to consider as it mulls this request over: no.

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And yet, outrageous defense spending asks after actions the public didnt call for have a tendency of finding their way into law. So how is the administration going to get it? Theres talk among Republicans about pursuing the funding via a reconciliation bill, which would allow them to skirt the 60-vote Senate filibuster. That might be the administrations best chance, because Democrats would likely request, in exchange for the money and their votes, Full Communism as a condition. Though its not hard to imagine a final deal in which Democrats supply the votes in exchange for, say, language requiring the new bombs to undergo conflict resolution training and wear body cams.

3. Markwayne Mullin

Cabinet confirmation by duel.

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullins Homeland Security confirmation process was setting up to be a sleepy affair. There was bipartisan interest in getting Secretary Kristi Noem out of DHS immediately. Senatorial courtesy seemed as though it would glide Mullin along expeditiously. It remains true that when all is said and done, Mullin wont have a hard time being confirmed. But sheesh, what a show in the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday! It became evident at the outset of the hearing that the committee chair, Sen. Rand Paul, had not forgiven Mullin for recently joking that Paul had it coming in a 2017 assault that resulted in serious injuriesand that Mullin had no interest in apologizing. That battle of wills set the tone for a surprisingly combative hearing, which also featured some wry probing of a mysterious secret mission Mullin supposedly went on a decade ago.

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Mullin was at liberty to withhold his apology to the Republican chairman, on an 8R/7D committee, because he already had the vote of a Democratic committee member. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman had voiced his support for Mullin shortly after Mullins nomination was announced. And though he played coy during the hearing about whether Mullin still had his vote, he delivered the clinching aye to advance the nomination on Thursday. Mullin is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate next week.

4. J.B. Pritzker

Note to self: Money is useful 

Illinois held its primaries on Tuesday, with all eyes on the Democratic Senate primary to replace Dick Durbin and a few open House races. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Senate primary over Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, while Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss defeated former Media Matters employee Kat Abughazaleh for an open seat in the suburbs. We will come clean with our own views on these races: Whatever, man. Hopefully the Democrats of Illinois are pleased with their choices. From a national perspective, though, covering these Democratic primaries was largely a matter of tracking spending by artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and AIPAC-supported super PACs against progressives. The net results in Illinois were a wash.

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One clear winner, though: Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The billionaire funded Strattons super PAC and made himself the face of many of her ads, allowing her to catch up against Krishnamoorthi after hed had the airwaves to himself for months. Were not going to say that this showing will give Pritzker some kind of boost in preliminary 2028 Democratic presidential polling (although it certainly solidifies his kingmaker status in Illinois). Its a reminder, though, to get used to seeing his mug on television. We should expect him to spend more than any other candidate in the next presidential contest should he jump in.

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5. Joe Kent

A very complicated exit.

Joe Kent, a conspiratorial former congressional candidate who twice scared away the voters of his red-leaning district, was, of course, given a high-profile intelligence community job in the Trump administration and was, of course, confirmed by the rubber-stamp Senate. But this week he quit! Kent announced his resignation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center in opposition to the Iran war. While we, too, are not keen on the Iran war, we probably wouldnt put our objection exactly as Kent did in describing this war, and all other recent wars, as a grand plot by Israel, the Israel lobby, and influential members of the American media. Trump is a big boy who is perfectly capable of telling Israel to buzz off when he wants to; hes just really into military conquest this term.

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Further fuzzing up the situation are reports that Kent was under FBI investigation for leaks at the time of his resignation. We can certainly believe that he was a leakerleaking is fun, everyone who does it loves it, and everyone should leak to the Surgebut forgive us for being skeptical of this FBI, which has spent much of Trumps second term targeting his supposed enemies. Heres the situation, then: We have an odd duck doing something good but foregrounding his explanation with antisemitism vs. an FBI thats lost any semblance of independence possibly going after him for his message of protest. Pick your fighter. Our choice is neither.

6. Tulsi Gabbard

Apparently, the director of national intelligence has no say in determining whats an imminent threat?

The Kent exit put Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, his former boss and fellow traveler, in a most uncomfortable spot. Its not great office politics for the guy that you brought on board to quit in protest of the administrations policies. And among the anti-deep-state crowd that felt that Gabbard was their savior, Kents having the courage to resign only makes Gabbard look like a wuss for not doing so herself.

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This visewanting to keep her job, but also any remaining shred of her anti-war credibilityhas been reflected in her statements since Kents departure. In both congressional testimony and public statements this week, Gabbard dodged questions about whether Iran presented an imminent threat to the United States, arguing that such determinations arent part of her job. As Gabbard told Sen. Jon Ossoff during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing into worldwide threats, The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president. Ossoff rebutted that the name of the hearing with Gabbard was the Worldwide Threats Hearing and maybe she should have a view on that question. The DNI, according to Gabbard, though, merely staples together some intel for the president to look at. Everyone got it? The person who oversees American intelligence cant weigh in on whether any of that intel shows an imminent threat at the hearing on worldwide threats.

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7. Neal Dunn

TFW the president announces youre supposed to be dead.

For some time, there have been Capitol whispers that Florida Rep. Neal Dunn might leave Congress before his term wraps up, but the reason remained unclear. Fortunately, our gossipy president was able to tell the nation exactly why at a White House event with the House speaker earlier in the week. While discussing the GOPs narrow majority, Trump mentioned that there was one member who was very ill and looked like he wasnt going to make it. He then nudged Mike Johnson into telling Dunns story, about how he had received a bad diagnosis only to have the president then connect Dunn with his doctors at Walter Reed medical center. Trump couldnt resist mentioning the prognosis: that Dunn would be dead by June. To which the speaker merely said, OK, that wasnt public.

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Dunn is not deadthough its not apparent whether he has a new lease on life and acts like hes 30 years younger, as Trump put it, since the presidents intervention. Dunn has reportedly been joking with other members that hes back from the dead and posted a lighthearted proof-of-life video on St. Patricks Day. As for Trumps further thoughts on the politicians diagnosis (which the president also took the liberty of announcing was heart-related): Number one, it was bad because I liked him, Trump said. Number two, it was bad because I needed his vote. Was he ranking that in ascending order of importance?
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The Supreme Court will hear a case on Monday that could invalidate hundreds of thousands of votes in the upcoming midterm election. Watson v. Republican National Committee asks the justices to invalidate state laws that count ballots that were mailed on time, but received shortly after Election Day. The GOP argues that federal law requires states to toss all of these ballotsa position that would have nullified more than 750,000 votes in the 2024 election. On this weeks episode of Amicus, co-hosts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed Watson, its implications for democracy, and its close connection to the SAVE Acta voter suppression bill pending in the Senate that would impose sweeping new restrictions on mail ballots. An excerpt from their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: This is an existential challenge to mail-in voting, and it has arrived just as we have the midterm elections coming up.

Mark Joseph Stern: This case really does drive me crazy. It marks an effort to overturn laws that count mail-in ballots if they arrive shortly after Election Day as long as they are postmarked or scanned by USPS on or before Election Day. About half the states have these laws, including some red states like Texas and Mississippi. They were enacted for the sensible reason that your right to vote shouldnt be undercut by USPS delays that are outside your control.

Federal law does not say that states have to toss out mail-in ballots that come in after the election. It also doesnt say that states have to count these ballots. Federal law is entirely silent on this; the only federal statutes that govern the receipt of mail ballots explicitly defer to states decisions about deadlines. Other than that, you can search the statutes high and low, and you will not find any congressional statement about whether late-arriving ballots should be counted. Republicans in Congress have introduced legislation trying to throw out late-arriving ballots, but they havent passed.

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So the Republican National Committee filed this suit against Mississippi to try to enact such a law through the courts instead of by way of the democratic process. And of course, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals predictably declared that late-arriving mail ballots are invalid in a characteristically sloppy opinion by Judge Andrew Oldham. This was part of his ongoing campaign for a Supreme Court seat. Oldham declared that when Congress set the dates for federal elections, it implicitly demanded that all ballots be received by that date. And to reach that conclusion, he defined an election to mean the date by which ballots are received rather than the date by which voters have cast their ballots. But thats not how the Supreme Court has ever defined it!

Will you talk about the history here that Judge Oldham basically ignores?

Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Heeded One of Ketanji Brown Jacksons Sharpest Dissents Read More

The widespread use of absentee voting occurred for the first time during the Civil War when many states allowed soldiers to vote from the field. The Constitutional Accountability Center looked into those laws that were passed in the 1860s, and guess what? A bunch of them explicitly counted absentee ballots that arrived 15 to 20 days after Election Day, including those that arrived by mail. So the only relevant history here about late-arriving ballots shows that states counted them at the advent of absentee voting. When, shortly thereafter, Congress enacted the law that governs when Election Day occurs, it said nothing about that. Theres just silence here. There is no indication that Congress wanted to throw out these ballots. There is every indication that Congress wanted to defer to the states. Yet now the Republican Party insists that all of these ballots have to be thrown out because thats mandated by a law that doesnt exist.

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This really dovetails with the debate thats raging right now in Congress about the SAVE Act. This is the presidents favored voting suppression bill thats currently paralyzing the United States Senate. The various versions and proposed amendments to the SAVE Act would restrict mail votingsome would outlaw late-arriving ballots, or ban universal vote-by-mail. It does really feel like the GOP is just trying to sneak one version of the SAVE Act into the law, through this case, right? This is the Trojan horsedoing it by judicial fiat instead of by congressional action. And if this doesnt happen by the democratic process, it still gets to happen by virtue of the judiciary.

Mark Joseph Stern: I think thats the best way to understand this case. There are all these different iterations of the SAVE Act, but the key proposals would restrict mail voting in some way. One would force states to throw out all late-arriving ballots. Its highly unlikely that any of this passes because its subject to the filibuster. Some Republicans want to nuke the filibuster to pass this law, as Trump demands, but I dont think thats going to happen. And if Congress doesnt pass this law, the fallback option seems to be asking the Supreme Court to get it done. Which is like exactly what conservative judges are always warning againstseeking a shortcut through the judiciary when you cant win through democracy.

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Its hilarious that this is being messaged as: We have to make sure they dont vote. And we know who they are.

Republicans certainly think that attacks on mail voting will help them, because right now, Democrats are more likely to vote by mail than Republicans in many states. Trump has dissuaded his supporters from voting by mail. And there is some indication that late-arriving ballots are more likely to be Democratic. So this case is a targeted effort to throw out disproportionately Democratic ballots.

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I do think its unlikely that the Supreme Court will take up this offer. Oldhams decision for the 5th Circuit is incoherent, and hes one of the most reversed appeals court judges todaythe justices smack him down multiple times every term. I suspect a majority of the justices will be sensible enough to overturn him here as well. But he wont care, because his opinion in this case was not about getting the law right. It was about campaigning for the Supreme Court. And theres no better way to audition for the Supreme Court than to promise Donald Trump that you will interfere with elections to help the Republican Party win. Weve come a long way since 2020, when Trump-appointed judges rejected the presidents effort to interfere with the election. Now 5th Circuit judges are trying to interfere with free and fair elections by changing the rules in a way that they have no authority to do, basically at the behest of Donald Trump. They are dancing monkeys, trying to dance the most so that they can secure a lifetime appointment to the most powerful court in the land and do his bidding for decades to come.
Absolution has been knocking at the door while facing the top distaffers at Woodbine Mohawk Park this year and the Jack Moiseyev trainee exploded with late pace to get the job done on Friday, March 20, winning the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Open 2.

With the streaking Mares Open winner Angostura Hanover sitting this week out, her recent reinsman, Bob McClure, picked up the catch-drive on Absolution, who had hit the board in all six of her starts this season and lined up from post four in Friday's full field of 10.

The three outside starters fired off the gate with Sunshine Magic (Jonathan Drury) from the 10-hole clearing Style For A Mile (Daryl Thiessen) past the :26.3 quarter mark before So Much More (Tyler Borth) looped them both down the backside and fronted the field to the half in :56.2.

Meanwhile, Absolution was among the trailing trio as she slid into the outer flow primed for her late rally while Century Jamila (Louis-Philippe Roy), who got away fourth, challenged the leader first-up through three-quarters in 1:25.1. So Much More rebuffed that rival into the stretch but the closers were coming.

Lets N Joy N (James MacDonald), the 1-2 favourite with her perfect six-race seasonal streak on the line, kicked into action from second-over with Absolution rallying from the backfield and Caviar N Crackers closing widest of all from behind. The race was on between those three mares with Absolution emerging in between to steal the glory in a :26.1 sprint to the wire, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. Lets N Joy N settled for second and Caviar N Crackers took third.

A homebred five-year-old daughter of McWicked out of Bet Ya, Absolution now boasts a dozen career wins and nearly $280,000 in earnings for owners Joanne Colville of Moffat, Ont., and Nancy MacNevin of Essex, Ont.

Absolution paid $10.30 to win as the 4-1 second choice.

McClure also won on Friday with season-debuting Eurobank Hanover, the four-year-old full brother to 2025 O'Brien Award winner Emoji Hanover, in 1:55.3. The Luc Blais trainee is eligible to this year's Maple Leaf Trot.

Friday's card included the second leg of a Pop-Up Series for trotters that started for a purse of $9,000 or less in 2026 and winners over $50,000 in 2025 ineligible. James MacDonald swept the pair of $14,000 divisions with The Fixer ($6) winning in 1:57.1 for trainer David Frey and Muscle Fashion ($25.70) upsetting in 1:56 flat for conditioner Katie Graham.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
ChatGPT was able to handle most steps of the homeselling process. (Zak Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

It all started on a long drive from south Florida to North Carolina last holiday season. As Robert Levine drove, he asked his wife in the passenger seat to prompt ChatGPT with questions they had about the home-selling process. Are we capable of doing this? they asked. Whats the realistic timeline tactically?

The conversation started as a way to pass time on the long trip. But it soon ballooned into a comprehensive endeavor, with the AI taking over the marketing, planning, pricing, and negotiating. Through simple prompts throughout the home-selling journey, Levine and his wife clinched a signed contract to sell their Cooper City, Fla., home for $954,800or $100,000 more than what real estate agents estimated the homes value to be.

When we met with real estate agents they lacked confidence in pricing, Levine told Fortune. ChatGPT gave us more confidence in price points of where the market was going.

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AI models are growing more capable of completing even the most complex tasks, surpassing benchmarks that the worlds smartest mathematicians and lawyers deemed onerous hurdles.

Its not just businesses that are leveraging the technology. Everyday Americans are using AI to serve themselves, some for selling their homes, and others for more questionable practices like completing their schoolwork. Some AI experts and business leaders think the technology could wipe out swaths of white-collar workers, and real estate agents may not be spared.

Levine has the technological acumen to utilize the full extent of ChatGPTs tools. As the CEO of strategic consulting firm ComOps, he guides casinos and hospitality brands on how to leverage AI. Still, Levine is convinced the way he sold his house is attainable to even those less tech-savvy than he.

Id recommend it to everyone, he said. ChatGPT is not coding. It is a conversation, and youre going to have to have that conversation with a real estate professional if you want to go that direction anyway.

ChatGPT as a negotiator and a painter

For Levine, conversations with real estate agents didnt quite fit into his busy schedule. And though he spoke to some, none were confident in the pricing of his home. ChatGPT, on the other hand, assured him that listing the home $100,000 more than what real estate agents advised was the right move.

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The home sold for one of the highest per-square-foot prices in the market, according to Levine, despite not having the best view, the largest lot, or being the most updated property in the area.

The AI planned the most granular aspects of the homeselling process. It gave tips on how to update the property, even suggesting which walls to repaint. And it told Levine when to schedule home viewings to work around his schedule. The father of three ultimately showed his home to 15 prospective buyers, one-third of whom submitted an application.

It pushed us through all of that, including small things that I would have never thought of, Levine recalled. The first impression is important. We hear that all the time about curb appeal. But also when they walk into the house, they dont want to see scuffs on the wall.

While the AI functioned as Levines personal real estate agent, there were some barriers to its abilities. For one, Levine had to be engaged at every step. That meant prompting the AI for instructions rather than handing over duties to an autonomous AI agent. And while recent studies have shown AI is theoretically capable of handling the majority of tasks a lawyer does, he opted to hire his own lawyer. And of course, the technology couldnt host open houses or box up his familys belongings.

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Levine still thinks real estate agents fulfill the needs of certain homebuyers, but believes all home sellers could benefit from putting the technology to work.

It doesnt necessarily replace professionals, he said. But it does allow us all to have the ability to be more curious and to feel more confident in the decisions were making.

Have you used AI to navigate a major life decision like buying a home, negotiating a deal, or doing something else with high stakes? Id love to hear your story. Reach out to me at jake.angelo@fortune.com.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION UK 74th WESTMINSTER SEMINAR ON EFFECTIVE PARLIAMENTS

The Gibraltar Branch was represented at the 74th Westminster Seminar on Effective Parliaments by the Hon Leslie Bruzon MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, Civil Contingencies and Sport, and Mr Phillip Borge McCarthy, Clerk to the Gibraltar Parliament.

The Seminar brought together parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth committed to advancing disability inclusion in the Region.

The Theme for this years Seminar was A Celebration of the modern Commonwealth. Delegates shared experiences such as the Commonwealth Day Reception and Flag-raising Ceremony as well as attending the Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey.

The programme covered a wide range of topics from the role of Presiding Officers to parliamentary scrutiny, accountability and emerging challenges for legislatures. The dedicated sessions for parliamentarians and parliamentary officials provided the Gibraltar delegation with a platform to showcase leading advancements in the use of AI for Hansard production purposes.
Up to 1.2 million people to are expected to travel through the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport during spring break.

However, flyers may have to contend with long lines in light of a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that one Trump administration official warned that could close some airports.

Around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration screeners are are working without regular pay during the funding lapse.

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Here's what airport officials said you should know if you're flying anytime between now until April 12.

Spring break travel: How early should I get to CVG?

"During spring break, travelers should plan on arriving earlier than usual," said a CVG official on March 20.

Travelers should arrive at least two and a half hours early for domestic flights and three and a half hours early for international flights.

Most people fly out on Sunday, Monday and Saturday between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. during the six-week period, according to the airport. The busiest time for arrivals is 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

CVG: Security wait times may be inaccurate

Travelers can check CVG's TSA screening wait times by visiting cvgairport.com/security/.

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However, a CVG official said these numbers may be unreliable during the busy season.

CVG's calculation uses fixed entry and exit points to determine how long it takes a traveler to go through TSA. When lines are so long that they spill over into the ticketing area, CVG's system does not take that into account and still makes it's calculations based on where it thinks the line starts.

Where do Cincinnatians go for spring break?

The short answer: Florida.

"Travelers in the Cincinnati region are mostly headed to popular Florida destinations, however, Phoenix edged out Tampa in the top five list this year," a CVG release stated.

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CVG's most popular spring break destinations include Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tampa, Cancun, London, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How long are lines at Cincinnati airport? TSA delayed amid shutdown
Little Elina, one of three giant trolls, reclines in a field in Bernheim Forest. March 15, 2019.

Little Elina, one of three giant trolls, reclines in a field in Bernheim Forest. March 15, 2019. (By Pat McDonogh, Courier Journal)

A world-class public art experience by a Danish artist is coming to a Pennsylvania national forest in September of 2027, and he's bringing his giant troll sculptures with him.

Artist Thomas Dambo has created multiple hand-built sculptures known as "Trolls in the Forest." They generate visitors and revenue in each of the 20 countries where they have been placed.

Here's more on what to know about these sculptures and what makes them so popular.

What is 'Trolls in the Forest'?

"Trolls in the Forest" is an ambitious art project that features hand-built troll sculptures that can stretch as high as 40 feet.

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These sculptures are made entirely from recycled and reclaimed materials that blend art, nature, sustainability and storytelling. The trolls have proved to drive tourism and aid economic growth and national attention because of their popularity.

More: Pennsylvania state forests are under a burn ban. Why it's needed

The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau states that these trolls are built on site with the help of communities. This help provides volunteers the opportunity to assemble the bodies and limbs of the trolls which then creates a sense of ownership over the trolls.

A single troll in Wisconsin has already generated more than 62,000 visitors in 30 days with an estimated $4 million in economic impact, according to the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau.

Where will the three troll sculptures be located in PA?

If you make the trip over to the Allegheny National Forest in 2027, the Trolls in the Forest will be featured in three locations spanning from the northern to southern end of McKean County.

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The plan is for the trolls to be installed in Kane, Bradford and a central third location.

Who is Thomas Dambo?

Dambo was born in Odense, Denmark in 1979. He grew up indulging in the street arts including hip-hop and graffiti which led him to pursue a Master's Degree in interaction design at Kolding School of Design in 2012.

After earning his master's degree, Dambo began experimenting with large-scale installations while using recycled wood materials which eventually became the trolls in 2016.

With more than 170 trolls already installed in 20 countries and 21 states, Dambo's work has become an international sensation.

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In the other areas that host Dambo's installations, the destinations have reportedly experienced what is known as the "Dambo effect."

Simply put, these creations have sparked growth across the nation drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors

What recycled materials are trolls built from?

Dambo creates these giant sculptures from recycled and reclaimed wood that often includes pallets, floorboards, fallen trees and other scrap.

More: What Pennsylvania drivers should know about speed cameras

Learn more about "Trolls in the Forest" at the Allegheny National Forest website.

Nicholas Sorensen can be contacted at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Thomas Dambo's giant trolls coming to Pennsylvania national forest
Spring break travel is picking up across the country, bringing packed roads and crowded airports as travelers also face rising fuel prices and staffing challenges tied to a partial government shutdown.

"Everything's going up gas prices, airplane prices, it's gonna be hard to travel," said Tim Barry, a traveler from Denver.

Long Transportation Security Administration lines have been reported at airports nationwide as the shutdown has taken a toll on TSA employees.

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Many workers have gone more than a month with partial pay and began receiving their first $0 paychecks last week, leading to an increase in call-outs as some officers take on second jobs.

"They're humans their citizens. They have lives as well if anything, their lives are on the line," said Gill Richardson, a traveler from Atlanta.

At Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FYI) on Friday, operations were running smoothly despite the nationwide issues.

Airport officials said staffing levels have kept pace with demand, though adjustments have been made.

"Generally, we operate about four lanes. We're at three lanes or so but when we get to spring break, we really need to operate all five lanes," said Mayor Jerry Dyer.

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City leaders have taken steps to support TSA employees at the airport.

The city employs 146 TSA workers at the facility, and Mayor Dyer said officials have collected $3,600 in gas cards and partnered with the Central California Food Bank to provide food assistance.

"They've been delivering food out to the airport for the TSA employees every other week and they are now going to set that up to every week," Dyer said.

Brisa Colon said community support continues to grow and that the city plans to make it easier for travelers to help.

Now there has been an outpouring of support for TSA agents and because of that, the city says they're going to create drop boxes and have them at each of the Hudson Stores here at FYI, so flyers can come and drop off gift cards for those still on the job without pay.

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The busy travel season is also beginning as gas prices continue to climb, adding another strain for travelers.

"I just filled up my rental car on the way here and it was 80 bucks and I'm like wow," Richardson said.

AAA attributes the increase to uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran.

"In the span of a month gas prices across the country have gone up by about a dollar. California has the most expensive gas in the entire nation its well over $5," said Julian with AAA.

City leaders said donation drop boxes for gift cards are now available at each Hudson store inside Fresno Yosemite International Airport for travelers who want to support TSA employees still working without pay.

For news and weather updates, follow Brisa Colon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Boston's Logan International Airport is testing a new system that provides passengers with live Transportation Security Administration checkpoint wait times, a spokesperson confirmed.

The technology, which uses cameras to track movement in TSA security lines, will launch this spring, allowing passengers to check more accurate wait-time estimates before arriving at the airport, according to Massport spokesperson Benjamin Crawley.

The system is being tested amid a nationwide TSA employee shortage caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 366 officers across the U.S. have left the force since the shutdown began. In New England, about 35 TSA officers had resigned as of March 19, according to AFGE TSA Local 2617.

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Crawley said Logan had been planning to implement the wait-time technology since before the shutdown, and that the airport hadn't yet seen any staffing issues.

"This initiative began a while ago as a customer improvement and is not related to the government shutdown," he said in a statement.

Here's what to know about the new system and when passengers will be able to view live estimated TSA wait times.

An American Airlines plane sits at a gate at Boston Logan International Airport ahead of the July 4th holiday in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 28, 2023.

How cameras will be used to measure TSA lines at Logan Airport

A third-party vendor is testing camera analytics to track how long passengers take to move through TSA lines at Logan, Crawley said. The technology is currently being tested in Terminal B.

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Using the information collected, the system calculates an average estimated wait time for TSA security checkpoints, he said.

"The cameras do not capture male/female or faces or clothing  only that a shape is moving in line," Crawley said.

Currently, the MyTSA app provides estimated wait times for airports nationwide using "real-time data when available" and historical ranges when live data cannot be retrieved, according to TSA, but its degree of accuracy is unclear. Upon opening the app, a notice says that "due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will not be actively managed."

When will the technology be available in all terminals? How to access wait times

The new wait-time estimation system is currently active only in Terminal B, as Logan Airport determines its accuracy before rolling it out to all terminals, Crawley said.

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The system will be expanded to the rest of the terminals  A, C, and E  in "about a month or so," Crawley said.

Once fully implemented, passengers will be able to see average estimated wait times on flight information screens inside the terminals, on the Logan Airport website, and via the FlyLogan app, he said.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Soon you'll be able to see TSA wait-time estimates for Logan Airport
Earlier this month, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby issued a clear warning to travelers of what he expected to be an imminent price increase for plane tickets across the industry as the global price of oil surges due to the conflict in the Middle East. Now, it sounds like that will mean fewer flights, too.

This week, United Airlines announced that it would be cutting about 5% of its flights, which works out to be hundreds of flights per day, as the company charts a path forward with what it expects to be high oil prices for the rest of the year.

Kirby Issues Warning to Travelers

Earlier this month, as the conflict in Iran was beginning to raise oil prices across the country, Kirby warned that airfare was going to start to increase across the industry and that this price increase would probably start quick.

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The good news for United is that it is uniquely positioned to be able to stay afloat amidst these soaring oil prices.

United has positioned itself as a premier airline with more high-income and brand-loyal customers. As a result, United will be better positioned to maintain higher margins and pass these costs onto its higher-end consumers.

United Cuts Hundreds of Flights

Though United is in a relatively strong position despite the high oil prices, Kirby announced on Friday that the airline would reduce its flight capacity by 5%, cutting hundreds of flights each day as a result of the soaring fuel prices.

If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel, CEO Scott Kirby said in a March 20 statement via Aviation Week.

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Kirby said that the airline is cutting about 3 percent of its flights during "off-peak" periods like redeyes and flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Additionally, the airline is canceling flights to areas that have been impacted by the conflict, like Tel Aviv and Dubai.

"That's about 5 points of this year's planned capacity in the short term, and our current plan is to restore the full schedule this fall. To be clear, nothing changes about our longer-term plans for aircraft deliveries or total capacity for 2027 and beyond, but there's no point in burning cash in the near term on flying that just can't absorb these fuel costs," Kirby said.

Kirby went on to say that United is planning for the price of oil to go up to as high as $175 a barrel  nearly three times what it was in February, before the conflict.

"Our plans assume oil goes to $175/barrel and doesn't get back down to $100/barrel until the end of 2027. Honestly, I think there's a good chance it won't be that bad, but as you'll read below, there isn't much downside for us to preparing for that outcome," Kirby wrote.

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Needless to say, it's clear that this is going to drastically impact the industry.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Mar 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For at least one Kennedy ally, the ruling is an opportunity.

Jeffrey Tucker, founder of the nonprofit Brownstone Institute who rallied support behind Kennedy, said he sees it as a "clarifying moment" that will bring MAHA activists together after some unrelated disagreements and infighting.

"It makes the battle lines really, really obvious to everybody," Tucker said. "It's an opportunity for moral courage, strategic intelligence and doubling down in dedication to the agenda of medical freedom above all else."

It could give the administration cover to leave unpopular policies in the past

The decision also came at a time when Republican pollsters warned that Kennedy's vaccine stances could be a liability in the midterms  and as the White House and HHS moved on to less contentious pursuits.

This week, a White House official who requested anonymity to freely discuss the administration's thinking said Kennedy already achieved much of what he set out to do on vaccines, and the administration would double down on food this year.

A White House spokesperson didn't immediately respond to an inquiry Tuesday about how the ruling will affect that approach.

Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University, said the judge's ruling happened as the administration already understood "Kennedy had gotten them into a very bad place."

"I think it hopefully will toughen their resolve to keep getting vaccines off the agenda for now," she said.

9 political cartoons jab Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccines
A driver has been charged after fatally striking two pedestrians who were in a marked midtown crosswalk that had a beacon, Tucson police said.

The two women were struck at about 6:20 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in a crosswalk at East 29th Street and South Rosemont Avenue that was equipped with a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) beacon, which was activated at the time of the collision, police said.

Colette Mukankaka, 71, and Donatille Nyiramugwera, 60, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a news release Friday.

They were struck by a silver 2008 Acura MDX. The driver, a 65-year-old man, rendered aid at the scene along with other motorists, police said. An officer from the DUI Unit determined he was not impaired.

Police said they have charged the driver, whose name they did not release, with causing death by a moving violation, a misdemeanor.
Protecting the riverfront bank protection is seen by officials of several government agencies as a major step toward controlling floods. But these structures will also spread the effluent across the riverbed, increasing the odds that much of it will seep into the underground aquifer rather than flow downstream and out of Pima County.

This ongoing work on the Santa Cruz pleases Holler, raising the possibility of a long-term fix. But he says he's still frustrated it's taken so long for the issue to be addressed.

Change in law altered incentives

This issue has a long history.

Holler said he knew during his Reclamation days that lots of effluent was heading into Pinal. But not much has been done about that for most of the past decade, he said.

He blames what he sees as complacency among officials of several government agencies, due to a complex change in state law that ratcheted up the legal incentives to keep effluent in the river rather than pulling it out.

The law change, enacted in 2019, allows the owners of effluent in the river to obtain long-term storage credits for up to 95% of their effluent that is left in the riverbed. Agencies, businesses and individuals who own those credits can sell them to other parties, who then possess the legal right to pump groundwater somewhere else. Until 2019, they would receive storage credits for only 50% of their effluent when it was left in the river and got 95% if they took it out and put it into recharge basins built outside the river channel.
Delta: 6am rehearsal for God Morgen Norge this morning

Superwoman Delta Goodrem takes a 36 hour flight to Norway then sings like this at 6am.

6am rehearsal for God Morgen Norge this morning.

Delta Goodrem is nothing if not committed to her assault on Eurovision, taking a 36 hour flight to Norway, to avoid Middle East disruption.

Then it was a 6am rehearsal of Eclipse ahead of an appearance on Good Morning Norway (not to be confused with Good Morning Moscow for those with long memories).

She performs today at the Nordic Eurovision Party with some 20 other artists.
Vale: Chuck Norris

Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, best known for Walker, Texas Ranger, has died.

Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, best known for Walker, Texas Ranger has died aged 86.

Norris was hospitalised in Hawaii for a medical emergency before his death, it was reported.

Hi family issued a statement saying, It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.

To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.

He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.

While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.

Born in Oklahoma in 1940, he served in the United States Air Force before establishing himself as a star of martial arts  for which he held multiple black belts including in Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu.

He rose to fame as an actor in 1972, after he appeared in Way of the Dragon, alongside martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Some of Norriss other films include Delta Force, Missing in Action, Breaker! Breaker!, Good Guys Wear Black, The Octagon, An Eye for an Eye, Code of Silence, Invasion U.S.A., Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection.

In Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris plays a former Marine turned Texas ranger, Cordell Walker. With a combination of martial arts moves and Cherokee hunting skills, Walker was a crime-solving crusader for justice, moral values and a butt-kicking.

The plot of the series was full of high-stakes stunts, spun off from the 1983 action western film Lone Wolf McQuade, which also starred Norris.

Deepest condolences on the passing of my friend, Chuck Norris, says Belgian martial arts star and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Sylvester Stallone said he had a great time working with Chuck.

He was All American in every way, and a great man and my condolences to his wonderful family, he added.

Chuck was an icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote on X today. I am grateful that I was able to work with him in multiple ways over the years, from promoting fitness to sharing the screen together. He was a badass, in real life and in Hollywood. His legend will be with us forever. My thoughts are with his family.

Dolph Lundgren, who starred alongside Norris in the 2012 action film The Expendables 2, said,

Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model. Someone who had the respect, humility and strength it takes to be a man.

Soure: BBC, Deadline
Vale: Rhoda Roberts

SBS inaugural Elder in Residence, Rhoda Roberts, whose arts career spans more than three decades, has died.

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders viewers are warned that the following content contains names and images of deceased persons.

SBS inaugural Elder in Residence, Rhoda Roberts, whose arts career spans more than three decades, has died, aged 66.

Her family confirmed she passed away peacefully earlier yesterday, on her beloved Bundjalung Country, following a period of illness after being diagnosed with cancer last year.

SBS issued a statement saying it was deeply saddened by her passing.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family. We also acknowledge the loss felt by her community, and the many people she connected with throughout her life and work, it said.

Rhoda will be remembered as one of Australias most influential arts and creative sector leaders. A pioneer and cultural authority, she helped reshape representation across the arts and media, carrying culture with her into every space she entered, and championing First Nations voices across the nation.

An award-winning producer, artistic director, journalist, broadcaster, actor, curator and advisor, Rhodas career was characterised by landmark achievements across Australias cultural institutions and on the international stage. Her work included co-founding Australias first national Aboriginal theatre company, the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust, and serving as Creative Director of Awakening for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

She held many senior creative leadership roles, including Creative Director of Sydneys New Years Eve celebrations, inaugural Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House, co-founder and Artistic Director of the Dreaming Festival, co-founder of The Deadlys, and Creative Director of the Parrtjima Festival in Alice Springs.

In 2016 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the performing arts and for advancing contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Joining SBS as a young journalist, she made history in 1989 as co-host of First in Line with Michael Johnson, becoming the first Indigenous presenters on prime-time Australian television, and later hosting Vox Populi. She went on to play a key role in major SBS milestones, including leading coverage of NITVs launch as a free-to-air channel as part of SBS in 2012, and becoming SBSs inaugural Elder in Residence in 2021.

SBS Director, First Nations, Tanya Denning-Orman, said: Rhoda, our fiercely proud Bundjalung woman, reminded us of the shoulders we stand on and the importance of the work we do. Stunning in so many ways, seeing her on prime-time TV inspired me, and many others. She did not just lead change, she galvanised a sector, nurturing and guiding the leaders who are carrying the flame of change forward, one lit in her by her family, her story, her ancestors. Her craft extended beyond screen and stage through her advocacy for First Nations leadership and her commitment to the next generation. Her spirit is held in Country, carried through land, story and community.

To her family  including her children Sarah, Jack and Emily who she adored beyond words  thank you for sharing Rhoda with us, and so many others. To you Rhoda, we thank you, we miss you, and we will carry you with us in all that we do.

SBS Chair, Dr Nicholas Pappas AM, added: Rhoda Roberts led with bold, visionary leadership, conviction and a deep sense of cultural stewardship that has left an enduring mark on Australias creative and cultural life. Her contribution set a benchmark grounded in culture, integrity and purpose. She strengthened the connection between First Nations cultures and contemporary multicultural Australia and will always hold a special place within SBS. She expanded what is possible in Australian media, and her influence will continue to guide the SBS network, and the broader arts and media sector, for years to come.

SBS Acting Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman, added: Rhoda was a true trailblazer and a leader of so many firsts in our industry, playing a transformative role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation across Australias cultural landscape. At SBS, her impact is deeply felt, most recently as our inaugural Elder in Residence, where she embedded culture into the fabric of our organisation. Immeasurably generous in sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and spirit, she will continue to guide how we work, lead and tell stories.

Rhoda Roberts AO: The cultural warrior who changed the nation

In Honour Of Our Elder in Residence

In consideration of Indigenous cultural protocols, media are permitted to use and reproduce Rhodas name, voice and image.

Updated.
Passengers on the debut Minsk  Nha Trang flight were greeted at Minsk National Airport with a traditional Vietnamese dance performance by the local Vietnamese community, plus souvenirs celebrating the milestone since the upgrade of Vietnam  Belarus ties to a Strategic Partnership in May 2025.

The flight departed Minsk at 00:30 (local time) on March 20 and landed at Cam Ranh International Airport. The inaugural service was fully booked with all 270 seats occupied.

Vladimir Barkun, Deputy General Director for Marketing and Foreign Economic Activity of Belavia, said the route is the longest in the airlines network, covering nearly 9,300km with an estimated flight duration of around 11 hours.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belarus Nguyen Van Trung, in his address, said the move is meant to realise the high-level agreements reached during Party General Secretary To Lams state visit to Belarus in May 2025, when the two countries upgraded their ties to the Strategic Partnership. The service will meet demand from tourists, business travellers and Vietnamese community living and studying in Belarus while opening the door wide for even more people-to-people exchanges.

He described Belarus as a longstanding friend of Vietnam, with both sides poised to explore new cooperation areas.

On the future prospects, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Ruslan Varankov said Belarus is eyeing the launch of a tractor assembly facility right in Vietnam, alongside infrastructure projects using Belarusian equipment. Logistics and tourism cooperation also hold strong potential.

Against the current geopolitical backdrop, Vietnam stands out as an appealing getaway for Belarusian travellers. Better air connectivity, he said, not only brings their people closer, but also unlocks promising business opportunities.

The route was originally scheduled for March 31, but was advanced thanks to robust demand from travel companies.

Belavia will deploy Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft for 281 passengers on the service. The inaugural flight featured a special livery marking the airline's 30th anniversary.

The next round-trip flight to and from Nha Trang is set for March 27. From March 31 onward, services will run three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays./. VNA
Domestic gasoline prices have significantly increased transportation costs for many consumers. Against this backdrop, the electric motorbike market is witnessing a wave of discounts and incentives from major brands such as Yamaha, Honda, VinFast, and Yadea.

A survey by VietNamNet in Hanoi found that the electric motorbike model Yamaha NEO is currently being offered at some dealerships with direct discounts of up to VND17 million compared with the listed price. This is considered the deepest price cut in the electric motorbike market at this time.

Yamaha NEO features a modern design with compact dimensions suitable for navigating crowded urban streets. The bike uses lithium battery for a range of about 72 km per charge and can be fitted with an additional battery tray to double the range. Its electric motor produces 2 kW of power with torque of 138.3 Nm, allowing flexible acceleration in city traffic. In addition, a full LED lighting system and Y-Connect connectivity provide a technology experience similar to modern scooters.

The strengths of Yamaha NEO include smooth operation, youthful styling, and smart connectivity. However, its initial listed price is relatively high compared with the general level of popular electric vehicles, so the strong discount is seen as a move to stimulate demand.

In the same popular segment, Honda ICON e: model is also drawing attention as the manufacturer and dealers have reduced prices by up to VND10 million from the beginning of the month.

Accordingly, with a listed price of VND26 million, after applying promotions and gifts, the actual price at some dealers has now dropped to only about VND16 million (excluding the battery).

ICON e: is equipped with an electric motor with a maximum capacity of 1.81 kW and peak torque of 85 Nm, providing a maximum travel distance of 71 km per charge. The model features a youthful design, an LED lighting system, a full digital dashboard, and many utilities such as a storage compartment with an integrated USB charging port, CBS combined brakes, and sturdy cast rims.

The strength of ICON e: is the Honda brand and the accessible price after incentives, suitable for pupils, students, or people needing short-distance travel in urban areas. However, the vehicle still depends on its own battery system, so the initial cost may increase if the battery is included.

Among electric vehicles from China, Yadea models are also participating in the demand stimulation race. At some dealers, best-selling models such as Yadea Voltguard, Yadea Orla, or Yadea Velax are being discounted by about VND1-1.2 million in cash.

Before the price cut, these vehicle lines had listed prices from VND23 to nearly VND39 million, depending on the version. Specifically, Voltguard U50 is priced from VND35.99-36.99 million, Velax is about VND29.99 million, while the Oris (Soobin) line ranges from VND23.49-25.99 million. After deducting promotions, many models now cost from about VND22 million.

Notably, Yadea is preparing a battery swapping station model, allowing users to quickly swap batteries instead of waiting for a charge. If this system is expanded, it could become a major advantage in making electric vehicles more convenient.

Meanwhile, VinFast has launched an attractive incentive program for its new VinFast Viper model. This electric motorbike model was just opened for sale by the brand in early March, coming with two options: without a battery for VND39.9 million and with a battery for VND45.5 million. In the first 15 days of this month, the brand is offering a VND1 million discount for the first users to place a deposit.

In addition, VinFast is offering a 6 percent discount for the Viper and supporting 100 percent of the registration fee, equivalent to 2 percent of the vehicle value. In total, customers can save more than VND4,500,000 when pre-ordering the version with a battery. After incentives, the "rolling" price of the Viper could start from about VND37 million.

VinFast Viper model is positioned in VinFast's mid-range to high-end electric motorbike segment, targeting users who need an electric bike with high performance and a large travel range. The vehicle uses an electric motor with a maximum capacity of about 3,000W, reaching a top speed of 70 km/h and can travel up to about 156 km after each charge.

Hoang Hiep
Her fashion products are favored by many foreign Muslim customers (Photo: Ha Nguyen)

In HCMC, Haji Basiroh, 70, is known as the person who laid the foundation for "Saigon Halal Street" or "Malaysia Street" located on Nguyen An Ninh Street (Ben Thanh Ward). She was the first developing restaurants and Islamic attire on this street.

She was born into a disadvantaged Cham family in the former Chau Doc City, An Giang Province. With a father who was a teacher, Basiroh was taught to read and write from a young age, becoming one of the few people in the region who could read and write both Vietnamese and Cham.

At the age of 12, Basiroh began teaching literacy to poor children for free. In 1974, her family moved to HCMC. There, she studied English and computer skills.

Thanks to that, when she grew up, she was accepted to work at a foreign diplomatic agency. However, because of her fathers wish, she had to give up her dream job.

She recalled: If I went to work, I would no longer have much time to teach the children. My father told me to keep teaching for a few more months. After he recovered from his illness, he would teach in my place.

But my father suddenly passed away. Before closing his eyes, he still hoped that I would continue teaching the children. Because of his wish, I turned down my dream job to continue teaching for free.

After nearly 10 years of teaching for free, she went on to work for an Indonesian oil and gas company, a US-based market research company, and later a British market research center. During that time, she had the opportunity to meet many foreign visitors, including many Malaysian Muslims.

Once, when a foreign guest saw her wearing a tudung (the traditional Islamic headscarf), he came to talk to her and asked for help finding Islamic clothing. She agreed and managed to find a stall selling such clothing at Tax Trade Center.

However, both she and the customer realized that the products there were not authentic. From that moment, she came up with the idea of making and selling Islamic clothing for Muslims.

She ordered sample products from Malaysia and had them replicated. She then rode her bicycle around the city to learn and study tailoring methods so that the clothing would follow the proper principles while still maintaining fashion and creativity.

In 2002, she began making and selling Islamic clothing at her home in the former Phu Nhuan District. She chose good materials and created many beautiful patterns, combining them with diverse and delicate hand-embroidered details, which made her products popular with customers.

However, because she sold them at home, far from the city center, customers who needed the products found it difficult to locate her. In addition, many people impersonated her and sold poor-quality products under her name.

Building Malaysia Street

In 2011, she rented a space on Nguyen An Ninh Street to sell her products. Being close to Ben Thanh Market, her Muslim fashion shop attracted a large number of foreign visitors.

With good materials, beautiful designs and reasonable prices, her products drew customers from many places. Her shop became one of the most reputable and well-known Muslim fashion brands in HCMC.

From that fashion shop, she has developed Halal food business for Muslims.

One day, foreign customers came into my shop to look for clothes. At lunchtime, they asked me to help find a restaurant suitable for Muslims.

My family has a tradition of cooking, so I confidently invited them to have a meal with me. After eating, they said the food was very delicious and encouraged me to open a restaurant serving food for Muslims.

At that time, however, Basiroh had not yet thought about opening a restaurant. She simply placed one or two small tables inside the fashion shop to serve meals for customers who needed them.

Unexpectedly, more and more people came to eat. The fashion shop gradually became messy and filled with food smells.

Therefore, she rented a space opposite the fashion shop to sell food for Muslims. As the number of customers grew over time, the small eatery expanded into a spacious three-storey Basiroh restaurant.

Later, her business activities attracted and paved the way for many individuals and organizations to open fashion stores and Halal cuisine to serve Muslims. Since then, "Basiroh Street" has become "Malaysia Street," attracting a large number of Muslim tourists as it does today.

Ha Nguyen
The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Asia-Pacific regional office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

In his address, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang described the International Francophonie Day as an occasion for more than 396 million French speakers globally to unite in a common linguistic, cultural and values-based space.

For Vietnam, he said, French represents both a historical legacy and a vibrant platform for cooperation that supports the country's extensive international integration. In a world marked by increasing uncertainties, Francophone values such as dialogue, solidarity, respect for diversity, and collaboration toward sustainable development are becoming ever more relevant and meaningful.

He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to cooperation with the Francophone community and remains committed to playing an active and responsible role in advancing the shared goals.

Vietnam will work closely with other member states to make practical contributions to the success of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for November 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Giang said.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

In a message sent to Vietnams Francophone community, OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo said French continues to affirm its position as a modern language full of opportunities in a rapidly changing world. She praised Vietnams increasingly prominent role as a pillar of the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific, while placing special emphasis on the youths role in nurturing dialogue, fostering social cohesion and shaping a peaceful future.

Looking toward the 2026 summit, Mushikiwabo urged OIF members, including Vietnam, to sustain their collaborative efforts in advancing multilateralism and amplifying the Francophone community's voice and influence on the global stage.

Under the theme Generation Peace: The Contribution of Youth to a More Peaceful World, this years celebration delivered a strong message about the youths pioneering role in fostering social cohesion and peacebuilding.

The International Francophonie Day has been marked annually since 1980 to celebrate the French language, cultural diversity, and stronger cooperation among member states. Today, French is spoken by nearly 400 million people globally, including close to one million in Vietnam./. VNA
From knowing no English at all, a young woman in Sa Pa has transformed her life through sheer determination and a willingness to learn. In just a few years, she has built her own tourism business and created jobs for people in her village.

A journey that began from zero

Sung Thi Dinh is from the Hmong ethnic group. Photo: NVCC

Sung Thi Dinh, born in 2002, grew up in a Hmong family with four siblings in Ta Van Mong village, Ta Van commune, Lao Cai province. After completing the first semester of Grade 12, financial hardship forced her to leave school and marry early. Still, her love for learning never faded.

In 2019, she came across a three-month English class run by foreign volunteers for local residents and decided to join.

At first, she attended simply out of curiosity. She knew almost nothing about English and doubted she could ever learn it.

When I first encountered English, I didnt understand anything and couldnt communicate. I was also shy about pronunciation because I was afraid of making mistakes, she recalled.

With patient guidance from volunteers, Dinh began with simple methods: learning ten new words each day and practicing pronunciation repeatedly.

After every class, she tried to bring new vocabulary into daily life. As she gradually understood how words were used in context, her confidence grew.

As a child, I always dreamed of sharing my ethnic culture with others. I wanted to become a tour guide, she said.

She also realized that Sa Pa held strong potential for sustainable cultural tourism. That thought became her motivation to continue learning English.

After some time, Dinh began working as a tour guide to earn extra income while improving her language skills. The job placed her in real-life communication situations.

Every day, she met foreign visitors, listened carefully, and tried to respond. She observed how they moved their mouths to imitate pronunciation, while many guests patiently corrected her mistakes. Gradually, she became fluent in conversations.

English truly changed my life

Dinh with foreign tourists. Photo: NVCC

Dinh creates jobs for people in her village. Photo: NVCC

After three to four months as a tour guide, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, bringing tourism in Sa Pa to a halt. To make ends meet, Dinh took on various jobs.

Two years later, when tourism recovered, she secured a position as a receptionist and manager at a homestay. For her, it was more than a job - it was another chance to interact with international visitors and keep improving her English.

During this time, she learned how to welcome guests, manage bookings, and handle operational challenges.

After a year of experience, Dinh decided to start her own tourism business. With about VND100 million (approximately US$4,100) in capital, she built a small stilt house and opened her own homestay.

In the early days, she had to teach herself how to use a computer, sell tours online, and improve her English writing. Every day, she spent between 30 minutes and one hour learning new vocabulary, steadily expanding her language skills.

This was also the period when I learned the most. I never imagined that learning English could change me so much, until I achieved things I had never even dreamed of, she shared.

Beyond showcasing the beauty of Sa Pa, Dinh makes a point of sharing the cultural stories of the Hmong, Dao, and Giay communities with visitors during each tour.

Today, her business has a stable flow of guests, often fully booked. She has been able to buy her own car and create jobs for around ten people, most of them women from her village.

In the past, people here often said that girls couldnt achieve much - that after school, they would just get married. I want to show that women can be financially independent and free to pursue what they love, Dinh said.

In addition to running tours and creating jobs, she also opens a small English class each summer for local students. Her employees are also taught English so they can communicate with tourists.

I hope people understand the importance of English and how it can support both work and daily life, she said.

Looking back, Dinh describes her journey as almost dreamlike. Yet she believes her achievements come down to one simple principle: not being afraid of making mistakes and never giving up.

When learning English or starting in tourism, I made many mistakes. But I kept studying and working hard, and became a better version of myself every day, she said.

Thuy Nga
Le Thi Thiet, Chairwoman of the provincial Culinary Culture Association, said Nam Dinh pho has evolved into a symbol of Vietnamese culinary culture. Born in traditional craft villages like Van Cu and Giao Cu  the cradle of pho, generations of master artisans have guarded its secret recipes. These days, pho makers are creating regional variations, spreading the noodle soup nationwide and earning global recognition.



Back in 2024, both Nam Dinh and Hanoi pho scored a major win when they landed on Vietnam's National Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The designation not only honours their deep cultural, historical and gastronomic significance but also imposes a key duty to keep the tradition alive, push it forward in modern times, and hustle toward getting Vietnamese pho crowned as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.



Running through March 22 at Thien Truong pedestrian street in Thien Truong ward, the festival pulls in artisans, businesses, researchers and food enthusiasts from Vietnam and abroad. Some 50 booths line the street, each run by an artisan or a well-known pho house representing northern, central and southern Vietnam.



Visitors can watch live demos of pho in the making, craft village exhibits, panel discussions and culinary exchanges.



The event aims to reinforce the reputation of Nam Dinh pho in Ninh Binh while elevating Vietnamese pho overall. Organisers expect it to support local cultural preservation, tourism growth and economic gains, alongside highlighting Thien Truong as a welcoming destination rich in authentic identity./. VNA
eputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has signed a decision approving a project to develop smart border gates at the Kim Thanh and Ban Vuoc clearance points of the northwestern province of Lao Cais international border gate, aimed at enhancing trade, security-defence, and sustainable development along the Vietnam-China border.



The project seeks to build and apply a model based on advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and fully automated smart transport systems, while modernising multimodal logistics infrastructure in a synchronised manner. It will also ensure effective connectivity with railways, inland container depots, expressways, and economic corridors linking Vietnam and ASEAN countries with Chinas southwest region.



The initiative is oriented towards forming a major hub for importexport activities, helping to enhance competitiveness, promote international integration, safeguard national defence and security, and support sustainable development in the VietnamChina border area.



The smart border-gate model is expected to increase clearance capacity and efficiency to meet growing trade demand, while also helping combat smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and substandard products.



By 2030, the project aims to double freight throughput at Kim Thanh and Ban Vuoc, reduce average logistics costs for businesses using fully automated smart transport by 2030%, significantly shorten administrative processing times, and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and modern logistics service standards. Total importexport turnover through the area is expected to reach approximately 9 billion USD.



Implementation will begin in the second quarter of 2026. Phase one will focus on establishing the legal framework, technical standards, and specialised procedures for the smart border-gate model, as well as reaching agreements with the Chinese side on cross-border road transport of goods using fully automated smart vehicles.



Phase two will involve operational deployment of the smart border-gate model in accordance with relevant sectoral regulations, alongside the development of the necessary infrastructure./.|

VNA
The Top 10 Outstanding Young Vietnamese of 2025 include Le Kien Thanh (education); Pham Anh Tuan and Dang Thi Le Hang (scientific research); Nguyen Chi Dong (labour and production); Pham Chi Nhu (business and startup); Doan Van Chi (national defence); Tran Quoc Khanh (public security); Nguyen Dinh Bac (sports); Hoa Minzy (culture and arts); and Mua A Thi (social activities).

The nine Promising Young Vietnamese of 2025 are Tran Minh Hoang and Nguyen Luong Thai Duy (education); Nguyen Pham Nhat Thien Minh (scientific research); Le Thi Hong (business and startup); Nguyen Van Thanh (national defence); Nguyen Huu Dung (public security); Nguyen Thi Huong (sports); Phuong My Chi and Nguyen Duc Phuc (culture and arts).

The online voting round, held from 8:00 on March 3 to midnight on March 16, attracted more than 96 million votes. The results served as a reference for the jury to make final decisions.

The Vietnamese Outstanding Young Faces award, presented by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, honours individuals under 35 with exceptional achievements and strong social impact, contributing to the promotion of learning, research, innovation and workforce development among the countrys youth.

This year, organisers received 145 nominations from 37 organisations nationwide, spanning 10 fields. The award ceremony is scheduled for March 25 in Hanoi./. VNA
At a recent meeting to discuss a potential listing and trading mechanism for silver bullion, Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Domestic Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said demand for silver trading has risen in recent years.



Both domestic and international markets have seen sharp and unpredictable price fluctuations, however.



The listing of silver bullion on exchanges needs to be studied to gradually standardise trading activities, Linh said, stressing that implementation must be assessed to ensure transparency, system safety and the protection of market participants.



Recently, in global markets silver prices have climbed significantly in line with gains in precious metals.



In Vietnam, silver bullion prices even reached 111 million VND (4,200 USD) per kilogramme, reflecting growing interest among individuals and investors.



Meanwhile, most silver transactions in Vietnam take place through direct transactions between sellers and buyers, he said.



Linh added that this fragmented model with a lack of centralised pricing mechanisms, standardised product information and risk management tools can expose individuals, investors and businesses to greater risk.



Listing silver on the commodity exchange could help establish a centralised, transparent market with a unified reference price and risk-hedging tools, he said.



The move would also help modernise commodity trading and bring domestic practices closer to international standards.



According to Linh, any move to introduce silver trading on the commodity exchange must be carefully evaluated, including its economic and social impacts and implications for market management.



He also highlighted the need to develop risk management mechanisms such as position limits and measures to curb excessive speculation and ensure market stability.



At the meeting, representatives from the Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam outlined a proposed trading structure, including delivery and clearing mechanisms for silver bullion.



Under the proposal, the rollout would take place in two phases. The first would involve a pilot listing in the domestic market with physical transactions. In the second phase, after operations stabilise, the exchange could be linked with regional and international commodity exchanges.



Businesses in the gold and silver sector said they are committed to ensuring production capacity and complying with delivery requirements. However, current silver supply still depends largely on imports./. VNA
Toyota's bZ electric vehicle is carving out an increasing chunk of market share with a low price and improved performance.

It's a second run in the U.S. EV market for the well-known Japanese brand following what Electrek described as a "slow start" for the bZ4X, which was upgraded and renamed.

"Better late than never ... after updating the electric SUV in the areas where it matters the most," the publication's Peter Johnson wrote.

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The 2026 bZ ranked fourth in January sales, at 2,769 EVs. That bested Hyundai's Ioniq 5 by several hundred; the Ford Mustang Mach-E by more than 1,000; as well as models from Kia, Ford, and Honda by significant margins, the publication reported.

Electrek characterized it as "a surprise sales surge."

Part of the reason is better performance, highlighted by 338 horsepower and 314 miles of range. The news comes as the U.S. sector adjusts to the early elimination of robust federal tax incentives. But switching to an EV still carries great benefits, including cleaner and quieter travel. EV owners also save about $1,500 in gas and service costs annually. Some states are still offering perks for buying and charging the rides as well.

Charging at home is the cheapest way to repower the batteries, providing hundreds to thousands of dollars in savings when compared to gas and public ports that levy fees, according to Qmerit. That's based on an average annual driving distance of 13,489 miles.

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Level 2 chargers provide full power in one to eight hours, depending on the battery type. Qmerit provides free estimates for Level 2 installations so you can get a fast power-up at home, and all you need to do is provide basic information about your electrical panel and installation area. EV owners can also charge with a standard outlet, but it can take up to 50 hours to fully charge a pack, per the experts. DC fast-chargers, or Level 3 stalls, are the fastest. They also cost the most.

The latest EV sales data from Cox Automotive could be an early indication of how the market is shifting since tax incentives ended. January's new sales, at 66,276, dropped nearly 30% from last January. But used EV sales rose 21.2%, to 31,503. It's evidence that battery and EV tech have reliable longevity that can extend to multiple owners. And most used rides likely have plenty of warranty left. Recurrent reported that the average battery guarantee is eight years or 100,000 miles.

The bZ is an appealing option as a new vehicle, coming in colors that include "wind chill pearl" and "supersonic red." The compact sport utility vehicle has a sharp exterior that favors angles over curves, with a high-tech interior you'd expect from the popular brand. Toyota lists it starting at $34,900, making it among the most affordable EVs on the market. Electrek reported that Toyota has some incentives available that bring the price even lower.

It "was among the best-selling EVs in the U.S.," Johnson wrote

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Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong, representing the Vietnamese Government, and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki, on behalf of the Japanese Government, signed the document.

Accordingly, the funding, totaling approximately 90 billion JPY (around 609 million USD), will be allocated to three key projects, namely budget support for green growth and climate adaptation, disaster-resilient rural development, and climate-adaptive infrastructure to support production in northern mountainous regions, particularly for ethnic minority communities.

Phuong said the agreements reaffirm that Japan remains Vietnams largest bilateral donor and demonstrate the Japanese Governments strong interest in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. This is also a step concretising high-level commitments by the two countries leaders to promote a new-generation official development assistance (ODA) cooperation model focusing on priority areas such as green transition and climate change adaptation.

The Japan-funded programmes and projects are of significant importance, contributing positively to Vietnams socio-economic development, particularly by improving essential infrastructure to enhance climate resilience in the northern midland and mountainous provinces, which remain among the countrys most disadvantaged areas.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Following the success of a previous loan supporting post-pandemic socio-economic recovery, the 50-billion-JPY policy loan under the general budget support framework for green growth and climate change adaptation once again demonstrates the Japanese Governments trust in Vietnams ability to implement policy commitments and manage the state budget flexibly and effectively.

Ambassador Ito Naoki affirmed that Japan supports Vietnams reform orientation towards a new era. He expressed his hope that Japans ODA will be utilised in areas such as innovation, semiconductors, the green transition, and digital transformation, thereby helping Vietnam achieve its economic growth targets for 20262030.

The three newly signed ODA projects are expected to serve as a solid starting point for advancing the new-generation ODA model between the two countries, he added./. VNA
At the event, commanders of both sides affirmed that the annual joint patrols between the Dien Bien Provincial Border Guard and the Mengzi Regional Border Guard reflect close coordination and stand out as a highlight in border external affairs, contributing to building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

After the ceremony, patrol forces from the A Pa Chai Border Guard Station under the Dien Bien Provincial Border Guard and the Jinping Meeting Point under the Mengzi Regional Border Guard coordinated to conduct a joint patrol along the section from Marker No. 3 to the tripoint where the borders of Vietnam, China and Laos meet.

During the patrol, officers and soldiers of both sides coordinated to clear patrol routes, clean and tidy up areas surrounding border markers, and promptly exchange information on the security and order situation in border areas. Inspection results showed that the borderline and marker system remained intact, with no signs of violations of border regulations, and that security in the area was stable.

At the end of the patrol, the two sides jointly carried out maintenance work on the tri-border marker of Vietnam, China and Laos, and held talks to review the outcomes. They agreed to continue maintaining effective information exchange via hotlines, while enhancing exchanges and coordination in border management and protection.

Both sides also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating crimes such as illegal entry and exit, smuggling, human trafficking, and other violations of law, reaffirming their determination to jointly safeguard territorial sovereignty and border security for the peace and stability of people in border areas of the two countries./. VNA
Recent data from Yanolja Research, a RoK-based travel technology company, indicates that the average local traveler budgets approximately 971 USD per overseas excursion. This financial ceiling, combined with limited holiday time, has birthed the trend.



Citing the research, the global multilingual travel media platform Travel and Tour World (TTW) reported that last year, Vietnam welcomed more than 4.3 million Korean visitors out of a total of nearly 29.6 million Koreans traveling abroad. This volume significantly outpaces Korean arrivals to neighbouring competitors like Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines, cementing Vietnams status as a premier regional hub for East Asian tourism.



The TTW also cited surveys by the travel data firm Outbox as saying economy has become the most critical criterion for 41% of Korean travelers.



Vietnams ability to offer luxury-tier infrastructure at mid-range prices has been the decisive factor. By balancing a convenient 5-hour flight time with high-quality service, destinations like Da Nang and Phu Quoc allow travelers to enjoy a premium international experience without the financial strain associated with long-distance travel.



As per the article, the sustained interest in Vietnam is also a result of strategic government policies and infrastructure expansion. The 30-day visa exemption for international tourists visiting Phu Quoc has significantly lowered the barrier to entry, making spontaneous trips much easier for RoK citizens.



It wrote that as Millennials and Gen Z continue to dominate the travel market, the demand for social-media-friendly and cost-effective destinations is expected to persist. Experts suggest that the current trend is not merely a post-pandemic surge but a fundamental shift in how Koreans plan their leisure time. By focusing on high-quality experiences, ease of access, and economic value, Vietnam is likely to remain a central pillar of the RoKs outbound travel market for years to come./. VNA
One of the main reasons to buy a new car is knowing that parts will be readily available if a repair is needed. And while that's usually the case, John Rice's 2024 Chevy Silverado ZR2 has become a notable exception, reports WGME.

In a Facebook post, Rice said that he had only owned his truck for a few months when, in November 2024, he was involved in a crash on a dirt road. The truck went off to J&T Autobody in Fryeburg, Maine, which expected it to be fixed in about ten days. While tearing down the truck, the shop discovered that the main wiring harness was damaged and needed to be replaced. It's fairly common for additional damage to be found after the teardown and repair has begun, and the shop has been helping Rice as much as possible through this ordeal.

A new harness arrived in January 2025, only for the repair shop to discover that two of the connectors were wrong and wouldn't plug into the truck properly. According to Rice's breakdown of the events, the new harness was "One Off" (referring to the connectors), and a different harness had to be ordered. This process played out an additional five times over the course of the year, the last of which Rice said in another post was overseen by GM CEO Mary Barra's "Executive Action Team". Each time, the wiring harness that was supposed to plug into the practically new truck didn't fit. The Silverado remains in pieces at the shop today.

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Read more: 5 Nearly Indestructible Transmissions (And The Cars That Use Them)

Stuck without a truck

Front view of a 2024 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison off-roading through the woods - Chevrolet

To make matters worse, Chevy seems unwilling to consider alternatives to supplying a new, correct replacement wiring harness. Rice suggested a workaround that Chevy reportedly rejected. From WGME:

"Send me a schematic and a print, and we'll make the harness. No. Can't do that," Rice said. "If we found one in a junk yard, that was totaled for some reason, and took the harness out and put it in the vehicle  that voids the warranty. Can't do it."

While GM is currently covering half of Rice's monthly payments on the truck, he's still paying for a truck he can't drive. The manufacturer is requiring the repair to use only a harness it provides, and it has been unable to provide the correct harness. The Executive Action Team will no longer talk to Rice because he has filed a complaint against GM with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. WGME did not get a reply to a request for comment from GM, but The Drive did, sort of. An unidentified GM spokesperson said:

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have reached out to the customer and are looking into this matter. We hope to solve this as quickly as possible."

I can't help but wonder, is it a diesel thing?

The Chevrolet Duramax diesel 3.0-liter inline-6 engine - Chevrolet

No reports I've seen have said specifically which plugs on the wiring harness aren't matching up, but I wonder if the issue might have something to do with 2024 being the first year the SIlverado ZR2 was available with GM's 3.0-liter inline-6 Duramax diesel engine? This is purely speculation, but Rice said that the harness was "one-off" in reference to the plugs. Could his Silverado ZR2 diesel have such a unique configuration, between the engine and other options that he selected, that Chevy has been unable to duplicate it?

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One comment on our 2024 Chevy Silverado ZR2 diesel review mentioned another issue where Chevy didn't seem to be able to supply the correct replacement parts. Goose wrote:

After hearing about the nightmare it was for my coworker to have Chevy fix his 2017 2500 Duramax with less than 50k miles this past summer, I'm never buying a modern diesel. The DPF and some other emissions stuff went kaput and Chevy could not locate the parts to replace/fix it under warranty. They refused to use non-OEM parts that were compliant with the EPA. They also wouldn't use used OEM parts to get the truck at least operational until new parts could be found. It ended up sitting at the dealer for 5+ months in limp mode unfixed and no movement from Chevy to get it fixed. Chevy was only willing to offer him some "deals" to buy a new truck (laughably low trade-in of $25k the truck because it was non-op even though it was otherwise flawless plus $5k off most any fullsize truck/SUV)

Much of this sounds similar to Rice's experience. The main exception is that Chevy has refused to buy the truck back. This is a repair from crash damage, not a failed warranty repair, so the Lemon Law doesn't apply. That leaves Rice stuck with an almost-new truck that he still can't drive, more than a year after it initially went to the shop.

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Read the original article on Jalopnik.
TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd. announces that its Board of Directors tentatively decided, at a meeting held on February 16, 2026, the appointment of new Audit & Supervisory Board Members today.

TOKYO, Mar 20, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Group CEO: Koichiro Tanaka) announces that its Board of Directors tentatively decided, at a meeting held on February 16, 2026, the appointment of new Audit & Supervisory Board Members. The Boards of Directors of each group companyTANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd., TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL RETAILING Co., Ltd., and TANAKA ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd.also tentatively decided on the same appointment.

Press inquiries

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.

tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inqufor-media/

TANAKAs Executive Appointments

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd. (Effective of March 26, 2026)

New Position Name Previous Position Audit & Supervisory Board Member Nobutaka Aoki Newly Appointed

*The Audit & Supervisory Board Member is scheduled to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2026.

*Satoru Ochiai is scheduled to retire from the position of Audit & Supervisory Board Member effective March 26, 2026.

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd. (Effective of March 26, 2026)

New Position Name Previous Position Audit & Supervisory Board Member Nobutaka Aoki Newly Appointed Audit & Supervisory Board Member Hiroyuki Sakamoto Newly Appointed

*The Audit & Supervisory Board Member is scheduled to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2026.

*Satoru Ochiai is scheduled to retire from the position of Audit & Supervisory Board Member effective March 26, 2026.

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL RETAILING Co., Ltd. (Effective of March 26, 2026)

New Position Name Previous Position Audit & Supervisory Board Member Nobutaka Aoki Newly Appointed

*The Audit & Supervisory Board Member is scheduled to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2026.

*Satoru Ochiai is scheduled to retire from the position of Audit & Supervisory Board Member effective March 26, 2026.

TANAKA ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd. (Effective of March 26, 2026)

New Position Name Previous Position Audit & Supervisory Board Member Nobutaka Aoki Newly Appointed

*The Audit & Supervisory Board Member is scheduled to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2026.

*Satoru Ochiai is scheduled to retire from the position of Audit & Supervisory Board Member effective March 26, 2026.

Press Release: www.acnnewswire.com/docs/fi260320.pdf
Level 1 teaching assistants in Wales will be moved to level 2 roles from September 2026.

This move will benefit up to 3,350 current level one teaching assistants, who will receive a pay rise of up to 1,350.

Working with local authorities and unions, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle confirmed that the Welsh Government will fund the salary increase for level 1 teaching assistants to move to level 2, subject to local consultation.

Future teaching assistant roles will also be recruited at a minimum of level two.

Alongside increased pay, the move will ensure consistent teaching assistant role descriptions and will support improved recruitment and retention.

The announcement coincides with the publication of Strategic Education Workforce Plan for Schools, which outlines how the Welsh Government and partners will support the current and future education workforce.

This includes ensuring the quality of teaching and learning, addressing workload issues and ensuring that teaching is seen as an attractive career. The plan also outlines how data and evidence will be used to inform workforce planning.

Theres also a commitment to understand alternative models for supporting teachers with time away from the classroom, and to support the appropriate use of generative artificial intelligence in learning and to reduce workload.

The plan also recognises new challenges the school workforce is facing in supporting learners outside of their day-to-day teaching duties. This includes strengthening multi-agency collaboration to support the school workforce to respond to wider societal changes. It also commits to investing and supporting non-teaching pastoral roles including Family Engagement Officers and the work of Community Focused Schools Managers.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: Today is a milestone day for education with the plan outlining key commitments that will benefit the sector in many ways in the short and long term.

The plan has been developed in collaboration with the sector and will support our leaders, teachers, and support staff now and in the future. Equipping them with the skills they need to meet the needs of learners, with wellbeing support for the staff at the heart of the plan.

I am also pleased to announce the uplift for level 1 teaching assistants today, this is the first step towards the long-term goal of pursuing fairer pay and conditions for all teaching assistants.

Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA Spokesperson for Education, said: Teaching assistants are at the heart of our schools, building trusted relationships with pupils and providing the day-to-day support that helps children feel confident and ready to learn.

We welcome this funding from Welsh Government to support the move from level 1 to level 2 roles, recognising the important contribution they make.

Its vital this sits alongside ongoing work to ensure fair and equitable conditions across the whole workforce, so staff feel properly valued and supported in the role they play in childrens lives.

UNISON Cymru head of schools Rosie Lewis said: This is fantastic news for teaching assistants across Wales. For too long, level one roles have been used to keep down the pay of staff who do skilled and demanding work.

Too often teaching assistants cover lessons, help with planning and deal with disruption in class for poverty pay.

This important change is all down to the campaigning work by the staff. Theyre the ones who made the case and brought the evidence.

Scrapping level one roles is an important first step to be celebrated. But its also time for fairer job evaluations, action to tackle excessive workloads and a focus on proper career progression.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
The First Minister has been unable to guarantee that a promised framework for hospice and palliative care funding in Wales will be published in April as planned.

Pressed by North Wales MS Mark Isherwood at the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister on 13 March, Eluned Morgan said she would have to go and check whether the deadline would be met.

I cant give you an assurance on that at this point, she said.

Isherwood told the committee he had met Hospices Cymru and Hospice UK on Monday and that they were very concerned not to have received the assurances that theyd expected about this going forward.

He asked: Will there be a framework for this, or not, this Senedd term? And if so, will it meet the co-produced requirements the sector has identified if its to continue to meet the growing numbers of people passing away in Wales, and to support the NHS in delivering palliative care in a humane way?

Morgan acknowledged the pressure on hospices but did not confirm the April date. She said the Welsh Government had stepped in to try and support them and recognised that national insurance contributions had affected their ability to pay staff.

Nick Wood, the Welsh Governments deputy NHS director, said the framework was currently in discussion and would be considered by whats known as the joint commissioning committee of the NHS. He said the commissioning programme would work through over the next three to six months into next year.

During the exchange, Wood initially gave the stabilisation grant figure as 24 million before being corrected.





Can I just be clear? Morgan interjected. I dont think its 24 million; I think its 24 million overall that we support, and I think theres talk about 3 million or 4 million.

Wood corrected himself: Sorry. Its 4.3 million. Sorry, my error.

Isherwood pressed again: Are you telling us that the promised framework, which would be published in April this year, is not going to be published in April this year? Yes or no?

Morgan replied: Im going to have to go and check that, Mark. What I do know is that there is an intention to put that stabilisation money in, if we can, before the end of this Senedd term. But I cant give you an assurance on that at this point.





Committee chair David Rees asked Morgan to write to the Member with confirmation. She agreed.

North Wales MS Carolyn Thomas raised the costs facing hospices in the region, referencing Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham. I raised 7,000 for my local hospice, and that funded one day, 10 years ago, she said. Its amazing how much it costs to keep them going.

Thomas said she had met Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board recently and been told they now had 24-hour district nurses working with Marie Curie.

She asked whether that model could be expanded.

Wood said there had been a large investment across all health boards into district nursing services to support people dying at home, though he clarified this was certainly seven days a week rather than 24 hours a day.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
A Wrexham takeaway has been named the best kebab shop in Wales at a national awards ceremony.

Chip-o-Dee picked up the title at the 2026 British Kebab Awards, having previously been highly commended in the same category last year.

The popular takeaway, owned by Haci Deniz, has built a strong reputation locally since opening in 2020 and is known for its freshly prepared food and homemade sauces.

North Wales MS Sam Rowlands visited the business following its success and praised the achievement.

I am absolutely delighted to hear that a Wrexham eatery has received national acclaim, he said.

Congratulations must go to owner Haci Deniz for doing so well in this prestigious competition.

I enjoyed sampling some of his award-winning dishes on my visit and it is great to see all his hard work paying off.

Mr Rowlands also highlighted the owners contribution to the local community, describing him as well known for his charitable efforts.

The British Kebab Awards, now in its 14th year, recognises takeaway and restaurant businesses across the UK.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Recently, J.D. Power put together what it has found to be the most dependable car brands on the market in 2026. Rather than testing 2026 models, this was determined by surveying drivers with vehicles from the 2023 model year who have three years of ownership under their belts, and seeing how many problems these drivers have reported across 184 different areas, ranging from problems with the powertrain to the infotainment system.

These vehicles needed to endure real world wear and tear to truly gauge their dependability. Unsurprisingly, Lexus finished at the top of the list, as its generally regarded as one of the most reliable brands on the market, but coming in just a few spots lower in fifth place is Chevrolet, with 178 problems per 100 vehicles.

J.D. Power further broke down its findings, highlighting the most dependable vehicles for a particular category. For it to be highlighted, the model needed to perform at or above industry average. Chevrolet managed to snag first place in two different categories. First was with compact SUVs, where the Chevrolet Equinox beat out the likes of the Subaru Forester.

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Notably, the Equinox did not even place in the top three the previous year. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Tahoe topped all large SUVs. In fact, the Tahoe is the only large SUV to get a mention by J.D. Power, because it fit the organization's bill in this case. While that is not the kind of data you want to see if you own any of the other large SUVs, it is good news to anyone that either has a Tahoe, or is looking to purchase one.

Read more: 21 Major Tire Brands Of 2025 Ranked

Chevrolet also did well in other categories

Navy 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe parked by a lake, front 3/4 view, clear skies - Chevrolet

While the Chevrolet Equinox and Tahoe were the models to be deemed the most dependable of their respective categories by J.D. Power, that does not mean they were the only Chevrolet vehicles to be ranked highly by the organization.

There are three other Chevy models that all managed second place finishes. First, we have the Blazer, which finished second behind the Nissan Murano for midsize SUVs, just as it did the previous year. For the upper midsize SUVs, the Chevrolet Traverse earned second place. Technically, it's actually third place, because the Buick Enclave and Toyota 4Runner tied for the top spot. This is an improvement for the Traverse, which did not earn top three in 2025.

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The final model with a bowtie that impressed J.D. Power is the Chevrolet Silverado. The second highest selling vehicle in the United States finished in second place among all large light duty pickup trucks, behind the Ram 1500. Notably, it placed ahead of third-place finisher Ford F-150, which is routinely the best-selling vehicle. Unfortunately, the Silverado's second place finish is a step down from the previous year, where it placed first in the category.

In 2025, the Chevrolet Corvette scored the top spot among premium sporty cars, but that category does not appear in J.D. Power's evaluations for 2026. That either means the category was eliminated, or no model was able to meet the industry average threshold.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Brisbane, Mar 21, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Far East Gold Ltd ( ASX:FEG ) ( FEGDF:OTCMKTS ) has 4 highly prospective Copper/gold projects in Indonesia.



Three of the projects-Trenggalek, Wonogiri, and Woyla-are located along the Sunda-Banda Arc, which hosts several world-class copper -gold deposits. These include Batu Hijau Mine with around 17 M oz Au, Elang Project with approximately 25 M oz Au, Tumpang Pitu with about 30 M oz Au, and the recent discovery Hu'u Onto in sumbawa Island with at least 27 M oz Au.



With the recent Hu'u Onto discovery, we are increasingly confident that the Sunda-Banda Arc remains highly prospective. At Trenggalek, in particular, we are targeting similar porphyry-style mineralisation.



As for our project in West Papua, we all know that Papua is globally recognised for hosting world-class copper-gold deposits. For example, Grasberg Mine is the largest single gold-copper deposit in the world, with approximately 100 M oz Au. There is also the Wabu Project, located near Grasberg, with resources of around 10 M oz Au.



In Papua New Guinea, within the same orogenic belt, there are several major deposits such as Ok Tedi Mine with about 15 M oz Au, Frieda River with around 12 M oz Au, Porgera Gold Mine with approximately 20 M oz Au, and Wafi-Golpu with about 30 M oz Au.



What's interesting is that on the Indonesian side of Papua, only Grasberg and Wabu have been discovered so far, whereas on the PNG side, multiple large deposits have already been identified. Why is that? I believe it is mainly because the Indonesian side remains relatively underexplored.



That's why we are very optimistic about our project in Idenburg, which is located within the same highly prospective orogenic belt.



To Watch the video, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/486ZDVO9





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.

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Scream 7 brings Sidney Prescott back. Her teenage daughter is the new target. Witness the most brutal Ghostface kills yet in this return to form.

AceShowbiz - Scream 7 marks a significant return to the beloved self-aware slasher franchise, putting Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) back at the center of the story. The film largely disregards the events of the last two entries, instead focusing on Sidney and her family as a new Ghostface killer emerges. Notably, the movie places Sidneys teenage daughter in the crosshairs, drawing a parallel to the original film by making her the same age Sidney was during the first deadly spree.

As with all films in the Scream series, Scream 7 features multiple deathssome of which are far more graphic and gruesome than any previous installment. These intense kill scenes are a major selling point, showcasing the Ghostface killers brutal methods of dispatching their victims without holding back.

The movie opens with a chilling scene seemingly unconnected to the main plot. A young couple visits a "murder house" designed to replicate Sidney Prescotts childhood home, complete with chalk outlines of past victims and even an animatronic Ghostface to frighten visitors. This setup quickly turns deadly when the real Ghostface appears. Scott, the young man, is stabbed to death, and Madison (Michelle Randolph) is caught in a horrifying trap. Though she initially falls onto Ghostface, she survives long enough to be set on fire, with the house burning down around her. This sequence sets the tone for the films relentless and violent atmosphere.

Scream 7 maintains the franchises tradition of targeting young adults, especially those close to Sidneys daughter, Tatum Evans (Isabel May). Tatum is part of her schools theater troupe, where the first two murders occur, instantly casting suspicion on the group. The first victim is Hannah (McKenna Grace), Tatums best friend, who suffers a brutal death during a flying harness rehearsalshe is slammed into a wall repeatedly before being stabbed deeply, with her intestines torn out. Another student, Aaron, is killed offscreen with a slashed throat.

The carnage continues at a bar where the remaining students gather after curfew. While trying to figure out the identity of Ghostface among them, almost all of them are killed. Chloe (Celeste OConnor) is thrown through a stack of glasses, a shard embedding deeply in her throat. The most grisly death belongs to Lucas (Asa Germann), a teen obsessed with true crime. He is stabbed multiple times, then hoisted onto a beer tap spike by Ghostface. Suspended and vomiting blood, Lucass death is one of the films most visually shocking moments. Ben (Sam Rechner), another of Tatums friends, dies trying to protect her on the deserted towns streets, repeatedly stabbed by Ghostface.

Three characters, Mindy Meeks-Martin, Chad Meeks-Martin, and Mark Evans, experience apparent deaths but ultimately survive, serving as fake-outs that keep the audience guessing.

There are multiple Ghostface killers in Scream 7. One is revealed to be an escaped mental patient who is quickly dispatched when Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) arrives and runs him over with her SUV. Gale and Sidney visit the institution where he was held.

Scream 7 also includes a major cameo that plays on fans nostalgia and expectations. The film teases the survival of Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), a fan-favorite killer from the original movie. Although Sidney and Gale know Stu is dead, missing burial records and the death of the woman who signed them create ambiguity. Stu contacts Sidney via a video call, with Lillard reprising the role. These videos are later revealed to be deep fakes, but the inclusion serves as a thrilling nod to longtime fans and injects a layer of mystery into the plot.

The film culminates with Sidney returning home to find her daughter caught in the deadly game of Ghostface. The interplay between mother and daughter, the multiple killers, and the intense body count continue the legacy of the Scream franchise while injecting fresh energy into the storyline.

In summary, Scream 7 revitalizes the series by bringing back Sidney Prescott and placing her family at the center of a new and brutal Ghostface killing spree. The movie delivers numerous gruesome deaths, clever misdirection with multiple killers, and fan-pleasing cameos, all while maintaining the franchises signature blend of horror and meta-commentary.
Taylor Sheridan's 2026 debut: Dive into the Dutton saga's next chapter with 'Marshals' and the emotional, cross-country drama 'The Madison' starring Pfeiffer...

AceShowbiz - Taylor Sheridan is making an entrance into 2026 with two significant projects launching in March. This month features two distinct series that expand his creative universe in different ways. One project delves deeper into the Dutton family saga on network television, while the other offers a more emotionally charged and intimate narrative. Together, Taylor Sheridans new works, Marshals and The Madison, promise a new chapter.

The Madison is a series that unfolds across two contrasting settings: the vast, rugged landscapes of Montana and the bustling, vibrant energy of New York City. The show stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell as Stacy and Preston Clyburn. They are joined by a talented ensemble cast including Beau Garrett, Elle Chapman, Patrick J. Adams, Amiah Miller, Alaina Pollack, Ben Schnetzer, Kevin Zegers, Rebecca Spence, Danielle Vasinova, Matthew Fox, and Will Arnett. Unlike the action-driven Marshals, The Madison explores themes of quiet devastation and emotional depth, setting it apart as a poignant drama.

Meanwhile, Marshals premieres on March 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, closely tied to the broader rollout of Paramount+. This series stars Luke Grimes reprising his role as Kayce Dutton, who now joins an elite U.S. Marshals unit. Rather than trying to replicate the sprawling and soap-operatic style of Yellowstone, Marshals transitions into a procedural drama format tailored for network television. This allows the show to carve out its own identity while maintaining a connection to the original series.

Colliders review of Marshals highlighted how the show wisely avoids becoming Yellowstone Part 2. Instead, it embraces the procedural genre, which suits Kayce Duttons story well within the constraints of network television. The review pointed out some limitations such as less grit, occasional repetitive dialogue, and the tighter 42-minute episode format, but overall praised how these factors complement the narratives new direction.

Michael John Petty of Collider described Marshals as a neo-Western that is chock-full of potential. He noted the series is action-packed, thrilling, and full of everything you could ask for in a Kayce Dutton-led series that fights hard to divorce itself from the Y that still lingers in the background. While acknowledging that the show is not perfect, Petty believes that once it overcomes some early growing pains, it will stand firmly on its own. The chemistry between Luke Grimes and Logan Marshall-Green, who plays Pete Calvin, was specifically praised for authentically portraying the bond between two ex-SEALs. The rest of the cast also earned positive mentions as viewers learn more about their characters.

Marshals is created and showrun by Spencer Hudnut, with directing credits including Christopher Chulack and Greg Yaitanes. The writing team features Hudnut alongside Tom Mularz and Dana Greenblatt. The series blends elements of drama, western, and crime genres and is rated TV-14. Its premiere on CBS marks a fresh start for the Dutton saga on broadcast television, with a focus on action and procedural storytelling.

Following Marshals, The Madison will debut on Paramount+ on March 14 with a three-part premiere event. This release strategy highlights the streaming services commitment to serialized dramas with strong emotional cores. The star-studded cast and the dual settings of Montana and New York City promise a rich narrative experience that contrasts with the action and procedural pace of Marshals.
Hollywood's action legends honor Chuck Norris. Tributes from Stallone, Van Damme & more celebrate the martial arts icon's life and legacy.

AceShowbiz - Hollywoods top action stars have come together to honor the life and legacy of Chuck Norris, the legendary martial artist and actor who passed away on Thursday. His impact on the action film genre and martial arts community has been widely acknowledged by his peers and fans alike.

Sylvester Stallone, who shared the screen with Chuck Norris in the 2012 action film The Expendables 2, paid tribute on Instagram by sharing a photo of the two together. He expressed his admiration, saying, "I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way. Great man and my condolences to his wonderful family."

Another co-star from The Expendables 2, Jean-Claude Van Damme, also honored Chuck Norris with a heartfelt message. Posting a photo of the pair, Van Damme reflected on their long-standing friendship, stating, "Deepest condolences on the passing of my friend, Chuck Norris. We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was. My heart and prayers are with his family. He will never be forgotten. ????" Notably, Van Damme had an uncredited role as a soldier in one of Chuck Norris's iconic films, Missing in Action (1984).

Dolph Lundgren, also featured in The Expendables 2, shared how much Chuck Norris inspired him. "Chuck Norris is the champ," Lundgren wrote. "Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model. Someone who had the respect, humility and strength it takes to be a man. We will miss you, my friend. ?"

From television, Judson Mills, known for his role as Francis Gage on Walker, Texas Ranger, offered a detailed tribute to Chuck Norris. He described him as "one of those rare individuals who was truly the icon he was made out to be - quiet, humble, kind, wise, and gentle. A giant among men who somehow always made you feel completely at ease, like he was just one of the gang. A true gentleman in every sense of the word. An American hero."

Actor Joe Piscopo, who worked alongside Chuck Norris in the film Sidekicks, shared a joyful photo and expressed his gratitude for the experience. "I was honored to work with Chuck. It was a life changing and treasured experience that I will hold dearly in my heart forever. Sending love, respect and heartfelt condolences to the Norris Family," he wrote.

Beyond the world of film and television, Dave Mustaine, frontman of the band Megadeth, also paid his respects. He recalled how Chuck Norris became his inspiration after watching Bruce Lees The Way of the Dragon at age 13. "Today, I send my condolences to the Norris family. I know he will be missed by millions of fans and friends. I know I certainly will," Mustaine shared.

The widespread tributes highlight the profound influence Chuck Norris had on both his colleagues and admirers from various fields. His legacy as a martial artist, actor, and cultural icon continues to resonate, underscoring the respect and affection he earned throughout his career.
Cardi B becomes Zevia shareholder & brand ambassador. The rapper partners with the zero-sugar soda brand, shaping its cultural strategy.

AceShowbiz - Cardi B has taken a significant step in her expanding business ventures by becoming both a shareholder and the official brand ambassador for Zevia, the zero-sugar soda company.

The Grammy-winning rapper announced a multi-year partnership with Zevia, highlighting that this collaboration is more than just a typical sponsorship. Cardi B is actively involved in shaping the brand's cultural strategy, marking her role with a deeper creative influence.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Cardi B shared that she loves soda but prefers to avoid sugary drinks. She praised Zevia for its zero sugar content and natural ingredients, signaling a shared vision for healthier beverage options. This year, we are taking it to the next level together, she said.

Zevia is also the official sponsor of Cardi Bs ongoing "Little Miss Drama Tour," which began on February 11 in Palm Desert and will continue through April 18 in Atlanta. The tour has already visited several major cities including Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, and Minneapolis, with stops in Chicago, Newark, and Toronto still to come.

The partnership extends beyond tour sponsorship, with Zevia planning a major campaign this summer. This initiative will include commercials, in-store displays, a sampling tour, and exclusive product collaborations. Cardi B will contribute to designing new flavors, infusing her unique style into the better-for-you beverage market.

This deal is especially notable because Cardi B has acquired shareholder status, giving her an ownership stake and decision-making power in the company. This distinguishes the agreement from other celebrity endorsements and aligns with her approach to authenticity and transparency in business.

Alongside her beverage endeavors, Cardi B recently launched Grow Good Beauty, her first haircare brand developed over three years. Her entrepreneurial portfolio also includes Whipshots, a vodka-infused whipped cream that has sold over 4 million cans since its 2022 debut, and collaborations with Reebok and NYX Cosmetics.

This new venture with Zevia reinforces Cardi Bs commitment to building generational wealth by diversifying her business interests beyond music into beverages, beauty, and fashion.
Gunplay reveals financial frustrations with Rick Ross & MMG. Ross responds with love but addresses past career struggles. Exclusive hip-hop contract drama.

AceShowbiz - Gunplay is opening up about his past with Rick Ross and Maybach Music Group (MMG), revealing frustrations over contract changes and management decisions that he says left him at a financial disadvantage.

Reflecting on his time with MMG, Gunplay suggests that loyalty came at a cost. He revisits old contracts and points fingers not only at Rick Ross but also at former management figures like Matt Middleton and Megan Price, whom he claims were involved in decisions that negatively affected his earnings.

In a recent discussion, Ross addressed the situation without hostility, emphasizing that his comments come from a place of love for his former protege. Not laughing at my little bro situation cuz I got nothing but love for him, he said. However, Ross also shed light on difficult periods in Gunplays career, stating, The distributor had done dropped you. They ain't want nothing to do with you, implying that the business side had already moved on without fully informing Gunplay. They aint give you the bad news. We told you just keep working, just keep grinding, don't stop, don't quit.

Gunplay responded by clarifying some details, particularly regarding Megan Prices role. He explained that she managed him approximately from 2012 to 2016. More notably, he revealed that contract amendments were made without his knowledge during a difficult legal period involving an armed robbery case.

According to Gunplay, both Megan Price and Matt Middleton altered his contract because they believed his legal troubles might prevent him from fulfilling his obligations. Originally, his album deal included a $150,000 advance split into $75,000 upfront and $75,000 upon completion. However, the contract was changed so that the second $75,000 payment was redirected to management, with Middleton reportedly receiving 10 to 15 percent.

An auditor later helped Gunplay uncover these changes. He recounted, He was like, 'Yo, who's Matt Middleton?' I'm like, 'I don't know, the name sounds familiar.' And he was like, 'Who's Megan Price?' The auditor then explained how the $75,000 backend payment was rerouted to them.

Gunplay admitted that he might have been overly transparent about these family business matters, stating, I'mma take accountability for being too transparent with family business.

Despite the financial and contractual frustrations, Gunplay affirmed his loyalty to Rick Ross, though he expressed disappointment about feeling forgotten during crucial times. He said, I didn't even get a welcome home Gunplay... really disappointment if anything. Disappointment. Very disappointed.

This situation highlights the complex intersection of loyalty, legal troubles, and business contracts in the music industry. Whether this story sparks further public discussion within MMG or fades quietly remains to be seen, depending largely on if others choose to respond to Gunplays claims.
Auto manufacturer recalls are a common, necessary, and, for most automakers, unavoidable part of selling vehicles in the modern era. When companies are shipping out millions of vehicles with increasingly complex, computerized components, even the most trusted and reliable brands or models are not immune to needing the occasional recall. These issues can range from minor software glitches to serious, and potentially deadly, mechanical and safety defects.

Fortunately for car owners, many big recalls in the modern era are less substantial than they might sound, with an increasing number of vehicles able to fix issues via over-the-air updates  or at worst, a quick software update at the dealership. There is, however, one American automaker that's been hit especially hard by recalls over the last several years, and not just for simple software glitches. That automaker is Ford, and since 2020, nearly every model that Ford makes has been hit with at least one large recall.

With 152 different recalls issued in 2025 alone, Ford set a new record for recalls by an automaker in a single year, and did so by a huge margin. Indeed, many of these recalls were for fairly minor, easily fixed issues, but unfortunately for the company and its customers, some problems were far more serious than simple software issues, including potential battery fires on Ford hybrid SUVs.

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Read more: 23 Bizarre Vehicles That Celebrities Actually Owned

Recalls big and small

Side view of new Ford Mustangs and other Ford models parked in front Ford dealership in Texas. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Over the last six years, millions of Ford vehicles have been recalled, with 16 different models being subject to recalls of varying severity. Apart from one strange exception, which we'll talk about in a moment, every model that Ford makes has been hit with a major recall of some sort during the 2020s, from performance cars and EVs, to pickups and commercial vans.

One of the largest Ford recalls by volume was a 2025 recall that covered nearly 1.5 million vehicles for rearview camera safety issues. Rearview camera recalls are common these days for many automakers, but Ford's problem was significant in that it required physically replacing defective cameras themselves rather than just a software update. Naturally, this makes it more costly both in terms of owner inconvenience and for Ford's monetary bottom line.

An even larger recall is currently out for over four million Ford pickup trucks and SUVs for tow module issues that can stop trailer brake lights and turn signals from functioning. Fortunately, Ford says it should be able to address this particular issue through over-the-air software updates. Another substantial recall was put out in 2025 for bad low-pressure fuel pumps, which can cause engine stalling on affected vehicles. It covers more than 850,000 Ford models, including the Mustang, Bronco, and F-250 pickup.

The Ford GT has been almost recall-free

Front 3/4 view of yellow modern Ford GT parked on display at car show. - Alina Solodovnik Photo/Getty Images

Some of Ford's quality issues have actually gone beyond recalls and into class action lawsuits, including one high-profile lawsuit over potentially catastrophic engine defects in EcoBoost V6 engines made during 2021 and 2022. Looking at the grander scope of the auto industry and Ford's overall reputation, what does this historically high number of recalls actually mean? Is Ford's vehicle quality truly getting worse, or are they just better at addressing issues?

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The company argues it's the latter. While no automaker wants to put out massive, public recalls for its vehicles, Ford points out that it has doubled its safety and technical teams in recent years. This has resulted in what Ford says is a more proactive approach in identifying and addressing software and hardware issues before they lead to larger problems. However, even if that's the case, setting a record for recalls issued is probably not ideal from a brand reputation standpoint.

If you want to buy a modern Ford vehicle that hasn't been affected by widespread recalls, you do have an option. The only problem is that the option is the discontinued, ultra-limited Ford GT supercar that currently sells for about $800,000. With just one small exception for a rear wing valve recall that affected just two cars total, a stellar recall record is just one more feather in this American supercar's cap.

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Explore Hayao Miyazaki's new Panorama Box exhibit at Studio Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, featuring fresh art inspired by his iconic films. Opens July 2026.

AceShowbiz - Hayao Miyazaki is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in anime, having shaped the industry with his visionary storytelling and distinct animation style. As a co-founder of Studio Ghibli along with Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata, Miyazakis work has left an indelible mark on animation, earning him accolades including an Academy Award. The studio is renowned for its hand-drawn animation, intricate detail, and emotionally rich narratives that continue to captivate audiences globally.

On March 17th, 2026, Studio Ghiblis co-founder and current president Toshio Suzuki, together with director Goro Miyazaki, revealed a preview of Hayao Miyazakis latest project during a special event. This new initiative, called the Panorama Box, consists of several freshly illustrated pieces inspired by some of Miyazakis most beloved films. The exhibit is scheduled to open at Studio Ghiblis Grand Warehouse on July 8th, 2026, as part of the official theme park exhibition in Nagakute, Japan.

During the presentation, Suzuki provided insight into Miyazakis current health and work status, shedding light on the legendary directors ongoing creative efforts despite his advancing age. According to Suzuki, Miyazaki, who celebrated his 85th birthday in January 2026, remains remarkably energetic and engaged, defying expectations that he might slow down.

Goro Miyazaki added a personal note, mentioning that his fathers recent blood test results were better than his own, highlighting Hayao Miyazakis surprisingly good health for his age. However, Suzuki also candidly described the realities Miyazaki faces: Even though he is 85, he still wants to make movies, but his motivation fluctuates day by day. On days when he feels unwell, he openly expresses a loss of drive and contemplates not continuing his work. This cycle repeats itself.

Throughout his career, Hayao Miyazaki has announced retirement multiple times, only to return to filmmaking with renewed passion. His 2023 film, The Boy and the Heron, was intended as his final work. However, following the films success, Miyazaki confirmed he would embark on another project, much to the delight of fans worldwide. Although Studio Ghibli has yet to officially reveal details about this upcoming film, Suzuki reassured that Miyazaki has continuously remained active in his creative pursuits.

Despite turning 85, Hayao Miyazaki shows no signs of letting age impede his artistic ambitions. Yet, the fluctuations in his health occasionally affect his motivation, with periods where he openly doubts his capacity to continue. Nevertheless, these moments are temporary, and he consistently regains his determination to work. The newly introduced Panorama Box project, filled with exquisite illustrations personally created by Miyazaki, marks his latest artistic contribution and showcases his dedication to his craft.

This year, Hayao Miyazaki kicked off 2026 with fresh visuals hinting at ongoing creativity, underscoring that although his next film remains shrouded in mystery, his artistic spirit endures. The upcoming exhibition at the Studio Ghibli theme park will offer fans a rare glimpse into his evolving work and the timeless magic that defines his legacy.

The enduring passion of Hayao Miyazaki serves as a testament to his lifelong commitment to animation and storytelling, proving that even with natural challenges, the creative drive can persist. Fans and followers eagerly await further announcements about what the master filmmaker will produce next.

What are your thoughts on Hayao Miyazakis continued work despite his struggles? Join the conversation and share your views in the ComicBook Forum.
The Baywatch reboot is coming in 2026! Meet the new lifeguards in red. Get the latest casting news, filming updates, and premiere details.

AceShowbiz - The highly anticipated Baywatch reboot is gearing up to introduce a fresh generation of California lifeguards navigating intense drama both on the job and in their personal lives. Filming was recently spotted in Venice, California, in March 2026, sparking excitement among fans eager to see the iconic red swimsuits return alongside new characters.

While an exact premiere date has yet to be confirmed, the series is projected to debut sometime in 2026. Production is still underway, and the release timeline depends on the completion of filming. The new installment promises to blend thrilling rescues with engaging storylines, keeping the spirit of the original series alive.

The reboots main cast includes Hassie Harrison as Nat, Jessica Belkin as Charlie, Stephen Amell as Hobie, Brooks Nader as Selene, Thaddeus LaGrone as Brad, David Chokachi as Cody, and Livvy Dunne as Grace. Additionally, Shay Mitchell and Noah Beck are set to appear in guest roles, according to IMDb.

Distribution of the series will be handled by Fox, with streaming likely available on Hulu once the show premieres. This collaboration was officially announced in September 2025, with Fox partnering alongside Fremantle to bring the "reimagined" version of Baywatch to audiences.

Christian Vesper, Fremantles CEO of Global Drama, shared insight into the project, expressing their intent to reconnect with longtime fans while attracting a new generation to the famous lifeguard world. He noted, "Baywatch has always been a treasured asset in Fremantle's portfolio and remains one of the most iconic series in television history globally."

Vesper further emphasized the strong partnership with Fox and praised Matt Nix, who is leading the series as showrunner. With Nixs expertise in crafting compelling and entertaining narratives, the reboot aims to honor the legacy of the original while delivering fresh, captivating content for modern viewers.

As production progresses, fans of the franchise can look forward to seeing how this new chapter of Baywatch blends action, drama, and the timeless appeal of lifeguard heroism on the sunny shores of California.
Director Andrew Stanton's epic return. A 50,000-year journey through three eras, exploring love, life, and what makes us human.

AceShowbiz - In the Blink of an Eye marks director Andrew Stanton's return to live-action filmmaking after his 2012 cult favorite John Carter. This ambitious triptych narrative spans nearly 50,000 years, weaving together the lives of three distinct families living in vastly different eras.

The film's first timeline is set in 45,000 BCE, where Neanderthals and Homo sapiens intersect amid the dawn of humanity. The second story unfolds in a near-future 2025, focusing on the developing romance between two academics, Claire (played by Rashida Jones) and Greg (portrayed by Daveed Diggs). Finally, the narrative leaps to 2417 CE, following Coakley (played by Kate McKinnon), a "longevity-enhanced pilot" on a mission to colonize a new planet.

Despite the dramatic shifts in time and setting, Stanton emphasizes the enduring commonalities of human experience. Across all three eras, characters live, love, learn, and ultimately face mortality, underscoring the timelessness of these fundamental aspects of life.

Stanton has long been associated with family-friendly animation classics at Pixar, including Finding Nemo, WALL-E, and Finding Dory. However, he clarifies that his artistic interests extend far beyond the G-rated sandbox of Pixars world. "People assume I'm 12 years old and G-rated just because of the sandbox I've been put into," he told The Hollywood Reporter. He welcomes opportunities to explore darker, more experimental storytelling, as seen in In the Blink of an Eye and his recent television directing work.

The film delves into speculative science fiction with Coakley's storyline, revealing a future shaped by gene replacement technology. Coakleys extended lifespan results from Elixir, a breakthrough created by Claire and Gregs son, David (played by Luc Roderique). As founder of a tech company also named Elixir, David developed this longevity treatment in the mid-21st century, allowing select individuals to live indefinitely.

However, this revolutionary technology did not remain unchallenged. Coakley explains that Elixir was eventually withdrawn from public access, hinting at ethical dilemmas or governmental intervention. Stanton acknowledges the ambiguity around the reasons for this withdrawal but draws parallels to historical patterns where innovations become regulated after unforeseen consequences arise.

Adding depth to this theme, a deleted scene depicted David watching news coverage of riots sparked by social unrest over who could access longevity technology. "We assumed it would be a class issue for a while," Stanton shared. Yet the conflict evolved into a politically charged debate, forcing audiences to consider the broader societal implications beyond personal relationships. Although removed from the final cut, this scene encapsulated the films engagement with contemporary issues surrounding privilege and technological ethics.

In discussing his career trajectory, Stanton revealed that his recent directing roles on high-profile television series like Better Call Saul and Stranger Things were partly motivated by a desire to regain his live-action sea legs. He expressed enthusiasm for working on sets anonymously, contrasting this with the visibility that comes with animated features. These experiences have enriched his filmmaking perspective, allowing him to experiment with genres and tones outside his Pixar legacy.

When asked about the tonal shift from family-friendly animation to darker material, Stanton embraced the contrast. He described his personal tastes as diverse, ranging from arthouse to abstract films, and welcomed the freedom to explore different storytelling modes after 25 years in one creative space. This openness is reflected in In the Blink of an Eye, which blends historical drama, romance, and sci-fi into a complex narrative mosaic.

The films structure reinforces its thematic core by juxtaposing three timelinesprehistoric, near-future, and far-futureyet maintaining a focus on shared human experiences. Stanton likened the narrative to standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, emphasizing continuity rather than division. He hopes audiences will embark on an emotional journey during the films 90-minute runtime, drawing their own interpretations rather than receiving a prescribed message.

The editing process preserved the fundamental sequencing of the timelines, ensuring the storys flow remained consistent with the original script. The transitions between eras are fluid, supporting the films intent to highlight the interconnectedness of humanity across time.

Looking ahead, Stanton also provided an update on his upcoming project, Toy Story 5. While details remain under wraps, he remains deeply involved with Pixar and continues to contribute to the studios enduring legacy of storytelling that appeals to all ages.

In summary, In the Blink of an Eye represents a bold evolution for Andrew Stanton. By exploring humanitys past, present, and speculative future, the film challenges viewers to contemplate what unites us beyond time and technological change. It blends genres and themes to create a unique cinematic experience that pushes beyond the familiar boundaries of his prior work, signaling exciting creative directions for the acclaimed filmmaker.
Real Housewives stars Kenya Moore, Kim Zolciak & more rumored for new All-Star reality series on Amazon Prime. Get the exclusive details.

AceShowbiz - Rumors are circulating about a potential new reality series featuring several well-known faces from the Real Housewives franchises. Among those reportedly involved are Kenya Moore, Kim Zolciak, and Margaret Josephs, who are said to be filming a show set in the Dominican Republic for Amazon Prime Video.

While the exact concept of this project remains undisclosed, speculation suggests it may resemble an All-Star style getaway series, bringing together reality stars from various franchises. Fans are particularly interested in Kenya Moores participation, given her abrupt exit from The Real Housewives of Atlanta after a dramatic confrontation with newcomer Brit Eady, who also left the show shortly after. Initial rumors about Kenya Moore returning to RHOA have since been denied.

Kim Zolciak, who departed from the Atlanta series several years ago, has stayed active in the reality TV scene on other projects. Meanwhile, Margaret Josephss status on The Real Housewives of New Jersey is currently uncertain as the show is on hiatus.

Additional reality personalities from different franchises are rumored to be part of this new venture, adding to the intrigue about the shows potential format and dynamic. Neither Amazon Prime Video nor the cast members have officially confirmed the existence of this series.

Nonetheless, fans of Kenya Moore remain hopeful that these rumors signal the reality stars return to television, eager to see the Twirl Queen back on screen in what could be an exciting new reality collaboration.
Tia Mowry reveals she's found love again after divorce, sharing her happiness in this new chapter while keeping details private.

AceShowbiz - Tia Mowry recently shared some heartfelt updates about her personal life, revealing that she has found love again after her divorce from Cory Hardrict. Nearly three years after their separation, the former "Sister, Sister" star expressed excitement about this new chapter during an interview on March 12.

Tia Mowry, who shares two children14-year-old Cree and 7-year-old Cairowith her ex-husband Cory Hardrict, kept details about her new relationship private, stating, "I'm in love, but that's all I'm going to say. I'm keeping this close to my heart."

Despite her discretion, she was open about the positive impact this new romance has had on her life. "I'm very grateful," she reflected. "I'm happy." This update marks a significant shift from less than a year ago when she described herself as a single mom navigating life without a partner.

In July, Mowry had candidly posted on Instagram about her status as a single parent: "For me, in my household, I am SINGLE. I don't have a partner, so I'm holding it down for everyone at home. I'm the only parent present day to day." That post, which has since been deleted, also touched on the emotional challenges she faced adjusting to this new reality.

Tia clarified that being a single mom doesnt necessarily mean doing everything completely alone or that the father is absent from the childrens lives. She expressed empathy for others in more traditional single-parent scenarios, acknowledging the difficulties involved.

In a December 2024 Instagram post, she opened up about the complex feelings surrounding her divorce after 14 years of marriage. She admitted to experiencing guilt and shame but also emphasized the importance of embracing a family dynamic that might look different yet remains full of love and stability for her children.

Mowry wrote, "Different doesn't mean less than. The most important thing is keeping the traditions alive for my childrenbecause no matter how it looks, we are still family."

The decision to end her marriage was challenging for both her and Hardrict, but she felt it was necessary for her own happiness and to set an example for her kids. On a 2022 appearance on the Today show, she discussed the importance of self-love and personal growth, saying that women often put others happiness first but need to focus on their own worth and value.

"When you start to really work on yourself, love yourself, know your value and know your worth, then all of a sudden, there's this awakening," she explained.

After the divorce was finalized in 2023, Tia continued to co-parent with Cory, maintaining a positive environment for their children. She responded to criticism after calling herself a "single mom," reinforcing that family structures can vary and still provide love, stability, and joy.

In a July 22 Instagram post, accompanied by photos of her bonding with her kids, she wrote, "Family can look different than what we imagined and still be full of love, stability, and joy. This is my truth, and I want to share it." She empathized with the stereotype of single moms having to do everything alone but clarified her experience.

Mowry also discussed the overlooked aspects of her life that come with being a single parent. She reiterated, "For me, in my household, I am SINGLE. I don't have a partner, so I'm holding it down for everyone at home. I'm the only parent present day to day."

Reflecting on her relationship with Cory Hardrict, Tia shared intimate details during the premiere of her reality series "Tia Mowry: My Next Act" in October 2024. She revealed that she met Cory in 1999 on the set of the movie "Hollywood Horror" and that their relationship evolved from friendship to romance.

She described Cory as her "first everything," noting, "I met Cory when I turned 20, and I lost my virginity at 25. There, I said it. And then we got married! Boom!" Their marriage began in 2008, and they welcomed son Cree in 2011 and daughter Cairo in 2018.

However, in 2022, the couple decided to part ways. The divorce filing cited irreconcilable differences, but Tia later elaborated on when she realized the marriage was over. She said focusing on her own happiness made her understand that continuing the marriage was no longer the right choice.

During a November 2022 Today show interview, she explained, "I feel like women, we tend to focus on everybody elses happiness, making sure that everybody else is OKmeaning our children, our friends, our family. But at the end of the day, it's about self-love." She acknowledged the difficulty of this journey but described it as ultimately worthwhile.

In "My Next Act," Tia admitted that she was tired of pretending everything was perfect publicly when it wasnt. She wanted to be authentic and transparent about her experiences.

Her children played a significant role in her decision to divorce. In a June 2023 interview with HelloBeautiful, she explained that part of her choice was to show her kids the importance of living in truth, despite the challenges.

"For them seeing their mother walk in truth. I feel like it's a great lesson for them because it was not an easy decision. It was one of the hardest decisions that I had ever had to make in my entire life," she shared.

Tia hopes that her children will be inspired to live authentic lives, free from external expectations. "I want for them not to live a life that I want them to live, for them not to live a life that everybody else wants them to live or what they think that they should be or live. I want them to see that it is okay to have a bad day. I want them to see that it is okay to chase your joy. I want them to see that it is okay to live your truth."

Alongside her personal and parenting journey, Tia reflected on her relationship with her twin sister, Tamera Mowry. Although they have been public figures together for decades, their off-screen relationship has changed due to their different lives and locations.

In a September preview of her reality show, she expressed the emotional challenge of being alone after her divorce and her wish that she could call her sister more often. "We live in different places. We have our own families. We have our own wants and desires and needs," she explained. "We have different lives now."

A source close to the sisters told E! News in September 2024 that while they remain close, their physical distanceTamera living in Napa and Tia in Los Angelesmakes frequent contact less accessible.

In early October, Tia clarified her comments to E!, saying she was referring to their geographic distance rather than emotional closeness. She described this dynamic as both "beautiful and challenging at the same time."

As Tia Mowry continues to embrace this new phase of her life, both personally and professionally, she remains focused on authenticity, self-love, and setting a positive example for her children. Her openness about the complexities of marriage, divorce, and motherhood resonates with many navigating similar experiences, highlighting her strength and resilience.
Justin Timberlake agrees to release of redacted police bodycam footage from his 2024 DWI arrest in Sag Harbor, settling a legal dispute.

AceShowbiz - Justin Timberlake has agreed to let the Sag Harbor Village Police Department release a redacted version of the bodycam footage captured during his widely publicized DWI arrest in June 2024.

The decision marks a resolution to a recent legal dispute that arose when Timberlake filed for an injunction earlier this March, aiming to keep the police bodycam videos confidential. The footage stems from the traffic stop and arrest that occurred on June 18, 2024, in Sag Harbor, New York.

According to a joint notice filed on March 20, both partiesTimberlakes legal team and the police departmenthave reached a settlement. The document states that the petitioner, Timberlake, reviewed the footage intended for public release and "agrees that the footage respondents intend to release, as redacted, does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."

This means the police will proceed with distributing the edited bodycam video to news organizations that filed public records requests under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). However, the specific content of the released footage remains uncertain, including whether it will confirm the now meme-worthy anonymous claim that Timberlake told officers, "This is going to ruin the tour."

In a statement issued the same day, the Village of Sag Harbor expressed satisfaction over the settlement and reaffirmed its commitment to comply with legal obligations regarding transparency. The statement read, "We are pleased that this matter has now been resolved and the village will be able to comply with its statutory obligation to release the material that is subject to disclosure."

The village also emphasized its consistent effort to adhere to FOIL mandates, explaining that any police records or video footage undergo a review and redaction process to protect public and officer safety as well as personal privacy. This standard procedure applies to all cases involving the police departments records.

Representatives for Timberlake have not provided an immediate comment following the announcement of the settlement.

The incident that sparked this legal dispute took place in June 2024 when Timberlake was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of impaired driving and received a sentence of 25 hours of community service. Following the case, he recorded a public service announcement to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, urging, "Even if you've had one drink, don't get behind the wheel of a car."

Earlier legal filings from Timberlakes attorneys described the arrest footage as capturing him in an "acutely vulnerable state," arguing that its release would not serve any legitimate public interest and would instead violate his privacy. As a result, a Long Island judge initially issued a temporary order preventing the police from releasing the videos until a court review could be completed.

This settlement effectively ends the legal battle over the videos disclosure and allows the police department to fulfill its obligations under public records laws. Media outlets are expected to receive the redacted footage soon, though the full details of what the footage will reveal remain to be seen.

The resolution of this case highlights the ongoing tension between public transparency in law enforcement and individual privacy rights, especially involving high-profile figures like Justin Timberlake. The redacted release aims to balance these concerns by providing access to the footage while protecting sensitive information.

As the video becomes available, it may offer the public a clearer view of the circumstances surrounding Timberlakes arrest, but the full impact on his public image or legal standing is yet to be determined. The case also serves as a reminder of the legal complexities that can arise when celebrities are involved in criminal investigations and the media scrutiny that follows.
Afroman wins defamation case against Ohio deputies after viral raid videos. The victory sparked unexpected confusion, with a Pennsylvania sheriff fielding an...

AceShowbiz - Afroman recently secured a notable courtroom victory after a jury ruled in his favor in a defamation lawsuit brought by Ohio law enforcement officers, but the aftermath has taken some unexpected turns.

Earlier this week, a jury ruled in favor of Afroman in a lawsuit filed against him by seven deputies from Adams County, Ohio, over his viral music videos mocking their controversial 2022 raid on his residence. The jury rejected all 13 counts brought against the rapper, affirming his right to free speech.

The case gained additional attention when Pennsylvanias Adams County Sheriff, Joshua Fitting, took to social media to clarify that his office was not involved in the incident. His phones were overwhelmed with calls from confused fans who mistakenly directed their complaints to Pennsylvania law enforcement instead of Ohios deputies.

In his post, Sheriff Joshua Fitting humorously noted the variety of colorful language with accents from around the county he received, urging people to verify the correct state before making calls. The mix-up illustrates the unusual public reaction and confusion surrounding the case.

The incident that sparked the lawsuit took place in August 2022 when Ohio deputies forcibly entered Afromans home searching for evidence related to drug trafficking and kidnapping. Although no charges were filed and nothing incriminating was found, the raid was filmed by Afromans wife as their children, ages 10 and 12 at the time, witnessed the armed officers searching their home.

According to Afroman, deputies seized $400 in cash and caused property damage during the raid. In response, he channeled the experience into his music, releasing the 2023 Lemon Pound Cake album. The album features tracks like The Police Raid and Why You Disconnecting My Video Camera, incorporating actual home surveillance footage, including a moment where a deputy is distracted by a cake on the kitchen counter.

The deputies argued that Afromans videos violated their privacy and caused them mental distress, seeking $3.9 million in damages along with removal of the content. However, Afromans legal team successfully defended the videos as comedy and social commentary protected by the First Amendment.

After less than a day of deliberations, the jury delivered a complete victory for Afroman. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, he proclaimed, I didnt win, America won. America still has freedom of speech. Its still for the people, by the people.

Afroman emphasized that the deputies effectively brought the situation upon themselves by invading his home and recording themselves on his cameras. The three-day trial became a viral sensation, with one deputy testifying that he received hundreds of pound cakes at work as a joke, and another claiming he was forced to quit his job due to the allegations.

Despite these claims, the jury was unconvinced about the deputies damages and sided entirely with the rapper. Known primarily for his 2000 hit Because I Got High, Afroman has released 18 studio albums and maintains a strong social media presence. He continues to use his music to comment humorously on his experience with law enforcement.
Global music industry revenue tops $30B in 2025 despite AI & fraud challenges. Streaming drives 11th year of growth with 837M paid subscribers. See the IFPI'...

AceShowbiz - Despite a year marked by challenges such as the rise of generative AI songs entering charts and increasing streaming fraud, the global recorded music industry saw continued growth in 2025. According to the latest figures from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the music market expanded for the 11th consecutive year, surpassing the $30 billion revenue milestone for the first time. This growth was widespread, spanning key regions including the U.S., Canada, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Subscription streaming remained the dominant revenue source in 2025, generating over half of the total global income. The number of paid streaming subscribers climbed to 837 million, a notable increase from 752 million just the previous year.

While the United States maintained its position as the largest music market globally, contributing 38.7% of total revenue, its growth rate of 3.3% lagged behind other major markets. Countries such as China, Mexico, and Brazil experienced double-digit revenue increases, underscoring the truly global nature of the music business today.

Here are six key insights from the IFPIs 2026 Global Music Report.

1. Accelerated Revenue Growth Driven by Asia

After a slowdown in 2024, when global revenue growth dipped to 4.7%, the music industry rebounded in 2025 with a 6.4% increase. Much of this acceleration came from Asia, where recorded music revenue surged from 1.3% growth in 2024 to an impressive 10.9% in 2025. This uptick was largely propelled by significant gains in China and a resurgence in Japan, the worlds second-largest music market.

Japan, which remains highly dependent on physical music sales, saw growth rebound from a slight decline of -0.2% in 2024 to 8.9% last year. However, the country still faces cultural and structural challenges in expanding its digital music sector. Asia and the combined U.S./Canada region were the only two areas to experience increased growth momentum in 2025.

2. China Surpasses Germany as Fourth-Largest Market

Chinas music market leapt ahead of Germany to claim the fourth spot among the worlds top 10 markets. The Chinese market grew by 20.1% in 2025, more than doubling its growth rate from the previous year. With a population nearing 1.4 billion, China represents a vast and relatively youthful audience, with considerable room to increase paying subscribers.

In addition to subscriber growth, Chinas average revenue per user (ARPU) also rose, fueled by an increasing number of users opting for premium-priced tiers. Tencent Music, the countrys largest streaming platform operating Kugou Music, QQ Music, and Kuwo Music, reported a 12% increase in its super-premium Super VIP subscribers by mid-2025. These high-tier subscribers now account for roughly 15.7% of Tencent Musics 127.4 million paying users, boosting overall streaming revenue.

3. Latin Americas Ongoing Expansion

Latin America continued its steady ascent in the global music landscape, marking its 16th consecutive year of revenue growth. Although growth slowed from 22.5% in 2024 to 17.1% in 2025, streaming now accounts for more than 88% of all recorded music revenue in the region.

Mexico remains a standout market, growing revenue by 13.3% and securing its place as the 10th largest recorded music market worldwide. This growth is fueled by the rising global popularity of Musica Mexicana, which benefits from increased investment by record labels and easier cross-border streaming. As Tomas Rodriquez, president of Warner Music Mexico/Musica Mexicana, noted, the genres long-standing appeal is now amplified by its ability to travel across borders more freely than before. The launch of a regional Mexican label by HYBE in September signals further expansion potential in the region.

Brazil, meanwhile, overtook Canada to become the eighth-largest recorded music market globally. Major U.S. labels investments have been instrumental in this growth, such as Sony Musics acquisition of Som Livre in 2021 for over $250 million and Warner Musics expanded presence in 2024. Additionally, Universal Music Group reported continued double-digit subscription growth in Brazil during its Q3 2025 results.

4. Physical Music Sales Outpace Digital Growth

In a rare shift, physical music revenue growth outpaced digital revenue for only the second time on record, rising 8% compared to digitals 7.7% increase. This change was influenced by Japans physical market rebound, which reversed a 3.1% global decline in physical revenue the previous year.

The resurgence of physical formats can largely be attributed to vinyls sustained popularity. Vinyl revenue increased by 13.7% in 2025, partly due to higher prices and a growing trend of artists releasing multiple vinyl variants targeted at superfans. This strategy, which did not exist during vinyls peak in the 1970s and 1980s, is helping artists capture more revenue per release.

5. Artists Revenue Share Climbs

Artists share of recorded music revenue rose slightly from 34.8% in 2024 to 35.5% in 2025. This marks a significant increase over the last decade, as artists revenue share was just 31% in 2016. The trend reflects more favorable revenue splits for artists, who now enjoy greater control over where and how they release and finance their music. This increased leverage allows them to negotiate better deals within the industry.

6. The Growing Challenge of AI-Generated Deepfake Songs

During the IFPI report launch, Dennis Kooker, president of global digital business and U.S. sales at Sony Music, highlighted the rising problem of AI-generated deepfake songs. Sony has requested the removal of over 135,000 deepfake tracks from streaming platforms, many of which impersonate Sony artists such as Beyonce, Harry Styles, and Queen.

Kooker explained that these deepfake tracks can cause significant harm by disrupting release campaigns or damaging an artists reputation. He described deepfakes as a demand-driven issue, noting they thrive when an artist is actively promoting new music. This exploitation detracts from the artists intended creative and commercial efforts, adding a complex challenge for the music industry to address.

As streaming continues to dominate music consumption worldwide, the industry faces the dual challenges of harnessing new technologies for growth while safeguarding the rights and revenues of artists and labels. The IFPIs 2026 report underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of the global music market, with innovation, regional expansion, and emerging threats shaping its future trajectory.
Mark Cuban reveals why it's harder than ever to break into the music industry. Hear his take on algorithms, streaming, and treating music as an asset class.

AceShowbiz - Mark Cuban recently appeared on Billboard On The Record for a special live podcast taping at SXSW, where he shared his candid views on the complexities of the music industry. Known primarily as an investor and entrepreneur, Mark Cuban offered a perspective on why breaking through as a music artist has become increasingly difficult in todays evolving landscape.

During the discussion, Mark Cuban highlighted a major shift in how music is perceived and valued. He explained that music has transitioned into being treated more like an asset class, with algorithms now playing a pivotal role in determining which songs gain popularity and become hits. This change has altered the traditional pathways artists once relied on to achieve success.

Mark Cuban also praised platforms like Spotify for their success in the streaming era, pointing out how new technology has the potential to create fresh opportunities for artists who are savvy enough to leverage them. He touched on the emerging role of AI-generated music and pondered how fans might respond to songs created by artificial intelligence, indicating that the industry is at a crossroads with innovation.

A key takeaway from the conversation was Mark Cubans emphasis on the importance of artists adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. He encouraged musicians to use the right tools strategically and to pursue placements in legacy media outlets to enhance their visibility and career longevity. According to him, these tactics are critical for artists aiming to navigate the complexities of todays music business.

Despite the challenges, Mark Cuban conveyed optimism by describing music as "recession-proof," suggesting that its value endures even through economic downturns. However, he was clear that succeeding in this constantly shifting industry requires more than just talent; it demands business acumen and adaptability.

The episode was hosted by Kristin Robinson, who introduced Mark Cuban as an outsider to the music world, providing a viewpoint on the sectors difficulties and potential. She noted Mark Cubans previous statements labeling music investing as one of the toughest areas, alongside sectors like branded clothing and liquor, which he also regards as challenging investments.

Mark Cuban openly stated that music ranks among the "worst industries ever" from an investment perspective, placing it just behind clothing brands in terms of difficulty. This assessment underscored the precarious nature of music as a business, even as it remains culturally significant and financially resilient in some respects.

The live event marked Billboard On The Records first-ever live podcast taping, held in Texas during SXSW, adding a local flavor with a nod to Texas bands.

Billboard On The Record is produced in partnership with SickBird Productions, continuing its mission to explore the ever-changing dynamics of the music industry through expert insights and in-depth discussions. Mark Cubans participation added a unique, critical voice that challenges the conventional optimism often heard from insiders.
Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy hospitalized with vertigo during live tour. Get his health update and recovery hopes from his hospital bed.

AceShowbiz - Val Chmerkovskiy, the professional dancer known for his work on Dancing With the Stars, revealed he was recently hospitalized due to a bout of vertigo while on the show's live tour. He shared an update from his hospital bed on March 2 via Instagram, explaining the challenges he was facing and his hopes for a swift recovery.

In a candid video posted to social media, Val Chmerkovskiy described experiencing vertigo symptoms that intensified in the days leading up to his hospitalization. "I've just been having vertigo for the last couple of days," he said, noting that although he managed to perform the previous night, his condition prompted medical tests. He added that the movement of the tour bus likely worsened his symptoms, saying: "That little crystal in your equilibriumagain I'm learning a lotonce it goes out it's really hard to get it back in. So, I'm just spinning everywhere."

Val Chmerkovskiy further detailed how waking up on the bus left him disoriented and unable to steady himself, but assured fans he was optimistic about returning to the stage quickly. He planned to be back for the March 3 show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, expressing gratitude for a scheduled day off to rest. "Hopefully tomorrow's our day off," he added. "I'll be back on Tuesday. Love you, thank you."

The news of Val Chmerkovskiy's health scare prompted an outpouring of support from friends and fellow cast members. Among them was Dylan Efron, who empathized with Val Chmerkovskiy in the comments, sharing his own experience with vertigo prior to joining Dancing With the Stars. "Feeling for you, Val. Vertigo is awful. Happened to me right before DWTS but it healed quickly. Rest up and get those crystals aligned," he wrote.

Val Chmerkovskiy's wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, also responded with heartfelt emojis, displaying her concern.

On March 2, Val Chmerkovskiy issued an apology to fans who had expected to see him perform live during the Peoria tour stop. He posted on Instagram Story: "My apologies to all of the fans that came out to see us today in Peoria. Thank you to my fellow castmates for rallying. Little bump in the road I'll be good to go asap." He emphasized the severity of his symptoms by stating, "It takes quite literally me not being able to stand on my feet to keep me off that stage. Unfortunately, I just couldn't make it tonight."

Throughout the tour, Val Chmerkovskiy has been performing alongside his season 34 partner Alix Earle as well as other notable cast members including Dylan Efron. The tour also features guest hosts.

The official Dancing With the Stars tour account addressed Val Chmerkovskiy's health situation via an Instagram Story on March 2, confirming that he was receiving medical care and expressing wishes for a rapid recovery.

Despite this challenge, Val Chmerkovskiy remains determined to return to the Dancing With the Stars tour stage as soon as possible. His transparent communication with fans and fellow performers highlights the physical demands of live performances and the importance of prioritizing health.

Fans and colleagues continue to send well wishes to Val Chmerkovskiy as he navigates this health setback, eagerly anticipating his return to the dance floor for upcoming shows.
If Prime Minister Mark Carney is serious about diversifying Canadas markets, a lot is riding on his trade mission to India.

There is tremendous opportunity in the worlds most populous country and the fastest-growing large economy, but Canada must act fast.

Thats why a group of Canadian business leaders will travel with the PM to India through next week to support efforts to strengthen trade and investment between our two countries.

The visit comes at a critical time as global trading continues to evolve amid geopolitical shifts both across the Asia-Pacific and around the world.

India is already a significant economic partner for Canada, with several Canadian companies having successfully invested, exported, or done business there for decades.

Importantly, India is equally keen to improve bilateral economic ties with Canada as it seeks to diversify and mitigate economic uncertainty. India needs Canadas critical resources, including all forms of energy, as well as new capital investment to support its exponentially expanding middle class.

Prime Minister Carney deserves credit for initiating the reset of this relationship when he invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 Summit last year. This proactive outreach kick-started a series of events, including the appointment of high commissioners which helped restore damaged diplomatic ties.

There has been high-level engagement since, including, critically, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anands visit last fall, during which she and her Indian counterpart, Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, laid out an ambitious plan for the Canada-India relationship. This new road map had a clear emphasis on enhancing commercial ties.

This led to the decision to relaunch Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations, which would lay the foundation for a much more ambitious, stable and comprehensive economic relationship. Business leaders from both countries have applauded this crucial development.

For our part, Canada should approach these negotiations with a clear goal of including both trade and investment, and to conclude a single high-quality deal that will support Canadas economic growth for years, rather than the less ambitious and incremental early progress trade agreement model which had been pursued by the Trudeau government.

We should pursue a comprehensive deal with a sense of urgency and an open mind. Though India may have historically been protectionist, its world view has shifted dramatically. Where Canada once sought early-mover advantage, we are now one of the last countries looking to secure a deal.

Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union and even the United States have now all finalized their own trade deals with India. Where the EU and U.S. represented much larger and far more complex negotiations, there is no reason we cannot achieve an even better deal for Canadians. But, again, time is of the essence.

As Indias High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik has said, there is ample reason to believe we can secure a deal within a year. We believe it can be done before the end of 2026. A quick, high-quality deal will help sustain momentum and match the ambitious approach set out by Prime Ministers Modi and Carney. It will improve economic sovereignty for both countries.

Competition for closer trade ties with India is fierce. Rarely a week goes by that India is not hosting a significant foreign delegation. Canada has a lot to offer, but we need to ensure we that well positioned to compete with companies from all around the world. Trade talks may be led by governments, but they are brought to life by businesses.

During this upcoming visit the Business Council of Canada and Confederation of Indian Industry will restart the Canada-India CEO Forum. Senior business leaders from each country will have an opportunity to share how their sectors can play a constructive role in shaping and growing this critical economic partnership.

Canada and India have been down this road before.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper first launched free trade negotiations with India more than fifteen years ago. Five years later, Harper and Prime Minister Modi pledged to complete a deal within months. They failed.

This time must be different. This time Canada and India must finish the job.
Matt Clark, iconic Western actor known for roles with John Wayne & Clint Eastwood, dies at 89. Remembering his legendary film career.

AceShowbiz - Matt Clark, a distinguished character actor known for his extensive work in classic Western films and collaborations with Hollywood legends, has passed away at 89 years old.

Clark died on Sunday in Austin, Texas, according to his daughter, producer Amiee Clark. She revealed that he had suffered a broken back a few months prior to his death.

Throughout his prolific career, Clark left his mark on numerous Westerns, appearing in celebrated films such as Paul Newman's The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, John Wayne's The Cowboys, and Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josey Wales. His rugged presence became a staple of the genre, embodying the spirit of the American West on screen.

In addition to his Western roles, Clark also delivered memorable performances alongside Robert Redford in Sydney Pollacks Jeremiah Johnson (1972) and Brubaker (1980). In Brubaker, he portrayed Purcell, the former wardens clerk, which remains one of his best-known roles. His collaborations with Clint Eastwood extended beyond The Outlaw Josey Wales to include Don Siegels The Beguiled (1971) and Honkytonk Man (1982).

Clark also worked repeatedly with director Stuart Rosenberg, appearing in four of his films: Pocket Money (1972), The Laughing Policeman (1973), Brubaker, and Let's Get Harry (1986). His versatility as a character actor was evident in these varied roles.

As a filmmaker himself, Clark directed the 1988 feature Da, which starred Bernard Hughes, Martin Sheen, and William Hickey, who had once been his acting teacher. The film tells the story of a New York playwright who returns to Ireland to bury his father, showcasing Clarks talents beyond acting.

Clarks extensive work in Westerns also included notable titles such as Will Penny (1967), Monte Walsh (1970), Macho Callahan (1970), The Culpepper Cattle Co. (1972), The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972), Sam Peckinpaughs Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), Howard Zieffs Hearts of the West (1975), Kid Vengeance (1976), The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981), and A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014).

Reflecting on his affinity for Westerns in a 1991 interview, Clark said, I just loved 'em! Just like you always wanted to do as a little kid, you put on chaps and boots and tie on spurs that jingle when you walk.

Born in Washington on November 25, 1936, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Clark was the son of Frederick, a boat and cabinet builder, and Theresa, a schoolteacher. After spending two years in the U.S. Army, he studied business administration at George Washington University before committing fully to acting.

He honed his craft in New York at the HB Studio under Herbert Berghof and William Hickey, joined the Living Theatre, and understudied Martin Sheen in the original Broadway production of The Subject Was Roses (1964-66), a relationship that grew into lifelong friendship.

Clark made his film debut in Black Like Me (1964), starring James Whitmore, and gained attention for his role as a Southern punk in the Oscar-winning In the Heat of the Night (1967), directed by Norman Jewison.

His dependable presence graced a wide range of films including The Bridge at Remagen (1969), Robert Aldrichs The Grissom Gang (1971), White Lightning (1973), Emperor of the North (1973), Outlaw Blues (1977), Walter Hills The Driver (1978), Some Kind of Hero (1982), Country (1984), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984), Return to Oz (1985), Back to the Future Part III (1990), and 42 (2013).

Gary Rosen, director of Hacks, praised Clark posthumously: He was the kind of actor that defined Hollywood filmmaking in its greatest era, the utterly unique character player who made every scene he appeared in memorable, often stealing them from stars like Rod Steiger, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne.

Rosen added, His roles in In the Heat of the Night, Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Cowboys, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, among many others, helped to elevate those films to classic status. He leaves the stage, but his performances will be remembered forever.

On television, Clark appeared as Walt Bacon, an employee at Foxworthy Heating & Air, on the first season of ABCs sitcom The Jeff Foxworthy Show. He also had recurring roles on Grace Under Fire and guest appearances on series such as Ben Casey, Dog and Cat, The Waltons, Magnum, P.I., The Practice, Chicago Hope, and notable miniseries including The Winds of War and Barbarians at the Gate.

Director Brian Helgeland, who worked with Clark on 42, remarked on his professionalism: By the time I worked with Matt Clark on the film 42, he had already been in more than 120 different productions in a career that stretched back to the early 1960s. Youd think there would be a little bit of been there, done that in him.

But what did I get? I got an artist who not only keenly understood his role but understood the scene he was in and where it fell in the grand scheme of the film. I got a talented performer who was more than eager to improvise and stay perfectly in character until the cameras stopped rolling. In short, I got a genuine actor. And I was lucky to have him.

Clark is survived by his third wife, Sharon, whom he married in January 2000; his daughter Amiee Clark, a producer; sons Matthias Clark, a musician; Jason Clark, a producer on the Peacock series Ted; and Seth Clark, a film editor. His family also includes grandchildren Sequoia, Dylan, Elizabeth, Miles, Emily, Izzy, Dax, Emanuel and Lucas; great-grandson Claude; and stepchildren Michelle, Joyce and Ray. He was preceded in death by another daughter, Alexandria.

His family released a statement honoring him: He built his own house with his own hands. He kept his closest friendships for sixty years. He showed up for the work, and for his people, every time. He was complex. He was tough. He could be gruff. But the moral compass never wavered, and the love was never in doubt. You could see it - in his eyes, in his performances, in the family he loved to keep together. He lived. He lives, forever.
Norah Jones receives the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award at the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala. Join us for a special live performance honoring her legacy.

AceShowbiz - Norah Jones is honored to receive the prestigious Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala. The event will take place on May 8 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, where Norah Jones will also deliver a live performance.

The Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award recognizes artists whose musical contributions embody the innovative spirit and profound influence of the legendary Ray Charles. This accolade highlights musicians who have left a lasting imprint on music and culture.

Norah Jones shares a special connection with Ray Charles, having collaborated with him on a duet version of his 1967 hit "Here We Go Again," featured on his final studio album, Genius Loves Company. Released shortly before Charles passing, the track earned two Grammy Awards in 2005.

In a statement, Norah Jones expressed her gratitude: "I'm so honored to receive the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award. Ray Charles was my musical hero, and he changed the way so many of us hear and feel music. To be recognized in connection with his legacy, and as part of a night that also celebrates such important recorded works, is special for me."

The Recording Academys CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., emphasized the significance of this recognition, saying "Norah Jones represents the kind of artistry that leaves a lasting imprint on music and culture. Her work reflects a deep musicality, emotional honesty and a spirit of exploration that echoes the legacy of Ray Charles himself."

Michael Sticka, president and CEO of the Grammy Museum, also praised Norah Jones for her musical contributions: "Norah Jones has created a body of work defined by emotional honesty, musical depth and a voice that is instantly recognizable. Her artistry has resonated across generations and genres, which makes her a remarkable recipient of this honor."

Valerie Ervin, president of The Ray Charles Foundation, noted the purpose behind the award and Norah Jones's deserving recognition: "Ray Charles was a singular artist whose influence continues to reach across every corner of music, and this award was created to honor that same spirit of originality, excellence and lasting impact. Norah Jones is an artist whose work reflects those qualities so beautifully, and we are thrilled to see her recognized with this year's Architect of Sound Award."

Alongside Norah Jones's performance, the gala will feature additional artists, with the lineup to be announced soon. The event is jointly presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, celebrating not only individual artists but also significant recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame each year.

For 2026, Warner Records will be honored as the label representative. The Grammy Hall of Fame inductees announced in February include 14 titles11 albums and three singlesthat span nearly a century of recorded music history.

Norah Jones is a 10-time Grammy Award winner. Notably, in 2003, she became the third female artist ever to win five Grammys in one night. Her most recent Grammy came in 2025, when she won best traditional pop vocal album for Visions.

Hosting duties for the evening will be TV journalist Anthony Mason, returning to the role. The shows production team includes Grammy veteran Ken Ehrlich, who has produced or executive produced the Grammy Awards for 40 years, alongside Ron Basile, Chantel Sausedo, Lindsay Saunders Carl, and Lynne Sheridan. Music direction will be led by Cheche Alara, a Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, and conductor.

The 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala promises to be a memorable celebration of musical excellence, honoring both iconic recordings and outstanding artists like Norah Jones who continue to shape the soundscape of contemporary music.
Travis Scott seemingly mocks Timothee Chalamet's Oscar loss after Michael B. Jordan's win, sparking buzz about the Jenner-linked rivalry.

AceShowbiz - Travis Scott, rapper and father of two children with Kylie Jenner, stirred buzz after seemingly mocking Timothee Chalamet's loss at the Oscars. The incident unfolded following the 2026 Academy Awards, where Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor award.

On Oscar night, Michael B. Jordan delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, breaking down in tears as he was honoured for his portrayal of twins Smoke and Stack in the film Sinners. This marked Michael B. Jordan's first Oscar win, an emotional milestone that captivated many viewers.

Shortly after the ceremony, Travis Scott posted an image on his Instagram Stories showing Michael B. Jordan wiping tears on stage at the Dolby Theatre. Fans quickly interpreted this post as a pointed jab at his ex-girlfriend Kylie Jenner's current partner, Timothee Chalamet, who had been nominated but did not win the award.

The rapper shares two children with Kylie JennerStormi, aged eight, and Aire, fourand the tension between him and Timothee Chalamet has drawn attention amid their complicated personal connections. Comments on social media ranged from calling Travis Scott a "professional hater" to praising the post as "iconic," especially given his usual lack of interest in the Oscars.

Meanwhile, Timothee Chalamet faced additional public scrutiny during the event from the night's host, Conan O'Brien. The talk show host poked fun at Timothee Chalamet during his opening monologue, referencing the controversy sparked by the actors recent comments about opera and ballet.

At a town hall event hosted by Matthew McConaughey on February 24, 2026, at the University of Texas at Austin, Timothee Chalamet made remarks that did not sit well with fans and critics alike. He admitted he didnt want to work in ballet or opera, implying those art forms were no longer widely appreciated. He also acknowledged the backlash.

This candid admission led to significant backlash online and complicated his public image, casting a shadow over his Oscars appearance. Timothee Chalamet's night grew more uncomfortable when a viral moment showed an awkward interaction between Kylie Jenner and his sister, Pauline Chalamet.

The clip revealed Pauline Chalamet approaching her brother inside the Dolby Theatre while Kylie Jenner, seated behind them, attempted to get Pauline's attention and reached out for a brief hug. Viewers quickly labeled the encounter as awkward and forced, with some suggesting it looked like the pair had never met before and calling the moment a typical example of a PR relationship.

Earlier in the awards season, Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner made headlines for their relationship confirmation at the Critics' Choice Awards. During his acceptance speech, Timothee Chalamet referred to Kylie Jenner as his "partner of three years" and his "foundation," concluding with a heartfelt, "I love you. I couldn't do this without you."

Although the couple did not walk the red carpet togetherTimothee Chalamet arrived solothey were later seen sitting together during the ceremony. Behind-the-scenes footage showed them interacting and engaging off-screen, fueling public interest in their relationship.

However, not all moments suggested smooth sailing. Nicola Hickling, a lipreader, claimed there was noticeable tension between the two, alleging that Kylie Jenner told the Dune star he was "being a child." Nicola further claimed that Kylie Jenner questioned actress Elle Fanning about whether Timothee Chalamet seemed "cold" during the event, hinting at underlying relationship friction.

Despite the drama off-stage, Michael B. Jordan's victory stood as the night's highlight, with his powerful performance in Sinners earning him a well-deserved Oscar. The emotional moment contrasted sharply with the ongoing personal and public challenges surrounding Travis Scott, Timothee Chalamet, and Kylie Jenner.
Duffer Brothers' new Netflix thriller aims to succeed Stranger Things. Discover their mysterious project, 'Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen'.

AceShowbiz - Although Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen bears no resemblance to the nostalgic tone of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers' latest Netflix project is generating growing excitement with each update. Regardless of how audiences felt about the conclusion of Stranger Things, its massive success as one of Netflixs flagship series is undeniable. Since its nine-year run ended on January 1, 2026, Netflix has been actively searching for the perfect successor to fill the void left by the beloved sci-fi thriller.

One of the immediate follow-ups includes the animated spinoff Stranger Things: Tales from '85, which revisits familiar characters and is set between the second and third seasons of the original show. While not a direct sequel or prequel, this demonstrates Netflixs eagerness to sustain the franchise by revisiting its established world and characters.

However, attention is firmly focused on the Duffer Brothers first major project after Stranger Things. Their previously planned adaptation of Stephen Kings The Talisman was officially canceled, and their upcoming sci-fi series The Boroughs remains a work in progress, not expected to premiere soon. Meanwhile, the Duffer Brothers are executive producing Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, a psychological horror series that premieres in just a few weeks and promises a very different tone from their earlier work.

Created by showrunner Haley Z Boston, known for her contributions to Netflixs horror series Brand New Cherry Flavor and the anthology Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen centers on a couple, Rachel and Nicky, played by Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco, as they navigate the tense week leading up to their wedding. Despite the romantic premise, the series is far from a lighthearted rom-com. The title itself warns of the dark, unsettling themes viewers can expect from this psychological thriller.

The show deliberately withholds many plot details, creating an aura of suspense and dread. Bostons horror pedigree, combined with the Duffer Brothers executive production, indicates a blend of creative talents aimed at delivering a compelling and eerie narrative. The creative team behind the series boasts impressive credentials, making this a project to watch closely.

The cast of Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen features notable actors such as Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ted Levine, Adam DiMarco, and Camila Morrone, the latter of whom is the series lead. Morrones character Rachel appears to be the central viewpoint, a common technique in psychological thrillers that often explore the reliability of the protagonists perceptions.

The teaser trailer offers intriguing glimpses into the shows tone, including a striking image of a cake inscribed with the phrase, "I'm sorry, I thought you were going to kill me." This darkly comedic yet unsettling detail hints at a story that may explore surreal and disturbing themes through the lens of an unreliable narrator, heightening the psychological tension.

Adding to the series depth, one episode is penned by Kate Trefry, known for writing Stranger Things: The First Shadow and the 2019 short film How To Be Alone, which addresses similar themes of isolation and mental strain. The series is directed primarily by Weronika Tofilska, who gained acclaim for her work on the 2024 psychological thriller Baby Reindeer, another Stephen King-approved project. Her involvement suggests a focus on crafting a haunting, intense atmosphere.

Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen looks poised to depart from the nostalgic warmth and adventurous spirit of Stranger Things, instead embracing a more unsettling, eerie vibe. The teaser evokes comparisons to films like Smile and I'm Thinking of Ending Things, both known for their psychological horror elements and surreal storytelling.

While the series promises to be a deeply creepy experience, moments like the odd cake scene introduce a layer of pitch-black humor, suggesting the show will balance terror with a twisted sense of fun. This blend of dark psychological horror with accessible storytelling could help the show appeal to a broad audience, much like Stranger Things did in its prime.

The challenge lies in merging the distinct styles of the Duffer Brothers nostalgic sci-fi thriller and Tofilskas intense psychological horror direction. However, Netflix has successfully navigated similar tonal balances before, as seen with the Fear Street Part Three: 1666 script by Trefry, which combined mainstream appeal with genuinely frightening horror elements.

As such, Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen could emerge as one of the standout series of the year, offering a fresh yet chilling narrative that diverges from but complements the legacy of Stranger Things. It marks an ambitious and exciting new chapter for the Duffer Brothers careers and Netflixs lineup of original content.

Ultimately, while viewers await the premiere, the series already signals a daring shift toward darker, more psychologically complex storytelling from the creators who brought audiences the beloved world of Hawkins, Indiana. Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen will test the limits of horror and suspense on Netflix, setting itself apart as a bold follow-up in the post-Stranger Things era.
Go behind the scenes of BTS's ARIRANG album with songwriter Derrick Milano. Discover the creation of "SWIM" and the electric energy in the studio.

AceShowbiz - The globally renowned group BTS is making a powerful comeback with their latest album, ARIRANG. We had the opportunity to speak with Derrick Milano, a key songwriter behind several tracks, including the lead single "SWIM." He shared insights into his collaboration with the band and the creative atmosphere during the albums production.

Derrick Milano reflected on the moment he realized he was working alongside some of the top songwriters and producers worldwide. I walked up and saw all the best creators in the room. I thought, this is the moment I've been working toward, he said. The melodies flowed naturally, and the energy in the room was electric, with everyone excited about the sound they were crafting.

When asked about the lead single "SWIM," Milano revealed how the decision came about. He noticed the tracklist layout highlighted "SWIM" uniquely, indicating its status as a single. On the track list, all songs were marked black except 'SWIM,' which was red. Thats when we knew it was going to be the single, he explained.

The songwriter also praised the enthusiastic support from the BTS ARMY, the bands loyal fanbase. He actively followed their reactions on Twitter, appreciating how they kept everyone informed and motivated. Milano described the collaborative process as interactive and uplifting, with BTS members frequently joining him at the mic, dancing and vibing to the melodies. This mutual energy helped him feel comfortable and inspired while recording.

Reflecting on the significance of the project, Milano emphasized the intention behind these songs. We knew the records would reach and touch the world, he said, highlighting the global impact BTS aims to achieve with ARIRANG.

With the albums release on the horizon, fans can look forward to experiencing the collective creativity and passion that went into making ARIRANG. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from those involved in this exciting comeback.
Rising star Michelle Randolph shines in Taylor Sheridan's Landman & 1923, plus joins the terror in Scream 7. Discover her captivating roles.

AceShowbiz - Michelle Randolph has become a rising star thanks to her recent standout roles in both television and film. The actress has captivated audiences with her portrayal of Ainsley Norris on Landman, a Paramount+ drama created by Taylor Sheridan. The show follows the lives of a Texas family, including characters played by Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter.

The popularity of Landman soared in its second season, culminating in a finale that set a new series streaming record. Randolph has also appeared as Elizabeth Strafford in all seasons of Sheridans period drama 1923, starring opposite Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, further showcasing her versatility.

Recently, Randolph ventured into the horror genre with a key role in Scream 7, another Paramount production. The film continues the iconic slasher franchises tradition of opening with a shocking kill. Randolph plays Madison, a character who, along with her horror-obsessed boyfriend Scott (played by Jimmy Tatro), meets a grisly fate at the hands of Ghostface. Their murders take place in the infamous Stu Machers house, now transformed into a Ghostface-themed Airbnb.

Directed by Kevin Williamson, Scream 7 was a commercial success. Randolphs brutal opening death scene pays homage to the original films memorable opening, famously performed by Drew Barrymore.

In an interview, Randolph shared insights about filming her intense opening sequence in Scream 7. She described the experience of shooting her death scene, enduring cold conditions while acting as if she were on fire with the help of CGI effects. She expressed enthusiasm for performing her own stunts, including running up stairs, hair pulling, fighting, and even a chandelier drop.

Randolph also revealed that during filming, she contributed ideas to enhance her characters presence, such as incorporating playful interactions with the kitchen knives. She had limited knowledge of how her characters storyline connected with the rest of the film, describing her part as a standalone short film within the Scream 7 universe.

Looking ahead, Randolph is currently filming Clashing Through the Snow with Christopher Briney in upstate New York, where she finds herself braving harsh winter conditions fitting the films snowy theme.

Randolph also teased what fans can expect from the upcoming third season of Landman. Her growing body of work and dedication to her craft position her as an actress on the rise, ready to take on a variety of challenging roles in both television and film.
Asian Film Awards honor Zhang Ziyi, Liu Haoran, Terrance Lau in a solemn ceremony, reflecting on tragedy with a minimalist public event.

AceShowbiz - The 19th edition of the Asian Film Awards took place Sunday night at Hong Kongs Xiqu Centre, where three of Asias most prominent stars received special recognition. Zhang Ziyi was awarded the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, Liu Haoran received the AFA Next Generation Award, and Terrance Lau was honored with the AFA Rising Star Award.

This years ceremony was notably different from its usual grand Oscars-style presentation. Out of respect for the tragic apartment building fire in Hong Kong last fall, which resulted in 168 fatalities, organizers chose a more restrained and minimalist approach. Instead of the traditional competition featuring categories like Best Film, Director, and Acting prizes, the event focused solely on presenting these special honors with dignity and simplicity.

The awards ceremony was held at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon and marked a milestone by opening its doors to the general public for the first time. Film enthusiasts who purchased tickets joined industry professionals in the audience, creating a more inclusive atmosphere.

Leading up to the event, the Asian Film Awards Academy organized a series of masterclasses featuring influential figures in Asian cinema, including Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk, acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke, and Zhang Ziyi herself. Zhang later returned to the stage to accept her Excellence in Asian Cinema Award.

Terrance Lau, recognized as one of Hong Kongs fastest-rising young actors and known for his role in the film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, used his acceptance speech to share candid reflections on the challenges behind the glamour of acting.

"People may think actors always look glamorous, but that's because of makeup. In reality, we are often fragile and full of self-doubt," Lau said. "I've questioned many times whether I am a good actor. But I still believe cinema is beautiful, and I hope to be someone who continues to give back to it."

Receiving the AFA Next Generation Award, Liu Haoran highlighted the parallel growth of his career and Asian cinemas expanding global influence.

"My twelve years as an actor have coincided with twelve years of rapid growth for Asian cinema," he stated. "Through projects like Detective Chinatown, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with many outstanding filmmakers across Asia. I will continue to work hard and hope to leave my own mark on this new era of Asian moviemaking."

Zhang Ziyi reflected on her extensive career that spans over two decades and includes landmark films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and The Grandmaster. She emphasized her gratitude for the filmmakers and audiences who have supported her journey and spoke about the importance of Asian cinema in preserving cultural heritage.

"I have spent over twenty years growing through cinema, and it has shaped every stage of my life," Zhang said. "I am grateful to all the directors, actors, and crew members I have worked with, and to audiences whose support continues to inspire me. Asian culture holds a profound and enduring heritage, filled with stories waiting to be told. I hope filmmakers across Asia will continue to work together to create films that express the strength and spirit of our culture."

The ceremony began with remarks from Dr. Wilfred Wong, chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, who framed the event within the broader mission of the organization. He highlighted ongoing year-round initiatives, including film screenings, masterclasses, and talent development programs throughout the region.

Supported jointly by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals, the Asian Film Awards remain Asias most prestigious film honors, celebrating outstanding achievements in the regions vibrant cinematic landscape.
PTA & Maya Rudolph: A private Hollywood couple's journey, from Oscars buzz to a "horrifying" paparazzi photo.

AceShowbiz - Paul Thomas Anderson is widely known for crafting films about complex, troubled characters and intense emotional dramas. His latest work is on track to be a major contender at the Oscars. Throughout awards season, Anderson has been supported by his longtime partner, Maya Rudolph.

Despite their occasional collaborationssuch as Maya Rudolphs memorable appearances in Andersons filmsthe couple remains far from a typical Hollywood pair. Their relationship is grounded in privacy and family life rather than the glare of the spotlight.

In fact, the label of celebrity royalty, which was applied to them, made Anderson feel quite nervous. He shared a humorous story about a paparazzi photo taken without his knowledge while they were headed to a doctors appointment, calling the image "horrifying... but hilarious." Reflecting on the candid shot, he joked, "Wow. There's no way we could look like that, is there?"

While Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson dont frequently grace red carpets together, Rudolph has accompanied Anderson to significant events like the Oscars. Fans often urge for her to host the Oscars whenever she presents.

At home in Southern Californias San Fernando Valley, where Anderson was raised and intends to remain, the couples focus is on parenting their four children.

Describing their household, Anderson likened it to a Von Trapp family scene, full of lively noise and activity. He compared it to a moment from the play You Can't Take It with You, where numerous family members play different instruments and sing throughout the house, creating a chaotic yet joyful atmosphere.

Anderson has expressed a deep attachment to the San Fernando Valley, emphasizing the importance of preserving memories there for both himself and his children. The stability and familiarity of the area are central to their family life.

All four children appeared in Andersons 2021 film, marking their debut on the big screen.

Maya Rudolph left Saturday Night Live when her first child was young, finding the bi-coastal commute between New York and Los Angeles too demanding. Rudolph candidly shared how difficult it was to balance work and motherhood.

With four children, Rudolph found it impossible to be everywhere at once, but she has managed to find peace in knowing that her family is loved and well cared for, allowing her to work without excessive guilt. She said that she strives to create the best possible environment for her family and has grown proud of the strong, healthy household she and Anderson have built.

The couples story began at an after-party, a meeting sparked by Andersons admiration for Rudolphs work on SNL. Rudolph recounted that Anderson once told her, "That's the girl I'm going to marry," though she suspects he may have said it just to be sweet at the time.

Anderson, a devoted comedy fan, first visited the SNL set. Invited to observe the show, Anderson was captivated by the experience and discovered that Rudolph would be joining the cast soon. Seeing her name on a cast list was a pivotal moment for him, feeling an undeniable shift in his life.

Though their initial meeting was brief, Anderson returned to New York from London, where he was filming, because something didnt feel right. He then asked Rudolph out, and they have been together ever since.

Though they have not formally married, they refer to each other as husband and wife. Rudolph explained that calling Anderson her boyfriend felt strange after becoming parents, emphasizing the depth and stability of their partnership. She said, "People know what [husband] means. It means he's the father of my child, and I live with him, and we are a couple, and we are not going anywhere."
Colin Jost fires back after Michael Che jokes Scarlett Johansson "wears the pants" on SNL's Weekend Update. See his witty comeback.

AceShowbiz - Colin Jost responded with humor after his Michael Che made a playful jab about Scarlett Johansson during a recent Saturday Night Live episode. The exchange happened on the March 14, 2025, installment of the shows "Weekend Update" segment, where Che hinted that Johansson is the one wearing the pants in their relationship.

During the sketch, Che, 42, quipped, "The winners of the annual wife-carrying contest in England was a couple from Finland. While, once again, the winner of the husband-carrying contest was Scarlett." The joke implied that Johansson, who has been married to Jost since 2020, figuratively carries him in their marriage.

Colin Jost, 43, who co-anchors "Weekend Update" alongside Che, appeared unamused at the remark but quickly fired back with a clever comeback. We both put food on the table, he said, Theyre different kinds of food!

This interaction is just one of many times Jost has had to laugh off jokes about his wife during the 49th season of Saturday Night Live. The couple met on the set of SNL when Johansson hosted an episode, started dating in 2017, and married three years later in 2020.

Their relationship has become a frequent source of material for the shows writers and cast members. Johansson has previously shared that watching the live NBC variety show can be nerve-wracking due to the personal nature of some jokes. On The Kelly Clarkson Show in July 2021, she admitted, I now rarely watch [SNL] without having a sense of ... not overwhelming panic, just like a slight underwhelming panic because I just feel like at any moment something's going to fall apart.

She elaborated on the emotional aspect of viewing the show, saying, When you're emotionally invested in it and not just entertained by it, it takes on a little bit of a different life. Despite her nerves, Johansson continued to appear on the show occasionally and even watched live episodes.

One memorable moment came during the 2024 holiday special when Jost performed the annual joke swap with Che. Jost read a joke referencing Johansson in a surprising and somewhat risque manner: Costco has removed the roast beef sandwich from its menu. Ive been eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kid.

The joke referred to Johanssons giving birth to their son, Cosmo, in 2021. Johansson, who also has a daughter named Rose from a previous relationship, appeared visibly shocked by the line during the broadcast.

Colin Jost later explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January 2025 that the showrunners had given Johansson a heads-up about the possibility of a joke involving her. They were like, Hey, would you be OK if Michael made a little, like, kind of vagina joke at some point? Jost said. He added that his wife was open to being mentioned on the show but wasnt fully aware of the jokes content beforehand.

Jost recalled the moment the joke aired: I didnt know where it was going and then the graphic came up for Arbys. Scarlett is backstage, like, Oh, my God, thats what it is?

Following the controversial joke, Che publicly apologized to [strong]Scarlett Johansson[/strong] for the vulgar line. Despite the occasional roast, the couple seems to handle the humor with good spirits, maintaining their supportive relationship amidst the ongoing jokes.

In addition to managing on-air jokes, Jost has shown his dedication off-camera as well. He revealed on the Amazon Prime Video game show Pop Culture Jeopardy! that he once searched through 12 dumpsters in New York City after Johansson thought she had lost her engagement ring. This act of devotion highlights the couples strong bond despite the public teasing.

Saturday Night Live continues to air on NBC every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET, with [strong]Colin Jost[/strong], [strong]Michael Che[/strong>, and [strong]Scarlett Johansson[/strong> remaining prominent figures in the shows ongoing legacy of comedy and celebrity moments.
Chris Pine returns to Netflix in 'Yeti,' a survival thriller where he must protect his daughter from a deadly creature in the Alps.

AceShowbiz - Chris Pine is set to make his long-awaited return to Netflix with a gripping survival thriller titled Yeti, marking his first project with the streaming giant in eight years. Known widely for his role as Captain Kirk in the recent Star Trek trilogy, Pine previously collaborated with Netflix on the 2018 historical drama Outlaw King. Since then, he has appeared in several notable films including Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), The Contractor (2022), Don't Worry Darling (2022), and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

Deadline has revealed that Pine will star in Yeti, a survival thriller that pits a father and his daughter against a mysterious and deadly creature lurking in the Alps. The story centers on a father, played by Pine, and his daughter, portrayed by British actor Iona Bell, who must survive after an avalanche releases a primeval predator from the glacial ice. Joining them is Sofia Boutella, who is recognized for her role in Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon and who previously worked alongside Pine in Star Trek Beyond (2016), and veteran actor Ray Winstone.

The official logline for Yeti describes it as a tense battle for survival where a father and his daughter must fight to survive against a merciless predator that blends in with the snow, with no hope of rescue deep in the Alps. The film is directed by Michael Chaves, known for his work on The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025), and originated from a spec script by Peter Gaffney. The screenplay received rewrites from Sean Tretta. In addition to starring, Pine will serve as an executive producer alongside Hans Ritter, while Dan Kagan and producers Erik Feig and Jessica Switch from Picturestart are also onboard.

The project continues the ongoing collaboration between Sony and Netflix, who struck a partnership in 2021 granting Netflix first-look rights on films Sony intends to release directly to streaming. This partnership was recently renewed in January, ensuring that projects like Yeti benefit from this strategic alliance.

For Pine, the announcement of Yeti follows his appearance in the Sundance-premiered romantic comedy Carousel, where he stars opposite Jenny Slate. Directed by Rachel Lambert, Carousel has received generally positive reviews and holds a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In addition, Pine is slated to star in the sci-fi comedy Alpha Gang, which is currently in post-production.

Iona Bell, who plays Pines daughter in Yeti, is gaining attention as well, having starred in the Sundance film Fing! earlier this year. She is also set to appear in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is scheduled for theatrical release this November.

Ray Winstone, another key cast member of Yeti, is known for his roles in acclaimed films such as The Departed (2006), the Marvel hit Black Widow (2021), and the Netflix success Damsel (2024). Meanwhile, director Michael Chaves has a strong horror background, having directed entries in the Conjuring universe including The Nun II (2023) and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021).

As of now, no official release date or filming schedule for Yeti has been announced. However, given Pines involvement and the high-profile creative team, the film is poised to be a notable addition to Netflixs thriller lineup. Fans of survival and monster movies will want to keep an eye out for upcoming details about this chilling alpine story.
Business / Companies

by Ray Bande

Amalgamating diamond mining companies in Chiadzwa will benefit thousands of villagers in the district, Mutare West National Assembly representative Dr Christopher Mushohwe said on Friday.Government has a 50 percent stake in the five diamond miners firms operating there.The miners were supposed to contribute US$10 million each to the Zimunya-Marange Community Share Ownership Scheme to finance development projects, but none did.At a no-holds-barred meeting in Chiadzwa, Dr Mushohwe a who is Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister a commended Mines Minister Walter Chidhakwa for restoring sanity to the sector.Village heads and officials from diamond mining companies, the Mines and Mining Development Ministry and Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation attended the meeting.Dr Mushohwe said, "We are aware some people are still residing in this area because they have not been relocated. These people are now left without farming or grazing land. Some of them had their houses damaged because of the rock blasting done during mining activities."They are leading a miserable life, yet the companies operating here are paying a deaf ear to their plight. It is sad that this is going on after Anjin Investments, one of the companies here, handed over a US$1.5 million dummy cheque to the Head of State."He continued: "They lied to the President and it is now four years down the line; no money has been given to the Zimunya-Marange Community Share Ownership Scheme."We are now saying the consolidation of mines will help in terms of accountability. It was quite cumbersome for Government to monitor all activities in Chiadzwa as the companies were playing hide-and-seek. Now that we are going to be in control, as Government, we will ensure the people of Marange benefit from these God-given gems."In fact, there are 6 800 hectares reserved for the people of Marange as a mining concession that we hope will also be taken note of in the transition to consolidating mining companies. The good thing is that ZMDC actually noted that on their map and I was made to understand the area has not yet been mined."I have no doubt that this will see us benefit as locals. This is one of many measures that have been taken by Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa. He has done a wonderful job since he took over that ministry given that it was actually in shambles."Dr Mushohwe also said: "It is painful that wherever we travel, we see cities that have benefited from resources mined in that particular area, but the same cannot be said about this area. The city called Jo'burg was built from the proceeds of diamond mining in the area."Back here in Zimbabwe, you go to areas that are being (mined) by Mimosa or Zimplats, you can see real development coming from the companies operating there. Why do the rules have to change when it comes to Marange? That is unacceptable."ZMDC board chair Mr David Murangari said, "I am actually shocked by the state of affairs here. There is virtually nothing to show for the diamonds that the whole world was made to know were being mined here.''Not even the roads, nothing. It is shocking, to say the least."
Henry Cavill stars in the live-action Voltron movie. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, the epic adaptation arrives in 2027.

AceShowbiz - The release window has finally been announced for the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the Voltron franchise starring Henry Cavill. After years of development, Amazon MGM Studios secured distribution rights back in 2022, and now sources like The Wrap confirm that the film is slated for release in 2027, though an exact date remains unconfirmed.

Production on Voltron began in late 2024 and wrapped up by mid-2025 in Australia. The film is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, known for his work on popular titles such as Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, We're the Millers, and Red Notice. Thurber also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ellen Shanman and is producing the project with Todd Lieberman, Bob Koplar, and David Hoberman.

Henry Cavill leads a diverse cast that includes Daniel Quinn-Toye, Sterling K. Brown, Rita Ora, Alba Baptista, John Harlan Kim, Tharanya Tharan, Samson Kayo, and others. Recently, it was revealed that Cavill will portray King Alfor in the film, with Ora cast as Haggar the Dark Witch and Brown as the villainous King Zarkon. Notably, Daniel Quinn-Toye is relatively new to the industry, having appeared in the British series Badults and the film Sunny Dancer, as well as performing in a 2024 West End production of Romeo and Juliet.

The original Voltron series debuted in 1984, focusing on a team of pilots who combine five robotic lions to form the giant warrior Voltron, battling various foes including Zarkon and Haggar. The show aired over 100 episodes and spawned multiple spin-offs and reboots such as Voltron: The Third Dimension, Voltron Force, and the recent Netflix series Voltron: Legendary Defender. Beyond television, the franchise has extended into comic books and video games.

Henry Cavill is no stranger to roles based on established properties. He gained widespread fame portraying Superman in the DC Extended Universe, which included films like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League. Following his tenure, David Corenswet took over the Superman mantle for James Gunns new DC Universe initiatives.

Additionally, Cavill starred as Geralt of Rivia in Netflixs adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowskis The Witcher series. After three seasons, he left the show and was replaced by Liam Hemsworth. Cavill has also been cast as Connor MacLeod in the upcoming reboot of Highlander, a role originally played by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 film. Filming for Highlander has recently started in Scotland.

With both Voltron and Highlander in his slate, Cavill is expected to headline at least two major theatrical releases in the coming years. He is also set to return for another installment of Netflixs Enola Holmes series. While none of these projects have official release dates yet, audiences will have multiple opportunities to see Cavill on screen soon.

The upcoming Voltron live-action film promises to bring a beloved sci-fi and action franchise to life with a star-studded cast and an experienced director at the helm. Fans of the original series and newcomers alike can anticipate a modern cinematic experience rooted in the classic story of teamwork and heroism.
Keanu Reeves stars in a time-loop thriller. Betrayed and hunted in the Caribbean, he must outrun mercenaries and sharks. His first original action film since...

AceShowbiz - Keanu Reeves is set to headline his first original action movie in over a decade, marking a significant return since his iconic role in John Wick. This upcoming film, a time-loop thriller directed by Tim Miller, has begun production and is shaping up to be an exciting blend of high stakes and inventive storytelling.

The movie, initially titled Shiver, revolves around a smuggler portrayed by Reeves who finds himself caught in a perilous Groundhog Day-style time loop. After being betrayed by his partners in the treacherous Caribbean waters, he must continuously evade deadly mercenaries and relentless sharks. The film has been described as a fusion of Edge of Tomorrow and The Shallows, promising a unique combination of action and suspense.

Adding fresh talent to the cast is Callie Cooke, known for her role as Jodie, a tire gunner in last summers hit F1. She will play the female lead, a scientist involved in the unfolding mystery. The production is currently shooting in the Dominican Republic utilizing large water tanks to capture the aquatic setting, with plans to continue filming in the UK later this year. The movie is scheduled for release on August 13, 2027.

Joining Reeves and Cooke is a strong supporting ensemble. Nicholas Duvernay, recognized for his performances in Bel Air and the third season of The White Lotus, as well as Steven Waddington, who appeared in Michael Manns The Last of the Mohicans and MGM+s Robin Hood, have signed on. The cast also includes Abraham Popoola, who was seen alongside Reeves in the John Wick spin-off Ballerina and featured on the last season of Slow Horses.

Additionally, Bobby Holland Hanton, an actor and stuntman with credits in Thor: Love and Thunder and Now You See Me: Now You Dont, and newcomer Anastasia Safonov, recently seen in the indie film Floating Carousel, round out this diverse cast.

Tim Miller, the director known for Deadpool and 2019s Terminator: Dark Fate, is helming the project. Miller also created the acclaimed animated anthologies Love, Death & Robots and Secret Level. The screenplay is penned by Ian Shorr, noted for his work on Infinite. The films production team includes producers Matthew Vaughn, Aaron Ryder, Andrew Swett, and John Zaozirny, with Scott Lumpkin serving as executive producer.

Distribution will be handled by Warner Bros., signaling a major studio release for the film. The combination of Reeves star power, Millers visionary direction, and the intriguing time-loop premise has already generated significant buzz in the industry.

As Reeves embarks on this new cinematic venture, audiences can look forward to a blend of intense action sequences, suspenseful time-loop challenges, and captivating performances from a talented cast. The films unique setting in the Caribbean waters and its use of practical effects with large water tanks aim to deliver a visually striking experience.

With production underway and a confirmed release date of August 13, 2027, fans of Keanu Reeves and action thrillers alike should keep a close eye on this upcoming film. It promises to be a fresh and exhilarating entry in the genre, marking a notable milestone in Reevess career.

Stay tuned for further updates on this untitled time-loop thriller as it progresses through filming and post-production, with more details expected to emerge in the coming months.
Mike Flanagan's new Carrie series for Prime Video promises a fresh, faithful Stephen King adaptation, filling gaps left by past films. Matthew Lillard shares...

AceShowbiz - Matthew Lillard, known for his role in the upcoming Carrie series, recently shared insights on how director Mike Flanagan is bringing a fresh, faithful adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel to Prime Video. This new take aims to fill in gaps left by previous versions, especially the iconic 1976 film directed by Brian De Palma.

Originally published in 1974, Stephen King's Carrie has been adapted multiple times, most notably the 1976 movie starring Sissy Spacek, which holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and features the famous prom scene drenched in blood. A 2013 remake starring Chloe Grace Moretz, however, received a lukewarm reception with only a 51% rating.

Now, Mike Flanagan is taking on Kings novel with an eight-episode miniseries for Prime Video. In an interview with ScreenRants Ash Crossan on the show Going Method, Matthew Lillard confirmed that filming had concluded just before Christmas after a six-month shoot in Vancouver. He expressed excitement about the experience and detailed how this adaptation will explore elements of the book that were missing from De Palmas film.

Matthew Lillard explained, "Brian De Palmas film focused on a very specific portion of the book. The novel itself is much richer and denser, with a tapestry of stories that the original movie didnt cover." He emphasized that Flanagan mined these deeper layers from the novel and incorporated real-life examples of bullying in modern America. This contemporary context allows the series to connect with todays audience, reflecting ongoing social issues.

According to Lillard, the series paints the story from three distinct viewpoints: the parents, the high school faculty, and the students. He plays the role of Principal Grayle, representing the school administrations perspective. This multifaceted approach aims to create a more nuanced portrayal of the storys characters and themes.

Lillard praised Flanagan as an exceptional storyteller, particularly skilled at adapting Stephen Kings work. He highlighted Flanagans pacing and character development, calling the directors approach honest and engaging. The cast includes young talents like Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, who Lillard described as incredible, and Samantha Sloyan, who plays Margaret White, the pivotal mother role that has long been considered iconic.

Lillard reflected on his involvement in the project, stating, "Being part of Mike Flanagans world is one of the best experiences of my career. The people involved become friends, and working with them has been unbelievable."

The story of Carrie centers on a socially isolated high school girl raised by her strict, religious mother. After the death of her father, Carrie faces increasing bullying at school while struggling to control her emerging telekinetic powers. The series casts Summer H. Howell as Carrie White and Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, alongside Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Josie Toah as Tina Blake, Arthur Conti as Billy Nolan, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross, Amber Midthunder as Rita Desjardian, and Lillard himself as Principal Grayle.

The cast also includes notable guest stars such as Heather Graham, Kate Siegel, Michael Trucco, and Rahul Kohli, adding further depth and interest to the ensemble.

Prime Videos adaptation of Carrie will mark Flanagans fourth Stephen King project following Geralds Game, Doctor Sleep, and The Life of Chuck. There are also plans for him to adapt The Mist in the future. Though no exact release date has been announced, the series is expected to debut around October 2026.

For fans eager to explore deeper analyses of the adaptation, including character studies and how the series connects with current social themes, a newsletter subscription is available offering thoughtful coverage and updates.

In summary, this new Carrie series promises to be a more comprehensive and modernized retelling of Stephen Kings classic novel, guided by Mike Flanagans expert storytelling and brought to life by a talented cast led by Matthew Lillard, Summer H. Howell, and Samantha Sloyan. By addressing previously overlooked parts of the book and incorporating contemporary social issues, the series aims to resonate with both longtime fans and new viewers alike.
Black Crowes' reunion inspired Oasis comeback, says Chris Robinson. Inside the sibling rock revival that mended two legendary bands.

AceShowbiz - Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes has revealed that the reconciliation between him and his brother Rich Robinson played a key role in inspiring the reunion of another famous sibling rock duo, Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.

Speaking on Rolling Stones Nashville Now podcast while promoting their latest album, A Pound of Feathers, recorded in Nashville, Chris Robinson explained how repairing his relationship with his brother in 2019 set a precedent that influenced the Gallagher brothers decision to reunite Oasis in 2025.

Of course we did. Theres no doubt in my mind that we didnt, Chris said, emphasizing that despite what Liam or Noel might say publicly, their relationship is heavily influenced by how he and Rich Robinson have resolved their differences. Sitting beside him, Rich Robinson simply laughed, while Chris continued, I would say were the barometer to their family dynamic. Thats just a fact. And Id like to see either of them deny it.

The Black Crowes and Oasis share a unique history. Originating in Atlanta during the 1980s, the Black Crowes toured with the Manchester-based Oasis in 2001 during a co-headlining U.S. and Canada tour dubbed The Tour of Brotherly Love. This tour also featured the sibling band Spacehog, led by Royston and Antony Langdon.

Despite the apparent potential for conflict given the groups reputations, Rich Robinson recalls the tour fondly. It was amazing, he said. That was a great tour.

After years of estrangement, the Robinson brothers reunited their band in 2019, six years after their last performance. Reflecting on the reconciliation, Rich shared with Rolling Stone, I told [our friend], Man, it would just be cool to be able to play songs with my brother. And he said, Yknow, Chris said the same thing to me.

The pandemic delayed their comeback tour, but the Black Crowes resumed performing in 2021 and have been active since. In 2024, they released the Grammy-nominated album Happiness Bastards, produced by Nashvilles Jay Joyce. The duo returned to Nashville to record their latest album, A Pound of Feathers, also with Joyce at the helm.

This sequence of events highlights how sibling dynamics within iconic rock bands can influence music history, with the Black Crowes reunion serving as a catalyst for the Gallagher brothers renewed collaboration.
Doja Cat pranks her dad with a fake concert ticket link, sparking a viral and hilarious TikTok exchange with her father, actor Dumisani Dlamini.

AceShowbiz - Doja Cat recently sparked a viral moment on TikTok by trolling her father with an unexpected prank instead of sending concert tickets. The rapper shared a humorous exchange with her dad, South African actor Dumisani Dlamini, which quickly caught the attention of fans.

The story began when Doja Cat messaged her father about her upcoming show in Pretoria, South Africa. Dlamini explained that he wouldnt be able to attend, citing their lack of communication. On a lighter note, I was messaging my father 'cause he's here in Africa and he said that he couldn't make it to my show because I don't message him enough and I didn't call him on WhatsApp, she explained in the video.

Trying to make it easy for him to get tickets, Doja Cat sent what she claimed would be a simple ticket link. However, the link she sent was actually adult content, catching her father off guard. The prank led to a confused and funny response from Dumisani Dlamini, who said he would forward the link to his management team for handling.

He said, 'Oh yes, I will send this to my management; my management will handle all of this. At the moment, I'm just very busy ... doing costume and rehearsal, so I cannot do this myself,' Doja Cat recounted in her TikTok video.

When Dumisani Dlamini opened the link, he was visibly baffled by the content, questioning whether it was some sort of scam because he couldnt find any actual ticket information. The unexpected situation left Doja Cat laughing, as she shared the clip with her followers.

This episode is not the first time the rapper has publicly acknowledged the rocky and distant relationship she has with her father. She has previously referred to him as a deadbeat in interviews, underscoring the ongoing tension between them.
Tom Holland supports Zendaya's new film 'The Drama' as wedding rumors swirl. See his Instagram post & details on their relationship.

AceShowbiz - Tom Holland continues to show unwavering support for his partners latest project as wedding rumors around the couple escalate. On Saturday, March 21, the actor took to Instagram to promote the film The Drama, starring Zendaya alongside Robert Pattinson. Holland, 29, expressed his excitement about the movies release, urging fans to secure their tickets, promising the film would be an impressive experience.

The film The Drama features Zendaya, also 29, in a story centered on a couples wedding day and the ensuing chaos. Her co-star, Pattinson, 39, plays opposite her in this A24 production. Off-screen, Zendaya and Holland have been a couple since 2021, having met through their roles as romantic interests in the Marvel Spider-Man franchise.

The couples relationship took a significant step in the public eye at the 2025 Golden Globes, where Zendaya appeared solo on the red carpet, prominently displaying a large engagement ring. This subtle reveal fueled speculation about their marital status.

During the Los Angeles premiere of The Drama on March 17, Zendaya was briefly questioned about the rumors swirling around her personal life. She addressed the topic with a lighthearted approach, avoiding direct confirmation but teasing a secret her character is keeping in the film. Zendayas character, Emma Harwood, hides a significant secret from her fiance, Charlie Thompson, played by Pattinson.

Insider information provided to Us Weekly in January 2025 detailed that Holland proposed during the holidays in an understated manner, respecting Zendayas preference for a low-key moment. The source revealed that both actors were enthusiastic about advancing their relationship to the next chapter. According to the insider, Holland felt ready to settle down and saw the timing as ideal for a proposal, while Zendaya was thrilled but never pressured the situation.

Following this, the couple maintained a low profile regarding any wedding plans. However, earlier in March, Zendayas longtime stylist, Law Roach, sparked fresh speculation by claiming the couple was already married. Speaking at the Actor Awards, Roach stated, The wedding has already happened. You missed it. Its very true. He later reiterated his statement at the 2026 Oscars, standing firm on his comments despite no official confirmation from the actors themselves.

Neither Zendaya nor Holland has publicly addressed or clarified the rumors about their nuptials. Representatives for both actors were contacted by Us Weekly for comment but did not provide any confirmation or denial.

The speculation gained further momentum when Zendayas mother, Claire Stoermer, responded cryptically to Roachs claims. The stylist had ignited the rumor mill during a red carpet interview at the SAG Actor Awards, fueling widespread interest in the couples private life.

Amid the ongoing chatter, Zendaya herself has encountered numerous AI-generated images circulating online, depicting a wedding ceremony that never occurred. On Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 16, she addressed these fabricated photos with humor, explaining that many people had been deceived by the AI creations. She clarified that the images were not real and playfully dismissed the rumors by saying, Babe, theyre AI! Theyre not real!

To further dispel any confusion, Zendaya shared a video that appeared to be a genuine wedding scene but revealed it was actually a scene from The Drama with Tom Hollands face digitally superimposed over Robert Pattinsons character. She joked about the footage, emphasizing it was real in its own way and that she was present during the filming.

The Drama is set for release on Friday, April 3, and promises to offer a captivating cinematic experience that fans of Zendaya and Holland eagerly anticipate. Meanwhile, the couple continues to navigate the intense public interest in their private lives with discretion and a touch of humor.
Jeezy's Las Vegas residency at PH Live. Experience The Legend of the Snowman with a full orchestra in a sophisticated black-tie hip-hop event. May & June dates.

AceShowbiz - Jeezy is set to headline an extraordinary residency in Las Vegas this coming May, bringing a fresh, sophisticated twist to his live performances with The Legend of the Snowman.

The acclaimed Grammy-nominated rapper has secured ten dates at PH Live inside Planet Hollywood, with shows scheduled from May 1 through late June. This marks Jeezys second residency on the Las Vegas Strip, a testament to his ability to captivate audiences in Sin City with unforgettable experiences.

The residency dates are May 1, 2, 23, and 24, followed by June 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27. Unlike typical hip-hop concerts, Jeezy is elevating the event by incorporating a full orchestral arrangement, creating a black-tie atmosphere that infuses each night with grown luxury and high energy.

According to CBS News Boston, this residency is more than a concert; its a full production designed to blend hip-hop culture with the grandeur typically associated with legends like Frank Sinatra and Adele. "We call it grown luxury," Jeezy said, emphasizing his vision to place himself among the greats.

Having sold over 10 million albums and earned Grammy nominations, Jeezy is also a New York Times best-selling author and a savvy entrepreneur. His first Vegas residency demonstrated his ability to command the stage and maintain audience engagement night after night.

This upcoming residency differs in scope from his previous run, which focused exclusively on his album Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Jeezy explained that this time, the show is not limited to one album but spans his entire discography, allowing for a broader, richer experience.

"Last year was limited to Thug Motivation 101's anniversary, but now the skys the limit. We can showcase the whole body of work and make it bigger and better," he said.

Jeezy remains committed to authenticity and deep connection with his core fans. This residency offers him the platform to deliver that connection on a grand scale, supported by top-tier production values that reflect his influential status in hip-hop culture.
By He Yin, People's Daily

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the world keenly observes how the nation will advance its green transformation and the subsequent impact on global sustainability.



During this year's "two sessions," the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), international attention focused on China's new blueprint for accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. This renewed focus underscores China's steadfast commitment to achieving harmony between humanity and nature.



Reviewing China's environmental progress reveals a significant record of achievement for a nation of over 1.4 billion people. In 2025, China's carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan (about $1,450) of GDP fell by 5.0 percent. The proportion of days with good or excellent air quality in cities at or above prefectural level reached 89.3 percent, the best on record. Green electricity accounted for nearly 40 percent of the country's total power consumption, and China has built the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system.



Since 2012, China has carried out afforestation covering more than 1.1 billion mu (733,333 square kilometers), contributing about 25 percent of the world's newly added green areas and becoming the country that has expanded greenery the most and the fastest.



Amidst international concerns about regressive climate policies in some major nations, China's actions provide increasing momentum and hope for the global green transition. These substantial "green achievements" stem from strategic foresight and sustained commitment.



The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) established the core principles of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development. The subsequent 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) laid out specific requirements for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.



The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan list making major new strides in advancing the "Beautiful China" initiative as one of the major objectives, and include a dedicated section on "Accelerating the Green Transition across the Board and Building a Beautiful China."



The draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan sets five indicators related to carbon reduction, pollution control, and ecological and environmental protection, along with 18 major projects focused on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, environmental quality improvement, and ecological protection and restoration. The continuity of planning ensures consistency in both policy and action.



As the 15th Five-Year Plan period begins, China is accelerating its comprehensive green transition, making the green foundation of high-quality development ever more pronounced.



Balancing environmental protection with development remains a global challenge. Sustainable transformation requires tangible benefits for people. Guided by the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," China approaches green development with a long-term, holistic, and comprehensive perspective, recognizing that a sound ecological environment is the most inclusive public good for people's well-being.



In Yucun village in east China's Zhejiang province, the closure of mines has given rise to a thriving eco-tourism industry. In the Changjiang village of Fengdu, southwest China's Chongqing municipality, the shift away from fishing following fishing bans has paved the way for the development of featured agriculture.



In Jiangyin, east China's Jiangsu province, industrial transformation has moved from pollution-intensive to green-oriented development. In Guizhou province in southwest China, the once incidental product of rocky desertification control -- Rosa roxburghii fruit, or Chinese prickly pear -- has been upgraded into a "golden fruit" that boosts incomes and prosperity.



These carefully considered choices in green transformation allow people to share in the dividends of development under blue skies and clear waters.



By pursuing eco-friendly policies that benefit, enrich, and serve the people, China has turned the fruits of green development into tangible improvements in people's well-being, offering valuable inspiration to other countries.



An article in the European journal Modern Diplomacy noted that China's high-quality development model provides other Global South countries with a demonstrative pathway for integrating environmental sustainability with economic growth.



China's environmental record also reflects its leadership and responsibility in global green development.



China continues to provide high-quality, efficient green and low-carbon products to countries around the world, especially developing nations. Its wind power equipment, photovoltaic products, and new energy vehicles are exported to more than 200 countries and regions.



China supplies about 70 percent of the world's wind power equipment and 80 percent of photovoltaic components, helping drive down the global cost of wind and solar power generation by more than 60 percent and 80 percent respectively.



At this critical moment in the global green transition, China has actively participated in global governance in related fields, achieved notable achievements in implementing its 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), announced new NDCs, and carried out green energy cooperation projects with more than 100 countries and regions.



Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, noted that China's development of renewable energy has made outstanding contributions to global climate action, and that the achievements made possible by China's combination of long-term planning, industrial capacity, and policy coordination will change the trajectory of global development.



A new picture of China's green development is unfolding. As the 15th Five-Year Plan period begins, China will continue unswervingly to pursue green development that prioritizes eco-environmental conservation and protection, work with all countries to preserve what gives our planet life, jointly address global climate challenges, protect the green Earth, and secure a cleaner and more beautiful world.
What we must hope is that all those responsible for Americas national security completely, viscerally understand that the United States is under attack. Not in theory, not in some distant theater, and not even in Iran (although thats true, too). This attack is in Iraq, where Iranian proxies are waging a hot war against the U.S.

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In Baghdadinside one of the most fortified diplomatic compounds in the worlddrones and rockets are striking the U.S. Embassy with increasing frequency. (See, e.g., here, here, and here.) These assaults are carried out by militias under Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), armed factions that function as extensions of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

These militants are trained, financed, and guided by Tehrans Quds Force, and they operate with lethal autonomy, targeting American personnel and assets while hiding behind the veneer of the Iraqi state. Iraqs government, which made them an official part of the Iraqi state security apparatus in 2016, provides them cover, legitimacy, and resources, funding their salaries, arms, and logistics even as they carry out attacks against U.S. interests.

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Militias operating from within Iraq are launching coordinated attacks on American personnel, facilities, and interests, testing Washingtons willingness to respond.

This is no longer a shadow conflict. It is not a warning phase. It is a campaign unfolding from within a state that claims partnership with the United States while tolerating and politically shielding the actors carrying it out.

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These militias have declared war on the United States. With Baghdads rote condemnations lacking any credibility, Washington must respond accordingly.

Nor can the attacks be written off as random. Instead, the pattern of escalation is unmistakable. On March 16, drones struck the Al-Rasheed Hotel inside Baghdads fortified Green Zonethe same district housing government buildings and the U.S. Embassywhile rockets and additional drones targeted American diplomatic and military positions. Attacks extended to Erbil and other locations across Iraq, demonstrating both reach and coordination. Oil infrastructure, including the Majnoon field, has also been drawn into the target set.

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Senior Iraqi voices are acknowledging the gravity of the moment. Former Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari warned these attacks amount to an all-out war by militia factions seeking to drag Iraq fully into conflict. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran, Victoria J. Taylor has noted that attacks on civilian sites and diplomatic missions are not isolatedthey reflect a broader pattern eroding Iraqi state authority:

The militia attacks on hotels are extremely problematic and just another way these groups are undermining the Iraqi government's efforts to restore a sense of normalcy over the past several years https://t.co/7CVOZqbla1 Advertisement March 16, 2026

Zalmay Khalilzad, a veteran U.S. diplomat who served as ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the United Nations, also recognizes what is happening:

The IRGC-controlled Iraqi militias are attacking US Embassy in Baghdad, as well as Kurdistan and our interests there. The Iraqi government is issuing statements condemning these attacks but appears to be unable - or, sad to say more likely, unwilling to stop them. It is time Advertisement March 16, 2026

Picking up where the above leaves off,

...for the US to devastate the military capabilities of these militias that for too long have enjoyed carte blanche to act as Iranian regime proxies with the toleration of the Iraqi government. In addition, Prime Minister Sudani must be pressed to step up and move with force against these terrorist proxies. @POTUS @SecWar @CENTCOM @SecState #Iraq #Kurdistan #Turkiye #Saudi_arabia #UAE @qatar #Kuwait @WSJopinion #srael

Michael Knights, writing for The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, argues that Iraq has not consolidated state authority but has instead fragmented it. Armed groups operate within and beyond formal government command, drawing on state resources while retaining independent decision-making.

The United States paid dearly, both in blood and treasure, to remake Iraq. Nevertheless, it never filled the strategic vacuum that followed its complete withdrawal in 2011. Instead, Iran filled that vacuum. What wed gained at immense American cost has been replaced by an Iranian-oriented militia power embedded in the Iraqi statethreatening Iraqs stability, the wider region, and American interests.

The current situation is both an individual tragedy and a terrible national risk. For many Americans, the cost of Iraq did not end on the battlefield. It lives on in wounded veterans and in those grappling with the invisible toll of war. That reality makes the current moment harder to ignore. What was once framed as a war to stabilize Iraq has given rise to a system that now challenges American presence and sacrifice directly.

Meanwhile, Baghdad speaks of sovereignty even as that sovereignty erodes. On March 17, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned terrorist attacks on the Al-Rasheed Hotel, U.S. Embassy, and critical infrastructure. The statement warned that such acts sought to destabilize Iraq and pledged accountability.

In theory, this sounds like a government asserting control. In fact, it reveals the opposite. Many of the groups responsible for the attack are embedded within the statefunded, armed, and protected. A separate Iraqi government statement even praised PMF fighters as martyrs and heroes, exposing a contradiction: Baghdad condemns violence that it cannotor, worse, will notstop, while relying on the militias themselves to help run the system.

This leads to a more uncomfortable conclusion: the problem is no longer just the militias. Instead, it is the gap between the threat and the scale of the American response.

As for the U.S. response, so far, its been very limited. U.S. strikes have eliminated fighters and storage sites at the margins, but deliberately avoided leadership networks and decision-makers directing attacks. The problem isnt being ended; its merely being managed. It doesnt have to be this way.

In 2020, the United States acted decisively, albeit in limited ways, by striking senior figures coordinating Irans regional operations, including Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. However, because the pressure instantly ended when Trump left office, the network adapted, rebuilt, and continued operating.

This time, following repeated strikes on the U.S. Embassy and President Trump in a proactive mode, the question in Baghdad is no longer whether the U.S. will respond decisively, but when. However, for now, Washington has continued limited incremental strikes, leaving intact the command structures that are planning and directing attacks.

This cannot last. Deterrence doesnt occur through symbolic strikes. Instead, as in Iran itself, it requires systematically eliminating the men directing the war. Instead, by treating each rocket and drone as an isolated incident, Washington has allowed militias to dictate the tempo of conflict.

What weve seen (as Israel finally saw, too) is that the era of proportional response has failed. If the Iraqi government will not purge its ranks of Iranian proxies, the United States must do it for them. The following high-value targets represent the brain and spine of the insurgency. Their neutralization is the only prerequisite for peace.

Heres a helpful list of men who should head the U.S. list of high-value targets in Iraq:

Falih al-Fayyadh (Popular Mobilization Committee)

Hadi al-Amiri (Badr Organization)

Akram al-Kaabi (Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba)

Ahmad Mohsen Faraj al-Hamidawi (Kataib Hezbollah)

Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi (Abu Fadak)

Qais al-Khazali (Asaib Ahl al-Haq)

Abu Ala al-Walai (Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada)

Shibl al-Zaydi (Kataib al-Imam Ali)

The message to Tehran and Baghdad must be absolute: Any individual who plans, funds, or executes attacks against Americans will be hunted down. The time for warnings is over. The time for consequences has arrived.

Image created using AI.
Three weeks ago, the Danish Prime Minister called for a snap election, several months ahead of schedule.

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Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seems to have calculated that her Social Democrat Party had a better chance of winning more votes in the Spring than in the Fall (the Danish Constitution requires that elections be held every four years but that the timing is left up to the government as long as it does not exceed the four-year deadline which is the Fall of 2026).

So Election Day will be on March 24.

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All twelve Danish political parties have been scrambling to hang up their election posters on streetlights, organizing voter meetings and appearing on Danish radio and television in debates. Debates in Denmark are unlike those in the United States. Candidates do not interrupt each other nor do they go for their opponents jugulars. Interaction is civilized and proper. Tempers do not flare and ad hominem attacks are rare.

Issues and political platforms are debated and party candidates do so without resorting to cheap shots, innuendo or soundbites. Since there are so many political parties, debates are long. An interesting fact of political life in Denmark is how political parties are established. Basically, anyone can establish a political party here. They usually start as political organizations that have a basic party platform and a name along with principal board members. There is no citizenship requirement to start a political movement, form an organization, write a platform or recruit members. There is no fee for doing so, either. This is protected by the Danish freedom of association.

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Getting on the Danish ballot is another story, entirely. A party or movement needs to get 20,000 signatures of Danish citizens to get on the ballot and those signatures cannot be collected by non-Danish citizens. In order to become elected to the Danish Parliament (to get a seat), a party needs to win a minimum of 2% of the vote. The low number of signatures may explain why there are so many political parties in Denmark and why governing requires coalitions of parties.

The current governing coalition here is with the Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats), the party called Venstre (which actually translates as Left though it is a right of center party) and the Moderaterne (moderates). The Social Democrats came to power with 27.5% of the vote and 50 seats in the parliament; Venstre had 13.3% and 23 seats in the parliament and the Moderaterne had 9.3% and 16 seats in the parliament. Together, the governing coalition has 89 seats in the Danish parliament (Folketing).

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A majority in the Folketing requires 90 seats, so the government has one seat short of a clear majority and this means that it is technically a minority coalition government and must rely on support from other parties to pass legislation. That means it must not only find common ground with its own coalition, but must make deals with outside parties.

It is highly unlikely that the coming election will give any one party a clear majority. The Social Democrats lost seats in municipal elections last year and they are expected to lose support on the 24th. Another three-party coalition is predicted, but the three parties could either be a red (leftist) coalition or a blue (centrist or right-of-center) one.

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The prime minister has been on a crusade to soften her iron lady image and her primary opponent, the current Minister of Defense (head of the Venstre Party) has been working hard to toughen up his own. Other parties are jockeying for position and currying favor wherever they see the power shifting in the hopes of being a part of new government.

An opinion poll conducted just a few days ago puts the support for the center-left/left coalition at 48.5% (Socialdemokratiet at 21.1%, Socialistisk Folkeparti at 13.0% and Enhedslisten at 6.8%).

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Support for the center-right/right blue block of parties is put at 51.2% (Liberal Alliance at 11.2%, Venstre at 10.2%, Dansk Folkeparti at 8.2%, Danmarksdemokraterne at 7.1%, Konservative at 7.0%, Radikale Venstre at 4.9% and Alternativet at 2.7%).

A red coalition which included the Enhedslisten (the most radical of the leftist parties) would cause great consternation within the business community as a leftist coalition would be tempted to levy new taxes on high wage earners and tighten its grip on Danish business ability to compete, globally. They would most certainly expand the green three-part program (equivalent to the U.S. green new deal) and thereby speed up investments in alternative energy, increase environmental regulations and create problems for many sectors of Danish business. They would also be most likely to increase the size of the Danish government and thereby increase expenditures.

A blue block coalition would be most likely to maintain the status quo on taxes and spending and regulation. One of the open questions is: Would the average Dane be comfortable with an intensified left-leaning government and could such a coalition refrain from making any drastic changes that would upset the average taxpayer and the business sector? This is seen in the light of previous center-left coalitions that have governed Denmark for decades and have managed to be more moderate in their approach to taxation and regulatory matters.

Over the past twenty years, the Danes have become richer as a nation and have also become more comfortable with a balance of capitalism and what they call social humanism (or social democracy). They have been able to keep more of their income and have seen their portfolios grow.

It is my belief that the majority of them (at least those in the countryside and those not living in Copenhagen which has a concentration of left-leaning voters) will not vote for a pure left-of-center coalition government, so the question remains: Can a coalition of three left-of-center parties like the Social Democrats, the Socialist Peoples Party and Enhedslisten find a third member from the blue block to form a government with them like the Radikale Venstre and end up with a governing majority of 53.4%?

It is doubtful that any blue block parties would want to form a government with the Socialist Peoples Party or the ultra-left Enhedslisten along with the Social Democrats.

It is uncertain if the Social Democrats (21.1%) would totally ignore the leftist parties and instead try to form a government with three of the blue block parties like: Liberal Alliance (11.2%), Venstre (10.2%) and Dansk Folkeparti (8.2%) which would give them a majority of 50.7%. But the most unlikely scenario of all is that all seven of the blue block parties would suddenly join hands and put away their personality and policy differences to form a new government with 51.2% of the vote.

Much can happen in Danish politics given the various political party combinations that can be put together, and many voters here are still undecided about who will get their vote.

Stephen Helgesen is a retired American diplomat specializing in international trade. He has lived and worked in 30 countries over the course of 25 years under the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven of them on American politics, and has written more than 1,500 articles on politics, economics, and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator in Danish media. He can be reached at: [email protected]

Image: Pixabay // Pixabay Content License
News / Local

by Nduduzo Tshuma

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai will on Sunday visit Bulawayo to try to quell a possible revolt from members protesting the party's decision to boycott the June 10 parliamentary by-elections.The party's Bulawayo provincial structures on Monday held a meeting to give members feedback on the party's national council meeting held in Harare last Friday where the party upheld its congress resolution to boycott by-elections in 16 constituencies, 14 of them left vacant following the expulsion of 21 former MDC-T MPs from Parliament.The other two, Hurungwe West and Headlands fell vacant after Zanu-PF expelled Temba Mliswa and Didymus Mutasa. Five of the 16 by-elections will be held in Bulawayo.At the Bulawayo meeting members protested the party stance arguing that by opting not to take part in the polls, MDC-T which has had a stranglehold on the province since its formation in 1999, was "donating" the seats to Zanu-PF.MDC-T swept all seats in Bulawayo in the 2013 elections.The members also protested the attacks on MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khupe who wept uncontrollably at Friday's meeting after receiving a barrage of insults from protesters who were not happy with her push for the party to contest in the June 10 by-elections.Sources within the party said, the meeting chaired by provincial organising secretary James Sithole in the absence of acting chairperson Nomvula Mguni demanded that Tsvangirai comes to the province and explain the position himself."The members weren't happy that the party was literally giving up the seats to Zanu-PF. They accused the provincial leadership of failing to communicate their wishes to the party's national executive for the party to take part in the polls," said a member who attended the meeting."They also protested the savage attacks on Khupe by members from Harare demanding that the provincial leadership immediately contacts Tsvangirai to come down to Bulawayo to justify the stance to the province. The provincial leadership immediately contacted Tsvangirai who agreed to come down to Bulawayo on Sunday to address the matter."Sources said the provincial leadership was accused of lacking spine to stick to their resolution to take part in the by-elections and allowing the Harare members to ride roughshod over them."They said Zanu-PF shouldn't be allowed to win seats in Bulawayo with some making subtle threats on going it alone if the party insists on its position. Some said the party was actually doing Zanu-PF a huge favour by not participating," the source addedMeanwhile, Tsvangirai on his Sunday visit is also expected to preside over the election of a new provincial chairperson after Deputy Bulawayo Mayor Gift Banda was barred from occupying the position by the courts.Said the source: "There'll be a mini vote of some sort, whether people back Gift Banda or a new chairperson is appointed. So Tsvangirai will be addressing these two issues when he comes on Sunday."MDC-T Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Mandla Sibanda yesterday confirmed Tsvangirai's visit but denied that he was coming to address the boycott issue.He said Tsvangirai had cut short his three day visit to Bulawayo last month following the outbreak of violence at the party's Harvest House headquarters and had to return to Harare early."What happened is that we had a meeting to update members on the Harare meeting and most of the members agreed with the resolution."To us it's now water under the bridge. The president won't be coming to address that matter," said Sibanda.
In the debate over the future of the EU carbon trading system, the EU commission is playing for time. For Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this offers an opportunity to rise as the opposition leader and voice of reason within the EU.

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Giorgia Meloni is a political chameleon. Charitably, one might describe her as a bridge-builder -- between Italys national interests, European policy, and the Unions integration with global power centers.

Her proximity to the U.S. government provided reassurance at the height of the tensions between Brussels and Washington.

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Yet her zigzag approach on the Ukraine war -- sometimes acting as a force for dialogue, other times siding with the war faction  raises fresh questions.

As the leader of the EUs third-largest economy, she wields political leverage that could make her a dangerous counterweight to Brussels centralizers. The ostentatious transfer of Italys gold reserves from the national central bank to the custody of the state can be interpreted as a provocation against Brussels. Is Rome preparing for a currency crisis emergency and positioning a gold-backed currency?

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Von der Leyen can consider herself fortunate that the European commentary scene pays little attention to such details -- and that many journalists hang on her every word as she waxes poetic about the charms of green policy and the EU Green Deal success story.

And this is precisely where it gets interesting.

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At Thursdays EU Council meeting, alongside the escalating Iran conflict, questions about the EU carbon mechanism (ETS) were on the agenda. The exploding energy prices are not just a problem for Europes businesses and consumers.

From the commissions perspective, they represent a super-disaster, exposing the catastrophic consequences of the green transformation -- previously masked by media narratives, moralizing, and generous subsidies -- in glaring public light.

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The daily mounting pressure on the economy has made the fractures within the EUs political fabric painfully clear. On one side stands the faction of climate policy opponents, fronted unmistakably by Italys prime minister.

Last week, she called for a fundamental reform -- or even the abolition -- of the emissions trading system, pointing out that the CO2 mechanism is economically destructive and politically unsustainable.

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She now leads a growing opposition bloc, joined openly by Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Greece. It almost seems as if Rome has realized that it may be politically advantageous to confront Brussels precisely at this moment -- at the provisional peak of multiple crises.

On the other side of the European schism are the stewards of Brussels zigzag course. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attempted Thursday, at the sidelines of the meeting, to lightly flank and dismiss the oppositions critique of the ETS.

We have noted the criticism, and relief measures are already in place, said Merz. It is the old EU playbook: a regulatory framework is established that centralizes power in Brussels, threatens sanctions, and buys consent through subsidies -- money extracted from European taxpayers.

Either openly through contributions and tax burdens or covertly via this vehicle: CO2 taxation.

Yet we must assume that the monstrous Green Deal vehicle, which in its countless subsidies, price controls, and fund allocations became the nucleus of Brussels power, will be defended by those who benefit from it. Naturally, alongside the ever-more powerful EU bureaucracy, numerous corporations cling like dependents to public funds -- the taxpayers allocations.

These include companies such as Danish wind turbine giant rsted, a world leader in offshore wind, and Signify, the multinational lighting company behind the Philips brand, which have publicly supported and defended the Green Deal in the media.

Thursdays EU Council meeting once again offered the opportunity to study the commissions media and delay tactics live and in color.

In truth, the EU train continues on its predetermined track. The crisis is used as an opportunity to further increase debt, providing fresh cheap credit to patronage industries to stabilize them for the time being.

In the Ukraine conflict, von der Leyen currently enjoys easier media conditions. Hungarys Viktor Orban and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico are holding the 90 billion credit for continuation of the war under veto in light of the escalating energy conflict with Kyiv. Above all, Orban embodies the villain in the European media sphere. Meloni, the perennial rival, stays discreet but uses Thursdays EU Council meeting to reiterate her call for a return to a rational border regime in case of a new migration wave. She counts, among others, on Denmark, a social-democratic country, to support her.

One can sense that even outside WhatsApp groups of conservative patriotic forces, the cracks in the firewall are becoming visible -- economic and domestic pressures bind the affected parties together. And they need leaders and spokespersons to publicly represent their interests and arguments. Giorgia Meloni is steadily and skillfully positioning herself for this role. Will she emerge as the big winner in the EUs looming crisis?

The Italian leader also demonstrated domestic leadership this week by temporarily cutting fuel taxes by 0.25 per liter, providing immediate relief.

Giorgia Meloni is currently the dominant and most visible political force in the EU. Her fight against climate policy and the open borders regime signals above all within Italys domestic political sphere a return to national sovereignty -- a desire many Europeans harbor but dare not speak aloud.

In foreign policy, with Brussels in mind, Meloni uses the Ukraine conflict to demonstrate her ability to build consensus. The moment Italy aligns with those advocating Russias reintegration into the European energy mix, like Belgian Bart De Wever, and a long-term normalization of relations with Moscow, the break with Brussels is complete.

Image: Governo.it
The great State of California, erstwhile Land of Milk and Honey, is allegedly nearing completion of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing (WAWC), an overpass for animals above ten lanes of the 101 Freeway in Southern California.

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Image: Screenshot from VSkyMedia video, via YouTube

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The states governor, Gavin Slick Newsom, was all but giddy at the spans groundbreaking ceremony in 2022.

Today, nearly four years after that ceremony, the $114 million bridge is well past its projected completion date and at least $21 million over budget and counting. Yet, WAWC project leader and cougar sweater-wearing Beth Pratt told the City Journal that the states taxpayers are footing the bill for an overpass for everything from monarch butterflies to mountain lions.

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Does Newsom not know that butterflies can fly? (Hence the name.) I mean, his lysdexia dyslexia shouldnt come into play here. Butterflies dont need a bridge to anywhere. In fact, monarch butterflies migrate from all over the United States to Mexico, some traveling upwards of 1,500 miles. Note to Newsom and crew: they dont walk. They fly. Over things. Ergo they, like birds, dont need bridges. And the population of squirrels, rabbits, and other rodents, needs to be thinned out, anyway. Deer are too dumb to use a bridge humans designate for animals only.

There is no ramp up to the Butterfly Bridge at this point, which means it is doing no good for any animal that cant fly  and isnt needed for any that can.

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Surely the state will add a ramp or something to allow land-bound critters to cross the ten-lane freeway, probably at a cost of several more million dollars or more. California taxpayers, will that fly with you? Guess you dont really have a choice. (Taxation without representation?)

And mountain lions? They arent going to be impressed by the 26 million pounds of concrete used to support the bridges topside, which includes up to four feet of soil, thousands of native plants, various rock formations, and sound walls made from natural vegetation. A simple span would have sufficed.

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Well over two billion cars have crossed Californias other famous span, the Golden Gate Bridge, since its opening. That bridge cost between $35 million and $37 million at the time (in 1930s dollars). The Butterfly Bridge has so far consumed nearly $114 million taxpayer dollars and no animals have yet been able to traverse it. (Though it is likely some butterflies have flown over it without permission.) The Golden Gate Bridge is 4,200-feet long compared to the Butterfly Bridges 210-foot span and took a little over four years to build. The WAWC is currently in its fourth year of construction. Compare and contrast.

How much fraud, corruption, and profligate waste of taxpayers money is enough?

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I guess well cross that bridge when we come to it. If we can.
Im a practicing Christian, for which no apology is needed, nor do I offer any. I do my best to live as Jesus would want me to live, and follow the Scriptures, such as Matthew 7.1:

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Judge not, that ye be not judged.

And Matthew 7.3:

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And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

In that, I am far from unique among Normal Americans, mostly, but not exclusively, Republicans.

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We must make many judgements every day to ensure mere survival. Not only judgements about potential danger, but about the nature, motives and intentions of others. Among the most reliable indicators of those natures, motives and intentions are past and present actions and the words of others. I do not, however, presume to judge the depth of anyones relationship with God. Ive no idea of the sincerity of their faith. However, when they ridicule the prayers of others, when they apparently mock the very act of prayer, one is reasonably justified in questioning their sincerity, motives and whether they have any faith in God.

Such questioning is common with the acts, intentions, words and behavior of many Democrats. Reasonable observation leads one to conclude their faith is in the Democrat party and in big government so long as it is controlled by Democrats. In that, they differ little if at all from Socialists and Communists, for whom the Party is everything and religion is mocked, even murderously suppressed, because there can be no greater power than the party, no faith but faith in the party and its leaders.

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As the contemporary Democrat party has become dominated by Socialist/Communist orthodoxy, that apparent lack of faith, manifested by constant and outright hostility to Christianity, has become obvious and discomforting. The Democrat Party propaganda arm, their media, is among the primary purveyors of hostility toward Christians and all faiths:

CBS News "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan raised eyebrows on Thursday with a bizarre social media post that many believed was critical of people of faith. Advertisement The saga began when Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke about Operation Epic Fury during a somber early morning press conference in which he vowed to "honor" the sacrifice of six U.S. service members killed in a plane crash last week. "May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight. And again, to the American people, please pray for them, every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ. To the troops, keep going and Godspeed," Hegseth said to wrap up his remarks. Advertisement

Brennan responded:

Graphic: X Post

Brennan probably thought herself clever for ending with ellipsis rather than clarifying her comment. Was she glad for Hegseths selfless faith and emphasis on our troops? Did she see her faith reflected in his, or was she sneering at him, his honest prayer and our troops? In so doing, was she sneering at all faithful Christians?

Most likely she knows her comment will be taken the rightleftway by her viewers. They know the score. They know Deplorables and their God are to be ridiculed, and Brennans comment will be appreciated. Shell still be invited to all the right parties.

Reasonable people understand that one doesnt mess with prayer, or with God. If they mention the prayers of others at all, they appreciate and affirm them. They dont leave any ambiguity about that.

Brennan is apparently one with allowable Democrat faith, like this:

Graphic: X Post

Democrats avoid identifying our system of government as a constitutional, representative republic as vampire shrink from a crucifix. They almost exclusively refer to our democracy, which is the tyranny of the majority they plan and hopenever prayto establish. Likewise, they tend to avoid public prayer and any reference to faith unless it aligns with their narratives or goals of the moment. They bend their knees to Black Lives Matterno longerand illegal aliens, but not to the Creator of all.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders understands:

Graphic: X Post

So does the White House:

Graphic: X Post

The old military saying--there are no atheists in foxholesholds eternally true:

Graphic: Social Media Post

And Jesse Kelly is on target:

Graphic: X Post

Neither Margaret Brennan nor CBS have, to my knowledge, responded nor made any attempt to clarify her post. Until then, it takes little imagination to know what they say in private, which is why people of faith ought to offer up prayers for Brennans enlightenment and salvation. She probably wont like that, but the rest is between God and her.

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.
So what's new among the dirtbags in Los Angeles and San Francisco?

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Citizen investigative journalists James O'Keefe and J.J. Smith have found that the latest offering on Los Angeles's skid row is 'drugs for signatures' on California ballot initiatives, the petitions supposedly signed by the voters to place legislative propositions in front of the voters in what's billed as 'direct democracy.'

And cash. And cigarettes.

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CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS FRAUD CASH FOR BALLOTS PART I: Homeless Bribed with Cash & Drugs In Exchange For Registering To Vote & Signing Election Petitions Caught On Tape Undercover On Skid Row In California.



You can just put Pinocchio Lane.



California NGOs Encourage Fake pic.twitter.com/2pkylhgPY9  James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) March 17, 2026

I rewatched James OKeefes Los Angeles investigation of NGOs paying the homeless for signatures



I found something insane



- The NGO this is happening at is Weingart Center

- Weingart Center has gotten hundreds of millions from Gavin Newsom

- These people are REGISTERING THE pic.twitter.com/ga5xTMOzE4  Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 21, 2026

My team, myself & @camhigby were just violently assaulted on Skid Row, my camera crew were punched in the neck and face, we were pepper sprayed, but thankfully just escaped. Some members of our team had to run 10 blocks to get out.



We were in the heart of Skid Row confronting https://t.co/lCmAAPl1op pic.twitter.com/MAOu1oic2L  James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) March 20, 2026

Earlier this month, J.J. Smith found the same thing going in in the Mission District in San Francisco.

Mar09 2026 1:54pm Location

6th & Mission

These people are paying people $5 dollars to sign a ballot, but as you watch the video their telling them what name to sign (which is someone else name) and what address to write. Seems kind of suspicious to me. Why not sign your own pic.twitter.com/GIHdLHaHCl  jj smith (@war24182236) March 9, 2026

Obviously, this puts paid to the 'direct democracy' claims of the defenders of the petitiion system. It also suggests that there may be already-passed petitions -- for tax hikes (the latest is a suicidal tax-the-billionaires measure), government spending, drug legalization, and decriminalization measures, maybe even redistricting, that ought never have been put on the ballot. If bums paid with drugs are the ones signing these peititions, and bums put their numbers over the top, then democracy is just a sham game to fatten the NGOs. which may have some part in this activity, based on O'Keefe's exposure to the Weingart Center, and the fact that obviously, someone was paying these signature gatherers to pay bums, either in money, cigarettes, or drugs, for these signatures, and they got violent when O'Keefe asked too many questions. O'Keefe was zeroing in on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority as seemingly behind it, given that they came by and filmed O'Keefe, not the petition racket, falsely claiming they were the police. He also named political consulting firms aligned with big corporate interests.

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It's enough to make one wonder whether bums should be allowed to vote at all, given their susceptibility to payoffs owing to their addictions, and whether NGOs should be allowed in the petition process owing to their big dollar incentives. O'Keefe says he has filmed 28 instances of cash-for-voter registrations in Los Angeles alone.

The O'Keefe videos, done first dressed as a bum and then as man-on-the-street interviews, with O'Keefe himself clad in a suit on the graffiti-filled streets, are somewhat in-your-face and provocative. The sight of O'Keefe running down the streets as gaggles of angry NGO bum advocates chase him is unintentionally comical.

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But the message delivered was important -- California's election process is shot through with fraud, from dirty voter rolls to drugs-for-signatures. Only the citizen journalists are exposing it, the media is obviously in hock to those who like this kind of system.

California's governor, Gavin Newsom, not surprisingly, is threatening to prosecute O'Keefe, not the cash-for-petitions racket. California's U.S. Attorney, Bill Essayli, is reportedly investigating. If he succeeds in shutting these rackets down, it's one more pillar off the blue state establishment that has rigged and ruled California into a shambles and made a complete joke of its democracy.

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Mayor Mamdani is turning into a comedy act. What else can we say after the latest story that the mayor is furious that immigration laws must be enforced. How about that, to paraphrase Mel Allen!

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Let's check out the story:

The nerve of a judge to deport an illegal immigrant who held the lofty status of a staff member for the New York City Council has left New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in high dudgeon. Advertisement Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, a data analyst for the council, will be deported to Venezuela. The Department of Homeland Security said Rubio overstayed his 2017 tourist visa, has an arrest for assault, and does not possess work authorization, CBS News noted. Mamdani argued his version of reality should take precedence over the law. Advertisement Today, an administrative immigration judge ordered the deportation of Rafael Rubio, a City Council employee. This is an affront to justice, Mamdani posted on X.

Okay. The mayor wants "his version of reality should take precedence over the law." What in the world does that mean? Isn't the purpose of the rule of law to have a constitutional rather than one man's version?

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A better question is to ask the mayor why Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, was an employee of New Yorks City Council? Didn't someone check this man's background or check his visa status?

On the other channel, the governor of New York is calling on her native New Yorkers to come back and pay their taxes in the Empire State. We need you, was her message. Why did they leave in the first place? The governor blamed it on everything except the "tax the rich" policies that drove them to other states.

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So Mayor Mamdani is angry that immigration laws were enforced and Governor Hochul wants the rich to be patriotic and pay the state's taxes. Wonder how much longer New Yorkers will keep voting for these people?

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
Democrats are nothing if not predictable. They routinely engage in projection. Whatever theyre accusing Normal Americans of doing or wanting to do, theyve done, are doing or will do. Theyre also highly skilled at throwing their own supporters and icons under the bus. Barack Obamas Christian PastorObamas no Muslim, no sir!Jeremiah Wright was his inspiration until his anti-American preaching became a political liability.

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Graphic: X Post

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Likewise, Cesar Chavez has long been a Democrat Party Saint until all of a sudden, he wasnt anymore:

The overnight destruction of Cesar Chavezs public standing is all New Medias doing. A few years back, New Media forced the left to erase its long history with racist, eugenicist Margaret Sanger. This week, the erasure of legendary labor leader Cesar Chavez has begun. Advertisement

Why? It seems allegations that Chavez repeatedly raped two underaged girls and his ally Dolores Huertaand others--have come to light. Supposedly, Chavezs less than saintly tendencies have been long known:

A handful of Mr. Chavezs relatives and former U.F.W. leaders have been aware for years about various allegations of sexual misconduct, but there is no evidence that they made efforts to fully investigate the accusations, acknowledge the victims or apologize to them. Instead, many of the women say they were discouraged from speaking out in order to preserve Mr. Chavezs public image. Advertisement

But what about Huerta? Its about what youd expect:

I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my lifes work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights, and I wasnt going to let Cesar or anyone else get in the way. I channeled everything I had into advocating on behalf of millions of farmworkers and others who were suffering and deserved equal rights. Advertisement

OK, so he apparently raped her and others, but whats that in comparison to upholding Democrat narratives? The whole me too and Republican war on women things are so yesterday for a party who cant say what a woman is unless theyre a man or a drag queen. But why is the Democrat Party throwing Chavez under the migrant farm worker bus now? It seems 2026 is the 99th anniversary of his birth and all kinds of tributes were planned all over the country, and more were planned for the 100thanniversary. OK, so what? This:

Cesar Chavez was so opposed to illegal immigration that, just like Minuteman Project of 2004, which was widely smeared in the legacy media as racist, Chavez put together his own militia to stop illegals from crossing the border. There are credible reports that violence was used as an example to others. Advertisement

Uh-oh.

It gets even better, city leaders in Austin, that island of blue in the sea of red Texas, want to re-re-name a street:

The city of Austin is considering renaming Cesar Chavez Street after allegations emerged that the late civil rights leader sexually assaulted women and girls. Chavez died in 1993. Shortly after his death, Austin renamed First Street  which stretches from MoPac Expressway through downtown to U.S. 183  in his honor.

Theres also a heroic mural on Chavez street, and befitting his now-expired saintly status, a statue of him on the campus of the University of Texas. No one is certain if those tributes will be disappeared, but thats the safe way to bet. Iowahawk, always a mile ahead of the politically correct, had this:

Graphic: X Post

Positive Commie Vibes Street would be in keeping with Austins general vibe, but this might be even more viable:

Graphic: X Post

Combine the Joker Day with a Batman film festivalthe TV series, not the movies--and youd have a perfect parody not only of the Democrat Party, but of Austin itself, whose motto is Keep Austin Weird. 

Thats not going to take much effort.

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Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Some things I can't unsee.

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Such as the sight of left-wing Sandalista supporters of Cuba's heinous communist regime, boarding red tour buses in Havana while singing 'Guantamanera' together like it's 'Day-O' in Jamaica on a Caribbean Cruise line vacay and driving off to see the poor people.

Leftists gather in tour buses to go look at the poor people during their vacation in Cubapic.twitter.com/bxFC7fM3rw Advertisement March 21, 2026

Singing Guantanamera - a song by the late Celia Cruz, who was banned from returning to Cuba after defying the communist regime. She was denied even the chance to see her mother in her final moments because she dared to speak out. Que verguenza https://t.co/go4NIU8IEh  Phil Ehr (@PhilEhr) March 20, 2026

What they went to see:

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 This is the result of nearly 7 decades of communism in Cuba.



The dream was a utopia of equality.



The reality involves rampant prostitution, heaps of uncollected garbage on the streets, and roads not fit for driving on. pic.twitter.com/oEjxvU23j1 https://t.co/Oj5REQ7YGj  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 21, 2026

It was like they were pointing at and viewing zoo animals. It was one disgusting thing after another.

Some were 'influencers,' some were married to billionaires, some were scions of politicians looking to be 'scene' and not 'herd':

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Hasan Piker meets Jodie Evans in Cuba.



Evans is married to Neville Roy Singham, $785M tech fortune converted into America's largest CCP-linked protest infrastructure.



Singham funds The People's Forum ($20M+), Code Pink ($1.4M annually), PSL, and BreakThrough News from his https://t.co/H5LWuDrYGH  bitchuneedsoap (@bitchuneedsoap) March 21, 2026

The DAUGHTER of a U.S. congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, is going to Cuba to PRAISE the dictatorship.



The enemies of the United States are already here. https://t.co/hb11B29K6G  Franklin Andres Camargo (@FranklinCamarg0) March 20, 2026

They took selfies with tumbledown slums to show all their little friends:

Even the buildings in his picture from a luxury hotel are falling apart. 67 years of socialism take a toll. https://t.co/Cax1oyWZu9 Advertisement March 21, 2026

Here is Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin sitting in first class seating on a jet heading over to tell Cubans to stay oppressed and poor under communist rule.

She is flying First Class.



To tell Cubans how bad capitalism is. https://t.co/zpOtEfDzQv  US Oil & Gas Association (@US_OGA) March 20, 2026

The rest of them looked literally like clowns out of some nightmare movie:

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Imagine being a brutalised Cuban peasant, living under crushing communist dictatorship your entire life, then having to put up with western socialists flying out to your country in order to prop up that dictatorship while ranting about how oppressive their own, infinitely freer https://t.co/1b9QHQjLzZ  Max K (@MaxE2review) March 21, 2026

Here's a group of Sandalistas meeting the government goon chief, who mows Cubans down in the streets for protesting for democracy, impressing them with his guns and letting the leftie tourists hold them.

Dissident Yoani Sanchez notes with raw irony how these Western communists have gone to Cuba to support the Cuban people, but then meet with the dictator who gave the armed forces the combat orders to repress street demonstrators demanding Libertad. https://t.co/jJqaaXVP2i  Mike Gonzalez (@Gundisalvus) March 21, 2026

 Video | Silvio Rodriguez recibe el fusil Kalashnikov que pidio para defender a Cuba si se lanza Estados Unidos https://t.co/YsrAS892RN pic.twitter.com/iUU6sYWnlD  EL PAIS (@el_pais) March 20, 2026

They hogged electricity, while Cubans went without:

Cuban journalist @yoanisanchez on the Useful Idiot convoy: They claim they want to "break the energy blockade" but the meet at the Convention Palace, spending the electricity that would illuminate several buildings in my neighborhood plunged in darkness.

In front of microphones pic.twitter.com/c2YIn3fYRh  Germania Rodriguez Poleo (@iamGermania) March 21, 2026

And oh how they applauded. Apparently everyone allowed in was vetted and handed a ticket to clap for the regime:

This is so illustrative of Cuba  in 2026. Communist autocrat Miguel Diaz-Canel receives a standing ovation by hundreds of foreign leftists while outside of the building an entire country is being impoverished and repressed by the regime. pic.twitter.com/TwlVq00PGp  Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) March 21, 2026

A good time was had by all.

And there was method to the madness -- the Cuban regime is reportedly using this Sandalista-fest to recruit agents of influence in the old Soviet playbook:

Why are all these LW influencers in Cuba? If you read @thestustustudio @CityJournal you already know. https://t.co/2viihhaJap pic.twitter.com/usWi4eUeqH  Charles Fain Lehman (@CharlesFLehman) March 21, 2026

Had enough? I have. Somebody make these horrible people stay there.

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Sometimes, even the most mild-mannered of conservative Catholics bishops just can't take it anymore.

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Insert a Candace Owens loonie into the picture and it doesn't take long for that to happen.

On Saturday, Bishop Robert Barron, the beloved conservative bishop of Rochester, Minnesota, and well known for his popular Word on Fire Ministries, let one of her acolytes have it:

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Over the past several weeks, Carrie Prejean Boller has complained that she was removed from the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty because of her Catholic beliefs, and she has called out myself and other Catholic members of the commission for not defending her. This is https://t.co/l8Bs5Cco4n  Bishop Robert Barron (@BishopBarron) March 20, 2026

Carrie Prejean Boller is a former beauty queen who had been admired in years past for her conservative stances, but has since slipped into the Tucker Carlson-Candace Owens orbit of fringe antisemitism, making her quite problematic as a member of the Trump administration as well as tiresome to be around.

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A big problem came when she was appointed to President Trump's board on religious freedom, which Barron also served on, and then went over to the Tucker Carlson darkside, which seemed to have made her crazy in other ways. Trump, to his credit, threw her out, and then instead of taking stock, bawled that the administration was 'anti-Catholic' when in fact her exit was 'anti-loser' as she contributed nothing of value to that board.

Barron described the problem as not anti-Catholicism, but her behavior:

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Over the past several weeks, Carrie Prejean Boller has complained that she was removed from the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty because of her Catholic beliefs, and she has called out myself and other Catholic members of the commission for not defending her. This is absurd. Mrs. Prejean Boller was not dismissed for her religious convictions but rather for her behavior at a gathering of the Commission last month: browbeating witnesses, aggressively asserting her point of view, hijacking the meeting for her own political purposes. The Catholic position on matters of Zionism, to which I fully subscribe, is as follows: all forms of antisemitism are to be unequivocally condemned; the state of Israel has a right to exist; but the modern nation of Israel does not represent the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies and hence does not stand beyond criticism. If Mrs. Prejean Boller were dismissed for holding these beliefs, it is difficult to understand why I am still a member of the Commission. To paint herself as a victim of anti-Catholic prejudice or to claim that her religious liberty has been denied is simply preposterous.

What a disgusting picture. She couldn't behave civilly at meetings, disrupted proceedings, must have yelled and thrown things, in the end, wasted the good commission's time from doing good things to stomp out antisemitism and anti-Christian thuggery.

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Who'd want to go to a meeting full of that? There were probably many people in that commission, starting with the bishop, who knew a good deal about what was going on with anti-religious activity, and this ignoramus knew nothing more than the 'Jews rule the world are you with me' lunacies of Tucker and Candace.

Of course she had to go, this wasn't anti-Catholic, this was anti-bad behavior, and actually anti-Trump because Trump despises antisemites. But as Barron noted, if it really were anti-Catholic, Barron himself, who is Trump-friendly, and actually, friendly to everyone, would hardly be left in place.

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No, this was bad personal behavior, and Prejean has 'Kristoled' herself, leaving the MAGA mainstream for the lunatic fringe, supposedly on the right, but we all know where it will lead -- to the left.

It's a helpful sign to see Bishop Barron finally putting his foot down, giving her a truth bath and kicking her to the curb, given her mendacious claims about the Trump administration that are a sleazy attempt to discredit it, and ultimately are nothing but a bid to self-aggrandize and whip up sympathy for herself as a 'victim.'

It's gross. We need to see more of this from the conservative side. This is nothing but a drama queen, which come to think of it, describes Candace and Tucker, too.

Good riddance.

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It's got to be weird to be Dolores Huerta right now.

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The truth came out about the Jim Jones-like cult style of her partner and co-founder of the United Farmworkers Union, Cesar Chavez, who, according to the New York Times, was a molestor of young girls, and up until then had been hailed as a kind of civil rights god.

With Chavez now being swiftly cancelled -- in record time, no less (where is Tom Wolfe when we need him?) -- now all the public holidays, street names, parks, libraries, schools, scholarships, naval ships, and biographies, have got to be changed, too. And they have to be changed to something, so sure enough, they're redounding to Dolores Huerta. In San Francisco, it will be the Dolores Huerta parade, not the Cesar Chavez parade. And the Mission District mural bearing Chavez's visage will now be painted over with Huerta's image. In Los Angeles, Cesar Chavez Avenue will now be Dolores Huerta Avenue.

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In California there are 7 streets, avenues, boulevards, and parkways named after Cesar Chavez. There a 7 parks and plazas, 42 schools, and 5 monuments.



When does the tearing down begin?

I dont make the rules. pic.twitter.com/u9Gjdmzfrm  Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) March 18, 2026

It's kind of queasy-making to be to be named the new civic hero of the left, but only by default, given that none of these places and holidays and honors had been named for her or would have been named for her except for Chavez getting cancelled and a quick substitute being necessary. It's a booby prize.

What's more, it's bound to draw more scrutiny to Huerta's now-told story to the Times about bearing two of Chavez's kids, as a result of two rapes back in 1960 and 1966.

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According to the original Times report:

His most prominent female ally in the movement, Dolores Huerta, said in an interview that he sexually assaulted her, a disclosure she has never before made publicly. Advertisement

... and ...

The Times spoke at length with Ms. Huerta, the renowned Latina activist who helped run the farmworkers union with Mr. Chavez and coined the social-justice rallying cry, Si, se puede, loosely translated as Yes, we can. Advertisement She said she has held on to a dark secret for nearly 60 years. One night during the winter of 1966 in Delano, Calif., she said, Mr. Chavez drove her out to a secluded grape field, parked and raped her inside the vehicle. Ms. Huerta, who was 36 at the time, said she chose not to report the assault to the police because of their hostility toward the movement, and she feared that no one within the union would believe her. She also described an earlier encounter in August 1960, when she said she felt pressured to have sex with him in a hotel room during a work trip in San Juan Capistrano in Southern California. Advertisement Ms. Huerta later began a long-term domestic partnership with Mr. Chavezs brother Richard, with whom she had four children. He died in 2011. Ms. Huerta turns 96 on April 10. Her memories of the details of the assault that night in Delano are at times hazy. But she speaks of the attack in a startlingly matter-of-fact manner.

After the Times story came out, she issued a statement explaining that she didn't want to hurt "the movement."

As a young mother in the 1960s, I experienced two separate sexual encounters with Cesar. The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didnt 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. The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped. I had experienced abuse and sexual violence before, and I convinced myself these were incidents that I had to endure alone and in secret. Both sexual encounters with Cesar led to pregnancies. 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. 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.

So if it all happened as she says it happened, not hurting the movement ended up hurting young girls, who didn't have much to do with their parents' movement. One became a drug addict and tried to warn others, only to be stomped down as a traitor online, while the other said Chavez hung over her entire life like a shadow.

More to the point, is what she's describing what really happened? Or is she just trying to distance herself from him as a victim in order to preserve her own parades and holidays?

Because up until last year, Huerta had been a pretty fierce defender of Chavez, the man she claims as her rapist who got her pregnant and forced her to ship the kids to be "raised by other families that could give them stable lives." She had five kids by husband number two in a marriage that ended in 1963; two more with Cesar in 1960 and 1966; and then by the early 1970s, moved in with Cesar's brother Richard in a live-in arrangement that never ended up as a marriage, yielding four more kids.

Does it all sound really believable? Grok says the odds of a two random rapes producing a kid on just two occasions is 0.25%.

The probability of conception from one random (impromptu, unprotected) heterosexual act averages ~5% (1 in 20), per studies on cycle timing and single-act data. For two independent encounters both resulting in live births: roughly 0.25% (1 in 400). Fertility, age, health, and  Grok (@grok) March 19, 2026

Was it really a consensual relationship, one premised on her own ambitions to sleep her way to the top on Cesar's coattails?

Is she trying to tell us she was not really not attracted to him, given that by the 1960s, the Times reported that he had the aura of a movie star. It's very likely young women were throwing themselves at him as he walked about drawing the flashbulbs and cameras. He had such a god complex he experimented with weird cult activity of the time, notably Synanon. And like any self-respecting cult leader, he had his own hideaway compound, out in rural Kern County, a two hours' drive north of Los Angeles, which came in handy for getting young girls in with him alone. Jim Jones had one of those, Marshall Applewhite had one of those. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh had one of those. Both Jones and Chavez had a heavy left-wing political emphasis that often shielded them from scrutiny and criticism.

If she were raped by him, why did she stick with him for so many years? Why did she move in with him, as Wikipedia notes, and why she she effectively marry his brother? She must have been around him all the time, not by his choice, but by her own.

Her story may be true on certain levels, but it was the 1960s, she had 1960s values, and anything went on the 'sexual revolution' front, particularly then. 'Why don't we do it in the road,' as the Beatles sang. It's just as likely that she was as liberated as any of them, given her anti-establishment cred and choice of associates. Was she really just holding a secret for 60 years, or did she catch wind of the Times story, origin unknown, and decide to try to cover for her own legacy, separating herself from the role of 'enabler' with this story?

Given how close she stayed to him, did she really know nothing about Chavez's other trysts with kids?

It's unknown, but precisely because it's unknown is why the establishment shouldn't act so quickly to rename every street in her honor. Not that the left really cares, of course, about the bad sexual behavior of its heroes -- something so common among so many of them it's worth writing a book on -- Harvey Milk, Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others have appalling pasts, but none ever got the full cancellation Chavez did.

> Harvey Milk fucked an underage homeless boy

> MLK cheated on his wife and was allegedly present during a rape

> Malcolm X pimped and beat women

> Gandhi slept next to teens to "test his willpower"

> Cesar Chavez raped young girls



Is there a single civil rights icon who https://t.co/9D2XKZPqEc  Dimitri (@thedimitri) March 19, 2026

Dolores and Cesar were different in one regard, though: Cesar was against illegal immigration, which is a classic old-line union stance which all the unions used to have, given that illegal foreign labor depresses wages.

Interesting perspective from progressive hero:https://t.co/BcOheyhopZ  Henderson  (@Xfuturenow) March 18, 2026

Dolores was a left-wing '60s movement type, growing more stridently leftwing as the years went by. She was named honorary co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. She campaigned for Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, George McGovern, and Kamala Harris. Now she's into anti-ICE activism and social justice warrioring, particularly after she left the farm workers' movement to start her own foundation, whose mission reads:

The Dolores Huerta Foundation passionately advocates for social justice, focusing on empowering marginalized communities through grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and education initiatives. By championing the rights of underrepresented populations, we strive to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.

Based on a look at their webstie, they seem to be big on milking the anti-ICE protest movement, which has seen a lot of billionaire cash shelled out, meaning, she may be part of the NGO industrial establishment.

Maybe that's why the Times seeks to protect her, while throwing old Cesar, who died in 1993 and can't defend himself, under the bus.

Being leftwing has its special privileges and Dolores understood this, perhaps even accelerated her leftwingery for it as if coerced there, too. Leftyism offers protections. Cesar, though, wasn't leftwing enough and is too dead to change his views.

Image: LBJ Presidential Library, via Picryl // public domain
Yesterday, Iran fired two ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base. Both missed, but one got near the target. The attack is significant because it proves that Trump was absolutely right that this war needed to be fought, and fought sooner, rather than later.

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Diego Garcia has been in the news of late, so it made a nice, symbolic target to prove Trumps point.

The base is located in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 2,500 miles due south of Mumbai. The islands are only 1,250 miles northeast of Mauritius, a dot in the Indian Ocean, due east of Madagascar. For very complicated reasons, Mauritius has laid claim to those islands, which have long been under British control.

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In May 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers government announced that it would transfer the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. Trump strongly objected, saying that the islands, which house Diego Garcia, still have strategic value. Obviously, he was already thinking ahead to its value vis-a-vis Iran, and his objections were so powerful that, this February, Britain delayed the transfer.

However, although it delayed transferring the islands to Mauritius, the British government didnt want the U.S. to use the base in the war against Iran. It eventually announced that the U.S. could only use the base defensively.

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Defensiveness arrived yesterday:

Iranian forces have attempted a missile strike on the UK-US base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, previously thought to lie beyond the range of Iran's missiles.

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A British official source confirmed on Saturday that Iran has made an unsuccessful attempt to strike the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia.

The attack involved the launch of two ballistic missiles that failed to reach the atoll: one malfunctioned in flight, while the other was intercepted.

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Notably, it was a U.S. warship that intercepted the missile that did not malfunction.

But of course, the real issue about that missile was the distance it traveled: roughly 4,000 kilometers. It was a completely functional medium-range ballistic missile.

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There are a couple of interesting points about that distance. First, the mullahs swore up hill and down dale that they never had and never would have a medium-range missile system:

This is Khamenei himself (with English subtitles) claiming that the regimes ballistic missile range is limited to 2,000 kilometers & that he has imposed a ban on anything beyond that.



You can never trust the regime in any agreement. Lying and cheating are in their DNA. pic.twitter.com/s37EkzP7b1  Navid Mohebbi   (@navidmohebbi) March 21, 2026

That, of course, was a lie.

Second, 4,000 km means that Iran wasnt planning for regional wars. It was planning to extend its reach.

Armed with just a medium-range missile, Irans reach would extend through the entire Middle East and into the Caucasus, affecting everything from the Gulf Nations to Israel to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moving further into Central and South Asia, it could affect much of India, down to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Eastern and Southeastern Europe would be targets all the way: Greece, Romania, Western Russia, Hungary, Austria...all targets. Northern and Eastern Africa would also be in range.

Oh, and of course, Europe would be in its crosshairs, too. A medium-range missile could reach Rome and Berlin and might reach Paris and London. A few tweaks would make them easy targets.

In other words, Iran just proved that it can attack every country within a 4,000 km radius of it. Imagine if those missiles werent armed with conventional warheads but were, instead, nuclear-tipped? Given Irans apocalyptic jihadism, it would control almost half the planet.

Also, now that we know that Iran lied about medium-range missiles, we can comfortably conclude that it was working on long-range missiles capable of hitting the United States. We also know that all its disavowals about nuclear weapons were lies. Indeed, in the negotiations before Israel and the U.S. struck Iran, Iran made clear that it had enough fissile material to be on the verge of 11 nuclear warheads.

The missile attack on Diego Garcia should shock the worlds leaders out of their insistence that they can sit on the sidelines in this war. They cant.

Unless the mullahs are completely ousted, they will be back, they will continue their weapons development, and they will continue with their nuclear program. (Although Operation Midnight Hammer destroyed the enrichment plants, we still dont know where the already enriched material is hidden, and once found, it must be secured.)

Like Carthage before it, Iran delenda est (that is, Iran must be destroyed). The world will be much safer and happier when a non-Muslim Persia arises from Irans ashes.

Image created using AI.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) says it fully agrees with the South African governments remarks on Palestinian selfdetermination made during proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  and insists that the same principle must be applied to Matabeleland.

South Africa is the complainant in the ICJ case against Israel, accusing it of violating international law through its military operations in Gaza. In its submissions, Pretoria argued that Israels conduct denies Palestinians the most basic human rights  including the right to selfdetermination.MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said his party welcomed South Africas position, arguing that the doctrine of selfdetermination is universal and cannot be selectively applied.The principle of selfdetermination, once asserted as a binding norm of international law, cannot be confined to a single people or a single dispute, Moyo said. If the denial of selfdetermination constitutes an internationally actionable violation of law, then that principle applies to every nation whose sovereignty has been suppressed. Among those nations is the Matabele nation of Mthwakazi.MRP, which advocates for the selfdetermination of Matabeleland, says the region has suffered decades of marginalisation, political exclusion and economic displacement  particularly since the Gukurahundi atrocities of the 1980s.Moyo argued that Israel itself emerged through the exercise of selfdetermination by the Jewish people, and that international law  including the UN Charter  recognises the right of all peoples to determine their political status.He cited several ICJ advisory opinions, including Namibia (1971), Western Sahara (1975) and Kosovo (2010), as precedents affirming the principle.Moyo also referenced the Montevideo Convention of 1933, which outlines the criteria for statehood, and said recent recognition of Palestinian statehood despite limited sovereign control has created what he termed the Palestine Precedent.Recognition can now be extended primarily on the basis of asserted selfdetermination rather than strict fulfilment of Montevideo criteria, he said.He added that Zimbabwe is bound by Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights  which guarantees the right to selfdetermination  after ratifying the instrument in 1986.The African Charter is an African instrument, adopted by African states. Article 20 already applies to the Matabele nation, Moyo said.He argued that the Matabele nation existed as a sovereign kingdom before British conquest in 1893, with defined territory, governance structures and diplomatic relations.No voluntary treaty of union was concluded. The kingdom was conquered and its sovereignty extinguished by force, he said. When Zimbabwe became independent in 1980, the territorial framework imposed by conquest was preserved.Moyo said South Africa cannot invoke the ICJs authority on Palestine while ignoring the courts own jurisprudence on declarations of independence.The right to selfdetermination does not depend on political convenience. Once asserted as universal law, it applies universally, he said.
The chattering classes were horrified. During a press conference when Japans new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, was visiting the White House, Trump made a Pearl Harbor joke. How...offensive! To the contrary. It was a brilliant way to say that, 85 years after Pearl Harbor, and long after Japan became something of a geopolitical vassal state, its now our equal, our ally, and our friendsomething a Japanese commentator articulated perfectly yesterday.

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The moment arose when a Japanese reporter asked why Trump hadnt briefed other nations on his plans for Iran. Trumps answer was obvious: The plans worked because they were kept secret. However, Trump went one step further and made that joke:





One of the great responses to a reporter in history!



JAPANESE REPORTER: Why didn't you tell Japan before the Iran war?



PRESIDENT TRUMP: "Why didn't you tell ME about PEARL HARBOR?!"



"You believe in surprise much more-so than US!"



pic.twitter.com/7rJEkyCo2j  Eric Trump (@EricTrump) March 19, 2026

As I said, the chattering class was up in arms:

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BREAKING:



Japanese Reporter: "Why didn't you tell US allies about the war before attacking Iran?"



Donald Trump: "Who knows better about surprises than Japan. Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"



wtf? pic.twitter.com/DQ4EfIGYba  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) March 19, 2026 Trump's Insensitive Pearl Harbor Jab at Japan's PM Sparks Outrage  "Who Knows Better About Surprise Than Japan?"



President Donald Trump delivered yet another **reckless, deeply inappropriate remark** Thursday, mocking Japan's 1941 Pearl Harbor attack right in front of Prime pic.twitter.com/jnZuYVCtfH  JAS (@JasADRxquisites) March 20, 2026 Jake Tapper tried to put Trump in his place by giving him a history lesson but unwittingly made a point that explains Trumps genius: FWIW Prime Minister Takaichi was born 20 years after Pearl Harbor https://t.co/TIpOod3W2I  Jake Tapper  (@jaketapper) March 19, 2026 Jake Tapper tried to put Trump in his place by giving him a history lesson but unwittingly made a point that explains Trumps genius:

Yes, PM Takaichi had nothing to do with Pearl Harbor. Neither did anyone else in the roomand thats the point. Not only are we beyond WWII, but we have also moved into the post-WWII era. The enmities of WWII ended when Japan, completely destroyed, surrendered, leading to an American occupation that lasted for decades and created American military bases that still exist.

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More importantly, the post-war reality is now over, too. For decades, the post-war reality saw America as the worlds anti-communist bastion and the protector of those nations that did not want to fall under communist totalitarianism. Our allies were in Western Europe and the Anglosphere (i.e., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), along with whatever alliances we could cobble throughout the rest of the world.

After the Soviet Union fell, those alliances held together out of habit, convenience, and American money. Things changed, though, with both Chinas rise and increased Islamic aggression. While both are hostile to America, our erstwhile allies didnt care. Especially in Europe, they resent America deeply, see China as a bulwark against American power (although happily accepting our money and defense systems), and have drowned themselves in a flood of Muslim immigrants whom the ruling class now fears. (And let me say again, as I frequently do, that a nation that fears and accommodates a growing Muslim population will soon become a Muslim nation.)

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These nations still step up when they need America, but they will no longer be Americas partners. Thats just reality, and Trump, more than most, completely recognizes and accepts reality. That means making new alliances based upon shared national interests.

Currently, we have a shared national interest with Israel, because both Israel and the U.S. have long existed in Irans crosshairs. Israel is geographically closer and has been more vulnerable to conventional weapons. However, had Iran gone nuclear and figured out a long-range delivery system, we would have been on the frontlines as surely as Israel.

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These aligned goals have led to the partnership of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. Each side, in addition to massive core military competency, has complementary strengthsand the humility to recognize what the other party brings to the table.

Trump, however, is looking to pursue additional strategic partnerships, and Japan is definitely a good fit. It recognizes the threat from Islamic expansionism, has an uncomfortably close proximity to Chinas reach, and is a country that does everything well.

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And so, Trump did what you do with friends when theres something ugly in your past: He brought it into the open and made a joke about it, signaling that the past is in the past. Its all good now. Yesterday, one Japanese commentator fully grasped the import of that joke:

Do you truly understand what Japan just gained? As a Japanese citizen, Im telling youthis moment changed history.



Trump's Pearl Harbor joke wasn't an insult. It was the key that finally unlocked something buried deep in the Japanese soul.



For 80 long years, we've carried  captain S.O (@sow413) March 20, 2026

Picking up:

...apology and guilt like a permanent shadowhaunted by the past, bound by the Constitution America wrote for us, forever in "reflection mode." He turned that raw wound into a shared laugh between equals. No more endless atonement. No more vassal shadow. The curse is broken. Japan is free now. Thank you, Mr. President. We're allowed to stand tall againas true partners, not subordinates. The strongest alliance in the world is risingequals, brothers, ride-or-die. #PhoenixRising

Hes right. Remembering the past is important, but timely forgiveness is a virtue. My mother spent almost four terrible years in a Japanese concentration camp in Java. However, she recognized strategic forgiveness.

In the 1970s, my dad, an English teacher, truly earned a pittance (unlike todays relatively well-compensated teachers). He augmented his income by tutoring Japanese students whose executive fathers were rotating through the Bay Area. Mom was good: The war is over, the nation was destroyed and brought under the American wing, and these nice people, whose kids were wonderful compared to American students, had nothing to do with it.

Trump, like my mother, is a pragmatist. He did the right thing and did it with extraordinary grace.

Header image: X screen grab.
Iranian missile strikes have wounded about 200 people in southern Israel, after air defence systems failed to intercept projectiles that hit two cities close to a nuclear facility.

Among the injured in the attacks on Arad and Dimona were a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both reported to be in serious condition. The Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 reported early indications of possible deaths, though there was no official confirmation.

In Tel Aviv, 15 more people were injured on Sunday in a separate attack involving a cluster bomb. The attacks are adding to mounting pressure on Israels air defence systems, with Iranian strikes increasingly testing their limits.

Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba said it treated 175 people wounded in the attacks on Arad and Dimona, 36 of whom remained in hospital as of Sunday morning. Other people reported minor injuries and were treated by paramedics at the scene. About 60 people were wounded in Dimona and more than 115 injured in Arad were taken to Soroka.

A mass-casualty incident was declared at the hospital as emergency teams responded to multiple impact sites.

Eli Bin, the chief executive of Magen David Adom, Israels ambulance service, said some people were believed to be trapped in damaged buildings in Arad. He described the scene as an event of enormous magnitude, adding that there were concerns for individuals who remained unaccounted for.

According to preliminary assessments, one of the missiles  reportedly carrying a conventional warhead weighing several hundred kilograms  struck between residential buildings, causing structural damage and igniting fires in surrounding properties.

Footage circulating online appeared to show the missile impact occurring seconds after warning sirens were activated, though the timing could not be independently verified.

The Israeli air force said it had opened an investigation into the apparent failure to intercept the missile that struck Arad. A parallel inquiry has been launched by the Home Front Command into the circumstances of the impact.

The air defence systems operated but did not intercept the missile. We will investigate the incident and learn from it. This is not a special or unfamiliar type of munition, the IDF spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin posted on X.

Defrin added: Our hearts are with the residents of Arad and Dimona tonight.

Unverified reports suggested one building had partially collapsed with people inside, while another caught fire, raising fears the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.

The police commissioner Danny Levy, speaking at the scene of the strike in Arad, said authorities did not believe anyone was missing, though searches of the rubble were continuing. We wont leave until we are certain no one remains unaccounted for, Levy said, adding that teams were using both advanced technology and manual searches to comb through the debris.

According to a Home Front Command investigation, most of those injured were not inside bomb shelters. The mother of the injured 12-year-old boy told the Kan public broadcaster that he hadnt managed to reach the bomb shelter by the time the missile struck.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement on the very difficult evening in the campaign for our future after the strike in Arad. We will continue to strike our enemies on all fronts with determination, he said.

The Israeli air force and Home Front Command are also examining the earlier strike in Dimona, a city in the Negev desert, 30km to the south-east of Beersheba and near the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, widely believed to be at the heart of Israels undeclared nuclear programme.

Earlier in the evening, Iranian state-linked media said the strikes on Dimona were carried out in response to alleged attacks by the US and Israel on nuclear facilities in Bushehr and Natanz. Israel has denied carrying out any strike on Natanz.

The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson, Irans Tasnim news agency said, in a statement that could not be independently verified. No area is safe from Iranian missiles.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was aware of reports that a projectile had struck the city but had received no indication of damage to the nuclear facility. The agency added that no abnormal radiation levels had been detected and that it was continuing to monitor the situation.

The Natanz facility hosts underground centrifuges to enrich uranium for Irans disputed nuclear programme and was already damaged in last years June war. The UN nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, repeated a call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident after the strike on Natanz.

In Israel air raid sirens were triggered multiple times in Dimona overnight, underscoring the ongoing threat.

Earlier this week, Israels Home Front Command had eased some wartime restrictions in parts of the country, including Dimona, allowing schools and other educational institutions to reopen.

An Iranian ballistic missile launched at central Israel on Sunday is believed to have carried a cluster munition warhead, dispersing bomblets across a wide area of the Tel Aviv region.

Emergency services and rescue teams responded to reports of multiple impacts across the city. Magen David Adom said it treated 15 people, most of them lightly injured, after the strike.
The Tennessee Senate on Thursday passed a bill requiring public schools to display copies of the Ten Commandments in a prominent place alongside historical documents such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Critics said the bill inappropriately mixes church and state.

Our children need to be learning about reading, writing, arithmetic, science, tech to get them ready to be a world-class generation of kids who can push this country forward, not be indoctrinated to what the Bible says here and there, Sen. London Lamar, a Memphis-area Democrat, said during floor debate. That is the responsibility of the church, their parents, their families and whatever private entities they want to engage with in order to receive the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro, of Nashville, said legislators should spend more time trying to follow the commandments themselves and warned the bill, which passed 27 to 6, would prompt costly legal battles.

Its inevitable that taxpayers will end up paying for litigation, he said at a press conference.

The Tennessee Senate passed a bill on Thursday requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, the latest in a string of Republican-led states to pursue such legislation (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Our Constitutions promise of church-state separation means that families  not politicians  get to decide if, when and how children engage with religion, Rachel Laser, CEO of the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told The Independent in a statement. Ten Commandments displays in public schools are clearly unconstitutional and a violation of families religious freedom.

The group is urging Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to reject the legislation.

Backers of the bill say the Ten Commandments are an important part of the ethics and principles that went into the nations founding.

"We are not forcing religion on anybody," bill sponsor Sen. Mark Pody said on the floor. "We are saying in the founding of this nation, the Ten Commandments was one of the founding documents."

The law, SB 303, now needs to be reconciled with a House version that passed earlier this month. The Senate bill makes showing the commandments mandatory, while under the House bill it is optional.

The House Education Committee is set to take up the bill on March 24.

Tennessee joins a growing group of Republican-led states seeking to require the Ten Commandments in schools.

In 2024, Louisiana became the first state to pass such a law. The bill prompted immediate challenges, though in February a federal appeals court overruled a lower decision blocking the law, finding that the challenge was premature because posters of the Ten Commandments hadnt gone up in classrooms yet.

Students work under Ten Commandments and Bill of Rights posters on display in Texas, whose Ten Commandments law is being challenged in federal appeals court (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

This week, a federal court struck down a similar Arkansas law.

Nothing could possibly justify hanging the Ten Commandmentswith or without historical context  in a calculus, chemistry, French, or woodworking class, to name a few, Judge Timothy L. Brooks wrote in his ruling.

The state has vowed to appeal.

A federal appeals court has heard arguments over a Ten Commandments law in Texas but hasnt issued a decision.

The patchwork of rulings could eventually yield a Supreme Court fight, a major test of how the conservative-leaning high court would rule on religious liberty as Republicans across the country push to increase the influence of Christianity in public schools.

Tennessee itself is an example of the trend.

The same day the state senate passed its Ten Commandments bill, lawmakers in the upper house cleared the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act, in honor of the slain conservative and evangelical activist.

The bill allows public schools to teach about the positive impacts of religion in history classes, though it is not a requirement.
Causeway is the chosen one from the Ballydoyle battalion with the aim of becoming the next Paddington when he lines up in the Irish Racing Writers Association Madrid Handicap at Naas.

Paddington was an unheralded maiden winner ahead of the 2023 renewal when, off a mark of 97, he ran out an easy winner.

Winning a Listed race next time out, he went on to add the Irish Guineas, St Jamess Palace Stakes, Eclipse and Sussex Stakes in an incredible winning streak that only came to an end in the Juddmonte International at York.

Aidan OBrien did not have a runner in 2024 but Serengeti was a beaten joint-favourite 12 months ago.

Causeway was fourth on his debut before winning easily at the Curragh and runs off a mark of 94 with Ryan Moore doing the steering.

Speaking at his press morning earlier in the week OBrien said: He could be one for the Madrid Handicap at Naas.

He could step up in trip. He could be a Paddington, hes a big horse.

I think he could be very good but I just dont know how far he will stay. He won his maiden very easily at the Curragh second time out.

Michael OCallaghan takes him on with Breaking Dawn, a winner last week at the Curragh, while OBrien will know Controlled well having trained him last year before he was bought by Daniel Murphy.

Michael Mulvanys Irish Lincolnshire winner Ribee steps up in class for the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Devoy Stakes which is also on the card.
Cuba hits back at US embassys shameless request to import fuel for generators amid Trumps blockade of island: report

The Cuban government denied the U.S. embassy in Havanas request to import fuel to keep generators running for the building, as the country experiences island-wide blackouts amid a dire oil shortage caused by the Trump administration.

In diplomatic cables from earlier this month, obtained by The Washington Post, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations told U.S. diplomats it was bold and shameless of the United States to try to ship two containers of fuel for the embassy in Havana.

The Ministry interprets as shameless the claim by the diplomatic mission to access a good as a privilege that it denies to the Cuban people, the ministry said, according to a Washington Post translation of the note.

Since January, the Trump administration has cut off Cubas access to subsidized oil from Venezuela in an attempt to pressure leaders of the island country into political concessions. But its left Cubans without fuel for transportation, trash pick-up, electricity, water pumping and more.

Should the embassy run out of fuel, it could force the U.S. government to remove nonessential staff by May, or earlier, the embassy warned the State Department in a note Wednesday.

US embassy in Havana, Cuba is a large complex that relies heavily on fuel to keep the building running (AFP via Getty Images)

The Independent has asked the State Department for comment.

For months, Cuba has been struggling to meet energy demands from its more than 11 million residents after the U.S. captured the now-deposed leader of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and began controlling the countrys oil exports.

Hospitals have canceled surgeries, schools have reduced classes, trash has piled up on streets, drinking water is becoming more difficult to obtain and the country has experienced island-wide blackouts periodically.

Staff at the U.S. embassy in Havana have reportedly been asked to consolidate their energy usage by working remotely, combining housing and limiting generator usage among other tactics, a source told The Washington Post.

This past week, Cuba experienced an island-wide blackout as it struggles to meet energy demands amid an oil blockage by the Trump administration (AFP via Getty Images)

In its note, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations told the U.S. that the administrations blockade of fuel was causing the greatest possible harm to the Cuban economy, the well-being of the people, and their standard of living.

The U.S. has put the Cuban government, led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, under immense pressure to comply with the presidents wishes for a new leader, better business opportunities with the U.S., the release of political prisoners and more.

To do so, theyve cut off the countrys access to oil from Venezuela as well as Mexico. The U.S. has warned allies that those who provide or sell oil to Cuba could face steep tariffs.
Rebecca Curtis is excited about the prospect of running Haiti Couleurs in the Randox Grand National next month.

Having already won the Irish and Welsh versions, the nine-year-old would be looking to create his own piece of turf history. Earth Summit won the English, Scottish and Welsh Nationals between 1994 and 1998.

Haiti Couleurs has won three of his five starts this season and has been pulled up in the Betfair Chase and Gold Cup, his two runs in Grade One company but Curtis feels the rhythm of long-distance handicaps suits him better.

We havent really done much with him, just given him a nice week off, said Curtis.

Im excited to run him in the National now, hopefully, if everyone agrees.

Where else do you go with him? That is his forte, National-type races, thats where hes done well.

If he shows me that hes fit and well in the next few weeks theres no reason not to go.

Plenty of horses run at Cheltenham and then Aintree. Its not a lot different to what we did last year when he ran at Cheltenham and then in the Irish National, that was similar timing.

The fences are that not that big any more are they so thats the plan if he trains well the next few weeks, I dont see why not.
Lord Sewell was asked by Boris Johnson to look into inequalities in British schools in 2021 - Rii Schroer

Britain has failed white working-class boys, who remain the worst-performing group in Englands schools, Lord Sewell will tell Sir Keir Starmer this week.

The Tory peer, the author of a report on race and ethnic disparities, will say the group is still stuck at the bottom of the class after successive governments ignored his warnings.

In 2021, after the Black Lives Matter movement, Boris Johnson asked Lord Sewell to chair an inquiry by 10 commissioners, all but one of whom were from ethnic minorities.

Their 250-page report said the biggest drivers of disparities were not race but class, geography and family stability, with the white working-class group doing worst.

Research published this weekend by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) showed that little had changed since then, with white British boys on free school meals more likely to fail GCSE English and maths, most likely to be excluded from school and least likely to stay on in education after 16.

Sir Keir Starmer is one of successive PMs to have ignored Lord Sewells uncomfortable findings, the Tory peer has said - Brook Mitchell/via Reuters

Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the report, Lord Sewell said: Five years ago, we were told by the woke Left and liberal Right that the evidence on class and family was uncomfortable. Since then, this evidence has only hardened.

Our report set out clearly that racism still persists, and we should confront it wherever it is found. But we also said something else  the main drivers of unequal outcomes are class, geography and family stability, not race alone.

White working-class boys from the poorest homes are still stuck at the bottom of the class. Our warnings were not listened to. If we are serious about opportunity, we have to stop arguing about language and start delivering change in the places that need it most.

Lord Sewell said places he had identified in his report had been afflicted by riots in the summer of 2024, having been neglected by governments.

He said Right-wing groups had manipulated the situation, and racism had clearly driven many rioters. By failing to deal with left behind white communities, he said, politicians had allowed the fox to come into the chicken coop.

A lot of people now feel homeless politically, he told The Telegraph in the aftermath of the riots. They didnt vote for Labour. They felt let down. Boris Johnson came in as a champion of their cause and then they got let down by him ... and they found themselves in his no mans land. Nobodys really championing their cause.

So in a sense, what youve got is a situation where people whove got nowhere to go politically go into the streets, or get manipulated by these extreme groups.

Lord Sewell will set out his thinking at a CSJ event in Westminster on Tuesday, alongside the research showing that disadvantaged white British boys continue to record some of the lowest results in key exams, even while many poorer pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds pull ahead.

Thirty-six per cent of white British boys on free school meals reached the expected standard in GCSE maths and English last year, according to analysis of the latest Department for Education data.

This was compared with 65 per cent of all pupils, 39 per cent of black Caribbean boys on free school meals, and 82 per cent of Chinese boys on free school meals. Among black African boys on free school meals the figure rose to 58 per cent and for Bangladeshi boys 68 per cent.

The CSJ said family stability was playing a woefully underappreciated role in shaping childrens life chances. Just two in 10 poor white children live with married parents today, compared to almost six in 10 poor children in nonwhite families.

The centre-Right think tank said growing up in a stable twoparent home was a stronger predictor of positive outcomes than many of the characteristics that dominated official equality discussions such as sexuality or ethnic group.

White working-class boys also had higher rates of not being in education, employment or training at nearly one in four, and accounted for 83 per cent of permanent exclusions.

Mercy Muroki, a member of Lord Sewells commission, said: Family stability, class, and aspiration matter far more for childrens life chances than many of the issues that dominated identity politics culture wars in 2020.

Five years on from Sewells report, the evidence is clear: family breakdown, deprivation and low expectations for young people, not ethnicity, are the main drivers of disadvantage in Britain.

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, admitted last summer that the outcome for white working-class pupils was a national disgrace and pledged to make it a priority in the coming year.

A Department for Education spokesman said: Its this governments mission to cut the link between background and success, halving the disadvantage gap for this generation, so that every child has the opportunity to achieve and thrive  the reforms laid out in the Schools White Paper will do just this.

We are launching Mission North East and Mission Coastal to improve outcomes for white working-class children and disadvantaged communities, and we are radically reforming the way disadvantage funding is given to schools to make sure the system delivers better for children.

More widely, this government is easing the pressure on families by lifting the two-child benefit cap, putting a family hub in every local council and providing 30 hours of early years education which are all critical to giving every child the best start in life.
Israeli soldiers work at the scene after Iranian missile barrages struck the southern city of Dimona on Saturday (REUTERS)

At least five people are believed to have died and another 100 injured after Irans latest ballistic missile attack in southern Israel.

The airstrikes have displaced hundreds of people across the cities of Dimona and Arad, while two children age five and 12 are understood to be among the injured.

Buildings were extensively damaged from the strikes, with commentators suggesting the force of the blast was caused by a warhead packed with hundreds of kilograms of explosives.

It comes hours after Iran targeted the joint US-UK Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.

A five-year-old girl is reported to be in a serious condition in Arad as a result of the ballistic missile attack, while emergency services in Magen David Adom report they are treating dozens of people with injuries.

Clips on social media appear to show the moment one of the missiles struck, with an explosion tearing across the citys skyline.

The chief executive of one medical group described today's event as one of "enormous magnitude" that has caused chaos and uncertainty. He added: "There are individuals we have lost contact with, and we fear for their safety."

Iran has taken responsibility for the attack on Dimona, stating it acted "after the US and Israel attacked the Bushehr power plant and the Natanz facilities."

Iran's Tasnim news agency wrote: "The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson. The missile attack on the Dimona area has once again sent a clear message: No area is safe from Iranian missiles. The enemy must surrender before it is too late."

Dimona's nuclear reactor is officially titled Thee Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Centre, based in the Negev Desert in southern Israel, around 13 kilometers (8 miles) southeast of Dimona.

Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) defence ministry announced it has foiled three attempted ballistic missile and eight drone attacks on Saturday.

Posting on social media, the department stated that "UAE air defences have engaged 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 UAVs," since the hostilities began.

People from multiple nationalities are said to be among those injured in today's strikes, while the UAE has reaffirmed its commitment to counter any further threats and protect its autonomy.

A total of 160 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe, it added.

The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities."
Christian Hewgill and his fiancee recently welcomed a new puppy to the family, a Golden Retriever they named Derek. Like all puppies, Derek is curious and likes to have fun, so when one of his dads left the shower running to warm up while he went to grab a towel, the pup decided to check it out. The video that followed did not disappoint!

Watch as Derek happily turns the shower into his own splash pad. Not only does he enjoy the warm water, but he also tries to bite at it, which is total cuteness overload. He looks quite proud of himself, too!

In the caption, Christian said, "This morning, my fiance left the shower running while he fetched a towel as it was warming up. We both realised we hadnt seen the dog for a while. We found the dog."

Christian, who is a Formula One journalist and podcaster, joked in another video, "I spend years carving out a social media following as an F1 journalist, and my dog steals the limelight. Im very happy with this, to be honest!"

Related: Golden Retriever Crashes Human Moms Bath in the Sweetest Way

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Sweet Reactions to the Golden Retriever Puppy Enjoying a Shower

While most of Christian's videos get thousands of views, this one got a whopping 6.7 million and thousands of comments. People love watching puppies do cute things!

In the video's overlay, Christian said, "Note to self. Do not leave shower running while fetching towel." Commenter @ela_de.vil corrected him, adding, "Note to you: Leave the water running but grab a second towel." @greg_james agreed. "Incorrect. Leave the shower running for him every single day. This is pure joy!"

Another commenter pointed out, "Thats his shower now. Wait your turn!" @Happy_life_93 wondered, "Where did you find this self-washing model?" @elisagranoto8 added, "Hes a) getting a bath and b) doing it himselfsounds like a win/win to me!"

@book.ish.b*tch shared, "Wasting water in general = no. Wasting water on delectable puppy joy = YES!"

Our favorite comment came from @mintmakerstudio, who said, "I think he's going to be the type of dog that is familiar with muddy puddles...." We hope so, and we can't wait to see it!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Selfimposed interim secretarygeneral of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Sengezo Tshabangu, has sparked outrage after posting on X that the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 does not require a referendum.

Tshabangu wrote that critics of the amendment misunderstand the legal framework governing constitutional changes.I wish to share my understanding and interpretation of the law in relation to the proposed bill. I think people do not understand that the proponents of the bill are not avoiding a referendum; rather, the Constitution does not require one for the proposed amendments, I so submit, he posted.His remarks immediately drew strong backlash from X users, who accused him of defending an unpopular and controversial amendment.Charles Mpofu warned that Zimbabweans would resist the move both politically and legally.Dont start a war you will not be able to stop, Mpofu responded.Another user, Njanulo Moyo, said Tshabangu had once again failed to act like an opposition leader.I thought for once you would behave like an opposition leader. Unfortunately, you seem to spurn any opportunity to redeem yourself, he said.Sir Ramba argued that the Constitution requires a referendum for such changes.The changes need approval from Zimbabweans. You cannot simply add more years in office and expect people to be quiet. We do not want an illegitimate government from 2028 to 2030. Our voting right is being affected in electing a President, he said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has consistently infused his conservative evangelical beliefs into the Pentagon, raising questions about the militarys secular mission.

Since taking office, he has hosted monthly Christian worship services for staff and overseen promotional videos featuring Bible verses alongside military footage. Hegseth often asserts the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation, urging troops to embrace God, a stance that potentially risks the militarys secular mission and hard-won pluralism.

This religious rhetoric has gained new significance following the recent conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran, an Islamic theocracy.

At a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth declared, "The mullahs are desperate and scrambling," referring to Irans Shiite Muslim clerics. He then quoted Psalm 144, a scripture shared by both Jews and Christians: "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle."

Hegseth has a history of defending the Crusades, the brutal medieval wars that pitted Christians against Muslims (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Hegseth has a history of defending the Crusades, the brutal medieval wars that pitted Christians against Muslims. In his 2020 book American Crusade, he wrote that those who enjoy Western civilization should thank a crusader. Two of his tattoos draw from crusader imagery: the Jerusalem Cross and the phrase Deus Vult, or God wills it, which Hegseth has called the rallying cry of Christian knights as they marched to Jerusalem.

Matthew D. Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown who studies religious extremism and has been a frequent Hegseth critic, said, The U.S. voluntarily going to war against a Muslim country with the military under the leadership of Pete Hegseth is exactly the kind of scenario that people like me were warning about before the election and throughout his appointment process.

Taylor said Hegseths rhetoric and leadership can only inflame and reinforce the fears and deep animosity that the regime in Iran has towards the U.S.

When asked whether Hegseth views the war in Iran in religious terms, a Defense Department spokesperson pointed to a recent CBS interview in which Hegseth seemed to confirm as much.

Were fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon, Hegseth said of Iranian leaders. But from my perspective, I mean, obviously Im a man of faith who encourages our troops to lean into their faith, rely on God.

Allegations that U.S. military commanders cited biblical prophecies remain unverified

Generations of evangelicals have been influenced by their own version of Armageddon and the end of the world, circulated by books like the Left Behind series and The Late Great Planet Earth, or the horror film A Thief in the Night. Some evangelicals espouse prophecies in which warfare involving Israel is key to bringing about the return of Jesus.

Christian Zionist pastor John Hagee, head of Christians United for Israel, said of the Iran war, Prophetically, were right on cue.

The co-founder of Hegseths denomination, however, does not teach this theology. Pastor Doug Wilson of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches identifies as a postmillennialist, meaning he believes most of the apocalyptic events of the Bible have already happened, paving the way for the gradual Christianization of the world before Christs return.

Hegseth has not said the Iran war is part of Christian prophecy. Yet days after the conflict began, claims went viral that U.S. military commanders were telling troops the war fulfilled biblical prophecies around Armageddon and the return of Christ.

The Associated Press has not been able to verify these claims, which stem from one source: Mikey Weinstein, the head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a watchdog group. Based on allegations Weinstein said he received from hundreds of troops, 30 Democratic members of Congress asked the Pentagon inspector general to investigate.

In an interview with the AP, Weinstein declined to provide documentation or the original emails he received from service members. He said troops were afraid of retaliation, so they would not speak to the media, even if their identities remained protected.

Three major religion watchdog groups  the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations  said they have not received similar complaints. The Pentagon declined to comment on the allegations.

Hegseth wants to reform the military chaplain corps

Hegseths church network, the CREC, preaches a patriarchal form of Christianity, where women cannot serve in leadership, and pastors argue that homosexuality should be criminalized. Hegseth last year reposted a video in which a CREC pastor opposed women's right to vote. Wilson, its most prominent leader, identifies as a Christian nationalist and preached at the Pentagon in February at Hegseths invitation.

Both Wilson and Hegseth have questioned Muslim immigration to the United States. Wilson argues the country should restrict Muslim immigration in order to remain predominantly Christian. In American Crusade, Hegseth lamented growing Muslim birth rates and that Muhammad was a popular boys name in the U.S.

As head of the armed forces, Hegseth has overseen changes that are in line with his conservative Christian worldview, including banning transgender troops, curtailing diversity initiatives and reviewing women in combat roles.

Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University, said, The intrusion of Christian nationalist policy, not just Christian nationalist rhetoric  that is whats troubling.

Hegseth has pledged to reform the militarys chaplain corps, which provides spiritual care to troops of any faith and no faith at all. He scrapped the 2025 U.S. Army Spiritual Fitness Guide and wants to renew chaplains religious focus, which he said in a December video message has been minimized in an atmosphere of political correctness and secular humanism.

Rabbi Laurence Bazer, a retired U.S. Army colonel and chaplain, said it risks making service members feel like outsiders when the language of military leadership draws exclusively from one faith tradition.

The U.S. military reflects the full diversity of this country  people of every faith step forward to serve, Bazer said in a statement. That diversity is a strength worth protecting.
Feeling frightened and alone, a young person was sitting in hospital, not knowing what to do. A parent had just threatened them, and because they were afraid to see them again, they wanted to leave and disappear.

But speaking with them over the phone was a dedicated worker who reassured them that they werent alone. After offering advice and support, they were able to prevent the young persons immediate departure.

Missing Peoples newly launched national lifeline, called SafeCall, receives calls and messages like this every day from children and young people across the country who are in crisis.

We hear from young people who just dont feel heard They dont feel that their voice is being magnified. They feel silenced, and they dont feel understood, explained Hannah Nash, who works for the helpline.

With the generous support of The Independents readers, who helped raise more than 165,000 to fund the creation of the service, the roughly 72,000 children going missing each year now have a place to turn.

The service is open seven days a week (Missing People)

One 16-year-old experiencing suicidal thoughts also got in touch with the helpline to talk about how they were thinking about going missing again. The worker listened to their fears and helped stop them from doing so.

Since the launch of the service in January, a team of 15 people from the charity have helped those teenagers and children who are at risk of disappearing or being exploited, or who are alone on the streets.

Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People  enough for one child to get help.

The free and confidential service is available through its helpline, text service or online chat. This publication is continuing to raise funds to keep the service running and help it expand to include WhatsApp support and a chatbot later in the year.

Hannah Nash is one of 15 people who works for the helpline (Hannah Nash)

Ms Nash is one of the people responding to the calls and texts from children who have gone missing, or want to.

Often, people who have gone missing will get in touch anonymously after receiving a message from the charitys text service, which is usually sent when a missing person report is filed with the police.

Ms Nash said children will typically respond by asking the charity who they are, and she will explain their service and let them know they are there to listen and support them.

When they choose to share their details, the team can also pass that information on to family or to social services with their consent.

She said: Its really crucial when someone has just left home, theyre on the streets, and they dont know what to do, and suddenly they get that message.

Around 72,000 children disappear in the UK each year (Missing People)

A lot of the job is around just listening to them and understanding whats going on for them in their world, and not putting any judgement on them, she added.

Since its launch, the team at SafeCall has also heard from a 14-year-old who went missing after an argument with their parent, an 18-year-old who wanted to disappear after an incident of sexual violence, and a young teen who had no safe accommodation and was unable to return home.

One young person had fled criminal exploitation after being physically assaulted and was under pressure to make money. The team at SafeCall discussed with them ways in which they could stay safe. They told them about their exploitation support service and other professionals who could help when they were ready.

The job comes with a lot of challenges, Ms Nash said. We do get a lot of big disclosures from young people, and we do hear things that are really big in their lives that they may not have shared with anybody else.

But Ms Nash also knows how staff can make a huge impact in a young persons life.

Paul Joseph is the head of helplines at Missing People (Missing People)

Paul Joseph, the head of helplines, said: Weve been getting lots of contact from young people on all our channels. Some have been thinking they need to leave home, some are already away or facing exploitation.

Weve been told by some of them that its really good to have someone different to talk to about whats going on.

SafeCall provides a vital connection for young people in a time when big societal, global and economic factors are impacting their wellbeing and sense of safety.

With the support of our readers and the backing of high-profile figures such as Sir Keir Starmer, Kate McCann, Sir David Beckham and Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen, The Independent and Missing Peoples SafeCall campaign raised vital funds to launch the helpline and raise awareness of children who have gone missing and remain missing.

Thanks to an extraordinary outpouring of public support, the free, round-the-clock service can now offer support, safety and connection when children need it most.

Please donate now to The Independent and Missing Peoples SafeCall campaign, which has raised 165,000 to create a free, nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support.

For advice, support and options if you or someone you love goes missing, contact SafeCall.org.uk

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (right) about the latest developments in the Iran War (Getty Images)

A British RAF base in Cyprus which was hit by a drone at the beginning of the Iran War will not be used by the US to retaliate against Iran's missiles sites, the UK Prime Minister has told his Cypriot counterpart.

In an extraordinary phone call today, Sir Keir Starmer told the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides that RAF Akrotiri is not among the sites Britain intends to allow the US to launch strikes.

It comes hours after Iran targeted the joint US-UK Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.

During today's call, Mr Christodoulides urged Sir Keir to enter into discussions about the future of the British bases on the island.

A Downing Street source said: The Prime Minister began by underscoring that as close partners and friends, Cypruss security was of utmost importance to the UK.

The Prime Minister reiterated that RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UKs continuation of its agreement with the US to use UK bases in collective self-defence of the region, including for the degrading of Iranian missile capabilities.

Discussing the economic impact of the ongoing conflict, the leaders agreed that de-escalation in the region was the priority.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

Irans launch of two ballistic missiles at the Diego Garcia base has led to a dramatic escalation of tensions, US officials have said.

The missiles, fired towards the joint UK-US military facility in the Chagos Islands, both failed to hit their target. One is believed to have been intercepted by a US warship, while the other did not complete its flight.

The strike marks the first time Tehran has deployed intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the conflict, weapons capable of travelling far greater distances, and signals a significant step up in the confrontation.

Military analysts say the attempted strike on Diego Garcia, roughly 3,800km from Iran, could point to a longer-range capability than previously assessed.

If confirmed, the strike would signal a capability that extends well beyond the Gulf, with Paris in range and London no longer comfortably out of reach.

Iran just fired two missies at a target 4000 kilometers away. London is 4400 kilometers from Tehran.



Tell me Iran is not a threat to the world.



(Paris, Rome, Vienna and Berlin are closer) https://t.co/yTVXK5Rejq  Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) March 21, 2026

The attempted attack came as Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, issued a warning to the UK, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of putting British lives at risk by allowing US forces to operate from British bases. At the time of his remarks, it had not yet been made public that missiles had been fired towards Diego Garcia.

Downing Street has given the green light for the US to carry out defensive operations from British territory, including Diego Garcia, a key strategic base used for long-range military missions. The facility has long been seen as vital to Western operations in the Middle East and Asia.

Sir Keir has also faced scrutiny over plans to hand control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a country that has sought to strengthen its relationship with Iran in recent years.

The missile launch was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which said neither projectile struck the base but confirmed it was Irans first use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles since the conflict began. Irans Mehr news agency also reported that at least two missiles had been fired at the site.

It remains unclear exactly when the incident took place.

The development comes as the United States weighs its next steps in the conflict. On Friday, Donald Trump said he had been considering winding down the Iran war, claiming the US was very close to achieving its military objectives.

He also suggested that responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open could fall to other nations, despite the route carrying around 20 per cent of the worlds oil supply.

In a further sign of a possible shift in approach, the US Treasury has eased some pressure on Tehran, allowing the delivery and sale of Iranian-origin crude oil for 30 days in an apparent bid to stabilise global energy markets.

The UK Ministry of Defence has not yet commented on the reports.
Diego Garcia, the site of the UK-US military base in the Chagos Islands. Yvette Cooper said the UK would continue to support defensive action. Photograph: NASA Archive/Alamy (Photograph: NASA Archive/Alamy)

The foreign secretary has condemned Irans strikes on a joint US-UK military base on the island of Diego Garcia, while stressing the UK has taken a different position from the US and Israel on the conflict.

Yvette Cooper said ministers wanted to see a swift resolution to the war, adding the government was supporting defensive action against the reckless Iranian threats.

Iran fired the missiles after warning that British lives were in danger after the prime minister authorised the US to carry out further strikes from British bases.

Tehran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the Chagos island but neither hit, the Iranian news agency Mehr reported.

One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing multiple officials.

If the salvo had reached its target it would have been the longest-range Iranian strike yet. Before the war, according to the US Congressional Research Service, Washington was aware of Iranian missiles that could reach 3,000km.

Cooper told broadcasters on Saturday: We have continued to support defensive action to support UK interests, including defensive action against ballistic missile threats.

But we want to see as swift as possible a resolution to this conflict. Our approach to this conflict has been the same throughout.

We were not and continue not to be involved in offensive action, and weve taken a different view from the US and Israel on this.

But we are supporting defensive action to support our interests. That includes recognising Irans escalating threats to international shipping, as well as their threats to our Gulf partners.

The Ministry of Defence, which described US use of British bases as limited and defensive in nature, earlier called the attacks reckless. A spokesperson said: Irans reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.

This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.

Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, is about 3,800km (2,360 miles) from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers.

The island has been at the centre of a political row after the UK agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base.

Ministers gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the strait of Hormuz from UK bases including Diego Garcia on Friday afternoon. Previously, UK bases were being used only to strike Iranian sites targeting British allies and interests in Gulf states.

Iran reacted angrily, with its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claiming it would exercise its right to self-defence. Posting on X, he said: Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.

Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.

The US president, Donald Trump, said the UK should have acted a lot faster in giving the US permission. He has already piled pressure on Nato allies, calling them cowards for refusing to offer warships to reopen the strait.

The UK government had previously granted the US permission only for defensive action. When that decision was made, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone.

The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, described the prime ministers latest move as the mother of all U-turns in a post on X.

Badenoch later added that the UK was being dragged into the conflict. Today were hearing that theyve been firing missiles on Diego Garcia. The sad thing is, whether we like it or not, were being dragged into it and what we need is a prime minister who can think ahead, she told Times Radio.

The Liberal Democrats and the Green party said granting further permission for the US to use British bases must first be put to a parliamentary vote.

In a phone call on Saturday, Keir Starmer reaffirmed to the Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides, that RAF Akrotiri will not be used by the US to target Iranian missile sites.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: The prime minister began by underscoring that as close partners and friends, Cypruss security was of utmost importance to the UK.

The prime minister reiterated that RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UKs continuation of its agreement with the US to use UK bases in collective self-defence of the region, including for the degrading of Iranian missile capabilities.

Discussing the economic impact of the ongoing conflict, the leaders agreed that de-escalation in the region was the priority.

Starmer will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with the cost of living caused by the war, it is understood.

Countries including the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and Australia condemned Irans attacks on commercial vessels as well as oil and gas facilities in the Middle East in a joint statement.

The effects of Irans actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable, the 22 signatories said.

Starmer has also spoken to the crown prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to discuss the war, Downing Street said.

A spokesperson said: The prime minister outlined the UKs latest support for Bahrain, including deploying a team of experts to help counter drone attacks.

Both condemned Irans ongoing attacks on critical national infrastructure and the strait of Hormuz. The prime minister updated on the US use of UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region, including to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack shipping.

The prime minister welcomed Bahrain joining the growing list of signatories to the UK-led joint statement condemning Irans attacks and calling for de-escalation.
Sir Keir Starmers hesitant approach has left us vulnerable - Brook Mitchell/PA

Sir Keir Starmers hesitant, legalistic approach to the war in Iran has repeatedly left Britain vulnerable. Direct attacks on the RAF airbase at Akrotiri and on British soldiers deployed in Iraq have failed to shake the Prime Minister from his complacency, with the Government unwilling to offer greater support to the United States and Israel. The attempted missile attack on the Diego Garcia airbase should surely mark an end to this apathy.

The assumption underlying so much of the Governments approach to handling Tehran has been that its missiles  and by extension its nuclear programme  are ultimately an issue for countries less geographically favoured than the United Kingdom.

This has now been shown to be false. While neither of the medium-range ballistic missiles launched struck their target, the attempt to strike a place 2,400 miles away from Iran demonstrated that Tehrans range is effectively double that previously believed, potentially putting London in reach.

Sir Keir Starmer and his Government did not deign to inform the British public of the failed missile strike, with the news instead being broken by the American press. It is still unconfirmed precisely when the attack took place. However, it is now known that it occurred before Fridays statement finally giving the United States permission to strike Iranian missile sites from UK airbases. This is, at least, some indication that the Government is belatedly recognising that this threat must be countered. Matters should not have reached this point before it did so.

It is hard to think of a combination of circumstances that could have cast Sir Keirs handling of Iran in a worse light. It should now be clear to all that this is a legitimate defensive war, aimed at preventing Tehran further enhancing its missile capabilities or developing nuclear weapons.

Just last month, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had claimed that his country had limited its missile range to around 1,200 miles. This statement was false, or at least meaningless given the regimes ability to increase range drastically by varying payloads, and should be front of mind when the credulous take at face value assurances issued by Iranian officials. If they are being disingenuous about missiles, why should we assume they would not equally be so about their nuclear programme?

We should recall the warning issued by Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, that Irans negotiators claimed to be in possession of the materials for the construction of 11 nuclear weapons. In the absence of decisive military action, Tehran would have continued on a path towards obtaining nuclear capabilities. It clearly has the range to strike at European nations, including the UK, at least for limited payloads.

Dismantling Tehrans nuclear and missile programmes is an essential prerequisite for peace. The US and Israel should continue military operations until these objectives are achieved. The United Kingdom, meanwhile, should consider carefully where it stands.

The attack on Diego Garcia has once again directed attention to the threadbare nature of Britains air defences, and the woeful underfunding of our naval fleet. We rely on geography to guard us from lesser risks, and the Trident nuclear deterrent from major ones. Yet the first factor no longer applies, and the second is no answer to conventional threats.

We must invest urgently in air defences, and in rectifying the consequences of decades of underinvestment in equipment across the Armed Forces. Plans for spending to reach 3 per cent of GDP in the 2030s, or possibly 2029, are manifestly inadequate to the needs of the hour. Many capabilities that Britain possesses on paper appear to exist there only.

We should offer far greater support to the Israeli and US effort to defang the Iranian regime. Our limited participation in defensive efforts, and our unwillingness to allow the unrestricted use of British bases, has tied up valuable forces and hindered operations. Yet it is now undeniable that it is in Britains security interests to see Irans missile and nuclear programmes brought to an end.

Britain should take this threat seriously. While direct strikes understandably focus the mind, Tehran has repeatedly made its hostile intentions clear. A regime that has openly sponsored terrorists around the world, faced with overwhelming military force, is now warning the West that parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you. A country that has attempted murders and kidnappings on British soil, threatened cyber attacks against British companies, and spied on British citizens is now openly threatening the UK. It would be naive to assume it will not lash out in this manner again.

The best and fastest way to end this threat is through the military action the coalition is undertaking in Iran. That same military action is also necessary to end the threat posed by Iranian missiles, and to free the flow of oil and gas through the Hormuz Strait once more.

There is no appetite for direct British involvement in this conflict, but we should still do all we can to assist the coalition in its efforts. And we should take heed of the implications of this war for our own domestic security. The era of the peace dividend is over; we must beat ploughshares into swords.
The war has prompted protests globally, calling for a stop to the bombing of Iran - Henry Nicholls/AFP

Has the Ayatollah gone interstellar? That is something nobody expected to be asking at the end of last year. Yet after his missile attack on Britains airbase on Diego Garcia, which lies an improbable 2,400 miles from Iran, that is exactly what experts are wondering.

In truth, the regime has been using space weapons for a while. That, after all, is how ballistics work. Each missile, which is the size of a London bus, is fired out of the atmosphere using a rocket engine and traces an elliptical path through space before re-entering at hypersonic speeds and descending to the target. This gives Tehran a range of up to 1,800 miles. Before the war, Iran had a stockpile of thousands. This has been significantly reduced but remains a menace.

Diego Garcia lies several hundred miles out of range. On Saturday, however, it emerged that the British base  now fully supporting American long-range bombers  had been targeted by two Iranian projectiles. One failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by a US Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.

How did Tehran shoot that far? More importantly, if the regime rotated those same launchers 180 degrees, London may find itself in range.

Diego Garcia, in the Chagos Islands, is the location of a joint US-UK military base - US Navy

According to experts, it seems unlikely that Iran has managed to develop an entirely new class of missiles with such speed and secrecy. Instead, the regime may have ingeniously repurposed rockets from its space programme. Before the war, Irans civilian space agency and Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had jointly developed a suite of home-grown rockets, including the Safir, Simorgh and Qased, which were paired with Russian launch services. Last year, Tehran successfully sent its heaviest-ever payload  a telecommunications satellite and space tug weighing about 300 kilograms  into orbit using two Simorghs.

On Monday, Israel announced that it had destroyed a military space facility in the Iranian capital used to develop capacities for attacking satellites, posing a threat to the State of Israels satellites and to space assets of other countries around the world. But with multiple space agency headquarters in and around Tehran and others in Shahrud and Qom, it is far from clear that the project has been put out of action.

The Simorgh, also known as the Safir-2, is a two-stage, liquid-fuelled rocket designed to carry satellites into space. Almost 90 feet long and weighing 87 tonnes, it was the first Iranian-made launch vehicle capable of placing multiple payloads into orbit. Historically, its overly-complicated engines and turbopumps have made it unreliable, but its success rate has been improving in recent years. Such is its size and speed that even without a warhead, it would cause immense destruction. Add explosives the size of an IRA truck bomb into the picture and London would face carnage.

Streaks of light and a flying aircraft illuminate the sky during an interception attempt amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Tel Aviv - Amir Cohen/Reuters

Repurposing space rockets as weapons would be awkward, to say the least. Many ballistic missiles are powered by solid fuel, meaning that they are ready to fire at short notice, with limited preparation. The Iranians often mount them on lorries. The space rockets, by contrast, normally use liquid fuel as part of the launch process, so it can take several hours to fill them with a mixture of fuel and oxidiser at a specialist complex before they are ready to be activated. This makes them harder to move about and easier to locate and destroy.

Irans collection of space rockets is also much smaller than its arsenal of ballistic missiles, so they would need to be deployed sparingly. Could the attempted strike on Diego Garcia be a pilot operation for the strategic weaponisation of space technology against the West? And with the United States more than 7,000 miles from Iranian soil, could London be first in the firing line?

The regime certainly seems reckless enough. Since the start of the war, it has targeted all its neighbours, even those like Qatar and Turkey, which had previously fostered warm relations with the regime. The harder Tehran is hit, the wilder it is lashing out.

On Friday, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, its military spokesman, directly threatened the West on state television: From now on, based on the information we have about you, even parks, recreational areas, and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you. The danger could hardly be clearer.

A missile is launched during an exercise in southern Iran - IRGC via Wana News Agency

How well is Britain defended against ballistic air assaults? It will come as no surprise that the answer is not very. Our warplanes, which are designed to combat enemy aircraft, cruise missiles and drones, are no match for ballistics. Our six Type 45 destroyers, like the lamentably unready HMS Dragon, may handle the low-end, quasi-ballistic munitions fired by the Houthis  HMS Diamond managed to intercept one of these in the Red Sea last April  but they are likewise ineffective against true ballistics like the space rockets. Most of these ships are not ready for deployment anyway.

American SM-3 missile defence systems are stationed across Eastern Europe; on a good day, that may save London. Does that make you breathe easier? Me neither. If we had Patriot missiles, like the Germans and the Poles, or even a homegrown equivalent like the French, we could station them around our capital and be in with a sporting chance. As things stand, however, our skies are almost completely undefended.

Put yourself in the shoes of the Ayatollah. Sitting in Tehran with a limited stockpile of space rockets, wouldnt you launch them at the softest target of all?

The Brink podcast, presented by Jake Wallis Simons and Andrew Fox, is available now.
Irvine Welsh has said it is a real privilege to be taking part in an event celebrating the legacy of his friend, the late fashion designer Pam Hogg, in her home town.

The designer, known for her bold and eccentric style, died in November last year at St Josephs Hospice in Hackney, London.

Born in Paisley in Renfrewshire, she studied fine art and printed textiles at the Glasgow School of Art before attending the Royal College of Art in London.

She went on to forge a career that saw her create looks for the likes of Rihanna, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue and Beyonce.

Author Irvine Welsh was friends with Pam Hogg for decades (Julien Behal/PA) (Julien Behal)

Trainspotting author Welsh will host an event celebrating her life and legacy on Friday March 27 as part of the first Paisley Arts Festival.

He said: Its a real privilege to be part of something where its her home turf, its a great thing.

Welsh said the designers impact extended beyond fashion and that she may be remembered as an artist of the body.

He said: She didnt make stuff for the mass market, she didnt make high street fashion.

She made things that would be spectacular and shocking and didnt like the watering down of that.

I think the fashion aspect may become less prominent and shell be seen as an artist of the body who created this amazing work.

Shes a 3D artist and a major British artist. Thatll be her legacy.

Pam Hogg, right, with models on the catwalk during her show at London Fashion Week in 2020 (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Welsh first met Hogg in Londons Soho in the 1980s and they were close friends for decades.

He spoke of the lasting impression she made on those she met and her ability to connect with people from different fields.

Welsh said: She was an ubiquitous person, would just show up everywhere.

Shed talk to everyone in a room and made you feel like the important person, and theres few people that can do that  its a real gift.

Welsh will be joined on the panel at the event by Scottish model and actress Eunice Olumide, and fashion historian and curator Mairi MacKenzie. They will share their perspectives on Hoggs enduring cultural impact.

Pam Hogg: Style, Defiance And The Art Of Being Seen will take place at Paisley Town Hall at 8.30pm on March 27.

The Paisley Arts Festival runs from March 27 to 29.

It is organised by leisure and cultural charity OneRen, with support from Creative Scotland.

Full event details and ticket information are available at www.oneren.org/paisley-arts-festival/.
Police have released body-worn camera footage of Justin Timberlake being arrested for drink-driving.

The video  made public on Friday  captures the Grammy-winning pop star being stopped by officers in upmarket Sag Harbor, in the Hamptons, New York, in June 2024.

Police said Timberlake had driven past a stop sign and swerved out of his lane.

In the footage, Timberlake told officers he had consumed one Martini. He was asked to perform a series of sobriety tests, including walking heel-to-toe in a straight line and standing on one leg.

He appeared unsteady throughout, stumbling and losing his balance. At one point, he failed to maintain the required line while walking before regaining his footing.

The pop star was arrested by police in upmarket Sag Harbor, in the Hamptons in 2024 - Sag Harbor Police Department

The video also captured a brief exchange with police when Timberlake was asked why he was in the area.

Im on a world tour, Timberlake said.

Doing what? an officer asked.

Hard to explain... World tour. Im Justin Timberlake, he replied, prompting the officer to ask for identification.

Officers were also heard in the video telling Timberlake, who was seated in his vehicle: Youre veering off to the left and youre not stopping at the stop sign.

When questioned, Timberlake told the police officers that he was on a world tour - Sag Harbor Police Department

The footage showed Timberlake being handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car.

He initially pleaded not guilty, but later reached a plea agreement in September 2024, admitting to a reduced charge of driving while impaired. He was ordered to pay a fine and undertake community service.

Timberlakes legal team tried to block the video, and its release has renewed interest in an incident that was resolved more than a year ago.
K-pop boyband BTS have returned to the stage after four years with a performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, which has been launched on Netflix as BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang.

The performance was filmed live in the South Korean capital on Saturday and saw the group perform their fifth studio album  Arirang  the day after its release, as well as some of their biggest hits including Dynamite.

It comes after the group  RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook  went on hiatus in 2022, during which they completed mandatory military service in their home country.

Boyband BTS have made their return to the stage (Tom Haines/PA) (Tom Haines)

In a trailer for the concert, rapper RM, real name Kim Nam-joon, says: We promised our fans that we would be back.

The band gathered at the historic Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul, which was lit up with purple, red and blue and filled with tens of thousands of screaming fans.

During the hour-long show, Kim Seok-jin, who performs under the name Jin, said in Korean: Thank you so much for coming here. I had so many worries before about standing here today but seeing you all again, Im so emotional and happy.

Addressing BTSs fanbase, named Army, he said: Thank you, Army.

Park Ji-min, known as Jimin to fans, also addressed the crowd during the concert and said: We are finally here and seeing you again. The fact that I am speaking here I am so moved.

All seven of us standing on stage together makes me so happy. Thank you all so much. You have filled Gwanghwamun Square today.

The group also thanked their fans throughout the performance for waiting for their return, and said that reuniting on stage was a dream.

It has been reported that the groups leader RM injured himself prior to the performance, and he was seen limiting his movement and sitting on a chair at times throughout the show.

Free tickets for the concert were allocated to fans through a global lottery held on South Korean fan-community website Weverse, with general public reservations also available through NOL Ticket.

The concert comes ahead of the release of a new Netflix documentary on the group titled BTS: The Return, which will be released on March 21.

It will follow the lead-up to BTSs comeback, which was first announced when the band sent handwritten letters to members of their fanbase across the world.

Boyband BTS went on hiatus in 2022 (Tom Haines/PA) (Tom Haines)

BTS  an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan, or Beyond the Scene  have had four top 10 singles and two number one albums in the UK.

They are best known in the UK for songs such as Butter, Dynamite and Life Goes On  as well as collaborations with western artists such as Charli XCX, Coldplay and Halsey.

BTS were the first K-pop act to score a Grammy nomination and have had five nods but have never won.

They are the best-selling music act in South Korean history, having sold more than 40 million albums, and the first non-English speaking group to sell out Wembley Stadium.
New research suggests that the widely accepted narrative of King Harolds army undertaking a near 200-mile forced march to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 is likely incorrect, with evidence pointing to troops largely travelling by ship instead.

The traditional account posits that after his victory at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, Harolds forces were compelled to rush south on foot to face the Norman invasion.

However, Professor Tom Licence, a medieval history and literature expert at the University of East Anglia, argues this narrative stems from a Victorian "misunderstanding".

He contends that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a key early record of English history, was misinterpreted.

While the Chronicle appears to imply Harold dismissed his fleet, forcing a foot march, Professor Licence suggests a record stating ships "came home" was mistakenly taken by Victorian historians to mean Harold disbanded his navy.

They actually returned to their home base of London and remained operational throughout the year, he argues.

Harolds weary, unmounted men covering nearly 200 miles in 10 days and then continuing straight to the Hastings peninsula is implausible given medieval roads and the aftermath of battle, said Prof Licence.

Only a mad general would have sent all his men on foot in this way if ship transports were available.

He said that he noticed multiple contemporary writers referring to Harolds fleet, while modern historians were dismissing those references or trying to explain them away.

I checked the evidence for him having sent the fleet home and found that it was just a misunderstanding, Prof Licence said.

The Bayeux Tapestry depicting King Harold struck in the eye by an arrow (Bayeux Museum)

I went looking in the sources for evidence of a forced march and found there wasnt any.

Harolds campaign was not a desperate dash across England, it was a sophisticated landsea operation.

The idea of a heroic march is a Victorian invention that has shaped our understanding, or misunderstanding, of 1066 for far too long.

Contemporary sources describe Harold sending hundreds of ships to block Duke William of Normandy  also known as William the Conqueror  after the Norman landing.

Prof Licence said the fleet was used to defend the south coast, then to support Harolds campaign against the Viking invasion led by Harald Hardrada, then to head back south to face the Norman invasion.

Prof Licence said the research reframes the events of 1066 and highlights a previously overlooked aspect of AngloSaxon maritime capability.

Harold was not a reactive, exhausted commander, he was a strategist using Englands naval assets to wage a co-ordinated defence, he said.

Harolds death in the Battle of Hastings is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, which shows him clutching an arrow to his eye.

The victorious William became the first Norman king of England.

Professor Michael Lewis, curator of the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition at the British Museum, said: With the Bayeux Tapestry coming to the British Museum later this year, Prof Tom Licences research shows there is much still to be learned about the events of 1066.

It is clearly a fascinating discovery that following the Battle of Stamford Bridge Harold took an easier, more logical, trip south by ship to meet Duke William in battle, rather than a long trek overland, as has long been supposed.

Hopefully this new research inspires people to also come and see the tapestry whilst it is in London.

Prof Licence is to present his research at The Maritime and Political World of 1066 conference at Oxford University on March 24.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has reiterated its firm rejection of Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, with National Executive Committee (NEC) member Njabulo Ngwenya saying the proposed changes are unconstitutional and unnecessary.

Speaking during an X Space discussion hosted by the Election Resource Centre, Ngwenya said the party rejects the Bill in its entirety, insisting that Zimbabwe is facing a leadership crisis rather than a constitutional one.This is just but one of the many moments of madness that ZANU PF is accustomed to, Ngwenya said.He cited Section 328(6)(a) of the Constitution, which requires any Constitutional Amendment Bill to be subjected to a national referendum, stressing that citizens must have the final say.Ngwenya criticised the proposal to transfer voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the RegistrarGenerals Office, arguing that the focus should instead be on strengthening ZECs independence, transparency and efficiency.He also rejected the proposal to allow traditional leaders to participate in partisan politics, warning that it would destabilise communities.When traditional leaders officially become politically partisan, that office ceases to be traditional and should therefore be scrapped altogether, he said.On the issue of presidential term extensions, Ngwenya dismissed the justification that longer terms would safeguard constitutional reforms or ensure continuity of government projects.He said only strong, independent and accountable institutions can guarantee such stability.This is a lame and dull excuse by ZANU PF, designed to manage its volatile succession crisis. The party has always been unconstrained in using state instruments to resolve its internal issues  Gukurahundi and the 2017 coup being prime examples  and this needless amendment is no exception, he said.Ngwenya said the party is already mobilising citizens towards a national referendum, adding that the widespread rejection of what he described as a constitutional coup by various civic, religious and veterans groups strengthens MRPs position.He said this is a decisive moment and urged Zimbabweans to reject the Bill through democratic means while upholding peace and justice.
Nigel Farage claimed Leeds city council was afraid of democratic debate - David Rose for The Telegraph

A Labour council has offered safe spaces for staff who may be upset about a visit by Nigel Farage next week.

Leeds city councils human resources chief contacted workers ahead of the Reform UK leaders visit to the Yorkshire city on Tuesday.

In an email to staff, John Ebo wrote: No doubt you would have picked up in the news that Nigel Farage and Reform are holding an event/rally.

Im mindful such events impact on colleagues, and would ask that we enable safe space conversations for colleagues, such as the wellbeing network chats.

The email was forwarded to the councils Race Equality Staff Network, urging council staff to be vigilant if you are in the city centre that day.

Leeds city councils human resources chief contacted workers ahead of the Reform UK leaders visit to the Yorkshire city on Tuesday.

Mr Farage said: This is the definition of woke. We used to be a proper country. Nobody should be scared of open democratic debate. What a pathetic, weak bunch of people.

The council said the emails were between staff and did not represent formal communications. It admitted Reforms local election campaigning event at Arena Way had no direct impact on the council or its workforce.

Mr Ebos internal emails did not go down well with some council workers, who expressed frustration at a perceived inconsistent treatment of political events.

They dont email us about pro-Palestinian protests or Green events, one told The Sun. Its a scandal how brainwashed many council bosses are. Taxpayers need to know what theyre getting for their money and whos spending it.

Mr Farage said he was campaigning in Leeds ahead of the May 7 local government elections to show the community deserved better than managed decline delivered by Labour and the Conservatives.

Mr Ebo, a first-generation immigrant from Nigeria, had steered clear of making public remarks about Mr Farage or Reform UK.

The councils warning to staff about Mr Farages visit to the city also raised the hackles of some on social media. Can I have counselling if Starmer comes to my home town? one wrote on Facebook.

Leeds city council had the second-highest total debt of all local authorities in the UK, with arrears of about 2.64bn in the 2024-25 financial year, according to a report by the BBC data unit.
US actress Tina Fey will launch the series premiere of Saturday Night Live UK alongside Isle Of Wight band Wet Leg who will join as the shows first musical guest.

The comedian, 55, known for previously being the head writer and lead cast member on the sketch shows US version, will kick off the six-episode series on Saturday evening where audiences will hear the line Live from London, its Saturday Night.

The Sky Original show follows NBCs late-night comedy show and will feature 75-minute long episodes written in the week leading up to the live show featuring a number of segments including an opening monologue, topical sketches and a UK version of The Weekend Update.

It is staged in front of a live studio audience and each week a different host will take to the stage and join its inaugural cast which includes actor Hammed Animashaun, and comedians Ayoade Bamgboye and Larry Dean.

The cast also stars Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

Following Feys hosting gig, Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan, 43, will take the lead on March 28 alongside rock band Wolf Alice as musical performers and Riz Ahmed, also 43, will host on April 4, when 2000s indie band Kasabian will perform.

Jonno Johnson was previously announced as the head writer for the series along with 8 Out of 10 Cats Charlie Skelton, who will serve as the head writer for the satirical news segment, The Weekend Update.

He is joined by a number of writers including Stath Lets Flats star Al Roberts, Have I Got News For Yous Bella Hull and comedians Celya AB, Chris Cantrill, Grainne Maguire, Humphrey Ker and James Farmer.

The shows US version has been running since 1975, and is responsible for launching the careers of the likes of Fey, Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy.

Saturday Night Live UK will launch on Sky and streaming service Now every Saturday from March 21, and will also be available on catch-up.
Being forced to stay home for a month straight could drive many people up the wall, but being forced to live in a small room with just a few basic amenities is truly unacceptable. Sadly, this is the reality for many shelter dogs like Kayla who stay in their kennels for weeks, even months, at a time.

Kayla is one of the dozens of dogs at the South LA Animal Shelter who are waiting for their forever homes, or even just for a playmate. When nonprofit owner Madi Giammona visited her on March 13, she was heartbroken to see her playing with her metal food bowl instead of a toy. In fact, she had no toys or blankets at all until Madi brought her the ultimate care package.

It's heartbreaking to see any dog in a shelter kennel, but knowing she's been there for over a month is excruciating. As much as Kayla's viewers want to give her a helping hand, it's up to the folks at the Los Angeles shelter to give this dog the second chance she deserves.

"I work at a shelter, and this is simply unacceptable," commented @t4y4k. "Toys and enrichment should be given daily, as well as walks from volunteers. We do play group as well." In a perfect world, that would be the bare minimum for shelter dog enrichment, but sadly, many shelters are severely overcrowded, underfunded, and understaffed.

Related: Dog Mom Races to Shelter After Learning Ex Surrendered Her Yellow Lab Without Warning

For Kayla, getting a new toy is the highlight of her shelter stay. She was so desperate for fun that she was willing to play with her food bowl, but now she has a fluffy, squeaky toy that's all her own.

Best of all, she'll have a loving foster home, soon, too. @Jillian.hogle said, "She was rescued by Trina & Friends, and once she is cleared medically, shell be coming to New York to be fostered by my family." That's the most incredible news a rescue dog could receive!

From Shelter to Sofa

This beautiful German Shepherd may have spent months at a time in her kennel, but just a few days of online attention helped her find a way out of the shelter. How incredible would it be if more shelter dogs could find homes exactly like this? Not everyone has a large social media following to help rescue pets get seen, but anyone can volunteer their time or money to a local animal rescue.

If Kayla's situation broke your heart, please consider visiting your local shelter. In many cases, having enough staff and volunteers is the only way to ensure every dog gets to spend time out of their kennel every day. By volunteering, you could help ensure that dogs like Kayla get all the attention and exercise they need to thrive!



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Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led a politically explosive investigation into Donald Trump, has died aged 81, triggering a gloating response Saturday from the US president.

US media reported that Mueller died late Friday, citing a family statement, but did not specify a location or cause.

Trump responded quickly on Truth Social, writing: "Robert Mueller just died. Good, I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!"

Mueller led the FBI for 12 years, starting just days before the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, during which time he built up the bureau's counterterror mission.

After his tenure at the FBI, he was tapped as a special counsel for the Justice Department to lead an investigation into whether Trump's presidential campaign conspired with Russia to get him elected.

Starting in 2017, Mueller operated for two years quietly behind the scenes, emerging in July 2019 to testify before Congress about the probe that Trump regularly denounced as a "witch hunt".

Read moreMueller report reveals Trump tried to seize control of Russia probe

For many Americans, the nationally televised hearing was the first close look at the patrician, grey-haired former FBI director.

What many saw was a cautious career prosecutor who was forced to testify under duress and who deflected questions from both Democrats and Republicans by referring repeatedly to his voluminous report.

Mueller said his report did not exonerate Trump but he mostly deflected questions from lawmakers seeking to score political points for their sides.

A 'straight shooter'

That was in keeping with the career of a public servant who had spent four decades serving both Democratic and Republican presidents.

Before taking on the politically sensitive Russia investigation, Mueller, a former marine who was wounded and decorated for heroism in Vietnam, enjoyed a sterling reputation in Washington.

Mueller is a "consummate professional and a straight shooter", then-FBI chief Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, said in July 2019.

As a young prosecutor in San Francisco and Boston, Mueller took on cases involving grisly murders, organised crime, fraud by powerful banks and terror attacks  winning some, losing some, but rarely drawing serious criticism for his work.

At the FBI, he gained a reputation of being an exacting taskmaster and, despite his early Republican political alignment, someone who was appreciated by politicians of both political parties.

Two of his most heralded prosecutions involved New York mobster John Gotti and General Manuel Noriega of Panama.

After retiring in 2013, he joined a private Washington law practice where he handled official arbiter missions.

Trump's May 2017 firing of Mueller's successor at the FBI, James Comey, resulted in Mueller being recalled to public service to lead the investigation into suspected Russia meddling.

Over 22 months, his investigators issued charges against 34 individuals, including six Trump associates, and three companies.

Read more'No determination on whether Trump committed a crime, Mueller says in first remarks since Russia report

Born August 7, 1944, in New York City, Mueller grew up on Manhattan's wealthy upper East Side. He attended the elite, and at the time all-male, Princeton University where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1966.

After college, Mueller enlisted in the US Marines, and after one year as an enlisted man, entered officer candidate school. As a marine, Mueller earned a Bronze Star for valour and a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

In 2001, he took over an FBI beset by scandals, including the years-long deception by FBI mole Robert Hanssen and the agency's failure to turn over thousands of pages of investigative documents to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh's attorneys.

Then-president George W. Bush and legislators agreed that Mueller was the person to set the bureau right. "His skills should be a perfect match for the challenge," Republican Senator Jeff Sessions said at the time.

Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, heartily agreed. "Bob Mueller," he said, "will give the FBI a major boost that will help it get back on its feet."

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Michael Chadwick Fry is accused of throwing a bucket of human remains stolen from a nearby cemetery over the fence of the FBI Dallas office (Denton County Jail)

A Texas man accused of abusing a corpse allegedly threw a bucket of human remains over the fence of the FBIs Dallas field office  and captured it on video, according to newly released arrest documents.

Michael Chadwick Fry, 41, was taken into custody Friday and charged with abuse of corpse without legal authority following an investigation that has revealed disturbing details.

An investigation was launched earlier this week when Frys mother called the Bartonville Police Department after he asked her for money to rent a U-Haul, claiming he had a body that needed to be moved, according to the arrest warrant affidavit viewed by FOX4.

Police responded to the Bartonville home in Denton County, but Fry had already fled after he became irate following the conversation with his mother.

The investigation escalated when Frys sister showed officers a YouTube video he had posted titled, We send Elizabeth over the FBI fence to summon them by force  which allegedly shows Fry throwing a closed white bucket, which he claimed contained Elizabeths remains, over the fence at the FBIs Dallas office.

Michael Chadwick Fry is accused of throwing a bucket of human remains stolen from a nearby cemetery over the fence of the FBI Dallas office (Denton County Jail)

Investigators later reviewed footage that they say shows Fry at the location referencing Elizabeths remains before tossing the bucket.

FBI Dallas confirmed that the bucket contained human bones.

In another video posted on March 16 and titled, Fry and Barto news! Where we reveal mass killers, Fry is seen displaying a human skull on a table outside his Bartonville home.

Fry refers to the skull as Elizabeth Virginia Lyon, in the video and investigators believe it may be connected to the bones found at the FBI office. The remains are being tested to confirm the identity.

Frys mother also told police she discovered GPS searches for cemeteries in his car. One cemetery was located in Arlington, Texas, and two were located in Oklahoma City. She also reported that she had noticed a new shovel at the home and said Fry had recently started locking a shed thats behind the house.

Investigators later determined that Fry had stolen an urn containing human remains from a cemetery in Oklahoma City, where an active theft case began in February. Authorities also found evidence at a Denton cemetery indicating a coffin had been removed from a mausoleum, according to a police release.

Police confirmed to FOX4 that Fry is also the same man involved in a 2018 incident in which a truck was driven into the stations building in downtown Dallas during a morning newscast.

Fry, who was most recently arrested on March 20, 2022, on a criminal mischief charge, has been arrested nearly 30 times since 2003 (Bartonville Police Department)

In that case, investigators said Fry crashed a rented pickup truck into the station and scattered thousands of papers with phrases including high treason and witchery. The documents were printed news reports related to a 2012 Denton County shooting in which deputies killed a driver who had been ramming a police vehicle. Fry was a passenger in that vehicle.

No one was injured in the 2018 incident. Police said Fry appeared to be seeking media attention and was mostly rambling. He later apologized to FOX4 during a court hearing.

A search of court records revealed a lengthy criminal history for Fry. He has been arrested more than two dozen times since 2003 on charges including assault causing bodily injury, burglary of a habitation, theft, terroristic threat, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

In the current case, Fry is charged with two counts of abuse of a corpse and one third-degree felony count of tampering with evidence, according to Bartonville police.

He is currently being held at the Denton County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
British dual nationals are now required to present a passport, new or expired, or certificate of entitlement to airlines before boarding flights to the UK. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images (Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Two more British teenagers have found themselves unable to return to the UK because of new Home Office border rules on British dual nationals.

Their cases emerged just hours after reports a 16-year-old British schoolgirl was blocked from boarding a flight in Denmark home to the UK because she was a dual national and did not have a British passport. She has missed two weeks of school so far.

A 19-year-old student, Anna*, from Oxfordshire is stuck in Madrid after a university-organised trip to the Spanish capital.

She is part French and had not yet obtained a British passport to comply with the new rules, which require British dual nationals to present a passport, new or expired, or certificate of entitlement to airlines before boarding flights to the UK.

Its like they have brought in a new law and not considered the time people needed to get passports and to change their status ahead of upcoming changes in the rules, said Rosemary*. Its just not right. Its crazy that a little bit of leeway is not allowed.

She has her British birth certificate with her and photos of both her parents British passports and proof of residence in the UK. We are extremely concerned, as you can imagine.

Another young woman, an 18-year-old British-Danish national, was left stranded in Mumbai where she and a group of friends were transiting after a two-week holiday at the end of February.

Air India refused to board her because she did not have her British passport with her, separating her from her friends who returned home. She couldnt leave the airport as she had no visa to find accommodation. She was very, very scared, said her mother, Kristen*.

She had travelled out of the country before the rule change on 25 February and was not aware of the need to bring her British passport. Her parents sent her a photo scan of the British passport and also tried, without success, to get assistance from the British embassy in Mumbai.

To make matters worse one of the ground staff in Mumbai advised her to get an emergency visa, which turned out to be a scam. Kristen said that after help from ground staff, after sleeping in the airport my daughter got on another Air India flight.

Another woman, in Yorkshire, has been left heartbroken after her son, who has been living in New Zealand since 2018, cancelled a flight due to arrive in the UK on Friday because he did not have British passports for his two children.

We were all so excited to think they were coming to visit us, said Susan*. I should have been putting my arms around my two grandchildren, aged seven months and three years, and we had made so many little plans to make the visit so special. My calendar is full of silly exclamation marks and hearts around todays date. I can hardly bear to look at it.

Susan said her family was in dual passport hell and there was a total lack of communication about this new rule which had led the long-planned trip to be cancelled. Devastation doesnt begin to describe it, she said.

Multiple British citizens in Canada and Australia have written to the Guardian overnight to express their anger that they would not be able to return home with new babies who cannot travel because they do not have British passports, which could take months to acquire.

One man who has a nine-week-old baby is travelling back on 4 May for his brothers wedding, and had started the application for his newborns Canadian passport.

Im reading this news about dual nationals and realise we dont have time to apply for a British passport, he said. The UK Visas and Immigration office was closed at 5pm UK time every day, which is not much use for those on the other side of the world. The Passport Office in Liverpool told him it was too tight a timescale to get a passport, he said.

The Home Office was approached for comment. It has consistently declined to comment on individual cases. It has said on multiple occasions that it notified the public of the new rules with postings on its gov.uk website page in October 2024.

Last week, in a U-turn, it said EU citizens with settled status in the UK could travel on their second passport. This does not apply to their children, however.

The Home Office has also refused all calls to introduce a grace period to allow those who did not read gov.uk, and who have now learned of the rules in the media, to get passports.

*All names have been changed.
First-time buyers face significant affordability gaps across Britain, with homes in some areas costing around twice the local salary typically, and as much as 14 times average incomes in other locations, according to analysis.

Inverclyde in Scotland was identified by Nationwide as the most affordable place for people getting on the property ladder, with the average first-time buyer home costing 2.3 times local earnings.

Burnley and Hartlepool was also identified by Nationwide Building Society as among the most affordable locations to get on the property ladder, with typical property prices in those locations costing just under three times the average local wage.

Andrew Harvey, Nationwides senior economist, said: Inverclyde in Scotland is the most affordable local authority in Great Britain, with average first-time buyer house prices just 2.3 times average earnings in the area.

Inverclyde includes Greenock and Port Glasgow and is also the cheapest area in Scotland, with average prices around 100,000.

Burnley and Hartlepool remain the most affordable areas in the North West and North regions respectively.

The report also looked at the least affordable locations. The London borough of Kensington and Chelsea was the least affordable location in London and Britain, with a home costing 13.9 times local earnings typically.

Oxford, Cambridge, York and Cardiff were also identified as particularly unaffordable pockets of Britain to climb onto the property ladder.

Mr Harvey said: A 10% deposit on a first-time buyer property is 15,000 or less in (around) 10% of local authorities, while in nearly half of areas the average deposit is between 15,000 and 25,000.

He said around 70% of local authorities have seen an improvement in affordability over the last year.

Nationwide used average first-time buyer home prices and local earnings figures for average adult full-time worker to make the calculations.

In a further challenge to aspiring first-time buyers and homeowners, mortgage rates have been jumping in recent weeks amid changing market expectations following the conflict in the Middle East.

Hundreds of mortgage deals have also been withdrawn from the market as lenders have scrambled to make adjustments.

According to financial information website Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed-rate homeowner mortgage on the market has risen from 4.83% at the start of March to 5.35%.

The average five-year fixed homeowner mortgage rate has risen from 4.95% at the start of March to 5.39%.

Adam French, head of consumer finance at Moneyfacts, said: Swap rates, which underpin mortgage pricing, have risen sharply following the decision (by the Bank of England on Thursday) to hold the base rate at 3.75%, with markets interpreting commentary from the Bank of England as leaving the door open to rate rises amid Trumpflation fears.

With two and five-year swaps now sitting at their highest level in more than a year, lenders are once again facing higher funding costs, and this will feed through into mortgage pricing.

He added: While a quicker resolution to the conflict in the Middle East could ease pressure on rates, the reality is that a more volatile world is a more expensive world. Even though the most competitive deals will remain below average, anyone looking to buy or remortgage this year needs to prepare for higher costs than previously expected.

Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark, said Nationwides data highlights a mixed picture for first-time buyers across the country.

She added: It is positive to see affordability improving in many areas, with around 70% of local authorities recording progress over the past year, which should help support market activity.

However, significant regional disparities remain. While some parts of the country are becoming more accessible to buyers, high house prices in areas such as London and the South East continue to create substantial barriers, particularly when it comes to saving for a deposit.

James Nightingall, from property search service HomeFinder AI, said: Prime central London boroughs including Kensington and Chelsea are particularly sought-after.

Many first-time buyers are priced out and are looking in zones three to six for more affordable homes whilst others decide to continue to rent and save up a larger deposit.

Here are the most affordable areas for first-time buyers in nations or regions, according to Nationwide, with the average house price-to-earnings ratio:

Scotland, Inverclyde, 2.3

North West, Burnley, 2.8

North, Hartlepool, 2.9

Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, 3.0

Wales, Merthyr Tydfil, 3.3

West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, 3.4

East Midlands, West Lindsey, 3.7

East Anglia, Great Yarmouth, 4.3

Outer South East, Gosport, 4.7

Outer Metropolitan, Surrey Heath, 4.8

South West, Swindon, 4.8

London, Bromley, 6.2

Here are the least affordable areas for first-time buyers in nations or regions, according to Nationwide, with the average house price-to-earnings ratio:

London, Kensington and Chelsea, 13.9

Outer South East, Oxford, 8.0

East Anglia, Cambridge, 7.3

Outer Metropolitan, Spelthorne, 7.0

South West, South Hams, 6.9

East Midlands, Derbyshire Dales, 5.7

West Midlands, Stratford-on-Avon, 5.6

North West, Trafford, 5.5

Yorkshire, York, 5.4

Wales, Cardiff, 5.3

Scotland, Midlothian, 4.9

North, Westmorland and Furness, 4.1
Elon Musk arrives at federal court in San Francisco, California, on 4 March. Photograph: Josh Edelson/Getty Images (Photograph: Josh Edelson/Getty Images)

A California jury has ruled that Elon Musk is responsible for Twitter investors stock plummeting when he sought to buy the social media platform for $44bn in 2022. Jurors handed the win to a group of investors who sued the billionaire saying he publicly disparaged the company with the aim of bringing down Twitters stock price to get a better bargain.

The trial, which began earlier this month in federal court in San Francisco, focused on whether Musk intended to move the market with his comments. During a six-month period in 2022, after his offer to buy Twitter, he posted constantly to his millions of followers that the social network was rife with bots that produced spam and created fake accounts.

Musk did eventually buy Twitter for $54.20 a share, his original offer, totaling around $44bn. He later changed the name of the company to X.

The verdict is an unusual loss for Musk, who repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Throughout the trial, his lawyers maintained he was voicing legitimate concerns and had no intention to manipulate the stock price. Musk testified during trial that he didnt realize his attacks on the company would lower the companys stock price or hurt its investors.

Jurors, who spent three days deliberating, saw it differently. The jury calculated how much Musks statements brought down Twitters stock price for every trading day over the time period in question. The exact amount Musk will be ordered to pay to the investors, which could amount to billions of dollars, is yet to be decided. The billionaires current net worth is $661bn.

We are thrilled with the jurys decision today, said Mark Molumphy, lawyer for the Twitter investors. We believe that it is the largest securities jury verdict in United States history. The jury sent a strong message that no one is above the law.

Two of the four fraud claims brought in the suit were confirmed by the jury, and two were rejected. Jurors also found that Musk did not engage in a scheme to defraud Twitter investors.

Related: Elon Musk takes witness stand in trial over Twitter takeover

The jury clearly took a nuanced view, which tells you these cases are incredibly fact-specific, said Monte Mann, a lawyer for Armstrong Teasdale, whos been watching the case and is not involved in the litigation. Not every market-moving statement creates liability  but context, timing and intent can tip the balance.

In a written statement, Musks legal team called the verdict a bump in the road and said they look forward to vindication on appeal, citing recent appeals hes won in other suits.

During the six months under scrutiny, roughly from April to October 2022, the investors alleged Musk agreed to buy Twitter but then waffled for months, attacking the company. At one point, in May 2022, he indicated he was backing out of the purchase with a tweet that said the buyout was temporarily on hold.

Twitters shares dropped precipitously over the next 24 hours, at times falling by 20%. The stock continued to be unstable for months. Investors involved in the lawsuit say they sold their shares at prices below $54.20 when they thought Musks buyout offer was dissolving.

During the trial, Aaron Arnzen, a lawyer for the investors, maintained that Musk knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted a different deal, Arnzen said. So he mounted a public spectacle to trash the company, to drive the stock price down, to renegotiate or escape the deal.
The couple is accused of forcing a 14-year-old girl to be their surrogate and become pregnant with twins (Getty/iStock)

A couple is facing felony charges after they allegedly abused a 14-year-old girl and forced to become pregnant.

Nathan Potier, 36, and his girlfriend Erica Palmer, 36, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, were arrested in Nevada earlier this week. Potier is charged with sexual assault of a child, while Palmer is accused of enabling sexual abuse.

They are accused of exploiting the teen to become their surrogate in a deeply disturbing case that authorities say spanned multiple states, according to the Washoe County Sheriffs Office.

The investigation began in December when authorities were alerted by Child Protective Services after the teen, who was in the couples care, became pregnant with twins , according to court documents obtained by KFOR. Potier is allegedly the father of the unborn children, the outlet reports.

Palmer later admitted to police that she wanted children with her boyfriend but was unable to conceive because her tubes were tied, authorities said, per KFOR.

The couple is accused of forcing a 14-year-old girl to be their surrogate and become pregnant with twins, according to reports (Getty/iStock)

During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant to collect Potiers DNA at one of the teens medical appointments to confirm paternity. However, before that could happen, both Potier and Palmer left the state, authorities said.

Investigators pursued multiple leads before locating the couple and launching a coordinated operation to take them into custody.

On March 17, 2026, members of the United States Marshals Nevada Violent Offender Task Force arrested the couple in Sparks, Nevada.

The arrest resulted from an ongoing investigation conducted by members of the Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit (RSONU), who are also members of the Nevada Violent Offender Task Force in partnership with the United States Marshals Service and the Nevada Department of Public Safety, authorities said in a statement.

Potier and Palmer were transported to the Washoe County Detention Facility and will be extradited to Oklahoma County to face charges.

Through these joint operations, law enforcement remains focused on locating individuals attempting to avoid detection and ensuring they are held accountable, authorities said.

The teen is now in foster care, Fox12 reports.
President Donald Trump drew anger from people online after celebrating the death of Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, saying, Good, Im glad hes dead.

Mueller, a career prosecutor and veteran of the Vietnam War, died at 81 years old Friday, his family confirmed. While Mueller had been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2021, his family did not say how he died.

Trump responded to Muellers death on Truth Social, saying, Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.

Democratic Rep. Sam Moulton said Trumps comment was disgusting and called the a president a horrible human being.

Mueller became a political enemy of Trumps while serving as special counsel in the Justice Department in 2017. Mueller, who was investigating any Russian interference in the 2016 election, expanded his probe to include any connection between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.

Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2021 (Getty Images)

President Trump celebrated Mueller's death Saturday saying 'I'm glad he's dead' (realDonaldTrump / Truth Social)

Muellers investigation infuriated Trump for years. The president referred to the probe as a witch hunt and assailed Mueller as a fool.

Ultimately, Muellers long-anticipated report, dubbed The Mueller Report, found no evidence that the 2016 Trump campaign colluded with Russia  though the report also did not exonerate the president. Muellers findings determined that Russia did seek to help Trump win the election.

The President is a petty, sick, and vile man, Rep. Jason Crow wrote on X, in response to Trumps Truth Social post. Robert Mueller volunteered for Vietnamat the same time Trump avoided serving.

The cruelty is the point. Trumps goal is to distract you from rising gas prices, his aimless war, ICE abuses, and the Epstein files. Dont give him what he wants. And may Robert Mueller, a US Marine and lifelong public servant, rest in peace, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Fox News did a month of outraged coverage of s**** comments people made about Charlie Kirk. Im sure this will get equal treatment, Tommy Vietor, a liberal political commentator and former Obama official, wrote.

Mueller resigned from his position in the Justice Department in 2019 after releasing his findings of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election (Getty Images)

Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman wrote on social media: We mourn the passing of Robert Mueller, a true public servant: bronze star Vietnam veteran, federal prosecutor, FBI Director, and impartial special counsel. Yet the President of the United States disgustingly celebrates Muellers death simply because he exposed Trumps efforts to steal the 2016 election.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

While Trump despised Mueller, the former FBI director had a reputation for intense professionalism by following the rules, keeping his personal life separate from his political career and keeping his political beliefs close to his chest.

Notably, Muellers leadership in the FBI  which occurred at the same time as the September 11, 2001, attacks  forever changed the structure and importance of the bureau when it comes to national security.

Muellers career in prosecution and government spanned more than three decades. While he was a registered Republican, his reputation for professionalism led him to positions in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, in New York City. He spent some of his childhood in Princeton, New Jersey, eventually attending and graduating from the elite Princeton University with a degree in politics. He later obtained a masters degree in international relations from New York University in 1967 before getting a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1973.

Mueller (left) addressing the nation on September 12, 2001, one day after the terrorists attacks that forever changed the United States (AFP via Getty Images)

In 1968, Mueller joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War. Mueller rose to the rank of Captain and earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service.

Mueller eventually took a job at the Justice Department in 1976, working his way from assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern District of California to becoming the U.S. attorney for the district in 2001.

Muellers impressive resume eventually led former President George W. Bush to tap him to become the Director of the FBI. Mueller stepped into his new role in the FBI just seven days before the 9/11 attacks.

As FBI director, Mueller transformed the bureau, structurally and culturally, prioritizing national security threat prevention and intelligence gathering. Mueller enacted massive changes and addressed weaknesses within the bureau that were discovered through reports.

His time in the FBI was so influential that Congress granted him special permission to continue leading the bureau during the Obama administration for two years after his term expired

Mueller's 'gold-standard' leadership in the FBI led Congress to grant him the authority to serve as director in the Obama administration for two years, despite his term haivng expired (AFP via Getty Images)

Mueller returned to the private sector for several years before re-joining the Justice Department in 2017 to serve as a special counsel during the first Trump administration, overseeing the probe into whether there was coordination between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.

Muellers investigation captured the attention of lawmakers and the public, becoming a defining plot of the first Trump administration. But throughout Trumps attacks and efforts to have him dismissed, Mueller remained steadfast in performing his duties. He made no public statements in the two years his office conducted the investigation.

Muellers 448-page report did not unveil a shocking recount of actions that clearly implicated Trump  as some had anticipated. Rather, it painted an incomplete picture of the presidents actions, which left Congress open to interpretation as to whether the president obstructed justice.

The report found multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but fell short of criminal conspiracy accusations.

Ultimately, several people associated with Trumps campaign were charged, including Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohn and George Papadopoulos.

Mueller pictured with his wife, Ann, in 2019 (Getty Images)

Mueller retired from the special counsel position a month after the release of the report. He later testified to Congress about the investigation.

In 2021, Mueller was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, his family announced last year after the House Oversight Committee indicated it would subpoena Mueller for information on the governments investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Mueller is survived by Ann Cabell Standish, his wife of nearly 60 years, their two daughters and three grandchildren.

Robert Swan Mueller III was born August 7 1944. He died March 20, 2026, at 81 years old.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A group of army commanders who helped President Emmerson Mnangagwa to seize power from the late former president Robert Mugabe in November 2017, but were later removed, are closing ranks with the late ex-army commander retired General Solomon Mujuru's loyalists to manoeuvre to block the current contentious constitutional amendments being publicly debated.Parliament is holding nationwide public consultations over a 90-day period as required by the constitution to gather people's inputs.A former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander said :"What is happening now is that former army commanders who helped President Mnangagwa to come to power in 2017, but were purged later, have found each other with Mujuru's loyalists to form a coalition to oppose the constitutional amendments.Retired Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena is echoing the voice of Mujuru allies who were removed. He is a former Mujuru ally before his death in 2011.Retired Lieutenant-General Winston Sigauke Mapuranga represents those supporting him.Remember Muchena was principal director in the Zanu-PF Commissariat Department after retiring from the Air Force in 2010.He was removed by Mnangagwa from his position after he took over.However, there are many other generals who were removed after 2017, mainly Vice-President retired General Constantino Chiwenga's allies, such as retired Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe and retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje. So there is now a convergence of Mujuru and Chiwenga's allies to oppose the constitutional changes."Mujuru and Chiwenga were rivals.As a result, Mnangagwa is currently navigating a severe internal crisis as he moves to consolidate power and push for a term extension to 2030, while reforming political, electoral and governance systems for legacy purposes, insiders say.This has sparked backlash from retired military leaders and some senior civil servants.Mnangagwa removed several senior military and security officials who were instrumental in the 2017 coup that removed Mugabe.These include Sanyatwe who was booted out in March last year amid fears of a looming coup instigated by the late war veterans leader Blessed Geza and supported by a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association.Many of the removed military leaders are Chiwenga's backers who led the 2017 coup, but are now considered a serious threat by Mnangagwa's camp amid his fierce succession battle with his deputy.Analysts say this is part of Mnangagwa's coup-proofing strategy.He is reshuffling them to protect himself against a potential coup.As a result, a group of retired army generals, led by Muchena, has challenged Mnangagwa's term extension, writing to the Speaker of Parliament to condemn the constitutional changes described by some as a "constitutional coup".Zanu-PF is currently divided into two main warring factions: one pushing for the "2030 Agenda" supporting Mnangagwa and the other backing Chiwenga resisting it.The opposition and civil society are divided, fragmented and weak, leaving Zanu-PF to easily push the changes through the legislature where it commands a politically engineered two-thirds majority.The main battle line is whether these changes should go through a referendum or not.The opposition says there has to be referendum since the changes amount to removal of term limits.However, the government and Zanu-PF say there is no need for a referendum as they are only changing the "electoral cycle" and not term limits.The current proposals extending Mnangagwa's rule, presidential term from five to seven years, and changing the electoral system are viewed as major constitutional changes, making a referendum legally necessary, according to some legal experts.But government insists a referendum is not necessary as they are only lengthening the electoral cycle to ensure political stability and cure toxicity associated with disputed elections in Zimbabwe.
Royal Caribbean has canceled more than 20 scheduled sailings aboard its Freedom of the Seas ship for the summer 2027 season, just days after Carnival Cruise Line similarly canceled 11 future sailings.

The impacted Royal Caribbean departures were originally scheduled between May and September 2027 and included a range of itineraries from fournight Bahamas trips to five-night trips in the Dominican Republic and ninenight journeys calling in Aruba and Curacao, according to the unofficial Royal Caribbean Blog and The Travel.

Royal Caribbean emailed passengers this week to announce that Freedom of the Seas will be redeployed to Southampton, England, for the 2027 season, canceling its previously scheduled homeport sailings due to an ongoing itinerary planning process, according to the blogs.

Deployment planning is dynamic and regularly reviewed based on demand, capacity requirements, and broader fleet considerations, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told The Independent in a statement. As part of this process, weve made the decision to redeploy Freedom of the Seas to Southampton in 2027. Guests and travel partners are being contacted directly with details about their sailings and available options.

Some passengers hit by the cancellations vented their frustration on social media.

The affected Royal Caribbean sailings, set for May to September 2027, ranged from fournight Bahamas trips to ninenight cruises to Aruba, Curacao, and the Dominican Republic (Getty Images)

That frustrates the heck out of me when they do this, one person wrote in a Facebook comment on a post about the redeployment. I had three ship sailings in a row cancelled two years ago. By the time it was announced in the UK we couldnt rebook on the replacement as it was full. Then they wanted twice the amount to book a similar cruise. RC has become too unreliable for long cruises now.

Another added, Freedom is my favorite ship in the fleet, but this is a bad look for Royal. So many disappointed people. I would be especially unhappy if I had a nine-nighter to those great ports and now am stuck with only a four or five-nighter to the Bahamas.

In response to the changes, Royal Caribbean is reportedly offering impacted guests several alternative options to fulfill their bookings. Those unable to secure space on a different Freedom of the Seas sailing may choose from other ships in the fleet, including Wonder of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas or Jewel of the Seas, or opt for a full refund of their cruise fare as well as reimbursements for any prepaid amenities such as excursions or drink packages if no suitable alternative can be arranged, according to the blogs.

The Carnival cancellations are also due to a change in itinerary plans (AFP via Getty Images)

Just days before the Royal Caribbean shock, rival Carnival confirmed cancellations of 11 voyages aboard its Carnival Firenze ship that were scheduled to depart in the fall. Carnival told affected guests it was offering rebooking with fare protections and onboard credits, in addition to refunds for those who chose not to sail.

Due to changes to itinerary plans, we have cancelled sailings aboard Carnival Firenze scheduled between October 12, 2026, and November 16, 2026, a Carnival spokesperson told The Independent in a statement.

Guests booked on the affected sailings, as well as their travel advisors, have been notified directly. We have apologized to our impacted guests and are offering them the option to rebook another Carnival cruise with their cruise fare protected on a comparable sailing in similar accommodations, along with an onboard credit. Guests who choose not to reschedule will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and any pre-purchased items to the original form of payment, the statement concluded.
Sarah Ferguson is facing mounting pressure to testify to US officials about her links to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Duchess of York has not been seen publicly for months as the scandal deepened over her and her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors friendship with the disgraced financier.

Now members of Congress have joined calls for the 66-year-old to give evidence under oath to the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the handling of the late businessmans prosecution.

Committee member Suhas Subramanyam said he now believed she had information related to the investigation.

Sarah Ferguson should give sworn testimony to our committee, he told the BBC.

There is no legal mechanism to compel Ms Ferguson to testify in the US, but the Democratic congressman said lawmakers would be happy to work out terms that work for her, provided she was under oath.

His calls were echoed by Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, who urged anyone with information of wrongdoing by Epstein and his associates to cooperate to help ensure justice for victims.

If Ferguson or any member of their family has such information, our responsibility is to follow the facts wherever they lead, she added.

Sarah Ferguson has been urged to give evidence to US lawmakers (AFP/Getty)

The family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who accused Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse, which he denies, said they strongly believe Ms Ferguson should answer questions in the US.

A representative for Ms Giuffres brother, Sky Roberts, added: If Ferguson knows anything, she should testify in the United States immediately.

US lawmakers have long called for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested and released under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office, to answer questions over his ties to Epstein. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

But pressure is now also being extended to his ex-wife after emails which emerged in the latest tranche of Epstein files appeared to reveal the depth of her friendship with the sex offender.

The documents suggest Ms Ferguson continued the friendship after he was convicted as a child sex offender for procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008.

An email exchange from 2009 saw the then-Duchess of York call Epstein the brother I have always wished for as she updated him on potential opportunities for her business brands and books.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was last month arrested and released under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office (PA Wire)

The next year, in another email between Sarah and Epstein, she calls him a legend and describes her gratitude for him.

She added: Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.

The documents, released by the US Department of Justice in January, also suggest she took her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to lunch with Epstein shortly after he was released from prison. Being named in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing.

In October, she lost her duchess title when her ex-husband relinquished his Duke of York title over his links with Epstein. She was also forced to move out of his sprawling Windsor home, Royal Lodge.

Her whereabouts since then are not known, with unconfirmed reports suggesting she has been in the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Switzerland, or at a wellness retreat in Ireland.

Speculation has also been growing that she is fielding offers for a tell-all interview or may consider writing a memoir, having already published dozens of books.

Three million documents from the Epstein files were released in January (New York State Sex Offender Registry)

Media lawyer Jonathan Coad, who has represented Ms Ferguson in defamation and privacy cases in the past, said there was no chance she would go to the US to testify.

Of course she wont, and if she were still my client, my very strong advice to her would be not to go, he told the BBC.

It would be a disaster for her, for her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie  and also for Andrew, as it would show him up for not going.

Several UK charities cut ties with the former royal in September as details of her links to Epstein started to emerge.

Last month, her own charity, Sarahs Trust, announced it would close for the foreseeable future.

The Independent contacted Ms Fergusons representatives for comment.
A sign welcomes visitors to California's Napa Valley, home to more than 400 wineries. The wine industry has faced drastic challenges in recent years. Photograph: Bob McClenahan/Visit Napa Valley (Photograph: Bob McClenahan/Visit Napa Valley)

After more than a quarter century tracking the seemingly endless growth of the wine industry, Rob McMillan was finally vindicated last year as Californias vigneron of doom.

McMillan is the author of Silicon Valley Banks annual state of the US wine industry report, and the 2025 edition was a doozy. Since 2018, the bank has warned the industry that a correction in demand would shake the wine world. That reality is now here, with 2025 revenue down, the volume of wine produced dropping and a bumpy bottom in demand forecast in 2027 and 2028.

I was very direct when the industry was going fine, but nobody ever likes it when you say things are disastrous, McMillan said. Now, everybody understands what Im talking about.

Related: Cocktail of the week: Bar Flors margarita  recipe

A sunsetting customer base

In the 1990s, McMillan said, options among beer and spirits really sucked and an entire generation of baby boomers gravitated towards wine. The industry responded, particularly on the premium side of things where wines start in the $20-$40 range, and areas like Napa Valley and Sonoma county rose to the occasion.

My generation really enjoyed learning about wine, he said, noting the major addendum that many boomers lived through some particularly generous times from an economic standpoint, which helped the surge in the premium wine category. We would go and geek out about how many days of sunlight the vines would get, what the sugar was like at harvest.

Now, millions of those baby boomers, long a mainstay of the cellar door, are sunsetting each year  industry parlance for drinking their last glass.

His report paints a dire future for wineries that expect the bygone era of exponential growth to return. Instead, the document says wineries that adapt will be well placed to survive, and thrive, albeit in a more stable way.

There is a growing divide characterized by the separation between wineries that adapt and those that remain tethered to the previous era of strong growth, the report reads. 2026 will mark the point in this correction where some growers and wine companies that have struggled for the past five years will publicly capitulate and exit.

For some businesses, thats already taking place.

Gallo, the largest supplier of wine in the US and the maker of the Barefoot wines brand, said in February it would lay off 93 people, including dozens of winemakers, and close a major facility in Napas St Helena. Constellation Brands, which owns Robert Mondavi wines, also said in January it would lay off more than 200 workers at its Mission Bell winery.

A perfect storm

Napa has more than 400 wineries open to the public. Many are small, family-run businesses where a changing landscape means adapt, or die. And those winemakers are awake to that fight.

Jill Matthiasson, a longtime winemaker in Napa who runs Matthiasson Wines with her husband, Steve, said the Napa region had seen a big decrease in wine consumption in the last two years.

Shifts in generational drinking habits, concerns about health and broader trends of people just drinking less have all played a role. The surgeon general said last year alcohol use was the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, and beverages should carry a warning label. A 2025 Gallup poll found just 54% of American adults consume alcohol. Thats the lowest figure in the pollsters 90-year history.

Its just a perfect storm that everything hit at once, Matthiason said, calling the sudden downturn shocking. A lot of people drank during Covid, they stopped to get healthier, theres been this emergence of health-oriented biohacking.

She continued: But nothing replaces wine. Wine drinking is ancient  sitting around the table, wine and food bring people together, bring community together. Nothing replaces that.

Matthiasson Wines, she said, has been forced to adapt regardless. That includes a greater focus on their core principles: organic farming, treating employees well and doing what it can to appeal to a new generation of people who are buying wine with those values in mind.

We just have to figure out a way to work through this, she said. Wines not like other products. Its very personal. People come and visit us at our winery, then you have sort of a memory of that for the rest of your life.

Matthiasson Wines, she added, is actually doing fine amid the broader downturn.

We have to work harder to sell wine than weve had to in the past, but it ebbs and flows, she said.

Small wineries adapt to the shifting tides

Laura Gabriel, the founder of Paper Planes wines and a tasting room in downtown Napa called The River Club, said she, too, had noticed a correction in the industry after being warned for years it was due to land.

Rob has been telling everyone in the industry that this cliff was coming for probably a decade, and nobody listened, she said. But here we are.

Consumers these days have far more choice in what they drink. That would be okay for the wine industry if millennials and gen Z were replacing sunsetting boomers. But while nearly a third of baby boomers said they would choose wine as their alcoholic drink of choice in data compiled by Silicon Valley Bank last year, less than a quarter of drinkers between the ages of 21 to 29 said they preferred the same thing.

More than half of younger drinkers said they would opt for spirits or premixed drinks such as hard lemonade or seltzer instead.

In an era where those who are drinking have seemingly endless choices, Gabriel said, small businesses need to reach those customers where they are.

People used to be able to discover a brand on shelf, and maybe talk to a wine steward about that product, she said. And thats just not something that happens any more.

She continued: Were finding that discovery happens through social media, it happens through online research, it happens a lot through friend recommendation. We just have to be so much more active in telling our own stories and creating experiences that people want to talk about.

Amid that shift, Gabriel added, Napa and the broader California wine industry is at an exciting inflection point.

In times of challenge, thats when innovation happens, she said. I think there are more interesting cool things to discover in wine country, in Napa, in Sonoma than ever before.

Tourism struggles, but optimism remains

Linsey Gallagher, the president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley, said there had been some shifts in visitation, particularly from international travelers who were staying  and spending  less. Canadian bans on US wines have also been hard on local businesses.

Canada is the single largest export market for California wines, Gallagher said. We would historically export a billion dollars [annually], most of that to Canada. Overnight, that distribution channel went away.

Still, she said, there are many reasons to be optimistic about Napas future. Hotel occupancy in 2025 went up almost 3% over the previous year. The average age of people visiting Napa dropped from 46 in 2018 to 40 in 2023, and the diversity of tourists increased compared with pre-pandemic levels.

And despite a slate of challenges, Gallagher said, Napa remains a truly special part of California.

I think this valley pulls together unlike any community out there, she said. We have faced our share of adversity, whether that was phylloxera and disease and pests in our vines, or the pandemic, followed by some of the worst wildfires this valley has seen. We come together incredibly well.

She added: Thats not to say I have rose-colored glasses. But its still beautiful, and the wine is world class.

Doing whatever it takes amid the doom and gloom

Ben Brenner, a co-owner of Benevolent Neglect wines, said many winemakers in Napa had declared doom and gloom about the industry. But to Brenner, change is nothing new in wine.

There is no this has always worked, this will always work in Napa, Brenner said. The companies that are at the top of the feeding frenzy from the last 40 years have maybe lost sight of what its supposed to be. Theres a lot of not-so-good, manipulated wines that are overpriced. I understand why people arent into that any more.

He continued: I think our industry will be absolutely fine. I think theres a lot of excellent people involved. Our peers here in Napa, were all owner-operated, were all hustlin, were doing a lot of going to where the people are right now. Were doing dinners, road shows, doing whatever it takes.

He said while reports like McMillans do show that younger drinkers were less interested in wine, just because youre 22 doesnt mean you have shitty taste always and forever.

Brenner added: A lot of millennial people are well deep in their 30s, theyre all buying a lot more wine [than they did] 10 years ago, because theyre not 25 anymore. I see young people here every day  that are super excited about wine.

For McMillan, the state of the industry report is a moment to reflect and figure out what is next.

I just dont want people to make a mistake that we just gotta hold on by their fingernails, McMillan said. I dont want to see them lose everything, Id rather they see things clearly.
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Photograph: Mira/Alamy (Photograph: Mira/Alamy)

Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better  from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.

Ive always wanted to be that person who shopped at the farmers market, just me and a cloth tote bag stuffed with local produce against the world.

In reality, my fridge is stocked with bags of wilted spinach and whatever fruit is on sale at my nearby Trader Joes.

Yet our recent piece highlighting the best plastic-free cutting boards to upgrade your cooking inspired me to seek out ways to bump up my produce game  those gorgeous cutting boards deserve better than flavorless, out-of-season tomatoes. Buying local produce can help you better understand where your food comes from and to support those nearby farmers who prioritize sustainability.

Related: Put your phone down and focus: the four best ways to watch movies

So I asked farmers market aficionado Brittany Chang for advice. She shares weekly meal plans with ingredients bought solely from Union Square Greenmarket, the biggest farmers market in New York City.

I also spoke with the New York Times bestselling author of Big Vegan Flavor, Nisha Vora, and recipe developer and food blogger Tiffany Bach for tips on sourcing local ingredients well actually want to cook with.

Before we go to our farmers market haul: youll need a good produce bag to carry everything in. If youre looking for recommendations, our commissioning editor Karen Yuan loves these:

Public Goods Organic Wide Mesh Tote

Now $15.95, originally $19.95 at Public Goods

This expandable mesh bag is my Mary Poppins bag of grocery totes  it can somehow fit all sizes of fruits, leafy stalks, loaves, and even a bottle of wine and magazines when Ive brought it to picnics in the park. Its long handles make it easy to sling over the shoulder. Made from organic cotton, its lightweight and squishy enough to keep stored in a larger bag for an impromptu food runs. It also comes in handy for storing socks and laundry. And its machine-washable.

Keeki Bread Bag

$27.50 at Amazon $27.50 at Keeki

I got the homey-feeling yellow gingham bag as a gift with a loaf of bread already in it, which felt like the most thoughtful combo. Its a sweet yet safe way to store bread: the linen bag is lined with beeswax, materials that help air circulate and the bread breathe. Beeswax also has antibacterial properties that deter mold  but unlike regular beeswax wraps, this bag has a wide mouth and drawstring close for easier access.

***

Spot the bargains

Shopping at the farmers market doesnt have to mean splurging on the $15 carton of strawberries.

Take a few laps around the market and note what each vendor charges for the produce you want. Compare these prices before you buy anything. It helped me save a lot of money when I first started shopping at the market, said Chang.

And if you want to snag a discount, timing matters: When you go later in the day, they are trying to get rid of stuff. Theyll be more eager to get things off their hands that they havent sold, advised Vora.

***

Try a farm box subscription service

If you dont live near a farmers market, dont stress. Bach told me you can also try a produce subscription service. Its another great way to support farmers but also know whats in season, she said.

For those based in New York or New Jersey, Bach suggested Farm to People. However, you can search for options in other states, such as Farmbox California and Gather and Deliver in Texas.

***

Keep an eye out at the grocery store

The farmers market isnt the only place to buy fresh, local produce. Vora said that we should look out for locally grown signs at the grocery store. Asparagus is a good example; in off-season months, it might be imported from Mexico, but in the spring or summer, you might be able to find it locally grown. When I do, I will definitely be trying Voras lemon asparagus pasta for an easy weeknight meal.

Vora also recommended asking grocery store employees for help identifying any produce that was grown in your region or state. Generally, people at these jobs are very happy to help you, she said.

***

Savor seasonal selections

Shopping for seasonal produce extends beyond pumpkin in October or corn in August. To mix up your meals, Chang recommended shopping for hyper-seasonal items (produce with a short peak season).

I get excited when I see niche pepper varieties in the fall and fiddlehead ferns in the late spring. I know that sounds absurd to folks who dont eat seasonally, but to me, its become a fun, creative hobby that has instilled a deep sense of gratitude for the food I get to eat.

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What you loved this week: Material Kitchens cutting board

Im not the only one who was inspired by seasoned culinary journalist Marian Bulls guide to microplastic-free cutting boards. She spent six weeks testing 10 different models, chopping beets and onions to see how knives felt on each surface and how each board stained.

Many of our readers shared Bulls love for Material Kitchens dishwasher-safe cutting board, as, according to our purchasing data, it was one of your favorite products of the week.



Material Kitchen MK Free Board

$48 at Material Kitchen

Read our guide: The six best plastic-free cutting boards in the US for 2026, tested

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Deal of the week: Anyday glass containers

Since December, when we first sang the praises of Anydays glass containers, which can go straight from the freezer to the oven, Filter readers have embraced the plastic-free life. Now were delighted to offer a discount: get 20% off anything on the Anyday site with code FILTER20, including the 2-cup glass containers that kitchen pro Emily Farris finds perfect for portioning.



Anyday 2-Cup Glass Round Dish Multipack

Now $32 (with code FILTER20), originally $40 at Anyday

Waste less, save more: Anyday glass food containers transformed how I store leftovers

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Beverage corner: nonalcoholic wines

Were mere weeks away from Easter brunches, Mothers Day get-togethers and graduation ceremonies. And this means ample opportunities to pop open a bottle of champagne or to enjoy a crisp glass of white wine.

If youre craving the celebratory ritual without the side effects, we shared our favorite nonalcoholic wines that taste just as good as the real thing. In our guide, weve selected a bottle perfect for commemorating big milestones and one that acts as an ideal companion for party snacks.



French Bloom La Cuvee Vintage

$119 at French Bloom

Duju Non Alc Sparkling Wine

$25 at Duju

Discover our favorite nonalcoholic wine: The 13 best nonalcoholic wines in the US in 2026  taste-tested and reviewed

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Put to the test: bike lights

Longtime cyclist and product reviewer Josh Patterson wants us to stop underestimating the power of a well-made bike light. A bike helmet may protect you in a crash, but lights can help prevent one from happening in the first place, he wrote.

To find the very best on the market, Patterson bravely tested a variety of models, biking in the rain and wintry weather and on dark roads. Among his favorites was this powerful option to improve night-time visibility, and an affordable model ideal for neighborhood rides.



NiteRider Lumina Pro 1550

$153.80 at Amazon $159.99 at Back Country

Ascher Ultra Bright USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set

$16.99 at Amazon

Discover the best bike lights: The best bike lights in the US to see and be seen

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Global favorites: Irish beer

Whether youre seeking an Irish beer that doesnt require you to split the G or simply want to get out of your comfort zone, we shared the very best Guinness alternatives.

In our guide, beer journalist Beth Demmon introduced us to a whole new world of Irish beers, including a coffee-like stout that has a bit more oomph than your go-to Guinness and a clean, crisp lager to sip with anything from chicken to pizza.

OHaras Irish Stout

$11.99 for pack of four at Total Wine

Harp Lager (4.5% ABV)

$9.99 for pack of four at BevMo

Read more: The best Irish beers that arent Guinness (but still extremely Irish)
A British military base in Cyprus hit by an unmanned drone strike at the start of the Iran war will not be used by the US to target Tehrans missile sites after an extraordinary international row.

Sir Keir Starmer told the Cypriot president that RAF Akrotiri would not be among the UK bases from which the US could launch strikes, hours after it emerged Iran had fired missiles at the joint US-UK Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.

As part of the same phone call on Saturday, Nikos Christodoulides demanded that Sir Keir open discussions about the future of the British bases on the Mediterranean island.

While Cypriot politicians have demanded the return of the sovereign UK bases previously, this is believed to be the first time that a Cypriot president has formally requested talks since independence in 1960.

A transport aircraft arrives at RAF Akrotiri air base near Limassol, Cyprus (Petros Karadjias/AP) (AP)

It comes just days after he described them as a colonial consequence, amid fears over the islands security as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.

On Friday, the UK gave Donald Trump the green light to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

Downing Street said any such action would still amount to collective self-defence, insisting it would not mean the UK was drawn into the wider conflict.

But the base in Cyprus will not be included, the PM said.

The base in Cyprus will not be included, the PM told the countrys president (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

A Downing Street spokesperson said the PM has spoken to Mr Christodoulides directly to convey the message.

He added that Sir Keir reiterated that RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UKs continuation of its agreement with the US to use UK bases in collective self-defence of the region, including for the degrading of Iranian missile capabilities.

In a statement following the call, the office of President Christodoulides said on X, formerly Twitter: During the discussion, with regard to the British bases in Cyprus, President Christodoulides referred both to challenges that have arisen and to lessons learned from the management of the crisis thus far. In this context, he presented a proposal for the initiation of relevant discussions.

On Saturday, it emerged that Tehran had fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported. One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, according to the newspaper, which cited multiple officials.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned attacks by Iran on Diego Garcia (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

The foreign secretary Yvette Cooper condemned what she said were reckless attacks by Iran that threaten British interests and allies.

The Ministry of Defence also said that RAF jets and other UK military assets were continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.

Questions over the future of the Cypriot base would pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who is already facing criticism over his decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The archipelago is home to the key UK-US Diego Garcia base, which will be leased back to the UK as part of the deal.

But The Cypriot presidents demands have sparked a row in the islands with the unrecognised breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) demanding it should be involved in the talks if they happen.

A spokesman for the Freedom and Fairness Campaign for the TRNC said: This is not merely a bilateral matter between the United Kingdom and the Greek Cypriot administration. It carries broader implications for the political balance, legal foundations, and long-term stability of the island. Recent engagements by UK officials in Cyprus, including the current visit by Minister Doughty, underline the importance of ensuring that such interactions reflect the full reality of the island, including meaningful engagement with the Turkish Cypriots.

Past experience is clear: one-sided international engagement on Cyprus does not resolve disputes  it entrenches them. Processes that exclude Turkish Cypriots deepen division, undermine trust, and risk further destabilising an already sensitive situation.

The drone that attacked RAF Akrotiri was Iranian-made but launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Cypruss foreign minister Constantinos Kombos.

It 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.

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.
Angela Rayners speech on Tuesday evening for the left-wing Mainstream group has reignited the civil war within Labour and, in effect, set a timetable for the end of Sir Keir Starmers premiership.

The latest meltdown within the party came as the local and devolved election campaigns were officially launched for 7 May  a date now circled in red ink as D-Day for Sir Keir.

With one projection, based on the results of modelling company Bombes analysis of polls last week, suggesting Labour is on the cusp of losing an eyewatering 1,700 council seats, while Reform gains 1,500 and the Greens about 600, the mood is sombre in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).

Starmer could be on his way out of Downing Street (PA)

The loss to the Greens in the Gorton and Denton by-election was bad enough, but wipeouts in Wales, Scotland, London and the former north of England heartlands are now a real prospect.

This week, Unites general secretary, Sharon Graham, whose union has just slashed 40 per cent of its funding for Labour, said out loud to Sky News what many are privately thinking: 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. I dont think that they understand themselves how bad that will be.

But a plan being mooted to show Sir Keir can take back control of Labour and move his party to the left  apparently with a move to sack two key cabinet figures  still may not be enough to save Sir Keir.

One last big reset

With his enemies circling, readying for his demise, it is understood that the besieged prime minister is still hoping for one final big reset.

This would apparently involve two ousted MPs being brought back into the fold, as well as two big names being thrust into the firing line.

According to insiders, Ms Rayner would come back in, along with former transport secretary Louise Haigh, who was forced to quit over a past conviction for falsely suggesting her phone was stolen. The move would be a surprise given that both were forced to resign under a cloud of scandal.

Meanwhile, Lucy Powell, who was sacked from the cabinet in September for being too left wing over welfare reforms, is said to be pushing for a real cabinet job after winning the contest to replace Ms Rayner as deputy leader of the party.

Meanwhile, there is speculation that health secretary Wes Streeting and chancellor Rachel Reeves could be on their way out.

Angela Rayner is waiting for an HMRC investigation to finish before deciding on her future (PA)

As one insider put it: A shift to the left means a change in economic policy, which means a new chancellor.

The current favourites to replace Ms Reeves are Treasury minister and ex-policy wonk at the influential Resolution Foundation, Torsten Bell, and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Darren Jones, Ms Reeves former deputy.

But with a Downing Street operation where the PM is struggling to recruit anyone because, in the words of one source, nobody thinks he will survive much beyond May, the question remains whether he will have the space or authority to carry out such sweeping changes.

Angela Rayner waiting for tax relief

Sir Keir has already publicly expressed a desire to bring back Ms Rayner when he can. But there is no doubt that she is weighing her own options.

Those closest to her say there is nothing she can do until the HMRC investigation into her failure to pay stamp duty on a new flat in Brighton, which prompted her resignation last year, is completed. Currently, there is no official date on when the investigation will conclude, but it was reported this week that it is likely to be resolved by the May elections.

We thought it would be resolved one way or the other by now, but we are not going to complain about the time being taken, one ally said about the wait.

Meanwhile, supporters are conducting internal party polling for Ms Rayner, which concludes she is one of just two potential candidates who can replace Sir Keir. The other is Andy Burnham  who is not an MP and so cannot be a leadership candidate. It means Ms Rayners return to Sir Keirs government is not clear.

One ally noted: She is, of course, willing to listen to what might be offered and decide then, but nothing has been offered so far.

On her leadership prospects, they added: She did not come into politics to be prime minister, but if there was support for her and a contest, then she could be persuaded to run.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting may end up being sacked (PA Wire)

Code for: she is getting ready  something that appeared to be confirmed by the speech to Mainstream, where she demanded a change of direction on immigration and economic policy in what were unveiled criticisms of current government policy.

Repairing Rayners damaged reputation

Another ally noted a problem beyond her tax affairs, something else which her Mainstream speech aimed to resolve.

The issue is that she has been tarnished as much as anyone by association with Starmer and his policies on trying to cut welfare and supporting Israel. Before that, she was associated with Jeremy Corbyn. Angela has never had the chance to really present herself and what she believes. She needs to do that before she makes any leadership run.

This, according to allies, makes it less likely she will take another job with Sir Keir, but not impossible.

But it explains other targeted interventions she has made on more support to pubs, bars, and restaurants, or forcing the publication of papers regarding Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador when he had known links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Then last week, via The Independent, she let rebels know she is unhappy about reforms to limit the right of trial by jury.

Supporters laugh off claims she might form an alliance with Mr Streeting.

He [Streeting] has not approached her at all, and of course, when he talks about a partnership, he means him as prime minister, not her.

Has Streeting missed his chance?

When Downing Street briefed that Mr Streeting was planning a coup in December, it has now emerged that the prime minister was actually on the verge of sacking him for disloyalty. A number of senior ministers still would like him to do exactly that.

It has made the health secretary a clear target for a reshuffle aimed at showing the party that the prime minister wants to move to the left and leave behind the Blairite right.

So while Ms Reeves removal would signal a change of policy direction on the economy, Mr Streetings sacking would signal that Sir Keir is taking back control.

One Labour source said: Wes has missed his chance. Even if he stood against Keir now  assuming he would even have enough MPs to nominate him  the PM feels that he could beat him in a contest and would not stand down.

It is reflected in claims made by allies of Ms Rayner who say their internal polling shows Mr Streetings popularity is tanking.

The Mandelson papers fallout

Insiders have told The Independent that Sir Keir had long since stopped taking calls from Lord Mandelson, who was eventually sacked over his links to Epstein and is now facing a police probe, and outsourced him to his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, as far back as when Labour were in Opposition.

Keir just didnt like or trust Mandelson and found him to be irritating, one insider claimed.

The Mandelson scandal could seal Starmers fate (PA Wire)

But the absence of Lord Mandelson and Mr McSweeney, who stood down over the scandal of the disgraced peers vetting for the Washington job, leaves Sir Keir with a problem with his planned reshuffle and reset.

One source said: Theres nobody in his operation to do the political work on who should be in and who should be out.

The last reshuffle was basically done by McSweeney and Mandelson, which is why it was so bad and lopsided. They couldnt wait to get rid of Angela and promote their favourites.

But the prime minister does not have the capacity to do this himself, and the problem is he does not have anyone there who can really do it for him.

It comes down to a government which gives the appearance of being in its final stages.

It is hard to recruit anybody when they think the prime minister could be gone in May, said an adviser in what could be a damning footnote to a dying government.

So, as Sir Keir braces himself for what some fear could be an existential beating in the May elections, he is short of allies and support just when he needs to make his biggest, most dramatic reset yet.
Floodwaters in Waialua, on the north shore of Oahu, on Friday morning. Photograph: Craig Fujii/Honolulu Civil Beat via AP (Photograph: Craig Fujii/Honolulu Civil Beat via AP)

Towering flash floods and an imminent dam failure in the northern part of Oahu triggered mass rescues and evacuation warnings in Hawaii on Friday, as the state continued contending with a powerful storm this week.

The waters came on quickly in the middle of the night, and videos on social media captured inundated streets and cars being swallowed by the muddy flood waters.

More than 230 people were rescued as heavy rains pummeled the island of Oahu and triggered the worst flooding the island has had in 20 years, inflicting what the governor said could top $1bn in damage.

Water levels have been receding at the dam that authorities warned could fail, but that could change if more rain falls. In less than 24 hours, water at the dam went from 79ft (24 metres) to 84ft (25.6 metres)  just 6ft (1.8 metres) shy of what it can handle, authorities said.

Related: Hawaii faces flash flooding, blizzard conditions and landslides with more rain to come

No deaths were reported, and no one was unaccounted for, Hawaiis governor, Josh Green, said at a news conference. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said.

Crew searched by air and water for people who had been stranded  efforts hampered by people flying drones to get images of the flooding, he said.

Dozens  if not hundreds  of homes had been damaged, but officials have not been able to fully assess the destruction, Honolulus mayor, Rick Blangiardi, said in a news conference. About 5,500 people were under evacuation orders.

Theres no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic, he said.

Blangiardi said officials felt confident in the stability of the dams on the island, but that it was hard to predict how much rain would come and what it might do.

Officials have been monitoring dam levels since a storm last week dumped heavy rain across the state, leading to catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes. Two people were seriously injured in that event  one in the neck and another in the head. A similar but weaker storm was forecast to bring more rain through this weekend.

Its going to be a very touch-and-go day, Green said in a social media post.

Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

One shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate School was evacuated because of flooding, Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu, said. There were about 185 people and 50 pets there who needed to be bussed to another evacuation center, but by midday 54 people remained in the shelter.

Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of rain overnight, further saturating the ground after last weekend's storm. Kaala, the islands highest peak, got nearly 16 inches (40 cm) in the past day, NWS said.

Amy Perruso, a North Shore state representative, told Honolulu Civil Beat that emergency services were having trouble reaching people, and many residents vehicles were under water. Theres no exit possibility for a lot of folks right now, Perruso said.

The Honolulu emergency department said in the early hours of Friday: If you are trapped, go to the highest level. Stay out of attics without a way to the roof.

As she prepared to evacuate to a friends home on higher ground, Waialua resident Kathleen Pahinui told the Associated Press in a phone interview that the ageing dam was a concern every time it rained.

Just pray for us, she said. We understand theres more rain coming.

In 2006, seven people were killed when the Ka Loko dam on the island of Kauai collapsed, and water rushed downhill.
Magnificent and classy: Jenni Murray presented Womans Hour for 33 years - Yourkevic, Tricia

Dame Jenni Murray has died at the age of 75 and though I hardly knew her I miss her already. As the tributes pour in for this legendary broadcaster, lets just say some are more fitting than others. I would love to see that expression that was hers alone as she peered over the top of her glasses at her interviewee. That look, both withering and bemused, could stop lesser mortals  however famous they were  in their tracks. That voice, deceptively soothing, was the voice of a woman who championed womens rights for more than three decades. She spoke with the knowledge of someone who listened intently to the personal details of all kinds of women  and fought publicly for our political rights.

Make no mistake, Dame Jenni was Womans Hour and she left after 33 years at its helm because the BBC would not let her discuss one of the issues of the day. I was roundly ticked off publicly and informed that I would not be allowed to chair any discussions on the trans question or the proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act, she wrote in the Daily Mail in 2020 of the BBCs actions towards her. Shed left Womans Hour earlier that year.

In the name of impartiality, the BBC chose not to stand by one of its most beloved journalists because she had written that womens rights were based on biological sex.

She explained what had happened to her when we both went to talk to MPs and Lords in the House of Commons in 2023. There were members from all the political parties there. I spoke about my experience at The Guardian, and she spoke about what had happened at the BBC, which was much worse. All her decades of experience had been trashed because of her mild and common-sense views on the gender issue. She was using a wheelchair at that point and was in pain. Yet of course when she spoke, it was with an authority that a lifetime of listening to women had given her. She had an aura of unflappability but with bite, somehow very grand and very human at the same time. You would not want to cross Jenni, but in any battle you would want her on your side.

She had no time for anyone who was rude or nasty about trans people and wanted no bullying or insults to go their way, always insisting that they be treated with respect. However, her deep understanding of sexual politics meant that she knew that there was more to being a woman than frocks and make-up.

Jenni Murray with the then Duchess of Cornwall in 2016 - Arthur Edwards

Another bugbear for her was the compelled language that trans activism had brought in, such as chest-feeding. Sorry, but I breastfed my kids and it was my breast that was cut off when I had cancer, she wrote memorably in 2017.

Safeguarding children, single-sex spaces, womens ability to define themselves: these were things that mattered to her and despite the many death threats and the loss of her beloved job she would not shut up.

And yet I am not prepared to stop talking about this. Its an issue that needs to be discussed without anyone fearing losing their livelihood or their life. Brava Jenni.

Her defenestration was possibly meant to be an example to junior women at the BBC, an attempt at silencing. Womans Hour is now an unlistenable mishmash of awed, whispering presenters kowtowing to men. Last week, for instance, in a discussion about misogyny and the manosphere, a man who had not transitioned into womanhood until his sixties was interviewed as an expert on the subject. Impartiality? No, this is a closing down of exactly the debate Jenni wanted to have.

Jenni Murray interviewing Margaret Thatcher for Womans Hour in 1990

Her views on the trans issue were an intrinsic part of her feminism, but we had to listen to Harriet Harman on the Today programme on Saturday patronisingly explain that they didnt detract from it. This is a travesty. Murray thought as she did because she was a feminist to her fingertips. She never regretted what she said and felt that the 2025 Supreme Court ruling on the matter had proved her right: that the legal definition of women is based on biological sex. She never backed down. She was never afraid to ask the difficult questions. She was magnificent, she had class.

Her legacy is not to bow down to flimsy thinking that reduces womanhood to mere feelings. As she fought for us, we must now fight to make sure she is remembered with the respect she deserves.
The Trump administration is temporarily lifting longstanding sanctions banning the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin for the next month in hopes of curbing the meteoric rise in oil prices.

The increasing cost of oil has threatened economies across the globe since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran started last month.

A General License issued by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control released late Friday permits the purchase of Iranian oil that has already been loaded onto any vessel  including ships that have already been sanctioned  by waiving 10 separate sets of sanctions that have targeted both Russian and Iranian oil.

The sanctions that are being temporarily set aside have been in place for years, with many originating during Trumps first term.

They were imposed to punish Russia for its unprovoked 2022 invasion of Ukraine and other harmful foreign activities and to penalize Iran for years of malign activities, human rights violations, support for terrorism and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

The price of oil has continued rising following Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point through which one fifth of the global oil supply must pass each year (REUTERS)

By waiving the sanctions, the U.S. will allow Iranian and Russian oil that is currently at sea to be purchased and unloaded without penalty until April 19, at which point the sanctions will resume unless the Treasury extends the waiver.

In a post on X announcing the decision, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it as a narrowly tailored, short-term authorization that applies only to Iranian petroleum that is currently stranded at sea.

He claimed the sanctions have permitted China to hoard Iranian oil on the cheap while also suggesting that temporarily relaxing sanctions would inject approximately 140 million barrels into global markets. He said this would help in expanding the amount of worldwide energy and relieving what he described as temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.

In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury, Bessent said.

President Donald Trump claims the U.S. may soon wind down the three-week-old war he started against Iran (REUTERS)

The Treasury Secretary added that the temporary, short-term authorization permitted by his department was limited only to oil that is already in transit and would not apply to any new production.

He also claimed that Tehran wont easily benefit from the sanctions relief because of separate longstanding sanctions cutting off Iranian banks from the global financial system as part of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign against the countrys Islamic Republic regime.

Bessents announcement comes after days of turmoil in world markets caused by escalating attacks on energy facilities across the Middle East coming from both sides of the war.

The price of Brent crude climbed as high as $119 per barrel and European gas prices briefly surged by 35 per cent on Friday after Iran pounded Qatars Ras Laffan energy hub and other Middle Eastern oil and gas infrastructure with missiles.

The Iranian attacks on Qatar came in response to an Israeli strike on the vital South Pars gas field, which drew condemnation from the Gulf states as well as Tehran.

Oil and gas prices remained volatile on Friday as stock markets also suffered ongoing turbulent trading due to the escalating Iran conflict (REUTERS)

In response, Iranian forces fired missiles at multiple energy sites across the Gulf, including a Saudi oil refinery, Qatari gas facilities and two more oil refineries in Kuwait.

The attacks on oil and gas facilities have led major producers across the Middle East to cut production and shut down facilities to render them less vulnerable to what could be catastrophic strikes that could take years to recover from.

Those supply squeezes have been compounded by Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point through which one fifth of the global oil supply must pass each year.

President Donald Trump has spent much of the last week grousing about the supposed unwillingness of NATO member states and other American allies to offer their own naval forces towards protecting tanker traffic from Iranian threats, even as he has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. has obliterated much of Tehrans capabilities.

Earlier on Friday, he wrote on Truth Social that the 32-member defensive alliance was a PAPER TIGER and called many of Americas closest allies COWARDS for purportedly refusing to heed his demand for assistance.

Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but dont want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk, he said.

Several hours later while en route to Florida aboard Air Force One, he posted again, writing that the U.S. was getting very close to meeting our objectives after three weeks of war and said he was considering winding down the bombing campaign.

He also suggested that the U.S. does not need to commit any resources towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz because the U.S. is a net exporter of oil even though oil markets are global and a bottleneck in the Strait will cause high prices everywhere.

The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldnt be necessary once Irans threat is eradicated, he said.

Despite his suggestions that the U.S. may be winding down the war, Trump is currently weighing the deployment of thousands of additional troops to the Middle East.

At the same time, the Pentagon is seeking an additional $200 billion in order to wage the offensive. The department recently sent the request to the White House, according to a senior administration official. The first six days of the war alone cost more than $11.3 billion, the Pentagon told Congress in a closed-door briefing on March 10.
Masked federal agents check people's documents as they wait for hearings at the New York Federal Plaza immigration court in New York City on 5 March 2026. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images)

The Trump administrations aggressive anti-immigration policy has led to a crackdown on immigrant communities that, increasingly, targets not just people who have violated immigration law but many immigrants who are in the US legally.

Throughout the past year, policies  many of which are actively being challenged in court  amount to the government attempting to strip people of their status, with countless numbers suddenly finding themselves undocumented, or about to be, and under threat of deportation.

They are looking for every way to make the undocumented population as enormous as possible, Ghita Schwarz, litigation director for the New York-based International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), said of the federal authorities, as they seek to meet mass deportation targets. She added: Its the great de-legalization campaign, rendering vulnerable to detention and removal millions of people who were not here unlawfully.

Here are the main ways Trump is undermining legal immigrants:

Refugees

Historically, refugees fleeing war and persecution were intensely vetted by the US government while still abroad, then brought to the country and resettled through the federal refugee program. After one year in the US, refugees were required to apply for a green card.

On the first day of his second administration, Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the governments refugee program  what critics call a refugee ban. It left thousands of refugees stranded abroad, many of whoms flights had already been scheduled. Other refugees already in the US have been left in limbo with little to no resettlement assistance. The ban has been challenged in court, with little success.

Since the refugee ban was signed, anti-refugee policies within the US have intensified further. The Trump administration also issued two separate travel bans blocking people from 39 countries from entering the US and extended the ban to apply to refugees. In November, the administration paused the processing of any green card applications by refugees and ordered a broad review of hundreds of thousands of people admitted under Joe Biden.

For 2026, the Trump administration set a cap of 7,500 refugees who may be admitted to the US, a significant reduction from the Biden administration cap of 100,000 in 2024. Trump wants the majority to be white South Africans.

An alarming new trend has also been the push to arrest and indefinitely detain refugees who have not yet received their green cards, with advocates estimating that 100,000 are at risk.

Temporary protected status (TPS)

People with temporary protected status (TPS) are those from certain countries given permission to live and work in the US after the US authorities determined their home countries to be unsafe. TPS has been granted to people facing war, political instability or even natural disasters. TPS does not offer a legal pathway to citizenship.

Haiti, for example, was first given TPS after the 2010 earthquake and it has been extended several times. And Venezuela was granted TPS in two instances, first in 2021 and then in 2023.

The Trump administration has revoked TPS for about 1 million people from a number of countries, placing many at risk of deportation. Those countries include:

Afghanistan

Cameroon

Ethiopia

Haiti

Honduras

Myanmar

Nepal

Nicaragua

Somalia

South Sudan

Syria

Venezuela

Yemen

A number of lawsuits are challenging the administrations actions to revoke TPS, with varying degrees of success so far.

Blanca Hernandez, a supervisory policy and practice associate at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), said that many people will face danger if they are sent back.

What are they going back into? Hernandez asked.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca)

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, called Daca, was established by the Obama administration in 2012 and allowed undocumented people, who arrived in the US as children, to live and work in the US with certain protections from deportation. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are approximately 533,000 active Daca recipients in the US, known as Dreamers, who continue to undergo vetting when they reapply.

Ongoing litigation and the Trump administrations anti-immigrant attacks have placed the already precarious status of Daca recipients under stress, and an increasing number of Dreamers have found themselves arrested and either deported or pressured to leave, although exact numbers are unclear.

Former homeland security secretary Kristi Noem wrote separate letters to Democratic members of Congress earlier this year, each with different data, showing that at least 260 Daca recipients were arrested last year and from 86 to 174 were deported.

They are individuals who came here as minors, who didnt have any other choice, said Hernandez, who was previously a Daca recipient. Its been over a decade since Daca came about. So a lot of these individuals married US citizens and were attempting to take the next steps [to obtain legal status]. Now, this current administration decided: No, you shouldnt have been here to begin with.

Asylum seekers

Asylum seekers are people fleeing their countries of origin who arrive in the US and request protection under certain categories.

Joe Biden had already significantly restricted asylum but when Trump returned to the White House he immediately barred all access to the asylum system for new arrivals. This has led to a historic low in encounters with asylum seekers at the border despite asylum being considered a human right, protected by national and international laws.

Meanwhile, asylum seekers whose applications are in the system are showing up to routine Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-ins or scheduled hearings at immigration court and being arrested, often amid violent and heart-breaking scenes of families wrenched apart. For many, detention and deportation have followed, in a development that has shocked even seasoned advocates and activists, as ICE and government attorneys coordinate to dismiss an asylum seekers case.

The administration has also secured third country agreements with more than 20 nations to accept deportees who are not originally from that country. Some countries, such as South Sudan, Eswatini, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana, do not guarantee not to send the people back to the countries they fled. Some of these third-country removals are being challenged in court.

Pretermission

DHS has been increasingly relying on a legal action called pretermission to quickly remove asylum seekers from the US. If DHS requests pretermission, an immigration judge can then quickly order an asylum seeker removed to a third country without a proper hearing. In April of last year, immigration judges, who have historically struggled with a huge backlog of cases, were given wide powers to pretermit asylum cases, allowing the judges to quickly clear their dockets. In theory, asylum seekers removed via pretermission could seek asylum in the third countries where they are sent.

In one court case reviewed by the Guardian, an asylum-seeker from Nicaragua, who had passed an initial credible fear interview with officials, was arrested and detained in Floridas notorious Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center. An immigration judge, relying on pretermission, ordered him removed to Ecuador without a hearing. A federal judge ordered him released.

Victims of crime

Immigrants are able to apply for certain visas if they are victims of crime and helped police throughout an investigation, mainly involving people who have suffered mental or physical abuse or are victims of labor or sex trafficking. This system can lead to work authorization and a pathway to a green card.

But ICE now has a policy allowing for the arrest, detention and deportation of those with such U and T visas. The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law and other groups have sued the government to try to stop this.

People in humanitarian parole programs

For years, people from certain nationalities with US-based sponsors could request to enter the US under a humanitarian parole program and would then be protected from immigration-related arrest and deportation. But the Trump administration paused the humanitarian parole programs for Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. The Ukrainian parole program resumed last June by court order.

And nearly 1 million people who were given parole after crossing the US-Mexico border using the Biden administrations CBP One app have had that status terminated.

Early last year, USCIS paused various humanitarian parole programs, including the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole program, the Central American Minors parole program, the International Entrepreneur parole program and the Family Reunification parole program, placing recipients in limbo while their cases were re-vetted. Overall, targeting the humanitarian parole programs has stripped legal protections from more than 1.5 million people.

Student and work visa holders

The Trump administration has targeted immigrants in the US with valid student and work visas. The administration used a rare provision to detain and attempt to deport high-profile pro-Palestinian student activists, for example.

And last year, immigration agents carried out one of the biggest workplace raids in ICE history, storming a Hyundai plant in Georgia and rounding up 475 people, leading to a diplomatic quarrel between South Korea and the US.

Meanwhile, the administration has also made it significantly more challenging for people applying for certain work visas, now charging a $100,000 fee for people seeking high-skilled H-1B work visas.
News / National

by Staff reporter

British-registered firm XI8 Capital Plc has unveiled plans to invest approximately US$500 million over five years to develop lithium oxide reserves in Zimbabwe's Insiza District, signalling growing international interest in the country's battery minerals sector.The company, which is listed on European exchanges, intends to establish a modern lithium extraction and processing operation underpinned by strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.XI8 Capital is currently in negotiations with a local partner to secure a stake in licensed lithium deposits covering an initial 600 hectares in Insiza, located in Matabeleland South Province.Preliminary exploration work has indicated the presence of high-grade, near-surface lithium deposits, bolstering confidence that further capital mobilisation could pave the way for a fully integrated mining, processing and value addition project.The planned investment comes amid rising global demand for lithium, driven largely by the transition to clean energy and the rapid growth of battery storage technologies in European markets.In a statement, XI8 Capital underscored the importance of community participation in ensuring the sustainability of the project."We appreciate the need for direct participation by the local community, whose economic benefit and goodwill will only serve to sustain and grow our investment into the long term," the company said.Local leadership has welcomed the proposed venture, with traditional leader Dambisa Mahubo Mafu, also known as Chief Maduna, expressing optimism about its potential impact."It is an investment that is going to improve the livelihoods of my people, but not only my people but Zimbabwe in general. I am very happy and looking forward to that partnership," he said.Chief Maduna added that the project aligns with Zimbabwe's broader development goals and is expected to bring tangible infrastructure improvements, including roads, schools and healthcare facilities.Community members have also expressed support, citing potential job creation and improved living standards as key benefits.The renewed investor interest coincides with strong growth in Zimbabwe's mining sector. According to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, mineral export earnings reached US$3.4 billion in 2025, representing a 14 percent increase from the previous year.Lithium contributed US$571.6 million to total exports, reinforcing Zimbabwe's strategic position in the global battery minerals value chain. Data from the United States Geological Survey ranks Zimbabwe as the fourth-largest lithium producer globally, accounting for about 10 percent of world output in 2025.Government policy has also shifted to promote beneficiation, including a ban on the export of raw lithium concentrates to encourage domestic processing and value addition.Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said growing investor confidence is reflected in increased foreign direct investment, rising applications for mining licences, and new capital inflows into extraction and processing projects."Recently, we have noticed a high appetite for partnerships with Government entities. These trends affirm that Zimbabwe remains an attractive and competitive mining investment destination," he said.Kambamura added that Government is strengthening local content requirements, promoting skills transfer, and enforcing ESG standards to ensure mining investments translate into sustainable development and tangible benefits for host communities.The policy framework is anchored on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, which aim to leverage mineral resources to drive industrialisation, boost exports, and improve livelihoods.As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Zimbabwe is increasingly positioning itself as a key investment destination, with lithium expected to play a central role in shaping the country's economic future.
President Donald Trump adores the sound of the ongoing renovations at the White House, but the same cannot be said for first lady Melania Trump, the president told reporters on Friday.

It makes me happy, he said of hearing the project take shape. My wife doesnt love it, he added.

The Independent has contacted the first ladys office for comment.

Heavy machinery has been active on the White House grounds since October, when the president unilaterally began construction on his planned $400 million ballroom complex.

Thats music to the former real estate developers ears.

President Trump said Friday that first lady Melania Trump doesnt like the construction noises generated by his ongoing East Wing ballroom project (AFP/Getty)

I love the sound of concrete, Trump added on Friday. I love the sound of pile drivers.

To build the 22,000-square-foot ballroom, the president demolished the East Wing, the site of the first ladys offices.

She loved her little tiny office, the president told Fox News in November, though he added that Melania thinks the new designs for the East Wing are great.

Privately, the first lady has reportedly sought to distance herself from the renovation.

She has expressed concern about the East Wing teardown and has told associates it wasnt her project, The Wall Street Journal reported last year, citing unnamed administration officials.

The first lady has privately expressed concerns about the renovation, according to media reports (Reuters)

The privately-funded ballroom build-out has generated widespread criticism from architects, preservation groups and members of the public, who sent in thousands of negative comments before a National Capital Planning Commission meeting about the project earlier this month.

The commission, chaired by a Trump ally, has a final vote on the ballroom project scheduled for April 2.

The project continues to face legal scrutiny.

While hearing a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a federal judge this week accused the administration of offering shifting justifications for what gave it the authority to begin the renovation project without consulting Congress or federal planning bodies.

The Justice Department claims the president already has authority under federal law to make improvements and alterations at the White House, reasoning that Washington, D.C., federal Judge Richard Leon appeared to doubt.

Calling the new compound a mere alteration of the White House takes some brazen interpretation of the laws of vocabulary, he reportedly said.

To make way for the proposed ballroom, the president demolished the East Wing, which included the first ladys offices (AP)

The ballroom project could also face legal challenges due to the officials that Trump has appointed to the National Capital Planning Commission, who lack the required experience in city or regional planning to serve on the body, according to some watchdog groups.

Those appointments were not just a crude political power play, Jon Golinger of the liberal advocacy group Public Citizen told commissioners at a meeting earlier this month. They were unlawful, and they destroy the credibility of the vote on this project if those individuals vote for it.

As the fate of the East Wing hangs in the balance, Trump allies are reportedly pushing to alter other elements of the White House design.

The ballroom project is awaiting final approval from a federal planning commission, and the renovation is currently being challenged in federal court (Shalom Baranes Associates)

Rodney Mims Cook Jr., a Trump appointee who chairs the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which reviews public projects in the capital, told The Washington Post he is proposing to replace the columns on the north facade of the White House.

Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and thats what our other two branches of government have, he told the paper.

Why the White House didnt originally use them, at least on the north front, which is considered the front door, is beyond me, he added, noting he hadnt discussed the idea yet with the president.

In a rare check on the administrations ever-expanding construction agenda, the Commission of Fine Arts recently delayed a vote on a new screening center development for White House visitors, reportedly as commissioners sought substantial design changes because the proposal called for too large of a building.
Joe Kent, who served as President Donald Trumps counterterrorism chief, has pushed back against reports that he is under FBI investigation, insisting he did nothing wrong and denouncing the alleged probe as a sideshow.

Kent resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday over his staunch opposition to the war in Iran, which he claimed Trump had been deceived into starting. The next day, multiple news outlets reported that the FBI had opened an investigation into Kent over allegations he inappropriately shared classified material.

As for the leak allegations, I'm not concerned because I know I did nothing wrong, Kent told Megyn Kelly, a popular conservative podcaster, in an interview released on Friday.

Of course, I am concerned because weve all seen the FBI and the full weight of the government come down on individuals who speak out, he added. So that has me a little concerned but I know the truth and the facts are on my side.

Kelly, one of several rightwing media figures to speak out against the war, noted that Trump and his allies have relentlessly attacked Kent, branding him as weak and even accusing him of treason. She asked whether the fallout from his resignation had angered him.

Joe Kent, Trumps former counterterrorism chief, said he did nothing wrong in response to reports that he is under FBI investigation for mishandling classified documents (Getty)

It does anger me, he said. But its all just to be expected. I knew this was going to happen. I know their playbook.

He also insinuated that the bureaus investigation may not even be real.

If there truly was an FBI investigation  and who knows maybe there will be  then there would be a process and a procedure for that. They would actually formally come to me, and if they were still collecting information they most certainly wouldnt leak it, Kent said.

When reached for comment by The Independent, an FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the probe.

I feel very confident in what I'm doing right now, Kent added. I think I have a mission, and I think it is to do everything I can to stop this war. To me I kind of view everything else as a sideshow.

I feel very confident and what Im doing right now, Kent told Megyn Kelly. I think I have a mission, and I think it is to do everything I can to stop this war. To me I kind of view everything else as a sideshow (The Megyn Kelly Show, YouTube)

Kents interview with Kelly is among several media appearances he has made since posting his resignation letter to X on Tuesday morning, which quickly went viral and drew more than 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.

The 20-year Army veteran  whose Navy officer wife died while serving in Syria  added that he cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people.

Kent expanded on his decision to leave the administration in an interview with Tucker Carlson released on Wednesday. He told Carlson that the Israelis drove the decision to go to war and that Iran was not on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb.

He also claimed that, during his tenure, he was blocked from investigating the September assassination of Charlie Kirk, which he insinuated may have been carried out by foreign actors.

The White House  which was reportedly caught off guard by Kents sudden departure  has dismissed his decision as inconsequential.

Trump said he realized that its a good thing that hes out after reading his resignation letter on Tuesday. The president also characterized Kent as weak on security.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the episode laughable and took issue with the ex-counterrorism chiefs claim that Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S.

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 on X.

Recent polls show that a majority of Americans are opposed to the war in Iran, which has now entered its third week.
Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during an exercise in 2016. Photograph: Craig Z Rodarte/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Craig Z Rodarte/AFP/Getty Images)

Several Nato members and other US allied nations pledged on Thursday to join appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait of Hormuz. But the joint statement from the leaders of more than a dozen nations  including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Bahrain  did not provide details on how they would do this.

That followed a recent bashing by Donald Trump, who called alliance members cowards for not wanting to help open the strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed the strait with periodic attacks on oil tankers and other shipping.

This comes as the US is reportedly preparing to send three more warships and thousands more troops to the Middle East. At the same time, Trump says he is considering winding down the US war on Iran, which has destabilized global trade and international relations.

As for a ceasefire? The president said no thanks.

Look, we can have dialogue but I dont want to do a ceasefire, Trump told reporters on Friday. You dont do a ceasefire when youre literally obliterating the other side.

US preparing to deploy thousands more troops to Middle East

Reports that Washington is considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island come despite earlier suggestions by Trump that he was not leaning towards putting boots on the ground.

Read the full story

US lifts sanctions on Iranian oil at sea in bid to ease supply pressures

The Trump administration has issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil at sea to ease energy supply pressures since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said.

Read the full story

Airport security delays thwart travelers amid DHS shutdown

Many travelers across the US are continuing to face significant delays at airport security checkpoints as the homeland security department shutdown, which has affected staffing of the Transportation Security Administration, remains ongoing.

With TSA workers going for weeks without pay, staffing shortages have intensified, leading to longer screening times and growing frustration among passengers.

Read the full story

Trump sues Harvard again over accusations of antisemitism

The Trump administration renewed its assault on Harvard University on Friday, filing a lawsuit in Massachusetts alleging the Ivy League institution violated the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli people in the aftermath of the war in Gaza.

Read the full story

Veteran charged with conspiracy over ICE protest refuses to plead guilty

A US military veteran arrested on federal conspiracy charges after participating in a June 2025 protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told the Guardian he refuses to plead guilty and is ready to face justice.

Read the full story

US stock markets dip for fourth straight week over US-Israel war on Iran

US stock markets dropped again on Friday, capping off a fourth week of market turbulence as investors worried about the US-Israel war on Iran and its widespread impact on global oil prices.

Read the full story

US farmers reeling as Iran war pushes fertilizer costs up

American farmers have become casualties in the US-Israel war against Iran. Iran closed the strait of Hormuz, cutting off a key fertilizer production and transportation route, and efforts to reopen this crucial trade route have stalled.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened on 19 March 2026.
Travellers wait in line at a TSA security checkpoint at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on March 20, 2026.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to US airports if congressional Democrats do not immediately agree to fund airport safety.

"I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before," Trump wrote in a social media post.

Transportation Security Administration personnel are set to miss a second full paycheck on March 27 amid a partial government shutdown now in its 36th day as lawmakers clash over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency for TSA and ICE.

TSA officers have called in sick in recent weeks as paychecks have dried up. The shortage of security agents has led to travel disruptions at major airports.

Read moreFacial recognition: ICE agents use app to scan US citizens and immigrants

ICE agents are not specifically trained for airport security, which is TSA's domain. ICE has played a central role in the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, drawing criticism from many Democrats, civil liberties advocates and immigration advocacy groups.

The agency, along with Customs and Border Protection, has deployed agents over the past few months to multiple areas as part of the crackdown, most recently to Minnesota in an operation that resulted in agents fatally shooting American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Their deaths sparked a backlash and led the Trump administration to adopt a more targeted approach in Minnesota.

Trump this month fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid growing criticism of the administration's immigration tactics. The US Senate is considering the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, as the next DHS secretary.

Trump has said his immigration policies are intended to curb illegal immigration and improve national security.

Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union said TSA had provided lists of airport travellers to ICE, calling the move a break from TSAs prior practices.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
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Shalom Baranes, the architect who agreed to see through President Donald Trumps White House ballroom addition, has baffled colleagues in Washington, D.C. by taking on the controversial project late in his career.

Baranes, 75, is a longtime, well-respected architect in D.C. who has worked on dozens of contemporary additions to federal buildings.

He also has a history of being critical of the Trump administrations harsh anti-immigration policies, as the son of Jewish Libyan refugees who came to the United States at 6 years old.

Why would he do this? and Wonder if the firm needs the business? were among the questions posed by the reports and editors at Washington Biz Journal in December when they announced that the architect they had been covering for nearly 20 years had agreed to take over the 90,000 square-foot ballroom project.

I am totally baffled why he would take this on, Nancy MacWood, a preservationist familiar with Baranes' work, told the New York Times.

(Getty)

In an interview with the New York Times last week, Baranes repeated his criticisms of the Trump administration, saying: Whats happening now is heartbreaking.

I do hope theres a realization at some point that this country depends on immigration. We have to normalize our policies, Baranes added.

His legacy as a well-tempered, creative and collaborative architect was already cemented in the nations Capitol by 2006, when the Washington Post said it would be hard to find an architect who knows more about designing in Washington than him.

That, combined with his criticisms of the administration, has left some of his colleagues scratching their heads, wondering why he would take on the $400 million addition that has been scrutinized by fellow architects, the public and lawmakers.

I dont understand why he would put himself in such a hot seat right now, David M. Schwarz, an architect in D.C. who has known Baranes since their days at the Yale School of Architecture, told the New York Times.

Baranes agreed to take over the project after the original architect, James McCrery II, stepped down.

Rendering for the new White House ballroom show the massive 90,000-square foot structure attached to the main residence (AP)

Baranes is under a nondisclosure agreement with the White House and declined to explain his motivations for taking on the project to the New York Times.

But he denied allegations that his architecture firm needs the undisclosed amount of money from the job.

Others in the architecture community said they could totally understand his taking on the job.

If I had to pick who would do this job, it would be Shalom, said Richard Nash Gould, a New York architect and Trump supporter who spoke to him recently about the ballroom. Hes happy, hes bulletproof and hes really smart.

Why wouldnt he? he said. Its an incredibly interesting job.

High-profile jobs Baranes has done around D.C., include the renovation of the Department of Homeland Security headquarters, the Federal Reserve Building, the American Red Cross Building and the Treasury  to name a few.

Perhaps most notably, though, Baranes and his firm were the architects who renovated the Pentagon after it was damaged on September 11, 2001, when a plane crashed into the side of the building.

He referred to that project as his proudest moment, in a 2017 op-ed for the Washington Post in which he lightly criticized the presidents immigration policies during his first term.

My hope is that the Trump administration will take actions to ensure that the travel ban is indeed temporary, so that good, hard-working individuals fleeing tyranny can find a new home as I did  and that each of them will be given the same opportunity to help build this great nation that I had, Baranes wrote in the 2017 piece.

The architect appears to be putting any personal feelings about the Trump administration policies aside to take on the new ballroom, which Trump demanded because the White House does not have a large enough entertaining space for state dinners and other events.
The foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned reckless attacks by Iran that threaten British interests and allies after missiles were fired at the joint US-UK Diego Garcia military base.

The government said RAF jets and other UK military assets were continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region hours after ministers gave Donald Trump the green light to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

But Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday that it would not include RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, saying Cyprus security was of the utmost importance to the UK after an international row over its use and a call by President Nikos Christodoulides for discussions of the bases future.

Ms Cooper denied the UK had been dragged into the war, saying we will not be drawn into a wider conflict after Downing Street earlier said any such action to protect the waterway, which is crucial to the worlds oil supply, would still amount to collective self-defence.

Hitting out at reckless Iranian threats, Ms Cooper said: "Our approach to this conflict has been the same throughout."We were not and continue not to be involved in offensive action, and we've taken a different view from the US and Israel on this.

Iran reacted angrily to the UKs move to allow the use of its bases, with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posting on X, formerly Twitter, that Sir Keir was putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.

It is understood that Irans unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia, on the Chagos Islands, came before Fridays announcement on bases. But Iran had previously warned the UK that it risked being in the firing line because of its support for Mr Trumps war.

On Saturday night, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the attack was the first time Iran had used intermediate-range ballistic missiles that, it said, could reach 4,000km. We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin, it said on social media.

Donald Trump has been critical of Keir Starmer for his stance on the war (PA)

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former director of operations for the UK armed forces, warned that Irans attacks on the UKs interests and allies meant we may not have wanted to get involved but, now we are involved.

Sir Richard told the BBCs Today programme: Iran and the UK have been at odds for a very long time  [They] regard the UK as an enemy, so if you are seen to participate in some fashion with this US-Israeli offensive action, then they are clearly going to respond. We should not be surprised by that.

He also warned that the latest attack suggested Iran was able to hit targets much farther away than the international community realised. Previously, we thought Iran's missiles had a range of 2,000km, and Diego is 3,800km from Iran, he said.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the UK was being dragged into the Iran conflict whether we like it or not as she called on the PM to immediately come clean about the details of this latest attack on British troops and explain why the public werent informed sooner.

She also criticised Sir Keir for not backing the US to carry out further strikes earlier, saying: He's basically sat on the fence, hoped it would go away, and then when the news looks like it's negative, he pretends that he actually made a decision. We didn't start this war. But if there is any war between the US and Iran, we should never be on the side of Iran. It's a hostile country that tries to carry out terror plots on UK soil.

"The sad thing is, whether we like it or not, we're being dragged into it and what we need is a prime minister who can think ahead, she told Times Radio.

Asked if she would have backed British planes taking part if she were prime minister, Ms Badenoch said: "I wouldn't have joined in the initial strikes, no, but I would have expressed solidarity with the US, like the Canadians and the Australians did."

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper insisted the UK wasnt getting pulled into the wider Iran conflict (PA)

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson condemned the latest escalation in the conflict, saying: Irans reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region. This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.

Tehran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported. One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, according to the newspaper, which cited multiple officials.

The escalation of the Iran war has also sparked a row at home, with former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, as well as the Greens and the Lib Dems, calling for a vote in parliament against the use of UK bases.

The Chagos Islands, site of the Diego Garcia military base (Alamy/PA)

Meanwhile, the United Nations nuclear watchdog has called for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident following reports that Irans Natanz nuclear site was targeted in strikes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement on X that it had been informed by Tehran that the site was attacked today.

Iran's official news agency, Mizan, said there was no leakage after the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, nearly 217km southeast of Tehran. Israels military said it was unaware of a strike on the facility.

On Saturday, Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, warned of an upcoming surge in attacks on Iran. In a video statement, Mr Katz said "the intensity of the attacks" by Israel and the US would "increase significantly". He spoke shortly after fragments from an Iranian missile slammed into an empty primary school near Tel Aviv.

It comes after President Trump on Friday said he was considering winding down the war with Iran, as he told countries that use the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane that they must guard and police it themselves.

Despite the presidents comments, the White House confirmed the administration was considering putting troops into Irans Kharg Island, which holds around 94 per cent of the countrys crude oil for export and is its main oil export terminal.

In response to questions about boots on the ground, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said: Its the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander in chief maximum optionality.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries said on Saturday that they stood ready to take necessary measures to support global energy supplies.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran during the war. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles and four have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 US military members have been killed, along with civilians in Gulf nations.
An Iranian ballistic missile evaded Israeli air defences and hit the town of Dimona, close to the countrys main nuclear facility, early on Saturday night.

Video footage showed the missile causing a huge explosion and fire as it hit the town in the northern part of the Negev desert.

Israeli media reported that a 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded, and more than 40 others hurt. Seventy-five people were later injured in a second Iranian strike in the town of Arad, about 28 miles northeast.

The strikes followed a Friday night raid on Irans nuclear facility at the Natanz uranium enrichment site by US forces.

Iran said it targeted Dimona as a response to the earlier American strike.

Dimona is situated 13km from the Negev Nuclear Research Center, where Israel first developed nuclear weapons in the late 1960s. Not much is known about the facility because its work is secret, but it includes a nuclear reactor, processing facilities and research labs.

Many who live in Dimona work at the nuclear site as scientists, technicians and engineers.

Israeli media reported that a 12-year-old boy was seriously wounded, and more than 40 others hurt in the strike on the town in the Negev desert - Jorge Novominsky/AFP

The site is thought to have been repeatedly targeted by Iran in the current conflict and has been attacked previously.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday it was aware of reports that a projectile had struck the town but had received no indication of damage to the nuclear research centre.

The agency said regional authorities reported no abnormal radiation levels following the attack.

In January 2012, media reports said the reactor had been temporarily shut down, citing the sites vulnerability to attack from Iran.

In October and November 2012 and July 2014, Hamas fired rockets towards the Negev Nuclear Research Center but the site was not damaged. Then, in April 2021, a Syrian surface-to-air missile landed in the vicinity of the plant.

The strike on Dimona has raised urgent questions over Israeli air defences because the area is supposed to benefit from the tightest levels of security.

The Iranian missile did not hit its intended target but it was not shot down by the Iron Dome defence system either, instead exploding on the ground.

The Iranian missile did not hit its intended target but it was not shot down by the Iron Dome defence system either - Jorge Novominsky/AFP

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was investigating why its air defence systems had failed to intercept the missile in both the Dimona and Arad strikes.

The military confirmed that interceptors were launched and engaged incoming missiles, but they did not succeed in destroying it.

The incident will be thoroughly investigated, the IDF stated.

Medicines and protocols designed to mitigate the impact of a nuclear incident were distributed across the Middle East ahead of the US-Israeli attack on Iran, according to a director of the World Health Organization.

In an interview with The Telegraph earlier this month, Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that long held concerns about the risk of some kind of nuclear or chemical war in the region meant that preparations had been underway for some time.

They included the distribution of potassium iodide, which protects the thyroid gland during nuclear or radiological emergencies, and specialist training for medics.

US strikes Irans Natanz nuclear site

The earlier US strike on Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment complex used bunker-buster bombs to attack an underground facility.

Irans atomic agency said the raid targeted the Natanz enrichment complex, a fortified uranium enrichment site buried up to 100 metres deep.

Donald Trump, the US president, has repeatedly insisted one of the key US objectives of the war was to destroy Irans capability to make nuclear weapons.

Bunker-buster bombs are designed to penetrate fortified positions or hit targets buried deep underground. Israeli media reported they were used in the US strike.

The Iranian atomic agency said no radioactive material leaked and there was no danger to nearby residents, and claimed the strike violated international law. Russia condemned the attack, saying the reported strikes risked causing a catastrophe for the Middle East.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed by Iran about the attack and called for military restraint to avoid nuclear accidents.

Israels military said it was unaware of the raid. The Pentagon has so far not commented.

Natanz is integral to Tehrans nuclear programme, and was extensively bombed during the 12-day war in June last year. It was also hit earlier this month, with satellite images showing damage to entrance buildings.

The US dropped several of its GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator munitions  the worlds most powerful bunker-buster  on Natanz and other sites during last years strikes.

The bomb, designed to be dropped from B-2 stealth bombers, can hit targets up to 80 metres deep, which some experts believe is not enough to destroy the deepest parts of the Natanz complex.

On Friday, Mr Trump said the US was very close to meeting its war aims, one of which was never allowing Iran to get even close to nuclear capability, and always being in a position where the USA can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation.

The statement came as US media reported that the Trump administration was examining the possibility of using commandos to seize Irans nuclear materials.

CBS News said officials were looking at options for securing or extracting the material, and that this may include deploying troops from Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

JSOC is a secretive US command that plans and oversees missions of special forces units from various branches of the US military. No decision on a potential deployment had yet been made, a source was reported to have said.

Last week, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said retrieving stockpiles of enriched uranium from Iran during the current military option was an option on the table.

Such a raid would be risky and would require potentially the largest special forces operation in history, according to James Stavridis, a retired US admiral and former Nato commander.

Mr Trump is also considering sending thousands of conventional ground troops into Iran to achieve other war aims such as opening the Strait of Hormuz.

NBC News reported that discussions had included seizing Iranian ports and parts of its shoreline in order to free up passage for commercial shipping through the key waterway.

The administration has also looked at capturing Kharg Island, a small coral outcrop around 17 miles from the Iranian coast that acts as a hub for 90 per cent of Tehrans oil exports.

The US carried out strikes on Kharg on March 13, but controlling the island is viewed as a better option than destroying it because of its importance to Irans economy. An operation to seize it would be dangerous, as Iran has the ability to bombard it with missiles and drones.

On Friday, Mr Trump said the US was very close to meeting its war aims - Mandel Ngan/AFP

On Friday, the US announced it was doubling the number of marines it was sending to the Middle East. It confirmed that 2,500 marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were bound for the region, alongside three amphibious assault ships.

They will join the three warships and another Marine Expeditionary Unit of roughly 2,500 troops that the Trump administration ordered to the region last week.

A Marine Expeditionary Unit is a self-sustaining force composed of landing troops, logistics, light armour, artillery, jets and helicopters that operates out of ships like a base.

Use of US ground troops, particularly if the US was to take casualties, would pose a political risk for Mr Trump given low support among the American public for the war.
Brits could be in for colder temperatures next week, with some snow in lower areas possible (Aaron Chown/PA)

Forecasters are warning Brits could be in for a cold plunge soon after hotter temperatures and bright sunshine welcomed in spring across much of the UK.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said snow is possible in Scotland and there are particularly cold nights ahead.

In London, the warm spring sunshine is set to give way to a sharp drop in temperatures, with highs falling from the mid-to-high teens to around 1013C in the coming days.

Forecasters suggest the capital will feel the change most noticeably by midweek, when daytime temperatures are expected to slip into single digits, with colder nights bringing a risk of frost.

While the warm spell brought clear skies and sunshine, conditions in London are expected to turn more unsettled, with cloud, breezier conditions and the chance of showers moving in.

Despite the colder turn, any wintry weather is likely to remain further north, with London instead facing a colder, greyer and more typical early spring outlook.

He said: If we look at the temperature profile for the next few days, then we really notice that difference by the time we get to Wednesday.

Temperatures by Wednesday (will be) single digits for many, and thats the max, so its going to get cold at night. Probably the peak of that cold will be on Wednesday night, thats when the cold plunge really comes in.

Warmer temperatures were seen in most of the UK this week (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Wintry conditions are forecast over higher ground as the weather begins to change from Sunday, the Met Office said.

From Sunday, a weakening band of cloud and patchy rain will travel south east across the country. There will then be sunny spells, but some scattered showers in the north.

Rain is expected to spread into northern and western areas early next week, with some snow over the Scottish mountains.

There are also stronger winds expected in the north, even reaching coastal gales at times.

Further snow could be seen at lower levels late on Wednesday as the UK will be in a cooler and more unstable northtonorth-westerly flow. This could bring frequent showers, with some heavy and wintry over higher ground.

Temperatures could be close to or a little below average.

The period towards the end of next week may bring a reduction of shower and slowing winds, but temperatures will still be on the cooler side.

The potentially cooler weather comes after the warmest day of the year on Wednesday, with 20.9C recorded in Gogerddan near Aberystwyth, Wales.

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Steve Willington, said this shift to colder temperatures after a period of warmer weather is not unusual.

While the early part of the period brings warm sunshine for many, its not unusual to see colder spells and even some wintry showers in March, he said. As we head into next week, a shift to a cooler northwesterly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather, including some hill snow in the north and brisk winds at times.
The White House has shut down reports that comedian Bill Maher  a long-time critic of President Donald Trump  was slated to receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize.

On Friday, The Atlantic reported that Maher, the host of HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher, was to be awarded the 2026 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The individuals quoted did so on the condition of anonymity, as no formal announcement had been issued and the matter could still be reversed.

The honor is awarded annually by the Kennedy Center, an institution that Trump overhauled early in his term, and attempted to rebranded with his own name and now chairs. Past recipients include Steve Martin, Eddy Murphy, Tina Fey and Conan OBrien.

Soon after the story ran, Trump administration officials reached out to the Kennedy Center to clarify that Maher, 70, would not take home the prize, according to The Atlantic, and a staffer confirmed that the decision had been made but later walked back.

The White House has shut down reports that comedian Bill Maher was set to receive the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center (Getty)

This is fake news, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the outlet. Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.

The same statement was provided to CNN, while White House Communications Director Steven Cheung chimed in on X, writing: Literally FAKE NEWS.

Maher, a self-described "old-school liberal," has relentlessly skewered Trump on his late-night show for more than a decade.

In 2013, he joked that the real estate tycoon was the love child of an orangutan and a human woman  prompting Trump to sue him for $5 million. More recently, hes labeled Trump fat Donnie and a whiny little b**** and lambasted the president over his immigration crackdown, the Jeffrey Epstein controversy and the Iran war.

For his part, the 79-year-old Republican president has called the comedian boring, a jerk and a highly overrated lightweight.

Maher has proved a persistent critic of Trump, calling him out over the Iran war, the immigration crackdown and the Epstein controversy (HBO)

But, in April last year, a detente seemed possible, when Maher joined Trump for dinner at the White House along with their mutual friend Kid Rock. The late-night host described Trump as gracious and measured and a far cry from the crazy man he sees on television.

Still though, he carried on attacking the president on his show, which airs on Friday nights.

On Valentines Day, Trump expressed regret for hosting Maher in his home, writing on Truth Social: Sometimes in life you waste time!

We had a great dinner, it was quick, easy, and he seemed to be a nice guyBut then I noticed his show started to devolve into the same old story  Very boring, ANTI TRUMP, the president added.

In response, Maher told his studio audience: I never stopped criticizing him. I never said I would. I know how women feel now: A guy buys you dinner and expects you to put out. I'm not that guy.

As of Friday evening, Maher has not publicly responded to the news that he will not receive the Mark Twain Prize this year.
Iran has fired missiles at a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean as it warned British lives were in danger after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes.

Tehran directed two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands but neither hit. One of the missiles wasreportedly shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight.

It is undertood that the attack took place before Downing Street said on Friday that UK bases will now be used for US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships.

On Saturday, the minitry of Defence condemned the attack as reckless.

Diego Garcia is around 2,360 miles away from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers, with around 2,500 American troops based on the island.

Two missiles were reportedly launched at the base by Iran (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

The UK has agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base, in a move that has strained relations with Washington in recent months.

Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US, and has been used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East for years, with Donald Trump describing the deal as a big mistake.

Why is there a UK-US base on Diego Garcia?

At the conclusion of the Second World War, concerns began to grow within the US administration that their access to overseas bases was diminishing, as more countries became independent from colonisation.

With naval planners concerned over the prospects of Russia and China getting a stronger foothold in the Indian Ocean, it was suggested that the Diego Garcia base would allow the US to project power in the region.

Given that the UK had established a base there during the war and it remained under their administrative status, it was decided in 1961 that the British government would detach the Chagos Archipelago from colonial Mauritius for future military use.

After secret negotations, the US agreed to make payments to the British of up to $14m for its use.

US President Donald Trump has criticised Sir Keir Starmers Chagos Islands deal (Leon Neal/PA) (PA Wire)

A report from Chatham House noted: Since then, the military base in Diego Garcia has served as an anchor for American operations.

The island hosts an extensive airfield with runways long enough to accommodate large military aircraft like B-52 bombers, KC-135 tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and transport planes. It also has major fuel storage facilities, radar installations, and control towers that can support regional military operations.

During the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War, it was a critical launchpad for US air operations.

How will UK plans to hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius impact the base?

The government has argued the deal is necessary to guarantee the future of the Diego Garcia base after an advisory International Court of Justice ruling in 2019 backed Mauritian claims to sovereignty over the islands.

Under the plan, the UK will pay 34.7 billion in nominal terms over 99 years to secure use of the base.

However, legislation enabling the handover has not progressed through Parliament since January 20, even though it is in its final stages.

The agreement has faced significant criticism in both Westminster and the White House, with parties such as Reform UK and the Conservatives heavily criticising the decision.

What has Trump said about it?

The 35 billion deal that includes a plan to lease back strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia  the largest island within the remote Indian Ocean archipelago  has led to barbed exchanges at Westminster and abrupt changes of heart by the American leader.

The UK has now allowed the US to use Diego Garcia for their attacks against the Iranian regime (AFP via Getty Images)

While the US administration initially hailed the deal as a monumental achievement, Mr Trump subsequently lambasted it as an act of great stupidity and total weakness, amid transatlantic tensions over his ambitions to annex Greenland.

In a further reversal, the US president then signalled his support for the agreement, saying it was the best Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could make.

But he again recently withdrew his support for the accord branding it a big mistake, reportedly because Britain had refused the use of its military bases for a US strike on Iran.

The UK has stated it will not proceed with the deal unless it has the support of the US.

Speaking outside the White House on Friday, Mr Trump said: Its been a very late response from the UK.

Im surprised because the relationship is so good, but this has never happened before.

They were really, pretty much our first ally, all over the world.

Referring to Diego Garcia, he said: They didnt want us to use the island, the so called island, which for some reason they gave up rights to it.

I was a little surprised in the UK, to be honest. They should have acted a lot faster.

Why has Iran targeted the military base?

Although the attack came before the UK allowed its bases to be used by the US, it could be seen as a threat against the UK over such collaboration - while the range a sign of the potential of Iranian missiles.

Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.

Posting on X, he said: Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.

Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.

Could Iranian missiles actually hit the UK base?

As the UK is drawn further into the conflict, some in Britain are naturally concerned about the potential for the fallout to reach the mainland.

This is very unlikely, experts say, as Irans offensive capabilities are not assessed as long-reaching enough to make the 3,000 mile journey.

Vuk Vuksanovic, associate at foreign policy think tank LSE IDEAS, said: There is no evidence that Iran has the capacity to attack the US or UK mainland.

The treaty between the UK and Mauritius sets out payments across 99 years (Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone/Alamy/PA) (Alamy/PA)

Iran, with its missile and drone capability, does have the capacity to strike US and UK military outposts in the wider Middle East, including the Gulf and the Levant.

This includes the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus which has already been targeted by drones and the Diego Garcia base.

However, analysists had estimated that Irans longest-reaching weapon is the Khorramshahr 4 missile, which can potentially hit targets from 1,200 to 1,900 miles away.

Given that ballistic missiles have succeeded in being launched to the Chagos Islands, it is now feared that Iran is more capable than previously thought.

Sky News military analyst Sean Bell said: All of a sudden the UK is not far away either so thats the huge significance. At least Diego Garcia is well protected, London is not. The UK has no effective ballistic missile defence system in place and therefore, this is a very worrying development for the UK.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 26-year-old Bulawayo man, Delight Ncube, has been convicted after fabricating an armed robbery in a desperate attempt to cover up his failure to raise US$6,000 for lobola.Ncube appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Themba Chimiso facing a charge of deliberately supplying false information to the police. He pleaded guilty to the offence.The court heard that Ncube had promised his girlfriend and her family that he would pay US$6,000 as bride price. However, despite allowing preparations for the ceremony to proceed, he did not have the money.On the day he was expected to deliver the payment, Ncube failed to show up. Instead, around midday, he contacted the family with a dramatic account, claiming he had been robbed at gunpoint while travelling with his uncles to pay the lobola. He alleged that both the cash and a Mazda vehicle had been stolen.Ncube went on to file a formal report at Khumalo Police Station, triggering an investigation.However, detectives from the Vehicle Theft Squad became suspicious after identifying inconsistencies in his account. Following further questioning, Ncube admitted that he had staged the robbery in a bid to avoid disappointing his girlfriend and her family.In mitigation, Ncube apologised to the court, saying financial pressure had driven him to fabricate the story."I really apologise for what I did. I was pressured by my girlfriend, who wanted me to pay the bride price. She told me that her parents wanted US$6,000," he said."Seeing that I could not raise it since I earn US$250, I had to come up with a plan of a fake robbery because I did not want to lose my lover, as I love her very much."Prosecutor Samuel Mpofu told the court that Ncube's actions had wasted police time and State resources, as officers launched unnecessary investigations based on false information.Magistrate Chimiso convicted Ncube and imposed a fine of US$100, payable by March 31. Failure to pay will result in a four-month custodial sentence.Police reiterated the importance of reporting truthful information, noting that false reports divert critical resources from genuine cases.
World Of Fortunes relished the step back up to three miles when running out a ready winner of the BetWright Beeswing Mares Hurdle at Kelso.

The Irish raider, trained by James Kenny in County Wexford, is a regular visitor to the UK having won at Doncaster last March and returning to Town Moor when fourth in December.

She was beaten less than a length in a Grade Three at Punchestown last time out and was left in front when Jamie Snowdens favourite Hollygrove Cha Cha cried enough early in the straight.

The 11-4 chance came five-and-a-half lengths clear of Sunset Marquesa under Jordan Gainford.

In fairness to James he always has her spot on, fair play to him, he always picks these nice races with small runner fields, which is key to her, said Gainford on Racing TV.

I was happy throughout. My main aim was to make sure she got home over three miles but I was left in front at the second last which was soon enough but when Brendan (Powell on Sunset Marquesa) got upsides me she stuck her head down.

Shes a good mare, shes solid, she was unlucky the last day at Punchestown when she didnt get much of a run but thats behind us now.

Shes been chasing but she didnt take to it at Tramore. Maybe down the line she could have another go but shes worth a few quid now so maybe hurdling is her game.

She needs three miles and needs a bit of juice in the ground so Im sure James will have a plan.
A judge said it would be a misuse of the Road Traffic Act 1984 if road layout changes were carried out to raise money - Richard Baker/In Pictures

A council that used illegal low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) as a fat cash cow is to refund motorists millions of pounds in fines.

Croydon council was ordered to scrap six LTNs after a High Court judge ruled that its primary motivation was to generate cash rather than reap relatively modest environmental benefits.

It has now agreed not to appeal against the judgment and will scrap the schemes, which close roads to out-of-borough drivers.

The south London authority, which has been repeatedly declared effectively bankrupt, will pay back fines issued over two years from March 2024.

The total money owed is expected to run into millions of pounds. Council documents showed that town hall bosses expected to make a 10.7m surplus from fines if the six LTN schemes had operated from 2023 to 2027.

However, a Freedom of Information request revealed that CCTV enforcement of the LTNs had raised 1.4m for the council in just one month.

Jason Perry, the boroughs Conservative mayor, said the important thing was to set up an easy process for motorists to claim back their money. The council will write to people it has fined to explain ways they can claim back up to 160 per penalty charge notice.

In 2020, Croydon council began a trial of the LTNs, which were made permanent four years later.

Residents brought a judicial review, claiming the council only wanted the scheme to raise money to plug a financial black hole.

In his 33-page ruling, Mr Justice Pepperall concluded he was satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, the dominant purpose of the schemes was the need to safeguard the revenue raised by enforcement.

The judges ruling cited a key 2024 article in The Telegraph in which the mayor admitted that he could not honour an election pledge to scrap the LTNs because 20m of future income would have to be replaced.

Mr Justice Pepperall noted how the mayor showed an apparent lack of public enthusiasm for the road safety or health case for these schemes and his hands [were] being tied by budgetary considerations.

He stated that it would be a misuse of the Road Traffic Act 1984 if changes to any road layout were carried out to raise money.

The six affected LTN streets are Albert Road, Dalmally Road, Elmers Road, Holmesdale Road, Parsons Mead and Sutherland Road.

A spokesman for Open Our Roads, the grassroots campaign that brought the case, said: We were pleased the mayor was swift in making the decision not to appeal, rightly in our view, as this allowed closure and certainty for the community.

We understand the council has brought in a fair refund system for those reclaiming fines paid and we clearly support that.
The base houses Britains nuclear weapons - Wattie Cheung

An Iranian man and a Romanian woman have been charged after two people tried to enter a nuclear missile base in Scotland.

A 34-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were charged following the incident at HM Naval Base Clyde, which is known as Faslane.

A Police Scotland statement said: Around 5pm on Thursday March 19, 2026 we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.

A 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. They are due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, March 23. Inquiries are ongoing.

Scottish police do not say what suspects have been charged with before their appearance in court.

Faslane is home to the core of the UKs submarine fleet and the Trident nuclear deterrent. One of the bases Vanguard-class submarines is always deployed at any one time as part of the deterrent.

The Royal Navy has previously alleged that two people unsuccessfully tried to enter the base.

Iranian minister hits out at UK

The alleged incident came shortly before Iran said it had the right to respond to what its foreign minister called Britains aggression.

On Friday evening, Abbas Araghchi accused Sir Keir Starmer of putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran, saying that Tehran will exercise its right to self-defence.

US officials later revealed that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles Britains Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands.

Neither of the two missiles hit their targets, with one believed to have been intercepted by a US warship and the other having failed in flight on Friday morning.

Last week, two Iranian men were charged with spying for Tehran over the alleged surveillance of Jewish people in London.

Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a British-Iranian, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian, were accused of engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act.

They are accused of spying on the Israeli embassy and Britains oldest synagogue between July 9 and Aug 15 last year.

MI5 and police have also accused Iran of carrying out more than 20 assassination and kidnapping plots against dissidents in Britain in a single year.
Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, who was banned from practising medicine after making a series of anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism comments, is among those to have raised funds through the charity - Jake Lindley for The Telegraph

A social justice fund-raising website that claims to want to make the world better is hosting fundraisers for alleged terrorist supporters and anti-Semites.

Chuffed.org is hosting fundraisers for a string of controversial causes and people accused of criminal offences, including supporting Hamas.

The website promotes itself as a social justice campaigning page that connects like-minded people who want to be part of taking action to make the world better.

But analysis by The Telegraph has shown that hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised for questionable causes.

Rahmeh Aladwan, a suspended NHS doctor who is under police investigation for alleged support of Hamas, has raised more than 44,000.

The trauma and orthopaedics doctor this week posted on X that Israel has no right to exist.

Thomas Bourne, who pursued Matt Lucas on the London Underground shouting Free Palestine, is raising money on Chuffed.org

She had been raising money, she said, to take action against this targeted harassment from the lobby, the police, and the state, and to get myself back on my feet.

She added: This fundraiser is to tackle the wider personal and legal crisis.

Thomas Bourne, a pro-Palestine activist who harassed comedian Matt Lucas on the Tube, has raised more than 2,000.

He followed Lucas, who is Jewish, as he tried to leave the London Underground and filmed himself shouting Free Free Palestine at him.

The Muslim convert lost his job as a result of the incident, which he posted on social media.

He wrote on the Chuffed website: After a brief encounter with Matt Lucas was taken out of context, I lost my job, was doxxed, and falsely labelled an anti-Semite. Im raising funds to defend my name and rebuild my life.

Tony Greenstein, a founding member of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which hosts regular demonstrations in London that have been described as hate marches, has raised more than 27,000.

Tony Greenstein is a founding member of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

He said he had faced a trial for posting a tweet.. supporting the right of Palestinians to resist the Occupation.

Others who have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation, have also raised money. Youth Demand, a group linked to environmental protesters Just Stop Oil, is also raising funds.

Blackbird Ventures, an Australian social benefit company, backs Chuffed.

Prashan Paramanathan, its founder and chief executive, boasted on LinkedIn that it had nearly grown 4x in the last year.

He added: But more importantly, weve been able to sink ourselves deep into the Palestinian and climate activist communities that we support.

Campaigns deeply discomfiting

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: Some of the campaigns on this website are deeply discomfiting. There are reasons that some of these people are attracting police attention, and they are the same reasons that ought to make a crowdfunding platform think twice about associating with them.

Dr Aladwan has not been smeared in every paper  she doesnt need newspapers to trash her reputation when she has done a perfectly good job of that herself. The fact that people have donated such significant sums to her defence is dispiriting.

Chuffed also hosts fundraisers for starving children in Sudan and for animals affected by wildfires.

Blackbird and Chuffed have been approached for comment.
Tony Martin was jailed for the murder of 16-year-old Fred Barras and for injuring 29-year-old Brendon Fearon during an attempted burglary in 1999 - PA Images/Alamy

The Norfolk farm where Tony Martin shot dead a teenage burglar in 1999 could be redeveloped into 10 new homes.

Jacqui and David Wadsley, who befriended Martin after he was released from prison in 2003, have submitted the redevelopment proposal for Bleak House Farm, on the edge of Emneth Hungate.

The couple ran Martins local pub and Mrs Wadsley was the sole beneficiary of Martins 2.5m fortune after he died last year, aged 80.

In a planning statement lodged with West Norfolk council, the couple said they hoped to convert the modest steel-framed structures under permitted development rules, which allow redundant farm buildings to be made into homes without needing full planning permission.

The farmhouse, where Martin shot two teenagers  including one fatally  in a home invasion in 1999, is not part of the redevelopment plans, although it is only 100 metres from the proposed new development.

A blueprint of the proposed redevelopment plans - Swann Edwards

A drawing of one of the proposed barn conversions at Bleak House Farm - Swann Edwards

After a high-profile trial, Martin was jailed for the murder of 16-year-old Fred Barras and for injuring 29-year-old Brendon Fearon during the attempted burglary.

Martin lived alone at the rundown farmhouse near Wisbech, on the border of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, when Barras and Fearon entered his home on Aug 20, 1999.

The farmer came down from an upstairs bedroom and opened fire with a pump-action shotgun. Barras was shot dead while Fearon was treated in hospital for his injuries.

At his trial, Martin claimed he was acting in self-defence while prosecutors argued he had anticipated the pair and lay in wait for them.

Martin was convicted of murder and jailed for life in April 2000, with a 10-year concurrent sentence for a wounding offence and a further 12 months for possession of an illegal firearm.

The farmhouse at the Bleak House estate where Martin shot to death 16-year-old Fred Barras - PA Images/Alamy

Martin lived alone at the rundown farmhouse near Wisbech, when Barras and Fearon entered his home in August 1999 - Eddie Mulholland

The case created a national debate about homeowners rights.

Martin was released from prison in 2003 after his charges were downgraded to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility following a diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder.

In 2013, Martins case and similar others led to a new law, the Crime & Courts Act, which gave people a householders defence if they used reasonable force against an intruder that was not grossly disproportionate.

Twenty years after the shootings, Martin told the BBC in 2019 that homeowners should be able to defend themselves.

He said: Ive always said when people get into exceptional circumstances which are beyond the norm, the law should leave you alone. You should be protected in law against these things.

Martins farm at Emneth Hungate in Norfolk - Andrew Parsons

After his release, Martin struck up a friendship with Mrs Wadsley after he began drinking in the Hare and Hounds, a pub which she ran in Wisbech. She found him accommodation and ran errands for Martin, who never stayed again in Bleak House following the incident.

Following Martins death last year, his will revealed he left his estate to Mrs Waldsley.

The will, signed at a solicitors office in Wisbech in 2013, bestowed the farm buildings and 350 acres of land where Martin grew crops and his now overgrown orchard, along with an undisclosed property in Australia.

Mr Waldsley said his wife developed a like father and daughter relationship with Martin, but that she had been very surprised that he had chosen to leave his fortune to her.

A design statement by the Waldsleys agent said the site comprised a group of detached barns, located within a rural farmstead setting, which were modest in appearance.
Sudeep and Sumiti Mehta followed all the instructions for the waterproof flooring they purchased, but did not get it replaced until local news got involved.

California couple Sudeep and Sumiti Mehta had laminate flooring installed throughout their home for $18,000. The flooring was sold by a major retailer and advertised as waterproof, but the first time the Mehtas cleaned it, several areas of the floor swelled and blistered.

The retailers website said the flooring could be washed with water and a specific type of cleaner, which the Mehtas say they used. You just mop it, Sudeep told CBS News Sacramentos program Call Kurtis. Its not rocket science.

Must Read

The two received conflicting explanations for the damage from the retailer, which at first refused to replace the flooring.

Its disappointing when purchases dont live up to how theyre advertised  doubly so when theyre for a costly home improvement project. As Sumiti said, it felt like the company had no compassion at all (1).

Heres what you need to know to minimize your chances of home-improvement heartbreak.

Protecting your investment

Before you start a major home improvement project, make sure you fully understand what youre buying. Sometimes theres a gap between marketing language and real-world use, which could leave consumers financially exposed.

Thats why its important to read the fine print, understand warranty limitations and follow approved maintenance methods. Misunderstandings can void warranties, trigger costly repairs or lead to denied insurance claims.

For example, while it wasnt a factor for the Mehtas, theres a difference between waterproof and water-resistant flooring. Waterproof flooring is designed to stay dry internally even if its exposed to water for a long period of time, while water-resistant flooring can only handle short exposures, such as spills, that should be cleaned up immediately (2).

When making a major purchase, read online reviews, ask for references and check the companys Better Business Bureau rating. Investigate both the product and the retailer.

Once youve purchased a product, be sure to follow installation and care instructions carefully. While its not clear it was a factor for the Mehtas, they didnt use a licensed contractor during installation, which in some cases could void the warranty.

Familiarize yourself with the warranty and what it covers, keep all receipts and documents, record the serial number and date and place of purchase, and register the product if instructed to do so. You might even want to take a few photos of the product and its proper installation for your files.

Still, that doesnt guarantee you wont have issues. The Mehtas told Call Kurtis they had used the cleaner recommended on the companys website. A certified inspectors report observed manufacturing-related issues with the flooring, but the retailers own inspector cited improper maintenance methods.

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In the end, the retailer replaced the flooring, but only after Call Kurtis got involved (1).

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

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What to do if something goes wrong

If you have issues with a product or feel youve been the victim of false advertising, you can find resources on how to file complaints (as well as links to product recall information) at www.usa.gov/complaints (3). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also provides a step-by-step guide on steps to take and what to consider.

Start by trying to resolve the issue with the retailer (although some products or retailers ask you to deal directly with the manufacturer or authorized repair shop). Understand their return policies and deadlines, and have documentation such as receipts and warranties at the ready.

The FTC suggests explaining the problem to the seller and telling how youd like them to rectify it  such as a refund, repair, exchange or store credit. You may need to escalate your complaint to a manager or supervisor. Keep notes about the steps youve taken and who youve talked to (4).

If this doesnt work, write a letter or email of complaint. The FTC provides a sample of one on its website (5). You might also get their attention by posting on a review forum or social media. If your review is honest, the company is prevented by law from threatening or penalizing you (6).

If you cant resolve the situation directly with the seller or manufacturer, you can contact your state consumer protection office (7), the Better Business Bureau or consumer organizations such as Call for Action and Consumer Action. If the product was purchased online from a seller outside the U.S., you can find next steps at Econsumer.gov (8).

As a last resort, you may need to take legal action. For less expensive items, you may be able to take the company to small claims court rather than taking more costly legal measures. But you might also want to try mediation or arbitration rather than court.

What To Read Next

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

Article Sources

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

CBS News Sacramento (1); West Valley flooring (2); USA.gov 3, 7); FTC (4; 5, 6); Econsumer (8)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean Government is moving to ramp up ethanol production to sustain an E20 fuel blending ratio throughout the year, a strategy expected to significantly reduce the national fuel import bill and lower pump prices by up to 18 cents per litre.Currently, the country operates at an E5 blending ratio, largely due to seasonal limitations in sugarcane crushing capacity, which constrains ethanol output.Fuel prices surged earlier this week amid tightening global supplies linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, adding urgency to efforts to strengthen domestic energy resilience.Speaking during a tour of GreenFuel Pvt Ltd in Chisumbanje on Thursday, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga reaffirmed Government's commitment to scaling up ethanol production as a buffer against external shocks."These are the discussions that we had this morning. Since their establishment during the First Republic, they have developed so much. They have modified and improved their mills, and that means they are now going to crush more sugarcane," he said.Chiwenga noted that GreenFuel's current 40 million-litre storage capacity, coupled with planned expansion projects, positions the company to significantly increase ethanol output.He added that Government is working closely with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, led by July Moyo, to facilitate expansion and improve ease of doing business for investors in the sector."We have asked them to coordinate with other producers, such as Tongaat Hulett, to increase ethanol production. This is Zimbabwe's direction  we want to sustain ourselves amidst current challenges," Chiwenga said.The Vice President also revealed plans to expand sugarcane production beyond traditional growing areas to secure adequate raw materials for ethanol manufacturing."We will explore ways to increase sugarcane production in areas like Zambezi, Runde, and others with potential," he added.In a separate interview, GreenFuel general manager Conrad Rautenbach said the company is targeting an expansion of its ethanol storage capacity to 120 million litres annually.He noted that achieving an E20 blending ratio could deliver tangible cost savings for consumers."If there was an E20 blending ratio now, there would be a saving of 18 cents, and that will be quite significant," Rautenbach said.He added that the company has been investing in expanding sugarcane production, upgrading factory capacity, and increasing storage infrastructure to meet future demand.The push towards higher ethanol blending is part of broader efforts by Government to reduce reliance on imported fuel, stabilise prices, and enhance energy security in the face of volatile global markets.
by Shafique Khokhar

The temporary suspension of hostilities until 23 March was agreed by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who are pushing for negotiations on the conflict that began on 26 February. The heavy toll of the bombings on the Afghan capital. The Taliban speak of violations. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, statements by the US intelligence chief regarding potential threats from Pakistani missiles are causing controversy.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a relative calm, fraught with uncertainty about the future, is accompanying the truce that has come into effect in the last few hours to mark Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the month of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar.

According to Pakistans Information Minister Ataullah Tarrar, operations have been suspended at the request of Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The pause  which began at midnight on Wednesday and remains in force until 23 March  was announced two days after the deadly Pakistani air strikes on Kabul, in which 408 people died, according to Afghan authorities.

Pakistan is offering this pause as a gesture of goodwill and in accordance with Islamic norms, said Tarrar, warning that in the event of any cross-border attack, operations would resume immediately. Meanwhile, the Afghan government announced that the Taliban are also adhering to the temporary suspension of operations to mark Eid al-Fitr. However, it also accused Islamabad of violations, citing 72 missile strikes that allegedly took place in Kunar district without causing any casualties.

The Pakistani armys Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of 26 February, citing a series of cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban as justification. According to figures provided by Islamabad, over 700 militants were reportedly killed and more than 900 wounded, in addition to 255 positions destroyed and 44 captured.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated due to tensions along the border, which have resulted in casualties and material damage. Pakistans Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif wrote on social media platform X that he recognises the constructive role Turkey is playing in supporting efforts towards a peace agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, statements by Tulsi Gabbard, Director of US Intelligence, are causing debate in Islamabad. Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment before the Senate Intelligence Committee, she stated that Pakistan too continues to develop capabilities to strike targets beyond South Asia and is refining increasingly sophisticated missile technology, adding that if these trends continue, Pakistani intercontinental ballistic missiles could threaten the US.

Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Thursday that Pakistan categorically rejects this claim. These are purely defensive weapons, he said, and are aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan remains engaged in a constructive dialogue with the United States, based on mutual respect, non-discrimination and factual accuracy.

Tughral Yamin, a former army general and specialist in arms control and nuclear affairs, speaking to Al Jazeera, said that Gabbard was not the first US official to raise such concerns. Yamin stated that Pakistan had officially responded to such statements by emphasising that its deterrence  both conventional and nuclear  is directed at India.

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq by the Pakistani army was launched on the night of 26 February, citing a series of cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban as the reason. According to figures provided by Islamabad, over 700 militants were reportedly killed and more than 900 wounded, in addition to 255 positions destroyed and 44 captured.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated due to tensions along the border, which have resulted in casualties and material damage. Pakistans Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif wrote on social media platform X that he recognises the constructive role Turkey is playing in supporting efforts towards a peace agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, statements by Tulsi Gabbard, Director of US Intelligence, are causing a stir in Islamabad. Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment before the Senate Intelligence Committee, she stated that Pakistan too continues to develop capabilities to strike targets beyond South Asia and is refining increasingly sophisticated missile technology, adding that if these trends continue, Pakistani intercontinental ballistic missiles could threaten the US.

These remarks have caused astonishment in Islamabad, particularly given the local governments overtures towards Trump, including General Munirs repeated visits to Washington and the Sharif governments membership of the controversial Board of Peace.

Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Thursday that Pakistan categorically rejects this claim. These are exclusively defensive weapons, he said, and are aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan remains committed to a constructive dialogue with the United States, based on mutual respect, non-discrimination and factual accuracy.

Tughral Yamin, a former army general and specialist in arms control and nuclear affairs, speaking to Al Jazeera, said that Gabbard was not the first US official to raise such concerns. Yamin stated that Pakistan had officially responded to such statements by emphasising that its deterrence  both conventional and nuclear  is directed at India.
by Stefano Caprio

The death of the patriarch who had led the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1977 and the fiftieth anniversary of the episcopal consecration of the patriarch of Moscow: two stories celebrated in the Russian world as heroism of faith resisting heresy. Yet they also reveal the continuity between present-day Russia and the Stalinist era.

These days mark the remembrance of two figures who were highly characteristic of the last half-century of history, during the transition from the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation and from state atheism to religious revival.

On 17 March, the Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, passed away; he had occupied the ecclesiastical throne in Tbilisi since 1977, when he was 43 years old, and on 14 March, the fiftieth anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow was celebrated in Moscow; he became an auxiliary bishop in Leningrad in 1976, at the age of just 29, before ascending to the patriarchal see next to the Kremlin in 2009.

From collaboration with Leonid Brezhnevs totalitarian regime to Vladimir Putins traditionalist sovereignty, from the legacy of the Georgian dictator Joseph Stalin to the current pro-Russian government of Georgian Dream, the two patriarchs have embodied the Churchs close relationship with the state, whatever the political landscape of these two former neo-Soviet Eurasian countries.

The body of the late Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II has been laid in state in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Tbilisi, and the Synod, convened under the leadership of Patriarchal Locum Tenens Sio Mudziri, has decided that the funeral service will be held on 22 March in the ancient Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi. Whilst condolences are also arriving from abroad, the theologian Mirian Gamrekelasvili explains how the Catholicos managed to reconcile personal authority with the institutional strength of the Church, creating a cult of his own personality.

In the Russian Synods message of condolence to Kirill, it is stated that in the difficult circumstances of our times, when the enemy of mankind sows division and mutual hatred, when with a darkened mind and a hardened heart the enemy tears the robe of Christ [a phrase from the prayer for the victory of Holy Rus in war], faithfulness to episcopal and patriarchal vows is a true testimony to the heroism of faith.

Kirills ministry is extolled as resistance to schisms, superstition and heresy, another quotation taken from the Russian rite of episcopal consecration, which echoes the prophecies of the Third Rome saving the world, composed for the great celebrations in the time of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

The liturgy for the patriarchal anniversary also coincided with the proclamation of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Sunday of Orthodox Lent commemorating the victory of icon veneration over the iconoclastic heretics in the 9th century, one of the greatest moments of Orthodox triumph over all enemies.

Like last Sunday, this was the liturgical feast commemorating the day when the young hieromonk Kirill (Vladimir Gundjaev) was consecrated Bishop of Vyborg at the Lavra of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky in Leningrad, the final destination of the grand Nevsky Prospekt, the spectacular central avenue of the northern capital with its grand noble palaces and the spectacular churches of St Petersburgs Russian Baroque.

Gundjaev was the son of one of Stalins bodyguards, and shortly after his ordination as a priest he became rector of the Theological Academy, which had been reopened by the dictator himself immediately after the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

As a young monk in the 1960s, he accompanied Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) on his trips abroad; Nikodim was the key figure in the Vaticans Ostpolitik regarding relations with Soviet Russia, having participated in the Second Vatican Council, where the condemnation of communism was avoided and an intense ecumenical dialogue between Rome and Moscow was initiated.

Nikodim and Kirill regularly stayed at the Collegio Russicum in Rome, opened in 1931 to launch a Russian mission by Catholics to save Christianity from atheist persecution, and as bishop and metropolitan, Kirill continued to frequent the Jesuit college until the final period of Soviet history, when relations were severed due to the Greek Catholic uprisings in Ukraine, condemned by Kirill but supported instead by the Polish Pope John Paul II.

The most pro-Western and pro-Catholic metropolitan in Russian history went on to become the first patriarch to meet and embrace Pope Francis of Rome in Havana in 2016, yet at the same time he was the primary inspiration behind Tsar Putins religious sovereignty, supporting him in his aggressive and apocalyptic interpretation of the past two decades.

Ecumenical dialogue had officially broken down in 1997, precisely at the instigation of the late Georgian patriarch, who, at the Assembly of European Churches convened in Graz, declared that the Church of Tbilisi regarded ecumenism as heresy, a position subsequently adopted by the Russians as well.

It was Kirill himself who halted the negotiations that were to have brought about the first meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch in Vienna following the ecumenical assembly, thereby avoiding being pre-empted by the then Patriarch Alexy II, whom he himself had had elected in 1990 in place of the Metropolitan of Kiev, Filaret (Denisenko), thus initiating the schism with Ukraine that has inspired the current war.

Kirills ecclesiastical policy choices, shaped by his training in the KGB during the Brezhnev era and as a contemporary of Vladimir Putin, have spanned the various phases of the regime from Brezhnevian stagnation to Gorbachevs perestroika, before he became the oligarchic metropolitan during the Boris Yeltsin years, trafficking in alcohol and cigarettes, and finally one of the great ideologues of Putins imperial restoration.

Fifty years of political, economic, technological and social upheavals in Russia and across the globe, yet Kirill remains firmly in the saddle of the patriarchal-imperial horse, a living embodiment of a Russian world that is constantly transforming itself whilst remaining ever true to itself, suspended between East and West.

And indeed, todays Russia is becoming increasingly similar to the Soviet Russia of Stalin and Brezhnev, with its endless repressive measures taking the form not only of the arrest and detention of dissidents, the censorship of all artistic and cultural expression, but also, in recent days, the most odious and unbearable form of imposition on generations now dependent on digital connections and applications.

For months now, mobile internet has been suspended across all regions of Russia, and the measure now applies even in the capitals of Moscow and St Petersburg and in major cities for security reasons. Even more shocking for the population is the decision to block the Telegram messenger, the only window of free communication still available to ordinary users and, in particular, to soldiers on the Ukrainian front, who are voicing their complaints with increasing irritation.

As Evgenij Dobrenko, a columnist for Radio Svoboda, comments, historians will debate at length how it was possible for Russia to have reached its current state, after experiencing the great changes and rapid development of the post-Soviet years, buoyed by hopes of a life of freedom and prosperity unlike anything seen before in Russian history, or perhaps we merely dreamt it, the political scientist wonders.

Now, however, we have found ourselves back in the usual quagmire of squalid servitude, official loyalty, self-censorship and oppressive fear. Recalling various events, he states that some will point to the 1993 parliamentary shooting as the point of no return, others to the super-presidential constitution, others still to the rigged elections, and yet others to the fatal error in the choice of successor... It seems to me, however, that the fateful decision which determined the entire course of modern Russian history was taken precisely at the moment of the new countrys birth, when the Russian Federation declared itself the legitimate heir to the Soviet Union.

The choice to perpetuate Russias historical image was precisely that of preserving the image of an imperial superpower, inspired by the Jubilee Council of 2000, at which the then-Metropolitan Kirill secured the approval of the document on the Social Doctrine of the Russian Church, the true political programme of the new President Putin. Putins vertical of power has thus eliminated all forms of social and political autonomy, subjugating even the oligarchs to loyalty to state policy, and imprisoning or exiling those who did not submit. Russia has been entrusted to the security and law enforcement agencies, heirs to the Soviet KGB, the only structure to survive the collapse of the empire alongside the Orthodox Church.

Todays Russia brings to mind an old Soviet-era joke: whatever you try to build, you always end up with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. If a historian of the USSR were to draw up a list of the various legislative, prohibitive, political, ideological, educational and cultural initiatives adopted in Russia over the last decade, and especially in the last four years, and compare them point by point with Soviet practices, they would be astounded by the similarities.

In essence, consciously or unconsciously, the current system is recreating the Soviet model of government, education, culture and so on, almost as if starting from stem cells. This process is now irreversible, comments Dobrenko, since the country has resumed a path already trodden and predictable. Drawing on the Soviet mythology of imperial grandeur, social justice and a sense of profound popular satisfaction, people barely remember how things once were, and it no longer makes any sense to recall where that path led.

Another anniversary was marked in recent days: seventy years ago, on 25 February 1956, Party Secretary Nikita Khrushchev presented the report On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences at a secret session of the 20th Congress of the CPSU, denouncing Stalins crimes.

Kirill was 10 years old at the time, and Putin only 4, though he would later devote his entire life to restoring the cult of Russia. To mark that event, the Supreme Military-Historical Council, chaired by the ultra-Putinist ideologue Vladimir Medinsky, convened in recent days, asserting that Stalins repressions were necessary to defeat the traitors and fifth columns on the eve of the war, which then culminated in the Great Victory, thereby rehabilitating Stalin, the Georgian patriarch of the Russian Empire.

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Todays headlines: Washington suspends sanctions on Iranian oil, whilst Tehran allows Japanese ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; Eleven people have died and dozens have been injured in a factory fire in Daejeon, South Korea; Himalayan glaciers are melting at twice the rate seen in 2000; Hong Kong slips further down the global happiness index.

IRAN-UNITED STATES-MAURITIUS

Iran has launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the island of Diego Garcia, which hosts a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. The Wall Street Journal, citing several sources, reports that neither missile hit its target. Diego Garcia  located some 3,800 km from the Iranian coast  is one of the Chagos Islands at the centre of the agreement signed last year between the UK and Mauritius, which provides for the transfer of sovereignty over the archipelago from the former colonial power whilst retaining the Anglo-US military base.

WAR AND OIL

The Trump administration has suspended for 30 days sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil in a further attempt to keep oil prices in check. The waiver will bring around 140 million barrels of oil onto global markets and help ease pressure on energy supplies. Meanwhile, Tehran is reportedly prepared to allow ships linked to Japan to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the sea route through which around 90% of Japans imported oil passes. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an interview with the Korean news agency Yonhap. The supplies could reach Asia within three or four days and hit the market after being refined within about a month and a half.

SOUTH KOREA

At least 11 people have died in a massive fire that broke out at an automotive components plant in the city of Daejeon, South Korea. Three others are missing and at least 59 were injured in the explosion, including two firefighters. At the time of the fire, reported around 1pm yesterday, there were around 170 workers inside the plant. Firefighters struggled for a long time to enter the building due to the risk of collapse. The presence of around 200 kilograms of sodium inside the building also complicated the fire-fighting operations, which lasted more than ten hours.

INDIA

The rate at which glaciers are melting in the Himalayan region has doubled since 2000, according to a new report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. The report highlights that the last decade has seen an increase in the frequency of years with extreme melting, heightening the risks of catastrophic flooding and long-term water insecurity for a region home to billions of people.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong has fallen to its lowest ever position in the World Happiness Report, dropping for the sixth consecutive year to 90th place out of 147 territories. The city fell from 88th to 90th place in the latest ranking. China ranked 65th, Taiwan 26th and Singapore 36th.

At the top of the rankings are Finland, Iceland and Denmark, whilst the lowest levels of happiness were recorded in Malawi, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan. Based on a survey conducted by Gallup, the study asks around 1,000 people in each country to rate their overall life on a scale of 0 to 10, then cross-referencing the result with variables such as GDP per capita, life expectancy and social support.

RUSSIA

According to the Financial Times, Russia has sent two tankers loaded with oil and fuel to Cuba, despite the energy embargo imposed by US President Donald Trump, the Sea Horse, sailing under the Hong Kong flag with 27,000 tonnes of gas, and the Anatolij Kolodkin, flying the Russian flag with around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil  the equivalent of 725,000 barrels of Urals crude  which are expected to arrive in Cuba by early April.

BELARUS

Belarus has expelled two Polish Catholic priests, Adam Straczinski and Pavel Kruczek, who had been carrying out their ministry for many years in the Diocese of Pinsk in the Brest region, leaving six parishes without a pastor, as no agreement had been reached with the state authorities regarding the extension of their residence permits for religious activities. Bishop Antonij Demjanko has called for prayers for priestly vocations in Belarus.
by Melani Manel Perera

More than 100 days after the environmental disaster, over 60,000 people in Sri Lanka are living in makeshift accommodation. The relief centres don't even have drinking water, they complain. The effects of the disaster compound the historical discrimination suffered by the tea plantation workers community. A petition with 15 demands have been submitted to the president and the government.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Sri Lankas Malaiyaha Tamil community continues to live in conditions of extreme precariousness months after the devastating passage of Cyclone Ditwah on 28 November last year.

During a meeting held in Colombo on 19 March, the Civil Society Collective for Malaiyaha Reconstruction (CCMR) denounced the slow pace of relief and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas, highlighting how plantation families have been left behind compared to other regions of the island.

The testimonies gathered during the meeting paint a dramatic picture. Many displaced people are still living in temporary camps lacking essential services, such as drinking water and adequate sanitation. In some cases, around 50 families have to share just six latrines. Others find shelter in schools converted into refuges: during the day they leave the buildings to allow lessons to take place and return in the evening to sleep.

The situation is particularly critical for former residents of the so-called line houses, communal dwellings that were already in a state of disrepair before the disaster. According to several witnesses, these structures were so dilapidated that further rainfall could have led to tragedy. Despite this, the authorities reportedly urged the displaced people to return there, causing fear and outrage among the residents.

The Malaiyaha community, largely made up of tea plantation workers, highlights a long history of marginalisation. Many emphasise the economic contribution they make to the country and demand to be recognised as full citizens, with access to fundamental rights such as decent housing.

More than 100 days after the cyclone, over 60,000 people remain displaced in the regions of Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Kegalle. Despite some relief efforts, the governments promises of reconstruction and resettlement have yet to materialise into lasting solutions.

During the meeting, a petition with 15 demands addressed to the government and the president was presented, with the aim of urging urgent action. Among the main demands are the immediate provision of adequate temporary accommodation and a concrete plan for the construction of permanent housing.

Our community remains in a state of extreme helplessness due to the governments broken promises. Relief centres in most areas where our community lives lack even drinking water. Even the forms to be filled in to receive aid were not in Tamil. This shows just how unfair and discriminatory the situation is, said Jeevarathnam Suresh, director of the Institute for People Engagement and Networking.

We are asking the president to provide us with adequate temporary accommodation so that we can live in peace until the government keeps its promise to give us permanent homes, said two women, Malar Willi from Badulla and Ambiga from Nuwara Eliya, speaking about their situation.

Because of the governments discrimination against us, we had to celebrate Pongal on the street in January because we had no home. Similarly, will we perhaps have to celebrate the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, which falls in April, in front of the Presidential Secretariat too? asks the Malaiyaha community bitterly.
21 March 2026 19:52 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Armenia is once again entering election season in a familiar mood: fragmented and quietly uncertain about its own direction. They have been here before. The billboards, the rallies, the familiar faces making familiar promises, and underneath it all, that particular brand of South Caucasian political anxiety that never quite settles. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 7 June 2026, and while the names at the top of the ballot may be known quantities, the atmosphere surrounding them feels newer and considerably more combustible than in previous cycles.

Robert Kocharyan is running again. Armenia's second president, a granite-faced survivor of the first Karabakh war, has been nominated as the opposition's candidate for prime minister by the 'Hayastan' bloc. For anyone who has followed Armenian politics over the past decade, this is not a surprise.

But his return deserves more than a shrug, let us be cohesive.

This man, who represents an entire political era, one that Pashinyan's 2018 velvet revolution was expressly designed to bury. Kocharyan has declared that Pashinyan has "no chance of staying in power," arguing that while the prime minister retains some influence over part of the electorate, his support has significantly weakened and his ratings are in decline. Whether that assessment reflects genuine political intelligence or opposition wishful thinking is, for now, an open question.

Current Prime Minister Pashinyan enters this election in a position that defies easy characterisation. He is neither weakened enough to be written off nor secure enough to be comfortable. His Civil Contract party retains a structural advantage in a fragmented political landscape, but the atmosphere surrounding his government has grown noticeably more fraught. As a result of the intense negotiations post Patriotic War (Second Karabakh War), he accepted reality, abandoned his territorial claims, and sought to improve relations with neighboring countries. This effort culminated in the signing of a trilateral joint statement among Azerbaijan, the United States, and Armenia on August 8, 2025. It has been showing great improvement ever since, as Azerbaijan-Armenia relations are on a positive outlook. Diplomatic engagements, trade exchanges, etc - all of this progress has been published thoroughly.

Now, I will explain why the point I mentioned here is important later in the article. For now, let's examine the situation leading up to these turbulent processes.

The latest polling data is troubling for the incumbent: in one survey, Pashinyan registered only 17.3 per cent support, with a staggering 62 per cent of respondents either disillusioned with both government and opposition, or simply undecided. That figure points less to an opposition surge than to a profound crisis of political confidence, a vacuum that multiple challengers are now scrambling to fill.

Of all the fault lines that have opened up in the pre-election period, none carries more symbolic weight than the deterioration of relations between Pashinyan's government and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The confrontation escalated dramatically in the summer of 2025. Pashinyan accused church officials of a coup plot in a dispute that saw both sides trade extraordinary accusations. He declared that the Church's headquarters at Holy Etchmiadzin had been "taken over by an anti-Christian, immoral, antinational and antistate group", and pledged personally to lead its "liberation."

On at least two occasions, Pashinyan dispatched hundreds of police officers and undercover agents in civilian clothing onto the sacred grounds of Etchmiadzin.

He had accused Catholicos Karekin II of fathering a child, a claim made without evidence, and on Christmas Day 2026, called for a public procession in support of church reform, delivering a fiery address declaring that the Church's leadership was "operating with a sectarian mindset."

The government's tactics have extended to the personal and the prurient. Intimate footage allegedly depicting a senior archbishop was leaked, and a government-affiliated website published a photograph of a bishop in an allegedly intoxicated, partially undressed state. Authorities also dissolved the broadcasting company behind the Church-founded Shoghakat TV.

Since June, Pashinyan has sought to depose the Catholicos and replace him with a more compliant clergyman, employing what critics describe as "divide and rule" tactics, cultivating a small faction of dissident clergy while attempting to isolate the Church's traditional leadership. The Church's Supreme Council condemned the campaign as a "disgraceful anti-church" operation.

Some observers believe the battle with the church leadership is directly tied to electoral calculations, given that senior clergy are widely perceived to be aligned with the political opposition. One recent survey found the Church to be the second most trusted institution in Armenia after the armed forces, with 39 per cent of respondents expressing satisfaction with it. Picking a fight with an institution that commands that level of public confidence, in the weeks before an election, is a gamble of considerable audacity.

Risky period, but seems that the crowd, as far as we can see from kilometres away, has some sort of support for the current Premier.

Old friends of the church return - Who are the opposition against Pashinyan?

Although Kocharyan has remained formally outside frontline politics for years, he has never fully disappeared from Armenias political landscape. Possessing long-standing networks within state institutions and society, he has retained a controversial but recognizable presence, particularly since the 2018 Velvet Revolution.

Kocharyan will draw crowds. He always does. But the opposition landscape he nominally leads is fractured in ways that may ultimately benefit the incumbent. Even within his own Hayastan bloc, his leadership appears to be a source of division. Since 2021, the bloc has not participated in any local elections, not in Yerevan, not in Gyumri. It also stayed out of the mass opposition movement known as the "Sacred Struggle." At present, 'Hayastan' functions primarily as a parliamentary faction, lacking the institutional structure required for a serious national campaign.

The more intriguing new entrant is Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who owns the Electric Networks of Armenia and whose arrest on unspecified charges generated an immediate political backlash. Some 64.4 per cent of respondents opposed his detention, and 71 per cent considered him a political prisoner, figures that transformed a businessman into a cause. His "Our Way" movement has since nominated him as its candidate for prime minister, though his dual citizenship makes him personally ineligible for the role under current law.

Meanwhile, Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia party and the Mother Armenia party have announced a joint run, further crowding a field that already includes the Democratic Alternative party and residual forces associated with former president Serzh Sargsyan. It is a collection of competing grievances, each drawing from the same pool of dissatisfied voters without offering a coherent governing vision.

The polling data tells a sobering story for all sides. Support for Kocharyan and the parties aligned with him stands at around 7 per cent in recent surveys; Sargsyan-linked forces register barely 1 per cent.

Pashinyan's 17 per cent is hardly commanding, but it remains the largest single bloc in a field where most voters have not yet decided who, if anyone, deserves their support.

Local elections have offered early warning signs. In Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, and in Parakar, one of Yerevan's largest communities, opposition candidates defeated the ruling party, suggesting that trust in Civil Contract has meaningfully eroded beyond the capital.

Peace, and those who would complicate it

Now, let us get back to the most sensitive aforementioned topic - peace in the Caucasus. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been moving, haltingly, toward a peace agreement. Pashinyan has staked considerable political capital on this trajectory, framing it as pragmatic statecraft.

Kocharyan's position, as ever, is nuanced but pointed. He has not ruled out peace but insists on what he terms "real security guarantees" and a stronger military posture before any agreement is finalised.

Kocharyans political persona was built on deceit, the illusion of eternal occupation, the glorification of aggression, and the suppression of truth. He has been having real hard time trying to understand the value of peace, cooperation, or long-term vision for over 30 years. He could not foresee that one day his own people would become the victims of the same lies he once fed them. His dismissive tone toward regional connectivity projects, particularly the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), has shown his inability to grasp modern geopolitics. He claimed that this has zero benefits for Armenia.

His critics argue this is a formula for indefinite delay dressed as prudence. His supporters argue it is the only responsible position for a country that has already paid an enormous price for arrangements that did not hold.

Alas, who is (maybe should be) more comfortable as the elections approach?

Is the opposition comfortable? Not remotely. It is energised by genuine public anger but hobbled by fragmentation, weak institutional structures, and the inconvenient fact that its most prominent figures carry considerable political baggage of their own.

Is Pashinyan comfortable? Equally not. Even his relatable, publicly close persona, we see on his comforting social media accounts, a prime minister who polls at 17 per cent, who has dispatched police to a cathedral, who has presided over the arrest of clergy, satirists, and who faces an Electoral Code challenge over the independence of observers, does not look like a leader governing from a position of confidence. The only Armenian premier who carries the title of 'peace proggresser' might have to do more than that to grasp the situation.

The result, whatever it may be, will not simply decide a government. It will shape the trajectory of a state still navigating the difficult space between past conflict and an uncertain peace.
21 March 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

The modernization and development of Azerbaijans energy system have become key national priorities in recent years. Building on its long-standing success in the oil and gas sector, the country is now actively pursuing a transition toward renewable and sustainable energy sources. Current data indicates that this shift is already producing tangible results, although the transition remains uneven across different segments of the renewable energy mix.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in January-February 2026 Azerbaijan generated 141.6 million kWh of electricity from wind power plants. This represents an increase of 138.2 million kWh, or 41.6 times more than in the same period of 2025. Such a sharp rise highlights the accelerating role of wind energy in the national energy balance. At the same time, solar energy production stood at 42.7 million kWh during the reporting period, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to the first two months of 2025. This divergence suggests that while renewable energy is expanding overall, its growth trajectory varies depending on project implementation timelines and infrastructure readiness.

In broader terms, Azerbaijans electricity, gas, and steam production, distribution, and supply sector generated 671.6 million manat worth of output in the first two months of 2026. Meanwhile, the water supply, waste treatment, and processing sector produced services valued at 93.4 million manat. These figures demonstrate that the energy transition is occurring within a wider framework of infrastructure development and public utility modernization.

A major driver behind the surge in wind energy production is the commissioning of the Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant, the largest wind energy project not only in Azerbaijan but also in the wider region. Implemented in cooperation with ACWA Power and inaugurated on January 8, 2026, the project marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijans renewable energy strategy.

With an estimated annual generation capacity of 1 billion kWh, the plant is expected to save approximately 220 million cubic meters of natural gas each year, prevent more than 400,000 tons of carbon emissions, and supply electricity to around 300,000 households. The project, valued at approximately $300 million and financed entirely through foreign investment, also involved ChinaPower as the general contractor.

Analytically, this project illustrates several important trends: first, the increasing role of foreign direct investment in Azerbaijans green transition; second, the strategic substitution of natural gas consumption with renewable generation; and third, the strengthening of energy security through diversification. Beyond environmental benefits, such projects enhance Azerbaijans position as a reliable and forward-looking energy partner in the region.

Historically, Azerbaijans renewable energy development began with more modest initiatives. The Gobustan Hybrid Power Plant, inaugurated in 2011, was the countrys largest renewable facility for many years. Combining wind, solar, and biogas technologies, it is considered one of the worlds first hybrid plants integrating multiple renewable sources within a single system. Built across 38 hectares, it also serves as an experimental and training center, contributing to local capacity building in renewable technologies.

Today, Azerbaijan is expanding its focus beyond wind and solar energy. With support from World Bank, the country has conducted a comprehensive assessment of geothermal resources through the report Geothermal Resource Assessment for Direct Use Developments in Azerbaijan. This study evaluates the countrys geothermal potential, reviews the legislative framework, and outlines an action plan for future development. Such diversification indicates a long-term strategy aimed at maximizing all available renewable resources.

Hydrogen energy is another emerging priority. Azerbaijan has developed a National Hydrogen Strategic Review, outlining balanced, accelerated, and ambitious scenarios for green hydrogen production. These scenarios define potential domestic applications, export opportunities, and the scale of renewable capacity required. From an analytical perspective, this reflects Azerbaijans intention not only to decarbonize its domestic energy system but also to position itself within future global hydrogen markets.

Regionally, Azerbaijan has designated the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, along with Nakhchivan, as green energy zones. Comprehensive development concepts and action plans are already being implemented, focusing on efficient use and expansion of clean energy. These initiatives are particularly significant as they align energy development with post-conflict reconstruction and regional economic revitalization.

Looking ahead, Azerbaijan aims to install up to 6 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and up to 8 gigawatts by 2033. This expansion is intended to meet domestic demand, support electricity exports, and supply emerging sectors such as data centers. The scale of these targets suggests a structural transformation of the national energy system, moving from hydrocarbon dependence toward a more balanced and sustainable energy mix.

Importantly, surplus electricity generated from these projects is expected to be exported through several interconnectors currently under development. These include the Black Sea Submarine Cable (Caspian-Black Sea-Europe), the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe corridor, the Trans-Caspian route, and the East-West green energy corridor. These projects are strategically significant, as they strengthen Azerbaijans role in Europes energy security by enabling the transmission of clean electricity across regions.

Azerbaijans energy transition reflects a carefully structured and multi-dimensional strategy. While oil and gas continue to play a foundational role, the rapid expansion of renewable energy, supported by foreign investment, regulatory reforms, and technological diversification, signals a clear shift toward sustainability.

The countrys ability to integrate large-scale renewable projects, develop emerging sectors such as hydrogen, and establish international energy corridors positions it as a key player in the evolving global energy landscape. If current trends continue, Azerbaijan is likely to transform from a traditional hydrocarbon exporter into a regional hub for green energy production and transmission.
21 March 2026 12:04 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Novruz holiday was celebrated with great enthusiasm and solemnity in London.

AzerNEWS reports, citing Azertag that the event was organized by Davud Jabiyev and Farhad Garaisa, members of the Azerbaijani Society operating at Queen Mary University of London, as well as Farida Panahova, the chairwoman of the British Azerbaijanis Society.

Azerbaijanis and students living in Great Britain participated in the holiday event. The organizers who spoke at the event provided information about the ancient history of Novruz, its significance as a symbol of renewal, unity and the arrival of spring. In the artistic part of the event, laureate of international competitions and Presidential scholarship holder Vusala Babayeva performed and performed samples of Azerbaijani and world classical music.

As part of the holiday program, traditional attributes of Novruz, semeni, candles and national decor elements were demonstrated, and an exhibition of handicrafts by Azerbaijani artists and craftsmen was also organized. At the end of the event, participants were presented with shekerbura and baklava.
21 March 2026 12:39 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan will chair the International Transport Forum (ITF) for the 20252026 period, as well as the summit scheduled to take place in May 2026 in Leipzig, Germany.

AzerNEWS reports, citing Azertag, as part of preparations for the worlds largest gathering of transport ministers, ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim met with Azerbaijans Ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, during his visit to the country.

During the meeting, Young Tae Kim highly praised Azerbaijans chairmanship activities within the framework of the Forum. He particularly highlighted two policy recommendations prepared by Azerbaijan, which will be presented to the Council of Transport Ministers during the summit.

For her part, Leyla Abdullayeva noted the important role of the ITF as a global platform in the field of transport policy. She stated that the Forum plays a significant role, particularly in advancing the digitalisation and coordination of supply chains.

The ambassador also underlined that Azerbaijans initiatives within the framework of the Middle Corridor play an important role in this direction, and expressed full support for further strengthening the ITFs leading position in global transport dialogue during Azerbaijans chairmanship.

The ITF Secretary-General also extended his congratulations to the people of Azerbaijan and to all those celebrating the Novruz.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have raised fresh concern over the state of healthcare services in Binga District, citing delays in upgrading critical infrastructure and persistent service delivery gaps.Binga South legislator Fanuel Cumanzala formally questioned the Ministry of Health and Child Care on whether there are concrete plans to rehabilitate Binga District Hospital to accommodate a nursing school, as previously announced by government.Cumanzala also highlighted long-standing operational challenges at the district's mortuary, which he said has remained non-functional for an extended period."Whether there are any concrete plans to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time," he asked.In a series of follow-up questions, the legislator broadened the scope of concern to include overall healthcare delivery in the largely rural district.He pressed authorities to outline measures being taken to improve access to healthcare services in remote communities, as well as strategies to combat the prevalence of malaria and waterborne diseases in the Zambezi Valley.Cumanzala further questioned whether there are plans to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in Binga in response to population growth and increasing economic activity in the area.Despite the urgency of the issues raised, no response from the Ministry of Health and Child Care was recorded in the parliamentary proceedings.The concerns come amid growing scrutiny over healthcare infrastructure in rural districts, where limited resources, staffing shortages, and inadequate facilities continue to hinder access to essential medical services.
21 March 2026 17:15 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

A series of events have been held across the Azerbaijan Army to mark the Novruz and Ramadan holidays, in line with the annual action plan approved by the Minister of Defence.

As reported by AzerNEWS, citing the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan, the events took place in various branches of the armed forces, the Separate Combined Arms Army, military units and formations, as well as specialised military educational institutions.

The ceremonies began with a minutes silence in memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and those who lost their lives for the country. The national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was then performed.

During the events, messages of congratulations from President Ilham Aliyev and the Minister of Defence were conveyed to military personnel, with a focus on promoting national and moral values and strengthening patriotism.

Speakers at the celebrations highlighted the arrival of spring as a time of joy and festivity in Azerbaijan, and spoke about the history and traditions of Novruz and Ramadan, as well as the nations strong attachment to its cultural heritage and the importance of marking these occasions at the state level.

It was noted that the participation of President Ilham Aliyev, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva in nationwide celebrations, along with their holiday greetings to the public, has contributed to high morale among army personnel.

Concert programmes were presented as part of the events, featuring creative groups from the Hazi Aslanov Army Ideological and Cultural Centre and the Ganja Garrison Ideological and Cultural Centre. Servicemen who distinguished themselves in duty were awarded.

During the holidays, military personnel also visited the graves of fallen soldiers and met with their families, expressing support and presenting holiday gifts.

Officials emphasised that the memory of those who lost their lives for the country is always honoured, and that their families and relatives continue to receive close attention and care from the state.
21 March 2026 10:30 (UTC+04:00)

Washington has projected that a potential U.S. military operation against Iran could last between four to six weeks, AzerNEWS reports, citing White House Press Secretary Karoline Livitt.

"Both the President and the Pentagon anticipated that completing the assigned objectives would take roughly four to six weeks. Tomorrow will mark the end of the third week," Livitt said, highlighting the ongoing timeline of U.S. military planning.

The escalation follows failed negotiations over Irans nuclear program. Since February 28, the United States and Israel have conducted air strikes against Iranian targets. In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against Israeli positions and U.S. military facilities in the region.

The first day of the air campaign resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts appointed Seyid Muctaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, as the nations third Supreme Leader.

Significant military losses during the strikes include General-Major Abdulrahim Musavi, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Mohammad Pakpur, Supreme Leader advisor and Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzade, Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, and Basij Commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Between March 15, the conflict expanded, affecting multiple countries across the Middle East. The fighting has put regional energy infrastructure and maritime transport at risk, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Heightened security concerns have driven global oil prices upward and prompted several nations to advise their citizens to leave the region.
21 March 2026 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The United Nations could play a role in ensuring the safety of maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports, citing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as he told Politico.

Guterres highlighted the issue while referencing the Black Sea grain initiative, emphasizing the UNs ongoing commitment to facilitating safe and stable maritime operations.

"My main goal is to explore whether it is possible to create conditions in the Strait of Hormuz similar to those that existed previously," he said, noting the strategic importance of maintaining secure shipping lanes.

He added that the UN wants to be helpful and is prepared to take responsibility for managing the system. "We have established working groups specifically for this purpose," Guterres said, underlining the organizations readiness to coordinate international efforts.
21 March 2026 14:26 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Iran has indicated that Japanese vessels will be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a shift towards what appears to be a selective blockade of the strategic waterway, AzerNEWS reports via Aljazeera.

We have not closed the strait. In our opinion, the strait is open. It is closed only to ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Kyodo News late on Friday.

Araghchi added that Tehran is in discussions with relevant parties to ensure safe transit. We are talking to them to find a way to pass safely. We are ready to provide them with safe passage. All they need to do is contact us to discuss how this route will be, he said, according to an English transcript shared on his Telegram account.

Japan, which sources more than 90 per cent of its crude oil imports from the Middle East, remains heavily dependent on shipments passing through the strait. However, the waterway has effectively been closed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February.

The latest remarks suggest that Tehran may be attempting to differentiate between countries it considers hostile and those with which it is willing to maintain energy and trade flows, a move that could further fragment global oil markets and complicate maritime logistics in one of the worlds most critical energy corridors.
21 March 2026 15:33 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The US Treasury on Friday temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, in Washingtons latest effort to ease a supply crisis linked to the war in the Middle East.

The authorisation allows for the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other petroleum products loaded onto ships before March 20, and will remain in effect until April 19, the Treasury said in a statement, according to Maccaubusiness.

The move by the Office of Foreign Assets Control follows a similar decision to ease restrictions on Russian oil at sea, as policymakers attempt to stabilise global energy markets.

Disruptions linked to Irans de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of the worlds oil and gas normally flows, along with attacks on energy infrastructure across the region, have driven crude prices sharply higher.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the measure as a narrowly tailored and short-term step aligned with President Donald Trumps intention to maximise global energy flows and maintain market stability.

At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap, Bessent said. By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.

However, Iran rejected the suggestion that significant volumes are readily available. Oil ministry spokesman Saman Ghoddoosi said the country currently has no surplus crude oil available for international markets and described the US statement as an attempt to reassure buyers.

The Treasury noted that the authorisation does not apply to deliveries to Cuba, North Korea or Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

Oil markets ended higher on Friday, though prices remained below the $120 per barrel threshold that has been approached several times since the conflict began three weeks ago. Brent crude rose 3.26 per cent to $112.19 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate gained 2.27 per cent to $98.32.
21 March 2026 16:41 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Iran has fired missiles towards the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to US officials, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.

Two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were launched towards the base, located in the Chagos Islands, but neither struck their target, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and Irans semi-official Mehr News Agency. One missile was intercepted by a US warship, while the other reportedly failed during flight.

The UK Ministry of Defence condemned what it described as reckless attacks by Iran, warning that such actions pose a threat to British interests and allies.

Irans reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies, a spokesperson said. RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.

The UK government has also confirmed that it has authorised the United States to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.

Iran responded sharply to the development, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Tehran would exercise its right to self-defence. In a post on X, he criticised the UK government, arguing that the majority of the British public does not support involvement in what he described as a US-Israel war against Iran.

Diego Garcia lies approximately 2,360 miles from Iran and hosts a major airbase capable of supporting long-range US bombers. The facility, which includes extensive fuel storage, radar systems and a deep-water port, has long served as a strategic hub for US military operations in the Middle East.

The UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while leasing back the base, underscoring its continued strategic importance.

US President Donald Trump criticised allies for what he described as a slow response, saying the UK should have acted a lot faster in granting permission for US use of its bases. He has also increased pressure on NATO allies, accusing some of reluctance to deploy naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident highlights the widening geographical scope of the conflict, with strategic infrastructure beyond the Middle East increasingly drawn into the confrontation.
21 March 2026 17:59 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

A US-Israeli air strike has targeted Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, with state media reporting that there has been no leakage of radioactive material and no immediate danger to nearby residents.

AzerNEWS reports via Aljazeera that the strike comes amid a widening conflict across the region, with continued military activity involving the United States and Israel against Iran and its allies.

Separately, drone strikes triggered a large fire near a US military complex in Baghdad, Iraq. The facility has come under repeated attack since the outbreak of hostilities between US and Israeli forces and Iran.

US President Donald Trump said he does not support a ceasefire with Iran, signalling a continuation of military operations. You know you dont do a ceasefire when youre literally obliterating the other side, he told reporters.

Strikes by US and Israeli forces have continued across Iran and Lebanon, even as millions of Muslims in the Middle East marked the Eid al-Fitr holiday. At the same time, Iran is celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

The latest developments underline the intensifying pace of the conflict, with military actions continuing despite major religious and cultural observances across the region.
21 March 2026 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that Iran had reported an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, but no increase in off-site radiation levels had been detected, as the agencys chief called for military restraint, AzerNEWS reports, citing Anadolu.

The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported, the agency said in a post on X, the social media platform owned by X.

The UN nuclear watchdog said it is assessing the situation, while Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated his appeal for restraint in order to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

Earlier, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment facility had been struck in what it described as criminal attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.

According to the organisation, no radioactive material leak was detected and there is no danger to residents living near the facility.

The Natanz site has been targeted previously, including in an attack on 2 March. It was also among three nuclear sites struck by US forces in June last year during the conflict with Iran, alongside facilities in Fordow and Isfahan.

The latest incident comes amid ongoing hostilities that began on 28 February, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. Tehran has since responded with repeated drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
21 March 2026 23:51 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Kuwait Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that its air defence systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed a series of hostile missiles and drones within the countrys airspace over the past 24 hours, AzerNEWS reports via sana.sy.

Colonel Staff Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, the ministrys official spokesperson, said in a post on X that air defence units detected and engaged nine ballistic missiles entering Kuwaits airspace. All targets were neutralised without causing material damage or casualties.

He added that four hostile drones were also identified and destroyed by defence systems.

The developments come amid rising tensions in the region, with Kuwait and several other Arab countries facing continued missile and drone attacks reportedly originating from Iran.

The strikes follow a pattern of earlier incidents that have caused infrastructure damage and civilian casualties across the Middle East, and are unfolding against the backdrop of a wider military confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which escalated in late February.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital staged a brief flash demonstration on Friday, voicing frustration over low wages and the rising cost of living, in a protest that drew attention from patients and members of the public.The protest featured placards reflecting the depth of the hardship faced by healthcare workers, with messages questioning how nurses are expected to cope with basic needs such as rent and transport on current salaries. Some of the messages pointed to the severe strain on workers, highlighting years of stagnant incomes and unmet expectations.The demonstration comes against the backdrop of broader economic pressures affecting civil servants across Zimbabwe. Many government workers earn around US$250 per month, supplemented by local currency, a level widely considered insufficient amid rising prices. Recent fuel price increases have further strained household budgets, pushing up transport costs and making it more difficult for workers to commute reliably.The government has attributed fuel price increases to global supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Despite this, officials have previously stated that the country maintains adequate fuel reserves.Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, George Charamba, urged patience, saying government is aware of the pressures facing its workforce and is working on measures to address salaries and fuel-related challenges. He indicated that a review of wages is expected soon.On the ground, nurses say conditions continue to worsen. A representative, Farai Matsime, noted that increasing patient loads and rising transport difficulties are making it harder for staff to report for duty consistently. There are also concerns that some nurses may withdraw from night shifts due to inadequate allowances.The situation reflects ongoing tension within the public sector, where workers are balancing government assurances with the immediate realities of rising living costs and limited income, raising questions about sustainability and workforce morale in critical services.
Larry Summers, a former president at Harvard University who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, resigned from his academic appointments at the Ivy League school on Wednesday. The resignation comes after the recent release of Epstein-related documents revealed Summers' extensive correspondence with the convicted sex offender, which lasted from 2013 until just four months before Epstein's arrest on federal charges.Summers also relinquished his Harvard University Professorship, which is the highest faculty honor at the school, the Harvard Crimson reported. The former U.S. Treasury secretary and National Economic Council director said the decision to step down from his role at Harvard wasbut added that it would give him more time to focus onSummers has faced increasing criticism over his close relationship with Epstein, the extent of which was revealed when the Justice Department began releasing millions of documents from Epstein's estate. As the backlash grew, Summers announced last November that he would take a step back from his regular public appearances. Summers has not been accused of any criminal conduct related to Epstein's sex-trafficking of girls.The former Clinton and Obama official said in November,Summers conversed regularly with Epstein in the years after Epstein pled guilty to procuring a child for prostitution in 2008. Among the numerous emails and text messages exchanged between the married Summers and Epstein, Summers asked Epstein for advice on pursuing a relationship with a woman described as his mentee.Summers wrote to Epstein on March 16, 2019.Epstein replied 11 minutes later, writing,Those messages were among the final conversations Summers had with Epstein before Epstein was arrested by the feds and placed in jail in New York. Epstein was found dead in his jail cell on August 10, 2019, in what federal authorities have ruled a suicide.Other messages Summers sent to Epstein included discussions on politics and projects at Harvard. In one message that was sent less than a month before the 2016 election, Summers asked Epstein,In another October 2016 email, Epstein asked Summers if a friend he referred to ascould be given a tour of Harvard.Amid the backlash over his close ties to Epstein, Summers was dropped by The New York Times, where he was a contributing opinion writer. He also resigned from the board of directors of OpenAI.Summers' resignation from his Harvard professorship comes just one day after Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates apologized to his staff at the Gates Foundation over his relationship with Epstein, and admitted to affairs he had with two Russian women. Gates assured his foundation that the women were not victims of Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme, adding,Gates, like Summers, has been a major supporter of the Democratic Party and donated $50 million to a dark money group that backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
In most countries, the mere fact of being born there does not make one a citizen. The nationality of the parents is a more important factor in most countries. The US follows a minority rule where just being born here makes one a citizen. That is now being cahllenged at the US Supreme Court.

The latest example of how absurd this US citizenship concept of anchor babies has become is to look at who just took over Mexico's most dangerous crime cartel, Jalasco New Generation. There is now a "US citizen" heading Mexico's worst crime cartel. The new leader was born in California to an illegal alien mother.

https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/us-citizen-takes-helm-mexicos-strongest-cartel-putting-birthright-citizenship

This comes shortly after another anchor baby raised eyebrows with her loyalty to her country of ancestry over her country of birth. That was Eileen Gu, switching from representing the US in the Olympics to representing Red China.

The US 14th Amendment has been construed as giving citizenship by birth alone even though the Supreme Court has never ruled on that and the drafters of the 14th amendment specifically said it did not do that.

Meanwhile, a survey by a pro-migration group found that less than 4% of illegal aliens told them that they believed they met the standards for asylum in the United States. Most indicated they came in for economic reasons.

https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/03/22/survey-shows-few-biden-migrants-were-asylum-seekers/
An extensive study by the British government has concluded that the lockdown policy they pursued during the Covid pandemic may have needlessly cost thousands of lives. Other studies have found harm to educational progress of children.

https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/uk-covid-inquiry-finds-lockdowns-may-have-cost-1000s-lives

It is critical to remember the politics of the lockdowns. That strategy came from Communist China. The World Health Organization had a longstanding plan to deal with a respiratory virus pandemic through development of herd immunity, but the leadership of WHO at the time had recently been muscled in by China, and dumped that plan to push the Chinese plan.

The UK was the first western country to confront the issue head on. Dr. Sunetra Gupta, professor of epidemiology at Oxford University, the country's leading virologist put forward a plan based on herd immunity, which initially the British government accepted. However a much lesser scientist, Dr. Neal Ferguson of Imperial College produced a vastly overblown death prediction and went to the media with it, demanding a China-style lockdown. The public scare created by Ferguson's media crusade led the government to cave in and go with the lockdown, elevating Ferguson to their top expert. He was nicknamed "Professor Lockdown". He was ultimately forced to resign when a British newspaper exposed the fact that Ferguson was wantonly violating his own lockdown policies for visits to his married mistress, who was a climate alarmist activist.

Among western countries, only Sweden styed true to the herd immunity approach, and when the pandemic was over, their numbers showed more success against the virus than those counties stampeded into lockdowns.
Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band were not the first Tanglewood contemporary performers, but they were the first real hard-rocking act that performed under the famed pavilion.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Chinese firms are rapidly consolidating their presence in Zimbabwe's cement sector, now accounting for the majority of players in the industry and reflecting a broader expansion of Beijing's influence across key economic sectors.According to Ndima Rawana, six of the country's eight cement producers are Chinese-owned, leaving just two local-linked players  PPC Zimbabwe and Khayah Cement Limited. He made the remarks during a Capital Markets Day hosted by parent company PPC Limited.Rawana highlighted that the dominance of Chinese firms is not only reshaping competition, but also creating challenges in skills availability. He noted that many of the Chinese-operated plants rely heavily on their own personnel, making it difficult for local companies to recruit experienced professionals from within the market. As a result, firms like PPC Zimbabwe are increasingly forced to invest in developing their own talent pipelines.The cement sector shift mirrors a broader trend across Zimbabwe's economy. Chinese companies already have a strong foothold in lithium mining through firms such as Sinomine Resource Group, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology, which control key assets including Bikita Minerals and Arcadia Mine. Their presence has helped position Zimbabwe as a critical supplier in the global battery minerals market.Beyond mining and cement, Chinese imports  particularly low-cost electrical goods and plastics  have also gained significant ground in local markets, further extending Beijing's commercial reach.In response to intensifying competition, PPC has moved to strengthen its position through a strategic partnership with Sinoma Overseas Development Corporation, an international engineering subsidiary of Sinoma International Engineering. The collaboration, announced in 2024, is aimed at improving operational efficiency, modernising technology, reducing costs and expanding production capacity across PPC's regional operations.PPC chief executive Matias Cardarelli said Sinoma has already begun assessing Zimbabwean operations, with early indications pointing to significant growth opportunities. He suggested that the upside potential in Zimbabwe could even surpass that of PPC's South African operations.The growing dominance of Chinese firms in sectors like cement underscores a structural shift in Zimbabwe's industrial landscape  one that is increasingly defined by foreign capital, technology partnerships and evolving competitive dynamics.
LENOX  Superintendent William Collins didn't have to look far to find the next principal of Lenox Memorial Middle and High School. In fact, he didn't have to look past its science department.

On Friday, he appointed science teacher Brooke Kamienski as the school's next principal. Pending contract negotiations, she will start her new job on July 1, when current Principal Jeremiah Ames will leave the position to take over for Melissa Falkowski, who is retiring, as the district's assistant superintendent of finance and operations.

"I want to thank Dr. Ames for his steady leadership and the impact he has had on Lenox Memorial Middle & High School," Collins said. "As he transitions into his new role, I am confident that Ms. Kamienski will continue that momentum and guide the school into its next chapter."

That momentum includes the schools recognition last fall by U.S. News & World Report as the 115th-ranked middle school in Massachusetts, out of more than 1,000 statewide.

Thankfully, Kamienski is no stranger to leadership positions or the school. She currently serves as the 10th-grade team lead at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School and chaired the school's science and technology department from 2015 to 2021. She also had a brief stint as the school's interim assistant principal in the summer of 2022 after former assistant principal Brent Bette stepped down to pursue a position at a national nonprofit.

During that summer, she worked two days a week and collaborated closely with staff and families on student services, including 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, while also assisting with daily operations and other duties.

She has also served as assistant principal at Hoosac Valley Middle & High School and as dean of students at Egremont Elementary School and has over 20 years of experience in K-12 education. She holds a Master of Education degree in educational administration from American International College and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Kamienski was selected after the initial search was reopened when two of the three finalists accepted positions elsewhere. The third finalist, who has not been named, sought to remain in consideration for the new candidate pool.

Six candidates applied during the initial search. The position  advertised on SchoolSpring.com and other employment sites  offers a salary range of $118,000 to $131,000, depending on experience.

Via a statement, the district said that Kamienski's "work has focused on curriculum development, staff supervision and evaluation, student support systems, and building safe, inclusive school environments."

"Her experience, leadership skills, commitment to equity and focus on continuous improvement make her well-suited to guide Lenox Memorial Middle & High School forward," Collins said.

Kamienski said she's eager to step into the role and to continue serving Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, where she has taught for about 15 years across two stints  from 2008 to 2012, before returning to the school in September 2015.

"Lenox Memorial Middle & High School is a special place where Ive spent much of my career," she said. "I look forward to working with our students, staff and families to build on the strong foundation already in place."

Collins is tapping into that dedication. Last November, he said he has a strong "homegrown" administrative team heading into the 2026-2027 school year. That will also include a new face at the helm of Morris Elementary School: Assistant Principal Holly Soules will succeed Brenda Kelley, who will become the district's director of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Archives Lenox interviewing 8 semifinalists for school superintendent

Through her teaching, Kamienski has received several professional recognitions, including a 2018 state excellence award from then-state Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton and a nomination for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's 2027 Teacher of the Year. She was also a finalist for the Berkshire Taconic Kapteyn Prize finalist in 2024.

"Ms. Kamienski is a respected educator and leader who understands the Lenox school community and is deeply committed to student success," Collins said.
BOSTON  Following intense pushback from Boston Symphony musicians and concern from the community, the BSO trustees have issued a statement explaining their decision not to renew Music Director Andris Nelsons contract beyond August 2027.

The letter paints a picture of dire financial straits for the nonprofit, despite having a $536 million endowment, likely the largest in its field.

In an open letter to the community distributed to Friends of the orchestra, the Board of Trustees acknowledged that Nelsons departure after next years Tanglewood season has been surprising and challenging for many in our community. We are grateful for Maestro Nelsons' 13 years of distinguished service and we look forward to celebrating his tenure across the 2026-27 season.

Nelsons returned to the Symphony Hall stage in Boston on Thursday night to a hero's welcome, the Boston Globe reported.

The trustees acknowledged the intense pushback over its decision not to renew Nelsons' contract.

We recognize that change is hard, they wrote. We understand that many in our community have different perspectives on how to meet this moment, and we respect that. Were grateful to have so many people who care so deeply for this institution.

Citing challenges facing the BSO and cultural institutions nationwide, the trustees listed some specifics affecting the orchestra:

 Attendance at our orchestra concerts has declined drastically over the past 20 years. The decline has been reported as 40 percent over two decades; since the pandemic, the BSO has lost 20 percent of its audience attending orchestra performances.

 Operating costs have risen sharply while traditional revenue sources have struggled to keep pace." The trustees added that the BSO has consistently operated with deficits and has drawn more than $100 million from its reserves, "over and above the regular annual endowment draw, to cover operating needs.

 Years of deferred maintenance have forced beloved spaces  including venues at Tanglewood  to close temporarily, and our marquee facilities require tens of millions of dollars in upgrades.

According to the letter, the board is unified in its decision-making and "collective vision for the long-term growth and health of the BSO."

"We are eager to engage with you openly in the upcoming weeks, months and years as we chart the path ahead for this organization that has touched us all.

According to tax documents filed by the nonprofit BSO, the orchestra lost $6.6 million during the fiscal year ending in August 2024, based on nearly $124 million of expenses and $117 million of revenue. Losses totaled $17.4 million the previous year while, prior to the pandemic, losses and surpluses varied year by year going back to 2011.

For the 2023-24 fiscal year Nelsons was paid $1.7 million, while three management executives in a transitional year earned $2.6 million.

Addressing these existential issues requires clear alignment and shared responsibility among all institutional leaders on a collective path forward, building a stronger BSO together for generations to come, the letter from the trustees stated. We take our responsibility as stewards of this storied institution seriously. For its 145 years, the BSO has innovated while staying firmly committed to what matters most: our world-class orchestra, artistic excellence, the enduring canonical works and serving our communities.

The trustees declared that the commitment has not changed, but what must change is how we bring classical music to life for 21st-century audiences, and our strategic framework is already setting us up to succeed in that goal.

Alluding to previous challenges faced by the BSO, the trustees asserted that for nearly a century and a half, this institution has found ways to navigate both transcendent and difficult moments together. We are confident we can do that again, guided by our shared commitment to the mission we serve."

For the first time, the trustees went public about a strategic plan that emerged over the past year through hundreds of conversations about our future with the BSO community, including our musicians, staff, civic leaders and community partners.

The strategic plan is described as built on three pillars involving programming, partnerships and place.

We are reimagining how orchestral music reaches broader audiences, deepening our roots as a civic institution across Boston and the Berkshires, and investing in Symphony Hall and Tanglewood so these extraordinary venues can serve artists and audiences for generations to come, the letter stated.

In a bid for reconciliation, the organizations leaders acknowledged that the strength of the BSO has always come from the people who love it: our musicians, our audiences, our staff and volunteers and the constituents were proud to serve. We need all of you with us as we move forward  as advocates and audience members who believe in the power of music.

The letter was signed by the trustees with deep appreciation and commitment. It was not signed by BSO President and CEO Chad Smith, though an orchestra spokesperson told The Eagle that the omission was not significant.

There was no immediate reaction to the letter from the Players Committee.
At the BSO, musicians stage open revolt against the firing of Music Director Andris Nelsons The decision by the trustees and President/CEO Chad Smith came as a shock to the orchestra, whose members continue to revere the maestro amid a crisis described as one of the most severe in the BSOs 145-year history.

The sense of betrayal by Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians over the managements decision not to extend the contract of music director and head of conducting Andris Nelsons continued to smolder this week, leading to a detailed public explanation on Friday morning in a letter issued by the board of trustees.

When Nelsons, arrived on Tuesday to begin two weeks of rehearsals and concerts, many players greeted him with warmth outside Symphony Hall.

This is a sign of real and true humanity, Nelsons told WCVB-TV. To love and share the music, thats the only reason were here.

In his statement when the news broke without warning on March 6, Nelsons explained that the outcome was not what he wanted or expected but emphasized that it was unrelated to artistic standards, performances or achievements during his tenure.

The initial BSO Inc. announcement stated only that beyond our shared desire to ensure our orchestra continues to perform at the highest levels, the BSO and Andris Nelsons were not aligned on future vision.

Efforts to secure an interview with President/CEO Chad Smith yielded a response from an unidentified BSO representative to questions posed by The Eagle.

Over the past 18 months, we undertook a strategic planning process that engaged Players, Trustees, staff, civic leaders, and community partners, the BSO spokesperson said. That process gave us tremendous clarity about the path forward. We are committed to centering our world-class orchestra while reimagining how we engage 21st century audiences, deepen community partnerships, and invest in our iconic spaces. That work is ahead of us, and we are up to the challenge.

Asked whether a reported 20 percent drop in attendance at BSO orchestral concerts since the pandemic was a factor, the BSO rep stated:

The challenges facing cultural institutions are bigger than any person or institution. We need leadership that is fully aligned on how were going to solve it, though. That alignment is what our strategic framework is built around: programming that honors our core repertoire while welcoming new and broader audiences, deeper community partnerships and overdue investments in our facilities.

Of the $90 million in deferred maintenance, about $45 million relates to the Tanglewood campus, including the Theatre-Concert Hall and Seranak, among many other needs currently under evaluation.

Asked why the musicians felt they were excluded and blindsided, the statement pointed out that decisions regarding a Music Directors contract rest with the Board of Trustees as a matter of governance. It is the Boards responsibility, and it is one they take seriously. We recognize this has been a painful moment for our musicians, and we are committed to continue engaging directly with them.

Replying to a question about the players expressions of fractured trust, the BSO statement noted that every decision this Board and this leadership team makes is centered on the long-term health and viability of our orchestra. Rebuilding trust will take time and action. That means direct engagement between the Players and the Board and honest conversations about the path forward. We will demonstrate through our programming and our investments that the orchestra remains at the center of everything we do.

The BSO leaders and the Players Committee met on Thursday; so far, no information has been available from the committee about the results.

But John Ferrillo, BSO principal oboist for 25 years, went public with the text of a speech he prepared for that meeting.

Why is the pain of this so deep? Why does it feel like such a violation? he asked. It is because this is our house that has been violated.  This moment is about our relationship with someone we have embraced wholeheartedly  Andris. It is not just about that relationship. It is about our House, itself.

Ahead of Thursdays meeting, the Players Committee put out a blistering statement: The Board of Trustees current plan of action has left the BSO without artistic leadership or continuity and damaged the BSOs local and international reputation. The manner in which the decision was implemented calls into question both their artistic and institutional integrity.

The statement asserted that Nelsons departure in 17 months recklessly leaves artistic decisions, for the foreseeable future, in the hands of the CEO, who no longer has the trust or buy-in of the musicians.

The goal of the Thursday meeting was depicted by the musicians as an effort to gain an understanding of how this happened. At that point we can start to determine what needs to take place for us to move forward.

Right now, the trustees seem to be trying to restore mutual trust. Music lovers who treasure the orchestra at Tanglewood and in Boston must cling to hope that those efforts build a bridge of understanding between the management and the artists who make the BSO one of the worlds handful of greatest orchestras.
Local and state officials call on Lenco Industries to reconsider future contracts with ICE A Pittsfield-based armored-vehicle manufacturer is facing calls from some state leaders to refuse further contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement until the federal agency reins in its aggressive immigrant deportation campaign.

Ever since Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rattled several Berkshire neighborhoods with shock-and-awe raids last March, weve been frequent critics of ICEs mission creep and increasingly militant behavior under the Trump administration. For this very reason, we are worried that state officials calling out a Pittsfield vehicle manufacturer that has contracted with ICE redirects scrutiny away from a federal agency responsible for its own bad behavior.

Lenco Industries, with three manufacturing sites in the city at the heart of the Berkshires, is the nations largest producer of armored vehicles. It has equipped nearly 1,500 agencies ranging from local law enforcement and rescue crews to federal entities and overseas military units. One of those contracted agencies is ICE.

In fact, Lenco currently holds the largest ICE contract in Massachusetts: a $4.8 million deal to produce the companys BearCat armored security vehicle for the agency. That contract, inked in November, is up for renewal in May.

Now, some Massachusetts officials have called on Lenco to reconsider future contracts with ICE in light of the agencys aggressive tactics, especially some egregious behavior in the Berkshires and elsewhere in Massachusetts that we have documented and criticized here. Those officials calling the company to the carpet include state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and state Sen. Paul Mark  Pittsfields representatives in the state House and Senate, respectively  as well as Gov. Maura Healey.

Our Opinion: ICE's cruel campaign chills Berkshires again What was Mr. Andrade's crime? Why was he ensnared by immigration authorities for the offense of showing up to his asylum application check-in? A government that can't muster a good answer to that question is not interested in making America great. It's hellbent on making America a fearful, despotic place where the values that once lifted us toward greatness  the rule of law, civil rights, common decency  are shredded for realpolitik confetti.

These Berkshire legislators and Gov. Healey are rightly disturbed at ICEs behavior over the last year. We are, too. The sight of ICE sweeping through our neighborhoods using authoritarian tactics is made more painful knowing some of the equipment being used was made here. Consider, for example, a raid last May when federal agents descended on downtown Great Barrington to detain a restaurant worker. The agents did not have a warrant, though they did have a warzones worth of military-style hardware  including a BearCat.

Nevertheless, we would simply ask Rep. Farley-Bouvier, Sen. Mark and Gov. Healey what they seek to accomplish by piling on a Pittsfield company.

If Lenco were to refuse a lucrative federal contract, as these officials seem to be suggesting the business should do, we have no doubt ICE would be able to procure similar equipment elsewhere. Further, there are plenty of examples in the Berkshires and beyond of federal immigration agents whose thuggish overreach did not rely on the use of a BearCat. This particular piece of equipment manufactured in Pittsfield is not a common denominator of ICEs worst abuses.

In the abstract, there is a fine-grained moral debate  one we cant settle here  about how much culpability one can reasonably assign a private company who produces goods for government use. Governmental agencies behave badly all too often, and it seems arbitrary to single out one company producing one non-offensive piece of equipment, even as we agree the immigration crackdown utilizing that equipment warrants strenuous criticism.

In reality, that debate has, in this case, been oversimplified into a false dichotomy of supporting a substantial local job provider vs. reining in ICEs bad behavior. The actual choice is whether to conduct a virtue-signaling campaign that could impact a modern Berkshire manufacturing success story without meaningfully impacting ICEs actions.

To us, the choice for where to direct our finite attention seems obvious: We ought to be focusing our scrutiny on ICEs jackboot tactics, not playing guilt by association with local businesses that cannot reasonably be held responsible for their clients actions. Whats more, distorting the necessary conversation about how to restrain ICEs overreach into a broadside against a private Berkshire manufacturer is politically toxic, which risks undermining the growing bipartisan demand for principled pushback to this administrations brutal anti-immigrant crackdown.

Its said that a bad workman always blames the tools. We would offer a corollary: Its neither productive nor principled to blame the toolmaker when the responsibility lies with those misusing the tools to abuse people. ICE is not only an agency; it has agency. Dont dilute this powerful agencys responsibility for its misdeeds by piling on a Pittsfield family-owned business.
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Dr. Reddys Laboratories announces launch of DCGI-approved Semaglutide injection Obeda for Type 2 Diabetes

March 21, 2026 | Saturday | News

Dr. Reddys Obeda semaglutide injection is available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths

image credit- freepik

Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddys Laboratories has announced the launch of its injectable semaglutide under the brand name Obeda, marking an important step in expanding access to advanced GLP1 receptor agonistbased therapy for the management of type 2 diabetes in India.

Dr. Reddys has been the first Indian company to receive Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for generic semaglutide.

In a headtohead Phase III clinical study enrolling 312 participants, Dr. Reddys Obeda established noninferior efficacy and a safety profile comparable to the innovator drug. It showed similar glycaemic reduction. Additionally, comparable results were observed for fasting glucose control, postprandial glucose control, and therapeutic glycaemic response (achieving HbA1c <7.0%) at the end of the study. No antidrug antibodies were detected, and the immunogenicity profile was similar to that of the innovator drug.

With both API development and manufacturing, as well as formulation development conducted entirely inhouse, Obeda reflects Dr. Reddys strength in complex product development and peptide science. It also showcases the companys decadelong expertise in peptide technology and its commitment to bringing GLP1 therapies to market to ensure access to highquality, affordable medicines and addressing Indias evolving healthcare needs. As part of its future plans for GLP-1 therapies, the company will be looking at a fully integrated API and formulation approach, encompassing both development and manufacturing in-house.

Dr. Reddys Obeda injection is available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths and comes in a prefilled, disposable pen designed for subcutaneous, oncea-week administration, with robust coldchain integrity maintained throughout distribution.

Each pen of both strengths will deliver a minimum of 4 weekly doses. The cost to the patient will be Rs 4,200 per month for both the strengths. Additionally, in a humanfactors study involving 41 participants completing approximately 20 key tasks aligned with the USFDAs guidance for drugdevice combination products, the Obeda pen demonstrated noninferior userperformance outcomes compared with the innovator pen.

As part of its patient support programme for Obeda, Dr. Reddys has developed SemaKare, a comprehensive support system to enhance and streamline the patient journey. Supported by a digital app, SemaKare offers onboarding guidance, field devicecounsellor assistance, injection training, telesupport, therapyadherence monitoring, and so on, to help improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Rymo raises Rs 10 Cr seed funding led by IAN Angel Fund

March 21, 2026 | Saturday | News

Fresh capital will be used to accelerate product innovation, expand manufacturing capabilities

IAN Group, the countrys single largest early-stage investment platform, has invested in Rymo Technologies, a robotic neuro-rehabilitation startup in its seed funding round of over Rs 10 crore through its evergreen fund, IAN Angel Fund, with participation from other angel investors.

The fresh capital will be used to accelerate product innovation, expand manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen the companys presence across India while scaling into international markets, including ASEAN and the Middle East.

Founded by Chirag Shah (CEO) and Abhishek Rai (CTO), Mumbai-based Rymo Technologies is working to address a structural gap in neuro-rehabilitation. While the incidence of stroke and neurological disorders continues to rise globally, access to advanced rehabilitation remains limited due to a shortage of trained therapists and the high cost of robotic rehabilitation systems. As a result patients in Tier 1 and 2 cities, and smaller hospitals often lack access to advanced therapy solutions.

The company has already demonstrated strong traction across the healthcare ecosystem, with more than 452 device installations and 354 clinical customers, including leading institutions such as AIIMS, Apollo Hospitals, and Manipal Hospitals. Rymos systems have supported over 7,500 patients, delivering more than 15,000 therapy hours, with studies indicating up to 25 percent faster recovery outcomes.

Rymos approach focuses on bringing robotic and AI-assisted rehabilitation technology to mid-sized hospitals and physiotherapy clinics at an accessible price point, enabling healthcare providers beyond large metropolitan hospitals to deliver advanced rehabilitation services.

The company has also made progress on regulatory and international expansion fronts. Rymo has received US FDA classification as a Class II medical device and has signed a distribution partnership with Fourier Rehab to expand into ASEAN markets.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

ALTHOUGH she has been told to resign several times, embattled vice president is still hanging on!She has refused to back down despite a barrage of inhuman attacks aimed at pressuring her to resign before next month's congress, where some think she will lose her job.In the face of increasing personal attacks on her and her family, Mujuru has largely remained quiet, only once issuing a statement in which she repeated her intentions to continue serving in her position.In a strange twist of fate, Mujuru remained acting as president while President Robert Mugabe travelled to Equatorial Guinea, only a day after First Lady Grace Mugabe reiterated calls that she must resign.Analysts feel there is a deliberate strategy to frustrate Mujuru before congress, because her adversaries fear she may brew a shocker at next month's meeting.They added that attempts to push her out before congress suggest fear that ordinary party members might ignore Grace's angry calls to dump her and instead vote her back to her position.This, they said, was one chance those calling for her ouster could take, hence pushing for her ouster before congress and even now insisting that the president better appoints his lieutenants.Political analyst Beloved Chiweshe said those writing off Mujuru could do so at their own peril."Politicians are known to have multiple lives," he said."The chances of a comeback between now and congress may be limited, but a lot can change the dynamics within Zanu PF a the president's age and reports of ill-health being key."What the Mujuru camp may do between now and the congress is difficult to predict. However, her liberation credentials might cushion her from possible extremist behaviour by party members."South Africa-based media scholar Trust Matsilele, however, argued otherwise, saying it was highly unlikely Mujuru would be co-opted into the executive even though she might draw support."There is some re-configuration in the liberation party as the minority faction tries to consolidate its position post-Mugabe era," he said."They are making such pronouncements as a pre-emptive measure to ensure that if she is to win at the congress, she is not co-opted into the executive."A Mujuru ouster at the congress may trigger a Cabinet reshuffle, considering Mugabe usually takes his annual leave immediately after the meeting and he may be loath to leave someone who has just been ousted in charge.There are reports that if Mujuru fails to garner a nomination from the provinces, she may be nominated from the floor, a move that could embarrass the mandarins pushing for her ouster.This, informed sources said, could be the reason why there was a purge of her perceived supporters within provincial structures.Already, controversy is brewing on the accreditation of delegates to attend the meeting as there seems to be an orchestrated effort to cull anyone aligned to the vice-president.Initially, Mujuru's adversaries advocated for a secret ballot election at the party's congress, but when they realised that this was not gaining traction, they changed tact and now want Mugabe to appoint his deputies.Mujuru is accused of a raft of charges ranging from corruption and promoting factionalism to treason.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh receives lifetime achievement award at National Medical Conference in Chennai

March 21, 2026 | Saturday | News

This is his second Lifetime Achievement Award for Medical Excellence

image credit- pib

Union Minister of State Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh was conferred with the LifeTime Achievement Award in the field of Medicine and Diabetes at the National Conference held in Chennai on 20th March.

The award citation referred to Dr Jitendra Singh as a distinguished medical expert, author and outstanding contributor to advancing diabetes care and public health.

This is the second Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on Dr Jitendra Singh for excellence in the medical field. The first award was presented to him at an international conference held in Chennai in July 2024.

Dr Jitendra Singh is a renowned Diabetologist, educationist and public representative with decades of experience in the field of medicine and diabetes. Trained as a Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr Singh has made extensive contributions in the field of diabetes research, medical literature and public health awareness, with more than five thousand articles and several books published.

Among his pioneering works is research on "Stress Induced Diabetes in Kashmiri Migrants", which has been internationally recognised. Over the years, he has been associated with premier national and global diabetes institutions and has made significant contributions to medical education and policy making.

Expressing gratitude on the occasion of receiving the award, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the honour assumes special significance as it commemorates the legacy of Prof. M. Viswanathan, who is regarded as one of the founding pioneers of diabetics and diabetes research in India. He described it as not only a tribute to his lifelong work but also to the rich tradition of medical excellence established by the first generation of doctors after independence and their contemporaries who were guided by a deep sensitivity towards patients with diagnostic rigor.
Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Karen Hauer has quit the show after 14 years.

She announced it is the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas Im passionate about on Saturday morning.

The Venezuela-born dancer addressed former co-hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who stepped down last year, saying maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the Autumn.

Former cricketer Phil Tufnell and Hauer in 2013 (Rui Vieira/PA)

In a video shared to her Instagram account, she told her followers: Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being.

Ive had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much.

Her Strictly career started paired with Westlifes Nicky Byrne in 2012.

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She has also partnered with former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and Made In Chelseas Jamie Laing.

And to the brilliant Tess and Claudia, maybe we can finally be ladies who lunch in the Autumn Karen Hauer, Strictly Come Dancing

Hauer thanked her fans who have witnessed all of my different hairstyles and the Strictly crew including the welfare team who take such good care of us.

Entertainment Sarah Michelle Gellar moved by outpouring of love after Buffy reboot axed Read more

Ill never forget joining the show 14 years ago with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman and learning from such incredible legends along the way.

She added: Ill even miss standing front of the judges, can you believe that? Smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing  its been an honour to share the ballroom with them.

The award-winning dancer became emotional as she said: Who wouldve thought that a young girl from the Bronx would end up becoming the longest serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution.
A colonel and a major in a worldwide highly sophisticated money laundering syndicate on a breathtaking scale have been jailed for nine years and seven-and-a-half years respectively.

Ejike Francis Ogubefi (42) of Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 and Steven Silvester (32) of The Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, were both convicted of directing the activities of a criminal organisation following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February.

Ogubefi was also convicted of 32 counts of money laundering and seven of conspiracy to money launder.

The jury also convicted Silvester of five counts of money laundering, two of attempted money laundering, four of conspiracy to money launder and one of using a false instrument.

Both defendants have no previous convictions here or in another jurisdiction.

The court heard that both men are assessed to be above mule herders and money mules in the operation, with Ogubefi having a more active role.

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During the sentence hearing, Judge Martin Nolan suggested to the investigating garda that the men were a colonel and a major, which Detective Garda Steven Kelly agreed with.

Imposing the sentence on Friday, Judge Nolan said both men were involved in the offending and played certain roles.

He noted that the schemes ambition was to get accounts to launder illicit monies which were undoubtedly the product of criminal behaviour and that third parties unknown to the court suffered as a result

Both men were reasonably experienced in how the banking system works and aware of its weaknesses, which they tested, sometimes successfully, the judge said.

The judge said he had considered the mitigation and there was a good chance the men would not re-offend in future, but that the court could not be certain.

Ireland Funeral details announced for Ukrainian man who died after stabbing in Co Cork Read more

Judge Nolan noted that money laundering is a serious problem and the court often dealt with cases of people who provided their bank details to be used in these schemes.

These bank accounts are necessary for all fraud, because monies have to come to earth somewhere, the judge said, noting that the defendants main role was to procure bank accounts so that money could be sent to others who profited.

He handed Ogubefi a sentence of nine years and imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence on Silvester, whom he considered to be at a lower level.

The judge said this type of money laundering is prevalent and hard to detect, and that deterrence had to be a factor in sentencing. He also directed the men to get credit for any time served on this matter alone.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Harare Residents Trust has said Kuwadzana residents are facing serious water problems."Kuwadzana 4 residents are facing water challenges, houses between Kuwadzana 2 Primary school, 88 close and 55 crescent are not getting water from their taps," said the trust."There is only one borehole in the area to cater for all residents. Sometimes fights erupt amongst residents when the competition to get water stiffens. There is need for council to drill more boreholes in the area to ensure water availability improves in the area."
A woman has paid tribute to her soulmate who collapsed and died at the family home following a stabbing incident in Cork city earlier this week.

Ukrainian father of one, Oleksandr Zhyvtskyi, died on March 16th at his apartment in Camden Court, Carrolls Quay in the city.

The 31-year-old married father of a 10-month-old girl had returned to the property in a visibly injured state.

His wife raised the alarm, and the emergency services and gardai attended at the scene. However, efforts by paramedics to save him failed, and he was formally pronounced dead by a local doctor shortly after 8.30 pm.

His wife Viktoriya, posted on Rip.ie that it was with a broken heart that she was sharing the news of the sudden death of her beloved husband Oleksandr.

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You were my everything, my soulmate, my strength, my safe place. A loving and devoted father to our baby girl Yeva. She will grow up knowing how deeply she was loved by you.

"Thank you for every moment, every memory, every piece of love you gave us. We will carry you in our hearts forever.

She said that her husband will also be sadly missed by their daughter Yeva, his parents Halyna and Mykola, his brother Maksym, his in-laws Nadya and Serhiy, sister-in-law Alina, brother-in-law Jimmy, extended family, work colleagues and many, many friends.

The deceased was a metal fabricator by profession. He had lived in Ireland for several years. Mr Zhyvtskyi will lie in repose at Coughlans Funeral Home, Shandon Street in Cork city on Monday (23rd March) from 10am.

His family will be in attendance at 5pm, with prayers following at 6pm.

His requiem mass will take place on Tuesday at noon in the North Cathedral with burial following at St Catherines Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.

The funeral mass can be watched online at https://corkcathedralfop.ie/parishes/the-cathedral.

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Zhyvytskyi.

Jonathan Hennessy of Dr Patrick OSullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, Co Cork, appeared before Cork District Court on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody to appear by video link before Cork District Court on March 25th next.

Court presenter Sgt John Dineen gave Judge Mary Dorgan an outline of the offence.

The garda sergeant said that it was alleged that Zhyvytskyi suffered a stab wound to the chest during an altercation at 7.50pm on March 16th last in Knapps Square in Cork.

He said that the injured man made his way to the home, where he was attended to by paramedics. However, efforts to save him failed.
Entertainer and comic Sil Fox wants his High Court claim for damages arising from the failed prosecution of a sexual assault charge against him to be heard by a jury.

Fox is suing the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Garda and various other State parties, alleging that the decision to prosecute him destroyed his reputation and standing, and caused him emotional distress.

Fox, who turns 93 next week and resides in Templeogue, Dublin 6, claims the reckless decision to prosecute breached his constitutional rights, including his right to a good name.

He also claims he suffered breaches of his human rights.

In May 2020, a District Court judge dismissed the charge against Fox due to inconsistencies in evidence, clearing him of sexually assaulting a female complainant at a Dublin bar on December 17th, 2018.

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In a pre-trial motion on Friday, lawyers for Fox asked Judge Oisin Quinn to use his discretion to direct that a jury be convened for the hearing of Foxs civil action.

Only certain civil cases have an automatic entitlement to be tried by a jury, sitting with a judge. The Fox side accepts their client is not entitled by default to have his case heard by a jury.

Barrister Barra McGrory, appearing for Fox and instructed by solicitor Kevin Winters, submitted to the court that there were no grounds for the failed criminal prosecution against his client, and that the DPP was guilty of a dereliction of duty.

Counsel said that if the DPP and the Garda had fully examined all evidence available to them, they would have identified inherent contradictions in the complainants evidence, and the case would have never been brought against Fox.

Counsel said his side were seeking a jury trial, arising from the alleged degree of recklessness on the defendants part in bringing the prosecution, and the consequences suffered by Fox as a result.

He further submitted that when the power vested in the DPP and other State bodies is exercised recklessly  as alleged in Foxs case, there must be a mechanism for those bodies to be held to account.

The criminal case against Fox resulted in significant adverse publicity for him, counsel said.

As a result of the publicity attached to the case, Fox submits that the damage to his reputation was done, in respect of his career as a much-loved and well-known entertainer, counsel said.

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Counsel said Fox claims his popularity significantly waned following the case, and offers of work and public appearances radically diminished.

Barrister Conor McKenna, appearing for the DPP, said his clients decision to prosecute Fox was made on the basis of the complainants witness statement and CCTV footage, which was not inconsistent with her claims.

It is his clients position that a bona fide and reasonable decision was made to prosecute on the basis of available evidence.

Counsel submitted that there are complex matters of law arising in the case that were not suitable for a jury to decide.

This included the fact that a decision of the DPP can only be reviewed by the courts in exceptional circumstances.

Ireland Man jailed for punching off-duty Garda on Christmas night out Read more

Counsel also submitted that Foxs side did not advance legal authorities to support many of its arguments in seeking a jury trial.

Barrister Paul OHiggins, appearing for the Garda Commissioner and other State parties, said the prospect of having the case heard by a jury was legally preposterous.

He also noted that the Fox side had not engaged with a request to specify the allegations being directed at specific defendants. Everyone is alleged to have done everything, he submitted.

The judge said he would issue his ruling at a later date.
The death has occurred of Joan Delany, the wife of Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delaney, who passed away just 10 days ago.

Ronnie and Joan were married for 64 years.

Last Monday, Ronnie Delany Jnr told mourners gathered at a funeral mass in Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Foxrock in Dublin that his father had won his second gold medal when he met his beloved Joan.

He said that he and his sisters were lucky to have parents who adored each other.

Delany, who was late of Carrickmines and formerly of Dundrum, was unable to attend the mass as she was in hospital. She watched the ceremony via Webcam.

She passed away on Wednesday, just two days after the funeral of her husband.

Delany was surrounded by her devoted family and in the compassionate care of staff at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin.

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In a funeral notice on Rip.ie her family said that the couple were reunited once more in gentle peace. Delany was predeceased by her sister Ann and her brother Brian.

She is survived by her adult children, Lisa, Ronnie, Jennie and Michelle (Mimi), her grandchildren and great granddaughter, her sons and daughter-in-law, her sister Pat and Sally, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of loyal friends.

Her family described her as a kind and loving presence in the lives of all who knew her

Joan will be remembered always for her beauty, warmth, grace and quiet strength.

A funeral mass took place at St Brigids Church in Cabinteely in Dublin on Saturday at 11 am. A private cremation service will follow.
Three weeks into an escalating war in the Middle East, Iran threatened to expand its retaliatory attacks to include recreational and tourist sites worldwide, as the US announced it was sending more warships and Marines to the region.

Following news of the deployments, US President Donald Trump said later on Friday on social media that his administration in fact was considering winding down military operations in the region.

The mixed messages came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock market, and was followed by a Trump administration announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling soaring fuel prices.

The war, meanwhile, has shown no signs of abating.





Since Day One of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump clearly outlined the U.S. Militarys objectives to end the threat of the Iranian terrorist regime.



The President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission.



Tomorrow marks week pic.twitter.com/A5F8UTxpPZ  Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 20, 2026

Israel said Iran continued to fire missiles at it early on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in just a couple of hours in the countrys eastern region, which is home to major oil installations.

The defence ministry said there were no injuries or damage.

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Iran has escalated attacks on its Gulf neighbours since Israel bombed its massive South Pars offshore natural gas field, while keeping a stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil and other critical goods are transported.

The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programs. There have been no public signs of any such uprising and no end to the war in sight.

In his social media post, the president said, We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.

That seemed at odds with his administrations move to bolster its firepower in the region and request another 200 billion dollars (149.9 billion) from Congress to fund the war.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei praised Iranians steadfastness in the face of war in a written statement read on Iranian television to mark Nowruz. He said the US and Israeli attacks were based on an illusion that killing Irans top leaders could cause the overthrow of the government.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he became supreme leader following Israeli strikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly wounded him.

Irans top military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations worldwide will not be safe for the countrys enemies. The threat renewed concerns that Tehran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic.



President Donald Trump walks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Alex Brandon/AP)

It remains to be seen if lifting sanctions on Iranian oil will drop prices.

Brent crude oil, the international standard, has soared during the fighting and was around 108 dollars (80) per barrel, up from roughly 70 dollars (52) before the war.

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The newly announced US pause in sanctions applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end April 19. The license has limits, including a restriction on sales involving anyone in North Korea or Cuba.

Treasury secretary Scott Bessent previously suggested it as a way to prevent China from being the sole beneficiary of Iranian oil.

The new move does not increase the flow of production, a central factor in the surging prices. Iran has managed to evade US sanctions for years, suggesting that much of what it exports already reaches buyers.

Looking for ways to boost global oil supplies during the Iran war, the Trump administration has previously paused sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments for 30 days, which critics said rewarded Moscow while having only a modest effect on markets.

Elsewhere, the Israeli military said early on Saturday that it began a wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah militants in Beiruts southern suburbs.

Smoke was seen rising, fires broke out and loud explosions were heard across parts of central Beirut.

Hours earlier, the army renewed evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods, prompting some residents to fire gunshots to alert families to flee. No injuries were reported.
Irans main nuclear enrichment facility has been struck again as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week.

The capital Tehran saw heavy air strikes overnight and into the morning, residents said, as thousands of worshippers converged on Tehrans grand mosque for prayers marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said attacks would increase significantly next week. He was speaking shortly after fragments from an Iranian missile slammed into an empty nursery school near Tel Aviv. No casualties were reported.





Dozens of people were injured in Israel later as Iranian missiles targeted two areas near the countrys main nuclear research centre. The Israeli military said its defences were not able to intercept the missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad.

The attacks  and threats of more to come  indicate the war shows no sign of abating as its effects are felt far beyond the Middle East, raising food and fuel prices.

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Meanwhile, an Iranian attack on the joint UK-US Diego Garcia air base in the Indian Ocean, about 2,500 miles away, suggested Tehran has missiles that can go farther than it had previously acknowledged.

The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Irans leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programmes and its support for armed proxies in the region. There have been no public signs of any uprising, while internet restrictions in Iran complicate communications.



A worshipper displays a portrait of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on her smartphone at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

With little information coming out of Iran, it is not clear how much damage its arms, nuclear or energy facilities have sustained in the US and Israeli strikes that began on February 28  or even who is truly in charge. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was named to the role.

Irans official news agency, Mizan, said there was no leakage after the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, nearly 135 miles south east of Tehran.

The UN nuclear watchdog has said the bulk of Irans estimated 970lb of enriched uranium is elsewhere, beneath the rubble at its Isfahan facility, with a lesser amount at Natanz.

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Israels military said it was not aware of a strike there by its own military.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was informed by Tehran about the strike and was looking into the incident.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said such strikes pose a real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East.



(PA Graphics)

The Natanz facility was hit in the first week of the war and several buildings appeared damaged, according to satellite images. Natanz was also targeted in the 12-day war last June.

As Iran targets energy facilities in the region while threatening shipping on the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates joined 21 other countries including the UK, Germany, France and Japan in saying they express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage.



(PA Graphics)

The Trump administration announced it is lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded on ships as of Friday and will end the pause on April 19. The licence has limits including a restriction on sales involving anyone in North Korea or Cuba.

The decision does not increase the flow of oil production, a central factor in surging prices. Iran has evaded US sanctions for years, suggesting that much of what it exports already reaches buyers.

The head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, said Irans ability to attack vessels in the strait had been degraded. He said earlier in the week that multiple 5,000lb bombs had been dropped on an underground facility along Irans coastline that was used to store anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile missile launchers and other equipment.



A destroyed building that housed a branch of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial institution run by Hezbollah, which was hit by an Israeli air strike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

The US is deploying three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional marines to the Middle East, an official told the Associated Press. Two other US officials confirmed that ships were deploying, without saying where they were heading.

Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in a couple of hours on Saturday in its eastern region, home to major oil installations. No injuries or damage were reported.

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More than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran during the war. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles and four have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 US military members have been killed, along with civilians in Gulf nations.
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CultureMoviesPhilosophy Opinion I could weep every time I hear this brilliant woman speak. Shes so true and wise Julia Baird Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author March 21, 2026  8:30am

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One of the greatest tragedies in modern society, said Chloe Zhao at the London Film Festival, is that we forgot the power of the crone, the power of the grandmothers and grandfathers and elders in society. And that we stopped gathering around them. We stopped going to them to help make decisions about how this tribe should work. Illustration by Dionne Gain Its not easy being a crone in Hollywood. Women over 50, or even 40, who still glam up, and turn up, are subjected to the kind of exacting, often cruel scrutiny that would make the couch seem a far preferable option to the red carpet. The lighting was apparently so harsh at this years post-Oscars Vanity Fair party that one actress spent the whole time on her phone yelling at her publicist, then went home and cried herself to sleep. The Hollywood Reporter quoted a VF Insider saying: It was just so unforgiving. 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!

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One problem with this whole charade is that it is just such a boring, limiting way to view women. During this years awards season, past the parade of best and worst dressed, and those just trying to keep it together in a world of seemingly infinite judgment, came the sweetest relief in the figure of Chloe Zhao. The Beijing-born director is a marvel, an illumination in a sea of dross, talking with depth and sincerity about grief and loss and joy and dancing and pain. I could weep every time I hear her speak, just like I wept during her beautifully crafted film Hamnet because she is so true and so wise. Because she wrestles with the real stuff, with who we are and how we go on. Because it does not matter what she wears; when she opens her mouth, she can make you catch your breath. She is both exceptional and relatable, with a gleaming poetic energy, and I hope we hear more from her. Oscar winner Jessie Buckley and Zhao at the 79th British Academy Film Awards in February. Alastair Grant/Invision/AP Let me explain why. First, she grapples with grief in an open way, which is not coy and not sentimental, which recognises its howling emptiness  and yet also our capacity to endure, to live with and beyond grief. That this is part of love. This is powerfully evident in Hamnet, which is such an emotionally powerful and wrenching movie about the death of Shakespeares young son from the plague, an adaptation of Maggie OFarrells wonderful novel. OFarrell had wanted to explore what the impact of the death of the 11-year-old Hamnet was on his fathers later writing of Hamlet.

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Zhao insists that grief might be helped, but not resolved, by talking about it. Ultimately, she says, one has to feel it, in order to transcend grief, or alchemise grief  and, more importantly, feeling the love that is on each side of grief. Because one cannot grieve unless they have loved deeply, deeply, and have a tremendous amount of empathy. So how do you get the audience to feel instead of just think about it? When they feel, its not just the characters grief and love, its their own. For me, its about trying to capture something that you cant quite grasp. By the end of the film, you understand grief is bordered by joy, and perhaps even faith. Second, her creativity is rooted in empathy. She says that she makes decisions from the feeling place instead of from intellect. Steven Spielberg, who was her producer on Hamnet, described her as the most spiritually empathetic director he has ever known. Zhao seems to have created quite an extraordinary environment on the set of Hamnet, where she used dream work interpretation as well as cathartic dance takes, where the cast shook out the emotions they were channelling in their performances. I have watched one of them  the final take  over and over, and each time found myself grinning at the exuberant joy.

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From this came the inspired performances of Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. When Buckley won the Oscar for best actress, she described the film as depicting the chaos of a mothers heart. Third, because Zhao speaks about spirituality without sounding daft, entwining Eastern and Western thought: the Japanese Shinto  believing every object has a spirit  that fascinated her as a child, and the symbolism of Carl Jung she found as an adult. (She told The New Yorker that her art has been shaped by her childhood love of manga, her relationship with the natural world and her neurodivergence.) Related Article Opinion

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Women gave the monarchy decency. Has mens indecency forever soiled the crown? Julia Baird Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author See the way she describes composer Max Richter, whose music defines Hamnet, when presenting him with the Berlinale Camera. He matters, she says, because today the world feels really busy and really fast and loud. We have so much, and we somehow feel emptier inside. And in modern society we dont have the time skills or safe spaces or even sometimes permission to descend into ourselves. And I think Max knows this about the modern world, and I believe that it is because of this that sets him on a journey deep into himself to bring us the music that helps us to reclaim our own connection to our inner divinity. And thats why so many of us turn to Maxs music at the most intimate and vulnerable moments of our live. Including at birth and at death. Because of it, his music says to us this life matters, stay with it. And, so we do. Im so tired of seeing discussions about which woman had what facial procedure and who has failed the ever-shifting bar of modern femininity  and so interested in hearing new discussions about ways of loving, grieving, understanding the world and each other, rooted in ancient truths and enduring symbols. About continuing to value and nurture human creativity during the rise of the robots.

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About the stuff that matters, this life that matters. The strength of leadership doesnt come from dominance, Zhao said to an admiring Bradley Cooper in Interview magazine. It comes from interdependence within an ecosystem that needs to be carefully protected and tended. Interdependence doesnt really fit the model our industry is built on, even the word director. Its a revolutionary way to think, and one the world is hungering for. Julia Baird is a journalist, author and regular columnist. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Review Eating outPerth Lahori Dera brings new and lesser-seen examples of Pakistani cooking to Maddington The menu of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes runs from paneer to pizza, breakfast to buffet (and, indeed, breakfast buffets). Max Veenhuyzen March 21, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

1 / 2 Shahi paneer paired with discs of crunchy kalhanji naan is a win for all. Max Veenhuyzen 2 / 2 The qalander stars meats roasted in the tandoor oven and pulao rice. Max Veenhuyzen Previous Slide Next Slide 13.5 / 20 How we score Lahori Dera Pakistani$$$$ There are half a dozen dried dates in the gold saucer in front of me. They are chewy and dense and taste of sunshine and patience. Next to the saucer is a jug of rooh afza, a ruby-coloured squash made with rose syrup and soaked chia seeds. Like the dried fruit, the rooh afza is also sweet. Too sweet, even. (I had Turkish delight consomme jotted down among the tasting notes in my phone.) Which is precisely why both feature prominently in Iftar, the evening meal taken by Muslims to break their daily fast during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of reflection that ended on Thursday night. The natural sugars and minerals in the dates are great for blood sugar levels while the soft drink quickly rehydrates the body.

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Iftar is the evening meal that breaks the Ramadan fast. Max Veenhuyzen The pair also feature prominently at Lahori Dera, a two-room Pakistani restaurant in Maddington. Or at least they do during the restaurants Iftar nights that sees staff set up long buffets laden with Pakistani dishes presented in ornate golden chafing dishes. In a nod to tradition, tables are also pre-set with dates and rooh afza for those that want to keep it old school. Most diners, though, have their eyes on a bigger prize than just dried fruit with some happy to jockey for prime line positions so they can hit the ground running when sunset hits. Typically, an adhan (the Islamic call to prayer) signals go-time. At Lahori Dera, the dinner bell is inaudible. Instead, look for bursts of movement as the hungry go straight for hefty samosas; crunchy, kakiage-like pakoras of loose-limbed shaved vegetables; and good-sized spring rolls. (The appeal of the deep fryer, it would seem, is pretty much universal.) Some will amass hillocks of fried stuff and return to the table to share the spoils of a successful hunter-gatherer outing. Others will continue down the line, filling their white plates with ladles of lush shinwari qeema (a juicy stir-fry of minced lamb, tomato and ginger); curls of excellent fish thats been fried Lahori-style and crunched up with mustard seed and crushed coriander seed; plus a creamy degi korma mutton curry  the meat is on the bone, naturally  that nudges heat levels up a little. Related Article 14.5 / 20 Review Suffering post-Japanese holiday blues? This intimate 12-seater could ease your suffering

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Quarters of naan bread and luxurious pulao rice (just-oily enough) provide vital ballast while fruit cream chaat (chopped fruits dressed with yoghurt) and a trifle-like fruit custard topped with biscuits and grapes tick the boxes for dessert. Whether you like them or not, however, hinges on how much you like banana as a flavour: the divisive fruit stars in both sweet options. All-you-can-eat, though, is just half of the story. To get the full lowdown on Lahori Dera, head to the second dining room where an a la carte menu provides a more complete look at what chef-owner Amir Nadeem can do. Its here, for instance, where hell serve mutton paya (trotter stew), cholley (chickpea curry) and other Pakistani breakfast and brunch hits on weekends. During Ramadan, the restaurant also hosts a Sehri buffet  the pre-dawn, pre-fasting meal  between 1:30am and 3:30am that Im eager to try next year. Itd be possible to leave the buffet thinking vegetables arent a strong suit: the yoghurt-soaked fritters in the dahi bhalian are a little too soft, the gutsy dahl not quite in the same league as Dahl Daddys namesake. But get to know the shahi paneer  a hauntingly rich curry built from tomatoes, cashews and cream that tastes as if korma and satay sauce spent the weekend together  and youll understand why this part of the world is renowned for its vegetarian kitchen-craft. I burned through an entire half of kalwanji naan (a fine, cracker-like flatbread studded with sesame seeds) sopping up the gravy before I remembered there was cheese to be eaten too. Related Article 14.5 / 20 Review One of WAs most vital food stories is now even more compelling  and delicious That naan, meanwhile, is baked in the tandoor, just like most of the non-veg entrees such as the lamb seekh kebab (meaty!), plump chicken tikka and roasted quail. You can order these meats individually or sample a bunch of them via the qalanderi platter: a barbecue sampler of sorts starring various meats heaped onto a mountain of pulao. Next on my to-try list: the restaurants Pakistani-influenced pizzas starring paneer, chaap and lamb kebab. (Back in Lahore, Italian cooking was one of the cuisines that Nadeem trained in.)

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It seems churlish to write this but while both dining rooms make pleasant dining backdrops  restaurant manager Sami Haidari and his team are a warm presence throughout  the toilets arent great and betray the age of the building. Then again, Lahori Dera wouldnt be the first place where the food is great but the bathrooms leave something to be desired. (We pause here to think of Mikis Open Kitchen in Margaret River as well as Broomes wonderful, dearly departed Aarli.) And if I had to choose between good kitchen but bad bathrooms or the reverse, the answer is clear-cut. And if eating real deal and lesser-seen Pakistani cooking means contending with some circa 1980s footy changeroom bathroom decor, then so be it. People have  and, tragically, continue to  endure far worse to break bread with their loved ones. The low-down Atmosphere: a family-run, Halal restaurant helping broaden WAs Pakistani food options Go-to dishes: shahi paneer ($22); Lahori fish ($20) Drinks: Milky Kashimiri teas and sweet fruit shakes served in goblets that are the size of a shotput, plus multinational soft drinks Cost: about $80 for two people, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.

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Lahori Dera

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Reviews Max Veenhuyzen is a journalist and photographer who has been writing about food, drink and travel for national and international publications for more than 20 years. He reviews restaurants for the Good Food Guide.
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsSocial media Most of us put off making this simple lifestyle choice but it changed Mels life Courtney Thompson March 21, 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

Chances are, youve already heard a story like Peta Sitcheffs. As a sales rep working in the medical device industry, the 50-year-old worked when her neurosurgeon clients worked. So, non-stop. For 14 years, I was on-call 24/7, Sitcheff says. A surgeon could ring me any time of day, wanting to book equipment for a surgery that they needed, and I would have to be available. My phone essentially became an extension of my arm. If it wasnt on me, I would panic. If it rang, Id jump. Peta Sitcheff was so attached to her phone that she came to dread hearing it ring. When she reached a point of acute burnout, she knew she needed an intervention. Simon Schluter To cope, shed scroll social media sites such as Instagram or LinkedIn and find herself feeling even worse. Then, eight years ago, she reached a point of acute burnout. I started to fear my phone ringing, says the Albert Park, Melbourne, resident.

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It wasnt enough to quit her job. Sitcheff also found herself needing to extricate herself from her phone, get offline. I had to visit my grandmother in Queensland and I remember deciding at that moment to leave my phone at home, she says. Now, Sitcheff doesnt even have her client emails on her phone. She has blocked all social media and has a curfew of 8pm for phone use. Related Article Good Weekend Trying to quit social media? Dont make this self-righteous mistake We know we spend too much of our days looking at our phones, and that we feel bad comparing ourselves to others. Its why 35 per cent of people reported wanting to get off the internet entirely in a 2025 study by NordVPN, and why theres now an entire genre of content creator dedicated to anti-doomscrolling influencing. On TikTok, people like Cat Goetz make content that helps get you off your phone. There are retreats where you can spend thousands to have your phone disconnected, and go away to tiny cabins where youre able to select locations that have no service. Not to mention the popularity of analogue culture among younger generations that points towards a desire, at least to an extent, to get off the damn phone.

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There are plenty of celebrities who have shunned socials. Jacob Elordi doesnt have a public Instagram, nor does Jennifer Lawrence. George Clooney told The Hollywood Reporter he actively encourages young actors to stay off apps. I said to all these actors, Get the fuck off of it. Get off of all of it. Because if youre not on it, you have nothing to be compared to, Clooney said. Brick is designed to add friction to the impulse to get out your phone by creating a physical barrier to access. But for the rest of us who dont employ teams who can manage our lives, knowing how addictive our phones are, and how intertwined our phones feel to our daily lives, is it even possible to go fully offline in 2026? According to Dr Luke Martin, a Beyond Blue clinical psychologist, the findings from studies into reduced device usage are so mixed that the advice isnt actually to go cold turkey. A lot of the research looks at whats a sustainable relationship with my device. Often that involves strategies that are more about creating zones when you do and dont use it or adding friction to your usage so that its not so easy to use, and also building self-awareness around your usage, Martin says.

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A company whose reason detre is to add that friction is Brick. Founded in 2023 by TJ Driver and Zach Nasgowitz, its a phone lock that uses NFC technology to block access to certain apps. You brick your phone by tapping it against a small cube, which cuts you off from the apps youve determined to be unnecessary or too distracting. You can unbrick it only by tapping the cube, which youre encouraged to place somewhere that is easily accessible. Like your kitchen fridge, for example. When unlocking certain apps requires physically returning to the device, it creates a pause where people can decide whether they actually want to reconnect or stay present, says Driver, who says its used best when incorporated into a routine, rather than an occasional solution. A lot of people stay bricked for large parts of the day and switch between different modes depending on what theyre doing  work mode during focused hours, family mode in the evening, and sleep mode at night, he says. Brick certainly makes a more sustainable relationship possible, but at $93, its not the cheapest option. And still, theres something enticing about the idea of being able to get off socials altogether. If you ask Dr Brad Marshall, the notion our lives are irrevocably linked to our phones is a bit of a myth. The idea that we are being socially disconnected if we dont have social media is not true, says Marshall, a psychologist and director of The Screen and Gaming Disorder Clinic. Do you miss out on things and communications? Yes. But is it real communication? No. Mel Corthine deleted her social media accounts six months ago and hasnt looked back. Steven Siewert

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Mel Corthine, 45, is a testament to that. The hair salon owner from Maroubra, Sydney, was on the apps for anywhere between four and five hours a day. Shed been monitoring her usage, and she even tried to set screen time limits on her phone. Then Charlie Kirk died. The algorithm was just blowing up with really graphic images of a man getting shot, Corthine says. I just had enough. I was like, I actually dont need this in my life. Six months ago, she deleted her Instagram and Facebook accounts and she hasnt looked back since. Zero social media time and its fantastic, says Corthine, who employs someone to manage the social media accounts for her hair salon. If my friends go on vacation or whatever and I dont see their pictures on Instagram, thats fine by me, she says of things she might miss by not being on socials any more. They can show me if they want, or they can text me. I do have more real face-to-face time with my friends now.

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Corthine has since set up a fortnightly in-person catch-up with her friends and she regularly meets with a group to go ocean swimming every week. Its just more like, why dont we just see each other in person and chat?. I dont really need to see the social media version of my friends lives anyway. Related Article Opinion

Superannuation The social media trap that could cost you your retirement savings Bec Wilson Money contributor Its a prudent point to raise, given social media has been moving away from the social element for a few years now. During the US Federal Trade Commissions antitrust trial against Meta, Mark Zuckerberg revealed that between 2023 and 2025, the proportion of time spent on Instagram viewing content from friends went from 11 per cent down to 7 per cent. At a Bloomberg event a few months later, head of Instagram Adam Mosseri said posting to your feed is just not the primary way that people express themselves any more. Instead, he said, they connect via sharing content such as reels with each other. Read between the lines, and its clear social media in the traditional sense  where we post snapshots of our lives for friends and family to see  is no longer profitable to these companies. People are wise to this. In 2022, there were over 336,000 signatures on a Change.org petition called MAKE INSTAGRAM INSTAGRAM AGAIN, which pleaded we just want to see when our friends post. But people like Corthine and Sitcheff, who says she will often call friends during long car trips and make a concerted effort to see them in person, prove that our lives dont stop when our scrolling does.

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My life is very peaceful, Corthine says. Sitcheff feels similarly. I used to feel like I had to keep up with everyone on social media, but I dont want to, she says. I know what I love. I know what my purpose is, and Im focused on that. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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NationalEnergy security Opinion I was a BP boss and Thatchers energy adviser: Its time to switch off petrol Greg Bourne Energy expert March 21, 2026  12:30pm

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I have spent my working life in the heart of the global energy machine. I advised former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher on energy and transport. I oversaw BPs regional operations in Latin America and Australasia and I undertook drilling projects in the Middle East, Asia and North and South America. I have seen first-hand how quickly the world can go from calm to chaos if energy supplies hit a choke point. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical choke point. This 50-kilometre stretch of water is the worlds busiest oil shipping channel, and it is effectively closed to most ships due to military threat. Ships arent moving into a zone where an escort or an escorted vessel is likely to be hit by aerial or undersea drones. On Friday, the International Energy Agency advised governments around the world to consider measures to conserve fuel while the Iran war persists, including reduced speed limits on highways, asking citizens to work from home where possible, number plate rotation for buying petrol and encouraging a switch to public transport. Trucks fill up at Girraween in western Sydney on Friday, when diesel was selling for almost $3 a litre. Sitthixay Ditthavong This is not a war of our making, but it is a crisis of our own making. Australia imports more than 90 per cent of its refined oil products. Our national fuel reserves sit at just 36 days, well below the 90-day international benchmark. Since the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the 1979 Iranian revolution, we have been painfully aware that being beholden to these maritime choke points is a fundamental weakness for our country. We have left ourselves exposed, and weak.

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The world responded to the 1979 oil crisis by opening new oil fields in west Africa, South America, in deepwater in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. But that is a last-century move that wont fix a 21st century problem. Related Article Middle East at war Warning to Australia: Work from home, avoid air travel and cut speed limits to guard against oil shock Doubling down on fossil fuels today doesnt buy security. It keeps us vulnerable  tethered to the same volatile global markets and exposed shipping lanes. Today we have cleaner, cheaper and more reliable ways to power our nation  with wind, solar and electrification. These solutions are already onshore, and abundant, so they dont require a naval escort. This conflict must be a wake-up call. Our reliance on coal, oil and gas is a direct risk to our national security and it is driving up our costs of living. Whenever global supplies of oil or gas are threatened, prices rise and Australian families pay. We are seeing the consequences at the bowser right now, and many households and businesses are rightly concerned about their next power bill. But what were also seeing is that clean energy like solar and wind, battery storage and electrification can act as a shield to protect us. Australias main electricity grid is using record-high amounts of solar and wind, and record-low amounts of gas. Big batteries provided 3.5 times more energy in February this year than the same month last year.

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Across Australia, there is also a record number of electric vehicles, at more than 450,000. That means 450,000 fewer drivers using petrol and diesel on our roads. Recent analysis from Mandala Partners reveals EVs have already materially increased Australias fuel independence, saving the equivalent of 1.2 days of petrol use. These are acts of economic resilience. Related Article Exclusive

Federal budget EV tax break in firing line as Labor eyes savings from budget Which brings us to the federal budget in May. It is short-termism at its worst for the government to be considering cutting the very incentives that are working to help families buy EVs and batteries, and that shield us against fossil fuel price shocks. At the same time, continuing to provide tax discounts for petrol-guzzling utes and a $10 billion diesel subsidy to multinational fossil fuel corporations seems out of kilter with todays and tomorrows needs. The mining sector benefits most from the Federal Fuel Tax Credit Scheme. This effectively subsidises its continued use of diesel while holding back the economy-wide electrification of transport we desperately need. The Albanese Labor government has an opportunity to deliver a budget for the times. To double down on the policies that support the electrification of homes and businesses, not walk away from them. To phase down subsidies that keep us tethered to volatile, polluting fuels such as oil and gas.

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Right now, the government can protect households from price spikes by enforcing strong gas reservation policies that put local needs first. A levy on gas exports would make multinational producers pay their fair share. The proceeds could be returned to households and businesses to cushion bill shocks and accelerate decarbonisation. 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 But the only enduring fix is to phase out fossil fuels entirely. China understood this decades ago, diversifying into renewables and EVs to ensure its economy could withstand external shocks. Australia is an island continent with vast renewable resources. We have the wind, the sun and the technology to be a self-reliant energy powerhouse. This type of global shock will happen again. The only question is whether well keep exposing ourselves, or finally choose a safer, more stable and sensible path forward. Greg Bourne is a councillor at the Climate Council, a former special adviser on energy and transport to British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and a former regional president of BP Australasia.
Nova Poshta, Ukraines leading express delivery operator, has invested more than UAH 1 billion in security since the start of Russias full-scale invasion, which has helped save 951 lives, the companys CEO Yevhen Tafiychuk has said.

"War has long become a standard. So we do not wait, we invest in security now," he said at the NOVA Summit held in Kyiv this week, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

According to Tafiychuk, since the start of the full-scale invasion there have been 72,620 air raid alerts, 12 logistics hubs and 28 company branches have been destroyed, while another 16 hubs and 152 branches have been damaged.

In order to enhance safety, Nova Poshta has built 1,244 protective structures of various types at its facilities for employees and customers, including 779 metal shelters, 438 reinforced concrete shelters, and 27 underground shelters.

"The strategy is very simple  we must ensure continuous movement, because if you are moving, it is very difficult to hit you. For this, we design our logistics in such a way that parcels are almost never stationary," the CEO said.

He added that for customer safety, the company continuously monitors the situation at its facilities using an artificial intelligence (AI) agent. "We know where and how many customers are currently in our service areas. And if this number exceeds our standards, we immediately intervene: we reinforce our operational team, strategically develop the region, install parcel lockers, and open mobile branches," Tafiychuk said.

He said that in case of damage or strikes, there is a "Plan B" for rapid deployment of mobile branches to ensure service continuity. Currently, Nova Poshta has 43 mobile branches and 16 backup locations in frontline areas, and a mobile depot can be deployed within eight days.

In addition, the company has five backup depots in Dnipro, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odesa.

Tafiychuk said that security begins with threat detection, which is why Nova Poshta has created a dispatch center that operates 24/7 and continuously monitors both air and ground situations.

"Through our system of acoustic vibration sensors, we understand absolutely everything happening in the air. We know how many Shahed drones and missiles there are, where they are coming from and where they are heading. If we know, we can respond. And we do this through our alert and response system," he said.

According to him, this system has three layers. The first is visual, via monitors. The second is audio: Nova Poshta has more than 350 sound systems that help promptly inform employees and customers. The third is informational: more than 70 Telegram channels and over 100 Signal groups, so each unit, branch, and terminal has its own channel with tailored security updates.

"It is important to be sure that security protocols are actually followed and can be implemented. Our AI agent helps us with this: after each incident, it analyzes the situation, identifies who did not comply, and we constantly make changes and improvements," Tafiychuk said.

Nova Poshta currently operates 51,500 service points in Ukraine, including 15,900 branches and 36,500 parcel lockers. In 2025, the company increased revenue by 21% compared to 2024, exceeding UAH 54 billion, while profit reached UAH 2.6 billion compared to UAH 2.5 billion a year earlier. The number of delivered parcels and shipments in 2025 grew by 7.4%, from 486 million to 522 million, including international deliveries, which rose by 52.6%, from 19 million to 29 million.
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Updated NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Concerns for vessel in cyclone aftermath Dominique Tassell Updated March 21, 2026  12:30pm ,first published 11:32am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Cyclone Narelle has left a monster clean-up in its wake, with approximately 1000 homes still without power and an unidentified vessel stranded in the Cape York Peninsula. The storm crossed the Cape York coast as a dangerous category 4 system about 7am on Friday, producing wind gusts of more than 250km/h and rainfall totals of 217 millimetres in some areas. Residents hunkered down as the monster storm hit, causing widespread power outages and flooding. Loading Premier David Crisafulli said it was a blessing the significant storm did not directly hit towns in its path.

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We couldnt have asked for a better deal out of this in the immediate term, Crisafulli said from Cooktown on Saturday. Were asking people to be mindful that the flood watch still exists for a large part of north and far north Queensland. Swiftwater rescue crews remain in place to assist with flooding. Queensland Reconstruction Authority chief executive Jake Ellwood said the biggest issue now is flooding. History will tell us that a lot of people injure themselves by driving into flooded waters, and I would just implore you, if its flooded, just forget it.

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Crisafulli said the damage from the storm thus far appeared to be minor structural damage and some significant road damage. A roof blown off a structure in Coen. Emergency services choppers will conduct damage assessments across 16 communities on Saturday. Some trees that are down, and obviously weve got some power and telecommunications issues, but overwhelmingly, based on the size of the system, we couldnt have asked for a better deal out of this, Crisafulli said. Authorities are concerned about a vessel in Princess Charlotte Bay that has not been identified. It was the only vessel that decided to stay in the area, as others took shelter elsewhere.

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It is not known how many people were aboard. Were most keen to find that vessel, Crisafulli said. Authorities havent been able to make contact with that vessel, so that is something were hoping to make today. A tree goes over as Cyclone Narelle pummels Far North Queensland. Almost 1500 regional homes were without power at 9.30am on Saturday, including homes at Aurukun, Coen, Lockhart River and Napranum. This reduced to 1100 homes by 11am. Ergon Energy crews have restored power to Hopevale, Cooktown, Rossville and Wujal Wujal.

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Restoring power hinges on safe access, weather conditions and damage assessments, which will be conducted when crews are on the ground, an Ergon spokesperson said. Related Article Extreme weather Damaging winds and heavy rain continue as Cyclone Narelle crosses cape Approximately 50 crew members are heading to remote sites by aircraft, with the equipment they need for emergency network repairs, they said. Weve had multiple reports of fallen powerlines, so this is our most important community safety message: Fallen powerlines can be hidden in tree branches and other cyclone debris. Take extra care when you are cleaning up, stay well away from any fallen powerlines and report them to emergency services. Making sites safe for the communities and everyone supporting them in the clean-up and recovery phase will be the first priority for our crews before they commence restoration work.

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Crisafulli acknowledged that the government needs to learn from each disaster, after he was asked about Coen not having a cyclone shelter for residents. Residents sheltered in the towns hotel and a wellness centre instead, which was described as overcrowded. We should always look at ways we can strengthen our resilience towards a disaster event, Crisafulli said. He said structures should be examined, and flood mitigation measures should be examined. Its been a long time in this state since we built levees and detention basins, he said. I want to build more of them.

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To see places like Roma, where that levy has now saved that community over half-a-dozen times in the last handful of years shows you that an investment in disaster resilience makes sense. We should always look to do better. Theres no doubt about that. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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Updated NationalQueenslandQueensland Police Police shooting and fatal crash mark busy night for emergency services Cameron Atfield Updated March 22, 2026  1:46pm ,first published March 22, 2026  8:53am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Police shot a man, leaving him in a life-threatening condition, at Logan Central on Saturday evening as emergency services dealt with a string of serious incidents across Queensland through to early Sunday. Police were called to Ewing Road near Carmody Street, Logan Central, about 5.54pm Saturday following reports of an armed man making threats while carrying a knife. Logan District Detective Acting Inspector Jason Kitto said officers attempted to speak with the man, before he approached police with the knife and was shot. Loading Kitto said officers had responded to a triple-0 call in relation to a male person causing damage and making threats.

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I can confirm that police officers were threatened at the time, and as a result, a single shot was fired, he said. While previous advice from the Queensland Ambulance Service suggested the man was in his 30s, Kitto confirmed he was 27 and was known to police. Kitto said the man was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he remained in a stable but critical condition. An allegedly armed man was seriously injured in a police shooting at Logan Central. Nine News The 27-year-old was under police guard, Kitto said, and had not yet been charged.

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Logan Districts priority at this moment is obviously supporting the officers that were involved at the time and also fully co-operating with our Ethical Standards Command to get this investigation finalised, Kitto said. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said the man was transported in a life-threatening condition to the PA with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. No police officers or other members of the public were injured. A crime scene was declared and police said there was no ongoing risk to public safety. The QPS spokesperson said the Ethical Standards Command was investigating the incident, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission. A police media conference has been called for later Sunday morning. Earlier Saturday afternoon, a fatal two-vehicle crash near Esk claimed the life of a 26yearold Beaudesert man. Police said a Kia Cerato and a Toyota Kluger were travelling in opposite directions on Esk-Hampton Road, near Brennan Road, when they collided about 3.05pm. Police said the Kia driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene. The Toyota driver, a 55yearold Esk man, was taken to Toowoomba Hospital in a serious condition. The Forensic Crash Unit was investigating the circumstances and has appealed for witnesses or dashcam vision.

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It was one of several serious crashes the QAS reported across the state. At Elimbah, a person was left in a life-threatening condition after a single vehicle hit a pole on Foreshore Court about 4.17am Sunday, causing the vehicle to catch fire. Two men were taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in potentially life-threatening conditions after a single-vehicle crash on Jacaranda Avenue at Kingston about 11.18pm. At Meadowvale, paramedics attended a single-vehicle crash on Rosedale Road about 9.33pm. A woman with significant head and neck injuries was transported to hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition, while a little girl, described by the QAS as a toddler, was taken to Bundaberg Hospital in a stable condition with a head injury. In regional Queensland, a man in his 60s was flown to Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital with life-threatening head injuries after his motorcycle hit a kangaroo on Wighton Road at Woodmillar about 4.11pm Saturday.

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A teenage boy was taken to Jandowae Hospital with a significant leg injury after being thrown from a bull at the Jandowae Showgrounds about 6.32pm. And in Cairns, emergency crews attended an incident involving two vehicles and a train at the intersection of Water Street and Upward Street about 5.25pm. The QAS spokesperson said no injuries were reported and all involved declined transport to hospital. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
South Australia prepares for election count

The fate of South Australian politics will be decided in a matter of hours after 1.3 million residents cast their votes in the state election.
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NationalVictoriaCity life In living colour: Hairdressers to spend Easter volunteering Up North Carolyn Webb March 21, 2026  12:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

As a hairdresser specialising in colour, Mykey OHalloran gives customers fresh looks that can open up their worlds. But the tables were turned a couple of years ago when a customer invited OHalloran to run a pop-up salon in a remote Northern Territory Indigenous community. World of good: Hairdresser Mykey OHalloran, right, and customer Sarpa Lui Da Silva at Unicorn Manes by Mykey salon. Simon Schluter The challenge was accepted and now every year OHalloran gives up his Easter holidays to offer free colours and cuts to the Yolngu people in the outpost of Galiwinku, in East Arnhem Land. Its 3000 kilometres and a world away from his Brunswick East salon, Unicorn Manes by Mykey.

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A Northern Land Council permit is needed to visit Galiwinku and OHalloran had never previously been. But he has grown to love its red ochre ground, turquoise water and friendly people. For his third bush salon stint, which opens on April 6, OHalloran and his friend, Thornbury hairdresser Bri Lace, will work unpaid for six days, 10 hours a day. Last year they saw 220 people, who ordered everything from bright rainbow hues to yellow-topped buzz cuts. One boy asked for a lightning strike image on one side of his head, and a woman asked for the Aboriginal flag colours of black, red and yellow.

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Customers smiles at their new hairdos are his reward, and the feedback has been good, OHalloran said. Mutuwili Garawirrtja told this masthead in a phone call: Mykey you should be really proud of the happiness and love you bring to our community. Colour my world: A child gets their hair coloured at the pop-up salon at Galiwinku in East Arnhem Land. Brie Dhamarrandji, Mother of the Yolngu Pride Family, said: He gives us sistagirls an opportunity to be proud in who we are, sharing rainbows around the community and providing a safe space to express ourselves. The pop-up salon is based in a recreation centre room, and hair is washed over concrete outside, using hoses.

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Working holiday: Mykey OHalloran with locals in an outdoor area of his Galiwinku pop up salon. Its hard work, and not always air-conditioned in 32-degree heat. OHalloran and Lace bring their own shampoo and conditioner, bowls, scissors and hairdryers. The dye is donated by NAK Hair, and a GoFundMe appeal has been created to help cover the costs of the volunteers flights and accommodation. The idea was first dreamed up by Sarpa Lui Da Silva  the aforementioned customer at the Brunswick East salon and now the pop-up salons assistant and cultural liaison.

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In 2023, Lui Da Silva, originally from Melbourne, was working as a counsellor at Galiwinku Womens Space Aboriginal Corporation, which supports women, families and members of the LGBTQ+SB community (SB stands for Sistagirls and Bruthaboys  trans members of the Indigenous Pride family) experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. On a regular visit to Unicorn Manes, Lui Da Silva told OHalloran that the locals of Galiwinku were amazed with their coloured hair when they had returned from Melbourne, and wanted the same. New friends: Mykey OHalloran (left) in Galiwinku with locals Mutuwili Garawirrtja, Torah Garawirrtja and Susan Hume. I told Mykey that he had all these customers waiting for him in Galiwinku, Lui Da Silva said. OHalloran, who says his Brunswick East salon sits on stolen land, was keen to go. I feel like we can all do more to give to Indigenous people, he says.

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Im excited to go back and see everyone, he says. The last time, going home, we were crying because it was so sad to be leaving our friends. - In need of some good news? Sign up for our Greater Good newsletter for stories to brighten your outlook, delivered every Wednesday.
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NationalPolitical leadership Opinion Young Australians are despairing. I decided to find out why Parnell Palme McGuinness Columnist and communications adviser March 22, 2026  4:00am

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Australia is doing policy all wrong. Measures designed to help young people are causing them harm. In 2020, economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton published their findings that non-college-educated, middle-aged, white Americans were dying deaths of despair. Just a few years later, young people are living lives of despair. Recent studies have found that young people in Australia and other developed countries are more miserable than any other age group. Theyre starting their adult life with worse emotional and mental health than previous generations experienced at the peak of their unhappiness, in middle age. The report found that online platforms are major vectors of hate, particularly for those aged under 35. Matt Davidson Many young Australians have lost faith that they will be able to live the lives they hope for. This week, the Centre for Independent Studies released my new research paper, Generation Trapped. I started the research with a question: Whats making 18- to 34-year-old Australians so unhappy? And what can we do about it? To find out, I asked them.

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I conducted in-person interviews and, together with pollster Morgan James from Spectre Strategy, undertook extensive qualitative research into the aspirations, perceived barriers and values of Australians 18-34 years old. To dig deeper into young Australians from different backgrounds, we took a Pew Research-style approach of segmenting young Australians into six tribes according to their dominant characteristics and behaviours. Related Article Opinion

AI What are the kids going to do? This weeks job losses are the ripple before the tsunami Malcolm Knox Journalist, author and columnist This approach revealed a core finding: young Australians who have a low sense of control over the barriers in the way of achieving their aspirations also have low life satisfaction. And those who feel a greater sense of personal agency have higher life satisfaction. This held true regardless of the financial situation in which the tribes found themselves. Unsurprisingly, though, young people who have inherited or expect to inherit money from their family have the highest sense of personal agency. Money is a tool which creates agency, or in less jargony terms, choice. But choice is also valuable by itself. Young people who feel they have agency  the ability to shape their future according to their wishes  have higher life satisfaction, even when they dont have money or expect to inherit any. In an ideal world, in which politicians were primarily motivated to make the lives of citizens better, that insight by itself should trigger a radical rethink of the way we do policy.

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Instead, as the plight of young Australians has become a bigger issue at the ballot box, successive governments have attempted to respond to its symptoms. Access to cheaper rental property has become a key focus, as most young people now consider buying a home an almost unattainable goal. Mental health services and psychiatric drug prescriptions have proliferated. To help with the cost of living, governments have offered young people free TAFE and one-time rebates on already-discounted higher education loans. Related Article Opinion

Gender pay gap The conversation women cant afford to avoid Cherelle Murphy Economist Rather than making the aspirations of young people more accessible, these policies offer a pacifier: a substitute vision for the future that governments believe is more within their power to deliver than the one young people imagine for themselves. These short-term fixes and attempted redirections represent a failure to address underlying issues. More affordable rental housing is not as good as home ownership. Therapy and antidepressants are a poor substitute for a strong sense of purpose. Free or discounted education doesnt remove the costs that credentialism transfers onto young people  in the form of student debt and delayed earnings  especially now that the wage premium post-school qualifications used to attract is declining. Yet theyre often vote winners because anything seems better than nothing. Think of it this way: if the government passed a bill providing everyone with subsidised fast food, many people struggling with the cost of living would gratefully take it, even though it would make their health worse over time. Only people wealthy enough to make ends meet without the food subsidy would continue to eat healthy food and, consequently, live better, longer and more vigorous lives. Handouts and subsidies are too often junk policies that restrict which choices are affordable, and therefore available, to many people.

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As well as yielding insights across the 18-34 age cohort, disaggregating the group into tribes creates a better understanding of different young people. Related Article Opinion

Population Its one of the greatest challenges we face, but oh baby, simplistic solutions wont fix it Luara Ferracioli Associate professor Very briefly (there is a long chapter in the paper describing each of these groupings in more detail) the tribes are as follows. Progressive Identitarians, who tend to be students, LGBTQIA+, and identify as on the far left of the political spectrum. Head-Starts either have received, or expect to receive, an inheritance or significant financial assistance from their family, and often already own a house and have started a family. Dislocated Post-Traditionalists tend to have done no post-school qualifications, have children and live in de facto arrangements.

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Natals, who tend to be family-oriented men identifying as far right, are concerned about immigration and crime. Detacheds, a generally male group with few strong views, except that they really want a family, find that goal difficult to achieve. And finally Strivers, a tribe of young people who dont come from advantaged backgrounds, but believe they will be able to achieve their goals with hard work. (The groups arent of equal size.) Despite the huge spectrum of life experience within those different tribes, all identified common aspirations: financial security, home ownership, meaningful work, and family formation (although many of the Progressive Identitarians have already given up on them). The fact that such different people want pretty much the same things that previous generations have aspired to shows that young people dont have unrealistic expectations of life. But many are fighting an uphill battle to achieve them, as governments take away their earnings with one hand and return them with another in the form of a handout. The first best type of reform would be the kind that offered these very different young people the ability to shape their own version of the good life on their own terms, according to their personal preferences. All governments like to pretend theyre benevolent. But these gifts, which take choices and control away from recipients, can end up making individuals more miserable.

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Parnell Palme McGuinness is an insights and advocacy strategist. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens and is a senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
The ancient town of Nabi Chit was the centre of a secretive Israel Defence Forces operation to find the remains of a pilot shot down over Lebanon almost 40 years ago.

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The air strikes put Khalil Moussawi on high alert before the helicopters arrived and the Israeli soldiers blasted the main square. He was at home on his lounge when the first strike came, and he sat quietly listening as about 40 others hit his town into the night. Then he heard the helicopters, and a neighbour told him enemy troops were in their streets. Over the next few hours, Moussawi was caught in a firefight that left dozens dead and wounded from a secretive Israel Defence Forces (IDF) operation in Nabi Chit, a town in eastern Lebanon that is a stronghold for Hezbollah fighters locked in conflict with Israel. Moussawi, one of the older men of the town, prayed in his apartment when black smoke spread through his building and explosions shook the square. The soldiers threw smoke bombs and blinded our view so that you couldnt see your own finger, he says. The drones were hovering over the people and shooting at them. It was carnage. Khalil Moussawi was on his lounge when the first strike came. Kate Geraghty The incursion heightened the violence of this regional conflict by sending Israeli forces into Lebanese streets, going beyond the aerial strikes seen in many parts of the country over the past two weeks. It was also pointless. The IDF came searching for the body of one of their own: flight navigator Ron Arad, who was shot down over Lebanon almost 40 years ago and held hostage by a Shia Muslim movement. All they found was empty earth. They retreated without achieving their stated goal, leaving devastation in their wake. The central square in Nabi Chit is now a crater of brown earth, black bitumen and grey concrete. A bombed car sits on the edge of the crater, and a broken water pipe sends water cascading into a gully about four metres below where the pavement used to be. The explosions were so great that they sent debris flying onto the roofs of the nearby apartment blocks.

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We visit Nabi Chit one week after the raid, which took place on March 6. What we discover through witness interviews and visits to key battle sites is a community ready for a long war. On one level, what happened in Nabi Chit demonstrates the military power of Israel. On another, it shows the stubborn resistance of Hezbollah. A bombed car in the town in the aftermath of the attack, a Hezbollah flag flying above it. Kate Geraghty Debris and rubble at the site of an airstrike. Kate Geraghty Khalil, speaking in an apartment that is partially destroyed, says the Israeli soldiers left defeated. No matter what they do, we will not deviate from the resistance, he says. We rely on Allah, and victory comes from Him. As he speaks, workers are clearing the top of his building. They shovel earth from the roof and drop it to the town square, where excavators remove the rubble. A Hezbollah flag now flies over one of the bombed cars. Related Article Middle East at war Stranger danger: With every Israeli airstrike, Lebanon pays a painful price Nabi Chit is an ancient town in the Bekaa Valley, east of Beirut and within five kilometres of the Syrian border. Some families, including the Moussawis, can trace their lineage back at least 700 years. It is the birthplace of Abbas al-Musawi, a founder of Hezbollah and the groups second secretary-general until he was killed by an Israeli airstrike in 1992. The support for Hezbollah is strong in this district: rockets fired from the surrounding hills slam into northern Israel, sending civilians into air raid shelters. While the conflict with Israel has lasted for decades, it intensified after the attacks on Iran on February 28. Hezbollah, loyal to the Iranian regime, fired on Israel on March 2. Israel, seeking security for its people, launched attacks on Lebanon in the hope of bringing Hezbollah to its knees.

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The aerial attack on Nabi Chit came as no surprise on March 6. Locals say Israeli forces issued a warning to evacuate the town before launching the first strikes at about 2pm, steadily increasing the bombardment until about 11pm. Many people refused to leave their homes and remained near the central square, close to the Al-Nabi Shayth mosque  said to be the final resting place of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. My neighbour told me, your building is going to be hit by a rocket, says Mohammad Moussawi, talking to us in front of a destroyed shop. Moussawi, who is another member of the large extended family in this town, worked for several years in tourism in Beirut before returning home. On the day of the attack, he heard the warnings from his neighbour and pleaded with his son, Ali, to leave their home for somewhere safer. Ali insisted on staying. So did Alis cousin, Hassan. Loading Ali and Hassan were watching from a doorway when an explosion threw them across the square and buried them under the earth. For two hours  no, three hours  they were under the ground, Mohammad says. They could barely breathe, he says, but they dug their way through sand and mud. Two others died near them, but the two young men survived and were taken to hospital. We trust God, says Mohammad, speaking in English. But let our enemies go back to their countries. They are not strong like us. The events of that night remain unclear and contested. The Lebanese Health Ministry says at least 41 people were killed and 40 wounded. Israeli authorities confirmed the raid and told The Times of Israel there were no Israeli casualties. The operation is said to have involved four helicopters, including two that landed with troops, but there has not been any explanation from the IDF about how the attack unfolded. Nobody has claimed any strategic outcome from the mission.

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Israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged the purpose was to recover the body of Arad, and he admitted it did not succeed. Mohammad Moussawi at the site of the airstrike where his son and nephew were buried under the rubble. Kate Geraghty The operation carried out last night did not yield the findings we were looking for, he posted on social media. But the commitment of the State of Israel and my commitment to completing all missions concerning our prisoners and missing persons is absolute and permanent. So it was, and so it will be. A child walks past the destruction. Kate Geraghty Arad was lost in October 1986, but the search for Israeli captives does not end. It is now shaped by the experience of the 251 hostages seized by Hamas in the attacks on October 7, 2023, and the outpouring of emotion over their fate. One of those hostages, Eli Sharabi, was held for 491 days, almost all of that time in tunnels. In his memoir, he tells of being kicked and beaten on the ground while also being starved of food, and thinking: Are there no limits to your malice? Israel showed in Gaza that it would do whatever it thought necessary to recover living hostages or their remains, and it took the same approach in Nabi Chit on March 6. Even so, its mission drew a rebuke from Arads widow, Tami Arad. We have stated as a family on more than one occasion that we oppose actions that would endanger soldiers, she said in a statement. We value the commitment of the State of Israel, yet we request in every way possible, do not carry out operations that have even minimal risk to the troops.

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For some, the IDF operation in Nabi Chit might rank as an assault on a terrorist cell. Australia lists Hezbollah as a terrorist group, as do the United States, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. This matches the treatment of Hamas, which is also funded by Iran. The stated aim of Hezbollah leaders is to bring death to Israel. Hani Moussawi (left) indicates where Israeli troops searched for the remains of pilot Ron Arad. Kate Geraghty To people in Nabi Chit, however, Hezbollah is a resistance movement. They say the local community rushed to defend the town as soon as they learned of the foreign soldiers. When we visit, we see banners in the streets with photographs of the Hezbollah supporters who died in the firefight. They are remembered as martyrs. Banners in the streets with photographs of the Hezbollah supporters who died in the firefight. Kate Geraghty The head of the municipality, Hani Moussawi, walks with us along a street towards the cemetery where Israeli troops searched for Ron Arads remains. The IDF posed as members of the Lebanese army and as ambulance officers, he says, but local authorities detected the helicopters and knew an attack was under way. On their way, they met three Syrian guys in the previous village, he says of the IDF. They shot them, so as not to give word about what they were doing. When they reached the town, he tells us, they made their way to the burial ground at about midnight. Some began digging, while others guarded the perimeter. The gunfire began when local fighters realised they had intruders in their town. On a hill above the cemetery, we see the damage from drone attacks or airstrikes: rubble everywhere, a small red sedan covered in concrete, and a minibus thats been blown up. Hani Moussawi says the IDF entered the cemetery from the rear and called in support from the air as soon as they encountered local resistance.

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Updated WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Lawless threat: Trump to deploy ICE agents to airports over funding stoush Jason Lange , Mike Scarcella and Nolan McCaskill Updated March 23, 2026  5:07am ,first published March 22, 2026  8:57am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: US President Donald Trump said that he would send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to help out Transportation Security Administration personnel in US airports. On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job, he said in a Truth Social post on Sunday (Washington time). Air travellers endure long lines and two-hour wait times at the TSA security check point at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, on Friday. AP Trump had on Saturday threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports if congressional Democrats do not immediately agree to fund airport safety. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel are set to miss a second full pay cheque on March 27 amid a partial government shutdown in its 36th day as lawmakers clash over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency for TSA and ICE.

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TSA officers have called in sick as pay cheques have dried up, and the shortage of security agents has disrupted travel at major airports. More than 400 TSA workers have quit since the partial shutdown began on February 14, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing DHS. Related Article Updated

Trump's White House Trump sacks Kristi Noem, the face of his immigration crackdown Trumps border czar Tom Homan said ICE agents would only conduct non-significant tasks such as guarding exits. Were simply there to help TSA do their job in areas that dont need their specialised expertise such as screening through the X-ray machine, he told on CNN on Sunday. Not trained in that, wont do that. However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that ICE agents know how to pat people down, they know how to run the X-ray machines.

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On Saturday, Trump said ICE agents at airports will do Security like no one has ever seen before, and that they would conduct immediate arrests of any undocumented immigrants with an emphasis on Somalis. But Homan downplayed that aspect of the assignment, saying ICE had been present and conducting immigration enforcement at airports. Its not going to change, he said. When we deploy tomorrow, well have a well-thought-out plan to execute. The labor union representing TSA workers criticised Trumps decision, saying their members spend months in training learning to detect explosives and weapons. Our members at TSA have been showing up every day, without a paycheck, because they believe in the mission of keeping the flying public safe, Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, said. They deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be.

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TSA has about 65,000 employees, including 50,000 airport security officers. ICE has played a central role in the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, drawing criticism from many Democrats, civil liberties advocates and immigration advocacy groups. A TSA staff member at a check point at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. AP Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, criticised Trumps proposal as another reckless, lawless threat to misuse ICE agents. He seems to have no concept of what the limits are on ICE, and I think America would be absolutely appalled to see ICE agents roaming through airports, just as theyve been breaking down doors at homes, Blumenthal told reporters in Washington.

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Homeland Security historically had shifted resources across agencies during emergency staffing shortages, said Stewart Baker, who was a DHS policy official in president George W. Bushs administration. Keeping TSA going without paying staff creates serious trouble for the agency, Baker said. Using ICE agents for airport security may be slower than using trained people, but it would be better than having nobody, he added. Loading ICE, along with Customs and Border Protection, has deployed agents over the past few months to multiple areas as part of the crackdown, most recently to Minnesota in an operation that resulted in agents fatally shooting American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Their deaths sparked a backlash and led the Trump administration to adopt a more targeted approach in Minnesota.

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Trump this month fired Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem amid growing criticism of the administrations immigration tactics. The US Senate is considering the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, as the next DHS secretary. Trump has said his immigration policies are intended to curb illegal immigration and improve national security. Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union said TSA had provided lists of airport travellers to ICE, calling the move a break from TSAs prior practices. Reuters, Bloomberg Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
The Ukrainian delegation has arrived in the United States for talks with the U.S. negotiators, Suspilne reported, citing a source familiar with the negotiation process.

"Representatives of Ukraine have arrived in the United States, where talks with American representatives will take place. There will be no Russians at the meeting," the publication said.

As reported, working group talks between the United States and Ukraine are scheduled for Saturday in Miami, which, according to a source familiar with the matter, may lay the groundwork for a future meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting is expected to include discussions of bilateral documents and a large-scale agreement on drones.

The U.S. delegation will be led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law. Ukraine will be represented by Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov and his deputy Serhiy Kyslytsia, as well as parliamentary faction leader Davyd Arakhamia.
A teenager has been remanded in custody by Judge Mary Morrissey at Carlow Circuit Court awaiting the finalisation of his sentence for a range of theft and burglary offences.

Prosecuting barrister Brian OShea told the court that in the early hours of 17 September 2024, the accused was involved in an attempted burglary of a hairdressers in Rathvilly. CCTV footage showed three men exiting a grey vehicle, which had been taken without authorisation, near the address. The men tried to force open the front door and damaged a window but did not succeed in gaining entry. The car left the scene at 2.28am.

Several minutes later, the suspected vehicle was observed by CCTV parking outside a house in The Granary, Killerig, Tullow. The group approached the house, entered and quickly left after being startled by a washing machine.

At 4.16am, the same car was seen entering the grounds of Palatine GAA Club in Bennekerry. The car was seen ramming the front door of the building, causing it to fall off its hinges. The group then entered the building, stole 100 worth of alcohol and a cash register containing 200.

At 4.46am, CCTV recorded the same car parked at fuel pumps at CircleK in Tinryland. The accused was identified as the driver of the car while filling it with 36.91 of fuel. Another person exited the rear passenger door and went into the shop, while a third male remained in the front passenger seat. None of the men paid for the fuel.

Following the publication of a national garda bulletin, a garda officer in Tallaght identified the accused as the person driving the car.

The book of evidence was served on the defence on 1 May 2025 and the accused entered a guilty plea to five of six counts on 11 November 2025. He has since turned 18, but as he was charged as a juvenile, he cannot be publicly identified.

Mr OShea outlined that the accused had previous convictions as a juvenile and as an adult for theft, assault, four burglaries and arson. He was on bail as of 28 August 2024 at the time of committing the offences in Carlow.

Kathleen Leader BL for the defence noted: Obviously, it was a joint enterprise and his role was as driver in the circumstances.

Ms Leader submitted a detailed report from a neuropsychologist, which outlined her clients very difficult background. The court heard that the accused is from Dublin, that his father died when he was very young and that his mother subjected him to violence throughout his childhood.

He didnt have the benefit of a peaceful, nurturing background that every child is entitled to. As a result, he finds it difficult to react appropriately to stressful situations, said Ms Leader.

She further said the accused began experimenting with drugs as a teenager and became involved with an antisocial peer group, which led to the offending behaviour.

She described him as a good student, notwithstanding distractions and absence from school. She said he has gotten on very well in custody. His grandfather was present in court and said: He has a good home to come back to, which was accepted by Judge Mary Morrissey.

Ms Leader accepted there was a mandatory consecutive element in this case due to the fact that the defendant was on bail. However, she asked the court not to make this a crushing sentence.

Judge Mary Morrissey said she wanted time to consider the documents put before her and remanded the accused in custody on the same terms until a hearing on 17 July 2026.

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Akbar Novruz



Armenia is once again entering election season in a familiar mood: fragmented and quietly uncertain about its own direction. They have been here before. The billboards, the rallies, the familiar faces making familiar promises, and underneath it all, that particular brand of South Caucasian political anxiety that never quite settles. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 7 June 2026, and while the names at the top of the ballot may be known quantities, the atmosphere surrounding them feels newer and considerably more combustible than in previous cycles.

Robert Kocharyan is running again. Armenia's second president, a granite-faced survivor of the first Karabakh war, has been nominated as the opposition's candidate for prime minister by the 'Hayastan' bloc. For anyone who has followed Armenian politics over the past decade, this is not a surprise.

But his return deserves more than a shrug, let us be cohesive.

This man, who represents an entire political era, one that Pashinyan's 2018 velvet revolution was expressly designed to bury. Kocharyan has declared that Pashinyan has "no chance of staying in power," arguing that while the prime minister retains some influence over part of the electorate, his support has significantly weakened and his ratings are in decline. Whether that assessment reflects genuine political intelligence or opposition wishful thinking is, for now, an open question.

Current Prime Minister Pashinyan enters this election in a position that defies easy characterisation. He is neither weakened enough to be written off nor secure enough to be comfortable. His Civil Contract party retains a structural advantage in a fragmented political landscape, but the atmosphere surrounding his government has grown noticeably more fraught. As a result of the intense negotiations post Patriotic War (Second Karabakh War), he accepted reality, abandoned his territorial claims, and sought to improve relations with neighboring countries. This effort culminated in the signing of a trilateral joint statement among Azerbaijan, the United States, and Armenia on August 8, 2025. It has been showing great improvement ever since, as Azerbaijan-Armenia relations are on a positive outlook. Diplomatic engagements, trade exchanges, etc - all of this progress has been published thoroughly.

Now, I will explain why the point I mentioned here is important later in the article. For now, let's examine the situation leading up to these turbulent processes.

The latest polling data is troubling for the incumbent: in one survey, Pashinyan registered only 17.3 per cent support, with a staggering 62 per cent of respondents either disillusioned with both government and opposition, or simply undecided. That figure points less to an opposition surge than to a profound crisis of political confidence, a vacuum that multiple challengers are now scrambling to fill.

Of all the fault lines that have opened up in the pre-election period, none carries more symbolic weight than the deterioration of relations between Pashinyan's government and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The confrontation escalated dramatically in the summer of 2025. Pashinyan accused church officials of a coup plot in a dispute that saw both sides trade extraordinary accusations. He declared that the Church's headquarters at Holy Etchmiadzin had been "taken over by an anti-Christian, immoral, antinational and antistate group", and pledged personally to lead its "liberation."

On at least two occasions, Pashinyan dispatched hundreds of police officers and undercover agents in civilian clothing onto the sacred grounds of Etchmiadzin.

He had accused Catholicos Karekin II of fathering a child, a claim made without evidence, and on Christmas Day 2026, called for a public procession in support of church reform, delivering a fiery address declaring that the Church's leadership was "operating with a sectarian mindset."

The government's tactics have extended to the personal and the prurient. Intimate footage allegedly depicting a senior archbishop was leaked, and a government-affiliated website published a photograph of a bishop in an allegedly intoxicated, partially undressed state. Authorities also dissolved the broadcasting company behind the Church-founded Shoghakat TV.

Since June, Pashinyan has sought to depose the Catholicos and replace him with a more compliant clergyman, employing what critics describe as "divide and rule" tactics, cultivating a small faction of dissident clergy while attempting to isolate the Church's traditional leadership. The Church's Supreme Council condemned the campaign as a "disgraceful anti-church" operation.

Some observers believe the battle with the church leadership is directly tied to electoral calculations, given that senior clergy are widely perceived to be aligned with the political opposition. One recent survey found the Church to be the second most trusted institution in Armenia after the armed forces, with 39 per cent of respondents expressing satisfaction with it. Picking a fight with an institution that commands that level of public confidence, in the weeks before an election, is a gamble of considerable audacity.

Risky period, but seems that the crowd, as far as we can see from kilometres away, has some sort of support for the current Premier.

Old friends of the church return - Who are the opposition against Pashinyan?

Although Kocharyan has remained formally outside frontline politics for years, he has never fully disappeared from Armenias political landscape. Possessing long-standing networks within state institutions and society, he has retained a controversial but recognizable presence, particularly since the 2018 Velvet Revolution.

Kocharyan will draw crowds. He always does. But the opposition landscape he nominally leads is fractured in ways that may ultimately benefit the incumbent. Even within his own Hayastan bloc, his leadership appears to be a source of division. Since 2021, the bloc has not participated in any local elections, not in Yerevan, not in Gyumri. It also stayed out of the mass opposition movement known as the "Sacred Struggle." At present, 'Hayastan' functions primarily as a parliamentary faction, lacking the institutional structure required for a serious national campaign.

The more intriguing new entrant is Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who owns the Electric Networks of Armenia and whose arrest on unspecified charges generated an immediate political backlash. Some 64.4 per cent of respondents opposed his detention, and 71 per cent considered him a political prisoner, figures that transformed a businessman into a cause. His "Our Way" movement has since nominated him as its candidate for prime minister, though his dual citizenship makes him personally ineligible for the role under current law.

Meanwhile, Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia party and the Mother Armenia party have announced a joint run, further crowding a field that already includes the Democratic Alternative party and residual forces associated with former president Serzh Sargsyan. It is a collection of competing grievances, each drawing from the same pool of dissatisfied voters without offering a coherent governing vision.

The polling data tells a sobering story for all sides. Support for Kocharyan and the parties aligned with him stands at around 7 per cent in recent surveys; Sargsyan-linked forces register barely 1 per cent.

Pashinyan's 17 per cent is hardly commanding, but it remains the largest single bloc in a field where most voters have not yet decided who, if anyone, deserves their support.

Local elections have offered early warning signs. In Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, and in Parakar, one of Yerevan's largest communities, opposition candidates defeated the ruling party, suggesting that trust in Civil Contract has meaningfully eroded beyond the capital.

Peace, and those who would complicate it

Now, let us get back to the most sensitive aforementioned topic - peace in the Caucasus. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been moving, haltingly, toward a peace agreement. Pashinyan has staked considerable political capital on this trajectory, framing it as pragmatic statecraft.

Kocharyan's position, as ever, is nuanced but pointed. He has not ruled out peace but insists on what he terms "real security guarantees" and a stronger military posture before any agreement is finalised.

Kocharyans political persona was built on deceit, the illusion of eternal occupation, the glorification of aggression, and the suppression of truth. He has been having real hard time trying to understand the value of peace, cooperation, or long-term vision for over 30 years. He could not foresee that one day his own people would become the victims of the same lies he once fed them. His dismissive tone toward regional connectivity projects, particularly the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), has shown his inability to grasp modern geopolitics. He claimed that this has zero benefits for Armenia.

His critics argue this is a formula for indefinite delay dressed as prudence. His supporters argue it is the only responsible position for a country that has already paid an enormous price for arrangements that did not hold.

Alas, who is (maybe should be) more comfortable as the elections approach?

Is the opposition comfortable? Not remotely. It is energised by genuine public anger but hobbled by fragmentation, weak institutional structures, and the inconvenient fact that its most prominent figures carry considerable political baggage of their own.

Is Pashinyan comfortable? Equally not. Even his relatable, publicly close persona, we see on his comforting social media accounts, a prime minister who polls at 17 per cent, who has dispatched police to a cathedral, who has presided over the arrest of clergy, satirists, and who faces an Electoral Code challenge over the independence of observers, does not look like a leader governing from a position of confidence. The only Armenian premier who carries the title of 'peace proggresser' might have to do more than that to grasp the situation.

The result, whatever it may be, will not simply decide a government. It will shape the trajectory of a state still navigating the difficult space between past conflict and an uncertain peace.
Ukraines defense forces neutralized 148 out of 154 enemy drones overnight on March 21, with five UAV strikes recorded at four locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said.

"According to preliminary data as of 08:30, air defense shot down or suppressed 148 enemy UAVs," the force said on Telegram.

In total, from 18:00 on March 20, the enemy attacked with 154 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas types and other drones from the directions of Oryol, Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia) and Hvardiyske in temporarily occupied Crimea, about 90 of them being Shahed drones.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of Ukraines defense forces.

Five strike UAV hits were recorded at four locations, as well as debris from downed drones at seven locations.
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Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Oleksandr Syrsky said Russian forces have intensified pressure on several sections of the front, noting that the number of combat clashes has exceeded 200 per day in recent days, while Ukrainian troops neutralized about 4,840 Russian occupiers killed and wounded from Tuesday to Thursday alone.

According to Syrsky, with changing weather conditions, the Russian aggressor has stepped up activity across multiple directions: "For several days in a row, the number of combat clashes has exceeded 200."

"From Tuesday to Thursday alone, about 4,840 occupiers were neutralized, killed and wounded," he said on Telegram.

He also said that during a working trip to areas of the Southern operational zone, he held a meeting with the groupings command and commanders of assault and air assault units. According to him, further actions were coordinated taking into account enemy tactics, and tasks were clarified for each unit in their areas of responsibility.

In addition, necessary orders were issued on the ground to strengthen the supply of units with ammunition, drones and other logistical resources.

The commander-in-chief said the activity of the enemys superior forces requires new asymmetric solutions from Ukrainian troops.

"Ukrainian forces are acting actively, seizing the initiative and continuing to regain positions," Syrsky said.
One of the new goals of the Red Bank Commission is to create priorities for safe streets to ultimately reduce crashes. They will also include speed reduction, enhanced walkability and creating protected bike routes. The areas being targeted will be Ashland Terrace and Dayton Boulevard as well as Morrison Springs Road adjacent to the middle and high schools . Studies have been done to document the number of crashes per years in these areas. And data from speed cameras has documented the successes from automated speed enforcement.

The city of Red Bank was presented with a grant from the Red Bank - Soddy Daisy Charitable Foundation for $23,500. Since its inception 35 years ago, the city has been gifted $1,094,000 from the foundation. The money comes from interest that continues from when the Red Bank Community Hospital was sold in 1991 and the foundations founders successfully invested money from the sale. Each year the money that is given to the city is kept segregated for the designated use. It is always a project that will benefit the most citizens of Red Bank. This year it will assist the city to build Phase 1 of the dog park facility in White Oak Park that is included in the recently adopted Parks Master Plan. Benches and shade structures will be installed for people and dog agility features will enhance recreation for the dogs. The use must be accepted by the city and periodic progress reports are required to be made to the foundation.

Red Banks solid waste division was authorized to purchase two Ford F pickup trucks in an amount not to exceed $101,275. They will be bought using a statewide contract from Lonnie Cobb Ford.

Roofing repairs will be made at the police department and courts building at 3117 Dayton Blvd. for the amount up to $24,078.

An emergency expenditure of up to $11,011 was approved for making a repair to the knuckle boom truck. This equipment is a vehicle that has a hydraulic crane which can lift heavy loads with precision.

And the commission passed a resolution to adopting a policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Another emergency expenditure was approved to repair the bucket truck used by the public works department. It is used for a variety of work, three-four times every week, the commissioners were told. Money to fund this repair was not budgeted, however there is sufficient money available to cover the $13,348 cost.

On Christmas Day, a vehicle collided with an overhead traffic signal system at Morrison Springs Road and Highway 27. The pole is still in placed but the crash destroyed the integrity of the system that is at a crosswalk. A payment has already been received from the drivers insurance and NABCO Electric won the bid to replace the signal for the amount of $23,102. The lead time to get a new pole itself will be one-two months, after which the installation can begin.

The city is making energy efficient upgrades to the police department and to both fire stations. It will include installing new fixtures, lights and switches. The initial cost was approved for an amount not to exceed $24,685 and it will save money overall. ARPA funds that previously were allocated for facility improvements will be used for these lighting improvements.

Two properties were rezoned on the second and final readings. Property at 520 Gadd Road was rezoned from Single Family Residential, R-1 to R-2 Residential where four duplex buildings will be built. Each of the buildings will have two units that will be rentals. The second rezoning finalized the designation for property at 3390 Easton Ave. where a building burned down. The owner wants to build a duplex that matches the scale of surrounding single family houses surrounding it. This duplex will be sold as two condominiums, each with three bedrooms and two baths and a two-car garage.

Residents of Red Bank are being asked to clean their own stormwater drainage ditches and to help neighbors if they are unable to do it. If the residents cannot do the work, they should then call the city for help. Other announcements include that there will be an informational meeting about the future of Alpine Crest Elementary School on April 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the school.

City Manager Martin Granum told the commissioners that the condition of Judge Johnny Houston remains the same and that to keep the Red Bank Court functioning, Attorney Bryan Hoss will continue filling in as the city judge.

City hall and all municipal offices will be closed on April 3 for Good Friday.
Peggy (Margaret) Mee Davis went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 18, 2026.

Born in 1924 in Cleveland, Tn., she graduated from Washington Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, the University of Chattanooga, and graduated from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, with a degree in Theater Arts.

In Cleveland, she was one of the founders of the Junior Service Guild, a community service organization, and served as its first president. She had a brief career in the motion picture industry and radio before moving to Chattanooga to join the staff of the Chattanooga News-Free Press. She was married to Oscar L. Davis, Jr., from 1951 until his death in 2004.

She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School, was a member of the choir, and served as president of the Women of the Church. She was currently a member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Davis helped to organize the Chattanooga Opera Guild and served as its president for two years. She was also a member of the board of the Opera Association. She later served as president of the Little Theater Associates and on its board in various capacities.

On Signal Mountain, she was a member of the Signal Mountain Glee Club and directed three productions of the Signal Mountain Playhouse. She has been a teacher at Thrasher Elementary School and the Junior High School, and taught Bible at Signal Mountain Elementary and the Chattanooga Bible Institute.

She is survived by her children, John (Karen) Davis, Jane (David) Neall, Locke (Jeanette) Davis; grandchildren, Anna Hangsteffer, Charlie Davis, Jacob Davis, Rebecca McCaw, Sara Kate Neall, Johanna Davis, and Taylor Davis; and six great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at noon on Saturday, March 28, at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church with reception and visitation to follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to Bible in the Schools, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, or Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
Ted and Kelly Alling are Chattanoogas unsung heroes. So allow me to sing their story.The Allings made their millions in logistics before there were 15 logistic companies in Chattanooga. Ted Alling, like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Elan Musk, created something out of nothing, using their God-given talents to become very wealthy.But unlike the others, Ted and Kelly Alling decided to invest their money in the future of Chattanooga, and in 2018 created Chattanooga Prep, an all boys school, focusing on educating underprivileged boys.We can agree that education is the path forward from the where you are, to where you can be.But providing the opportunity to learn and understanding that need is what makes Chattanooga Prep a special place.Chattanooga Preps educators meet the underprivileged boys where they are, and provide the guidance of where they can be. Each play an integral part in molding these boys into men, and these men into future community leaders.I believe one of these boys will be our Chattanooga mayor one day.This vision started in 2018, when Chattanooga Prep was started by the Allings with 60 students in a building purchased by the Allings. Taught by teachers hired by the Allings, managed by administrators financed by the Allings, with school supplies paid for by the Allings.All tuition free. Because of the Allings.And Chattanooga Preps success has been phenomenal. In its last senior class, every student had a college scholarship opportunity to continue their education. That was a first.Chattanooga Preps basketball program will win its third straight State Championship, another first in Chattanooga.We should all be humbled by the Allings vision and servant hearts. They saw a need and have created a legacy that will affect families for generations.Go Sentinels!C. Mark Warren
Gabe Olivier, a Mississippi street preacher who challenges speech restrictions near a city amphitheater. | Screenshot: First Liberty Live

The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a Mississippi street preacher can move forward with his legal challenge against restrictions on speech near a city amphitheater. The decision clarifies that prior convictions do not necessarily block claims seeking future relief.

In a decision issued Friday, the justices allowed the case of Olivier v. City of Brandon, Mississippi, to proceed, enabling evangelist Gabriel Olivier to continue pursuing his First Amendment claims.

The central legal question involved whether the precedent set in Heck v. Humphrey prevents lawsuits under 42 United States Code Section 1983 when plaintiffs are seeking forward-looking remedies rather than damages or the reversal of a past conviction.

Writing for the court, Justice Elena Kagan explained that the earlier ruling does not apply in this context. Heck did not have any bearing on Oliviers suit seeking a purely prospective remedy.

Given that Olivier asked for only a forward-looking remedy  an injunction stopping officials from enforcing the city ordinance in the future  his suit can proceed, notwithstanding his prior conviction, Kagan wrote.

The Supreme Court overturned a previous decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and sent the case back for further proceedings.

The dispute centers on restrictions tied to the Brandon Amphitheater, an outdoor venue with a capacity exceeding 8,500 that regularly hosts ticketed concerts. Under a local ordinance, demonstrations are limited during a window beginning three hours before an event and extending until one hour after it ends.

The policy designates a protest zone without permits but restricts vehicles, lighting, loudspeakers audible beyond 100 feet and elevated platforms.

While handheld signs are permitted, they must not be constructed from materials that could function as weapons and cannot be attached to structures within the protest area.

Olivier was arrested in 2021 for violating the ordinance and later entered a no-contest plea in municipal court, resulting in a $304 fine, one year of probation, and 10 days of imprisonment to be served only if he violated the ordinance during his probation. He did not appeal, paid the fine, and served no prison time.

After complying with the penalties, Olivier filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the ordinance unlawfully restricts free speech by forcing speakers into a remote protest zone. Rather than seeking damages, he requested declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the city from enforcing the ordinance in the future.

A federal district court dismissed his complaint, and that ruling was upheld by a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit, with the full court declining to reconsider the case. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case last July, ultimately siding with Olivier and allowing his challenge to move forward.
Home News Christian group launches database of anti-Christian violations of religious freedom in Australia While the US has the First Amendment, Australia offers only small 'exemptions' rather than strong rights

An advocacy group defending Judeo-Christian values in Australia has launched a database to track infringements of Christians religious freedom.

The Canberra Declaration, a group calling on Australian leaders to rebuild the countrys Judeo-Christian foundations, launched the Australian Christian Freedom Index (ACFI) on March 11 with a 40-page report on anti-Christian currents in 2025.

The launch of the index and the report were part of a webinar in which key Christian leaders and legal experts mapped religious discrimination across Australia.

Panelists argued that anti-discrimination laws in Australia silence the church. They contended that a formal index must prove to the government that structural forces erode religious rights. To support this, the group is organizing a survey to record infringements of those liberties.

The ACFI brings together multiple lines of evidence to paint the most comprehensive picture of Christian freedom in Australia ever produced, said Kurt Mahlburg, one of the leaders of the Canberra Declaration.

Another leader, Warrick Marsh, said Australia needs freedom to share the Gospel, and that is probably the most critical freedom.

Weve been losing these freedoms for many, many years  for decades  and we need to make a stand, Marsh said.

He described the Index as a line in the sand to show politicians, the media and those antagonistic toward Christianity the benefits of religious freedom. He argued that Australia must maintain its foundations as a nation that holds Christian freedom as a core value.

The leaders intend to build a database of hard evidence and survey results to illustrate how the state restricts Christian freedoms. They plan to present the document to politicians and the media as evidence that Australian Christians face rising discrimination.

A central concern involves the rule of silence, in which Christians endure pressure to keep their faith private, especially regarding issues such as gender, parenting and education, said George Christensen, a former member of Parliament representing CitizenGO.

Mahlburg noted that the group is auditing state laws following incidents of the state forcing Christian schools to hire staff members who do not share the institutions religious beliefs. He also cited cases of laws compelling medical workers to participate in abortion and euthanasia, alongside restrictions on street preaching near abortion clinics.

We want to see which states are the freest and which are the least free, Mahlburg said. Hopefully, that puts the wind up legislators in the different parliaments.

The panel highlighted the lack of robust legal protection for religious belief in Australia. While the United States relies on the First Amendment, Mahlburg observed that Australia offers only small exemptions rather than strong rights.

What strikes me is that in Australia, we really dont have religious freedom explicitly protected in law, not robustly, Mahlburg said.

He added that while Section 116 of the Australian Constitution offers a nod to religious freedom, the government has failed to build upon it.

In the last couple of decades, federal and state governments have brought in anti-discrimination and vilification legislation, Mahlburg said. Christian freedom in Australia has become a series of carve-outs or exemptions in other laws. ... Structurally, the situation in Australia is not good.

Christensen lamented that Christians are learning a new rule in Australia: Stay quiet.

The idea is that your faith is not to be lived openly or expressed in controversial areas like gender, parenting or education, Christensen said. Its not paranoia; its a pattern of expanding rules and complaint-based systems being used to pressure us into silence. People are self-censoring to protect their jobs.

Christensen rebutted the notion that the ability to still go to church and sing hymns constitutes true religious freedom, calling that a hollowed-out version of faith. He reported that the U.S. State Department has already expressed interest in the index.

Other participants included Michelle Pearse, CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL); Peter Downie, national director of FamilyVoice Australia; and Augusto Zimmerman, a law professor establishing Christian law schools.

Zimmerman, who is establishing a Christian law school in Sydney, argued that the states protection via anti-discrimination laws remains unwarranted.

I want the state to leave me alone, Zimmerman said. The greatest sin of Australia is the idolatry of the government. We need to stop asking for more laws and start voting for politicians who will repeal them. I dont feel we are free in this country anymore. What God gives, no man can take away.

The Canberra Declaration describes itself as an active, caring, growing community of people who have a vision for an Australia where children are safe, women are secure, families are happy, everyone receives a fair go, incentive is rewarded, integrity is paramount, life is precious, freedom is for all, including those of faith. Where everyone is able to enjoy the prosperity that comes from the revitalization of the Judeo-Christian Values that form the foundation of our nation.

The Canberra Declaration calls on national leaders to protect life, defend marriage, support family, rebuild Judeo-Christian foundations, secure religious freedom and safeguard children.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News Netanyahu quotes historian comparing Jesus to Genghis Khan, stirs fierce debate: 'Nihilistic and cold'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prompted intense backlash and debate for quoting the late American historian Will Durants views on power and his dismissive assessment of Jesus Christ compared to the murderous Mongol conqueror, Genghis Khan.

"You know, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, someone that I admire a lot, was the historian Will Durant. Now, he wrote many volumes. I read most of them," Netanyahu said during a Thursday press briefing in Jerusalem.

"He also wrote The Lessons of History, a very brief, 100-page book, in which he said, 'Well, history proves that, unfortunately and unhappily, Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan.' Because if you are strong enough, ruthless enough, powerful enough, evil will overcome good. Aggression will overcome moderation."

"So, you have no choice. If you look at the world as it is today, you have to be blind not to see that the democracies led by the United States have to reassert their will to defend themselves. And to oppose their enemies in time, while there's still time, before the jarring gong of danger wakes them up and wakes them up too late. This is where we are now," Netanyahu added.

Durant, who also famously wrote an 11-volume history of civilization, had rejected the Roman Catholicism of his youth and become an agnostic with Darwinian and pantheistic tendencies by the time he wrote the 1968 book Netanyahu cited. He reportedly returned to Catholicism by the end of his life.

The full quote, from the seventh chapter of Durants book, reads: "Nature and history do not agree with our conceptions of good and bad; they define good as that which survives, and bad as that which goes under; and the universe has no prejudice in favor of Christ as against Genghis Khan."

FAKE NEWS@disclosetv (an account based in Ireland) has deceptively edited a statement issued by @netanyahu, taking out the clear citation he makes, quoting author Will Durant:



Full statement-

pic.twitter.com/Nk6gcNBSsp  Bree A Dail (@breeadail) March 19, 2026

Netanyahu has used the Durant quote in the past, including during a 2023 speech, delivered shortly after the Hamas terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, when he framed Israels conflict with its enemies as a battle between civilization and barbarism.

Clips of the prime ministers recent remarks, some of which removed the wider context, quickly went viral on social media Thursday, with one version receiving 25 million impressions on X. After backlash, Netanyahu issued a statement pushing back against widespread characterizations of his remarks while clarifying that he was not attempting to be disrespectful toward Jesus or Christianity.

"More fake news about my attitude toward Christians, who are protected and flourish in Israel. Let me be clear: I did not denigrate Jesus Christ at my news conference this evening," he said. "To the contrary, I cited the great American historian Will Durant. A fervent admirer of Jesus Christ, Durant stated that morality by itself is not enough to ensure survival."

"A morally superior civilization may still fall to a ruthless enemy if it does not have the power to defend itself. No offense was meant," he added.

Debate extended on social media into Friday, with some supporting Netanyahus broader point about fighting evil as Israel and the United States enter the fourth week of their joint war against Iran. One such figure was conservative author, filmmaker and podcaster Dinesh D'Souza, who sparked a separate debate when he defended Netanyahu's remarks by claiming Satan often wins in this world.

"He's quoting historian Will Durant to the effect that this is the way of the world. History is a record of conquest, and might typically prevails regardless of who is right. Christianity is in full agreement that Satan is the prince of this world and his side often prevails," said D'Souza, whose 2025 film "The Dragon's Prophecy" framed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East in Judeo-Christian eschatological terms. The documentary, which was put out by Salem Media Group, featured commentary from figures such as Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

While some of the online opposition to Netanyahus comments devolved into anger and blatantly antisemitic invective, others offered more nuanced criticism, suggesting that he and Durant show a fundamental misunderstanding of the Gospel and the work of Christ, who said shortly before His death, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out."

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world," Jesus later told His disciples on the night He was betrayed, according to John 16.

Firas Modad, a Catholic Middle East and geopolitics analyst, repudiated Netanyahus assertion that the Durant quote was not a slight against the Christian worldview and accused the prime minister of being manipulative.

"The entire premise of Christianity is that even without power Jesus Christ can beat the Mongols. So, yes, that quote did denigrate Jesus Christ and Christian morality," he wrote. "Netanyahu knew what he was doing. Just as Pope Benedict knew what he was doing with his quote about the irrationality of Islam. Netanyahu is a wily operator."

Faithfulness Okom, a Christian lawyer and podcaster from Nigeria, said in a post that received more than 320,000 views that the Durant citation showed "exactly why Paul writes that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men."

Okom went on to reflect that if Jesus had been "the warrior-king messiah" whom many in first-century Judea had wanted, it would have been "a fatal mistake" that would have reduced Jesus to other conquerors in history whose legacies ultimately perish.

"God chose differently. Jesus did not conquer by force. He was executed by the people with the force. And 2,000 years later He is still being followed. His teachings still shape ethics, civilization, and the moral imagination of billions of us."

"He stands in a class of his own not in spite of the nonviolence but precisely [because] of it," Okom continued, adding that Jesus "still stands out" whether He is compared to a violent warlord like Genghis Khan or "the most peaceful statesman alive today."

"Nothing touches Him on either end of the spectrum. Durant, who Bibi quotes, was describing history, not eternity. Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth and in doing so He was revealing a logic that runs deeper than any military strategy. The cross looked like defeat and foolishness to everyone watching. But in reality it was the most decisive victory ever recorded. God is amazing in His wisdom!"

Andrew Day, who serves as senior editor of The American Conservative, wrote that what Netanyahu said was "incompatible not only with the basic principles of Christianity but also of Greek philosophy and Roman law."

"Even Nietzsche, who admired Jesus (believe it or not), would consider it nihilistic and cold, not to mention false, considering the kings of Europe bowed to Christ."

GOP pollster and pundit Rich Baris said Netanyahus move was "stupid" from a public relations perspective but also shows he "has an Eastern worldview, not Western."

"Even if you do NOT believe in the Resurrection, then ... Jesus conquered the Roman Empire without firing a shot, or killing kids. If you DO believe in the Resurrection, then duh: Jesus rose from the dead and joined the Father. Genghis Khan did not. He was worm food, and now bones. I'd say both demonstrate Jesus has a significant advantage," he added.

The debate over Netanyahus comments comes amid concerns regarding the influence religion and especially eschatology are having in the Iran war, which could soon escalate to putting U.S. troops on the ground, according to Pentagon sources who spoke to CBS News on Friday.
Home News Trump's week in review: Pentagon wants $200B for Iran war; fraud task force launched

While the conflict in Iran continues to draw national attention, a series of significant domestic policy moves unfolded in Washington this week.

President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders targeting fraud, expanding access to homeownership and outlining a national artificial intelligence framework, while federal officials also launched an investigation into state abortion coverage mandates.

Here are five key developments from the past week.
Home Opinion What is your personality type?

Ive lost track of how many times someone in a counseling session has sat across from me and said, I think this is just my personality.

Sometimes they say it with relief. More often, with resignation.

Theyve taken the test  maybe several. They know their type, their number, their letters. They can explain why they avoid conflict, why they overthink, why they shut down, and why they push too hard. For a moment, it feels like clarity.

And to be fair, there is some value in understanding personality types.

Personality frameworks do provide language for patterns that once felt confusing. They organize experiences and create a shared vocabulary. In therapy, classrooms, leadership seminars, and especially on social media, people no longer just describe what they do  they describe who they are through a system.

I understand the appeal. Ive used these tools as a psychologist.

But Ive also watched something quieter unfold.

The same categories that bring understanding can begin to draw boundaries. What starts as an explanation slowly turns into permission  or limitation.

Thats just how I am.

Im not wired for that.

Thats not my type.

And somewhere along the way, the question shifts.

It moves from Why do I do this? to something far more settled  This is who I am.

Its a small shift. Easy to miss. But it changes everything.

Because once identity gets anchored in personality, growth starts to feel optional. Or worse  out of reach.

So, its worth asking: What if personality explains more than it should? And what if it defines far less than we think?

Some parts of personality are there from the beginning. Temperament  your natural emotional tone, your baseline energy, your sensitivity  shows up early. You can see it in children before life has had much time to shape them.

But temperament is only the starting point.

Life does the rest.

Our homes, our losses, our wounds, our relationships  these leave their mark. Over time, we develop habits of thinking, ways of reacting, and strategies for getting through hard things. Not always to thrive. Often just to survive.

The person who avoids conflict may have learned, somewhere along the way, that speaking up caused pain. The one who controls everything may have grown up in chaos. The one who shuts down may have learned that emotions werent safe.

These patterns become traits. And those traits, over time, begin to feel like identity.

Thats where personality theory can subtly mislead.

It can tell you what you tend to do. But it cant tell you whether that pattern is rooted in truth, fear, wisdom, or woundedness. And it certainly cant tell you who youre meant to become.

When you turn to Scripture, something stands out almost immediately.

The Bible is filled with personalities  strong ones.

Moses is hesitant and resistant.

David is passionate, artistic, and deeply flawed.

Peter is impulsive, bold, and inconsistent.

Jeremiah is tender and burdened.

Paul is intense, driven, and relentless.

The diversity is unmistakable.

And yet, the Bible never categorizes them.

Theres no system. No typology. No framework to sort them into neat psychological boxes. That absence is striking, especially given how central personality has become in modern thought.

Why doesnt Scripture do what we so naturally want to do  define people by their traits?

Because its after something deeper. The Bible doesnt ignore personality. But it refuses to center it. Instead, it speaks to the heart. To the soul. To the deeper condition underneath behavior. And woven through every story  no matter how strong or admirable the personality  is the same thread: brokenness.

Davids courage sits next to his moral failure.

Mosess leadership is paired with anger.

Peters boldness collapses under pressure.

Paul carries a thorn he cannot remove.

No personality escapes it.

Whatever is natural in us  however gifted or strong  is still touched by the fracture of a fallen world. Thats the difference.

Personality theory emphasizes what makes each person unique.

Scripture reveals what every person needs.

Modern psychology is largely concerned with classification. What kind of person are you? Where do you fall on the spectrum? How do you typically respond?

Its the science of description. But the Bible is far more concerned with direction: Who are you becoming? That question cuts deeper. Because Scripture doesnt treat personality as a fixed endpoint. It treats the person as someone in motion  someone being shaped, refined, transformed.

We are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Its not static. Its movement.

In everyday terms, we might say, Im just wired this way.

But Scripture presses back: Toward what?

Toward greater love  or deeper self-protection?

Toward humility  or reinforced pride?

Toward truth  or more sophisticated avoidance?

The call of the Christian life isnt self-description. Its transformation.

Peter doesnt stay the man who denies Christ.

Paul doesnt remain the persecutor.

David isnt defined solely by either his courage or his failure.

Their personalities matter. But they are not final. They are being reshaped.

Our culture encourages a simple path to identity: look inside. Understand yourself. Name your patterns. Own your type. Theres value in self-awareness. It matters. But Scripture adds a caution thats easy to miss: The heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9).

Thats not a rejection of introspection. Its a warning about its limits.

We dont always see ourselves clearly. We misinterpret motives. We justify patterns that actually need to be challenged. We can become very good at explaining ourselves without ever facing what needs to change.

Personality theory, on its own, can reinforce that.

It can help you understand your tendencies  without asking whether those tendencies should remain.

Scripture takes a different route.

It doesnt begin with self-definition. It begins with God: You have searched me, Lord, and you know me (Psalm 139:1).

Thats a different starting point.

Instead of asking, Who am I according to my patterns?

The question becomes, Who am I before the God who sees me fully?

That shift matters.

Because real clarity about the self doesnt come from endless self-analysis. It comes from being known  and then measured  by something outside of us.

At the center of the Christian life is a statement that cuts against almost everything we assume about identity:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24).

Thats not language about self-expression.

Its language about surrender.

And it raises an uncomfortable question: What happens when your personality leans in the wrong direction?

What if your natural tendencies make obedience harder, not easier?

What if your type aligns more with self-protection than love?

What if your wiring amplifies pride, avoidance, or control?

Personality theory doesnt offer a satisfying answer here.

The Gospel takes a different approach. It doesnt just describe the problem  it confronts it and then changes it. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

That isnt a matter of refining personality. Its a reorientation of identity. And the evidence of that change isnt a personality profile. Its something deeper:

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control (Galatians 5:2223).

God doesnt reduce people to categories  not because Hes unaware of differences, but because He understands them perfectly.

He made them.

He knows who is bold and who is cautious. Who is reflective and who is action-oriented. Who feels deeply and who processes slowly.

And yet, He calls all of them to the same end.

Not to express themselves more fully. But to be conformed to the image of Christ.

David isnt chosen because of a personality profile. Peter isnt commissioned because of emotional stability. Paul isnt used because of a favorable temperament.

They are called, confronted, and transformed.

Thats the pattern.

Personality may shape how the story unfolds.

But it never determines its outcome.

Its easy to settle into a quiet conclusion: This is just who I am. Because if personality becomes identity, then change starts to feel unrealistic. And if change feels unrealistic, growth quietly stalls. But the Christian story doesnt leave room for that kind of finality. You are not just your patterns. Not just your history. Not just your temperament. You are someone being formed. Thats where the story is headed. Not toward a clearer personality profile. But toward a restored person.

In the end, personality can be a helpful lens. It can bring insight. But it was never meant to carry the weight of identity. That work belongs elsewhere. And thats good news.

Because you are not your type. Not your number. Not your pattern.

You are His.
Germany is introducing a temporary General License AGG for arms exports to Ukraine and Gulf countries, allowing faster deliveries of weapons for air and maritime defense and enabling  support without standard bureaucratic procedures.

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said indiscriminate Iranian attacks on Gulf countries have made weapons, especially for air defense, critically needed there, while Ukraines need for military support, particularly air defense, remains urgent.

"Indiscriminate Iranian attacks on Gulf countries have made weapons, especially for air defense, critically necessary there. At the same time, Ukraines need for military support, particularly for air defense, remains urgent. With the new temporary AGG 48, we are adapting our arms export control procedures for deliveries to these countries to new requirements. This ensures fast, bureaucracy-free exports to strengthen their defense systems and demonstrates solidarity," according to the statement published on the official website of Germanys Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

The AGG will remain in force until September 15, 2026. To use the license, exporting companies must register within 30 days after the first export or transfer and submit monthly reports. BAFA will publish additional details in the near future.

Under the new AGG, exporters may supply or transfer arms for use in air and maritime defense, including mine countermeasures, without prior application to BAFA. The list of countries covered by the license includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Ukraine.
Home Opinion When deliverance ministry overlooks mental health

One of the most serious issues in deliverance ministry today is the failure to recognize the psychological challenges that can exist alongside deliverance and exorcism. Because humanitys fall brought sickness and suffering into the world, ministers must remember a basic but essential truth: not everything is a demon.

Too often, untrained deliverance ministers assume that every mental or emotional struggle is demonic in nature. While some cases may involve spiritual oppression, ministers must exercise caution, wisdom, and proper discernment to ensure they are not harming the very people they are trying to help.

Scripture clearly affirms the reality of the demonic. Jesus gave His followers authority over unclean spirits (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19). Yet Scripture also makes clear that not every affliction has a spiritual cause. In John 9:13, the disciples assumed that a mans blindness was directly connected to sin, but Jesus corrected them. His response reminds us that not every form of suffering should be given a simplistic spiritual explanation. For those involved in deliverance ministry, the ability to distinguish between the spiritual and the natural is essential.

A mature deliverance minister must walk in both discernment and wisdom. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10), but wisdom requires humility, training, and an honest awareness of ones own limitations. When ministers mislabel psychological conditions as demonic manifestations, they risk causing further harm rather than bringing healing.

Many individuals who seek deliverance carry deep emotional wounds from abuse, rejection, grief, or trauma. These wounds often require attention through inner healing as well as prayer ministry. In many cases, demonic oppression may exploit those broken places, but lasting freedom often requires more than commanding spirits to leave. The wounds themselves must also be addressed. Ignoring them can leave a person vulnerable and prevent true restoration. Jesus did not merely cast out demons; He restored people completely  spirit, soul, and body.

For this reason, responsible ministry must take a holistic approach. Ministers should use intake forms, evaluate individuals carefully, and seek to understand the full picture before ministering. They should also be trained to recognize signs of mental illness and know when professional intervention may be necessary. This does not diminish faith. It demonstrates wisdom.

Deliverance ministers should never abandon people who are struggling with psychological distress. Rather, they should serve responsibly, recognizing when collaboration with mental health professionals is needed. Prayer, deliverance, inner healing, and professional mental health care can work together to provide more complete support for those in need.

Acknowledging psychological realities is not a lack of faith; it is an act of wisdom. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Working alongside qualified mental health professionals can protect both the minister and the individual receiving ministry.

Deliverance ministry is not about proving power. It is about restoring people to wholeness in Christ. That requires patience, compassion, truth, and responsibility. Ministers are not only called to cast out demons, but also to care for people in a way that leaves them helped, healed, and whole  not wounded by poor judgment or spiritual carelessness.

Case study: Deliverance session and psychiatric referral



Note: Names and identifying details have been changed for privacy.

David, age 24, reported sudden distress that began three months earlier. He described intrusive lustful thoughts that deeply troubled him, along with escalating visions of demons having sexual contact with him. He also reported vivid bodily sensations, including heat and the feeling of a foreign presence filling up his legs. These sensations began in his genital area. At times, he claimed to see male private parts entering his nose, mouth, and ears, and he responded by making quick hand movements in an effort to block them.

David said he had visited more than 13 deliverance ministers, yet none had been able to help him. According to his account, several ministers had attempted to cast out demons, but his visions and delusions continued. During our evaluation, it became clear that David was unable to distinguish reality from fantasy. Because others could not observe what he claimed to see, he was informed that his perceptions were not grounded in objective reality. He was then referred to a mental health specialist.

The specialist determined that Davids delusions were the result of severe anxiety. After being placed on medication, he improved significantly within a matter of weeks and was able to return to work. Follow-up appointments showed continued stability. He no longer reported visions or auditory experiences involving demons.

Cases like this highlight the importance of discernment, proper assessment, and responsible referral. Not every troubling experience is evidence of demonic activity. Sometimes, the most compassionate and spiritually responsible action a minister can take is to recognize when professional mental health care is needed.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended a farewell ceremony for the late Patriarch Filaret at St. Michaels Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv.

"He made great efforts to ensure that Ukraine has its own local church. Without his perseverance and courage, it is impossible to imagine the history of Ukrainian independence, our spiritual independence, and the building of a truly strong state. We remember. We honour. We are grateful," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

As reported, Patriarch Filaret died on Friday, March 20, at the age of 97 due to complications from chronic illnesses.

The farewell ceremony has been taking place at St. Michaels Golden-Domed Cathedral since the evening of March 20 and will continue throughout March 21.

The funeral service and burial are scheduled for Sunday, March 22.
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(This is the Warren Buffett Watch newsletter, news and analysis on all things Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway. You can sign up here to receive it every Friday evening in your inbox.) Warren Buffett is defending the philanthropic initiative he co-founded with Bill Gates almost 15 years ago as it faces what The New York Times calls a "billionaire backlash." Buffett wrote in an email to the newspaper, "I firmly believe in the Giving Pledge and consider it quite a success, though my physical limitations have eliminated my participation in the annual get-together. "I have continued to contact possible members but only on a minor scale in recent years. Bill Gates has continued major efforts." In 2010, Buffett said he and Gates hoped to "establish a new norm" with the Pledge, which is a "promise by the world's wealthiest philanthropists to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes in their lifetime of wills."

Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates Lacy O'Toole | CNBC

But in a major article this week, the Times says that over the past two years, "there has been a growing backlash from the billionaires who are its target donors," including a "quiet campaign by one pro-Trump tech billionaire to destroy it." Peter Thiel tells the Times he has privately encouraged around a dozen signers to cancel their pledges. "Most of the ones I've talked to have at least expressed regret about signing it."

Peter Thiel Adam Jeffery | CNBC

While the Times says Thiel wasn't involved, Coinbase co-founder Brian Armstrong, "an outspoken crypto executive who now evinces a disdain for liberal politics," voluntarily left the group in 2024 without a public explanation. The next year, Oracle's Larry Ellison, one of the first signers, announced he was "amending" his pledge to give some money to for-profit initiatives that the Pledge doesn't cover. More than 250 families are listed on the Giving Pledge's web site, but the pace of new additions has slowed. In the first five years, 113 joined. That fell to 72 in the second five years, and just 43 signed in the following five years. The Times quotes Aaron Horvath, a sociologist who has studied the Pledge, as saying it is a "time capsule" of the 2010s that now "feels old school." He says billionaires now think, "I can keep my head down and keep making money. I don't have to put up with this charity charade anymore." The Times adds that in an "era of a more voracious capitalism" with "billionaires trending right and getting ahead by embracing an administration that is happy to dole out favors," many of them believe "the real way to give back is via business success" that boosts the economy.

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, speaking on CNBC's Squawk Box outside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 21, 2025. Gerry Miller | CNBC

Buffett recalls irritation at commas added to his annual letters

Buffett was also quoted in another major publication this week. The Wall Street Journal reported on the CEOs who have been inspired by Buffett's annual letters to shareholders that used wit and personal anecdotes to elevate "a dreary convention of corporate America and set a new standard." JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says he always tries to emulate Buffett's ability to use plain language in explanations of complex financial concepts but concedes "it's hard." "I'm happy when it's birthed," he says of his own annual letter. In a phone interview with the newspaper, Buffett said he found it very hard to accept feedback from former Fortune journalist and personal friend Carol Loomis, who edited his shareholder letters from 1977 to 2024. "My first reaction would be to get irritated, which is totally inappropriate," but "that's the way you get when you're writing." One of his biggest complaints was that Loomis added too many commas. Now, he says, they play bridge online weekly without any acrimony. "I finally matured a little bit, at 95."

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Buffett on charities: 'Go with your gut' (2006)

Warren Buffett gives shareholders advice on giving money away and explains his own personal philosophy.

watch now

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Would you please help us think through the capital allocation decisions we face when it comes to charitable giving? ... WARREN BUFFETT: It's tough to give other people advice on that. But, you know, you have to pick the things that are important to you. And, you know, many people  majority in the United States  it's their church. You know, there's more money given to churches than anything else. Many people  very many people  it's their school, or schools generally. You know, I think, to a great extent, you should pick whatever gives you the most satisfaction, and that will probably be something that you know, something you've, maybe, benefited from yourself. I look at it a little differently. The amount of funds are different, too, but I like to think of things that are important but that don't have natural funding constituencies. But that isn't something, you know, for millions of people to be following as an example or something. Nothing wrong with doing something that gives you plenty of personal satisfaction and does some good for other people in the process. So I would not be reluctant  I would not feel I had to be as objective about that, necessarily, as I was about buying securities or something of the sort. I would, kind of, go where my gut led me and make it something you participate in. And, like I say, I think if you're doing it with large sums, you may have some reason, maybe even some obligation, to try and think about where really large sums can have an important impact on a societal problem that might not get attention otherwise. And, you know, that's, sort of, where my own thinking leads me. But I would  I would go with something where I felt I knew where the money was going to go and I knew some good was going to come out of it. And maybe, by observing what took place, I could make the next gift more efficient than the last gift and more beneficial.

BERKSHIRE STOCK WATCH

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BRK.A stock price: $720,702.06 BRK.B stock price: $480.94 BRK.B P/E (TTM): 15.50 Berkshire market capitalization: $1,036,964,141,358 Berkshire Cash as of December 31: $373.3 billion (Down 2.2% from Sept. 30) Excluding Rail Cash and Subtracting T-Bills Payable: $369.0 billion (Up 4.1% from September 30) Berkshire resumed stock repurchases on March 4, 2026. (All figures are as of the date of publication, unless otherwise indicated)

BERKSHIRE'S TOP EQUITY HOLDINGS - Mar. 20, 2026

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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing the White House for Miami on March 20, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Celal Gunes | Anadolu | Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump late Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, as the war escalated in a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week. "If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Iran responded by warning it would target U.S. infrastructure, including energy and desalination facilities in the Gulf, if the U.S. carried out its threat. Critical infrastructure and energy facilities in the Middle East could be "irreversibly destroyed" should Iranian power plants be targeted, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in comments posted on X on Sunday. Qalibaf said regional infrastructure would become "legitimate targets" should Iran's facilities be hit, and that its retaliation would increase the price of oil for a while. Trump's dramatic reversal came barely a day after the president talked about "winding down" the war. In a Truth Social post on Friday, the president claimed that the U.S. is "getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East."

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Trump had also told reporters that he is not interested in a ceasefire with Iran. "We could have dialogue, but I don't want to do a ceasefire," Trump said from the White House South Lawn before departing for Florida. "You know you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side." "They don't have a navy. They don't have an air force. They don't have any equipment," Trump continued. However, hours after Trump's remarks, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz countered that Israeli attacks against Iran will "increase significantly" in the coming week. "This week, the intensity of the attacks that the IDF and the U.S. military will carry out against the Iranian terrorist regime and against the infrastructures on which it relies will increase significantly," Katz said in a video statement.

Iran and Israel trade strikes near nuclear facilities

Trump issued his stark warning as Iran and Israel traded strikes targeting nuclear facilities. Dozens of people were injured after Iran struck two communities near Israel's main nuclear research site. The Israeli military said its defenses were not able to intercept missiles that hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad.

Israeli soldiers work at the scene of damage after Iranian missile barrages struck residential buildings in Arad, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in southern Israel on March 22, 2026. Ronen Zvulun | Reuters

Initial footage from the scene in Arad showed a bus with its windows blown out and heavy damage to several buildings, and dozens of firefighters and police responding to two separate impact sites. Israel's rescue services said four people were seriously injured, including a 4-year-old girl, and 29 were lightly injured. Authorities are still looking for several people who are unaccounted for. It marked the first time in the war that Israel's nuclear research center was targeted. Israel's secretive nuclear reactor is about 13 kilometers southeast of Dimona. Both cities lie near several military sites, including Nevatim Air Base, one of the country's largest. "This is a very difficult evening," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, adding that more emergency resources were being sent to the scene. The strikes on Israel came after Iranian media reported U.S.-Israeli forces had attacked the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz nuclear enrichment complex. Technical experts found that no radioactive leaks had occurred and nearby residents were not at risk. Israel denied responsibility and said it wasn't aware of Israeli strikes in that region. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a post on X that "no abnormal radiation levels have been detected" and added that it is looking into the report. The same nuclear facility was targeted by Israel and the United States during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025. Meanwhile, Israel said it had attacked Tehran, Karaj, west of the capital, and the central city of Isfahan. Three members of a family were killed in a strike on a residential building in the city of Ramsar, Iranian media reported. The death toll has risen to more than 1,500 people in Iran, over 1,000 in Lebanon, at least 60 in Iraq, 17 in Israel, 13 U.S. service members, 8 in the United Arab Emirates, 5 in Kuwait, 3 in Saudi Arabia, and 2 in Bahrain.

U.K. says Iran unsuccessfully targeted base

Iran unsuccessfully targeted a joint U.S.-U.K. military base in the Indian Ocean, U.K. officials said. "Iran's unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia was before yesterday's update on the use of U.K. bases by the U.S.," the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence (MoD) told CNBC in an emailed statement. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said Friday that ministers had approved U.S. forces' use of British bases to defend the region, including "U.S. defensive operations to degrade missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz." The MoD said the U.K. has given the U.S. permission to use its bases at RAF Fairford in England and at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands for "specific and limited defensive operations."

Diego Garcia, a British Indian Ocean Territory and the largest of the islands in the Chagos Archipelago on July 02, 2013 in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. USGS NASA | Gallo Images | Getty Images

Iran targeted the island with a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile, Israel's military said. This refers to missiles with at least two rocket engines, one allowing the missile to reach space, and the other propels it to its target, at a range of up to 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles). "These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range extends to the capitals of Europe  Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range," Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. The Wall Street Journal first reported the attack on Friday, citing multiple U.S. officials. "Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies," the U.K. said in its statement. "[Royal Air Force] jets and other U.K. military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region." The reported attack marked Iran's first operational use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles and a significant attempt to reach far beyond the Middle East and threaten U.S. interests, the Wall Street Journal said.

U.S. allows sale of Iran oil at sea

The war, which began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets, has effectively choked off the narrow and economically crucial Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from the United Arab Emirates. Around one-fifth of the world's oil transits the Strait. Daily transit calls have tumbled to nearly zero from highs above 120 seen earlier this year, according to data analyzed by Charles Schwab. Much of the crude from the Gulf usually heads to Asia. Benchmark Brent crude oil futures for May rose 3.26% to $112.19 a barrel on Friday, its highest close since July 2022. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for April settled 2.27% higher at $98.32 a barrel.

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The Trump administration's latest attempt to ease prices came late Friday, when it waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days. The move is expected to bring 140 billion barrels of oil to global markets, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on X. "This temporary, short-term authorization is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production," he said. "Further, Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system." The license authorizing the sale and delivery, posted after market hours on the Treasury Department's website, allows Iranian oil into the U.S. when necessary for its sale, delivery or offloading. Iranian oil hasn't been meaningfully imported to the U.S. since the 1979 Iranian revolution.

G7 ready to protect global energy supplies

The Group of Seven countries are ready to take necessary measures to support global energy supplies, its foreign ministers said in a statement. They also reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, including in the Strait of Hormuz. "We ... express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies," the ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the top EU diplomat, the statement said. "We condemn in the strongest terms the regime's reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure," it said.

Iran calls for 'immediate cessation' of 'aggression'

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said there needs to be an "immediate cessation" of what he described as U.S.-Israeli aggression to end the war and wider regional conflict, Iran's embassy in India said in an X post on Saturday. Pezeshkian spoke with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone earlier in the day. Pezeshkian told Modi that there should be guarantees to prevent a recurrence of such "aggression" in the future. He also called on the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies to play an independent role in halting aggression against Iran.

22 countries urge opening of Strait of Hormuz

The leaders from 22 countries  including the United Arab Emirates, the U.K., France, Germany, Japan and Bahrain  released a joint statement condemning Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as its attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf and on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in the region.

"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," the statement said. The countries said they are ready to contribute to "appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the strait.

Saudi Arabia expels several Iranian diplomats

The kingdom's Foreign Ministry said the security attache and his assistant, along with three other staffers in the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia, should leave within 24 hours. Hours earlier, Saudi Arabia downed 20 Iranian drones, according to its Defense Ministry. Earlier in the day, the Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said it responded to three ballistic missiles and eight drone attacks. Jordan's military said 240 missiles and drones have been fired at Jordan since the war began, wounding 24 people. Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed that the Iranian escalation against Gulf states endangers the safety and the stability of the region, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. And Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the visits of el-Sissi and his Jordanian counterpart King Abdullah II to multiple Gulf states over the past few days "reflect full Arab solidarity."

Iran vows safe passage for Japanese vessels

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that negotiations with Japan on the issue are ongoing.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi speaks at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 16, 2026. Shadati | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images

"We have not closed the strait. It is open," Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted Araghchi as saying in an interview on Friday. He also said that Iran is seeking "not a cease-fire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war." Araghchi said Iran has not closed the strategic waterway but has imposed restrictions on vessels belonging to countries involved in attacks against Iran, while offering assistance to others amid heightened security concerns, Kyodo reported. He added that Iran is prepared to ensure safe passage for countries such as Japan if they coordinate with Tehran.

Iranian gas to Iraq reportedly resumes
Kpop group BTS pose for photographs upon their arrival for BTS The Comeback Live Arirang concert in central Seoul, South Korea, on March 21, 2026. Handout | Via Reuters

Kpop supergroup BTS performed to tens of thousands of fans in Seoul on Saturday in their first concert in more than three years, which saw authorities shut down the city's historic downtown, though turnout was far smaller than expected. The hour-long outdoor concert in Gwanghwamun Square was the group's official comeback, after it helped make Korean pop music a global phenomenon before going on hiatus in 2022 while members fulfilled mandatory military service. They returned on Friday with a new album, which their record label said sold nearly 4 million copies in its first day, ahead of a global tour that starts next month, billed as the biggest in K-pop history.

Fans watch the concert of K-pop boy group BTS on a screen in Seoul on March 21, 2026. South Korean megastars BTS reunite on March 21, for their first show in nearly four years, with an expected 260,000 fans taking over central Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide. Kim Min-hee | Afp | Getty Images

While there were only 22,000 tickets to the inner area to see Saturday's concert live, Seoul authorities had anticipated as many as 260,000 people would turn out to be part of the crowd outside. An entire section of the city was sealed off with barricades. In the end, most fans decided to stay away for now. The Yonhap News Agency, citing city government estimates, said 40,000-42,000 showed up. Fans, who call themselves the BTS ARMY, could watch the concert on Netflix , where it was streamed live in 190 countries. "It's been a long journey but now we're finally here," said RM, the leader of BTS, who performed much of the concert from a chair after hurting his ankle during rehearsals. "While preparing this album, we did have some concerns that we might be forgotten, or whether you would still remember us," said another member, J-Hope.

22,000 free tickets, 2,551 toilets

The municipal authorities in Seoul are extremely cautious about crowds since a crush killed scores of Halloween revellers in the Itaewon nightlife district four years ago. The Seoul government, the group's management agency HYBE and other organisations deployed a combined 8,200 personnel and set up medical stations. Jimena Pinilla, 31, had flown in from Spain and arrived at the square on Saturday morning to get a choice spot. "I joined the ARMY in 2023, just as they began their service. I'm so excited to be part of this," she said, sporting purple sneakers and a collection of BTS toys from Shein. "I spent my entire two weeks annual leave for this trip." But some South Koreans ridiculed the draconian security measures for a crowd that mostly failed to materialise. "Authorities claimed 260,000 would show up  that's basically a lie  and it ended up disrupting local businesses and even weddings," wrote a user on the Naver Cafe online forum.

A 'trillions of won' comeback

BTS' world tour will last into 2027, spanning 34 regions and 82 shows so far, according to the tour website.

K-pop boy band BTS perform onstage during comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. The free concert is the band's first performance in nearly four years. Pool | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
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People queue to have their laptops install with OpenClaw, an open-source AI assistant at the Baidu headquarter in Beijing on March 11, 2026. Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images

Three months ago, the tech industry was unaware of a lobster-themed AI coding project built by an under-the-radar Austrian software developer. OpenClaw, as that creation is known, has enjoyed such a rapid ascent since then that it took center stage this week at GTC, Nvidia's annual conference, where the leader of the world's most valuable company called it "the most popular, open-source project in the history of humanity." "This is definitely the next ChatGPT," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC's Jim Cramer on the sidelines of the developer event in Santa Clara, California. In his keynote, Huang described OpenClaw as the go-to option for building AI agents that can perform tasks like scouting eBay for deals and then placing bids, and said it "exceeded what Linux did in 30 years" in mere weeks. The phenomenon is so pivotal to Nvidia that the chipmaker said at GTC that it's building free accompanying security services  packaged as NemoClaw  intended to help spur more adoption of OpenClaw and get large businesses comfortable with its use. Huang was validating what the rest of the market has been witnessing. An independent developer, rather than a giant, richly valued lab like OpenAI or Anthropic, came up with the next big thing in AI and, in doing so, exposed a potential major flaw in the investment thesis behind the large language models: They may be getting commoditized.

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While OpenAI and Anthropic remain deeply popular and continue building services that are resonating with users, the power of OpenClaw is that it's enabling all sorts of developers and hobbyists to quickly create and manage AI agents across online communications channels like WhatsApp and Telegram from their home computers. Some industry experts say OpenClaw's breakout shows that the value in AI isn't all accruing to the two leading startups, which have a combined private market value of over $1 trillion, and their hyperscaler peers. "It solidified the open-source community and proved that fully autonomous AI can be run at home without relying on the Magnificent 7 or Big AI," said David Hendrickson, CEO of consulting firm GenerAIte Solutions. "I suspect this was the black swan moment most big AI companies feared." Hendrickson said developers have been gravitating to the Chinese AI models because they are good enough and cheaper to run than the powerful proprietary models from the likes of OpenAI, Anthropic and Google . And because developers use OpenClaw on their personal computers like Apple Mac Minis to manage their fleets of always-operating AI agents, they've discovered it's far more economical than tapping the cloud to access the bigger models. "As foundation models rapidly commoditize, attention is moving toward agent frameworks that emphasize autonomy, usability, locality, and control to power agentic AI applications and drive business values," said Charlie Dai, an analyst at Forrester. OpenAI and Anthropic are well aware of the threat. Anthropic has been debuting similar OpenClaw-like features, such as a new channels tool. And last month, in a Sunday post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that Peter Steinberger, the developer of OpenClaw, was joining the AI company and that the service he created would "live in a foundation as an open source project that OpenAI will continue to support." Altman called Steinberger a "genius with a lot of amazing ideas," and said he would help "drive the next generation of personal agents."

'I can't rely on this'

But the open-source nature of OpenClaw means that OpenAI doesn't own the technology. That laissez-faire dynamic can be a challenge for enterprise adoption, as many large companies are wary about the security risks that could arise from allowing hundreds or thousands of digital assistants to access sensitive internal data or take actions that could compromise their businesses. With NemoClaw, Nvidia is trying to provide that security layer. "You can maybe deal with the risks for personal use, but when it comes to building a business, I can't rely on this, and I don't feel safe with it," Israeli developer Gavriel Cohen told CNBC. "It's not responsible to connect my customer data to it." Cohen said it felt like "a huge light bulb" turned on in his head when he began to brainstorm how to use OpenClaw within his AI marketing agency. With the service being able to run on messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord and Signal, Cohen imagined having AI agents helping to facilitate conversations with his colleagues involving client management, product development, finance and other business functions. But he noticed some major issues from the start, such as the software failing to distinguish one WhatsApp group message from another. Cohen said the last thing he wanted was for a co-worker to ask an AI agent whether he has time for an afternoon meeting, and for the agent to reply that Cohen has to take his daughter to ballet at that time because it's extrapolating his whereabouts from his personal messages. With the assistance of Anthropic's Claude Code, Cohen spent days creating his own homegrown OpenClaw variant tailored to meet his expectations of security, like walling off his personal WhatsApp group from his work chats. Since releasing his creation, dubbed NanoClaw, to the open-source community at the end of January, the project snowballed within the AI developer community. Cohen said his wife started chatting with her new NanoClaw-spawned AI agent named Andy and discovered that the software could help her track the price of baby strollers, pinging her on WhatsApp when it spotted a good deal. "That would be like a SaaS product that you would maybe spend $10 a month on a subscription for," Cohen said. Cohen and his brother have since shuttered their AI marketing firm, created a new startup called NanoCo that will offer paid services to accompany NanoClaw, and partnered last week with container technology company Docker to solidify itself as an OpenClaw competitor.

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David Bader, director of the Institute for Data Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, said the tech industry is "witnessing a classic platform shift," with foundation models and Chinese labs "converging in capability." "The models become the engine; the agent framework becomes the car," Bader said. Representatives from OpenAI and Anthropic didn't provide a comment for this story. Not everyone in the tech industry is convinced that foundation models are losing steam. Venture capitalist Jerry Chen of Greylock, an Anthropic investor, said OpenClaw's success in showing what a world of "intelligent agents" can look like doesn't take away from the importance of the underlying foundation models, which he still sees as more powerful than the so-called open-weight alternatives. "The buzz around OpenClaw stems from making AI more tangible to a broader audience beyond researchers and technologists," Chen said. "The interesting question now is whether OpenClaw becomes the de facto standard  the Linux of the market, as Jensen puts it  or just the first of many open and closed-source agentic operating systems." For a Wall Street analyst covering Nvidia, the OpenClaw moment is historic in its gravity. Jay Goldberg of Seaport Research Partners is the lone Nvidia analyst among roughly 70 tracked by FactSet with a sell recommendation on the stock. He initiated his coverage in April after the stock had already rocketed from the AI boom, but the shares kept rallying and are up more than 60% since his sell rating. "Part of my critique of Nvidia has always been like, what's the point of all this AI? There's no consumer use cases for any of it," Goldberg said. "I've always couched my rating by saying, look, where I could be wrong is if somebody comes up with a really incredible AI application." After playing around with OpenClaw on a recently purchased Mac Mini, Goldberg said he can finally understand the excitement. As a parent of three kids, Goldberg said he gets an average of 10 emails a week that he dreads reading, and would love for an agent to scan the messages and tell him of the important stuff like if he has to pick up his kids early from school or get them dressed up for picture day. "It's not just the functionality of the thing itself, but it's the pieces of our lives that we give it access to," Goldberg said. Goldberg isn't ready to boost his rating on Nvidia, but he admitted that he's "envious" of Huang, who he says "nailed it" in describing OpenClaw as an operating system. Meanwhile, Goldberg said he's watching tons of TikTok videos on OpenClaw and wants to understand it better before he can feel safe enough to really bake it into his life. "It's janky, it is incredibly insecure and it's like my Mac Mini is kind of half working," Goldberg said about OpenClaw's growing pains. "It's very easy to see how this can become really powerful and really useful." WATCH: Nvidia's one of the fastest growing companies with one of the lowest valuations.

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U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller makes a statement on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election at the Justice Department in Washington, May 29, 2019. Jim Bourg | Reuters

Robert Mueller, former special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, died Friday. Mueller, also former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was 81. "With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away" on Friday night, his family said in a statement Saturday. "His family asks that their privacy be respected." MS Now first reported the news on Saturday. Mueller concluded in 2019 that Russia interfered in the election in an effort to influence voters towards President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. The Russia investigation and Mueller himself swiftly became lightning rods for Trump, who over the years has repeatedly called the probe a "witch hunt" and a "hoax." Shortly after Mueller's death was reported, Trump said in a Truth Social post, "Good, I'm glad he's dead." He added, "He can no longer hurt innocent people!"

From FBI director to special counsel

Mueller was the second-longest-serving director in FBI history, behind only J. Edgar Hoover. He began his tenure just one week before the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, which became the catalyst for turning the agency's priority from solving domestic crimes to fighting terrorism. Mueller stayed in the post for 12 years after then-President Barack Obama asked him to remain on following his 10-year term. He entered private practice after leaving in 2013. In 2017, he returned to public service after being appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to serve as special counsel in the Trump-Russia inquiry. Mueller's stern visage and taciturn demeanor matched the seriousness of the mission as his team spent nearly two years quietly conducting one of the most consequential yet divisive investigations in Justice Department history. He held no news conferences and made no public appearances during the investigation, remaining quiet despite attacks from Trump and his supporters and creating an aura of mystery around his work. All told, Mueller brought criminal charges against six of the president's associates, including his campaign chairman and first national security adviser.

Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III departs the Capitol after a closed-door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign, in Washington, June 21, 2017. Mueller died on Friday, March 20, 2026. He was 81. J. Scott Applewhite, File | AP Photo

His 448-page report, released in April 2019, identified substantial contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but did not allege a criminal conspiracy. He laid out damaging details about Trump's efforts to seize control of the investigation, and even shut it down, though Mueller declined to decide whether Trump had broken the law, in part because of department policy barring the indictment of a sitting president. But, in perhaps the most memorable language of the report, Mueller pointedly noted: "If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment." The nebulous conclusion did not deliver the knockout punch to the administration that some Trump opponents had hoped for, nor did it trigger a sustained push by House Democrats to impeach the president  though he was later tried and acquitted on separate allegations related to Ukraine. The outcome also left room for Attorney General William Barr to insert his own views. He and his team made their own determination that Trump did not obstruct justice, and he and Mueller privately tangled over a four-page summary letter from Barr that Mueller felt did not adequately capture his report's damaging conclusion. Mueller deflated Democrats during a highly anticipated congressional hearing on his report when he offered terse, one-word answers and appeared uncertain in his testimony. Frequently, he seemed to waver on details of his investigation. It was hardly the commanding performance many had expected from Mueller, who had a towering reputation in Washington. Over the next months, Barr made clear his own disagreements with the foundations of the Russia investigation, moving to dismiss a false-statements prosecution that Mueller had brought against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, even though that investigation ended in a guilty plea. Mueller's tenure as special counsel was the capstone of a career spent in government.

Vietnam veteran and career criminal prosecutor
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House for Florida, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 20, 2026.

President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to send federal immigration agents to U.S. airports unless congressional Democrats immediately agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

"I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. The Trump administration has faced heavy criticism for aggressive deportation tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents.

Trump claimed ICE agents handling airport security would arrest immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, specifically targeting individuals from Somalia.

In a separate post later in the day, Trump said he plans to move ICE agents into airports as soon as Monday, telling them to "GET READY."

"I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.' NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!" he wrote.

When asked for comment, the White House referred to Trump's social media. DHS did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

A bipartisan group of senators met with DHS border czar Tom Homan last night to discuss additional immigration enforcement concessions made by the White House on Friday in an attempt to end the partial government shutdown, POLITICO reported, citing lawmakers in attendance.

The Senate is in session Saturday and Sunday, working on other legislative issues, but it is unclear whether further talks or a vote on the new DHS funding proposal will take place.
Russian occupying forces carried out their largest breakthrough attempt on Lyman-Borova axis since the start of hostilities in this area on March 19, the press service of the Third Army Corps said.

"Forces of Russias first Tank Army and 20th Combined Arms Army attacked the positions of the Third Corps simultaneously on seven axes. More than 500 infantry, 28 armored vehicles, and over 100 motorized vehicles  buggies and quad bikes  were involved in the assault. However, the enemy began to suffer losses even on the approaches to the line of contact. Within four hours, units of the Third Corps completely stopped the offensive: what was supposed to be a rapid breakthrough turned into a large-scale failure for the Russians," the Corps said in the statement on Telegram.

According to the Corps, enemy equipment losses included 84 motorized vehicles, 11 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, and three tanks. In addition, Solntsepek system and five artillery pieces were hit, and more than 160 enemy UAVs were destroyed.

"For a month and a half, we observed signs of preparations for the offensive. The Russians intensified guided bomb strikes on our crossings over the Oskil River, trying to cut off logistics. They began setting up their own pontoon crossings and clearing routes of mines  this directly indicated preparations for a large-scale mechanized offensive. We prepared accordingly: defensive actions were worked out in different directions, each brigade had its own plan to repel the attack. The Corps coordinated these actions  and as a result, the strikes were thwarted in all directions," Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky said.

Over the day, brigades and regiments of the Corps eliminated 405 enemy personnel: 288 irrecoverable losses and the rest sanitary losses.

Russian forces failed to capture any settlements or positions.
Martin, who is also a RUSI Distinguished Fellow, said, there clearly are a set of plausible, realistic, bad scenarios where most reasonable citizens would expect some form of government activity. But it would be better to have a framework, whether thats compulsory insurance, incentivizing insurance with tax breaks, whether its a set of principles as to what would trigger state intervention. And in what form? Loan guarantees? Something else?

To complicate things, Paul noted that today there is a cyber insurance protection gap. I dont know how we are going to bridge this gap between the potential economics loss and the insured loss without some partnership between government and the insurance industry and other parts of the cyber ecosystem, she said. The industry has a prefunded model, and a contract with the government under which, if the insurer runs out of money, the government will step in and loan the money to pay the losses.

But that is one way of doing it and I think they would like the flexibility to do it in another way, she observed. But what I do think is you cannot have a transfer of risk between the public sector and the private sector unless you have some kind of structure around it, and at some point the government are going to have to come to the table on what that looks like in order to make that happen.
Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko held a meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine to discuss the energy sector situation and informed them that the estimated cost of Ukraines city resilience plans stands at EUR 5.4 billion.

"We have mobilized all available efforts and resources. However, we have no illusions that Russia will stop targeting our energy sector. We expect the attacks may only intensify. We already see the enemy focusing even more on logistics routes. We must prepare now for the upcoming heating seasons and strategically rebuild our energy system," the prime minister said.

Svyrydenko informed diplomats about the establishment of a Coordination Center for implementing comprehensive resilience plans for Ukraines regions and cities, aimed at strengthening energy security by protecting critical infrastructure, developing distributed generation, and ensuring uninterrupted water and heating supply.

"Our priority is frontline communities and large densely populated cities. The total estimated cost of the Resilience Plans is EUR 5.4 billion, including the needs of Kyiv. It is crucial for Ukraine that part of the EUs EUR 90 billion loan be directed toward supporting the implementation of these plans and strengthening the energy autonomy of our communities," she said.

Svyrydenko also underlined that Ukraine highly appreciates the support already provided by partners through the supply of energy equipment, contributions to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, as well as direct donations and grants.

"Strengthening partnerships at the regional level, including city twinning projects and country patronage over regions, will be important to ensure our shared energy resilience and security," the prime minister said.
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I throw these on when I want to look put-together without sacrificing even a second of comfort

Specifically, Gen-Z shoppers rave about the brands Arizona style that features a classic two-strap slide-on design.

We decided to get ahead of the Birkenstock rush this season and snag a new pair for ourselves to test out the cork-soled sandals first before you go spend on the pricey summer shoes.

I have been a fan of Birkenstocks since my childhood growing up in Vemront, there really wasnt much choice. The shoe brand is popular in the nature-forward states around America, from Colorado to California, but even in New York City, I rock them.

I ordered the Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Suede Sandal off HSN to replace my old, worn-out pair of Birkibuc synthetic upper Arizonas. Right out of the box, I loved the look of the suede style, and the fabric is seriously soft to the touch.

I grab these every time I leave the house because they go with literally everything!

I have been a fan of Birkenstocks since my childhood growing up in Vemront, there really wasnt much choice! The shoe brand is popular in the nature-forward states around America, from Colorado to California, but even in New York City, I rock them.

I ordered the Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Suede Sandal off HSN to replace my old, worn-out pair of Birkibuc synthetic upper Arizonas. Right out of the box, I loved the look of the suede style, and the fabric is seriously soft to the touch.

With code WELCOME2026, these typically $150 sandals are only $135, and believe me, they rarely go on sale. Birkenstock is notorious for its cork footbeds, and the feature is easily my favorite part, too.

I must admit that breaking in a fresh pair can be painful for the first few wears, so take it slow. The rigid arch support over time molds to your foot's shape, and eventually wearing them feels like a second skin.

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They go with everything. I plan on wearing my new suede pair into the ground this summer.

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The giant, grey B-52 bomber sat a few hundred yards away from me, idling its engines.

You dont actually appreciate how huge these weapons of war are until you see them up close. Its wings are so vast they eventually droop down upon themselves, as if the constant struggle to get airborne has finally broken them.

The aircraft Im looking at is nicknamed Bomber Baron. Dotted around it, in full view of the neat semis that comprise the quiet village of Whelford that rings RAF Fairford, are several other birds of prey: Guardian Of The Upper Realm, Iron Butterfly, Symphony Of Destruction.

Every day these aircraft lumber up into the Gloucestershire sky, straining under the weight of the AGM-158 cruise missiles mounted on their external pylons, or the JDAM Bunker Buster bombs secreted within their cavernous bellies, and set off for Iran.

And a war that Sir Keir Starmer has spent the last month insisting  Britain has no part of.

Although, if you listen carefully, the Prime Ministers public line on this has recently been shifting a little.

For the past three weeks he has been telling the country he would not take us into war, unlike those reckless tub-thumpers Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage. Then on Monday this became we will not be drawn into the wider war.

Though how wide this war would need to be to compel Sir Keir to draw a line in the Lut desert isnt exactly clear.

A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress takes off from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire

US President Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer at a joint press conference last year

At around the time he was making his new pledge, HMS Dragon was finally chugging past the Straits of Gibraltar.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence was announcing the RAF had flown 550 hours of defensive operations since the conflict (that the UK purportedly has no involvement in) began, and now has more jets in the region than at any point in the past 15 years.

And the Bomber Baron and his friends were preparing to unleash some more defensive shock and awe as part of Operation Epic Fury.

Until this weekend the Prime Ministers aides were boastfully briefing about how Starmer was now pursuing his Love Actually strategy.

This is a reference to the moment Hugh Grants fictional Prime Minister finally confronts Billy Bob Thorntons bullying US President after catching him trying to force himself on Martine McCutcheon, Grants secretary.

Starmer, they were claiming, had similarly decided the time had come to stand up to Trump. But as the events of the past 48 hours have graphically illustrated, he hasnt.

Instead, we  and the world  have been subject to the spectacle of the real British Prime Minister ducking, diving, prevaricating, procrastinating, obfuscating and straight up lying as he again tries to be all things to all people. And ends up being of no use to anybody on anything.

It began with President Trumps request for naval assistance in opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Last Sunday evening Starmers aides fanned out to discreetly tell the press he had decided to rebuff Trumps request to send ships to the Gulf.

The following day he appeared at a No 10 press conference, apparently to confirm his stance.

And promptly reverse ferreted. No decisions had actually been taken on a potential naval deployment, he declared. The matter was still being discussed with allies, including the United States. But, Starmer said, ultimately we need to get the Strait opened.

Hugh Grant's British PM and the US president, played by Billy Bob Thornton, in Love Actually

Two weeks ago I predicted the Prime Minister would prove too weak to properly fight this war, and too weak to keep us out of it. And so it has proved, writes Dan Hodges

Then it emerged, via an incandescent Trump, that Starmer had adopted a completely different stance when the two had discussed the issue hours before.

Far from ruling out sending assets, Starmer had instead told him, Im meeting with my team to make a determination.

According to Trumps account: I said you dont need to meet with your team, youre the Prime Minister, you can make your own, why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not youre going to send some minesweepers to help us or to send some boats?

Trumps attacks on Sir Keir have now reached such a deranged crescendo even Kemi Badenoch felt moved to declare she found them childish.

But on this occasion, the US Presidents ire was justified. Whatever peoples view of Trump and his war, Starmer has a duty to engage with Britains main international ally with candour and conviction.

And his decision to tell him one thing, order his aides to brief the press another, then paint an entirely different picture again for the British people is indicative of his callow and chaotic premiership.

One rationale for this murkiness is that diplomatic niceties preclude Starmer from revealing to the nation what his private game plan is for managing such a uniquely volatile White House occupant as Trump.

But theres a difference between realpolitik and stringing someone along. And telling Trump one thing, while spinning an entirely different tale to the media, isnt smart diplomacy.

Another justification proffered by Starmers allies is that regardless of politics and presentation, Starmer has secured the high moral ground by keeping Britain at arms length from the conflict.

But again, the opposite is true. On Friday the Prime Minister announced he had again U-turned, and agreed to a US request to use British bases to attack Iran along the Strait of Hormuz, in defence of our interests.

At which point Iran responded by firing two ballistic missiles at our territory of Diego Garcia, one of which had to be engaged by a US destroyer. Further underlining how US air crews and sailors are being asked to risk their lives daily in our defence, while Starmer skulks behind their valour and sacrifice.

Two weeks ago I predicted the Prime Minister would prove too weak to properly fight this war, and too weak to keep us out of it. And so it has proved.

No 10 genuinely believed Sir Keirs Love Actually moment would spark a reversal of his political fortunes.

Join the discussion Is Britain sacrificing its integrity by following America into war, or should we stand our ground no matter the cost?

But there is zero evidence of that. According to a poll published by Sky News, while a vast majority of respondents oppose the war, a majority also oppose Starmers handling of it.

This is partly because of the Starmer Paradigm, that rule that says the British people will reject anything simply on the basis it is Sir Keir proposing it. But there is another reason why Starmers attempt to mimic Hugh Grant is failing to cut through.

In Love Actually the Prime Minister summons the courage to finally confront the US President honestly and openly to his face. And as we have seen, Sir Keir is too weak and too indecisive and too temperamentally wedded to inaction to adopt such a bold public stance.

If Sir Keir had been cast in Grants place, he would have told Martine McCutcheon he wanted to marry her. Then told Billy Bob Thornton he could have her. Then finally told the British people his relationship with his secretary was complicated, but would be kept under constant review.

Tonight bombers from Gloucestershire will again be raining down their epic fury on Iran. If this is what it looks like when Starmer stands up to Trump, God help us when he finally caves to him.
All my life Ive pretty well ignored my dentists recommendations and, without wishing to tempt fate, my teeth are in relatively good nick.

As a child, I refused to wear the braces I was prescribed. My parents  no doubt happy to avoid the expense  allowed me to bypass the hideous train tracks popular at the time and I dont believe my teeth suffered as a result. (When my dentist proposed braces for my son, I didnt force him to wear them, either.)

Now, five decades later, my suspicion that dentists dupe us into unnecessary interventions remains.

A few years back, I saw my dentist (whom I love) about a cracked back molar. He referred me to a specialist doctor (whom I didnt love) for implant surgery.

This doctor took X-rays, then told me I needed around 50,000 of work. He needed to graft new bone into my mouth to stop my teeth falling out in a few years, he told me. All as a result of one cracked tooth!

I didnt have the available cash, nor any desire to be on soft foods for months after undergoing painful treatment. So I took a calculated risk and decided not to go through with it.

Two years on, although the cracked tooth did have to go, the rest of my mouth appears to be fine.

Last week I saw my hygienist. During the previous session, she informed me, in dire tones, that I had a puffy gum and needed to see a specialist pronto or all manner of nasty infections would occur.

I choose to save my money for more enjoyable experiences than what I suspect is becoming a rip-off trade in toothcare. writes Alexandra Shulman

I never saw said specialist  the catastrophic gum condition simply cleared up of its own accord. With such high costs  and NHS dentistry scarce in this country  is it any wonder so many people go to Turkey or Georgia to get their teeth sorted out for a fraction of the price?

I might well join them when I cant stave off the natural decay. But until then I choose to save my money for more enjoyable experiences than what I suspect is becoming a rip-off trade in toothcare.

Camilla may not be browbeaten  I was!

I hope Queen Camilla, who, according to last weeks Daily Mail, has her eyebrows microbladed, has a more satisfactory experience than I did.

Microblading is the tattooing of semi-permanent strokes of colour onto your brows to give the impression theyre thicker.

My brows have always been dark but the outline has become less defined as Ive got older. A facialist suggested this procedure would give me a cleaner shape, while filling in some of the gaps where the hairs were sparse.

I emerged from the treatment room looking like a Wild Woman of Wongo who had found two thick black hairy slugs attached to her face. The scabs that form on each tattooed line drop off fairly swiftly, leaving a natural looking colour, but in my case, this brittle crust stayed on for weeks.

Once it had gone, I was left with unnaturally heavy black brows and still, about four years later, have a brown smudge above my left brow which refuses to shift. Never again. The brow pencil will do just fine.

Queen Camilla had her eyebrows microbladed, according to last week's Daily Mail

UK has become no home to Ukrainians

As the Ukraine war moves into its fifth year, I had intended to write about what a success the Homes for Ukraine initiative had been for Andrii and Violetta, the young couple who moved in with us for 18 months. But when I called Violetta, to check whether it would be OK to write this, her reaction was less than enthusiastic.

The initial three-year visa they received allowed them to work in the UK and gain access to NHS health care as well as various other benefits. When this ran out, they were given an 18-month extension.

But under Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoods latest proposals, the four years they have already spent here wont count towards the ten years migrants now need if theyre to qualify for indefinite leave to remain. Their visa process will need to start again from scratch.

This couple have been employed almost from the day they arrived: Andrii in construction; Violetta in the beauty halls of major department stores. She in particular, has worked incredibly hard, taking a business course in the evenings and being regularly promoted.

The couple are now married and recently managed to buy a small house on the outskirts of London which Andrii, with his construction skills, is renovating. They have paid taxes almost from the very first day they arrived.

Moving country and leaving family behind as a result of a war is tough. Neither would prefer to be here if they could live in a peaceful Ukraine.

But after four years, they had hoped they might feel secure enough here to consider it home, somewhere where they could start a family.

Instead they feel increasingly unwelcome and wonder if they might be better off making another huge move to somewhere else.

Galliano glamour is coming to High St

By hiring John Galliano to create a range, Zara is playing catch up with Uniqlo which has had a massive success with its designer collaborations with Clare Waight Keller and JW Anderson.

Ill be intrigued to see what Galliano comes up with for his first Zara range, scheduled for September. His strength lies in a nostalgic glamour  bias-cut dresses, waisted peplum jackets, corseted bodices  so not exactly everyday wear. He loves the theatrical and the ornate.

Its a bold choice for these times, but the pairing of the retail might of the massive Spanish brand, with Gallianos mastery of cut and fabric might just work.

We must treasure our free museums

The Natural History Museum has just been named the No 1 UK attraction, with a record 7.1 million visitors. Its a reminder of the impressive number of free cultural institutions in this country  and the importance of keeping our national museums that way.
To one proud relative, he is 'Uncle Bob'  a hero who took action against bad men, and who at 72, relishes a good game of chess.

'Uncle Bob' also enjoys the classical music of Schubert, and according to a psychiatrist is an 'intelligent, very cultured' man who 'could have contributed enormously' to society.

Yet this 'very bright' pensioner, who supposedly had so much to offer, and whose full name is Robert Maudsley, is instead costing the taxpayer 'half a million pounds' a year.

And the only person he ever plays his beloved chess with is himself.

For Maudsley is a quadruple killer, once described as the 'most dangerous' man in Britain  and has spent almost half a century in solitary confinement.

Jailed for his first murder, he has gone on to kill three more times behind bars, and cannot be trusted not to kill again.

Most notoriously, Maudsley gained the nickname 'Hannibal the Cannibal' after garrotting a sex offender in a cell.

Warders reportedly found his victim with a spoon sticking out of his skull, which had been 'cracked open like a boiled egg'.

After his next two murders inside he is said to have coolly told guards 'there will be two fewer at roll call'.

Robert Maudsley (pictured), 72, was said to be held in an underground 'glass' cell beneath HMP Wakefield for decades, but prison insiders have told the Daily Mail this is not true

Maudsley (pictured) was last pictured more than 40 years ago for a documentary on his life in prison after killing three men behind bars

Yet it is the attempts to control him after his series of murders inside which makes Maudsley, believed to be Britain's longest serving prisoner, of continuing interest. Because nobody wants him to add to his horrifying tally.

The ageing serial killer has been for the last year housed in a special unit for 70 dangerous offenders with personality disorders on F-wing at HMP Whitemoor, a Category A security prison in March, Cambridgeshire.

But for more than 40 years before his transfer there, he was long reported to be being kept alone in a bulletproof 'glass dungeon' in the basement of HMP Wakefield  so he could be kept under surveillance from all angles, 24 hours a day, like a serial-killer created by Hollywood.

I will remember her evil smile for the rest of my life

I'm Tom Rawstorne, and nearly 30 years ago a 12-year-old murderer, with a gold crucifix hanging round her neck, gave me a moment I'll never forget. Sharon Carr is to this day Britain's youngest-ever female murderer, having killed an 18-year-old hairdresser in an unprovoked act of gruesome violence. I watched her up close in court for three weeks and it is something I'l never forget. I've written about it in The Crime Desk newsletter sign up to read it for free.

He is said to have set a world record for being held in solitary confinement  47 years.

Only now has the Daily Mail discovered the truth about Maudsley's incarceration, from a prison source. It turns out there was no dramatic 'glass box'.

But staff did need to be able to scan the entire cell from the safety of outside  so it had a see-through Perspex door.

And all the furniture inside was made from compressed cardboard to ensure any weapons fashioned from chairs and desk legs would be of only limited strength.

Our prison source told the Daily Mail: 'Maudsley would use anything in his cell as a weapon if he could, so was kept in a special cell, in segregation, in an isolation unit, with all of the furniture made from special cardboard.

'So, the rumours about him are broadly true.'

Maudsley's road to infamy began, as for so many, with a troubled childhood.

He was born in deprived Toxteth, in Liverpool, in 1953, the fourth child of a local lorry driver.

As a young boy he was taken into care due to neglect, and then 'physically abused' when returned to his parents.

By 16, he had run away to London. He ended up surviving by selling his body to older men.

But when he was 21, in 1974, his client John Farrell, a paedophile, made the mistake of showing Maudsley photographs of youngsters he had sexually abused.

Enraged, Maudsley strangled him. He then handed himself in to police, and made a full confession.

After being deemed unfit to stand trial, he was sent not to prison, but to Broadmoor Hospital, home to some of the country's most disturbed men.

At first, nurses considered him a model inmate.

That was until the day in 1977 when he and fellow patient David Cheeseman locked themselves in a cell with child molester David Francis.

After subjecting their victim to a gruesome nine-hour torture ordeal, involving electric shocks, and helpless nurses hearing his feet drumming the ground in his death throes, the killer pair dangled his lifeless battered body for guards to see.

It was according to one horrified guard that he was found with his head split open with part of the brain missing and that notorious spoon hanging out of it.

Despite earning the nickname 'Hannibal the Cannibal', Maudsley always denied cannibalism was involved. A post-mortem supported his claim. There was no doubt he had killed again however.

Maudsley (pictured, as a child) was born in deprived Toxteth, Liverpool, in 1953, the fourth child of a local lorry driver

The ageing serial killer (pictured, in a documentary) has been for the last year housed in a special unit for 70 dangerous offenders with personality disorders on F-wing at HMP Whitemoor, a Category A security prison in March, Cambridgeshire

His time in a secure hospital was over, and he was duly sent to HMP Wakefield - nicknamed 'Monster Mansion' due to the number of killers and sex offenders housed there - after being convicted of the manslaughter of fellow Broadmoor inmate Francis.

He was not done killing yet.

At Wakefield in 1978, Maudsley strangled and stabbed prisoner Salney Darwood, 46, who had been jailed for killing his wife.

He hid Darwood's body under a bed before sneaking into the cell of paedophile Bill Roberts, 56, who had sexually abused a girl aged seven.

Maudsley stabbed Roberts, hacked his skull with a makeshift dagger and smashed his head against a wall.

It was only then that the brutal 'Hannibal' killer was sentenced to 'life means life' imprisonment.

From then on, he was guarded by four extremely wary prison officers whenever he left his cell, and has been under strict conditions ever since.

His long decades spent in his Perspex-doored cell in Wakefield led to him fighting a legal battle for the right to die  and it appears he was only finally moved to Whitemoor last year after staging weeks-long hunger strikes over staff confiscating his PlayStation console.

Throughout his near-half century at the Yorkshire jail, Maudsley's brothers and nephew, who live on Merseyside and in Yorkshire, had been his only contact with the outside world.

They have apparently not been able to visit since his move to Whitemoor in more distant Cambridgeshire.

A relative said: 'His brothers used to visit him, but they are in poor health now and it will be hard for them to get to the new prison.

'I do know that it was a complicated business visiting Robert, with endless forms and dealings with the police. I didn't fancy it.

But at least one relative retains a surprisingly high opinion of paedophile-killing Maudsley, and rejects suggestions his murders are a psychopathic result of his grim youth.

The relative told the Mail of the man known as 'Uncle Bob': 'To me he is a hero.

'All the stuff about the abuse in his childhood has been blown out of proportion.

'He killed the paedos [sic] because he wanted to. It was nothing to do with his childhood.

'He was padded-up [imprisoned] with them - and just did what he did.'

The relative's dismissal of the impact of childhood abuse on Maudsley's development into a killer is a little surprising  given what he said at his own 1979 murder trial.

Maudsley told the court: 'When I kill, I think I have my parents in mind.

'If I had killed my parents in 1970, none of these people need have died.

'If I had killed them, then I would be walking around as a free man without a care in the world.'

Maudsley (pictured, in a documentary) is reportedly struggling in his new conditions at HMP Whitemoor, with his elderly brothers unable to travel to visit him

Maudsley's brother previously told of how he would meet his brother at HMP Wakefield (pictured) once a month while sat in an adjoining cell and talk through metal bars

Despite his chilling reputation and record, prison staff who have worked with him have talked of a man with a love of classical music, poetry and art.

And psychiatrist Dr Bob Johnson, who has worked with some of the most dangerous offenders in the prison system, not only described him as 'very intelligent', but thought him hard-done by, with public money wasted on a man with neglected talents.

Dr Johnson told the Mail: 'I think he's treated appallingly. I think society is kicking itself in the teeth, because he could benefit society. There's no question about that.

'He's very intelligent, very cultured. He likes Schubert. He's very bright and he's very capable, and could have contributed enormously.

'But instead the taxpayer is paying half a million pounds a year for him to live in a cage.'

Dr Johnson does not think his former patient should walk free from jail. However, he refuses to believe the killer 'wanted' to commit his crimes and claims he was acting out in an effort to 'protect' himself from the horrors of childhood trauma.

A former fellow inmate, who had served time alongside Maudsley in Wakefield during the 1980s, also painted a different picture of the killer when he was briefly receiving medical treatment out of solitary.

The former inmate, who asked not be named, told the Mail: 'I was on a standard wing at Wakefield but got into a bit of trouble.

'The governor moved me to the hospital wing for a few months, where I was with Maudsley and a few others.

'I just remember him shuffling around that's all. I would see him the odd time but he stayed away from me.

'He was unremarkable and not some kind of monster.'

Maudsley's brother Kevin similarly talked of a more relaxed 'Hannibal', saying when he was still in solitary at Wakefield: 'He's settled in - he wouldn't want to move.

'He'd rather be on his own than in the normal prison. He just likes it.

'I have visits. He's in one [cell] and we're in another, with bars.

'He seems happy enough in there. He seems all right, we have a good laugh.

'We just talk about things like outside - what's it like, what's going on, things like that.'

Kevin said Maudsley whiles away the days reading books on chess - and then playing against himself.

He said: 'He's more into his chess. He has books on it - he just reads books about chess. That's how he is now.

'He has his hour outside and then he goes back in.

'He plays against himself. I don't really know how he does it.

'He can go to the gym, but he can't do anything because his knees are going.'

Wakefield (pictured ) is nicknamed 'Monster Mansion' due to the number of killers and sex offenders housed there

Maudsley notoriously wrote while he was at Wakefield (pictured) that his conditions of solitary confinement were like being 'buried alive in a concrete coffin'

More than 20 years ago, Maudsley was most certainly not content with his strictly monitored lone incarceration.

In an effort to be moved into better conditions, he wrote to prison officials: 'The prison authorities see me as a problem, and their solution has been to put me into solitary confinement and throw away the key, to bury me alive in a concrete coffin.

'It does not matter to them whether I am mad or bad. They do not know the answer, and they do not care just so long as I am kept out of sight and out of mind.

'I am left to stagnate, vegetate and to regress; left to confront my solitary head-on with people who have eyes but don't see and who have ears but don't hear, who have mouths but don't speak.

'My life in solitary is one long period of unbroken depression.'

And in 2000, Maudsley launched an extraordinary legal bid to the courts requesting to be allowed to die.

He wrote: 'What purpose is served by keeping me locked up 23 hours a day?

'Why even bother to feed me and to give me one hour's exercise a day? Who actually am I a risk to?'

He claimed his treatment and confinement had led to a 'psychological breakdown,' mental illness and 'probable suicide'.

He went on to question why he couldn't have a pet budgie, promising to love it and 'not eat it'.

He ended the letter saying: 'If the Prison Service says no then I ask for a simple cyanide capsule which I shall willingly take and the problem of Robert John Maudsley can easily and swiftly be resolved.'

And more recently, in 2021, he lost an appeal to spend Christmas with other people - and was told that he will be incarcerated until he dies.

Remarkably, his family want to ensure he does not fade away in obscurity.

The serial killer's nephew Gavin Robert Mawdsley - named after his uncle - is now fundraising to publish a book detailing the record-breaking prisoner's near-half century of 'torture' in solitary.

The family - who spell their surname differently to Robert Maudsley - has over 200 letters sent by Maudsley from his cell, and want to share his story.

In a plea for donations from the public, Gavin writes: 'After years of hesitation, I'm sharing this because the world needs to understand what 47 years in isolation actually does to a person.'

Nephew Gavin wants to spend 30,000 on a 'professional ghostwriterto ensure Robert's words are presented with psychological and ethical accuracy'.

At the last count just 833 had been raised  and Maudsley remains as far from public acceptance, let alone freedom, as ever.
A suicide note impaled with a red pen into the soil of a potted plant was long believed to be Kurt Cobain's final message to the world.

The Nirvana frontman died on April 5, 1994, at age 27 from a shotgun wound at his Seattle home. The King County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide.

Written in red pen on a restaurant placemat, the note was one of the key pieces of evidence cited by Seattle Police in their conclusion that Cobain took his own life.

Now, a private forensic team has claimed that the final lines of the note, where Cobain appears to bid farewell to his wife and daughter, may have been written by someone else.

Those lines read: 'Please keep going Courtney,' 'for Frances,' 'for her life which will be so much happier,' 'without me,' followed by 'I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU.'

Independent researcher Michelle Wilkins, who worked with the team, told Daily Mail: 'If you look closely, the handwriting in the last four lines is different, larger and more scrawled. We don't believe Kurt wrote those lines.'

By contrast, the top of the note, addressed to Cobain's imaginary childhood friend 'Boddah,' reads like a farewell to the music world rather than a personal message to his family: 'I've tried everything I've tried to get what I wanted out of life, and it just hasn't worked.'

Handwriting analyst Mozelle Martin claimed that the last lines were written by someone else, citing changes in letter formation and rhythm, though her findings have not been peer-reviewed.

Martin said she conducted her analysis to see the Kurt Cobain case officially reopened by Seattle Police as a homicide investigation, not a suicide.

A private forensic team has claimed that the final lines of the note, where Cobain appears to bid farewell to his wife and daughter, may have been written by someone else

A suicide note impaled with a red pen into the soil of a potted plant was long believed to be Kurt Cobain's final message to the world

A spokesman from the Seattle Police Department previously told Daily Mail that they are not reopening the case.

'Our detective concluded that he died by suicide, and this continues to be the position held by this department,' the spokesperson added.

At the bottom of the note was a signature reading 'Kurt Cobain,' but experts have pointed out that using his full legal name rather than a more personal sign-off like 'Kurt' or 'Love you,' is highly unusual for a farewell to a spouse and child.

Combined with the dramatic presentation of the letter, pinned to a placemat and stabbed into the soil of a potted plant, these details have fueled speculation that the note may have been staged or crafted for effect.

Observers have long noted the theatricality of the display, and it was also highlighted in an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, drawing national attention to the unusual circumstances surrounding Cobains final message.

Martin conducted a meticulous examination of two sets of handwriting: known samples of Cobains writing and the alleged suicide note, including its final four lines.

Using both digital and manual forensic tools, she analyzed everything from i-dot placement and vowel shapes to stroke pressure and letter proportions.

Her findings confirmed that the main body of the suicide note aligns closely with Cobains known handwriting. But the final four lines told a different story.

The Nirvana frontman died on April 5, 1994, at age 27, from a shotgun wound at his Seattle home. The King County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide

Written in red pen on a restaurant placemat, the note was one of the key pieces of evidence cited by Seattle Police in their conclusion that Cobain took his own life

'When analyzing the contested Kurt Cobain suicide note, forensic handwriting comparison revealed a distinct behavioral fracture: the body of the note aligned with Cobain's known writing, while the final four lines displayed significant anomalies,' she told the Daily Mail.

On a five-point comparison scale, the likelihood that Cobain authored the final lines was rated 4.75, with five meaning 'definitely not.'

According to Martin, this indicates the evidence strongly suggests he did not write them.

'While the data strongly supports that the final lines were not authored by Cobain, I cannot say with 100 percent certainty that he did not write them, because I was not there,' she explained.

'Ethical forensic examination is about probability, not absolute certainty.'

Certified document examiner James Green also compared the main body of the note with the final four lines using standard forensic methods, including the ACE process, Analyze, Compare, and Evaluate, consistent with the Academy Standards Board.

While Green did not definitively identify a second author, he noted several 'significant' differences.

The final lines are larger than the rest of the note, suggesting they may have been added later.

One theory is that Cobain wrote the main body in a single sitting and returned to add the final words. Another possibility, Green concluded, is that the last lines were added by someone else entirely.

Letters throughout the four lines show similarities to Cobains handwriting, capital letters like 'P,' 'K,' and 'C,' and lowercase letters such as 'a,' 's,' 'p,' and 'g' were generally consistent with his known forms.

But subtle variations in slant, size and shape leave room for doubt.

Green said that while the handwriting could plausibly have been produced by Cobain, a skilled imitator could have replicated many of these features.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy honoured the memory of the soldiers who died defending and liberating the village of Moschun, Bucha district, Kyiv region in 2022.

"It is very important and right to honor the heroes who defended the Kyiv region and our entire state. We remember and will always be grateful to our soldiers for their exploits and courage. They did the most important thing  they gave our children the opportunity to live in a free Ukraine. We continue to fight for this war to end justly," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Saturday.

The battle for Moschun was one of the fiercest during the defense of Kyiv, lasting from March 5 to 21, 2022. Most of the houses in the village were destroyed. It was previously reported that 118 Ukrainian servicemen died in this battle.
For years, Gisele Pelicot had been plagued by terrifying bouts of memory loss.

Their increasing regularity could only mean one thing, she thought: that she was dying of a brain tumor - just as her mother had done when Pelicot was nine years old.

The loss had resulted in what Pelicot described as a descent into hell - a trauma that sucked her childhood and teenage years into a black hole.

Now she was facing the same symptoms and it felt like a curse - that destiny was finally catching up with her.

It was only when her husband of nearly 50 years, Dominique, was arrested and later convicted of systematically drugging and raping her - and inviting more than 50 men to abuse her unconscious body - that the horrifying, unimaginable truth became clear.

In her new memoir, A Hymn To Life: Shame has to Change Sides, she wrote that it was her daughter, Caroline, who first suggested that her memory lapses might have something to do with the drugs she had been plied with for the past decade.

I hadnt made the connection, she wrote. Dominique had always been there to witness my memory losses. He was the one who reassured me and took me to the doctor; he was the one to whom my hairdresser had confided her concerns that time Id completely forgotten Id been in for an appointment.

I went back the next day to try to piece together what had happened. She told me how relieved she was when I walked in again, and described my blank expression in the mirror the day before, my mechanical responses to her questions, how she had been afraid I might be having a stroke, how shed suggested to Dominique I get some tests done as a matter of urgency.

Gisele Pelicot was plagued by memory loss in the 10 years before her husband was brought to justice

Pelicot in court with her youngest son Florian

During the trial of her husband, murals of Pelicot's face appeared across France in solidarity. This one reads: 'Gisele, women thank you'

'He was my ally.

On another occasion, her children later told her, shed been on the phone to her grandson and kept repeating the same thing, like a broken record. He was so embarrassed that he'd hung up.

One friend of the family suggested it might be Alzheimers. Another whispered that perhaps it was time to consider putting Pelicot in a home.

Pelicot remained convinced she had a brain tumor - despite the fact that a 2017 scan had come back clear.

And throughout all the doctors visits, concerned conversations, and Pelicots own deep trauma, her husband played the part of loving, supportive partner to hide the truth of his vile lies.

When the children called, it was not unusual for their father to tell them I was too tired to speak, she wrote in the memoir.

Whenever they came to visit, though, I was fine. There was never anything wrong, except for one time when everyone was leaving to go back to Paris.

I had spent lunch slumped in my chair, my arm falling continually as if I couldnt control it. Florian [her youngest son] was clearly upset, he didnt want to leave, but his father frogmarched him to the car and said, Dont worry, shes just tired, Im going to put her to bed.

He was going to put me to bed, yes. To rape me and invite other men to rape me a few hours after my son had left.

Now aged 73, Pelicot became a global symbol of strength for abuse survivors everywhere, after defiantly waiving her legal right to anonymity at a rape trial the likes of which the world had never seen.

In a courthouse in Avignon, France, in 2024, her husband admitted to drugging and raping her  inviting dozens of men he met on the internet to sexually assault her while unconscious in her bed  for almost a decade.

Pelicot attended the entire four-month trial and the appeal, a tiny figure with a neat bob and tailored jackets, whose quiet strength and dignity against the unfolding horrors of the case prompted thousands to march in support, with murals of her face appearing across the country.

Pelicot's memoir recounts how she fell in love with Dominique (right) when both were virgins

Pelicot leaves court surrounded by press - she waived her right to anonymity

Pelicot became a global symbol of strength for abuse survivors

Her memoir describes how she fell in love with Dominique as a young virgin, and how they grew together as a couple before retiring to the French town of Mazan in south-eastern France.

When police first informed her that photographs and video revealed her being raped at least 92 times by 72 different men - all facilitated by the man she lovingly called Doume, an affectionate nickname for her Dom - she was in denial. How could that be her in those images? She looked like a rag doll.

But as she pieced together their past - and as she faced her abuser in court - the full extent of his perversion became impossible to deny.

That he had allowed her to believe she was dying was just one more layer of his violation of her body and spirit.

I spent a decade having endless medical examinations, she wrote. Blood tests. Scans. Multiple courses of vaginal pessaries. Neurological tests. Ten years of going to see doctors who looked at me as if to say that at my age, a woman cant expect much any more never wondering what might be going on. Never attempting a diagnosis.

And Dominique, always there by my side. He knew.

On one occasion, she said, she unwittingly came close to uncovering the truth.

She described being shrouded by a brain fog all day, unable to remember anything at all - what time she got up, what shed been wearing.

I joked to Dominique, who was busy fixing something, Doume, you havent been drugging me, have you?

Her husband burst into tears, feigning distress.

In a recent exclusive interview with You Magazine, Pelicot revealed that she has unexpectedly found love again

'Dominique, always there by my side. He knew,' wrote Pelicot in her memor

Pelicot's daughter Caroline Dorian - who was first to make the connection between her memory lapses and the drugs she'd been given by her husband

A court sketch of Dominique during his trial - he is currently serving 20 years for aggravated rape

How could you possibly say such a thing? he told her, weeping.

In December 2024, Dominique Pelicot was convicted of aggravated rape and given a 20-year sentence.

All of the 50 co-defendants were found guilty of committing aggravated rape, attempted rape or sexual assault against Pelicot, and were sentenced to between three and 15 years imprisonment. Only one ended up appealing and lost in court last year.

In a recent exclusive interview with You Magazine, Pelicot revealed that she has unexpectedly found love again, with a former Air France steward called Jean-Loup.

It happened almost by accident, because I never thought Id fall in love again or would even want to, she said.

Neither of us expected it at all. And we thought, Why not? Why not allow ourselves to be happy?

A Hymn To Life: Shame has to Change Sides by Gisele Pelicot is published by Penguin Press
Kelly Higgins still remembers the cuddles from her childhood - warm, protective, soothing. When she was scared or sad, they brought her comfort.

But today, those memories prompt powerful emotions for Kelly now a mother of three.

For while most children remember such tender embraces from their mother or father, for Kelly her sole source of childhood affection was her babysitter, 16-year-old Suzanne Capper.

Kelly's final memory of Suzanne is her waving goodbye after she picked her up from primary school in early December 1992.

Shockingly, as she was to discover, Suzanne was tortured to death days later, in a killing so violent, so heinous, it almost defies belief.

And Suzanne's killer?

Kelly's own mother, Bernadette McNeilly.

Kelly Higgins (pictured) was scarred by physical, mental and sexual abuse at the hands of her mother and her fellow occultist friends

Bernadette McNeilly (pictured) and a gang of Satanic co-conspirators kidnapped and tortured Suzanne Capper before burning her alive in December 1992

Suzanne (pictured, as a bridesmaid) was subjected to horrific torture and set alight. She died from the injuries sustained

The horrifying murder was driven by petty and false accusations including an argument over Bernadette McNeilly's pink duffel coat.

A believer in the occult and a devoted fan of horror movies, McNeilly and a gang of Satanic co-conspirators kidnapped and tortured the teenage Suzanne before burning her alive in December 1992.

McNeilly even became known as the 'Chucky killer' for playing a dance song sampling the character's voice from the infamous horror movie at top volume, in order to inflict psychological torture on a helpless Suzanne as she was bound to a bed.

She was also alleged to have used the character's catchphrase 'Chucky's coming to play' as she jabbed Suzanne in the arm with a needle filled with amphetamines, as part of the relentless abuse the girl was subjected to over the eight days she was held captive before she died.

But for Kelly, now 40, Suzanne made up the only happy memories of her entire childhood, which was scarred by physical, mental and sexual abuse at the hands of her mother and her fellow occultist friends.

'Suzanne is my only pleasant memory. When I was beaten, she would give me a cuddle. Once, she bought a loaf of bread in. She was the light in the dark in that house,' says Kelly told the Daily Mail.

Aged just seven at the time of Suzanne's murder, Kelly remembers hearing screams as the teenager was forcibly shaved from head to toe, beaten and locked in a cupboard after being lured to their house in Moston, Greater Manchester.

Little did she know then that the screams were coming from her beloved babysitter.

The trauma of these horrifying memories would lead to years of counselling for Kelly.

'When I was younger, a lot of my counselling was about hearing the girl who was killed scream out,' she recalls today.

'My biggest memory was hearing her scratching on the wall.

'But then they moved her [to another house] so I could not hear her.'

Pictured: This is the bed on which Suzanne Capper was held captive before being tortured and murdered

Pictured: On this street was one of the two houses where Suzanne Capper was tortured before being killed

There Suzanne was subjected to more horrifying torture - tied spreadeagled to a bed with cords, power cables and chains, her teeth removed with pliers - before being dumped in scrubland, set alight, and left to die.

Meanwhile Kelly had been brought in to clean the bedroom where Suzanne had been held - before police stormed the house to arrest the babysitter's killers.

It was a gruesome finale to a truly terrible childhood for Kelly in which her twisted mother beat her and would have sex in front of her with a stream of lovers.

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And far from being full of remorse when she went to prison for her crime, Kelly reveals her mother felt no such thing.

Instead she became friends with notorious child killers including Myra Hindley and Rose West.

Along with Bernadette McNeilly, three others were convicted of Suzanne's murder: Jean Powell, 26, and her ex-husband Glyn Powell, 29, were given life sentences. Anthony Dudson, 16, was ordered to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure.

Jeffrey Leigh, 27, was sentenced to 12 years for false imprisonment; Clifford Pook, also known as Clifford Hayes, 18, was sentenced to 16 years in a Young Offenders' Institution for false imprisonment and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

All are now free - Leigh in 1998, Pook in 2001, McNeilly in 2015, Jean Powell in 2017 and Glyn Powell in 2023 - despite persistent campaigning by Suzanne's mother Elizabeth Dunbar and veteran Manchester MP Graham Stringer opposing their release.

Mr Justice Poots, sentencing them in December 1993, said the killing was 'as appalling a murder as it is possible to imagine.'

What is incomprehensible is how the cue for this terrible crime was something entirely insignificant, as Kelly reveals.

One afternoon in December 1992, Kelly recalls waving off Suzanne from their front door after she had picked her up from school.

She remembered thinking Suzanne's jacket looked familiar.

'My last memory of Suzanne was when she picked me up. She gave me a hug, watched me cross the road safely, then turned and ran,' she said. 'I remember thinking: she's got my mother's coat on.'

Jean Powell (left), 26, and her ex-husband Glyn Powell (right), 29, were given life sentences

Pictured: Police officers search an address in Moston at the time of the kidnap and murder of Suzanne

Pictured: This is the house where Suzanne lived in Moston. She was brutally murdered after days of torture

A Daily Mail article on Suzanne Capper's killers being jailed in December 1993

It later emerged that McNeilly believed Suzanne had stolen her pink duffle coat - which in part led to the killing.

Kelly's existence was one of neglect against the backdrop of theft, drug-dealing, wild parties by her mother and her gang of benefit-claiming neer-do-wells.

'There are no good memories of Bernadette at all,' Kelly said.

'I was physically, mentally and sexually abused [by a member of her mother's gang].

'But I have always been led to believe my mother was the ringleader.

'She used to get a man called 'Blackman John' in to leather me. But she was already beating me and tying me to chairs before she met the others.'

The torture only intensified when Bernadette McNeilly met Jean Powell in 1992 - and moved in with her and her three children, along with Kelly, despite the fact her own house was practically next door.

McNeilly, 24 at the time, was sleeping with Anthony Dudson. Jeffrey Leigh, 26, visited the house to buy drugs. All were regular users of a cocktail of substances.

In this new house of horrors, Kelly was subjected to twisted games including being made to stand on one leg for as long as possible with beatings afterwards, while the gang laughed.

Kelly said of the abuse: 'The laughter about that happening was really bizarre - pure evil. It was fun for them.

'There was the sexual abuse. My mum used to have sex with people right in front of me - regularly.'

Kelly recalls being made to hold her hand over a fish tank and being told, at the age of seven, that it contained a flesh-eating piranha.

And in a horrifying incident, she was made to watch as the gang took a live swan into the house, daubed it with occultist symbols, and beheaded it.

'When you cut an animal's head off, the body is still moving,' she said. 'Blood was everywhere. I was screaming. The swan was still running around with its head cut off.'

She added: 'They used to make me hold my hand out at night and smack me with a ruler. I was put in a room screaming and crying. I remember always being hungry. I was starving.'

She recalled trying to steal a box of cornflakes from the kitchen out of famished desperation - only to spill it everywhere in a panic.

She tried to hide in an upstairs wardrobe - but a trail of blood from a cut on her foot as she fled the kitchen led 'Blackman John' to the door and she was beaten by him.

Jeffrey Leigh (left), 27, was sentenced to 12 years for false imprisonment; Clifford Pook, also known as Clifford Hayes (right), 18, was sentenced to 16 years in a Young Offenders' Institution for false imprisonment and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm

When she was lured to the house, Suzanne was stripped and had her head shaved before being beaten with a piece of wood and a belt

Elizabeth Capper, the mother of murdered teenager Suzanne, at her daughter's funeral

'These are very clear memories,' says Kelly today.

Suzanne Capper was 16 when she was introduced to the Moston gang by Clifford Pook, Jean Powell's brother, and began babysitting Jean Powell's three children.

Suzanne was vulnerable: she had spent time in the care of social services in 1990 before moving in with her stepfather after he separated from her mother. Then, around 1992, she increasingly spent her time at Powell's home.

A kind but lonely girl, she was described as putting up with the abusive behaviour of Powell and Bernadette McNeilly rather than having no friends at all.

The warped friendship was not to last.

When McNeilly and Dudson contracted a lice infection, they were convinced Suzanne was to blame as she regularly slept in a bed at Powell's house that they used for sex.

The 'stolen' duffle coat further infuriated them.

And so, on December 7 1992, they lured Suzanne to the house, telling her a boy she was interested in was waiting to meet her.

It was a lie. When she arrived, Suzanne was stripped and had her head shaved before being beaten with a piece of wood and a belt.

Then she was locked in a cupboard overnight.

When it became clear Kelly and the other children could hear her crying, a decision was made to move her.

Suzanne was then carted to Bernadette McNeilly's house down the street where the torture continued: bound spreadeagled to a bed with electrical flex, she was blindfolded and gagged, injected with drugs, and poked between the eyes with a lit cigarette.

Pook laughed as he yanked out two of her teeth with pliers. He kept them as trophies. The pliers were later found by police on a shelf next to a Christmas tree.

After leaving her in her own filth for days, the gang dunked Suzanne in a bath of concentrated disinfectant and scrubbed her with a yard brush.

The abrasion was so harsh the marks even showed through the burns later inflicted on her body.

Finally, the gang embarked on their final mission to do away with her once and for all.

Under the cover of darkness on December 14, as Kelly slept, Suzanne was bundled into a stolen Fiat Panda dressed just in her knickers by the Powells, McNeilly and Dudson, who drove her to scrubland at Werneth Low, near Stockport.

They pushed her down an embankment, where McNeilly doused her in petrol and one of the group set her alight.

As she burned alive, they sped off singing 'Burn, baby, burn!', from The Tramps' hit Disco Inferno, convinced they were getting away with murder.

However they didn't bet on a final act of stunning courage from Suzanne. Despite suffering 80 per cent burns, she stumbled back up to the road and staggered a quarter of a mile seeking help.

After being rushed to hospital, she gave police the names of her captors, and the address where she had been held. She then slipped into a coma from which she would never wake, dying on December 18 1992.

Coroner Leonard Gorodkin would later say she had 'suffered tremendously', with 'no chance of survival'.

Within two hours of Suzanne being found, the gang's devil den in Moston was raided by police.

Newborn Kelly Higgins is pictured with her mother Bernadette McNeilly in 1985. The abusive mother would go on to murder Kelly's babysitter

Kelly (pictured) did not find out the truth about her mother's role in the horrifying murder of Suzanne Capper until more than a 15 years after her shocking death

Kelly recalls the moment vividly: 'I wasn't allowed to go to school that day. I remember very clearly I was crying and begging to go to school.

'I wanted to go because I got fed at school.

'Then I heard the noise of the police and ran downstairs to the front room. I was screaming for my mum - because no matter how much of an abuser your parent is, she is still your mum.'

In surreal scenes, she then waved off Bernadette McNeilly 'like it was normal' as she was driven away in a police van.

Kelly was passed into the care of her father, who would later give her back to social services as he struggled with drug addiction.

She eventually found a loving foster home, but her new family struggled to cope with a child who now had complex emotional needs due to her traumatic experiences with Bernadette McNeilly.

But Kelly later found happiness with a new foster family.

Despite begging not to, Kelly claims she was still made to visit her abusive mother in Durham Prison by social services.

Kelly has unhappy memories of visiting her mother and has revealed that it was during one visit in 1996 that she encountered one of Britain's most notorious killers.

She says today: 'I remember seeing Myra Hindley. I needed the toilet and they took me onto the wing to go because it was during a lock-up.

'When I got home, I told my foster parents there was an old lady with a stick looking down at me from a prison landing.

'My foster parents got a picture up on the computer, asked me, 'Is this her?'. I said 'yes' - and my foster mum said I had just seen Myra Hindley.'

Kelly claims that her mother became close to Hindley and there were even rumours of a jailhouse romance, although she never saw evidence of this on her prison visits.

Bernadette McNeilly was also said to be on good terms with serial killer Rose West, another resident of Durham.

Kelly did not find out the truth about her mother's role in the horrifying murder of Suzanne Capper until more than a 15 years after her shocking death.

As a child she was told her mother had been involved in a killing, and that's why she had been jailed, but did not know her beloved babysitter was the victim.

It was during a reading of a book called 'Sadistic Killers' that she saw McNeilly had tortured her beloved babysitter to death.

'I always knew she had killed a child. [That it was Suzanne] was obviously a shock to me.

'I rang my mother and I was screaming I never wanted to see her again and she said 'Okay Kelly. Bye.''

Kelly has not heard from her mother since.

Scarred by the memories of visiting her mother in prison, she has now applied for a Parliamentary petition to strip the parental rights of criminals jailed for child abuse.

At present, parents in the prison system retain a veto over decisions affecting their children in foster care and those that have not been adopted.

She explained; 'If you were beaten by your mum or dad, if you were scarred, bruised, burned with cigarettes, anything like that, your parents still keep their parental rights.

'Children should not be forced to visit parents who have been their abusers. Parental rights need completely reassessing.'

McNeilly was released in 2015, reportedly taking a new name. As of 2019, she was reported to be living in a halfway house in Reading with Karen Matthews, who was jailed after faking the kidnap of her young daughter Shannon Matthews in 2008, and was working in a BP petrol station near Twyford.

Today Kelly, who works as a beautician and is happily married with a son aged 21 and two daughters aged 17 and 12. She remains understandably traumatised by her upbringing.

'I was abused at the hands of my evil mother and there is still no circle of protection for me. I am not allowed to know where our mother is.

'I am not allowed to talk about her name change - just what I can find out through the media.

'I am as all right as I can be. But it is difficult to live your life grieving for the mother you never had.'
An enormous cactus looms over the gazebo Damian Enderle has erected on the verge opposite Nancy Guthrie's red-brick bungalow.

It protects him from the worst of the afternoon sun, which this week sent temperatures in this dusty corner of Arizona to 105F (40C)  and turned visiting America's most famous unsolved crime scene into a gruelling endurance sport.

Damian, a middle-aged YouTuber who runs a channel named 857 Tucson, is one of several 'livestreamers' who have been coming to Guthrie's house daily for almost seven weeks.

Armed with a cold-box full of energy drinks and a deckchair, he uses his iPhone to video a steady trickle of well-wishers. They come to leave flowers, light candles and say prayers outside the property, which is situated in the Catalina Foothills, a suburb on the city's northern outskirts.

As we spoke, at around 3pm on Wednesday, three elderly women pulled up in a car and announced that they'd just 'popped over' from San Antonio in Texas. It's a 13-hour drive away.

Meanwhile more than 6,000 viewers were at that moment watching Enderle's livestream, using its message board to bombard him with elaborate and sometimes lurid theories about Nancy Guthrie's baffling disappearance.

'Some people are saying it's got to be a burglary gone wrong. Others that there's a kind of psychopath lone-wolf stalker out there. Quite a few are going with kidnap for ransom,' he said. 'What's the truth? At this stage, who knows!'

To fully understand the intoxicating combination of intrigue and hysteria that surrounds the Nancy Guthrie case, one must appreciate two important facts.

Picture provided by the FBI shows a masked man at the home of Nancy Guthrie the night she went missing in Tucson, Ariz

Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy Guthrie together in the television studio on Thursday, June 15, 2023

I will remember her evil smile for the rest of my life

I'm Tom Rawstorne, and nearly 30 years ago a 12-year-old murderer, with a gold crucifix hanging round her neck, gave me a moment I'll never forget. Sharon Carr is to this day Britain's youngest-ever female murderer, having killed an 18-year-old hairdresser in an unprovoked act of gruesome violence. I watched her up close in court for three weeks and it is something I'l never forget. I've written about it in The Crime Desk newsletter - sign up to read it for free.

Firstly, the 84-year-old victim is no ordinary missing pensioner. Instead, she's the mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, one of Middle America's most popular and wholesome TV anchors: a breakfast-show legend who is perhaps best described as a trans-Atlantic equivalent of Fiona Bruce or Holly Willoughby.

'Savannah has been the face of morning TV in this country since 2012,' explained Lynden Blake, host of the Finding Nancy podcast, when we spoke this week. 'It's a programme where she and her co-hosts share their lives, good and bad. So people feel like they really know her family.'

Nancy has, to this end, been on Today several times over the years. And affection for her extends all the way to the White House.

'We are deploying all resources to get her home safely,' declared President Donald Trump, who has said he feels 'pure disgust' at her disappearance, and instructed the FBI's top brass to place themselves at Guthrie's 'complete disposal'. The second crucial factor that underpins the ongoing media circus involves the circumstances in which Guthrie vanished during the early hours of February 1. They are not merely unusual, but truly and utterly bewildering.

Nancy's apparent abduction seems to have involved a sinister, balaclava-clad man caught on a doorbell camera, a pool of blood on the doorstep and various  possibly fake  ransom notes. There is also evidence of forced entry, plus a struggle inside the home.

Yet despite the very best efforts of a small army of detectives  roughly 100 belonging to the local Sheriff, Chris Nanos, plus dozens of top FBI sleuths  no suspects have yet been identified.

Whoever took her hostage left precious few real clues. And their motive remains unclear.

What we do know, for sure, is that this unsolved crime took place on an outwardly normal Saturday night.

An aerial view shows the home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother was abducted from her $1million Tucson, Arizona home in the early hours of February 1

Nancy, who lived alone (her late husband died when Savannah was a teenager), had travelled via an Uber to her daughter Annie's home, around ten minutes away, at 5.32pm on the afternoon of January 31. There, she enjoyed a few games of mahjong (she's a keen player) plus a family dinner, before she was driven home by Annie's husband Tommasso in a blue Honda SUV. They arrived at 9.48pm and said their farewells. Nancy's electronic garage door closed at 9.50pm.

At 1.47am on the morning of Sunday, February 1, Nancy's doorbell camera appears to have been suddenly disconnected. There followed a 25-minute hiatus.

Then, at 2.12am, movement sensors linked to the now-defunct camera detected something happening on the front porch. Finally, at 2.28am, an app controlling Guthrie's pacemaker shows it lost contact with her mobile phone.

Since the phone remained in the building, it follows that Nancy left  or was removed from  her property around this time.

On Sunday morning, Nancy was due to drive to the nearby home of a friend called Vicki Edwards, with whom she would often watch a livestream of a church service. When she didn't turn up, Edwards called a member of the Guthrie family, who drove to her home.

At 12.03pm they called 911 to report her missing. Police arrived 12 minutes later and immediately recognised signs of foul play. 'There were things at that home that were of concern,' said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. 'That scene, there were things that, I thought, this doesn't sit well.'

Nanos hasn't elaborated on what exactly those 'things' were. But it's understood that Nancy's wallet, keys and undisclosed 'important' daily medication were left behind, along with several other items of evidence which are now being examined by forensics teams.

In the ensuing days, as America's rolling-news media descended on Tucson  a normally sleepy city of roughly 500,000 inhabitants 70 miles north of the Mexican border  several other potential clues emerged.

Catalina Ochoa visits a memorial for Nancy Guthrie in front of the KVOA news station

The first involved a patch of dried blood, just outside the front door, where the porch meets the driveway. It was consistent with the sort of trail that might be left if someone had a nosebleed and, according to DNA tests carried out in short order, belonged to Nancy.

It suggests that she was removed from the property via the front door, following some sort of altercation which occurred during the 40-minute period between the doorbell camera being disconnected, and her phone losing contact with her pacemaker.

A second crucial development came via alleged ransom notes.

One, saying Nancy was 'OK but scared', was sent via email to two local TV stations and the celebrity news website TMZ on the Tuesday after she went missing. It demanded $4 million (3 million) in the cryptocurrency bitcoin by Thursday, rising to $6 million (4.5 million) by the following Monday, for her safe return.

What the demand didn't contain, however, was any 'proof of life' indicating that the author had genuinely abducted Nancy. And despite public requests from Savannah and her siblings  Annie and a brother named Camron  no such evidence was provided.

It therefore remains unclear whether the demand, sent from an encrypted email address, was genuine or formed part of a hoax by a conman seeking to extract cash from the Guthrie family.

A separate ransom message, sent via text to Annie's husband Tommasso that Thursday, was immediately identified as fake. Its alleged author, a fortysomething Californian named Derrick Callella, was swiftly arrested on suspicion of sending an 'imposter' note.

The Guthrie family's regular public statements, made via Savannah's Instagram account, meanwhile seem to have evolved in ways that suggest they, too, are unsure whether any of the ransom demands have ever been genuine.

A former Pima County detective believes Nancy's abductor conspired with up to four accomplices

Initially, they directly addressed Nancy's kidnapper, with phrases such as 'we need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her', and 'we haven't heard anything directly'.

Six days into the search, Savannah appeared to suggest there had been some direct communication, saying: 'We received your message and we understand. We beg you to now return our mother.'

Over the ensuing weeks, that tone has shifted, with Savannah appearing to give up on speaking to a criminal and instead appealing to members of the public to share any possible information about her mother's whereabouts, saying the family will pay $1 million (750,000) for information leading to Nancy's recovery. Around 40,000 people have since called the phone line set up to handle potential tips.

By February 10, the abductor had a face. Or, at least, a profile. For with the help of Google, which owns Nest, the firm which made Nancy's doorbell camera, digital forensic experts were able to retrieve previously deleted footage from her front porch.

It showed a man, between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in tall, wearing a balaclava and carrying a torch in his mouth. He had gloves on, was carrying a seemingly full five-litre Ozark Trail Hiker rucksack on his back and had a gun holstered around the front of his waist.

Footage lasting just over 40 seconds showed him approaching the front door of Nancy's home, noticing the doorbell camera and raising a gloved hand to block it. About ten seconds later, he walked off, bent down to pick up some foliage from a shrubbery, looked around, and then returned to the camera before trying to use the vegetation to block the lens.

While most of the man's face was covered by the balaclava, parts of his mouth, eyes and eyebrows were visible.

Police said the film was taken in the early hours of the morning Nancy went missing.

Candles and flowers are placed at a Nanthy Guthrie memorial in front of the KVOA news station on March 03, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona

Officers also shared four photographs of the individual but have refused to comment on when these were taken. That led to speculation that at least one of those images (in which the man is not carrying a rucksack) came from an earlier date, which would indicate that the suspect was, as the old saying goes, casing the joint.

What still remains unclear is the exact motive. At his last press conference, Sheriff Nanos told reporters: 'We believe we know why he did this, and we believe that it was targeted.' But he refused to elaborate.

The most obvious explanation would, of course, be that the abductor was after some sort of ransom. But kidnapping is an extremely rare crime, since it's incredibly hard to first abduct someone and then exchange your hostage for cash.

While the Guthrie family is undoubtedly well off  Savannah earns a purported $8 million (6 million) per year from NBC, the makers of Today  kidnappers usually tend to target either billionaires or employees of wealthy companies with generous insurance policies. On which front, there are likely to have been many far more suitable targets in and around Tucson.

Chip Massey, a former FBI special agent who worked as a hostage negotiator, further points out that in Latin America (where this crime is more common) kidnappings tend to be carried out by organised crime syndicates. Yet, he argues, the man in the video looks strangely unprofessional.

'The way he tries to get lower to disguise his gait and height, how he tries to cover up the camera, that's not something an experienced criminal would do. His gun holster is problematic. It doesn't fit, and you would never wear it there, on the front, where someone can grab your weapon. And those gloves are too big for him to use the gun anyway.

'The fact blood was on the exit tells me there was a struggle inside. If he was a professional that wouldn't have happened, so that tells me he's an amateur, as does the whole back and forth afterwards where they don't provide proof of life.'

One alternative explanation is that Nancy, who was purportedly unable to walk more than fifty yards unaided, was accidentally killed during some sort of burglary gone wrong.

Investigators are also hoping to recover deleted images from surveillance cameras around the property (pictured), which continue to be scoured for what detectives describe as 'residual data'

Yet no items seem to have been taken from the scene. And while Nancy was comfortably off (her house, in which she'd raised her family, is worth around $1 million), she lived a relatively unostentatious existence and had few valuable possessions.

Ann Burgess, a criminologist whose work inspired the Netflix series Mindhunter, points out that burglars don't generally arrive at a property with a full rucksack. And those who injure or kill a victim tend to simply flee the property, rather than taking a 'hostage'.

She further believes that the abduction was a team effort, involving at least two people.

'It would be extremely difficult for one person to have got her out and into a car on their own,' Burgess tells me. 'We know she went out via the main door, so I think this man knows what's going on in the house and is waiting for her to be brought to him.'

A third possibility is that she was abducted by a celebrity stalker.

Interestingly, Savannah published a memoir in 2024 in which she wrote of a 'kidnapping' game she and her cousins used to play as children. That raises the possibility that a deranged fan might have staged the crime to get attention. But a deranged stalker is unlikely to have got away with such a high-profile crime. Or to have had an accomplice.

Whatever the real motive, the culprit, or culprits, are certainly one step ahead of Sheriff Nanos, whose investigation has lately hit a series of dead ends.

A black glove, apparently similar to the one the man caught on camera wore, was found by a roadside and subjected to extensive DNA testing. But it turns out to have belonged to a local restaurant worker who had nothing to do with the crime.

Meanwhile two men  a food delivery driver named Carlos Palazuelos, and a local named Luke Daley  were briefly detained following tip-offs but released without charge soon afterwards.

A banner with notes from hundreds of well-wishers and an image of Nancy Guthrie

In the absence of further progress, the scene around Nancy's house has, at times, been utterly chaotic. On one occasion, a pizza delivery boy attempted to visit the property. It later emerged that he'd been summoned there by a fan of a TikTok streamer.

On another, a scantily-clad 'influencer' wearing a leather bikini posed for photos next to the pile of yellow flowers and condolence messages left outside the property.

While most broadcasters have ended live coverage of the scene, a large audience still follows daily proceedings online. When I spoke with Enderle, his YouTube following had already generated $550 (412) in revenue that day. Earlier in the Nancy Guthrie saga, when he was attracting around 25,000 viewers, he was making up to $4,000 (3,000) per day.

Many 'super fans' who follow his channel are hugely critical of Sheriff Nanos, who, following Nancy's disappearance, made several contradictory public comments and failed to properly lock down the crime scene.

Indeed, his officers put down then took up police tape on the property no fewer than four times in the first seven days.

Nanos also appears to have clashed with the FBI over which lab should handle forensics in the case (he's sending evidence to a private facility in Florida, whereas the Bureau would rather use its own facility in Quantico), while a hostile local newspaper has accused him of visiting the gym more frequently than police HQ.

A cowboy hat-wearing local Republican politician has meanwhile launched a 'recall petition' to have him removed from office.

Online sleuths have occasionally behaved abominably, too. At one point, after a podcast host falsely suggested Nancy's son-in-law Tommasso was the focus of police inquiries (a claim the Sheriff's department described as both 'reckless' and untrue) an angry mob descended on various locals with vague connections to him.

At one point, they arrived in the middle of the night at the home of Dominic Evans, an elementary school teacher who plays drums in a band with Tommasso. 'I was scared numb,' he told reporters.

A 'no trespassing' sign was posted at the home of Nancy Guthrie amid a growing memorial in Tucson

Any chance of a more meaningful breakthrough may now lie via a tip-off from someone who knows the abductors (interestingly, missing person billboards have been erected lately in Houston, El Paso and San Diego, which are near the Mexican border and boast large Latino populations).

Investigators are also hoping to recover deleted images from surveillance cameras around the property, which continue to be scoured for what detectives describe as 'residual data'.

Most promising of all is a sample of DNA taken from items left at the scene of the altercation inside Nancy's house, which analysts are currently paying close attention to. However, it is believed to be 'mixed,' meaning it contains genetic material from more than one person.

Professor April Stonehouse, who used to work in Tucson's DNA laboratory and now

teaches forensics at Arizona State University, tells me that extracting a usable profile from such a sample is usually possible. But it can be extremely complex and time-consuming, 'so I think you will have a lag time' in getting results.

Those following the strange case of Nancy Guthrie await such a development with bated breath.

After a week pounding the scorched pavements of this desert town, I must admit to still being utterly perplexed by the whole thing.

Not one of the various mooted explanations for this 84-year-old grandmother's disappearance entirely adds up.

But some do feel more credible than others if we apply the principle of Occam's Razor, and choose the least unlikely option, I would be tempted to place a small wager on a botched kidnapping being to blame.

Nancy, who was already frail and had sustained an injury during the abduction is, sadly, likely to have perished soon afterwards.

As for the culprits, I, like most informed observers, think there were probably two of them. Given the fact that most of the missing person billboards are written in both English and Spanish, not to mention Tucson's location, only a fool would bet against them having have connections to Mexican organised crime groups.

Whatever the truth, one sad fact remains: with every passing day, the chances of her returning to that red-brick bungalow on the outskirts of Tucson get a little smaller.
If only Ryan Murphy had left the good parts in, Love Story could easily have lasted another season or two.

Instead, this sanitized version has us rushing toward the end.

The penultimate episode, which aired Thursday night, had a Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? sensibility to it.

Not that Murphy could ever reach such artistic heights, but the decision to isolate Paul Anthony Kelly's JFK Jr and Sarah Pidgeon's Carolyn Bessette in their Tribeca loft, fighting throughout the entire episode, tried to give these two vain, shallow, self-obsessed characters some gravitas.

Alas, it failed.

More crucially, this latest episode left out the following salient details, all well-reported:

* Carolyn's rampant cocaine use

* John cheating on Carolyn with multiple women

* Carolyn cheating on John, mere months after their wedding, with her old boyfriend Michael Bergin

The latest episode of Love Story left out salient details about JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette's relationship

John was once reportedly heard his office, overheard by his staff, on the phone with Carolyn, shouting at her to 'get the f**k out of my life!'

* John's daily marijuana use

* Carolyn obsessively calling and bullying John's business partner, Michael Berman

* Carolyn clumsily meddling in John's relationships with other longtime friends and staffers, attempting to rid them from his life and annex him all for herself

* John's own clumsy attempts to save his failing political magazine, George, even as he obstinately refused to cover the biggest political story of the decade, the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal

* Executives at Hachette, which published George, sending a letter to John in which they made their outright displeasure of his stewardship very clear, and Carolyn's brutal verbal abuse of John - in front of a friend - in the aftermath

* John in his office, overheard by his staff, on the phone with Carolyn, shouting at her to 'get the f**k out of my life!'

* John's lifelong habit of cheating on his girlfriends - despite gushing media reports to the contrary - often with very famous women, including Madonna

* John's wholly preventable accident, in the weeks before he killed himself, his wife and her sister, flying a contraption his friends called 'The Flying Lawnmower', crashing so hard he broke his ankle, requiring surgery and pain pills

* John's major depression and denial over the imminent death, from cancer, of his cousin and best friend Anthony Radziwill

* Carolyn's refusal to have sex with John for months, which he admitted to multiple friends  and her divulging, on at least one occasion, very embarrassing details of what had been their sex life (specifics remain unclear, but impotence is the most humiliating rumor a woman could spread)

The show doesn't document Carolyn cheating on John, mere months after their wedding, with her old boyfriend Michael Bergin (pictured with her)

* John's death wish, evident from his teenage years and often involving risking the lives of his girlfriends

I'm probably forgetting a few things, but regardless - these are major details to omit, don't you think?

Such is the danger of attempting to sanitize the outsized flaws of real people.

You can bet that Murphy, his showrunner Connor Hines, the cast, crew and the execs at FX, Hulu and Disney are kicking themselves over this whitewashing.

If only they had gone for the truth, for the real mess these two were individually and together, they could have had a multi-season series to rival The Crown.

What a misfire.

Love Story has been a record-breaking ratings smash, with well over 25 million viewing hours to date. It's one of the few shows to not just land in the culture but dominate and define it.

Its reach extends from fashion and beauty to publishing to social media to the late couple's favored New York City hotspots, now overrun by Love Story fanatics.

How tantalizing to imagine a dramatization of real events, such as Carolyn's abuse of John's business partner Berman, all relayed by historian Steve Gillon in his well-sourced 2019 book America's Reluctant Prince - prank calls to Berman, in essence, that she made multiple times per day and sometimes in the middle of the night.

On one call, Gillon writes, Carolyn screamed at Berman to, 'Stay the f**k out of my life You should leave! John would be so much more successful if you weren't there! John can't stand you!'

This psychotic behavior, by the way, was on display well before the wedding - and John knew about it, because Berman told him.

Carolyn Bessette's substance abuse is well documented. Kennedy also had a drug habit

John's response?

'Carolyn doesn't want you calling our house.'

After John asked Gillon, who was also a friend, to come by the Tribeca loft he shared with Carolyn and read that upsetting letter from Hachette, Carolyn erupted right there.

John, by the way, also had to be pressured into covering the other major news story of the late 90s: The death of Princess Diana, depicted in Love Story as the moment Carolyn lost her tenuous grip on reality (that part is true).

John didn't want to cover it at all, in his magazine about newsmakers.

'I don't see any reason why we have to do it,' he told his editors - editors who pushed him to at least publish a photo essay. Yet he couldn't understand why Hachette execs thought he was a failure as an editor-in-chief.

Where's that scene in Love Story?

Where's the scene of John sharing that devastating letter from his bosses at Hachette with Gillon, and Carolyn exploding with a fusillade of rage?

'Everybody f**ks you, John, and you just take it!' she exclaimed. 'You let everybody f**k you, John. When are you going to grow some balls and start fighting back? You need to start f**king people back, John.'

Now that's dialogue!

With one episode left to go, it seems clear that Murphy and Love Story are going to romanticize John's final flight, which he had no business piloting, as the stuff of Greek mythology.

Here's a fact about that night no one ever mentions, even though it's included in the National Transportation Safety Board's official investigation report: JFK Jr almost crashed into a packed American Airlines flight just moments before, nearly killing more than 100 people on board.

But hey - he was just a great guy who meant well, and he and Carolyn were a love story for the ages.

Maybe if the media told the truth about these two from the beginning, that so-called Love Story would have just ended in divorce instead of death.
In modern Britain, it seems there are some subjects that simply cannot be discussed  at least not honestly  without inviting a storm of outrage.

The latest victim of this reflexive indignation is the Shadow Lord Chancellor Nick Timothy.

His supposed offence? A short post on X in which he argued that: Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination. He added: Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish.

But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.

The ritual to which Timothy was referring was an event in Londons Trafalgar Square, where around 3,000 Muslims gathered for a mass prayer event on Monday marking the end of Ramadan. Organised by a charity called the Ramadan Tent Project, it was a highly visible act in the heart of the nations capital, and one which Timothy had every right to question.

He did not, notably, comment on Muslims as people. He did not question their right to worship or call for restrictions on private belief.

What he did do was to raise a question about the appropriateness of large-scale religious ritual in shared civic spaces. Nonetheless, within hours, the outrage began, spearheaded by Sir Keir Starmer, who described Timothys words as utterly appalling and demanded that Kemi Badenoch sack him. Shamefully, the PM suggested that the Conservative Party has a problem with Muslims.

In an equally inflammatory tone, Labour chair Anna Turley labelled Timothys comments despicable while London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan  who notably presided over and participated in the mass prayer  declared himself heartbroken and suggested that British Muslims would feel scared and singled out. Singled out for what, exactly?

Worshippers in Small Heath Park, Birmingham. As a former Muslim, I feel compelled to point out Islam does not require mass public prayer in civic squares, writes Khadija Khan

In Londons Trafalgar Square around 3,000 Muslims gathered for a mass prayer event on Monday marking the end of Ramadan

There is not a Muslim in Britain today who is prevented from practising their faith, attending a mosque, or going about their daily life. That is as it should be in a free society.

But those like Starmer, quick to cry Islamophobia, seem curiously uninterested in the nature of the event itself.

Commentators have pointed out that women were relegated to the back rows  literally placed behind men.

These are not fringe practices; it is entirely consistent with what I myself witnessed raised in a Muslim household in Pakistan, where it was made abundantly clear that women were not mens equals. What is truly remarkable is not that such practices exist  but that so many Western feminists, otherwise so eager to denounce sexism and misogyny, fall into a deafening silence when confronted with it in this context.

Their silence is not accidental. It is part of a broader unwillingness to engage honestly with difficult questions about religion, culture and integration  questions that are instead dismissed as bigotry the moment they are raised although only, it seems, in relation to Islam. Nor did this episode emerge in isolation. It is part of a trajectory that many ordinary Britons can see plainly, even if politicians refuse to acknowledge it.

One that started with the ongoing scandal of grooming gangs, where authorities too often failed to act against Muslim perpetrators for fear of being accused of racism. One that led to a terrified Religious Studies teacher in Batley, Yorkshire, being forced into hiding, where he remains to this day, after showing pupils a caricature of Mohammed.

And one that saw authorities last year allow an inclusive Muslim-organised charity run to go ahead in a London park, despite the fact that it excluded women and girls over the age of 13.

One need only imagine the reaction if a Christian event in a major public square enforced visible gender segregation. We have seen as much in other contexts: last year, a Christian pastor was arrested for preaching in Bristol on issues of gender and religion  speech that, while controversial, did not break the law. Others individuals have been arrested merely for praying silently near abortion clinics.

Yet earlier this month, the Government announced special legal protections for so-called anti-Muslim hostility  a concept so vaguely defined that it risks becoming a blasphemy law by the back door  and the appointment of a new Islamophobia tsar.

The message seems clear: In modern Britain, some beliefs are to be scrutinised relentlessly, while others are placed beyond criticism. What is this if not the creeping sectarianism of public life, as the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was courageous enough to point out earlier this year?

Join the discussion Should public spaces be used for large religious displays, or does this risk eroding shared values?

Nick Timothy merely raised a question about the appropriateness of large-scale religious ritual in shared civic spaces, but he was faced with calls for Kemi Badenoch to sack him

We are told, repeatedly, that these concerns are overblown. That to dare to articulate them is to inflame division. But the opposite is true. It is the refusal to address them that breeds resentment and mistrust. As a former Muslim, I also feel compelled to point out something else that has been conveniently ignored: Islam does not require mass public prayer in civic squares. Men are instructed to pray in mosques, women, needless to say, in the home. What we saw in Trafalgar Square was not a religious necessity, but a deliberate public display. The distinction matters.

A coordinated mass gathering in a symbolic national space is, by its very nature, a statement, and it is surely not beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse to ask what that statement is intended to convey.

It is why this performative outrage by Labours apparatchiks sickens me, not in the least because it reeks of naked opportunism. Labour has recently faced a sharp decline in support among Muslim voters, losing ground in areas where it once enjoyed near-unquestioned loyalty, as independent pro-Gaza MPs challenge its former sectarian strongholds, while the Green Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election last month campaigned in Urdu.

It does not require a particularly cynical mind to wonder whether the partys opportunistic calls for Timothys defenestration this week have something to do with efforts to win that support back.

The hypocrisy, too, is staggering. Five years ago, Keir Starmer, then leader of the opposition, pulled out of an event hosted by the Ramadan Tent Project after learning of links between its founder and chief executive Omar Salha to a controversial advocacy group called CAGE.

At that point he was trying to woo the Jewish vote. Fast forward five years, however, and it seems his concerns have pivoted in direct correlation to the declining Muslim vote for his party.

The deplorable attempt to hound Nick Timothy out of his position is not about defending communities. It is pure politicking  and all of those participating in it should feel nothing but shame.

Khadija Khan is politics and culture editor at A Further Inquiry magazine, and is also co-host of A Further Inquiry Podcast.
Bravery is a precious quality in the modern world. The people of Iran are brave, daring to stand up to a vile regime whose brutality knows no bounds. The victims of the grooming gangs are brave, confronting their tormentors, many of whom still live among them.

The men and women who have kept a 24-hour vigil outside the Chinese embassy in London for the past 20 years in protest at the mistreatment of Falun Gong and Uyghur Muslims are brave. Volodymyr Zelensky is brave, no explanation needed. Alexei Navalny was brave, right up until the moment Putin poisoned him. Exceptional, all.

Most people are not brave. They dont take a stand, prefer not to rock the boat, look the other way. They protect their own interests and those of their loved ones  and leave the rest to fend for themselves.

If challenged, they take the path of least resistance, mirroring the views of those who shout the loudest or are most forceful for fear of drawing their ire.

On one level its understandable; on another, its one of the main reasons politics is so degraded and the world is such a bloody mess. Moral cowardice is a contagious disease, and its easily spread via social media. Its why 20 per cent of university undergraduates say they wouldnt share a house with a Jewish student; its why Parliament has just voted to allow the murder of full-term babies in their mothers wombs. Its hard work standing up to this nonsense, and not everyone has the stomach for it.

That is why I have so much admiration for people such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, J.K Rowling, Salman Rushdie, Douglas Murray, Nimco Ali and many more who are prepared to swim against the tide. They are the ones who risk their sanity and safety to take on the pitchforks.

Dame Jenni Murray was brave in that way. I was so sad when I found out on Friday evening that she had died, aged just 75. Her health had not been good ever since she left  or was edged out of  her job as the iconic presenter of the once-great Womans Hour, now better known as Woke Hour, a sloppy, dreary mess of self-congratulatory, knit-your-own tampon nonsense that no one in their right mind would possibly listen to unless someone was holding an electric whisk to their vagina.

Dame Jenni was brave when she announced live on air, in 2006, that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, writes Sarah Vine

Dame Jennis health had not been good ever since she left  or was edged out of  her job as the iconic presenter of the once-great Womans Hour

For 30-odd years she presided over a rigorously professional show in her own inimitable way. She had one of the best voices on radio, comforting and disarming, and an interview style that often drew surprising results. She had a natural authority that made her more than a touch intimidating  but being someone who was quite vulnerable herself (she was refreshingly candid about her personal and emotional struggles) she was never cruel.

She knew how to get the best out of people, and that was because she herself was that rare thing in broadcasting: not a raging narcissist. She spoke to people on the basis that they were the ones the listener wanted to hear about, not her. She was simply the presenter, the conduit, not the star, not in her mind anyway  again, one suspects, having read her memoirs, that this is the legacy of a mother who always belittled her and from whom she could never quite elicit the love she craved.

And yet Murray was not self-effacing. She could be perfectly fierce when the occasion required it, often when speaking to formidable women such as Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton  although her Joan Baez interview in the late Eighties was pure emotion, Dame Jenni describing herself as sobbing inside.

She was brave because she was a trail-blazing woman in a male-dominated industry (she joined BBC Radio Bristol as a copytaker in 1973 and was presenting Newsnight by 1983) whose hard work and professionalism paved the way for the next generation of women in broadcasting and journalism.

Jenni Murray is made a Dame Commander by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2011

Where Dame Jenni was bravest was probably in her defence of women, particularly vulnerable ones, and her stance on the immutability of biological sex, writes Sarah Vine

She was brave in her presenting style, asking the questions no one else dared to, such as why Monica Lewinsky never had that dress dry-cleaned, and what Thatcher thought about Mitterrands famous (possibly apocryphal) comment about the Iron Lady having the eyes of Caligula and the lips of Marilyn Monroe.

She was brave when she announced live on air, in 2006, that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer  and proceeded to share details of her treatment with her audience, as part of her mission to demystify the disease.

But where she was bravest was probably in her defence of women, particularly vulnerable ones, and her stance on the immutability of biological sex.

There are many now who boldly subscribe to this so-called gender critical view, but back in 2017 when she waded into the argument, via an article in The Sunday Times under the headline Be Trans, be proud  but dont call yourself a real woman, even to entertain such an opinion was considered blasphemous by trans activists fuelled by a quasi-religious belief in their cause.

Like all ideologues and fanatics, there was  and in many cases still is  no reasoning with trans hardliners. If you dont subscribe to their belief that a woman can have a penis, then you are not just wrong, you are evil. It is their version of Sharia law, and unbelievers must be punished. Thats why most people, including the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the leader of the Green Party and many others just give in. Its easier than arguing the truth.

Murrays article was beautifully written and measured, but she forgot one thing: you cant reason with zealots. Their brains are so rage-addled, they simply dont have the capacity to entertain any form of intellectual challenge, and so they resort to the only thing they understand: intimidation. Its like arguing with a hurricane: youre bound to get flattened.

Murray might have got away with it had she got back in her box. But she wasnt a back-in-the-box kind of woman. She didnt just object to the notion that sex is mutable, she also objected to the manipulation of the semantics of womanhood, and in particular to the ugly use of the word cis and idiotic expressions such as pregnant people.

She advocated for single-sex spaces for biological women and argued that, while trans women were perfectly within their rights to live and look like women, it was impossible for them to truly comprehend what that meant since they had no experience of growing up female in a fundamentally patriarchal society.

Her refusal to give in to the trans mob ultimately led to the end of her long and distinguished BBC career. Having given her entire life to the Corporation, it hung her out to dry, barring her from discussing trans rights, claiming her views breached its impartiality rules. Impartiality rules that, strangely, seemed not to apply quite so strictly to other (male) presenters such as Gary Lineker.

Was she hurt? Actually yes, I think she was, deeply. When I spoke to her after it all, she was still in shock, not just at the complete lack of loyalty displayed by the BBC but also at the level of vitriol subsequently aimed at her. I think she understood, as so many women who have fallen foul of this particular mob do, that at the heart of it all lies a deep-rooted misogyny, a visceral hatred of women  and especially strong, brave, clever women such as Murray.

It was my great privilege to have known her. She was an inspiration, an icon and a towering intellect. I hope shes giving them all a good grilling in Heaven. So, Mary, tell me: how did your husband Joseph react when you first told him you were pregnant by the Holy Ghost...?

Read Dame Jennis last Daily Mail column here
So farewell Imperial Woke Museum, hello National Army Museum.

For those who missed the announcement, the latter has agreed to display my collection of Victoria Crosses (VCs) and George Crosses (GCs), the largest of its kind in the world.

This is the very same medal collection that the Imperial War Museum decided was no longer suitable to exhibit.

I am grateful that the National Army Museum, a mile and half up the Thames, still holds dear values such as bravery, duty and sacrifice.

The Imperial Woke Museum, however, has other priorities, which is why, after 15 years, it decided from the end of September last year to shut the Lord Ashcroft Gallery.

This was the gallery that, at the request of the IWM, I had spent 5million creating in 2010.

The museums new priorities include focusing on LGBTQ+ history. A virtual tour, Exploring LGBTQ+ Stories in Times of Conflict, was launched late last year.

Its website says: The trail introduces key historical figures and lesser-known heroes who displayed great courage and resilience.

Lord Ashcroft pictured with his medal collection at the Imperial War Museum, before his exhibition was closed

The Imperial War Museum's (pictured) new priorities include focusing on LGBTQ+ history

The ongoing project also carries a major exhibition whose subjects include Enid Mary Barraud, a bisexual land girl who often dressed as a man and sometimes went by the name of John.

The project marked the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay people serving in the Armed Forces.

These individuals undoubtedly have interesting stories but to highlight their contribution to the war on the grounds of who they preferred to sleep with is in danger of being patronising to their memory.

And the display, so soon after my collection was being made homeless, suggests the museum had grown tired of Armed Forces personnel whose extreme valour didnt suit todays vogue for tales of identity repression  for which the public is now apparently so hungry.

For most of the 15 years that these 245 VCs and a smaller number of GCs were on display at the IWM, I was proud to be associated with a museum that provides for, and encourages, the study and understanding of the history of modern war and wartime experience.

However, under its current leadership, I genuinely expect that someone will soon query whether its very name is offensive  an imprimatur of colonial excess, no doubt, that will trigger any poor soul who enters the building.

Last year, Sir Keir Starmer appointed three new trustees to the IWM, whose term will run to 2029.

Last year, Sir Keir Starmer appointed three new trustees to the IWM, whose term will run to 2029

None of them has a military background. One of the trustees, Professor Dame Janet Beer, an academic, was awarded her damehood for services to higher education and equality and diversity.

Id like to see ex-military personnel, not the Government, taking the lead in appointing future trustees.

I appreciate that the IWM has to examine other aspects to war and conflict apart from bravery but I would argue that nothing inspires such a museum audience as much as raw gallantry.

As Winston Churchill, our great wartime Prime Minister, put it, Without courage all other virtues lose their meaning.

The IWM may be woke but it is not courteous. It was early last year that I discovered, through an intermediary rather than the museum itself, that the IWM had decided to close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery. The move was eventually greeted with outrage by past visitors and many others.

My VC and GC collection, built up over 40 years, is valued at around 70million and I had made arrangements to gift it to the IWM when I die. Unsurprisingly, those plans have now changed.

Since September, it has been kept in vaults, under lock and key. Now one museums loss is anothers gain and I look forward to a long and happy association with Justin Maciejewski, the Director of the National Army Museum, and his team.

They will display my full collection within the next two years. In the meantime, from July onwards, a selection will be shown in pop-up exhibitions.

At least 11 VC and nine GC medals in the collection have not been exhibited before  including the VC medal group awarded to Lieutenant Commander Charles Cowley, the so-called Pirate of Basra, for outstanding bravery as a Royal Navy officer during the First World War.

I will leave the last word on this matter to my dear friend Lord Hague who last weekend, gave a speech at a party to mark my 80th birthday.

William, who has a dry sense of humour, told my guests: Michael is the best friend in the world but the worst enemy. So Id just like to say good luck to the trustees of the Imperial War Museum...

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For more on his work, visit lordashcroft.com. Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft.
Five years ago, Zack Polanski was a hypnotherapist, best known for claiming he could enlarge womens breasts with the power of his brilliant mind.

Today, hes effectively running our country.

That dramatic transformation tells you everything you need to know about whats wrong with the Prime Minister, the Labour Party, and, sadly, Britain as a whole right now.

Gorton and Denton was Labours 38th safest constituency. Not anymore.

Last month, the Green Party won the seat, topping Labours measly third-place result by 5,000 votes, with Reform running them hard in second.

And the tremors of that event havent stopped in Manchester.

The Green Partys victory is already terrifying Labour MPs, and predictably driving Sir Keir Starmer even further away from the sane majority in this country.

For, despite his bumper ranks of MPs, many of whom owe their parliamentary careers to the Prime Minister, he remains in hock to his restive and Left-leaning backbenchers.

The Green Party, which is led by Zack Polanski, last month won the seat at Gorton and Denton, topping Labours third-place result by 5,000 votes

Most now prize their own survival above loyalty to the leader, and if that means tacking to the Greens then so be it.

Because the Gorton and Denton result was not just a one-off.

It represents a national collapse of Labours voter coalition.

In years past, the party used to rely on inner city support but it has long abandoned any pretence that it is the tribune of the working class.

Today, just 15 per cent of working-class voters want a Labour government.

Alarm clock Britain  that silent majority of people who work for their money and love this country  is flocking to Reform.

The hard-working, decent, patriotic people I know in Nottinghamshire, many of whose forebears voted Labour for generations, have had it with them.

To plug the gaping hole in their traditional support, the party courts two cohorts of voters: Muslims and those reliant on the public sector.

And it is these two groups that Polanski threatens to steal from Labour.

During the by-election campaign, the Greens messaging wasnt especially green.

Environmental issues took a back seat while the party criticised Labour for being insufficiently loyal to the Palestinian cause, published social media content in Urdu and even baited the electorate, many of whom hail from Pakistan, with a video of Starmer shaking hands with Indias Hindu nationalist prime minister Narendra Modi.

It worked.

And with dozens of constituencies sharing similar demographics, the Labour Party is trying its damnedest to address this vulnerability.

Take the Governments new definition of Anti-Muslim hostility, which seeks to provide Muslims with special, unique protection against negative stereotyping.

This, despite the fact that all faith groups are already guarded from prejudice in the Equality Act.

The Green Partys victory last month is already terrifying Labour MPs, and predictably driving Sir Keir Starmer even further away from the sane majority in this country

Amid opposition that such a broad definition reserved only for one group would stifle free speech, Starmer made it happen regardless.

Carla Denyer, a Green Party MP, welcomed the call but demanded the conversation move towards action to ensure accountability for those criticising Islam.

Steve Reed, the Labour Communities Secretary, agreed and said he was appointing an anti-Muslim hostility tsar to focus solely on protecting Muslim communities.

Its the same with the response to the Iran War.

Starmer keeps repeating the line that he did not allow the US to use our joint bases from the start.

Where has that got us? Precisely nowhere.

He hopes to curry favour with Green-adjacent voters who might view him as an anti-war hero.

Yet now he belatedly permits our American allies to use the bases to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Even on issues where more intelligent voices in Labour recognise that reform is needed, their decisions are driven by a fear of the Green insurgency.

Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, proposed tepid but sensible changes to the process by which migrants earn the right to stay in the UK indefinitely.

Last week, it was reported that the Government would U-turn on even those modest changes after Angela Rayner described them as un-British.

This has the whiff of the welfare reforms that never were, when even a small cut to our cripplingly generous benefits system was shelved last summer after a backbench rebellion.

On the economy, this craven submission to the Greens is painfully apparent also. Look at the cost of heating.

Anyone with an atlas could tell you that the way to cut bills would be to drill in the North Sea, growing our domestic source of British gas.

Even the trade unions acknowledge we should do it, but Starmer refuses to grant new licences.

So were forced to buy the same North Sea gas but drilled by the Norwegians.

Who knows, perhaps he will take another leaf out of Polanskis book and just hypnotise people into feeling warmer.

The truth is, Starmer  insofar as he believes in anything  recognises that each of these areas requires change.

Yet each time he has attempted to act, his MPs have forced him to U-turn.

And expect more swivels on a sixpence as Mays local elections approach.

Labour is expected to take a pasting, as supporters from its far-Left flank find in Zack Polanski the Jeremy Corbyn they really hold in their hearts.

Personality is also an issue  as compared to Starmer, Zack is the more charismatic campaigner, though that isnt hard, of course.

After the rout, Labour MPs will be desperate to appease Green voters and may conclude that the only way to do that is to snatch the keys to Number 10 from Starmer and give them to Rayner.

Theyd better be careful what they wish for, because any lurch to the far-Left will be even more disastrous for our economy than anything Chancellor Rachel Reeves has inflicted.

It will certainly mean more waste, borrowing and higher taxes.

Influential Labour figures such as Lisa Nandy and Andy Burnham, who are itching to oust Starmer, agree with Zack Polanski that we can borrow whatever we like without consequences.

Why not? Its not their money, its just zeroes on a spreadsheet.

Why should they care that its taxpayers who will be paying the sky-high interest that the ever-growing debt accrues.

It will be proto-communism, with Chairman Polanski pulling the strings off-stage.

But as Labour chases far-Left voters ever further down the rabbit hole, taxes will rise, living standards will fall, the boats of illegal migrants will keep coming  and Britain will slip even further behind as a First World nation.

At the local elections, we will have a chance to send this Government a message  that millions of people dont want to see our great country broken on the wheel of Left-wing lunacy.

They want Britain to be fixed. Sending this message will force Labour to rethink their policy of chasing extremists, and act as the first step to removing the party from power.
For Dr Chelsie Rohrscheib, it seemed to be an evening like any other.

She had just spent at least an hour sitting in bed flicking between history and nature documentaries with her partner, before closing her eyes at 11.30pm.

Then, it happened.

'It sounded like a car crash, like something hit the ground,' Rohrscheib, then 36, told the Daily Mail. 'It was like a meteor had hit the ground.'

'I jumped out of bed, it was so jarring. I jumped out of my skin.'

The sound - like a 'popping explosion' - lasted barely a second, but it had her standing at the foot of the bed, heart pounding, blood racing, thinking she should flee.

Then, she looked at her partner, who was still in bed and had only vaguely opened one of his eyes, which was peering inquisitively at her.

Rohrscheib, who is a neurologist, had a sudden realization.

There had been no loud explosion. Instead, she had experienced something millions of Americans do, an imaginary loud bang caused by a condition known as 'exploding head syndrome' (EHS).

Chelsie Rohrscheib, 41, is pictured above with her partner, Kevin. The neurologist told the Daily Mail that she has been experiencing exploding head syndrome for nearly six years

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First described in the 1870s by an American neurologist, EHS is a little-known condition estimated to affect as many as one in five Americans.

It often strikes just as someone is entering sleep, and is described as hearing a loud noise like a bomb, gunshot, pan hitting the floor or door slamming.

In some cases, the noise is so severe that patients say they wake up their partners or head outside to check whether something hit their house or if the neighbors' property has exploded.

Dr Jeremy Liff, a vascular neurosurgeon at NYU Langone, told the Daily Mail that there was 'nothing wrong' with the brains of people who experience exploding head syndrome.

'It's really just what you would call a parasomnia,' he said, 'meaning a defect in the way that sleep is either coming on or being removed. It doesn't mean there's anything organically wrong with your brain or anything dangerous.'

In some cases, it can disrupt sleep and cause insomnia, with the sound striking several times in a night or for several nights in a row.

It is not clear what causes the condition, although doctors have suggested it may be linked to a sudden surge in neural activity as someone shifts from awake to asleep.

Rohrscheib, now 41 years old, told the Daily Mail she had been asleep in the primary bedroom of her two-story urban Michigan house when it first happened - and although it wasn't painful, it came as quite a shock.

'I remember looking around my room and wondering what it was, but pretty quickly I rationalized it,' Rohrscheib said.

Rohrscheib said the first incident sounded like a car had crashed outside or a meteor had hit the ground

'I went back to sleep, but it took me a solid minute to realize that what I was hearing was actually in my head and not an actual explosion outside of my house.'

Rohrscheib told the Daily Mail she took several deep breaths to calm down.

It was the next day, while discussing what she had experienced with colleagues who were also doctors, that she confirmed it was EHS.

Her first episode happened in the summer of 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic.

Rohrscheib said this period was a stressful time when she was put into work-from-home and clinical trials she was working on were disrupted.

Since then, she said she suffers EHS symptoms about once every two months.

'My life has really normalized, but they continue,' she said, 'I think stress may have initially triggered them, but there are other neurological reasons why they seem to persist.'

'My partner, Kevin, he is a pretty sound sleeper, but every time I jumped out of bed from this, I've woken him up.

'The good thing is, he's usually able to fall back to sleep quickly. But, I mean... it does also raise his anxiety and his alertness. There's unfortunately been a few times where I've abruptly woken him and he's had trouble falling back to sleep.'

Rohrscheib said the noise, which strikes once every two months or so, has not worsened over time, although she is concerned for the future

Rohrscheib, who is a sleep expert and founding member of the sleep company Wesper, said that the sounds have been about the same each episode and have not worsened, which she linked to an improvement in her sleep hygiene.

The neurologist said that the TV has now been banished from the bedroom, while she stops looking at screens an hour before bed and always aims for eight hours of sleep a night, as is recommended by the CDC. She also always tries to go to bed at the same time.

'I suspect that if I did not follow those rules, that this would probably occur more often than it does,' she added.

When she does hear a noise, it takes her about five to ten minutes to fall back asleep, although, in some severe cases, it has kept her awake for 30 minutes to an hour.

She has not sought any treatment or medical attention for her EHS. There is no cure or EHS-specific treatment.

Liff told the Daily Mail that in many cases, treatment focuses on behavioral modifications first, such as encouraging patients to sleep more and get to bed earlier. In more severe cases or if it causes insomnia, patients may be offered drugs to calm the nervous system.

Rohrscheib said that, for now, EHS does not affect her quality of life, but she is worried about the future.

'I don't think this is something that is going to go away,' she told the Daily Mail.

'Knowing what I know about the brain and how it matures as we age, it could potentially get worse, especially when I go through menopause.

'I'm hoping it doesn't, but, so far, it's been pretty consistent.'
Gold bathtubs, marble fixtures and his and hers sinks are essential bathroom fixtures if you're a celebrity who wants to prove how much money you have.

Myleene Klass has even kitted out her relaxing sanctuary with a chandelier, which everyone knows about thanks to the snaps she often posts from her bathtub.

Others have taken a more high-tech approach  with Stacey Solomon kitting out her 1.3million Essex home with a 2 shower lamp, 17 Bluetooth shower speaker, 40 shower shelf and 27 worth of fake candles.

Yet while celebrities and influencers may be tempted to try all of the aesthetic trends at a high price, there is a risk of tackiness if they are not careful.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, an interiors expert has delivered her verdict on which A-listers have opted for 'luxurious' and 'charming' spaces, and which have accidentally created a room that is 'basic' or lacking in 'direction'.

Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One House, has revealed which celebrities know how to create a bathroom worth re-visiting, and who could do with an urgent revamp.

Millie Mackintosh

Verdict: Tasteful

Millie Mackintosh's extensive renovation of her 5million home includes a large, sprawling bathroom fit with high ceilings, a copper bath tub and a spot of greenery.

Designed by BC Designs, the large bath tub is hailed as offering 'the ultimate in relaxation' and can retail upwards of 3,000.

Millie Mackintosh's extensive renovation of her 5million home includes a large, sprawling bathroom fit with high ceilings, a copper bath tub and a spot of greenery

Jordana: Overall, this bathroom feels really beautiful, luxurious and traditional in its design approach. The combination of classic panelling, warm tones and the statement gold bath creates a space that feels cohesive and thoughtfully put together.

The gold bath is a real statement and brings warmth into the space, acting as a strong focal point against the softer, more neutral backdrop.

However, there are a couple of elements that let the space down slightly. The large rectangular mirror feels quite plain and like a missed opportunity, especially in a room where other features have been more considered. The vanity also feels a little high street in comparison to the rest of the space, which takes away slightly from the overall level of finish.

Overall, its a very tasteful bathroom, just lacking that final layer of refinement that would make it feel truly bespoke.

Molly-Mae Hague

Verdict: Tacky leaning

With marble walls and a rectangular bath, Molly-Mae has often shared snippets of her bathroom space with her 8.5million Instagram followers  leaning into flowers and candles as a way of 'sorting out' the space.

During her pregnancy with her daughter Bambi, the influencer often spoke about how her 'obsession' with baths as an integral part of her evening routine, including the sensation of squeezing soapy sponges.

Molly-Mae has often shared snippets of her bathroom space with her 8.5million Instagram followers  leaning into flowers and candles as a way of 'sorting out' the space

During her pregnancy with her daughter Bambi, the influencer often spoke about how her 'obsession' with baths as an integral part of her evening routine

Jordana: Overall, the space has the foundations of something that could feel quite luxurious, but it doesnt quite land in the way youd expect.

The main issue is the use of the faux marble porcelain tiles. The veining feels quite heavy and inconsistent, which takes away from that high-end look. When youre using porcelain or quartz to replicate marble, it needs to feel refined and intentional, with a more controlled and believable pattern. Here, it feels a bit too busy and slightly artificial.

Its also very grey throughout, which makes the space feel quite flat and lacking in warmth. Theres no real contrast or layering to soften the overall look, so it ends up feeling quite one-dimensional. Its all very white and grey, with no softer textures, greenery or contrast to break it up.

The overall design feels very structured and quite square, with everything from the bath to the vanity following very sharp, angular lines. Theres nothing soft or organic to balance this, so the space ends up feeling quite rigid rather than relaxed or luxurious.

Im also not convinced by the tinted mirror. It doesnt really elevate the design and instead feels like a flat panel added in, rather than a feature that enhances the space. It feels a little B&Q unfortunately.

Overall, its tastefully put together, but it is a little bit bland. It feels quite samey and matchy throughout, and without additional texture, colour or contrast, whether thats softer woods, more natural stone tones, greenery, artwork or statement lighting to break it up, the space ultimately falls a bit flat.

Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan

Verdict: Tasteful, verging on overdone

Seemingly comparable with a high-end spa, former Towie star Mark Wright and his wife Michelle Keegan have not held back on revamping their bathroom inside their reportedly 3.5million Essex home.

From shiny off-white marble flooring and gold detailing to even a heated towel rack and large sprawling sinks, no detail was missed by this celebrity pairing.

Seemingly comparable with a high-end spa, former TOWIE star Mark Wright and his wife Michelle Keegan have not held back on revamping their bathroom

Jordana: Its clear theyve gone for a hotel luxe, spa-like feel here, and overall theyve executed that really well. The space feels calm, elevated and cohesive, with the vanity being a real highlight. The combination of natural wood drawers with the stone top works beautifully and adds a softness that stops the room from feeling too clinical.

However, the lights and mirrors dont quite match the overall aesthetic. Youve got this calm, spa-like, hotel luxe feel coming through the natural woods, brushed brass taps and soft stone finishes, and then these more blingy mirrors and darker statement lighting come in and it just doesnt quite sit right. Youre drawn into this soft, calming spa feel, and then the mirrors and lighting almost jolt you out of it.

Those elements could work in a different style of bathroom, but here they feel slightly out of place. It suddenly tips the space into something a bit more showy, rather than maintaining that calm, refined feel.

That said, I do like the level of effort thats gone into the space. It feels considered and well thought out, but a more cohesive approach to the finishes would have elevated it even further.

Overall, its undeniably luxurious, but those contrasting elements stop it from feeling as refined as it could be.

Stacey Solomon

Verdict: Tasteful

Inside Stacey Solomon's 'Pickle Cottage' is a bathroom filled with swanky gadgets and pricey products for the mother of five to enjoy a pamper after the school run.

Previously taking to Instagram to share details of her bathroom space, Stacey said: 'I can confirm the best shower was had. Getting so many messages about everything in here. The holders, LED lamps, lamp organisers so I've put them all on one list and I'll link them together. Ad.'

Inside Stacey Solomon's 'Pickle Cottage' is a bathroom filled with swanky gadgets and pricey products for the mother of five to enjoy a pamper after the school run

Stacey kitted out her bathroom in her 1.3million Essex home with a 2 shower lamp, 17 Bluetooth shower speaker, 40 shower shelf and 27 worth of fake candles

Jordana: Overall, I really like the tones in this bathroom. It feels warm, calming and quite nicely thought out, with a softer, more relaxed approach compared to some of the more polished, hotel-style spaces. It does feel spa-like, relaxed and inviting.

The use of smaller tiles adds texture and interest, and the overall palette helps to create that cosy, cocooning feel.

However, the large shelf within the shower feels a little confusing from a design perspective. Typically, you would expect to see a recessed niche with integrated shelving or lighting, but here it feels like a long, open feature without a clear function.

The addition of a lamp within the shower also feels quite unusual. In a space like this, youd normally incorporate subtle lighting within the niche or shelving, rather than introducing a decorative lamp, which feels slightly out of place.

Theres also quite a heavy use of brushed brass throughout, particularly around that feature shelf, and it does start to feel a bit obvious. Were seeing a shift away from so much gold now, moving more towards brushed steels, chrome, bronze and gunmetal finishes, so it can feel a little overdone.

That shelf in particular ends up reading as quite a large, framed rectangle that doesnt quite serve a purpose, and with the added brass detailing, it draws attention for the wrong reasons.

Its a lovely space overall and clearly considered, but those details stop it from feeling fully resolved or as refined as it could be.

Lydia Bright

Verdict: Potential to be tasteful

With wooden doors, a large copper bath tub and even candles, it appears that little has been spared in former Towie Star Lydia Bright's bathroom.

Taking to Instagram to reveal her new stunning space, Lydia wrote: 'There's something about autumn evenings. The darker nights, the chill in the air, that makes a hot, steamy bath feel like heaven'.

With wooden doors, a large copper bath tub and even candles, it appears that little has been spared in former Towie Star Lydia Bright's bathroom

Jordana: I really love the bath in this space. The copper finish paired with the darker wall colour creates a strong, traditional feel and gives the room a lot of warmth and character. It feels much more individual and design-led than some of the more neutral bathrooms.

However, the walls do fall slightly flat. Theres a missed opportunity here, as something like wallpaper or panelling in that darker tone would have added more depth and made the space feel more layered and considered.

The contrast between the dark walls and the white cornice, ceiling and fireplace also feels quite stark. A softer, creamier tone would have helped create a more cohesive and elevated look.

The fireplace itself doesnt quite deliver as a focal point. It feels quite basic compared to the rest of the room, and something more substantial, like a stone fireplace, would have brought a sense of weight and decadence to the space. As it stands, it feels a little underwhelming and lacks detail.

The styling on the mantel also feels slightly off. It almost reads like a collection of bric-a-brac rather than something intentionally styled for the space, which takes away from the overall cohesion.

You can see the design intention and there are some strong elements here, particularly with the bath and overall mood, but it doesnt feel fully resolved.

Overall, it has great potential, but it needs a few more considered design decisions to bring everything together and make it feel truly refined.

Binky Felstead

Verdict: Very tasteful and timeless

Inside Binky Felstead's cosy west London pad, the former Made in Chelsea star has sought to create an oasis of calm in her bathroom.

With homemade zellige tiles, pink skirting tiles and an antique brass, Binky has previously described her bathroom as synonymous with 'a piece of art'.

Inside Binky Felstead's cosy west London pad, the former Made in Chelsea star has sought to create an oasis of calm in her bathroom

With homemade zellige tiles, pink skirting tiles and an antique brass, Binky has previously described her bathroom as synonymous with 'a piece of art'

Jordana: Overall, this bathroom is gorgeous. It feels incredibly charming and well thought out, with a beautiful balance between traditional design and a softer, more liveable aesthetic. It definitely leans more country in style, but in a very elevated way  it gives that London townhouse meets Cotswolds feel, which works really well.

I love the wall panelling and the flooring, which immediately add warmth and texture, and the vanity is absolutely stunning. It looks expensive, considered and properly designed rather than just styled. The shape of the mirror, the lighting and the artwork have all been chosen carefully and tie in beautifully with the overall look.

Everything feels intentionally design-led, but still very relaxing and calming. Its exactly the kind of space youd want to unwind in, whether thats a long bath or a slow morning getting ready. Despite the charm and softness, it still manages to feel luxurious and high-end, which is not always easy to achieve.

What really stands out is how timeless it feels. Theres nothing overly trend-driven or try-hard about it. It leans into classic materials and proportions in a way that will genuinely stand the test of time.

Overall, it feels cohesive, layered and intentional, and is a great example of a traditional bathroom done properly without feeling dated or overworked.

Zoella

Verdict: Unresolved

Deviating from the trends, Zoella's bathroom boasts a copper-bottom roll-top bath and is finished with graphic tiles.

Meanwhile, graphic print tiles and fun light fixtures add a pop of fun to the space, while there is no shortage of greenery on offer as well.

Deviating from the trends, Zoella's bathroom boasts a copper-bottom roll-top bath and is finished with graphic tiles

Jordana: I can see the look shes going for here  that slightly industrial, vintage-inspired aesthetic with layered textures, greenery and styled accessories. On paper it should work, but in reality it just doesnt quite land.

The combination of the industrial cabinet and artwork feels a bit disjointed. It reads as a mix of individual pieces that are trying to be industrial or vintage and have been placed in for the sake of it, rather than something thats been properly designed and pulled together.

Some of the elements dont quite elevate the space, particularly the lighting and smaller decorative details. It doesnt come across as high-end and instead feels a bit cluttered.

It also leans quite heavily into a trend that has already passed, rather than something more timeless and enduring.

Overall, it feels like a space with potential, but it needs refining and a clearer design direction to really work.

Myleene Klass

Verdict: Slightly random, with some lovely elements

Smooth Radio presenter Myleene Klass' bathroom is anything but small.

With hardwood flooring, a free-standing bathtub and even a chandelier overhead, the luxurious space is fit with trendy shutters and even a plant carefully placed on a wooden bath stand.

With hardwood flooring, a free-standing bathtub and even a chandelier overhead, Myleene's luxurious space is fit with trendy shutters and a plant carefully placed on a wooden bath stand

Jordana: There are some really beautiful features in this space. The freestanding bath is a standout and gives the room that classic, traditional feel, while the white flooring keeps everything light, relaxed and easy.

However, it doesnt quite come together. It feels like a mix of different ideas rather than one clear design direction.

The chandelier is the biggest miss. If youre going to introduce something like that, it needs to make a statement. Here it feels too small and slightly lost, rather than adding impact or anchoring the space.

The mirror above what feels like a more casual console table adds to that sense of disconnect, and when paired with the styling and accessories, it starts to feel a little thrown together rather than properly considered.

There are definitely moments here that work, but overall it just doesnt quite land. With a stronger point of view and a bit more restraint, this could feel far more elevated.
Ukrainians in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States will soon be able to receive passports issued by Ukrainian embassies and consulates through the VFS Global network of visa and passport service centers, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

"Continuing to systematically modernize consular services for Ukrainians abroad, making them more convenient and accessible. This is my principled position and an instruction to the Consular Service Department of the MFA," Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.

In cooperation with VFS Global, the MFA has completed preparations for launching a pilot project for the delivery of international passports issued by Ukrainian diplomatic missions.

In the near future, Ukrainians in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom will be able to receive their passports not only at diplomatic missions but also at 35 VFS Global service centers, without the need to travel again to embassies or consulates. This means fewer trips, fewer queues, and significantly greater convenience.

This step is particularly important amid ongoing Russian aggression, as millions of citizens are abroad and require fast and efficient services.

The security of documents and proper identification remain a priority. Passports will be issued only after a verification procedure, ensuring the protection of personal data and preventing abuse.

The MFA is implementing this project as part of the digitalization of consular services, including the development of the e-Consul system, and will continue expanding similar services.

Starting next week, the project will be launched in pilot mode  citizens applying for passports at Ukrainian diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States will be able to choose the option of collecting their documents at VFS centers. Detailed information will soon be published on embassy and consulate websites.

"Going forward, we are working to ensure that Ukrainians worldwide have access to modern, convenient, and people-centered public services, wherever they are. This includes using both international passport and visa services as well as national postal services. It is about the states respect, maintaining connections and unity of our people, and care and protection of our citizens," Sybiha said.
Riverford Organic Farmers: Are you sure you want to empty this delivery?

Me: Yes!

Im writing this on 2 March and I have 40 left in my Barclays Basic account. I had to pay 500 off my vet bill as they were refusing treatment; this despite the Petplan insurance for the dogs and horses amounting to 289.06 a month. Just the rent of paddocks and stables for my horses is 700 a month: on top of that is feed, farrier, dentist, bedding.

Im paid very well, but my mortgage is 3,037 a month: I could only buy a house six years after bankruptcy and, as no one would lend past the age of 75, its over a short term for a loan just north of 200,000, and of course at a higher rate of interest than for someone who isnt me, or Boris Becker.

I work from home, but cant put the heating on (its currently 2 degrees as I write at 7am), as Im still paying 250 a month to settle the 10,000 bill Octopus landed me with when I left the rented, tiny cottage, on top of the 575 a month they insist I now pay at the new house*. This, despite an air source heat pump and log burner.

I no longer have a washing machine or tumble dryer, as both were destroyed when my cellar flooded; I cant afford contents insurance. I havent bought any new clothes for more than two years. You might say, oh, she has Turkey teeth and new whizzy hearing aids and eyebrows, but that was work, and I didnt pay for any of it.

That same sort of chippy ignorance was apparent at HMRC, when during a meeting they showed me my columns about attending Paris Fashion Week and the trial of John Galliano. How could you afford that? they said, waggling the pages cut from YOU magazine and the Daily Mail.

It was work. What did they expect me to do, report from the shows by peering at the photos on vogue.com? How then would I have been able to tell you that the screensaver on the phone belonging to Carine Roitfeld was a photo of herself. Or how would I have earwigged a supermodel, backstage at Armani, being told her hips were so wide she would barely fit down the runway?

Im still paying 250 a month to settle the 10,000 bill Octopus landed me with when I left the rented, tiny cottage

Yes, I employ a well-paid (by me) full-time PA and horse whisperer, but without her I wouldnt be able to travel on assignment, or cope with my inbox and workload. My accountant has charged me over 1,000 a month for the past ten years: he looks after payroll, employers National Insurance, VAT. I receive the State Pension, but as Im still working its heavily taxed. HMRC as good as barred me from a private pension.

I wasnt allowed to know what happened to the cottage I bought my sister (that mortgage cost me 1,750 a month for six years): does she own it outright now, paid for with her retirement lump sum from the NHS? Who knows? Ive never taken a day off sick in more than 40 years and even worked the day my mum died.

After the Tracey Emin gala last week, my friend asked me to join her for a drink at her London flat (she also has homes in Wales and Cornwall). The floor-to-ceiling windows and terrace showcase a view of the Tower of London across the Thames, Tower Bridge glittering alongside, the glass tower of Bishopsgate gleaming, the spire of the Shard to our left.

As I sat sipping Nyetimber, I wondered how it has come to this. We are almost the same age, she, like me, is entirely self-made, but Im sat there worrying about affording an Uber back to my hotel room.

Im shortlisted for Columnist Of The Year at The Press Awards (the journalism Oscars) in May: attendance alone will cost me not far shy of 500, and thats without buying a new dress. I might have to do a Marlon Brando.

*After I wrote about Octopus increasing my direct debit the other week, my inbox has been heaving with disgruntled customers. One wrote: Their demands to me dwarf yours by about 30-fold! Despite the warm words and love and kisses sign-offs in their torrents of hectoring emails and texts, they are ruthless!

JONES MOANS... WHAT LIZ LOATHES THIS WEEK
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For caffeine-loving Britons, a morning cup of coffee is the most integral part of their day.

Yet as the average cost of a cup of java has increased by 40 per cent in the last five years, coffee connoisseurs will certainly be keen to ensure that they are investing in the right coffee beans for their beloved breakfast brew.

Fortunately, four independent coffee experts from Which? are on hand to help resolve any caffeine-related woes.

Their extensive blind-test included tasting ground coffee from well-known pricier brands such as Cafedirect and Illy, as well as popular supermarkets, including M&S, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

All the coffees included had a strength rating of three on the packet to reflect both roast intensity and flavour profile, rather than just strictly caffeine content.

Having undertaken a blind test of supermarket and big-brand coffees, their verdicts revealed which coffee brands are worth the investment due to their 'complex flavours' and 'smooth' textures.

Yet, sadly, some supermarket brands appeared to fail to achieve the same result - with experts citing a 'rubbery flavour' and 'astringent aftertaste'.

The experts uncovered that when you splurge some extra cash, a deliciously smooth morning brew can be on hand at a cost of 6 for 200g.

Read on to find out how all the coffees compare, and which of your nearest supermarket offerings may be worth trying.

The Which? blind-test included tasting ground coffee from well-known pricier brands such as Cafedirect and Illy, as well as popular supermarkets, including M&S, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Tesco

1. Cafedirect Fairtrade Colombia Reserva Ground Coffee  74%

6 for 200g (3 per 100g)

Filled with tastes of caramel, butterscotch, fruit and a delightful aroma of rich brown sugar, this Arabica ground coffee was a firm favourite among the experts.

The key to its success? Both flavour and a nice full body of caffeine helped to create a deliciously rich and endlessly smooth brew with a stunning aftertaste.

As a top tip for any coffee fans, the experts suggested adding a small dash of milk to create a sweeter and velvety taste, while also retaining the delicious natural elements.

How the coffees measured up Cafedirect Fairtrade Colombia Reserva Ground Coffee - 74 per cent - 6 for 200g (3 per 100g) M&S Collection Fairtrade Colombian Ground Coffee  72% - 4.75 for 227g (2.10 per 100g) Sainsbury's Taste the Difference La Celia Colombian Ground Coffee  68% 4.30 for 227g (1.89 per 100g) Illy Ground Espresso Arabica Selection Colombia Coffee - 66% - 4.49 for 125g (3.60 per 100g) Waitrose No.1 Colombia Reserve Ground Coffee - 65% - 4.75 for 227g (2.10 per 100g) Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Colombian Roast & Ground Coffee - 60% - 4 for 200g (2 per 100g) Caffe Nero Colombia Ground Coffee - 59% - 5.50 for 200g (2.75 per 100g) Lidl Deluxe Fairtrade Colombian Supremo Roast & Ground Coffee - 56% - 1.99 for 227g (87p per 100g) Morrisons, The Best Fairtrade Colombian Ground Coffee - 54% - 4.30 for 227g (1.90 per 100g) Asda, Exceptional Ground Colombian Roast Coffee - 53% - 3.98 (1.75 per 100g) Tesco Finest Fair Trade Colombian Supremo Ground Coffee - 52% - 4.30 (1.89 per 100g) Aldi, Specially Selected Colombian Ground Coffee - 48% - 1.99 (88p per 100g)

2. M&S Collection Fairtrade Colombian Ground Coffee  72%

4.75 for 227g (2.10 per 100g)

M&S's Fairtrade Colombian Ground Coffee contains a subtle sweetness with 'bright notes of caramel and blackcurrant'.

Originally grown in the Andes, it is filled with Arabica beans that the experts said offered a satisfying mouthfeel.

Perfect for caffeine lovers looking for a lighter-tasting coffee, this cup would have suited a small amount of milk.

The experts advised against overindulging in milk in order to avoid losing its fruity notes and delicate acidity.

3. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference La Celia Colombian Ground Coffee  68%

4.30 for 227g (1.89 per 100g)

Grown by 'incredible women farmers', this Sainsbury's coffee homes to offer a medium roast with subtle notes of 'balanced apple, citrus and brown sugar'.

However, the blind-taste review suggested that the flavours had perhaps fallen slightly short - and instead it carried slight tastes of chocolate and caramel.

This drink would, they suggested, be best enjoyed with a splash of milk to create a smoother texture that was somewhat synonymous with a Bourbon biscuit.

4. Illy Ground Espresso Arabica Selection Colombia Coffee - 66%

4.49 for 125g (3.60 per 100g)

Marketed as a 'smooth, balanced taste with notes of citrus fruit', this Illy's coffee is best for an espresso or Americano coffee.

When trialled by the experts, they recalled a delicate balance of fruity acidity, sweetness and intensity.

When the milk was added, it lost a slight bit of its acidity. Yet for those hoping for a sweeter brew, it offered a lighter alternative filled with complex flavours.

5. Waitrose No.1 Colombia Reserve Ground Coffee - 65%

4.75 for 227g (2.10 per 100g)

A fresh, sweet and lighthearted option filled with caramel and orange flavours, the experts described this coffee as full-bodied and full-flavoured, but with an intense bitter taste that led to a rather drying finish.

Milk, however, did complement the flavour, resulting in a more balanced beverage that even held flavours reminiscent of either dark chocolate or tiramisu.

Milk complemented the flavour, creating a more balanced profile with notes of dark chocolate and tiramisu.

6. Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Colombian Roast & Ground Coffee - 60%

4 for 200g (2 per 100g)

While the experts were not necessarily blown away by this option, they praised the caramel and roasted hazelnut touch as a nice taste.

Praised for being a well-developed roast that was not too dark, slightly sweet in taste and of a medium body, when combined with milk, the flavour became softer and creamier.

Some even have a slightly biscuity taste.

7. Caffe Nero Colombia Ground Coffee - 59%

5.50 for 200g (2.75 per 100g)

While 'fresh' from Caffe Nero's roastery, experts sadly described experiencing a 'lingering bitterness and dryness in the mouth' when they tasted this Colombian ground coffee.

Set to be filled with notes of toffee apple, blackcurrant and fudge, the blind tasters reported slight hints of dark chocolate and dried fruit and ultimately saw it as an 'average medium-dark roast'.

For those who may still have this coffee in their kitchen cupboards, experts recommended adding a light splash of milk, making this a strong candidate for those prone to a milky coffee.

8. Lidl Deluxe Fairtrade Colombian Supremo Roast & Ground Coffee - 56%

1.99 for 227g (87p per 100g)

Filled with an 'ashy roast flavour', this Lidl Deluxe coffee is exponentially cheap - coming at a cost of just 1.99.

For the experts, however, it appeared to be rather underwhelming in taste, with reports of a dry taste and a rather 'unpleasant' experience when served black.

While milk helped to mellow the harshness of the initial taste, it ultimately led to a slightly malty brew that may not be too appealing first thing in the morning.

9. Morrisons, The Best Fairtrade Colombian Ground Coffee - 54%

4.30 for 227g (1.90 per 100g)

With a smoky aroma and a slight rubbery flavour, the experts described a drying aftertaste that sadly didn't dissipate, even when a splash of milk was added.

10. Asda, Exceptional Ground Colombian Roast Coffee - 53%

3.98 (1.75 per 100g)

According to the experts, this coffee held notes of both tobacco and wood.

Sadly, there was also a thin body and watery, weak taste recorded.

11. Tesco Finest Fair Trade Colombian Supremo Ground Coffee - 52%

4.30 (1.89 per 100g)

With a strong bitter taste and a faint roasted chestnut roast, this coffee sadly wasn't a winner.

The aftertaste was also rather underwhelming; however was made slightly more manageable with a dash of milk.

12. Aldi, Specially Selected Colombian Ground Coffee - 48%

1.99 (88p per 100g)

The lowest-scoring coffee, our experts said, was affordable, yet had very faint chocolate and nutty notes that left no lasting impact.

Its downfall, moreover, was that it also had a thin mouthfeel, lacked complexity and had an unpleasant bitterness.

All the coffee in this test had a strength rating of three to reflect roast intensity and flavour profile, rather than caffeine content.

However, as there isn't a consistent scale for coffee strength, the experts recommend reading the descriptions on the packet to help guide you - with medium-roast coffees set to be lighter and smoother, while Italian-style coffees hold darker elements.

Meanwhile, when selecting ground coffee, Fairtrade and organic certifications, alongside detailed sourcing information, are good indicators to look for to suggest that the beans have been sourced ethically and the growers are paid fairly.

In this test, all of the coffees displayed either the Fairtrade International logo or provided detailed farm and sourcing information.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: 'For many of us, there's nothing quite like a cup of joe to start our morning routine, but having a disappointingly bitter, weak or flat coffee can ruin the trajectory of our day.

'Our blind taste test shows that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a genuinely great cup of coffee at home.

'While premium brands often trade on their reputation, our results prove that some supermarket options can deliver a smooth and balanced flavour at a much lower price.'
Dear Bel,

My daughter and her partner have a beautiful three-year-old, my grandson. Before he was born, my parents and I helped the young couple with their bills.

We never heard anything from my daughters partners family. But suddenly, near the end of the pregnancy, my ex-husband and his wife and my daughters partners mother came out of the woodwork.

I wasnt expecting it. I assumed I would have the main role, just as my mother did when I had my children.

I was due to buy the pram as I thought the mother of the daughter generally did. But my daughters partners mother jumped in and bought the pram before me apparently to save me the expense. I was put out and spoke to other people who agreed that my daughter shouldve let me buy it.

I was not on good terms with my ex-husband who left when my son was six months and my daughter three. So I was amazed when suddenly he and his partner took a big interest in my grandson. It caused trouble at the beginning because I told my daughter I didnt think her father should have anything to do with the baby as I couldnt forgive him for all that happened in her childhood.

In response, my daughter stopped me seeing my grandson for 24 days, during which I felt almost suicidal. I had to accept my ex being grandfather.

Last year, I paid for my daughter, her partner and my grandson to go to Spain for a week. They had already planned to go with mother-in-law to Spain that August. When I stepped in saying Id pay for them to come with me and a friend, they accepted. I wanted my grandsons first plane journey to be with me.

I knew it might cause a little friction with my daughters partners mother but a year on shes not speaking to me.

I was unaware she felt this way till my grandsons third birthday party. I insisted on doing the buffet  but despite being told, she still brought a lot of food along. Not once did she even look at me. It was very uncomfortable and upset me a lot.

I never anticipated my ex-husband or my daughters partners mother being heavily involved with my grandson, and now my daughters partners mother is not speaking to me. When I went to the party, I even thought about apologising if Ive seemed a bit possessive.

I never dreamt that these people would come out of the woodwork. How do I accept it? Why didnt she speak to me? Its absolutely ridiculous. I dont want this feud to go on, so what do I do?

PAMELA

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Im glad you wrote and hope the act of writing your problem down may have given you a little bit of clarity. However, I must be honest and tell you that my sad but exasperated response (said aloud after reading your letter twice) was: How can one woman get things so very wrong?

What appears in this column today is a mere third of the original letter you sent. So I have plenty of information on which to base my judgment.

You will be thinking I am harsh. But I truly want to help you see what has gone wrong and give you the common sense and strength to put things right.

First of all, I must tell you, as one grandmother to another, that we do not have any claim to ownership of our childrens children. They do not come into this world to make us feel better about any harm that has been done to us in the distant past. Nor are they little weapons we can use in future skirmishes with people we resent. Do you understand?

Your uncut letter explained that after your painful divorce your parents played a vital role in your childrens lives, and that was the grandparent role you expected. I understand that, but you have allowed that expectation, and the hatred (yes, it can be another way of hurting) you harbour for your ex, to inject poison into the family, where there should be tolerance and love. What basis do I have for that accusation? Your letter.

What kind of things come out of the woodwork? Nasty creepy crawlies we dont want?

You use the unpleasant phrase twice for people your daughter has an essential relationship with  and you must never do it again. No matter what he did to you, your daughters father has every right to be a grandparent, just as you do. What matters is your daughters wishes  and she made those very clear, didnt she?

Now to the pram and the holiday. There are no rules for who buys what. None. And it is jolly foolish and unhelpful of those other people to feed your irrational jealousy. It was the same jealousy and possessiveness that led you quite deliberately to spoil the holiday the partners mother had arranged in Spain by getting in first, because you wanted the infants first plane journey to be with me. Im speechless.

Couldnt you have shared the food-provision at the birthday party? Wouldnt that have been generous and wise? But no, you still think it is all your daughters mother-in-laws fault.

Honestly, the only way this feud of your own making will end is if you focus on your daughters happiness and her sons development within a happy family  and not your own feelings. Time to make sure everybody knows how genuinely sorry you are.

Dear Bel,

I remarried in middle age with the same cautious hope I expect all second-timers feel. My husband had adult children from his first marriage. I entered his family determined to tread carefully, respect existing bonds, and not force my way in. Years on, I still feel like a visitor.

I have hosted Christmases, remembered birthdays, attended graduations, and kept my opinions to myself. I have never tried to replace their mother or demand affection.

Yet I remain politely peripheral. Decisions happen without me. Photos are taken without me. Im introduced as Dads wife and I never feel like family.

My husband tells me not to take it personally  this is how adult children and second marriages often are. But the pain of exclusion is real.

I feel foolish for caring, but hurt all the same. The more I try to accommodate, the clearer it becomes Ill never truly belong. I wonder if Im only hurting myself by continuing to try. Id appreciate advice on balancing generosity with self-respect with this family that is determined to keep me at arms length.

CAROLINE

You dont tell me how long ago this second marriage happened, saying years but that could be five or 15.

Long enough, anyway, for those birthdays and Christmases to add up, leaving you disappointed each time, but perhaps not long enough for your husbands family to come to terms with the fact that you are in his life to stay.

I know that sounds absurd because these are adult children were talking about. Yet divorce in a family can often feel much worse for adult offspring than for young children, who can get used to a new situation quickly. (Here, Im speaking from experience.)

A key element in a situation like yours can be the circumstances of the divorce.

If, say, your husband instigated the split because of his behaviour/wishes, then his family is likely to resent whoever replaces their mother. It makes no difference that shes not trying to do that, what matters for them is their own perception  based on their sadness that the family life they knew was over.

If you played a role in that separation, so much more the complexity. The attitude of the ex-wife is also crucial.

If she harbours deep resentment (like Pamela, who wrote todays main letter), then it will be all the more problematic for her successor to be accepted. Because the ex-wife is likely (in most cases) to be a negative voice.

Thought for the week A person should always consider that he is equally balanced between good and evil.If the person does one good deed he tips the balance for himself and for the whole world to he side of goodness and salvation. From Laws of Repentance by Maimonides, a Jewish scholar living in Egypt eight centuries ago.

I certainly dont think you should stop trying, but nor do I think you should try too hard. This is the balance between generosity and self-respect you seek.

The first thing you must remember  and note daily as if it were in neon lights  is that to be called Dads wife is not an insult. It is a statement of fact  but more than that, it is your status.

If they say This is Caroline the other person will be left wondering who you are and where you fit in. Dads wife gets it exactly right, so throw your shoulders back, smile and accept that role.

No, youre not family (i.e. a blood relative) but you are the woman chosen by Dad and thats that.

What exactly do you want? Them to be warmer to you?

But never in this letter do you complain that they are cold, so it seems to me that you might be demanding the impossible. Are you really at arms length? Or are you, as your husband suggests, just playing a normal role in a normal family in increasingly normal, if complicated, circumstances?

In your position, I would go on hosting family gatherings  and being a superstar at the task.

I would be cool, confident and collected.

And I would be sure to arrange the best of good times with the man I love, knowing that the adult children have their own lives but he needs you most of all.

AND FINALLY: Agony aunts going strong 335 years on!

Did you see Death In Paradise a week ago  the one where Mervin and the team investigate the murder of a local newspapers notorious agony aunt, poisoned the morning after her retirement party while reading her final advice column over breakfast?

The fatal dose was on the actual page. Yikes! Madame Hortense loved purple and had a little yappy dog, so it all felt a bit too close to home.

When gorgeous, intelligent Sergeant Naomi Thomas explains the identity of the victim to Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, he scoffs: Agony aunt? Thats a blast from the past.

It reminded me of a rather irritating post on my open Facebook page (it has the word writer added to my name), in which someone wrote beneath my usual advertisement for this column: Does anybody read this stuff any more?

Honestly, Ive met plenty of sneery blokes in my life, but that seemed so disrespectful to the people whose problems Id featured on the page that day. What an ignoramus.

Just listen up, DI Mervin  what is said to be the first problem page was written  by a man  in 1691.

That was only 40 years after the Civil War, William and Mary were on the throne, masked highwaymen were still a menace to travellers, upper class men wore elaborate wigs and people wrote to the personal advice column about sex, love, courtship and marriage. As they have done ever since.

People with troubles fret and grieve, desperate for answers. They lie awake at night, wondering what on earth to do.

The lucky ones can confide in a good friend or family member, but what if there isnt one?

Thats the moment men and women alike might write to a total stranger, like me.

Thats what makes this column a perennial  meaning bang up to date!
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Is there anything nicer than opening a jewellery box filled with your favourite pieces, all those personal treasures collected over a lifetime? Each one tells a story: a holiday purchase, a birthday gift, an anniversary celebration, something inherited from a mother or grandmother.

Over time, a jewellery box becomes less about whats inside and more about the memories it holds.

I have a distinct memory of my own mothers red velvet ballerina box, which Id rummage through behind her back. As a child, I thought it was the most glamorous thing in the world.

Coat, Icicle. Jumper, Soft Goat. Trousers, Massimo Dutti. Sunglasses, Prada. Bag, Bottega Veneta. Shoes, Jil Sander

Its not just me who thinks these are wonderful  jewellery boxes are definitely having a moment again and are reappearing thanks to a few broader shifts in fashion and interiors.

Trends like charm bracelets, pearls, brooches and heirloom-style jewellery are returning, reflecting a desire for pieces that tell a story rather than simply completing an outfit. And when people start collecting sentimental jewellery, they naturally need somewhere special to keep it.

Interior design is also playing a role in their return. Jewellery storage is increasingly designed to be displayed rather than hidden away in drawers. Boxes in soft velvet, wood or linen in calming neutral shades sit proudly on dressing tables as part of the decor.

Coat, Icicle. Jumper, Soft Goat. Trousers, Massimo Dutti. Sunglasses, Prada. Bag, Bottega Veneta. Shoes, Jil Sander

In an age of fast fashion and disposable things, these small personal collections feel more meaningful than ever. And Ive always loved a heritage brand with a fascinating backstory. I recently met Simon Philip Wolf, CEO of Wolf, one of the oldest jewellery box brands in the world. The company began in 1834 in the German town of Hanau, a centre of goldsmithing and silversmithing. A young and savvy silversmith named Philipp Wolf noticed something interesting: his silver pieces sold far better when they were presented in beautiful protective boxes. Realising that the packaging was almost as desirable as the jewellery itself, he pivoted his business and began designing jewellery cases. In 1962, the fourth generation, Philipp Wolf IV, moved the company to England and established a major factory here. Five generations later, with its headquarters now in West Sussex, the brand is still going strong. Today it continues to focus on beautifully crafted jewellery boxes  my favourites are the Bella box and the sentimental Ballet Collection, inspired by the very first musical ballerina box designed by the Wolf family  as well as watch cases, home safes and accessories.

Jewellery boxes hold memories, stories and a little bit of magic  and that never goes out of style.

@thestylistandthewardrobe

@youmagazine

GO GREEN

Add a spring colour pop with this delicious emerald sweater. Perfect weekend attire with jeans or tailored trousers.

SPOTTED

Actress Aubrey Plaza in London in a sharp grey pinstriped suit with understated ballet flats  a nod to the French girl aesthetic. To finish the look, she opted for Dunes Deliberate L tote in black.
Blazing hobs and cool martinis. Thats my first impression of Dover Street Counter in Mayfair, the younger, sassier sibling to The Dover two doors down. You want to be sat at the long, sinuously gleaming chrome bar, no more than a metre away from the bustling open kitchen. Placemats are paper, napkins thick linen, while small art deco lamps with blood-orange shades cast a warmly flattering glow. Nineties hip-hop fills the air with bass, while the extraction system, brutally efficient, whisks away any unwanted pongs. Theres a primal energy here, a visceral, barely restrained joy. The whole place seethes and sizzles like raw steak on hot iron. It has only been open for a couple of months, but Dover Street Counter is already the hottest stool in town.

Martinis are as pure as they are icy. They arrive fast, and are downed even faster. The menu, described as feel-good, is exactly that: American diner meets high-end room service, fast food clad in Ralph Lauren. Theres a nudge of Italian, a hint of Vietnamese and a whole lot of New York, too. Like The Dover, the food is far better than it needs to be. As are the prices. You could have a tuna melt and a cocktail and escape for under 35. Round these parts, thats nothing short of a miracle.

Feel-good food: whipped ricotta and truffle-honey crispbread

Summer rolls are pure and clean, overflowing with crunch and zing. The Chop Chop Med salad  lettuce, cucumber, chickpeas, mozzarella and tomato  may sound like something from the bottom shelf of Pret. But doused in a sharp vinaigrette, it eats rather finer than it reads. Disco fries come topped with a hot mess of mayonnaise, pickled chilli and ginger. While the beef rib-eye tagliata, at a very decent 39, is not only a fine piece of meat, properly cooked, but theres more than enough for two.

The burger is classic and no-nonsense: good beef meets soft bun, with a few wedges of pickle and a draping, as is right and proper, of processed American cheese. For pudding, apple and rhubarb pie, McDonalds-style, scented with cardamon and sitting in a puddle of creme anglaise. Restaurateur Martin Kuczmarski is the absolute master of giving people exactly what they want. And hes done it again. As I said, the food is excellent, but its that atmosphere  pure old-fashioned fun  that adds the greatest relish of all.

About 40 per head. Dover Street Counter, 31 Dover Street, London W1; doverstreetcounter.com

Rating:
Look, Im a bath person. I manage one, two or sometimes even three a day. (Lets not get sidetracked with a discussion about water.) I love a hot bath before clambering out and lying, steaming like a lobster, on my bed. But when I climb out, I want something warm underfoot, something soft and cosy. And I dont mean the dog.

Carpet, thats what. Or a rug, in my case. I have a vast kilim rug that covers almost all my bathroom floor, so that I can potter about barefoot and not risk cold toes or slipping over.

Carpeting or covering the bathroom floor with a rug is controversial. It was big in the 1970s and 80s, along with bidets and shag-pile loo mats, but the idea now causes revulsion. You cant do that! a friend squawked when I moved into my current home and declared that I was considering sticking carpet in my bathroom. Itll stink!

The pervasive belief remains that carpeting a bathroom means said carpet will smell of wee, which leads me to a personal question: how exactly are you doing it? I live alone, my bathroom is mine and mine only. I dont have a husband, small children or teenage boys, slapdash with their aim. I back myself to manage a quick, tidy trip to the loo  even in the dark at 3am. So, why not put something soft down?

I settled for a rug in the end because I liked the floorboards in my bathroom and wanted a more contemporary look than wall-to-wall carpet. The floorboards were sanded and whitewashed, and I slapped the rug on top.

I also wallpapered my bathroom with a pattern Id lusted after for years (Molly Mahons Birds & Bees in pink), shunted a huge, marble-topped chest of drawers into one corner for linens and towels, an armchair into another, added two lamps (having forced the reluctant builder to put sockets in there) and hung up several paintings. I wanted my bathroom to feel like an extension of my bedroom: warm and cosy, instead of sterile and clinical. Who wants to hang around in a bathroom that feels like an operating theatre?

No prizes for guessing Jayne Mansfields preference

Who wants to hang around in a bathroom that feels like an operating theatre? asks Sophia Money-Coutts

Im not the only one. Online searches for bathroom carpet rocketed by 360 per cent at the end of last year as we, apparently, are growing nostalgic for the past. Interiors queens Lucy Williams and India Knight have both recently talked in favour of the trend.

Im going to take the bathroom carpet up for reasons of mild squeamishness about ancient pee drops, India wrote of the bathroom in her new house, which I quite understand. You dont necessarily want to inherit someone elses manky old bathroom carpet. Until that happens, though, I do love the feeling of toes on wool straight out of the bath. Surely bathroom carpet is due a revival, like coloured suites?

Well, quite. Energy is expensive these days, and carpet or a rug in a bathroom can boost the warmth factor no end. We love rugs, and especially timber floors with rugs, says interior designer Melissa Hutley, of Hutley & Humm. It feels very smart, and warmer than tiles, and were big fans of bathrooms feeling more like rooms, with furniture and curtains.

Were not necessarily talking kiddie bathrooms here (although there is a terrific Mumsnet thread on this topic, with one poster claiming her hot-pink bathroom carpet was very useful for putting her babies down on the floor when they needed nappy changes; others were left aghast by this idea).

A rug in a grown-up bathroom is a luxury, Hutley says, because it shows that its a space used by people who look after it, rather than a space that needs to be Dettoled from top to bottom every day. But rugs are great, they give a bathroom character and heritage.

Of course, you may want to put down a posh Persian rug. Very grand. But I settled on a washable one from Weaver Green. It just about fits in the washing machine, and I cram it in when it needs a good clean after weeks of bare feet, spilled make-up and dog paws padding about on it.

No pee drops on my rug, though, because some of us have perfectly good aim.

A damp carpet is a vector of all things transmissible

By Mary Killen

Carpets in bathrooms became confused with luxury when they began to appear in hotel bathrooms, but they should never have been popularised in either hotel or home. You might as well have a Persian rug in your kitchen. In both rooms there is too much scope for mess: food spills in the kitchen, bio spills in the bathroom.

Its not just that men tend not to aim to please, as the old loo signs used to exhort them to. Sometimes they get to an age where they cant aim to please. Then there are vomiting teenagers to take into consideration.

The moist atmosphere of a bathroom promotes mould and mildew so the inevitably damp carpet becomes a lethal vector of all things transmissible: athletes foot, ringworm, plantar warts. And it never occurs to most of us that Staph infections can lurk on carpets and enter through minor cuts or cracks in the skin of your feet.

The truth is your carpeted floor can never be properly cleaned, nor properly dried out. In my mind I can see too many images of the carpeted cheap pub and hotel bathrooms where we often stay when going to weddings. The vibe from these carpets, some of which have been there for decades, simply bleats: I am full of different types of DNA, which no professional carpet cleaner has been able to remove.

The moist atmosphere of a bathroom promotes mould and mildew so the inevitably damp carpet becomes a lethal vector of all things transmissible, writes Marry Killen

I am perhaps a little chippy because I do have a friend with a fabulous, very large, carpeted bathroom. A ball-footed bath sits in the middle of the room on its own raised, non-carpeted platform. There are acres of white bathmats and giant bath towels simmering away on heated towel rails. A large sash window is easy to open to air the room. There are two comfortable upholstered armchairs in there as well.

Taste arbiter Nicky Haslam tells me he adores carpeted bathrooms. (Incidentally, he had an Astroturf carpet in his study while at Eton.) And a younger friend loves the spacious carpeted bathroom of his 92-year-old grandfather. It is almost like having another sitting room. It is luxurious to slope out of a long bath on to a carpeted floor. But I do avoid prolonged meditations on the carpet itself, where splutters of mould, or worse, are easily spied.

Some people think a cool marble floor projects the right message of extreme hygiene in a bathroom but then the bathroom experience is less enjoyable because, with a cold marble floor, you are less inclined to linger.

An English bathroom is, of course, quite a different matter to a Greek or Jamaican bathroom. And it is much more pleasant to step on a tiled or marble floor in a hot country. However it is not worth the risk of indulging ones feebleness by installing a carpet in an English bathroom. Our bathrooms demand a mopping, and for that reason it has to be wooden or tiled. My own bathroom has non-splintery elm floorboards and White Company bathmats. My friend Sophie has a good solution. Underfloor heating and nonslip Marmoleum lino.

Another friend who installed expensive curtains in her guest bathroom had to think again when her elderly father came to stay. The lavatory was right next to the window. Luckily the old colonel did not mind the fact that, for the duration of his visit, the bottom half of the curtains were swathed in protective black bin bags.
Designing a home from scratch is the ultimate ambition for many creatives, but coming up with one that floats is another challenge entirely.

For Rosanna Irwin, founder of off-grid cabin company Samsu, and her husband Killian, a film producer, the chance to design a bespoke houseboat  while travelling the length of Londons waterways and keeping costs down  proved irresistible.

It felt like wed found a way to game the system, says Irwin, who took on the project after renovating another houseboat in Northeast London.

Wed previously rented a place in East London for 1,200 per month plus bills, but the property ladder was out of reach for us  prices start at around 550,000 for a new- build two-bed flat in the area  so we started looking for another way to live in the city.

The boats main room features an open-plan kitchen and living room with a concealed snug at the other end that Rosanna opens up to enlarge the space. The kitchen is made from stained birch ply with cupboard handles from Etsy.

The boat exterior, with a view of swans from the windows

The couple made the move in 2022 after selling their previous boat on TikTok for 160,000 (after just one post). They designed a 70 sq m wide-beam canal boat that was built in Liverpool in five months, before being moved to Southall, West London.

The average size of a two-bed flat in West London ranges from 45 to 60 sq m, explains Irwin, smaller than the boat and often more expensive, with average prices from 400,000, and higher monthly outgoings.

By contrast, Irwin designed, built and decorated the boat (named Pomeroy) for under 200,000, including materials and manual labour.

Its roughly the size of a two-bed flat, she says, but has a small second bedroom to make space for a bigger bathroom.

Irwins living costs are just 250 per month, including boat insurance, wood for the stove, diesel and gas. Thanks to the sale of the first boat and investing savings, Irwin is also in the rare position of being mortgage-free at the age of 30.

The bathroom is Rosannas favourite space on the boat. It features a secondhand butchers sink that Irwin found on Ebay, mosaic tiles from Victorian Plumbing and exposed copper pipes.

The main bedroom features a bespoke wooden headboard that Rosanna uses as a storage shelf

She has a continuous cruising licence, which costs 1,200 per year and exempts her from paying mooring fees and council tax.

The only rules are you need to move on every two weeks and cover a distance of around 15-20 miles over the year.

It allows access to all of the infrastructure  water points, pump-out stations, maintenance and bins, says Irwin. But it stops people just whizzing back and forth to Little Venice.

Still, boat life has enabled Irwin to live in some of Londons hot spots.

I can be in Richmond and two weeks later 14 miles east in Limehouse. It makes life an adventure, she says. Some of the areas would otherwise cost ten times the price of the boat to live in.

A permanent mooring in a prime canalside area such as Canary Wharf is more expensive at between 1,000 and 1,300 per month. This includes access to electricity, a shower block, laundry and waste disposal.

Inside, the boat is insulated and filled with light from the seven windows, a porthole, and two large skylights.

It also includes a full kitchen, double glazing, spacious shower and a king-size bed, as well as an electricity inverter that converts energy from the solar roof panels.

Reclaimed wooden floors feature throughout, a wood-burning stove anchors the living space, and bedroom two, a concealed snug currently used by Irwin as an office, is behind folding doors in the living room. There is even reliable WiFi.

I wanted it to look and feel like a house on the water, says Irwin. That was my north star for any design decisions.

Folding doors conceal the snug, currently used as an office. It could also be used as a second bedroom, says Rosanna

Furniture is all preloved. The sofa was 90 from Facebook Marketplace and reupholstered in linen.

I saw it on the Ikea website, then searched for it secondhand, she says.

The wood-burning stove was picked up on Ebay for 300, while the pine dining table and bench set also came from Facebook Marketplace for 350.

Good design has nothing to do with sky-high prices. Its about considered choices, she says.

But Irwin knows life on the water isnt for everyone. There is the loo situation, which is either a pump-out system, which requires taking the boat to a pump-out station to be cleared, or a separating toilet, like Irwins, which separates solids and liquids.

There are also frequent fuel top-ups and knowing your water supply will soon run out if youre partial to long showers.

After four years on Londons waterways, Irwin is relocating to her native Ireland and is selling Pomeroy at auction this month for the base price of 195,000. But she is devoted to life afloat.

Id never go back to a London house again, she says. Boat life is the ultimate freedom. And you get to see wildlife from the kitchen window.

For details on the 25 March auction, see @rosanna_irwin_ or london.townandcountry propertyauctions.co.uk
Most people reserve their deepest and darkest secrets for their spouse. But some save them for a total stranger.

Four years ago, Amira Evans began sharing risque content online, but she never imagined it would end with her knowing the seedy secrets of hundreds of married men.

The 26-year-old, who relocated to Thailand from the UK last year, has hundreds of men week subscribing to her online content every week - many of whom appear to be happily married.

But Evans, who now earns around $40,000 month on OnlyFans, knows better.

The social media sensation, who first began her career as a webcam model after a friend persuaded her to join, told the Daily Mail that she has liaised with countless married men over the years.

She never meets them in person, communicating only online, but has since learned a host of bedroom tips that could save any marriage.

Evans insisted that while she doesn't ask her clients about their marital status, they will often offer up the information voluntarily.

The majority of her subscribers talk 'openly' about their relationships and many of the men that she engages with have been with their partners for over a decade.

'They've got kids, they've got a really good job... A lot of these guys, when they are on OnlyFans and on these adult sites, they're looking for something opposite to their normal life,' she told the Daily Mail.

Four years ago, Amira Evans began sharing risque content online, but she never imagined it would end with her knowing the seedy secrets of hundreds of married men

But even as a seasoned content creator, Evans has been shocked by their brazenness on occasion.

Recounting one of her horror stories, she detailed how one married man had requested her services while he was lying in bed next to his wife, who he said was asleep and completely unaware of what her spouse was up to.

'It was nighttime for him and daytime for me, so it was quite dark, and I could just see the light reflecting off his phone,' she recalled.

'He lay down in bed, and he pointed the phone to his wife, who was actually sleeping in the bed next to him, while he was talking, while he was masturbating,' she said in disgust.

'While he was fantasizing... his poor wife was next to him. And in my head, I was like, "This poor woman,"' Evans admitted.

The OnlyFans star said she believes her married subscribers tell her things they would never tell their wives.

'Married man subscribing to me used to shock me at the beginning, but Ive been doing it for a number of years now, so I know that its really not shocking,' she explained.

'Initially, I felt really bad for the wives and thought these men were really scummy for doing these things behind their partners' backs,' she reflected.

While Evans said some men have indulged in some of their secret fantasies, it has helped her recognize what some people are missing in their relationships

'But I know that it's not my fault and I'm not enabling this behavior because if it wasn't me they were subscribed to, it would be the next girl and the next, and the next,' she reasoned.

She often indulges in some of their secret fantasies, which has also helped her recognize what some people are missing in their relationships.

Below, Evans detailed her tips for keeping your marriage alive.

Start small when experimenting in the bedroom

Evans said that most of the time, when men come to her, they are too afraid to talk to their wives about their fantasies and what they would like in the bedroom, particularly after several years of marriage.

She suggested starting 'small' with expressing what they really want when it comes to sex, and 'working their way up.'

'If your wife really loves you and really cares for you and what you want, then she's not going to judge you,' she said.

'But just don't go all in and scare her.'

Evans said that when married men complain to her about their wives not understanding them, they often haven't actually had a conversation with them yet.

'They just make assumptions like "she will never understand" or "shell not like this,"' Evans shared.

Detailing her own experience with clients, who she claims are mainly the 'submissive type,' she said, 'I will have that conversation [with them].

'Are there any limits? Is there anything that you don't want me to do? Is there anything you don't want me to say?'

Evans encouraged couples, especially men, to always talk about what they want to experiment with in the bedroom

Communicate with your partner about fantasies

Evans said it is important for couples to talk about their kinks and fetishes - with many of her subscribers complaining of dull sex in their home life.

She recalled one of her subscribers saying he and his wife have 'quite a vanilla sex life,' spurring him to pay for her content.

'For example, he's the breadwinner at home, he's a dominant father figure, he's a good husband... On the outside, everything's fine, normal, whatever.

'But then, the wife will go to sleep, and then he'll come on these websites, on these adult platforms, and he'll be totally opposite.'

She said these men often want to be stood on or kicked, and said that 'a massive one I get all the time is men [with wives] asking me to peg them.'

'Ask your husband his fetishes, kinks, and fantasies, or just check his search history, it will tell you everything you need to know,' she urged.

'[Some] men just assume their wives would instantly shut them down or think theyre gross or think they are weird,' she added. 'But if they have an open chat with no judgement they could be surprised.'

Evans explained that women have a sex drive too, quipping: 'Lots of married women want to please their husbands and make them happy, whether its spending quality time with them or fulfilling any different kinks.'

Evans said it is important for couples to talk about their kinks and fetishes, with many of her subscribers complaining of dull sex in their home life

Surprise your partner

Evans said that she often suspects the men who subscribe to her content are too embarrassed to ask their partners for what they really want in the bedroom - adding that the element of surprise may spice things up.

'You can buy your partner a toy - even one you can use remotely - because she might be into it too,' she suggested.

'She might find it hot to have remote play.'

Alternatively, the OnlyFans creator suggested couples shop for sex toys together.

'As long as everyone is in it together, and as long as you ease her in and don't scare her off, I think it could work,' she said.

'Women can be into this stuff too.'
CBS News CEO Bari Weiss shuttered the 100-year-old News Radio, slashing up to 70 jobs, as she continues her reshaping of the network.

CBS News announced on Friday that it will close its storied radio news service after nearly 100 years of operation.

'It's another piece of America that is gone,' longtime CBS News anchor Dan Rather said.

When it went on the air in September 1927, the service was the precursor to the entire network, giving a youthful William S Paley a start in the business.

Famed broadcaster Edward R Murrow's rooftop reports during the Nazi bombing of London in World War II kept Americans listening anxiously.

Today, CBS News Radio provides material to an estimated 700 stations across the country and is known best for its top-of-the-hour news roundups.

The service will end on May 22, the network said.

'Radio is woven into the fabric of CBS News, and that's always going to be part of our history,' CBS News editor-in-chief Weiss said while delivering the news to the staff.

Up to 70 people loss their job after CBS News CEO Bari Weiss cut CBS News Radio. The service will end on May 22

'I want you to know that we did everything we could, including before I joined the company, to try and find a viable solution to sustain the radio operation.'

But with the radical changes in the media industry, she said: 'We just could not find a way to make that possible.'

Up to 70 people lost their jobs in the closure, the New York Post reported.

Harvey Nagler, who used to be VP of radio for the company until 2016, told the Post he didn't agree with the radio shutting down and that now was not the time to do so.

'At some point in time, closing it was going to be inevitable, but I dont believe now was the time to do it,' he said. 'Those in a corporate position were not aware of the clout and the reach of CBS News Radio.

'Its a profound strategic failure. Its unfortunate on that basis alone.'

Craig Swagler, the former VP of the radio network, said the shutdown will have a 'major impact to the accessibility of information across the country.'

CBS News Radio was reaching 30 million Americans per week, he told the Post.

The radio brought up well-known journalists, such as Walter Cronkite (middle) and Edward Murrow (right)

'We often look at media as a business and not as a public service,' he told the outlet.

CBS News cut some of its radio programming late last year, including its Weekend Roundup and World News Roundup Late Edition, in an attempt to keep the service going.

CBS News cut about six percent of its workforce, or more than 60 people, on Friday.

It's not the end of turmoil at the network, as parent company Paramount Global is likely to absorb CNN as part of its announced purchase of Warner Bros Discovery.

'Given the way things are going, I was saddened, but I wasn't surprised by it,' said Rather, who succeeded network legend Walter Cronkite in 1981 and anchored for 25 years.

When Rather covered the civil rights era for CBS News during the 1960s, he said he would file reports as frequently as a dozen times a day.

When Cronkite told America on television that President John F Kennedy had been assassinated, Rather had relayed the news on the radio.

'Radio was considered an equal responsibility to television,' Rather, now 94, said in an interview with AP.

Harvey Nagler, who used to be VP of radio for the company until 2016, told the New York Post he thought it was too soon to shut down the radio network. 'Its a profound strategic failure,' he said

Craig Swagler, the former VP of the radio network, said the shutdown will have a 'major impact to the accessibility of information across the country,' as the network reached 30 million Americans per week

Along with newspapers, radio was the dominant medium in how Americans got their news from shortly after the dawn of commercial radio in 1920 through the 1940s, with people in their living rooms listening to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 'Fireside Chats' during the Depression.

CBS News Radio's broadcast about Germany's invasion of Austria in 1938, the first time Murrow was heard on the air, was a historic marker for the service.

Broadcasters like Douglas Edwards, Dallas Townsend and Christopher Glenn were familiar voices on CBS News Radio.

The beginning of the television era in the 1950s began a long slide for radio, often an afterthought today with the world online and on phones. Those seeking audio often turn to podcasts before radio.

'This is another part of the landscape that has fallen off into the sea,' said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers, a trade publication for radio talk shows. 'It's a shame. It's a loss for the country and for the industry.'

CBS News Radio was a major force for generations of Americans.

'Its heyday spanned decades,' Harrison said. 'It was quality on every level. It sounded good. Its coverage was as objective as possible within the realm of human nature. Its resources were extensive. It had a very high trust factor that was considered the standard of the day.'

The front page of CBS News' website did not immediately carry news of the demise.

Murrow's WWII coverage in Europe was a huge success for the radio network

Weiss, founder of the Free Press website and without broadcast news experience before being hired by CBS parent Paramount's new management, has quickly become a headline-maker and polarizing figure in journalism.

She held a 60 Minutes story critical of President Donald Trump's deportation policy from being broadcast for a month and has critics watching to see if she's moving the network in a Trump-friendly direction.

Addressing her staff in January, three months into her job as CBS News boss, she invoked Cronkite's name as a symbol of old thinking and said that if the network continues with its current strategy, 'we're toast.'

She announced the hiring of 18 new contributors and said CBS News needs to do stories that will 'surprise and provoke - including inside our own newsroom.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to CBS for further comment.
Comedian Bill Maher issued blistering criticism of President Donald Trump, saying he 'f**ked up' the Iran war.

Earlier this month, Maher, 70, said he agreed with the 79-year-old president about the Iranian war, but just weeks later, he had a long list of complaints he readily shared with his audience and panelists on Friday's episode of his show.

'You know where we f**ked up? A few places,' he said. 'One, were blowing up each others oil now. They didnt foresee the Strait of Hormuz stuff well enough.'

The Strait of Hormuz was shut down by Iran, putting pressure on the world's oil supply. The US has been attempting to reopen the Strait, but Trump said on Friday that Europe will have to get involved to fully open it.

The US is attacking Iranian ships near the Strait of Hormuz that are 'threatening international shipping,' CENTCOM said.

Maher also criticized the US military's lack of knowledge when it comes to drones, as he said: 'They should have [known] from the Ukrainian war... Drones are cheap and they can do a lot of damage.'

In retaliation for joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the Islamic Republic has launched thousands of Shahed drones at military and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region.

Despite America and its allies having access to advanced missile interceptor systems, the primitive drones have struck US bases, five-star hotels and oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE.

Bill Maher has taken several issues with Donald Trump's war in Iran, including the Strait of Hormuz closure and the US' ability to keep up with Iran's drone supply

'You know where we f**ked up? A few places,' Maher said about Trump's attack on Iran

A single Iranian drone can cost as little as $35,000 to produce, while intercepting it can cost anywhere from $500,000 to $4 million.

The strain on the US military is already showing, as Iran is estimated to have around 100,000 drones, with 500 being produced per month.

But Maher's criticism didn't end there. Like Trump, who encouraged Iranian citizens to revolt, Maher had expected an uprising.

'I was hoping,' he told the audience. But he said citizens would struggle to find the tools to defeat the totalitarian regime as 'this is not 1944 in France, where you can have an underground, where you can smuggle in guns.

'These poor people have been living under this horrible fascist theocracy.'

However, Maher did agree with Republican Representative and Trump supporter, Anna Paulina Luna, that the US did the right thing by attacking Iran first.

'I would rather be on the right side and be able to control the outcome of something that I know is gonna happen, regardless,' Luna said.

'I have to agree,' Maher said.

Maher did, however, agree with his guest Representative Anna Paulina Luna that the US was right to strike first

Today, a massive air strike by Israeli-US forces has hit an Iranian airbase

Video footage shows a huge ball of smoke rising above the edge of the city

Paul Begala, a CNN analyst who was also on the panel, disagreed, saying: 'We're not controlling s**t. What are you talking about, control the outcome?'

Today, a massive air strike by Israeli-US forces has hit an Iranian airbase, triggering a huge explosion which blew an ammunition store sky high.

The hit appears to have taken place at the Vahdati Air Base in the western Iranian city of Dezful, in Khuzestan province.

Video footage shows a huge ball of smoke rising above the edge of the city following an explosion.

A second fireball is then seen mushrooming into the sky, followed by a shockwave that sent the person filming ducking for cover.

It comes as Israel's Defense Minister pledged that attacks on Iran would 'significantly increase' in the coming days, and the US said it has hit more than 8,000 military targets since the conflict began.
A previously unknown group has claimed responsibility for a fire at a military plant in Pardubice, Czech Republic, on Friday, saying it targeted the facility due to links between a company based there and the Israeli defense industry, local outlet Denik reports.

The building is managed by LPP Holding, which had previously considered cooperation on drone production with Israeli company Elbit Systems, although this ultimately did not materialize. At the same time, LPP Holding supplies drones to Ukraine.

According to security experts, it is currently impossible to determine who is actually behind the attack.

Former head of the Czech Foreign Intelligence Service Karel Randak said in a comment to the outlet that such arson attacks are not uncommon globally, but nothing similar has previously occurred in the Czech Republic. "I do not remember anything like this ever happening here," he said.

According to Randak, radical pro-Palestinian movements are not widespread in the Czech Republic, and Czech society is largely pro-Israeli.

Former head of Czech military intelligence Andor Sandor said one possible version is a Russian false-flag operation, in which perpetrators attribute their actions to others. "Of course, this cannot be ruled out at all. In the statement, the alleged perpetrators refer to Gaza, which seems somewhat strange to me, as the conflict in Gaza began three years ago in October and is no longer in a hot phase," he said, adding that he does not believe there is "an organized pro-Palestinian movement" in the Czech Republic.

At the same time, Sandor said the Czech Republics largely pro-Israeli stance could be one reason why the local arms facility became a target. "It should also be noted that Prague is a center of Central European Jewry. The stated motives of the alleged perpetrators have a strong anti-Israeli undertone," he added.

Sandor said that if the videos published by the attackers are genuine, the perpetrators wanted to demonstrate that they managed to overcome security measures at the arms plant, and "at this point, anyone could have been behind it."

As reported, the Czech Republic is investigating a nighttime fire at the LPP Holding defense complex in Pardubice as a possible deliberate attack. The incident occurred at a warehouse site and spread to another building. According to firefighters, there were no casualties.

According to the agency, a group protesting against Israeli weapons claimed responsibility for setting fire to a "key production center" of Israeli weapons in Pardubice, saying it aimed to "end its role in the genocide in Gaza." Police initially examined whether the incident was intentional and reviewed public statements about a specific group without naming it, and later security services investigators opened a probe under the Criminal Code on terrorism.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said he would convene a meeting of the state security council in connection with the incident.
US car maker Rivian has revealed its all-new R2 will be available in the UK - but Britons will have to wait two years to get their hands on one.

The American EV maker and automotive tech company - which created the world's first electric pick-up truck, the R1T - has announced its new electric SUVs should reach our roads by 2028.

In keeping with the Rivian brand, which is known for off-road capability, the R2 SUV EV will be made for adventurous lifestyles.

It - officially - will be the first Rivian model to make it this side of the Atlantic, and is expected in mainland Europe in 2027, before arriving here a year later.

It will go up against the Tesla Model Y - Elon Musk's best-selling model - and will start from around $45,000 (currently 34,000).

There will be three versions: Standard, Premium, and Performance. This largely follows the trim set up of the Model Y.

Californian EV maker Rivian is bringing its R2 electric SUV to the UK - marking the brand's first landing on UK shores

The R2 Performance will arrive first and will come with a dual motor all-wheel drive, 647bhp and a 0 to 60mph time of 3.6 seconds.

It will have an estimated range of 330 miles based on the American EPA test, which is stricter than the European WLTP, so expect higher range estimates here.

Usefully, for country dwellers or drivers who like outdoor pursuits, the R2 can tow almost 2,000kg and has a Sand and Snow driving mode.

Inside the Performance R2 is a 15.3-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated seats, heated rear seats and an upcycled birch wood trim.

Launch Edition models will also get Rivian's latest Autonomy+ self-driving tech upgrade for the lifetime of the car, which customers typically have to pay a monthly or yearly subscription for.

The R2 Premium will follow second, and cost $53,990 or around 40,500. The dual motors will produce 450bhp and will accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 4.6 seconds.

It keeps the 330-mile EPA and can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 40 minutes. The interior and other features are largely the same, except for a couple of downgraded driving features.

The R2 is an adventurous SUV that fits the American car makers outdoor spirit. It will start from $45k (34k) and will come with 275-345 miles of range EPA

Inside you'll get features including a 15.3-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated seats, heated rear seats, an upcycled birch wood trim

The R2 Standard will arrive in the US in 2027 and cost from around $45,000 if you get the smaller battery, which can do 275 miles EPA.

The 345-mile larger battery option will cost $48,490 or 36,500. This RWD single motor version will give you 350bhp and a 0 to 60mph in 5.9 seconds.

The entry trims will get the same 15.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver's display, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel and a panoramic roof, amongst other features.

Rivian is also offering handy and adventure-ready features like a rear windscreen which can be lowered for long items like surfboards, and all four windows can also be lowered for a full Cali-cruising experience.

All seats in the R2 can be folded flat to maximise cargo space, giving a total of 2,551 litres and a 147-litre frunk.

Ground clearance is 350mm with an approach angle of 25 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees to make it as capable off-road as is expected of Rivian EVs.

Rivian delivered some 42,247 vehicles in 2025.

This was an 18 per cent decline compared to 2024 sales as a direct result of slowing U.S. electric vehicle demand triggered by changes to policy introduced by President Trump.

Last month, the company said it forecast sales this year to reach 62,000 and 67,000 units.
He's running and, well, he's also running.

Among all the whispered-about 2028 Democratic hopefuls, the two that seem the most inevitable are California's Governor Gavin Newsom, 58, and Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, 52.

Both men have put out books in recent weeks, a telltale sign they're eyeing higher office, with Newsom openly saying he's mulling a White House run.

Democratic sources told the Daily Mail that Newsom seems to be meeting the moment now - the question is whether voters will still want that in two years.

He's a top voice in the anti-Trump movement who gained national respect among Democrats for shepherding through California's Proposition 50 last year - meant to offset the Republican plot to redistrict states in their favor, in hopes of retaining the House of Representatives in the November midterms.

Those close to Shapiro paint the picture of a go-getter who has bipartisan appeal from a must-win place, potentially a savvier general election candidate for the party who rolled the dice on a Democrat from California during the last cycle - and lost all seven swing states.

But Shapiro could struggle getting through a Democratic primary. He lacks name recognition, hasn't fundraised nationally, and is Jewish - running in a party where there's growing animosity toward Israel and broadening support for the Palestinian cause.

'He's never been a partisan flamethrower. He's not interested in those types of explosive moments,' said Matt Vahey, a commissioner in Abington Township, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Among all the whispered-about 2028 Democratic hopefuls, the two that seem the most inevitable are California's Governor Gavin Newsom (left) and Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro (right)

Vahey worked on the Pennsylvania governor's first run for the state House and then stayed on with Shapiro for five years.

But it might pose a problem for the Democrat, as voters love 'some red meat.'

'In the primary, you do have to generate a lot of excitement among the base, and they do like some red meat,' Vahey said. 'That's not usually what he serves up.'

'He wants to do good work, he wants to develop good policy, and he's willing to work with anybody to get that done,' Vahey added.

Shapiro's relationship with Bruce Castor, with whom he served alongside on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, is a testament to that.

Castor is a Republican and even served as President Donald Trump's lead impeachment lawyer during the second impeachment proceedings.

'I've said many times that I thought Josh was the best administrator I'd ever seen,' Castor told the Daily Mail.

Castor said that Shapiro would try to get all the commissioners on the same page.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (left) is pictured in Harrisburg in 2007 while he was representing Montgomery County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is photographed in 2016 as he campaigned for Pennsylvania Attorney General

'And if it required a compromise here or there, he had a very soft manner about him in obtaining a compromise,' Castor noted. 'And sometimes in politics, you can't compromise. I never held it against him and I don't think he ever held it against me.'

Shapiro worked his way up through state government, running first for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2004 and serving in the body until 2012, when he was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, where he worked alongside Castor.

In 2016, he ran for Pennsylvania attorney general and won the election. And then successfully mounted a campaign for governor in 2022.

In his book, Where We Keep the Light, he wrote that the only election he's lost was for class president.

He was looked over by Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee, to be her running mate, choosing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz instead.

Castor suggested Shapiro dodged a bullet.

'When Harris was considering Josh, I'm sure that I'm not the only one of his friends that told him that was a terrible idea,' the Republican said. 'As it turns out, Harris picked the absolute worst person she could have picked and went down in flames.'

Castor added that he also didn't want Shapiro to give Democrats a boost in 2024, as he supported the Republican ticket.

California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) is photographed next to his ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle (left) at an election night party as he election to become the youngest mayor in San Francisco's history

California Governor Gavin Newsom (left) is sworn-in as California governor in 2019 alongside his second wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom (center)

Newsom similarly worked his way up through California offices - getting his start under San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1996.

By 2003, he was elected mayor of the city - at age 36, the youngest mayor ever.

In 2010, he was elected lieutenant governor of California and in 2018 he became governor.

Newsom faced a recall election in 2021, which he successfully defeated.

And in 2022, he was reelected to serve a second term.

It wasn't completely a straight shot for Newsom - who ran for governor in the 2010 cycle as well, but dropped out in October 2009, turning his attention to the lieutenant governor's race instead.

Veteran Democratic campaign operator Garry South, who ran Newsom's campaign that cycle, was still left impressed.

'I've worked for candidates who were Rhodes Scholars and Columbia grads, Stanford grads, I think in terms of sheer raw brain power, Newsom is really the smartest candidate I've ever worked for,' the California-based South told the Daily Mail.

California Governor Gavin Newsom (left) is pictured speaking with President Barack Obama (right) while serving as San Francisco's mayor in 2010

South opined in the Hill newspaper in December - and repeated those points in a phone interview - that he thinks Newsom could be the first Democratic president elected from California.

Until Harris in 2024, the Democrats never even had a nominee from what's considered the bluest state in the country.

'I just think that Trump has changed the whole dynamic,' South explained. 'He's lowered the standards in so many different ways in terms of what people look for in a president.'

'And even in terms of personal scandals, Trump has kind of blown that one out of the water, right?' South added.

While Shapiro met his future wife, Lori, in ninth grade and wrote in his book about his painful attempts to win her back as a freshman in college (they eventually became a couple again as young professionals living in D.C.), Newsom has had a more checkered love life.

He was previously married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, who went on to date Donald Trump Jr. and now serves as the President's ambassador to Greece.

After they announced their split in 2005, Newsom dated CSI: Miami star Sofia Milos - who briefly embroiled him in a Scientology scandal - and a 19-year-old aspiring model named Brittanie Mountz when he was 39.

Even more problematic was his affair with Ruby Rippey Gibney, who was married at the time to Alex Tourk, Newsom's campaign manager and friend.

Former President Bill Clinton (left) stumps for California Governor Gavin Newsom (center) during his bid to be San Francisco Mayor in 2003 alongside ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle (right), who went on to date Donald Trump Jr.

California Governor Gavin Newsom (left), during his tenure as San Francisco mayor, attended President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration alongside California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (right)

Newsom blamed his bad behavior on alcohol, suggesting he would seek treatment - though he never officially went to rehab.

South pointed out several ways that Newsom would have an advantage over Shapiro - from his fundraising prowess, raising more than $100 million from donors across the country for Prop 50, to the mere fact that California's delegation has an outsized influence at the Democratic National Convention, sending nearly 500 delegates to Chicago for the 2024 DNC.

'I don't care if you're talking about Beshear or whether you're talking about Wes Moore or whether you're talking about Shapiro, no other governor who is going to be running in 2028 is going to have that kind of national fundraising list,' South noted.

South also argued that Newsom could have a leg up because he'll be an ex-governor by the time that he runs.

'Whatever happens is not really on his watch and that's a really important thing when you're running,' he said.

He pointed to President Jimmy Carter's 1976 success - for whom South worked - running as an ex-governor, compared to Michael Dukakis' 1988 poor showing, running as a current governor of Massachusetts.

Shapiro will still be in office ahead of 2028 - if he's successfully reelected, which is likely, later this year.

Those in Pennsylvania argued that it would be a benefit for their governor.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (right) is pictured alongside Senator John Fetterman (center) as the two men were campaigning for their respective offices in September 2022

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (center) is photographed with wife Lori (left) at his swearing-in ceremony at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 2023

'He's really focused on his current job,' said Pennsylvania Democratic operative Brit Crampsie. 'He didn't go out on the campaign trail while Pennsylvanians were waiting on money from the state - shows you what kind of politician and leader that Josh Shapiro is.'

Shapiro stalled his reelection announcement until the budget process in Harrisburg was wrapped up.

Newsom, on the other hand, has taken all sorts of trips out-of-state while starting to focus on a national race.

'For Newsom, this has been a full-time occupation for the last year and a half, is to be attacking the administration and furthering his ambition,' observed Steve Mavligio, a Sacramento-based Democratic consultant.

Despite being from California, Mavligio gave props to Shapiro and raised concerns about Newsom.

'I see [Shapiro] being very attentive to what's going on in the state. Very job-focused, very policy-focused. And I don't see him storming around the country for the last two years as Newsom did,' Mavligio told the Daily Mail.

Mavligio also questioned if Newsom's popularity could endure when Trump is no longer on the ballot.

'I think that he's the flavor of the month right now. Because the electorate is demanding that fight, fight, fight, rather than results and policy,' he said. 'Now the problem with that is eventually voters want to know what you can do for them, and on that score I think he's very vulnerable, and I think that's the biggest juxtaposition with Shapiro.'

'Most people view him as a show horse rather than a work horse, I think that's gonna hurt,' Mavligio added.
Everyday Australians are following doomsday preppers' 'wisdom' as the Middle East conflict continues.

From stockpiling months' worth of food and water to installing backyard fallout shelters and purchasing satellite phones, traditional 'survivalists' say rising geopolitical tensions and economic instability are key drivers.

But beyond the billionaire bunker builders, a growing number of Australians are doing something simpler: topping up basic supplies at home.

Survival Supplies Australia general manager Alan Wood said the biggest concern for most Australians isn't geopolitical conflict, but losing access to critical services.

Petrol mania

With petrol prices surging and supplies tightening, one prepper, who did not want to be named, told Daily Mail he has long kept a backup supply of fuel.

'I'm not greedy nor do I support the shenanigans I've seen online with people hoarding ridiculous amounts of petrol,' he said.

'I've kept 60 litres of fuel in reserve for some time now. It's simply a part of my life and no, I don't feel guilty for doing this.

On the Australian Preppers Facebook group, members swap tips and share their preparations

'The majority of those who hoarded toilet paper during Covid are the same dimwits who are buying hundreds of litres of petrol over and beyond the capacity of their fuel tank.

'If you aren't prepped, don't whinge and get green with envy. Rather learn from this and do your best until this current crisis abates.'

Global oil flows have been greatly disrupted after Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about onefifth of the world's oil supply.

The move has already prompted oil prices to surge as high as $2.40/L in metropolitan areas, while parts of regional Australia have run dry.

Prepper network

For others, prepping is as much about community as stockpiles.

John Scarinci, founder of the Australian People's Survival League, wants to build mutualaid groups to support people through major crises.

Survival kits and 'bugout bags' are useful, he said, but longterm survival depends on community.

Workers install an underground bunker for a client built by Hardened Protective Technologies

Inside the underground bunker designed by a company in Western Australia

Mr Scarinci has warned of 'The Marauder Effect' - individuals with weapons and supplies turning on others to survive in the aftermath of a societal collapse - but stresses this is exactly what his organisation works against.

'We don't promote that side of things,' he said.

'We don't promote breaking the law as a prepper. We are not America. We're Australia. It's something to be proud of.'

Underground living

Some Australians are taking their preparations further underground - literally.

Western Australianbased Hardened Protective Technologies director Louis Clarke has built everything from modest backyard shelters to a $100million bunker complex in New Zealand.

'Ultra high net worth families from around the world are looking to buy property and build bunkers in Australia and NZ as their Plan B bolthole,' he said, with the region regarded as one of the safest places in the world in the face of global instability.

Mr Clarke said the bunker industry has become a barometer for public anxiety, with unchecked AI, deepening political polarisation, major tech failures such as Optus, and extreme weather events eroding public faith that governments and institutions can keep people safe.

Survival Supplies Australia general manager Alan Wood (pictured) said orders had doubled since the war in the Middle East began

'The recent flare-up in the Middle East is only one part of the story,' he said.

'Many are feeling that they are on their own, and have to take matters into their own hands to secure their family's safety.

'What does it say about the current state of the "Lucky Country" that so many people - from billionaires to young families - are turning to bunkers and prepping for peace of mind?'

Stocking up

Survival Supplies Australia general manager Alan Wood said orders have doubled since the Middle East conflict escalated on February 28.

'What we're seeing right now is people topping up the basics rather than panic buying - things like water storage and purification, first aid, long-life food, lighting and power but the overall mood is cautious rather than urgent,' he said.

'It's nowhere near Covid levels, when demand was closer to 10 times the usual.'

Mr Wood said the biggest concern for most Australians isn't geopolitical conflict, but losing access to critical services.

Prepper Switch Stephens (pictured) recommended 14 to 30 days of food at home

'People are increasingly conscious that once power is out, you quickly lose refrigeration, internet/mobile charging, EFTPOS/ATMs, and sometimes fuel access,' he said.

'That's the fear that turns "I should probably have a kit into I'm ordering today".'

Mr Wood recommended households keep a basic home-preparedness kit during short disruptions.

A sensible three-day kit includes 4 litres of water per person per day and a way to treat water if supply is disrupted; three days of shelf-stable food; a torch and spare batteries; power bank with charging cables; and a battery radio with a written list of key phone numbers.

He also recommended a proper first-aid kit, a few days of essential medications, sanitiser, basic toiletries, rubbish bags, and cash and key documents including small amounts of cash, copies of important paperwork and spare keys.

Prepper Switch Stephens said preparedness isn't about doomsday.

'It's about removing fragility from your life so that if disruptions happen whether it's fuel shortages, natural disasters, economic pressure, or supply chain issues your household stays calm and functional,' he said.

Why Australians are prepping

University of Wollongong sociology professor Jordan McKenzie said Australian prepper culture is expanding and will likely continue if fuel shortages worsen.

'I don't expect that this will become violent or hostile, though we may see tensions rise among panicked drivers at the petrol station,' he said.

'After Covid, people realised that dramatic supply chain disruptions were possible.

'Now we are seeing people stockpile fuel as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.'

But unlike the heavily armed prepper stereotype in the US, Prof McKenzie said Australian prepping is 'less ideological and political', prioritising food, medicine and energy over weapons.

About 10 per cent of Australians make basic disaster preparations, he estimates, though only a small fraction would qualify as dedicated preppers.

'I'm reluctant to think of even the most extreme preppers as "mad",' he said.

'The reality is that the world is increasingly dangerous and unpredictable. It makes a lot of sense to be prepared.'
A government-funded grocery store run by a nonprofit in Kansas City is suing the city, alleging that rampant crime in the surrounding area was neglected by officials and forced the store to close.

On March 3, the nonprofit Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) and its subsidiary, Midtown Grocers LLC, filed a lengthy civil complaint against Kansas City, which has been compared to the Mad Max movies which offer a terrifying vision of society collapsing into anarchic tribal violence amid resource wars and ecocide.

The filing, viewed by the Daily Mail, explained that CBKC had reached an agreement with the city to address a food desert in a historically redlined neighborhood. The nonprofit would run a grocery store in a city-owned building, which had cost $18 million of public funds to revitalize.

Part of the agreement stated that Kansas City would run the property 'in a first-class' manner, which the lawsuit alleges it did not do. The filing also claimed that Kansas City broke its own laws regarding chronic nuisance conditions.

The lawsuit cited a 'dramatic increase in criminal activity and related safety concerns at the shopping center,' shortly after the nonprofit's grocery store, called Sun Fresh Market, opened in 2022 and was forced to close in August 2025.

The filing said that crime in the area continued to worsen in the following years but was ignored by city officials despite CBKC informing them of the problem.

'The city was keenly aware of the rampant, abhorrent criminal activity that was taking place in and around the shopping center on a regular basis, including during business hours,' the lawsuit alleged.

Some of the criminal activity listed in the civil complaint included possession of weapons, fighting, drug use and drug dealing, prostitution, assaults and shoplifting.

The Sun Fresh Market opened in Kansas City in 2022 and was plagued with problems

Before the Sun Fresh Market closed, images from the interior of the store showed mostly bare shelves

The store closed in August 2025. In the weeks before the closure customers complained of bad smells in the store, empty shelves and expired food

The lawsuit highlighted one occasion of oral sex in the open at a bus stop next to the grocery store, and another time a naked woman ran through the grocery store knocking items off shelves and throwing products around.

A Kansas City spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'The city will vigorously defend its interests in response to these claims.'

The spokesperson also said that the city is searching for a new operator to manage the grocery store in the same location.

The Daily Mail has also reached out to CBKC for comment regarding the nonprofit's lawsuit.

The month before the Sun Fresh Market closed, images from the interior of the store showed mostly bare shelves and coolers as well as empty meat, produce and deli departments.

Shoppers complained of foul odors in the store and said no longer held the fresh items they needed. Customers claimed that shelves had been mostly empty for three months, and some of the few available products appeared to be expired.

'The milk, I am scared to buy some,' shopper Michaelle Randolph told KMBC in July. 'Even the dates, they may have a few days over. I dont want to buy that.'

Shopper Jon Murphy added: 'Its a rancid odor. I think something is dead or somethings gone bad.'

Kansas City has been compared to Mad Max due to crime in the city and chaos such as street-racing gangs that terrorize locals

Kansas City has been compared to the Mad Max movies (pictured) which offer a terrifying vision of society collapsing into anarchic tribal violence amid resource wars and ecocide

Residents at the time also said that criminals around the store had little to fear, as Kansas City has not had its own jail since 2009, and can only access a few dozen detention beds in nearby county lockups.

Indeed, that complaint was reflected in CBKC's lawsuit, which also alleged that the city neglected crime near the Sun Fresh Market because there was no city jail to place offenders.

According to local media, the store received $28,997,400 in taxpayer money through bonds, loans, ordinances and subsidies.

But there was little to show for it, with the store a very poor cousin of privately-run supermarkets nearby whose clean aisles were stuffed with fresh food.

The City of Kansas owns the shopping center where the grocery store is located, after it spent $17 million to buy it and fix it up.

According to The Washington Post, the supermarket lost $885,000 in 2024 and customer numbers plunged to around 4,000 shoppers a week - down from 14,000 a few years ago.
The following is an edited extract of Surviving White Island by Kelsey Waghorn, published by HarperCollins

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

In the middle of the island, there are a couple of streams that wind their way down to Crater Bay. We'd always pause here because it was a good place to make sure the groups were close together after a bit of a walk, and also to discuss the taste of the water.

The two streams tasted very different, as they came from different sources - one very iron-y, one sharp and acidic. I was busy explaining to everyone that they could dip their finger in the water to taste it, and telling them why it tasted the way it did, when suddenly everyone started talking and pointing all at once.

I heard someone say, 'Wow!'

And someone else exclaimed, 'Look at that!'

Then my radio started screaming.

I had my back to the crater.

I turned around.

The moment I saw it, I knew what was happening. The island was erupting.

Kelsey Waghorn was a 25-year-old tour guide and one of 47 people on New Zealand's White Island when it erupted on December 9, 2019. She has written a book about that day and its aftermath. She is pictured IN April 2020 showing some of her injuries

Twenty-two people died and 25 others were injured when White Island erupted (above). The bodies of two of the dead were never recovered

From about this point, for the next two minutes, time slowed down. What I thought happened in the space of about ten to twenty minutes was actually over in 120 seconds.

An enormous black-and-grey plume was rising rapidly above the island - already higher than the peak. It was beautiful, actually, set against the bright blue sky.

Beautiful and awful. And silent.

There was no sonic boom. No earth-rumbling heads-up. No hiss or roar or bang.

The only noise now was the radios blaring something along the lines of 'ERUPTION! TAKE COVER!' and me yelling, 'Everyone, with me! Run!'

My reaction was immediate. My safety training kicked in, and I headed for shelter, running along the track about 10 metres, up through some mounds of boulders, and ducking around to the right to hide behind one.

The absurdity of the whole situation bubbled through like a tiny laugh in my head: 'This feels just like our drills. This is insane.'

Most of the tour group came my way, while some went to the left and hid behind another mound of rocks, still within sight. We were 300 or 400 metres from the main crater.

'I heard someone say, "Wow!;" Waghorn writes of the eruption. 'And someone else exclaimed, "Look at that!"' She is pictured on the day she was discharged from hospital as her legs were beginning to heal

An aerial photograph shows two members of the New Zealand Defence Force taking part in a mission to recover bodies from White Island

My thinking was that, once we'd taken shelter, I'd assess the situation and decide our next move. That was the best-case scenario.

Worst-case scenario? A pyroclastic surge.

There are a few ways pyroclastic surges can happen, but one is when an eruption column collapses.

The column goes shooting up with a huge amount of force - a massive ejection of acid, gases, ash, rock, all that business. That's what the black-and-grey cloud now looming above us and the island was made up of.

But all that heavy stuff just can't keep going up, because gravity.

It begins to collapse, and a massive wave of hot gas and volcanic debris bursts out of the bottom of the column and rolls along the ground - it's denser than air, which causes it to drop and flow rapidly along the ground.

If you've watched a video of this type of eruption, the pyroclastic surge is that huge wave that comes out at the bottom of the plume.

I knew enough about pyroclastic surges to know that, if you saw one coming for you, it was a white-flag moment. The stats were terrible: people usually don't survive being engulfed by one.

'My exposed arms started to feel like they were on fire,' Kesley Waghorn writes in Surviving White Island. A section of her right elbow (above) escaped damage because she kept her hands over her face as long as she could

[Workmate] Jake came running in and joined me behind the mound of rocks. I remember him crouching down right next to me and just saying my name, his voice wavering. I remember saying, 'It's going to be okay.'

Less than a minute had passed, and some people were still running to find shelter, but to me every second stretched out like a lifetime.

I turned and looked at the northern wall, as the main crater was obscured by the mounds of rocks now sheltering my group.

And that's when I saw the pyroclastic surge - our worst-case scenario - rolling along that wall towards us.

A pyroclastic surge is not a slow-moving beast, but as this one bore down on us my mind was in overdrive, and that made it seem to be moving a lot more slowly than it actually was.

In that moment, I felt as though we may as well have still been standing on the main crater's edge, completely exposed. A brief thought crossed my mind, Maybe we can make it farther down the island - somewhere more sheltered.

But, besides Jake, I'd only known the people I was with for a few measly hours. I had no idea of their fitness or agility levels, and it's not smooth terrain out there. It's all rocky and unstable underfoot - not an easy run - and hell, I'm not even a good runner on flat ground.

Ignoring every fibre in my body telling me to run, I stayed still. I kept the group where it was. Seek shelter. Cover yourself. Hold your breath.

'The moment I saw it, I knew what was happening,' Waghorn writes. 'The island was erupting'

That voice echoed in my mind with the same clear, calm firmness it had back when it told me Not now when I was with Lionel on Whale Island. I understand why people believe in God in these moments.

Fear had filled my body as soon as I saw that ashen cloud barrelling down the island. My breathing increased tenfold. My body shook. I knew our odds of survival were basically zero.

In an effort to do something, I put my gas mask and sunglasses on. If there was to be any hope - and it was minimal - I knew I needed to be able to see and to breathe. I pressed that mask and those glasses as hard as I could against my face.

There was no way I could hold my breath. Despite trying to slow my breathing, I couldn't. I was panic-breathing. Hyperventilating. My body and brain knew what was coming. This is how you die.

I thought of my family. Mum was going to be so mad. She had been right: this was dangerous and I should have quit.

I thought of [my then boyfriend] Tom. I thought of [my dog] River, and how I was never again going to pat his soft head while he looked up at me with his big brown eyes. I thought of my dad and my sister.

David knows we're in the streams. At least they'll find our bodies

And then the pyroclastic surge hit us.

'Fear had filled my body as soon as I saw that ashen cloud barrelling down the island,' Waghorn writes. She is pictured recovering from her injuries, including severe burns to her back

Everything went dark.

Initially, it felt like standing on the beach on a really hot, windy day - loose sand and little sticks swirling around.

Hiding behind the mound would hopefully block anything bigger from hitting us, but even though I was squatting behind the rock, curled into a foetal position, the rush of air and gases wrapped around the mound and a deluge of tiny rock fragments kept hitting me.

Quickly, the temperature rose. It got hotter, and hotter, and hotter.

This is how you die

I knew from history, and the kind of volcano White Island is, that these eruptions tend to be short but sharp. I knew the last one had lasted about 90 seconds, and I held onto that:

90 seconds 90 seconds you can hold on for 90 seconds

I want to say it was quiet, but it wasn't. People around me began screaming as their - our - skin began to burn.

This is how you die

Kelsey Waghorn is pictured in hospital recovering from the serious injuries she suffered in the White Island eruption

It felt like being in an oven, and the temperature just kept rising.

90 seconds

My exposed arms started to feel like they were on fire. I fought the urge to start trying to brush it out.

90 seconds keep your hands on your face.

My body began vibrating. Everything in me was screaming at me to drop my hands, swat at my arms, run.

90 secon-

I couldn't bear it any longer. I dropped my left hand from my face and began frantically brushing at the burning of my right forearm. Then I dropped my right hand to start brushing my left forearm. My screams now joining those around me.

This is how you f***ing die

90 sec-

Waghorn (above) tells her story for the first time in Suriviving White Island, from physical rehab for life-threatening burns to her struggles with PTSD

And then everything went still.

And everything went quiet.

The air around me stopped moving, and everything was silent. Even the screams from my group were now reduced to whimpers and quiet crying. I couldn't hear the swell on the rocks.

I couldn't hear the rush of steam escaping the vents. Just the sounds being made by my group, and my own breath heaving through my clogged gas mask.

I didn't move for a moment. Waiting. My eyes were still slammed shut, I was still crouched behind the boulder, and for a couple of seconds I just listened. Was there more to come?

My breathing slowly reduced from whole-torso pumping to more air-grabbing gasps. Tentatively, I pulled down my sunglasses and opened my eyes.

The island was coated in a dull, grey-green ash, and my group - the people I could see around me - were slowly moving, covered with the same ash. I couldn't tell who was who, but I knew that Jake was no longer next to me.

I caught a glimpse of my arms and hands as I lowered my sunglasses, and realised that the burning sensation had been my skin starting to melt? Almost like cooling candle wax, my skin was whitening, blistering and falling off.

White Island, also known as Whakaari, is an active stratovolcano in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty region. The island covers an area of approximately 325 hectares

It's not lava or fire that makes a pyroclastic surge so lethal: it's the extreme heat of the steam and gas, and the combination of toxic gases and acid fluids, and the projectiles that come with it. I didn't know this at the time.

My hands dropped to my thighs and felt for my pockets, where my radio should have been. It wasn't there. Maybe it had fallen out while I was running for cover, or it may even have been directly underneath me. But there was no way I was sifting around in the ash with these hands.

I had no idea if White Island had a Round Two up its shifty little sleeve, but I wasn't planning on sticking around to find out. The fact that we were still alive after passing through a pyroclastic surge was a f***ing miracle, and I wasn't about to waste whatever time we had left tempting fate.

Move. Now.

Decision made, my fight kicked in. I stood up abruptly.

'Get up! We've got to go! Get up!' I shouted at my group.

No one was moving.

'GET UP! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!'

Families of victims killed in the White Island eruption are pictured upon their return from observing a minute's silence near the site, a week after the disaster

Surviving White Island by Kelsey Waghorn, published by HarperCollins, is out now

'We can't we're really hurt' someone in the ash replied.

'SO AM I. GET UP.'

Things weren't moving fast enough for me. I glanced back towards the main crater. It was still sending up a huge column of ash and gas, but it looked like we were in the clear. For now, at least.

I needed to get my group moving. By any means necessary.

'No one is coming for you,' I barked. 'You need to get up.'

I'm going to get in so much trouble for saying this, I remember thinking. Of course they're coming I didn't know it then, but what I'd said would turn out to be true  there would be no official rescue party.

Surviving White Island by Kelsey Waghorn, published by HarperCollins, is out now and available at all good bookshops.
American troops are bracing for the nightmare scenario of Tehran attacking soldiers or civilians with chemical and biological weapons as Donald Trump wages war on Iran, according to sources.

Although conventional missiles and drones remain the top threat, there's another battle tactic that Iran is keeping in its back pocket, and could unleash at any time, experts have told the Daily Mail.

With the US-Iran war grinding into its fourth week, there are reports that it could continue through the summer, as the Pentagon continues to strike targets inside the country and Tehran retaliates.

The regime is in peril after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a strike on the first day of the war, while his son, the successor to the Islamic Republic, is reportedly disfigured and has not been seen publicly for weeks.

Intense bombings this week killed more top leaders, and while Tehran's imminent use of chemical weapons is thought to be unlikely, it is feared it could dramatically escalate the war the closer the regime teeters towards collapse.

Now, experts are warning that Iran's longstanding chemical and biological weapons knowledge could more seriously be deployed against its enemies - and its own people.

US soldiers, at least 13 of whom have already been killed since the start of the conflict, as well as civilians in the Middle East could be directly targeted.

'This is all we worried about,' a former US soldier stationed in the Middle East told the Daily Mail.

'I carried full MOPP [Mission Oriented Protective Posture] gear everywhere, yet there's no mention of it in the media. This is their nuke... and it's totally in the cards right now,' the ex-soldier added.

Airmen war mission-oriented protective posture gear (MOPP) in case of a chemical attack

A simulated battlefield environment with the test players wearing Level 4 Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) protective gear

MOPP gear is a system of protection against chemical agents, ranging from lower coverage to full biohazard suits, masks and gloves depending on how imminent the threat of a chemical attack is. While deployed soldiers always carry some level of protection, full MOPP, or level 4, is rare in a warzone.

'All soldiers are trained to protect themselves against chemical weapons. Military units have dedicated Chemical Bio Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) gear to detect and defend against these threats,' a military official told the Daily Mail.

The use of full protective equipment underscores the US military's concern that chemical and biological weapons pose a real threat to service members.

The soldier said about Sarin nerve agent specifically: 'I've seen people choke on it, it's a gnarly, brutal death, and you can't hide from it - it seeps into everything and through walls.'

The soldier added that the chemical weapons are 'easy to disperse and put on a warhead, artillery, cruise missile, or drone. Easy peasy.'

He noted how service members on base were ordered to carry their CBRN equipment with them 'everywhere' and were trained to put it on within 60 seconds in case of attack.

However, even a relatively contained attack could be highly disruptive, slowing down base operations and necessitating decontamination efforts.

Iran initially developed its chemical weapons program in response to Iraq's growing capabilities under Saddam Hussein in the 1980s.

Since 1997, the CIA assessed that Iranians could put chemical weapons on missiles, Paul Freidrichs, former senior director for global health security and biodefense at the National Security Council, told the Daily Mail.

Leading biodefense expert Professor Gregory Koblentz said Iran 'certainly' has the ability to 'put chemical or biological payloads into standard rockets and bombs.'

'That would not be too hard to do,' he said. 'It might not be super effective or efficient, but that's certainly doable.'

US Central Command Public Affairs shows M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems

The US has destroyed all of its chemical and biological weapons in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. Above are barrels of mustard and blister agents in the Utah desert before their destruction

But should Iran or any other actor fire chemical or biological weapons at a US base in the Gulf, Koblentz believes US casualties would remain limited, given the widespread CBRN training and gear among the ranks.

The US also takes precautions against biological weapons by mandating vaccines for troops.

The picture would be far bleaker for nearby civilians.

A poorly aimed agent-based weapon or a deliberate targeting of civilians would cause 'very significant' casualties, Koblentz stated.

However he added that the odds of the Iranian regime choosing to do so remain 'extremely small' because of the retaliatory actions that would be sure to follow from the US, Israel, and other nearby nations.

'It's a concern, but it's pretty low down compared to all of the havoc they can still wreak on the energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf using traditional missiles,' the professor stated.

'It affirms, again, concerns about Iran having dual-use capabilities that could be used to produce weapons of mass destruction and difficulty verifying that Iran is complying with the international norms to which they are a signatory,' he said.

Open-source intelligence and reporting suggest that Iran never fully resolved, declared or dismantled its chemical weapon pursuits.

Further, recent reporting suggests that Iran is pressing ahead on dual-use pharmaceutical facilities that can produce both Botox and biohazards.

'The key thing that the US alleges that Iran is currently doing is that they're developing what are called pharmaceutical-based agents as chemical weapons,' Koblentz said.

Pharmaceutical-based agents (PBAs) are chemicals that have legitimate medical or veterinary use that can also be engineered as crowd-control weapons used against dissidents or enemy soldiers.

They occupy a chilling middle ground between medicine and warfare.

In 2023, hackers published designs for grenades to release medetomidine, a sedative, that were reportedly designed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Crops by researchers at Imam Hossein University

The hackers also released grenade launcher designs that could deploy the sedative gas

As the Islamic Republic's leadership is killed and the regime appears closer to collapse than ever before, some experts are expressing concern about Iran's long history with chemical weapons and whether it could use them to help country's leaders stay in power

At the lower end of the spectrum are crowd-control agents, irritants that, while not designed to kill, can be devastatingly effective at subduing a population.

'Typically, these are irritants that will cause people's eyes to water and their nose to run, and may cause a sense of choking or feeling like you're having difficulty getting a good breath in,' Friedrichs explained.

'They can be very effective at getting a crowd to disperse, because people are now feeling like they're choking or crying and their nose is running.'

Koblentz noted that Iranian universities have researched how to put PBAs into grenades, a dangerous implication highlighting how such weapons could target civilians.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine hold a briefing amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran

In 2023, hackers published designs for grenades to release medetomidine, a sedative, that were reportedly designed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps by researchers at Imam Hossein University. US officials later confirmed the hack.

'Iranian universities have done research on certain sedatives [and] research on how to weaponize these things, and, for example, put them into grenades that is a military use and therefore would not be allowed under the Chemical Weapons Convention,' Koblentz shared.

One report from the US military academy at West Point noted how there have been efforts in Iran to produce fentanyl-based weapons.

'Iran now appears to have produced fentanyl-based or other types of weaponized PBAs and provided these to partners and proxy groups that may have already used them in several cases in Iraq and Syria,' a 2024 report from West Point's Combating Terrorism Center claims.

The research of fentanyl-based agents represents perhaps the most alarming branch of Iran's alleged PBA program.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid already responsible for mass casualties in the American drug crisis, can be aerosolized and engineered to render victims unconscious or cause respiratory failure at very small doses.

The State Department concluded in 2020 that Iran's PBA research included compounds with dissociation, sedation, and amnestic effects. However, Iran denied the claims, arguing its programs were for defensive or medical purposes.

The PBAs are not city-destroying weapons; instead, they appear tailored for domestic use in the case of mass protests or uprisings.

Though there have been no reports indicating Iran has used PBAs against its own civilians, the research into the agents is 'very concerning,' Koblentz stated.

When it comes to biological weapons, however, the picture is murkier still.

Friedrichs drew a clear distinction between chemical and biological weapons.

'Chemical weapons were literally something created in the lab as a result of a chemical process that can cause harm to the person exposed,' he explained.

'Biological weapons often were things that occurred in nature that can be produced in enough quantities that when humans or other species are exposed to them, they can cause whoever is being exposed to become sick - things like anthrax or smallpox.'

The US has not accused Iran of violating the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), but it has raised concerns about Iran's 'dual use' facilities.

For example, botulinum toxin, one of the most lethal substances in the world, also the active ingredient in Botox, is produced in Iran for its domestic cosmetic industry.

'There are legitimate reasons that [Iran has] facilities and researchers interested in these toxins, and yet the United States also views that as possibly something that could be misused,' Kolbentz said.

Still, the idea that Iran's latent ability to produce such toxins could be ramped up in a wartime scenario, such as the current US-Iran war, remains a persistent concern among US officials.

But questions remain about whether Iran could effectively deploy biological, chemical or pharmaceutical weapons should the Islamic regime want to.

The experts warned that Iran already has ballistic missile capabilities that chemical or biological weapons could be attached to. Though they were unsure of how effective any potential Iranian weapon may be

Iran's Shahed-136 drone has been central to the Islamic Republic's counterattack plans

Friedrichs agreed that the consequences of crossing that line would be severe.

In the near term, the experts expect Iran to remain committed to using its conventional arsenal of drones and missiles to keep on fighting.

But the Iranian government could consider using chemical weapons if the regime fears its total collapse. There's no knowing how far Trump will go before ending his war on Iran.
A 13-year-old New Hampshire boy died by suicide after his aunt said he was bullied as he struggled to cope with the death of his mother.

Josiah Michael Dwinell was on his way home from middle school on the bus on March 12 when it is believed he decided the incessant teasing had become too much.

His aunt, Shaena Stebbins, shared Josiah's story online, saying the boy's grandmother adopted him after his mother, Amber (Lyon) Dwinell, died five years ago.

His grandmother, whom she referred to as Mimi, was 'fighting alongside him for being bullied,' Stebbins said.

But as he was being bullied day in and day out at school and on the bus, Josiah didn't feel he had any support from adults or friends outside of his home.

'His mental health was overlooked, and everyone outside his home said he was seeking attention,' Stebbins continued in a Facebook post.

Josiah went to the hospital multiple times as his mental health declined, to seek help. Stebbins said his Mimi sat beside him the entire time, but it was not enough to save him.

'My nephew decided after a bus ride home that he couldn't handle the bullying anymore and felt the only way to stop it was to jump off a bridge into freezing cold water,' Stebbins said.

Josiah Michael Dwinell died by suicide at just 13 years old after being bullied at school

Josiah's family said the boy did not know how to swim as he plunged into the freezing river

Josiah, who had celebrated his birthday just eight days before his death, did not know how to swim and passed away.

According to a statement released by the town of Alstead, the young teen plunged into the Cold River in Alstead.

'Personnel from multiple agencies responded and worked together with Alstead Fire, ambulance, and police,' read the statement.

'The town would like to recognize the extraordinary courage and dedication shown by the first responders, our mutual aid partners, and members of the public who acted quickly and selflessly in response to this rapidly evolving emergency.'

The tragedy was under investigation by the New Hampshire State Police.

Communications director Tyler Dumont told the Daily Mail: 'Our hearts are with everyone in Alstead mourning this tragic loss, as well as with the first responders who were present at the scene.

'No further information will be released regarding this incident by the New Hampshire State Police.'

Josiah's mom Amber died on January 11, 2021. An obituary said the mother-of-six 'passed away unexpectedly.' An exact cause of death was not given.

Josiah's mother died five years ago. His aunt said he had no support outside of his home to help cope with her death

Police responded after reports of a boy falling into the Cold River in Alstead (file photo)

The obituary read that Amber 'could brighten up the darkest of days with her brilliant personality and humor.'

Josiah's family asked their community to share images of a teal and purple ribbon with his name on it.

The image, which reads 'you are never alone,' represents suicide awareness.

His tragic death prompted an outpouring of love from the community.

Brie Call commented that she's known Josiah since he was a baby and knew his mother well.

'He was a sweetheart,' she said. 'We are totally DEVASTATED.'

Fall Mountain Regional School District, which encompasses Alstead, posted a statement on social media mourning the loss of Josiah.

'The Fall Mountain Regional School District is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of one of our students within the Alstead community,' it read.

The Fall Mountain Regional School District and Vilas Middle School issued statements of support to Josiah's family

The boy's family circulated an image of a teal and purple ribbon for suicide awareness

'Our thoughts are with the students family, friends, classmates, and staff during this incredibly difficult time.'

The school district made counseling available to all students and staff and encouraged parents to reach out if they had concerns about their child's mental well-being.

The family started a GoFundMe to help with Josiah's funeral and medical expenses.

According to the fundraising page, Josiah was an 'amazing brother, son, nephew and all-around young man who meant so much to everyone who knew him.

'Josiah brought light and joy to our lives, and his absence leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. We are heartbroken and still trying to process this tragedy, but we want to honor his memory and give him the farewell he deserves.'

The family asked for a humble $6,500 to deal with the tragic loss. Their community has already donated more than $23,000.

A candlelight vigil is being held in his honor on March 29.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Fall Mountain Regional School District for further comment.

If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.
Perched on a rugged peninsula overlooking the Atlantic and nestled in moorland, the parish of Pendeen is an example of unspoilt Cornwall at its best.

But the peace and quiet of this isolated community was shattered when the local vicar found himself at the centre of unwanted attention from a married parishioner which this week landed her in court.

A judge heard how exasperated Reverend Karsten Wedgewood ended up kicking 62-year-old Kay Carpenter while attempting to shoo her out of his home after he said she had subjected him to years of harassment.

Truro Crown Court heard Carpenter came to his home in June 2024 despite already being warned not to contact him.

The clergyman told how his diocese was compelled to install CCTV so that any further intimidation on my doorstep could be recorded.

Carpenter, a trained teacher, was due to face trial at the court this week accused of obstructing or assaulting a clergyman in a place of worship following an incident in March 2024 at St John the Baptist Church in Pendeen.

But after the prosecution offered no evidence, Recorder Christopher Quinlan KC held a hearing to explore whether to impose a restraining order on Carpenter instead.

On Thursday, the judge said he was satisfied that the facts of the case amount to harassment and imposed a restraining order banning Carpenter from any contact with Rev Wedgewood, from going to his home or any of the three churches in the Pendeen area which he is in charge of.

Recorder Quinlan said Carpenters two year campaign had been 'relentless, remorseless and repeated' and left the vicar breathing a sigh of relief whenever she failed to attend his services.

Reverend Karsten Wedgewood was left 'exasperated' by his experience with Kay Carpenter, Truro Crown Court heard

Kay Carpenter's two year campaign had been 'relentless, remorseless and repeated', the judge added

The restraining order will run for seven years and if breached, could see Carpenter face up to five years in jail.

She was formally found not guilty of the charge she faced, with the restraining order imposed on acquittal.

During the hearing, Rev Wedgewood told how Carpenter came to his home in June 2024, after she had already been told not to contact him or go to his house.

He said he gave her the opportunity to leave as she stood in his doorway, then used his foot to move her back.

Rev Wedgewood told Recorder Quinlan: I used my foot and made contact with her stomach or hip area, the middle of her body.

He said he did this so he could shut the door saying it was 'a very stressful situation'.

The priest, who has served as the local police chaplain, said there had been years and years of problems with Carpenter which only stopped when she was bailed earlier that year.

The priest said he had been subjected to a cycle of contact from Carpenter which caused him anxiety.

Rev Wedgewood said in evidence: 'I suppose we were going round in circles and not getting anywhere. She would write to apologise, frequent emails, and eventually an outburst, an apology or silence, and we went round like this.

It was clear these conversations were going in endless circles. I did not want to prevent her from worshipping. But I didn't want to talk to her. Come to worship but not involved any further than that.

Her constant emails arriving in the middle of the night lead to his heart sinking, he said.

Rev Wedgewood said Carpenter wanted to get more involved in the church but wanted to be an officer which the priest could not sanction as that was down to Parochial Church Council to authorise.

He suggested she volunteer making coffee, cakes or cleaning as a way of getting to know people in the church but said she felt this was beneath her.

He said Carpenter, of Trewellard, Pendeen, Cornwall, could not barge herself into an official position and claimed she became very angry when she thought she was the subject of a sermon he delivered on mediation.

The vicar said Carpenter became very angry when she thought she was the subject of a sermon he delivered on mediation

He told the court she would find any excuse to make an appointment to see him, despite him having 5,000 other parishioners to take care of.

Rev Wedgewood said since the bail conditions were imposed on Carpenter his life had changed in a good way, adding: I just want to get on with my job and my life.

Carpenter did not dispute sending the vicar emails and letters and visiting him on four occasions.

She told the court: I should have ceased the communication. He was very angry with me on two occasions.

He left me in a flood of tears in the church once. I never wanted a leadership role. I wanted to be a lay reader. I was not a threat.

She said it wasn't just the bail conditions that stopped her from contacting Rev Wedgewood.

She told the court she had been trying to build bridges, adding: He is a vicar, a Christian person.

Carpenter went on: I wanted no further contact when he kicked me.

But Rev Wedgewood said Carpenters behaviour and attitudes' were inappropriate and added: It was nothing to do with whether I liked her or not. She did not have the skills or mental stability for any office as such.

Urging the judge to impose a restraining order, prosecutor Ian Graham said there would otherwise be a clear risk of future harassment against Rev Wedgewood by Carpenter, who had previously ignored the warnings and advice given to her.

Sophie Johns, representing Carpenter, said the vicar and Carpenter are 'clearly different personalities'.

She said that since being on bail in June 2024, Carpenter had not been in contact with the priest.

Recorder Quinlan said of her conduct: It was relentless, remorseless and repeated, if not constant, it felt like it.

'She did not desist in her contact by letters, emails, going to his house when told not to.

Imposing the restraining order, Recorder Quinlan said Carpenters conduct had both alarmed and caused Rev Wedgewood distress.

He said without this order her behaviour would likely continue and she would not leave him alone.

The judge said the vicar came across as 'considered, thoughtful and at times exasperated' at his experience over the years with Carpenter. The clergyman believed Carpenter was obsessed with him, the judge said.

He said Carpenter, who attended court with her husband, Colin, felt 'wronged and frustrated' by what she saw as unfair and unjust treatment by the priest.

Pendeen lies on the Penwith peninsula in west Cornwall in a moorland setting steeped in mining heritage.

St John the Baptist Church was designed by local priest and engineer Robert Aitken in the 19th century and built using local granite.
A church-going grandmother has been left 'bankrupt and destitute' after a row over how she parked her Ford Focus with her neighbour - ending with her losing her home.

Retired primary school teacher Marie Potter, 75, revealed how she was evicted from her semi-detached home in a leafy south London suburb after falling out with next door neighbour Kirsten McGowan, 65.

The pair were at loggerheads over the way Mrs Potter parked her blue Ford hatchback outside her property, which had been her home for 25 years and was once worth more than 600,000.

Mrs Potter claims she was the victim of a campaign of intimidation after divorcee Mrs McGowan's youngest son Martin passed his driving test and complained he wasn't able to manoeuvre around her vehicle to park his car in the garage, which was at the bottom of a shared driveway between their homes.

Mrs Potter - a devout Roman Catholic who has dedicated her life to the church - claims the feud began eight years ago when she alleges she was assaulted on her driveway by her neighbour's son.

Charges were dropped and she was later accused of harassing her neighbour in a civil case over rights of access.

A bitter legal wrangle followed which astonishingly ended in Mrs McGowan - who was formerly married to a police officer and has worked as a receptionist at Bromley Police Station - taking control of Mrs Potter's home.

The impoverished pensioner has been left with debts of nearly 200,000 - which she says are rising with each day - over the six-year battle in the courts.

Retired primary school teacher Marie Potter, 75, told how she was evicted from her semi-detached home in a leafy south London suburb after running up a huge legal bill in a row with her neighbour over how she parked her Ford Focus

Mrs Potter claims that at first she got on well with her neighbour Kirsten McGowan, 65, but eventually things changed when divorced Mrs McGowan's youngest son Martin passed his driving test - and complained he wasn't able to manoeuvre around her Ford Focus

Mrs Potter bought her former home in Croydon, south London for 130,000 when Mrs McGowan was already living there. The women were neighbours for 25 years. Their properties share a driveway which leads to their own garages. Each neighbour had rights of access over the other's part of the driveway, although Mrs Potter claims there was no need for that

Mrs Potter claims the feud began eight years ago over how she parked her hatchback when she alleges she was assaulted on her driveway by her neighbour's son. Charges were dropped and she was later accused of harassing her neighbour in a civil case over rights of access

Speaking for the first time of the ordeal after losing her latest case at the High Court last week she told the Daily Mail: 'I never wanted a war with my neighbour - but all the way along the line they have been vicious and vindictive.

'It's beyond my comprehension how somebody could be so vicious. It's pure evil.

'To be allowed to take over a house worth 600,000 in this way is just ridiculous.

'I don't understand how the law has worked in such a way that has enabled her to do this.

'There must be something wrong with a system that allows one neighbour to take control of another neighbour's house, and their life, over a parking dispute.'

She added: 'This has been about throwing an old lady out on the streets - and nobody cares.

'It's escalated and escalated because I haven't had the wherewithal to fight it.

'The way things stand now I'm destitute. I'm actually bankrupt and destitute.'

Mother-of-three Mrs Potter told how she would be living on the streets if it hadn't been for the kindness of friends and fellow members of the church-going community.

For the past two years she has been living rent free at the home of a fellow worshipper while 650 of her 900 monthly pension goes towards the costs of storing her belongings which were imposed upon her during proceedings.

She said: 'I haven't got much time left.

'I've got skin cancer, my blood pressure is shot and I can't tolerate the tablets. I'm really unwell. This has taken a real toll on my health.

'I don't know how I've got through it. I've been tempted at times just to drive my car into a tree and be done with it all.

'If it wasn't for my faith and my friends I think I would have done that by now.

'What's happened to my life seems surreal. Even if I had been parking awkwardly, do you think I deserve all this?'

Mrs Potter, who has three grandchildren, told how she and the McGowans had been next door neighbours since 1998 when she moved into her three-bedroom 1930's home in Shirley, near Croydon.

She bought the property for 136,000 in 1998 after divorcing her accountant husband Francis who has since died.

The two properties share a driveway which leads to their own garages. Each neighbour had rights of access over the other's part of the driveway, although Mrs Potter insists that was not necessary as there was plenty of room to avoid doing so.

Mrs Potter told how she drove a Ford Mondeo estate when she moved in while her neighbour had a 'great big' Ford Galaxy people carrier and there had never been any major problems between them.

Indeed, it appears that for many years, Mrs Potter, who has three daughters, and Mrs McGowan, who has three sons, managed to get along together.

Mrs Potter lived quietly, devoting much of her time attending to religious matters and would, on a daily basis, attend nearby St Mark's Roman Catholic Church - where she is a safeguarding officer and sacristan.

But she told how her life was plunged into a nightmare after Martin passed his driving test and bought a silver Toyota.

She told how her neighbour would appear outside the property when she parked her car while monitoring the situation on powerful CCTV cameras which had been installed outside the McGowans' home.

Matters finally boiled over in March 2018 when police were called to the scene after Mrs Potter alleged she was assaulted by the neighbour's son after he had stood behind her as she tried to drive off.

The two women - Mrs McGowan (left) and Mrs Potter (right) - ended up taking their neighbour dispute case to Bromley County Court in August 2020. Mrs Potter was ordered to pay 70,000 in costs and damages when the debt was charged to her home - but the money was never paid

Mrs Potter told the Daily Mail that the issue about the way she parked her car arose during the winter when she would leave it at the front of her drive, but then at night would move it down the drive to protect it from frost. This angered her neighbour's son who couldn't drive around it, she said

Matters boiled over in March 2018 when police were called to the scene after Mrs Potter alleged she was assaulted by the neighbour's son after he stood behind her as she tried to drive off

Join the discussion Whats the worst neighbour dispute youve ever experienced?

She said: 'I don't like arguments. I don't like conflict. I'd much rather keep out of the way but the son had an issue with me parking in the driveway next to the house.

'I always parked the car in front of my house which wasn't a problem for him but at night I would move it down the side in winter because it was more sheltered there and didn't get so frozen up.

'The problem seems to be that he can't drive and he said he couldn't get past to put his car in the garage.

'Nobody else has had a problem getting round my car. My brother has backed up his car, my daughter has done it, my grandson got past easily when he was a learner driver.

'One of the police officers who came down said he "couldn't park a gnat on an aircraft carrier".

'I tried to be understanding. I said: "If you want me to move the car, if you've got an issue, I don't mind - no problem."

'For me it's not worth a row - you agree, you compromise, you discuss but he was aggressive.

'Instead of just saying, "Look, I find it difficult Mrs Potter could you just move your car?" like all the other neighbours do - all this happens.

'Then on one occasion I was trying to get out and he just stood behind the car. He was smoking. He pushed me, blew smoke at me and spat at me.

'As I fled into the house I fell over and tripped and banged my head.

'I called out for help hoping that the neighbours were around but there was nobody there.

'I had to dial 999 to call an ambulance and the police came.

'He was arrested for assault but when it got to court he produced a witness who apparently said it was all my fault so he got off. I never knew who the witness was.

'I thought that would be the end of it. I didn't want the hassle. The police were called out, I'd made my point and I hoped that he would leave me alone.

'I have always believed that there's no point having arguments. If you can sort it all out then that's what you do.

'The police said I was perfectly entitled to park on my side of the driveway but if I parked outside the front door they cannot argue with that and from that point on that's what I did.'

Mrs Potter said she thought that was the end of the matter, but claims her neighbours raised the stakes by filing a civil case against her accusing her of harassment and blocking access to their driveway.

To make matters worse she insists she was not made aware of the proceedings and claims a judgment was made against her without her knowledge.

It is unclear exactly what Mrs Potter knew about the proceedings.

She did not inform her friends or family about the case, and relatives now believe Mrs Potter may have not appreciated the gravity of the situation and had 'buried her head in the sand like an ostrich' - hoping it would all go away.

Official documents show that a hearing took place at Bromley County Court in August 2020.

Mrs Potter was ordered to pay Mrs McGowan 30,452.95 damages, plus 27,000 costs - but the money was never paid. The amount due to Mrs McGowan continues to rise as interest accrues and more costs are incurred.

Giving her version of events, Mrs Potter said: 'There was a case brought against me which I didn't know anything about where I was accused of harassment and blocking their access.

'This was during lockdown. There was a case in August when I was away.

'There should never have been a case. I didn't know there was a hearing taking place and I still don't know if they actually went to court and presented the documents.

While Mrs Potter's original legal fees debt was 70,000, that has now doubled leaving her 150,000 out of pocket. She has paid around 20,000 in storage fees while she estimates that the value of her property has fallen by 100,000 because it has fallen into disrepair

'I received paperwork that didn't look like official documents. I phoned the court to try and check but they knew nothing about it. I thought it was a scam.

'I did get a letter saying stop parking in the drive and stop harassing - well, I wasn't.

'After that I parked at the front of my house, kept right out of the way and just ignored them.

'I didn't want to let them intimidate me but when people were walking past I would ask them to stand there and protect me while I backed in. That was my life.'

Mrs Potter maintains that she was convinced there had been no genuine case against her - even when she returned home late one evening in June 2022 and found the locks had been changed.

An eviction notice had been pinned to the front door saying bailiffs had taken possession of the property but she said it 'didn't appear real' as it had been crudely written by hand on a torn out page from a notebook.

She said: 'I thought they can't evict you from your own home - it's a scam. That's how it appeared with this scrappy little piece of paper.

'It was late at night and I couldn't get in the house.

'I was freezing cold. I collapsed - I couldn't stop shaking.

'I thought it was a break-in and called the police. They helped me get into the house.

'The police came in with me and took me upstairs. The shower curtain had been pulled down. They had thrown things all over the floor.

'All my drawers were pulled out and my knickers were all thrown everywhere - it was horrible.'

Mrs Potter was allowed to remain in the house until the following April when a warrant of possession was issued at another court hearing and Mrs Potter was evicted.

Her brother Tony Goodall stepped in with 10,000 to fund a lawyer so Mrs Potter would have legal representation for the first time, but as the judgment debt remained unpaid the court ordered for the sale and possession of the property.

Eight months later, in December 2023, the neighbour organised for Mrs Potter's furniture and possessions to be removed and put into storage at Mrs Potter's expense.

While Mrs Potter's original debt was 70,000, that has now more than doubled leaving her 150,000 out of pocket by the legal actions.

She has paid around 20,000 in storage fees while the value of her property has dramatically plunged.

After losing her bid to win back the house last week, Judge David Halpern KC described the case as 'yet another cautionary tale about the financial consequences of neighbour disputes for those without deep pockets'.

A major bone of contention for Mrs Potter is that her property remains unsold and she claims her neighbour has breached her own court order, by making no attempt to sell it.

Mrs Potter told how she had decided to sell up in 2020 and had put the house on the market.

She said she was poised to buy a bungalow but the sale fell through because of the legal wrangle.

Mrs Potter said: 'I had hoped to resolve the situation by selling the property and paying the debt but I have not been allowed to do that.

'I had a buyer for mine. It was all going through.

'I just wanted to sell it and get rid of it but they evicted me two days before the buyer was coming back and they wouldn't let him in.

'They told my agent to take the board down and stop selling it.

'That would have worked out OK and I would have been able to pay the debt.

'They're in control of everything and whatever I try to do to solve it, she says no.

'They have never had it on the market. They have taken control of the house but they have never attempted to sell it.

'It shouldn't have been left up to her to decide whether she wants to sell it or not. Now we're in a situation where people are being asked to buy a house because the neighbour has had the owner chucked out.

'What new buyer is going to buy that house knowing they are going to have to live next door to a neighbour like that? I certainly wouldn't.

'There should have been an independent receiver appointed to sell the house. If that had happened we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now.

'If I was that bad a neighbour you would have thought they would be glad to get rid of me. Now, three years on, we've got nowhere.

'Since then the house has deteriorated. That summer, there was a leak coming from the tank at the top which was going onto the kitchen roof which fell in.

'The house has literally been rotting for three years to the point where now they reckon it's worth 450,000 if we're lucky to sell it but it was valued at 540,000 three months after I left - so it's dropped more than 100,000 since then.'

Speaking of the impact the ordeal has had on her life, Mrs Potter said: 'I've lived in terror. In some ways it's a relief to be out of there.

'It was only when I got away that I realised how frightened I was permanently.

'Without church help I would have had nowhere to live when I was evicted. I was put up in different places for the first six months until I moved to where I am now in July 2023.

'I was paying 400-a-month rent but by April the following year I could no longer afford it and I have been allowed to live here rent free.

'If it wasn't for the people from the church I would be on the street.'

Younger brother Mr Goodall, 74, said: 'I really do believe there has been an injustice here.

'If this was happening to other people I would be thinking how crazy it is that you can lose your house over an incident where you are blocking a driveway.

'Fundamentally there is something wrong here somewhere. I can't imagine why a neighbour would want to take a fellow neighbour to court over this issue.

Mrs Potter - a devout Roman Catholic who has dedicated her life to the church - told the Daily Mail: 'I never wanted a war with my neighbour - but all the way along the line they have been vicious and vindictive. It's beyond my comprehension how somebody could be so vicious.'

'This has gone through the whole legal system. The legal system seems to be accepting it.

'The problem now is, who owns the house? The house hasn't been looked after, it's been through a bad winter. It's suffering damage and who is going to pay for the damage? The whole thing is a square peg in a round hole.'

Mrs McGowan and her son Martin declined to comment.
A 31-year-old Alaska woman froze to death after a 911 operator allegedly failed to send help for more than an hour despite desperate calls describing her shaking in subfreezing temperatures.

The shocking allegations are contained in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by her family.

Alecia Ai Lindsay died on February 8, 2024, after spending hours wandering Anchorage, Alaska in wintry conditions before collapsing outside a home.

Nearly two years later, her family is suing the Municipality of Anchorage, claiming a dispatcher's failure to recognize a medical emergency with the delay contributing directly to her death.

At the heart of the case is a chilling sequence of events laid out in police logs, court filings and investigative records that describe a woman visibly deteriorating in the cold, multiple warnings to 911, and a system that did not respond until it was too late.

By 6:34am on February 8, Lindsay was outside a home on East 10th Avenue.

According to Anchorage police call logs, Lindsay was knocking on a door, sitting on the ground near a garage, disoriented and largely unable to speak.

It was at that point a resident called 911. The dispatcher told the caller officers would be sent and advised them to call back if anything changed.

Alecia Ai Lindsay, 31, died of hypothermia on February 8, 2024, after being found outside in Anchorage

A resident first called 911 at 6:34am on the morning of her death reporting a disoriented woman sitting on the ground and unable to speak

Weather conditions on the morning of February 8, 2024 ranged from about 17 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit with snow on the ground

But according to those same logs, no police or medical units were dispatched for more than an hour.

Temperatures that morning ranged between 17 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit as snow blanketed the ground.

What happened next is now the central focus of the lawsuit.

Roughly 30 minutes after the first call, the resident phoned 911 again.

This time, according to the complaint and police records, the situation had worsened.

The woman outside was 'feeling overwhelmed,' crawling on the ground and struggling to communicate.

The caller's spouse told the dispatcher she was 'shaking extremely because it was cold.'

The lawsuit argues those words should have triggered immediate medical intervention.

Call logs show no police or medical units were dispatched for more than an hour after the initial call

A second 911 call reported Lindsay was crawling, overwhelmed, and 'shaking extremely because it was cold.' She is pictured with her estranged husband Matthew Lindsay

Instead, the dispatcher continued treating the call as a lower-priority disturbance.

According to the complaint, the operator focused on whether the callers were safe, whether they knew the woman, and whether they could remain separated from her until help arrived.

The dispatcher told them assistance would come 'as soon as we can.'

According to call logs as seen by WKYT, the situation remained classified as a Priority 3 disturbance - not a medical emergency.

Internal dispatch records then show long gaps with no recorded activity.

More than an hour after the initial call, at 7:36am, police rather than paramedics were finally sent.

When an officer arrived at 7:46am, the scene had become dire.

The officer reported finding Lindsay lying on ice, inadequately dressed for the weather, drifting in and out of consciousness and flailing her arms.

Only then, at 7:54am, was an ambulance requested with Code Red priority.

By that point, roughly 80 minutes had passed since the first 911 call.

Emergency medical services arrived at 8:05am. Five minutes later, Lindsay was lifted from the ground.

Surveillance footage showed Lindsay wandering outside overnight in freezing conditions, at times without a coat

The medical examiner ruled her cause of death as hypothermia due to cold environmental exposure. Pictured, Alecia is seen alongside her former husband, Matthew

Just two minutes after that, body-camera audio transcripts show that she stopped breathing.

At 9:38am she was pronounced dead at Providence Hospital. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as hypothermia due to environmental exposure.

In the days before her death, records show Lindsay had been in distress for some time.

She arrived at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport appearing exhausted, emotional and without a phone on the day before she died.

Police body-camera footage shows her telling officers she had 'been up all night' and had experienced 'a string of bad things.'

Officers noted concerns she might be experiencing a mental health crisis but did not detain her or refer her for evaluation and she was driven home.

Later that day, she appeared at a neighbor's door with a suitcase and was largely non-verbal, communicating through gestures that she wanted a ride back to the airport.

The neighbor told investigators Lindsay seemed unlike herself and was tearful, disoriented and unable to respond normally.

A driver later told police he picked her up near the airport and was alarmed by her condition.

She was wearing a skirt in freezing temperatures, barely speaking and fanning her face. After dropping her downtown, he called 911 out of concern for her safety.

Police responded to that call but could not find her.

Earlier calls to 911 were made the day before reporting concern for her safety, but police did not find her

Lindsay's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February 2026 alleging the delay in dispatch directly caused her death

Through the night, surveillance footage captured Lindsay wandering Anchorage streets in the cold - eventually without a coat.

By dawn, she was at the door on East 10th Avenue.

The lawsuit filed by Lindsay's family alleges negligence by the dispatcher, Anchorage police and the city's emergency communications system.

It claims the failure to properly assess the situation and to send timely medical help cost Lindsay her life, but the case may hinge on a narrow legal question.

Alaska law grants government agencies immunity from lawsuits involving 'discretionary functions' - decisions that involve judgment, even if that judgment is flawed.

In its response filed earlier this month on March 10, the Municipality of Anchorage invoked that statute as a potential bar to the entire case.

The city admitted key facts, including the timing of the 911 calls, the delayed dispatch and Lindsay's cause of death.

But on the critical issue of what the dispatcher heard and how it should have been interpreted, the city declined to elaborate, stating repeatedly that 'the 911 call transcript speaks for itself.'

The case remains under investigation by Anchorage police, with the department's homicide unit assigned, though officials have not classified it as a criminal case.

The municipality has denied all allegations of negligence and argued that any harm was not its responsibility.

Surveillance footage showed Lindsay wandering Anchorage streets overnight in subfreezing temperatures

Lindsay's family contends the dispatcher's actions were not a matter of judgment but a failure to follow basic protocol - specifically, to recognize signs of hypothermia and escalate the call accordingly.

Investigators also uncovered mounting pressures in Lindsay's life in the months before her death, including financial strain and a contentious legal dispute with her parents over her grandmother's estate.

Although the dispute was settled in late 2023, records show Lindsay was behind on rent and had borrowed money from others.

Police described her apartment as filled with notebooks containing largely illegible writing, suggesting possible mental distress.

Her ex-husband told police she had become estranged from her family.

But none of those factors, her family argues, explain why a woman visibly freezing in Alaska winter conditions did not receive immediate help.
Soldiers of the 14th Army Corps have raised the Ukrainian national flag in the village of Pokrovka in Sumy region, refuting claims by Russian propaganda that the settlement had allegedly been captured.

"Pokrovka is almost completely destroyed, but it has not been surrendered. The flag raised by our fighters over the ruins is not just a symbol, it is proof that the 14th Army Corps maintains tight fire control over the settlement. This is our land," the 14th Army Corps said on Facebook on Saturday.

On maps used by the General Staff of Ukraine, the OSINT project DeepState, and the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Pokrovka lies directly on the line of contact. According to DeepState and ISW maps, most of the village is in a contested zone, while its eastern outskirts are shown as controlled by occupying forces. Pokrovka is located about one kilometer from the state border with Russia.
Gerry Adams's repeated denial of his leadership role within the IRA during The Troubles actually hurts the cause he claims to champion, award-winning journalist John Lee has argued after the civil case against him was withdrawn on its final day.

Adams, 77, has spent the last two weeks at the Royal Courts of Justice in London defending a lawsuit brought by three men wounded in IRA bomb attacks in 1973 and 1996. John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock sought a ruling that the former leader of Sinn Fein was directly responsible for the attacks.

On Friday, the three claimants dramatically withdrew their case with no order as to costs. During the trial, the court heard from former IRA members, British Army Intelligence officers and journalists who all accused Adams of being a senior IRA member.

Speaking to the Trial podcast, Lee, Executive Editor of the Irish Daily Mail, said it is 'more than common knowledge' that Adams was a member of the Provisional IRA and his refusal to admit it damages the credibility of Sinn Fein.

Gerry Adams's repeated denial of his leadership role within the IRA during The Troubles actually hurts the cause he claims to champion, award-winning journalist John Lee has argued

Subscribe to The Crime Desk to listen to this podcast. A subscription includes ad-free listening, early access to new shows and bonus episodes

The Provisional IRA was an Irish republican paramilitary organisation that waged a three-decade terror campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland, killing around 1,700 people during the conflict known as the Troubles.

'Adams exists to justify what I believe is unjustifiable', Lee argued.

'His whole political career has been based around justifying the savagery that went on in Northern Ireland and the UK.

'Neither Adams nor Sinn Fein have ever made a statement saying: all that went on in Northern Ireland was wrong, and we agree it was wrong.

'That may sound like a small, innocuous thing but it would be massive for them. Until they do that, Sinn Fein as a party will not progress in the Republic of Ireland and Adams's long-held dream of achieving power here will not happen.

'I was a young person in Ireland during the Troubles, I know it was all a savage, misguided campaign that frankly, could have achieved what it wanted to achieve through peaceful means.

'If Adams goes on in the fashion he has for years, I do not believe it helps the political movement he has given his life to.'

Lee has covered Sinn Fein for three decades. He hosted the Mail's award-winning podcast series From Bomb to Ballot: The History of Sinn Fein, where he explored the turbulent history of the party that Gerry Adams led for 34 years.

Gerry Adams taking part in a Republican march in West Belfast in 1971

He pointed out that Sinn Fein was a banned organisation until 1974, and questioned what Adams was doing between 1969 and the mid-1970s if not involved with the IRA, the only active republican organisation at the time.

Lee emphasised that Adams could have had the bombing case struck out at any point but chose to let it run its course, suggesting that on some level the veteran republican relishes the attention and the opportunity to assert the legitimacy of his cause.

Adams arrived each morning smartly dressed, wearing a sprig of shamrock in his lapel, giving a thumbs up to supporters waving Irish flags outside the court, and on his first day in the witness box wished the judge a very happy St Patrick's Day.

'If I know the man like I think I do, I think he enjoyed the whole process', Lee said.

'With all the accusations against him, I have never seen Gerry Adams lose his cool in a way many other politicians have.

'He wants you to know he knows who you are writing about.'

Adams has denied IRA membership for over forty years. In a statement following the withdrawal, Adams said he welcomed the decision and that the case should 'never have been brought'.

Listen to the Daily Mail's Glen Keogh and John Lee break down the withdrawal of the IRA bombing case by subscribing to The Crime Desk for unlimited access to the Trial Plus podcast.
Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is still clinging to his royal styling - with removal boxes stamped 'HRH' delivered to his new home on the Sandringham estate today, despite being stripped of the title in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

Hundreds of boxes arrived at five-bedroom Marsh Farm in Norfolk - many clearly labelled 'HRH office', 'HRH sitting room' and even 'HRH meeting room', suggesting the former duke continues to use the honorific behind closed doors.

The haul, transported by royal-approved removals firm Gander & White, included clothes, antiques and books - some marked fragile - as the shamed royal completes his forced relocation.

Among the items spotted was a copy of My Life on Mars by Colin Pillinger, detailing the ill-fated Beagle 2 mission.

The delivery came via two large vans on Friday morning, following the arrival of four lorries earlier in the week, as workmen raced to finish renovations at the secluded property.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is currently holed up nearby at Wood Farm, where he has kept out of sight since returning from a police station following his arrest on February 19.

He is staying at nearby Wood Farm after his arrest last month over the Epstein files and claims of misconduct in public office when he was a UK trade envoy.

Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is still clinging to his royal styling - with removal boxes stamped 'HRH' delivered to his new home on the Sandringham estate

Hundreds of boxes arrived at five-bedroom Marsh Farm in Norfolk - many clearly labelled 'HRH office'

Among the items spotted was a copy of My Life on Mars by Colin Pillinger, detailing the ill-fated Beagle 2 mission

The move to Marsh Farm follows his eviction from Royal Lodge in Windsor by his brother, Charles, with the Norfolk bolthole hastily upgraded in recent days.

Security fencing, CCTV, broadband and Sky TV have all been installed, alongside new flooring, carpets and extensive decorating, with further work carried out on the grounds.

Gander & White, which has the slogan 'custodians of the irreplaceable,' specialises in transporting fine art and counts the National Portrait Gallery among its prestigious clients.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces explosive allegations that he shared sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as special representative for international trade and investment.

He is now effectively confined indoors under orders from the King, with sources claiming his daily routine has shrunk to little more than tea and Abernethy biscuits each morning.

Until the tumultuous events of the past few weeks days, Andrew, 66, was alleged to have been contemplating fleeing to either Bahrain or Abu Dhabi where he could still expect the warmest of welcomes and enjoy hugely lucrative financial connections.

He is now effectively confined indoors under orders from the King, with sources claiming his daily routine has shrunk to little more than tea and Abernethy biscuits each morning

The removal lorries from Gander & White, which has a Royal Warrant, arrived at five-bedroom property on the Sandringham estate earlier this week

Marsh Farm is now surrounded by new fences and other security such as CCTV ahead of Andrew's move

And the Daily Mail was told exclusively by a royal source that his early morning arrest last month came following an urgent tip-off to a senior courtier that 'Andrew was getting his passport ready for a midnight flit' and might be about to hoof it to the Middle East on a private jet, most likely to Bahrain which does not have a formal extradition treaty with the UK.

But with bombs and missiles falling across the region daily, any lingering hopes of reinventing himself among the Arab elite appear to have gone up in multiple puffs of smoke.

The US-Israel war against Iran also looks set to affect the movements of his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their daughters, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, who have all built connections in the region.

'This is a huge blow to all of them,' a close family friend told the Daily Mail. 'There is no way any of them are going to go to the Gulf and Middle East region for a long time to come. It is far too dangerous for them, just as it is for everybody else.'
Taxpayers spent more than 800,000 on the trip by Ed Miliband and his massive team to the UN climate summit.

New figures have revealed that 73 delegates from the UK's net zero department attended COP30 in Brazil last autumn, led by Labours Energy Secretary.

Their plane travel alone cost the public 210,450, with 6,091 more spent on carbon credits to offset the emissions produced during the flights.

And they spent a staggering 600,740 renting private apartments during the two-week conference because prices had been hiked in host city Belem, along with 1,660 on hotel rooms.

Another 28,025 was spent on miscellaneous expenses by the delegation but the total cost will be higher as 13 of them have not yet put their claims in.

As the Mail revealed last year, Mr Miliband made two trips to Brazil for COP30 - at the start and end of the summit - and was spotted dining at a luxury restaurant at the top of the five-star Tivoli hotel in Belem.

Sir Keir Starmer and his team from No 10 also went on a whistlestop trip to the summit, the costs of which have not yet been published.

It will add to anger at Mr Miliband, who has refused to help ease Britains sky-high energy costs  now rocketing still further as a result of the war in the Middle East  by allowing new drilling for oil and gas under the North Sea.

The COP30 summit was also branded a waste of time and money by some as it was boycotted by leaders from three of the worlds biggest emitters  the US, China and India  while the final text did not mention a commitment to phase out fossil fuels.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Prince William during the World Leaders Summit at COP30 in Brazil in November 2025

Even Mr Miliband admitted afterwards it is true that Britain wanted more from this COP, including a roadmap for the transition to renewable energy, but this didnt happen because some countries would not agree'.

He described the experience of attending the summit in the Amazon rainforest as sweaty, maddening, sleepless.

Callum McGoldrick, investigations campaign manager at the TaxPayers Alliance who obtained the costs under the Freedom of Information Act, said: Hard-pressed taxpayers will be utterly furious to see a whole brigade of bureaucrats flown to Brazil at their expense.

Forking out more than 600,000 just to put them up in private apartments is a staggering waste of public money. The fact that this eye-watering bill is still climbing as more expenses are claimed just adds insult to injury.

The Government should stop sending so many civil servants jet-setting around the globe to lecture the rest of us on emissions, especially when the cost is so high.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said: Ed Miliband has been jacking up the cost of a family holiday with new flight taxes whilst his team rack up huge bills flying around the world to lecture us all about climate change. The hypocrisy of the Net Zero cult knows no limits.

Sources insisted that the UK took a smaller delegation to Brazil than to previous COP summits to reduce spending.

Ed Miliband was spotted enjoying dinner at the five-star Tivoli hotel in Belem during COP30

The Government also secured private sponsorship to cover the cost of the UK pavilion and Delegation Office at the event.

A spokesman for Mr Milibands Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: The UK delegation at COP30 was crucial in driving forward a historic roadmap with 80+ countries to transition away from fossil fuels, boosting energy and climate security for the British people.

We make no apologies for ministers and officials travelling around the country and abroad, fighting for investment, jobs, energy security and action on the climate crisis for Britain.

The figures published today do not cover the whole cost of the UKs involvement at COP30, however.

In total the official register of delegates published by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which organises the annual summits, shows that more than 200 were registered to attend from the UK.

As well as Mr Miliband, the list included his junior minister Katie White and environment minister Mary Creagh.

Among other MPs who attended were Dame Emily Thornberry who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, former development minister Anneliese Dodds and Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee Toby Perkins.

There were also more than 50 policy officials for various Whitehall departments, senior figures from ministerial private offices and diplomatic staff from the British embassy in capital Brasilia.

Also on the list was UK Special Representative for Climate Rachel Kyte, who was pictured dining with Mr Miliband during the summit.

It emerged last year that she had been on more than a dozen flights, most of them business class, since taking up her role despite admitting her carbon footprint was a source of deep discomfort.

And the net zero departments ministers have flown more than six times round the world since taking office with Mr Miliband personally clocking up more than 50,000 air miles on nine trips.
A former Tampa-area pastor and his once high-flying academic wife, hailed for her work as a Fulbright scholar studying drug addiction, have been exposed as the masterminds behind a sprawling, years-long power-tool theft ring.

Prosecutors say the scheme raked in more than $2 million, exploiting vulnerable people as the pair hid the proceeds behind an online storefront.

Robert Dell, 59, a former Pinellas County pastor, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while his wife, Jaclyn Dell, 41, received a 21-month sentence after a jury convicted the couple of running a sophisticated organized retail theft operation that targeted Home Depot stores across several Florida counties.

The case, which unfolded over nearly a decade, revealed what prosecutors described as a relentless, almost daily scheme.

Power tools were stolen from store shelves and taken to a home in St. Petersburg before being placed onto eBay under the account name 'Anointed Liquidator,' where the couple turned illicit goods into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Authorities said the operation ran from 2015 through 2023 and spanned at least seven counties.

Investigators alleged the couple ultimately generated more than $2 million in proceeds although earlier estimates tied to the broader investigation suggested losses could be even higher.

At the center of the scheme was a striking and deeply unsettling contradiction.

Former Florida pastor Robert Dell was sentenced to 30 years for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar Home Depot theft ring

His wife, Jaclyn Dell, a Fulbright scholar, was sentenced to 21 months for her role in the same scheme

Prosecutors said the couple earned more than $2 million reselling stolen power tools on eBay

Robert Dell had once held a position of trust as a pastor and leader in addiction recovery circles.

His wife, Jaclyn Dell, built her resume rooted in academic excellence earning a master's degree in psychology, interning at prestigious institutions, directing a lab at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, and traveling to the United Kingdom as a Fulbright scholar to study the neuroscience of addiction.

In her own words, written before the criminal case unraveled, she described a mission to 'understand the nature of addiction' and improve treatment strategies through research.

But prosecutors painted a starkly different reality inside the Dells' home.

According to court records and testimony, two individuals the couple met through an addiction recovery program, Jessica Wild, 34, and Daniel Mace, 38, became central to the theft operation.

The pair admitted to stealing thousands of dollars' worth of tools from multiple Home Depot stores each day, often visiting four or five locations in a single run.

In a May 2024 deposition, Mace described the routine in blunt terms, telling lawyers he and Wild would get high on oxycodone before carrying out the thefts.

'I was kind of getting scared towards the end. I wanted to quit it altogether,' Mace said. 'I just had a nice, long run, you know? All good things must come to an end eventually.'

Jaclyn Dell, convicted in January of conspiracy to commit racketeering tied to an organized retail theft scheme in St. Petersburg, arrives for her sentencing hearing on Friday, March, 13

Pastor Robert Dell, 59, along with his wife led an addiction recovery program at The Rock Church, where Dell was once a pastor

The Rock Church, where Dell once served, later distanced itself from him, stating it had been more than two years since he worked there. The church is now listed as permanently closed

Prosecutors argued the couple exploited individuals from an addiction recovery program to fuel the scheme

That end came in August 2023, when authorities arrested the group and dismantled what Florida officials described as a major organized retail crime ring.

Wild and Mace later pleaded guilty. She was sentenced to 21 months in prison, while he received a 10-year sentence, with court records noting his prior theft history as a factor in the longer jail term.

Prosecutors said the stolen merchandise was delivered nightly to the Dells' home, where it was sorted, packaged and shipped for resale. Robert Dell's mother, Karen Dell, 74, was also accused of helping process the goods and faced a charge of dealing in stolen property.

The broader investigation drew sharp condemnation from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who announced the arrests as part of the state's Organized Retail Crime Exchange task force.

'This pastor clearly skipped over the commandment - thou shall not steal,' Moody said at the time, describing the operation as one that stole millions of dollars' worth of merchandise and resold it online.

Investigators said the scheme relied not just on theft but on manipulation, alleging how Robert Dell used his roles as a pastor and addiction recovery leader to recruit and pressure vulnerable individuals into participating.

Robert Dell, pictured after his arrest in 2023 as the theft ring collapsed

Dell worked with his wife, Jaclyn, and 72-year-old mother, Karen Hurley Dell, to operate the retail ring, the Fed said when the trio were first arrested

Daniel Mace and Jessica Wild were also arrested. The pair said stole most of the goods, which included high-priced power tools, before bringing them back to the Dells to sell

The pair would hit about five to six stores a day, before delivering the tools to Dell (seen here) to be resold online, feds said

At trial and sentencing, the question of Jaclyn Dell's role became a focal point.

Standing before Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Joseph Bulone in March, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, she insisted she had not known the products were stolen.

'My husband had a business and asked me (for) favors, and I had no reason to not trust him,' she said.

She also spoke about her personal struggles, telling the court she had previously battled addiction, had been sober for 13 years, and later relapsed.

'I've taken these five weeks to open my eyes not just to this case but to my life,' she said. 'I realize this is not the life that I want. This is not who I am, and this is not who I want to be.'

Her defense attorney, Lee Pearlman, argued she was, in some respects, another victimsuggesting her substance use left her vulnerable and influenced by her husband.

But state prosecutors forcefully rejected that narrative.

Robert Dell, 59, a former Pinellas County pastor, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while his wife, Jaclyn Dell, 41, received a 21-month sentence

Jaclyn Dell and husband Robert are seen in photos from her Facebook page

Statewide prosecutor Paul Dontenville pressed her on her involvement, asking whether she had participated in the enterprise before traveling overseas. She acknowledged that she had.

'They chose to exploit those individuals; they chose to profit from those individuals,' Dontenville said. 'She plays her role as a co-conspirator very well.'

The judge ultimately sided with the prosecution's view that the crimes were sustained and deliberate.

While acknowledging the operation was not isolated, occurring 'almost every day for years', he imposed sentences below the maximum allowed under Florida guidelines, which could have reached up to 150 years for Robert Dell and 30 years for his wife.

The Rock Church, where Dell once served, later distanced itself from him, stating it had been more than two years since he worked there.

The church is now listed as permanently closed.
The man responsible for introducing the President and First Lady is being accused of using his close ties to the White House to get his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son deported.

The New York Times reported on Friday that Paolo Zampolli, 56, the modeling agent credited with bringing First Lady Melania Trump stateside, allegedly reached out to a top official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement last June and asked if his ex-girlfriend could be put in ICE detention.

Zampolli, who serves as Trump's special representative for global partnerships, hoped that it could help him get his son back, the newspaper said.

'At no time did I request any favors from my colleagues,' Zampolli insisted to the Daily Mail Friday afternoon. 'My inquiries were solely aimed at understanding the situation, and any advice I sought was strictly in relation to my son's safety.'

He added that he also didn't report his ex, Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, to immigration authorities to begin with.

Ungaro is connected to the Epstein scandal, having flown on the pedophile's plane, known as the Lolita Express, as a teenager.

The model also previously served as Grenada's ambassador to the United Nations.

She met Zampolli as a 17-year-old, when the modeling scout was 32.

Paolo Zampolli (center) poses in photographs with his Brazilian model ex-girlfriend Amanda Ungaro (far left and right) who has been deported to Brazil after facing fraud charges in the United States

Paolo Zampolli (left) is photographed with his ex-girlfriend Amanda Ungaro (right) at an event in 2016. The New York Times reported Friday that Zampolli reached out to a top official at ICE and asked if Ungaro could be put in ICE detention, a claim he denies

The relationship would last two decades, with the couple now the parents of 16-year-old son. Their relationship broke down in 2023, and she left him and moved to Brazil and married a doctor.

Zampolli also told the Daily Mail that their son is now in his custody.

Ungaro was in a Miami jail after being arrested in June 2025 on fraud charges related to the activities at the Med Spa where she was employed. She plead not guilty.

The Times report said that Zampolli reached out to immigration official David Venturella. He then called ICE's Miami office to ensure that Ungaro would be picked up by ICE agents before she was released on bail.

Venturella said the case was important to someone with close ties to the White House, the newspaper said.

In September, after weeks in ICE custody, Ungaro asked an immigration judge to deport her back to Brazil. She believed that if she stayed in ICE jail for any longer, she would lose custody of her son.

Their son asked to move to Brazil with her in November - which Zampolli agreed to. But by the end of 2025, their son decided to move back to the United States.

Zampolli also denied to the Times that Ungaro's deportation was due to favoritism, a sentiment echoed in a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

'Any suggestion that she was arrested and removed for political reasons or favors is FALSE,' the statement to the Times read.

She had already been flagged for ICE detention, according to people familiar with the situation talking to the Times.

Amanda Ungaro (left) and Paolo Zampolli (right) photographed in 2017. Ungaro's deportation has come under scrutiny after a New York Times story claimed that Zampolli was behind her ICE detention, which he denies

The explanation DHS gave was that Ungaro was in the US on a visa that had expired in 2019, and had been charged with a crime.

A spokesman for Melania Trump told the Times that the first lady 'has no knowledge of, nor involvement in, the personal affairs of Mr. Zampolli and Ms. Ungaro.'

Ungaro told the newspaper 'it's devastating that they could have affected what happened to me,' regarding the allegation that her former partner had got involved in her ICE case.

The Daily Mail has made efforts to contact Ungaro, but has been able to do so, as of the date of this article.
A housemaster at a 36k-a-year boarding school has been banned from the classroom after kissing a pupil and telling her I feel love at a level Ive never felt before.

Benjamin Phelps (pictured) messaged a pupil at his school that 'there is not a single other thought in my brain, not one other than you'

Benjamin Phelps, 31, was working as a performing arts technician and deputy housemaster at Bedes Senior School in Hailsham, East Sussex, when he began privately messaging the pupil in November 2023.

A Teaching Regulation Agency panel found that his messages - sent late at night and in the early hours - became increasingly personal over a period of months, with Phelps telling the pupil I love you and wish you sweet dreams and love you more every day.

In one WhatsApp message, Phelps told the pupil that a photograph she had sent him had left him feeling turned on and that he wanted to grab you and pick you up and have you wrapped around me.

Yet in messages to the pupil, Phelps wrote that he felt love, like pure love at a level Im not sure Ive felt before and that there was not a single other thought in my brain, not one other than you.

The panel found Phelps had kissed the pupil on the cheek and exchanged hugs with her on a number of occasions - and when she kissed him in February 2024, he kept it from the school.

It was the pupils mother who eventually alerted the school in March 2024, triggering Phelpss suspension and his dismissal the following month.

Phelps was a housemaster at Bede's school in Sussex, a top boarding school with fees of up to 17,525 per term

In one Google chat message sent to the pupil, Phelps wrote: A hot feeling went through me, from front to back, I shook slightly (bit weird but true), then I had this warm glow and I cant stop staring at it.

'I feel love, like pure love at a level Im not sure Ive felt before. This one feels special. (Im so sorry for this but you want the truth) it properly turned me on.

'I just want to grab you and pick you up and have you wrapped around me. Also (less crass now!) I feel like there is not a single other thought in my brain, not one other than you.

In another he warned her: 'Maybe delete this chat too in case they look through your phone.'

Phelps pursued a relationship with the pupil after having a phone call with her in October, sending her messages filled with emojis and kisses, writing written notes and planning secret meet ups during the school day in the months following.

The messages read: 'You have such a beautiful mind though, its so pure and genuine, Ive always said that and 'massive hugs on the pillow.

In one instance, Phelps wrote on a napkin to the pupil: Just to say.. I (heart symbol) with all my (heart symbol), xxxx, missed you today.'

Other times, he encouraged the student to bunk off, messaging her: Fair! Want to sneak off together for some lunch? X.

After moving to WhatsApp, a banned means of communication at the boarding school, the panel found the communications 'became increasingly personal' and Phelps and the pupil 'undertook other activities such as spending more time together outside of lesson time and exchanging photographs'.

The WhatsApp messages included one from Phelps stating: 'Hope youve had a good night, Im falling asleep with my phone in my hand. I love you and wish you sweet dream!! Contact me about anything xxxxxx.'

Another read: 'Love you more every day. My heart fluttered every time you caught my eye x also, I love the hearts! Just ready them theyll stay close to me xx.'

Phelps also planned their meet ups away from the eyes of other teachers, as he wrote in one message: Ok, Ive been thinking about tomorrow and I think we should go to [REDACTED] and get a [REDACTED] and eat in the car.

In November, the pupil disclosed a matter to Phelps which should have prompted him to then begin safeguarding procedures - but he failed to do so. He also failed to disclose that the pupil had 'kissed him'.

The panel also found Phelps failed to follow 'a direct instruction to discontinue contact with pupils' during his suspension, answering a phone call with the pupil while he had been struck off.

The panel also found among the allegations that Phelps had entered pupils' rooms and 'allowed the door to close'.

Benjamin Phelps was banned from teaching and was found proven of serious misconduct and failure in his duty of safeguarding.

Bede's School in Hailsham, Sussex, is a top independent school with boarding and day students aged 13-18, and full boarding fees per term of 17,525.
Before the US and Israel launched a blizzard of missile and bombing strikes on Iran three weeks ago, the Strait of Hormuz was among the busiest stretches of water in the world.

No wider than the English Channel, this deep-water bottleneck between the United Arab Emirates and Iran was plied by 140 ships every day before February 28. Since then, just 90 vessels have come through, mostly heading for China.

If the US cannot keep the route open, in the face of Iranian counter-attacks, even that trickle of exports will dry up. Not only is this crippling the economies of countries north of the Strait, such as Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, but it is depriving the whole world of oil and gas.

Overland transport is impossible on any scale. The pipelines do not exist and any convoy of tankers would be prey to Iranian drone strikes. On Thursday, Iran hit the terminus of the only trans-Saudi Arabian pipeline at the Red Sea port of Yanbu, triggering Riyadhs threat to enter the war.

Its foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said: This pressure from Iran will backfire politically and morally, and certainly we reserve the right to take military actions if deemed necessary.

Saudi Arabia is the worlds biggest oil exporter and if its trade routes are blocked, the consequences could be dire for the global economy.

So can the West keep the Strait open? If so, how? And, with Riyadh now breaking from the largely neutral ranks of its Gulf neighbours, which other countries with vital interests in the region are willing to help the US? And who is giving Trump the cold shoulder?

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Saudi Arabia: Will help

Like the other Gulf States, Saudi Arabia had hoped to keep out of direct conflict with Iran, though it hosts important US bases (and a British anti-missile force). But on Thursday, Iran struck both the Saudi capital and its oil terminal on the Red Sea at Yanbu.

This has dashed Saudi hopes that while its Gulf ports were shut down it could still export oil safely from its west coast.

In response, its foreign minister raised the spectre of Saudi military retaliation. The desert kingdoms air force in particular is formidable, including an impressive fleet of American F-15s.

Last May, Riyadh signed a 105billion arms deal with the White House, touted by Donald Trump as the largest defence sales agreement in history.

As the leading Sunni state in the region, it could try to rally the likes of Egypt and Iraq to its cause, but its overtures to Pakistan have so far been resisted.

The two Sunni countries have a pact, but Islamabad is concerned that any intervention against Iran will inflame its own Shiite minority.

Denmark: Will help

Roughly 20 per cent of the worlds shipping containers are handled by the Danish company Maersk, which accounts for nearly a quarter of the countrys exports and 15 per cent of its GDP.

Currently, it has ships stranded on both sides of the Hormuz Strait, some unable to reach the open sea and others blocked from coming in to dock.

If Maersk cant function, neither can the Danish economy, including its generous welfare state. The impact would be felt globally, as Maersk employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and operates more than 700 ships, with annual revenue in excess of 33billion. Quite simply, Maersk cannot be allowed to fail.

Little wonder that Copenhagen is calling for an EU-wide response to the Hormuz crisis, despite the blocs opposition to Donald Trumps actions.

We must face the world as it is, not as we want it to be, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said earlier this week, urging the EU to keep an open mind on its contribution.

Despite a major fallout with the US last year over Trumps demands to acquire Greenland, the Danes will have to swallow their pride if they are to offer support to keep the Strait open.

Their navy boasts ten vessels capable of locating and destroying mines.

No wider than the English Channel , this deep-water bottleneck between the United Arab Emirates and Iran was plied by 140 ships every day before February 28

Argentina: Will help

Although its navy has no minesweepers, Argentina has pledged to send ships to the Gulf.

The countrys maverick president, Javier Milei, is currying favour with Washington, possibly with one specific purpose: to win Americas reciprocal support if Argentina renews its claim to the Falkland Islands.

One of Trumps leading overseas supporters, Marc Zell, a lawyer based in Jerusalem, has urged the US president to reward Milei: In light of the UKs cowardly refusal to support the US in the Persian Gulf conflict, I think it only appropriate for the Trump administration to consider reversing US policy on the Falklands and support the Argentinian claim.

Romania: Will help

Its small navy concentrates on defending its Black Sea coast, but Romanian president Nicusor Dan might be willing to spare ships for the Gulf. He has already offered help to the US by allowing access to the countrys airbases for refuelling planes and as a base of operations for surveillance.

Romanian air defences against potential Russian missile attacks are reliant on a US-developed ballistic missile system, Aegis Ashore, set up a decade ago.

UK: Might help

Donald Trump has repeatedly castigated Sir Keir Starmer for failing to send warships. But the UKs naval capacity is so severely depleted that our minesweeper HMS Middleton was retired from the Gulf in January.

Last night, the Government allowed US forces to use British bases for offensive operations to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition, the UK could provide interceptor drones, like those that have successfully blocked Iranian-made Russian drones launched against Ukraine.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said last weekend: There are a range of things that we can do, including autonomous mine-hunting equipment. And thats something were obviously looking at.

While HMS Middleton departed the region, the UK does have autonomous mine-hunting assets that can operate from its Bahrain naval base. They include the Sweep system, which uses an un-crewed surface vessel, and SeaCat, a pair of autonomous surface vessels with three sets of underwater vehicles that can seek out mines but cannot disable them.

Last nights new commitment diverged from a joint statement issued on Thursday with France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan that was so blandly non-committal, it said practically nothing: We express our readiness to contribute...We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.

Finland: Might help

At a meeting in London last Tuesday, Finnish president Alexander Stubb was asked whether Europe might offer help to the US military in exchange for more American assistance against Russia in Ukraine. I think its actually a really good idea, he said. Ill talk about it with my colleagues.

France: Won't help

President Emmanuel Macron told his Cabinet on Tuesday: We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context.

French finance minister Roland Lescure was more circumspect: We are willing to do something to free the Strait of Hormuz, provided that this is not a war situation any more. Nobody wants to go across the Strait of Hormuz if theres a risk of missiles or drones going on your head. We need the conflict to de-escalate.

Prior to these comments, Mr Trump claimed he rated French support as eight out of 10, and added: But its France. We dont expect perfect. I think hes going to help.

Germany: Won't help

This war has nothing to do with Nato. Its not Natos war, declared an emphatic spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz this week.

Nato is a defensive alliance, he said pointedly, implying that the US and Israel were not threatened by Iran prior to the war.

But the German standpoint might crumble if soaring oil prices mean European drivers decide this is the moment to ditch the internal combustion engine and switch to electric vehicles (EVs).

That could be the death knell for the German car industry. Despite billions of euros poured into developing EVs, Mercedes, Audi and VW are lagging far behind Chinese innovation, especially in the budget hatchback market.

Italy: Won't help

PM Giorgia Meloni has been one of Trumps fiercest European supporters, but the war in Iran is unpopular with the Italian public and she faces an election next year.

Her defence minister Guido Crosetto declared this week that it was not our war and that Italy would not be sending military assistance to the Gulf.

The words echoed the EUs defence chief Kaja Kallas, who said: This is not Europes war, but Europes interests are directly at stake.

Japan: Won't help

Meeting PM Sanae Takaichi in the White House on Thursday, Trump said he expected Japan to step up. But Takaichi has surprised Trump by her reluctance to render military aid to the US.

Japans chief concern is the dual threat of China and North Korea, and it needs guarantees from America that its interests much closer to home will be protected before it gets involved in the Gulf.

Takaichi was willing, though, to deliver tanker-loads of flattery: I firmly believe, she said, that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.

Russia: Pro-Iran

Russia does not need to import oil or gas but Vladimir Putin sees advantage in stirring trouble in the West by stoking the war. The Kremlin is providing Iran with intelligence and satellite imagery.

Join the discussion Should Western nations risk deeper conflict to protect global oil supplies, or prioritize peace instead?

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China: Pro-Iran

Beijing is feeling the pinch. Their tankers are still transporting a million barrels of oil a day from Iran, but thats a shortfall of about 40 per cent from pre-war levels of 1.7million daily.

Always cautious in their domestic policies, the Chinese are also stockpiling as much as they can in case the Strait shuts down altogether. That means not only that Chinese consumers are going short, but that exports to neighbours are drying up.

Requests from Vietnam, for example, for aviation fuel are being refused. And in the would-be independent island of Taiwan fuel is running low.

Pakistan: Pro-Iran

The Lorax, a supertanker registered in Pakistan, was given safe passage by Iran last Wednesday, en route to Karachi. That suggests Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif has struck a deal. However, Pakistan  like its ally and sponsor, China  will be paying heavily for the privilege of going through Hormuz.

India: At the mercy of Iran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in an impossible position. India has stronger links to the West and Israel than almost any other Asian country.

But its population of 1.48billion people, greater even than Chinas, is heavily reliant on cheap crops, even more than it needs oil.

That means it needs vast quantities of man-made fertiliser, manufactured using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Consisting chiefly of propane and butane, this is a by-product of crude oil refining, and Iran is its chief source.

Without LPG, India will face a catastrophic food crisis. And it is not the only country: famine on a scale not seen since the 1980s could affect many African nations if fertiliser supplies dry up. It is this unforeseen consequence that could turn out to be the most devastating effect of war with Iran.

South Korea and Taiwan: At the mercy of Iran

Another major by-product from Irans oil refineries is helium.

This gas is vital in the production of semi-conductors  a huge export of Taiwan and South Korea, and the basis of all modern electronic devices, including smartphones and computer chips.

To ensure their delicate circuits are produced in sterile conditions, they are manufactured in chambers filled with helium. The gas is also used as a coolant. Without it, a worldwide shortage of semi-conductors would wreak chaos, and leave the economies of Taiwan and South Korea in tatters.

In addition, both countries have been badly hit by fuel shortages and price rises.

Their belligerent neighbours, North Korea and China, might choose this moment of weakness to strike.

Israel: The nightmare scenario

As the war escalates, fears are growing that it could go nuclear. Iran and Russia have claimed that an Israeli missile landed close to the nuclear power station of Bushehr in the south of the Islamic Republic.

It is not known if there were casualties, but the plant is partly staffed by Russian technicians who control the plutonium rods. Israel has its own nuclear power station at Dimona in the Negev desert.

Iran could strike that, causing a Chernobyl-type disaster in the small and heavily populated country. It might even have the capability to explode a dirty bomb above Tel Aviv, using nuclear pollutants.

Blast damage would probably be slight but the radioactive fallout would cause panic about long-term illness. Israel, which has its own nuclear missiles, would undoubtedly retaliate.

Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute in Oxford.
Aussies are finding creative ways to save on petrol amid what experts are calling the largest oil supply disruption in global history.

The growing conflict in the Middle East has seen fuel prices surge by 39 per cent in the past month, according to the NSW Government's FuelCheck website.

It's a staggering 17 cents above the 12-week average, prompting Aussies to share their top tips on saving at the bowser.

Here, the Daily Mail has compiled some of the most popular tricks.

The 7-Eleven hack

Several Aussies have shared how they use the 7-Eleven strategy to save cash.

The My 7/Eleven app has a feature that allows users to lock in the price of fuel, with the servo giant honouring up to 25cents of the cost.

A Reddit user shared a photo of a receipt from a 7-Eleven in Victoria showing a $3 discount on a 50-litre diesel fill-up.

One Aussie shared his fuel receipt showing a $3 saving using the 7-Eleven app

They managed to shave a little off their bill using fuel perks in the Wilson Parking app.

The Wilson discount is a good back-up if your 7-Eleven is already the cheapest around and renders your price lock redundant.

Once you have downloaded the parking company's app, simply activate the fuel discount voucher in the 'Perks' section.

Costco hack

Aussie woman Tash shared a clever Costco hack in a TikTok video.

She said anyone who lives near a Costco should sign up for a membership to take advantage of its cheaper fuel.

'I normally fill up with (unleaded) 91 and my cheapest local was $2.15. I filled up a full tank yesterday and fuel was $1.98,' she said.

Tash also urged drivers to download FuelMap Australia, which lists real-time prices of service stations in your area and beyond.

Avoid using the air conditioner while driving at slower speeds

Aussies are looking for ways to save on fuel amid the conflict in the Middle East

Change your driving style

Making an effort to drive smoothly can help reduce fuel use.

Constant speeding up and slowing down burns more fuel because you brake more often and then have to accelerate again.

'Heavy throttle use and excessive acceleration are a guaranteed way of using fuel,' Royal Automobile Club of Victoria's Andrea Matthews said.

She also suggested using cruise control, if available, as it helps maintain a steady speed with less braking and accelerating.

Make sure tyres are inflated and properly aligned

Properly inflated and maintained tyres help reduce fuel consumption.

Tyres that are under-inflated increase rolling resistance, and can increase fuel consumption by two per cent, according to the NRMA.

Tyres that are properly inflated also last longer.

'Under-inflated tyres will wear earlier on the edges, contributing to engine wear and higher fuel consumption,' Ms Matthews said.

'Getting a regular wheel alignment check (once a year) will ensure your tyres last as long as possible.'

Removing items you don't need while driving will help reduce fuel consumption

Reduce weight by removing roof racks and other heavy items

Simply clearing unnecessary items from your car and boot can help you save fuel.

According to the NRMA, a car that is loaded to its maximum weight can increase fuel consumption by a massive 24 per cent.

Removing roof racks is recommended, as they increase drag and make the car less aerodynamic, which in turn boosts fuel consumption.

Use your air conditioner less

When you're not driving at high speeds, turn off the air conditioner and roll the windows down to save fuel around suburban streets.

But this strategy isn't recommended on the highway, as open windows increase drag and resistance.

If you need to use the air conditioner, Ms Matthews suggested using recirculate mode to reduce fuel consumption.

'That way, you're cooling the same air from inside repeatedly for less money, instead of drawing in hot air from outside,' she said.

Roof racks create drag which uses up more fuel

Other fuelsaving hacks include carpooling with neighbours, working from home one day a week, using pedalassisted ebikes for short trips, and swapping one weekly journey for public transport.

It comes as thousands of Australians call for a mandated right to work from home amid soaring fuel prices.

Up to 82 per cent of fulltime workers want employers to be required to offer workfromhome arrangements wherever possible, according to Green.com.au.

The findings come as Anthony Albanese scrambles to contain the growing crisis, establishing an emergency fuelsupply 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.
A senior Conservative who sparked a row over a mass Muslim public prayer event will not be investigated for breaking House of Commons rules.

Nick Timothy has been informed he will not be probed by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards despite 30 MPs and peers calling for an investigation, the Daily Mail understands.

Kemi Badenoch stood by her shadow justice secretary after the Prime Minister on Wednesday called for the Tory leader to sack him over comments about the event in Trafalgar Square.

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also rowed in behind Mr Timothy and called for a ban on all mass religious observances at historic British sites.

But the Government last night rejected calls for a ban on public prayer events as Attorney General Lord Hermer suggested the Tories are on a par with far-Right thug Tommy Robinson.

Mr Timothy sparked a row after he criticised a prayer event marking Iftar  the meal that breaks the Ramadan fast  in Londons Trafalgar Square on Monday, which was hosted by London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.

Mr Timothy described the event as an act of domination, adding: Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.

Following his comments, 30 MPs and peers  including 22 Labour MPs  led by Afzal Khan referred him to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, which oversees the conduct of MPs.

Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy (pictured) sparked a row after he referred to a mass Muslim public prayer event as an act of domination

Mr Timothy has been informed he will not be probed by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after he criticised a mass prayer event marking Iftar  the meal that breaks the Ramadan fast  in Londons Trafalgar Square on Monday

Muslim worshippers pray en masse in Small Heath Park, Birmingham on March 20, 2026

In the letter Labour MP Mr Khan accused the shadow justice secretary of making deeply Islamophobic remarks and using a far-Right trope.

The letter said: This behaviour violates the House of Commons Code of Conduct and the Seven Principles of Public Life, in particular the principles of objectivity, honesty and leadership... I would therefore implore you to launch an investigation into his behaviour, as it is evident his rampant racism not only seeks to stoke the flames of division in our society, but risks bringing the entire House into disrepute.

Mr Timothy accused Mr Khan of wanting to have him investigated and silenced. Friends of the Tory politician welcomed the news that he had no case to answer last night, with one telling the Daily Mail that it was an absurd letter and the Commissioner was right to tell them where to go.

The standards commissioner declined to comment but pointed to the public list of MPs currently under investigation for alleged breaches of the rules, which does not contain Mr Timothy.

Tory leader Ms Badenoch defended Mr Timothys comments last night, saying: This is a country where we have freedom of religion but we also have freedom of speech and they can coexist.

She told GB News: For too long Conservatives were often afraid to scare the horses and were worried about making a fuss, letting things slide when the Labour Party was carrying out these attacks. Not under my leadership.

Mr Farage said: We have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites, because thats what it is. Meanwhile, Lord Hermer told the Guardian that Ms Badenoch needed to clarify her views.

Kemi Badenoch stood by her shadow justice secretary after the Prime Minister on Wednesday called for the Tory leader to sack him over his comments

Mr Timothy courted controversy after he described the Trafalgar Square event as an act of domination, adding: Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions

He said: The Conservative Party, like Reform and Tommy Robinson, is seeking to divide Britain. Instead, they should be celebrating our brilliantly welcoming and diverse country.

And Downing Street said that Sir Keir Starmer would absolutely not be banning open-air prayers in response to the row.

Sir Keirs spokesman said: The Prime Minister is clear that freedom of religion and the right to peaceful expression are core British values and should be respected, whether it is peaceful prayer, protest or assembly.

He added: British Muslims are a crucial part of British history and British life today, and making sure that everyone is safe on our streets and in our communities is one of our top priorities.
Aoife Rose OBrien noticed the colour first, the way the light caught the surface of her drink, making it look slightly off  cloudy, odd, not quite right.

It didnt unduly worry her, however, and she didnt push the glass away. It registered only faintly in the back of her mind, a quiet signal that something was wrong.

Later, she would recall the moment in vivid detail, but at the time it slipped by almost unnoticed. What followed did not. Hours vanished.

I was drink-spiked in 2018 by a nightclub bouncer who I knew, Aoife Rose recalls. I remembered noticing a funny colour on the drink and then everything went blank before I finished it.

I woke up the following morning, my surroundings unknown to me. I was being raped. I couldnt move or speak clearly so I failed to get him off of me.

When he left the room, she tried to find her clothes but fell almost immediately.

I found cuts and blood on my legs  an obvious struggle, I thought. I had never experienced the feeling in my head and body, it was very different to being drunk. I felt as if I was coming in and out of consciousness.

She locked herself in the bathroom in an attempt to sober up and gather her thoughts.

I felt less of an obvious threat from my rapist as he was downstairs and seemed unbothered by the fact that I was awake, she says.

Eventually, I ran out of the apartment. I almost fell down the stairs and must have held my breath because I felt as if I was going to pass out multiple times.

The hours that followed were awful.

I remember only feeling somewhat normal by 3pm, she recalls. I called the Caredoc just to see what I had been spiked with, the fear of the unknown took priority over the rape.

They referred her to the hospital, where she was left in a room for almost two hours. She was then transferred to the crisis unit in Waterford Hospital, and gardai were called on her behalf.

At the unit, they swabbed her head-to-toe, took blood tests and she vaguely remembers them taking photos. Her clothes were taken for evidence, and she was given an oversized tracksuit before she was finally allowed to shower.

This was roughly 3am, she says.

The answer to her question  what had been put into her system?  did not arrive for six months. When it did, it was definitive.

My bloodwork showed that there was a sedative in my system, an amount three times too strong for a body of my size, she says. I will never forget that day.

By that point, other facts had emerged. The bouncer she named admitted to having sex with her three times that night, though she could only remember one instance.

The gap between what she experienced and what she could prove would become central to what happened next.

The DPP decided that I couldnt prove he knew I wasnt consenting, she says, her voice carrying the weight of that decision. That still makes me angry.

She pauses, then continues quietly: My bloodwork showed I had a high level of a sedative in my system, so high the doctors said I couldnt have stayed conscious. I thought my case was clear-cut.

No prosecution followed. The man she accuses faced no penalty and, she says, continues to work in the same setting. But Aoife Rose, who is a Sinn Fein Councillor for Wexford County Council, was left with the consequences of that night for years to come.

Aoife Rose O'Brien, a Sinn Fein County Councillor, was drugged and raped

I had severe PTSD and anxiety that required medication and therapy, but even still the nightmares and panic attacks took over my life, she says.

Her story is harrowing, but whats even more shocking is how the law treats deliberate drugging that robs someone of their ability to consent. Under Irish law, the maximum penalty for this is a mere three years.

This offence is currently prosecuted under Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, where it is chillingly classified as poisoning.

The term feels archaic and out of touch, failing entirely to capture the traumatic reality faced by survivors. We are, in effect, relying on an antiquated law that does not reflect the seriousness of the crime.

For campaigners and legal experts, the issue is not just about sentencing, but about recognition.

Sinn Fein TD Maire Devine, who has been pressing for reform, stresses the urgent need for the proposed Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023 to finally become law.

Spiking is already criminalised, but this amendment is designed to impose the harsher penalties that such a serious offence demands, she says.

The current legislation is outdated  the fine is still in punt, and the act is described merely as poisoning.

That fails to reflect the intent behind chemical dosing, which is often used to strip a victim of their ability to consent and facilitate sexual assault. Survivors feel violated not just by the attack itself, but by a justice system that does not deliver an appropriate punishment.

Passing this Bill and increasing the maximum sentence to ten years would send an unambiguous message: spiking is unacceptable, and perpetrators will be held accountable.

The solution exists on paper, yet progress has been frustratingly slow. Although the Bill sailed through the Seanad in October 2023, it still hasnt reached the Dail.

Meanwhile, survivors and advocates wait in hope, while the current law remains out of step with the harsh reality of the crime.

The number of spiking incidents appears far higher than reported figures suggest, Aoife Rose says.

The HSE confirmed that HIQA does not record information from emergency departments for drink spiking claims, which is incredibly frustrating.

The lack of consistent data is more than a bureaucratic hiccup, it reflects a worrying pattern of underreporting. Most victims, she says, never make a formal complaint.

Even when they do, their cases often arent properly recorded in medical systems.

Many feel theres little point in coming forward, especially when the burden of proof is so high and the chance of a successful prosecution feels worryingly out of reach.

They are aware of how difficult it is to prove a case of spiking and confirm who the perpetrator was, says Aoife Rose.

There is also a general awareness that victims of crime do not receive the justice they deserve.

In response to our queries, An Garda Siochana said all reports of spiking are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly, with specialist units involved where necessary.

Spiking is a serious offence with potentially devastating consequences for victims.

All reports of spiking are treated with the highest level of seriousness, a spokesperson said, adding that toxicology evidence is gathered quickly given the narrow detection window, and cases are reviewed in the context of all applicable criminal law, including sexual assault.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan's office added: Spiking is a crime that preys on vulnerability, undermines consent and can have devastating consequences for victims.

The Minister is committed to a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Drinks spiking or injection is effectively poisoning, punishable by up to three years imprisonment, with additional charges possible depending on intent or outcome.

The stark contrast between Irelands current legal approach and the French case of Giselle Pelicot underscores the urgent need to modernise the law.

Pelicots ordeal brought international attention to the issue of chemical submission. Over a decade, her husband, Dominique Pelicot, repeatedly administered tranquilisers to her, while he and dozens of men he recruited online sexually assaulted her.

Determined to hold perpetrators accountable, she waived her anonymity and demanded a public trial, exposing the full scope of the abuse.

The resulting Mazan trial ended in December 2024 with the Criminal Court of Vaucluse sentencing 51 men for aggravated rape or attempted rape, marking chemical submission as a distinct and serious offence.

Pelicots courage forced the French legal system to confront a form of sexual violence oftenhidden in the shadows  and offers a stark warning to jurisdictions, like Ireland, where the law has yet to catch up.

Her memoir, A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides, published last month, has quickly become a bestseller in Ireland, reaching number two on the non-fiction charts.

The book has shocked readers with both the scale of her ordeal and the courage it took to speak out publicly.

For victims and campaigners here, the parallels are clear  deliberate drugging is often treated as a minor offence, and survivors are left navigating a legal system that fails to reflect the seriousness of the crime.

The contrast between France, where sentences for chemical submission can reach 20 years, and Ireland, where the maximum for the comparable poisoning offence is three, makes the case for urgent legislative change impossible to ignore.

Back in Ireland, Aoife Rose continues to encounter victims whose experiences span age, gender and circumstance.

While younger women are often perceived as the primary targets, men have also been affected.

The motivations behind spiking can include sexual assault, theft, humiliation or distraction. Needle-spiking, she tells me, is an emerging concern.

Its small, its quick, and by the time most people realise something is wrong, it has already happened, she says.

The lack of clear guidance in hospitals and from the Garda leaves victims doubly vulnerable.

Gisele Pelicot in March. If her case had happened in Ireland, the perpetrator would only get three years

In September 2025, Cork Fianna Fail councillor Audrey Buckley brought a motion before Cork County Council demanding ministers explain why hospitals often fail to conduct toxicology tests even when requested.

Spiking is something no parent or family member should ever have to face, she said at the time.

To get a phone call that a loved one has been taken away by ambulance, only to arrive at A&E and find it treated as if they were simply intoxicated, is incredibly worrying, and can be life-changing for the person who was spiked or injected.

But the problem doesnt stop at hospital doors. For Aoife Rose, the absence of a stronger legal framework sends a clear signal.

Three years isnt just a number, she says. Its a message. It is a message that the system does not fully grasp the seriousness of what is being done, and one that fails to act as a meaningful deterrent. I dont believe any perpetrator fears the law, because it shows no strength.

The proposed legislation wouldnt solve every challenge victims face, but campaigners say it would be a vital step forward.

By creating a standalone offence, the law would finally give the crime a name, making it easier for people to speak out and be believed, much like Frances Chemical Submission law.

A higher maximum sentence would also reflect the gravity of what happens when someone is drugged. Its not a minor violation but a gateway to far worse violations.

For survivors, its a matter of recognition, justice and the hope that others might be spared the same trauma.

I believe people would feel more protected if we had strong, robust legislation, Aoife Rose says. I also believe more victims would come forward and endure the challenges they face when entering into a trial, because there would be a more meaningful outcome.

Passing this bill would give confidence to victims or potential victims to pursue a case, because the penalties applied would be much more reflective of the suffering they have endured.

Her own experience is harrowing to read. She reported what happened, went through the examinations and even had toxicology evidence, yet the case never proceeded.

I think people notice that, she says. More and more reach out to me, sharing their stories, often long after anything could be done. By then, the chance to investigate has passed and that opportunity is lost forever.

The result is a vicious cycle. Underreporting feeds invisibility, and invisibility reinforces the sense that pursuing a case is futile.

Campaigners say breaking that cycle takes more than awareness campaigns or venue policies, it requires legislation that mirrors the reality of the crime and makes clear it will be taken seriously.

For Aoife Rose, that is far from abstract. Passing this Bill would give victims  or those who might become victims  the confidence to come forward, she says. The penalties would finally reflect the suffering people endure.

This Bill must pass, and it must pass soon. Victims cannot wait any longer.
Indian refiners plan to ?resume buying Iranian oil while refiners elsewhere in Asia are examining such a move after Washington temporarily removed sanctions ?to alleviate an energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran, traders said on Saturday, AzerNEWS reports, citing Tribune.

Three Indian refining sources said they will buy Iranian oil and are awaiting government directions and clarity from Washington on details such as payment terms.

Refiners in India, which have much smaller crude stockpiles than other ?big Asian oil importers, rushed to book Russian oil after the US recently lifted sanctions temporarily. The Indian government could not be ?immediately reached for comment outside office hours.

Other Asian refiners are making checks to see if they can ?purchase the oil, several people with knowledge of the matter said.

The Trump administration on Friday issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for ?the purchase of Iranian oil already at sea, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The waiver applied to oil loaded on any vessel, ?including sanctioned tankers, on or before March 20 and discharged by April 19, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. It is the third time the US has temporarily waived sanctions on oil since the start of the war.

Unlocking millions of oil barrels

About 170 million barrels of Iranian ?crude are at sea, said Emmanuel Belostrino, Kplers senior manager for crude oil market data, on ships scattered from the Middle East ?Gulf to the waters near China.

Consultancy Energy Aspects on March 19 estimated 130 million to 140 million barrels of Iranian oil on water, equivalent ?to less ?than 14 days of current Middle East production losses.

Asia relies on the Middle East for 60% of its crude supply and the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz this month is forcing refineries across the region to run at lower rates and cut fuel exports.

Trump re-imposed sanctions on Iran in 2018 over its nuclear programme. Since then, China has become Iran's main client with its independent refiners ?buying 1.38 million barrels per day (bpd)?last year, Kpler data showed, ?attracted by deep discounts as most countries shunned the crude due to the sanctions.

Potential complications for buying Iranian oil include uncertainty over how to pay for it and the ?fact that a large share of it is aboard ageing shadow fleet ships, traders said.

Also, some ?former purchasers of ?Iranian oil were contractually obligated to buy from National Iranian Oil Co., two refining sources said. However, since the US re-imposed sanctions in late 2018, Iranian oil has been sold in significant part by third-party traders.

"It usually takes some time to work through compliance, administration and ?banking, etc., ?but I guess people will try to work ASAP," a Singapore-based trader said.

The ?sources declined to be named due to company policy.

Other than China, major buyers of Iranian crude before sanctions were re-imposed included India, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Greece, Taiwan and ?Turkey.
In her latest book, Indignity (2025), the Albanian political scientist researches and recreates the story of her grandparents, who were persecuted by Enver Hoxhas regime

Lea Ypi grew up in communist Albania. The Eastern European country was ruled with an iron fist by Enver Hoxha, whose regime lasted from 1944 until 1985. At the age of 18, she left to study abroad, first in Italy, then at Oxford. Today, she teaches at the London School of Economics.

Ypi, 45, specializes in Marxism and critical theory. The Tirana-born political scientist has written forcefully about the flaws and shortcomings of the capitalist system, in works such as Class Borders: Inequality, Migration, and Citizenship in the Capitalist State, an essay from 2018.

In her first book, Free: Coming of Age at the End of History (2021), the Albanian academic delved into her childhood memories, in order to tell her story in a kind of novel-essay that launched her to fame. Translated into more than 30 languages, the reactions to that book contained the seeds of Indignity: A Life Reimagined (2025).

Ypi comes from a cosmopolitan family that was harshly persecuted by the communist regime: her paternal grandfather  a classmate of Hoxhas during his student years in Paris  was sentenced to 20 years in a labor camp. And her grandmother was forced to leave her apartment in Tirana, which was confiscated by the state, and work on an agricultural cooperative, where she raised her only son (Ypis father).

In her latest book, Indignity, she blends some of the material that she found in the archives with a fictionalized account of her grandmothers childhood in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, and her arrival in Albania. Both the documented and imagined narratives resonate, along with her reflections on the meaning of memory and dignity.

Everything that is written in the book is based on some historical document but the characters are often composed characters. So, theyre constructed based on other characters, [who] were [alive] at the same time, she clarifies, in her office at the London School of Economics (LSE), where this interview took place on Monday, March 9.

Question. In the book Indignity, do you feel like youre writing as a researcher, or as a member of your family?

Answer. I wanted to combine history with literature. I think what literature does is it constructs characters and uses the imagination to reflect on characters that dont necessarily exist but they symbolize certain historical forces, or certain trends, or they make us think about the things that the historical archives leave out.

I didnt want to write as a family member. I wanted to combine the facts [with] personal memories, [while also being] able to have some kind of license to use the imagination to create these characters, who make us reflect on the time [period] with the tools that literature can give you.

Q. At the beginning of Indignity, you quote a criticism that you received on social media, where you were accused of attacking capitalism while also benefiting from the system. You were also accused of forgetting your grandfather, who was persecuted by the communists. Is this book a way of expanding on the explanation you offered in Free  of defending your Marxist position despite having grown up under Hoxhas regime?

A. Yeah, absolutely. One of the things that [frustrated me about] the reception of Free was that people seem to think its a logical contradiction that, if youre someone who has lived [under] Albanian communism, you cannot possibly be someone whos also critical of capitalism. People couldnt [put] these two things together.

[Now,] thinking about the history of my family: my grandfather was a social democrat. And [when] he came out of prison, he was also critical of capitalism. So, for me  both in the case of my grandfather and of my grandmother  it became a question of who defines the legacy of people who are no longer there to speak for themselves.

Q. In the book, do the opinions that your grandmother expresses about Albania contain your own reservations about the country?

A. I think its an accurate reconstruction  from an outsiders perspective  of the reality on the ground at the time. The fact was that these were cities that werent quite cities; there were all kinds of rural people  in a country that had just become independent from the Ottoman Empire  [who were] trying to modernize. [Albania] was catching up with the rest of the world, but also trying to do this in its own way, because it [cared] about its own independence.

[While writing] the book, I found, both in the history of Albania, but also in the history of Europe, that there are many patterns that repeat themselves. So, you read about the 1920s and 1930s, but actually, you [discover] a lot of things about the present. A lot of the dynamics that I explain in the book are also about population movements, the rise of nationalism, and war.

Q. In the book, you express a clear critique of the role that the United Kingdom played in Albanias destiny.

A. That comes from what I found in the archives. One of the main [reasons] why [my grandfather] ended up in prison is that hed been in touch with these British intelligence officers.

Lea Ypi, pictured in London, on Monday, March 9. Manuel Vazquez

Q. It seems rather coincidental that your grandmother and grandfather ended up in Albania. Neither of them grew up there.

A. Well, it was both random and not random. I mean, of course, [they] could have gone somewhere else but, on the other hand, there were these [large] movements of people in the 1930s. He was born in what is now Macedonia and she was born in Greece (both nearby countries).

There was this question: Where do you actually belong? Everybody was forcing [them] to answer it. Oftentimes, language, or the place that the family originally came from, carried weight.

Q. You offer many definitions of the concept of dignity and ask whether its something that outlives individuals. Do you have an answer?

A. The conclusion I reach is that you can reconstruct a persons dignity through literature, because it allows you to incorporate different points of view and positions. And, in much of the book, the dignity that I speak of has to do with a correct reading of the past and that means it speaks to the present.

Q. To what extent has Indignity helped you reconcile opposites?

A. It helped me, for example, understand why the communists came to power in Albania. Why did Albanian communism have these features? How is what I believe connected to what happened to my grandfather? So, [writing the book kind of helped me] work out certain biographical and personal connections. And, to some extent, it also helped me figure out some of my broader philosophical commitments. But I wouldnt say that I got closure I think this is an open process.

Q. You write that you have never felt like a victim. Is there something rebellious about this renunciation of resentment?

A. Yeah. I feel people also often use victimhood for personal advantage. And theres a kind of manipulation of the status of victims [by] descendants of victims. I dont think I was personally ever persecuted. And so, I feel like if I were to say that I was persecuted because my grandmother was persecuted, theres a kind of indignity its an offense to her pain and to her suffering.

If I go around and I claim that Im a victim, then you dont really see the difference between the real victim and the [person] who is just claiming victimhood.

Q. But shouldnt the injustices of the past be addressed?

A. For me, historical injustice only matters [if its] still present. Like insofar as this historical injustice is still the source of some injustice thats going on in the present. And when thats not the case, then historical injustice isnt really injustice anymore: its just history. But theres a very big discussion in philosophy about this, because a lot of people would say, No, historical injustice is different from present-day injustice. Its a different kind of injustice.

Q. In what sense?

A. Many people think that the injustices of the past can be resolved with information about who did what but the truth is that you need to know why, not so much who. The individual isnt that important.

Q. One of the people you consult in your research asks you if youre desperate to find good communists.

A. I think he asked that question because hes reflective of this mentality in Albania, [which considers] all communists [to have been] terrible and all the anti-communists [to have been] great people. And so, for me, the whole book is about finding nuances.

Even Gustav, the Nazi character [in the book], does the right thing at the end, motivated by some sense of humanity. Its impossible to resist the humanity within us. I wanted to resist the black-and-white view, which is dominant in societies that have suffered trauma.

Q. In the book, an imaginary Enver Hoxha tells your grandfather that dignity is a privilege, a luxury.

A. Yes, thats the reductionist view of morality held by some Marxists, who see it as a form of power. I dont agree with that position.

Q. In your 2018 essay, Class Borders: Inequality, Migration, and Citizenship in the Capitalist State, you say that capitalism must be overthrown.

A. The two biggest problems of the 21st century are capitalism and nationalism. This combination  of the nation-state and capitalism  is producing a lot of friction and a lot of contradictions. Many of the conflicts that we experience are caused by that.

Im anti-capitalist in the sense that I think you have to be radical in [your] criticism, even if you want small, reformist improvements. Because, otherwise, you dont get anything.

Id say that my vision of the future [involves] engaging critically with the legacy of state socialism and, on the other hand, engaging critically with the legacy of capitalism.

Q. Many Eastern European thinkers witnessed the collapse of the world in which they grew up. Do they have any nostalgia for the past?

A. I think Eastern Europeans  because weve seen the system change  we think, well, it can change again.

Im not naive. When I say that we need to bring down capitalism, I think that, even if you want to keep capitalism in some humane form, you have to want to bring it down. Do you know what I mean? Like, in the 1960s and 1970s, the forces that gave us the social welfare state werent pro-capitalists. And, in the 19th century, the forces that gave us democratic emancipation werent aristocratic elites. It was the workers movement it was all these movements that were trying to fight the system and eventually made it a little bit better.

Q. How do you articulate your critique of communism?

A. Well, with the communist past, there were no free elections; [there was] no free speech, no free press, no freedom of association, no kind of vibrant civil society. And, if you dont have democracy, then you cant have [legitimacy]. Its very simple.

Q. At the end of Indignity, you talk about lessons. Which ones did you want to convey?

A. The lives of people like my grandparents, who were committed to progressive enlightenment, and their efforts are meaningless if subsequent generations dont take them into account.

The publication of Indignity has by no means brought her story to a close. Ypi recounts that, when it was already published, she found the original photograph that opened the book: its a portrait of her grandparents on their honeymoon, looking beautiful and glamorous. They were in Cortina DAmpezzo, a town in Northern Italy, in 1941, while the war raged across the Old Continent.

Meanwhile, the descendants of one of the British spies who maintained contact with her grandfather have also contacted her. And, of course, her research in the archives will yield much more.

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A four-year-old girl has been left with a severely damaged esophagus after accidentally swallowing a battery out of one of her toys.

Camila Romero, who lives in Southern California, was initially brought to the doctor by her parents for a week-long fever that wouldn't go away.

Doctors first thought Camila might have a virus. That theory was dispelled when Camila's mother, Cassandra Tafolla, asked for her daughter to be tested for pneumonia.

The girl underwent a chest X-ray, which was when the button battery was discovered in her throat. Tafolla and the girl's father, Hugo Romero, are not sure when their daughter ingested the battery.

'It burned a hole in her esophagus,' Tafolla told KTLA. 'Where it burned a hole is really close to where our lungs part. From the hole to her lungs, its only about an eighth of an inch from each other.'

Button batteries - also known as coin batteries - are small, round, flat batteries commonly found in watches, hearing aids, remote controls, key fobs and childrens toys.

Because these batteries contain lithium, they are especially dangerous if swallowed, as contact with saliva or other bodily fluids can trigger a chemical reaction that burns flesh in under two hours.

This is what happened to Camila. Doctors at Loma Linda Childrens Hospital were able to remove the battery, but the girl had to be placed in a medically-induced coma due to the extensive damage it caused to her throat and upper respiratory system.

Camila Romero, 4, has serious damage to her esophagus and upper respiratory system after accidentally swallowing a button battery, an extremely small battery that are especially appealing to small children

After the battery was removed from her throat, Camila has been in a medically-induced coma for about two weeks. She remains in critical condition as her family tries to raise money online to pay for medical bills

Camila has been in a coma for the past two weeks and remains in critical condition.

Her parents said they had never heard of button batteries but now understand the danger they pose to young children, as they are shiny and small enough to be easily swallowed.

They urged parents to stay vigilant and supervise children while playing with their toys, since many of them contain these batteries.

Camila's parents are hoping to schedule her next surgery sometime in the next week, as long as the doctors approve the procedure.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to help the family pay for medical bills, while also giving Camila's parents a financial cushion as they have been forced to call out of work.

'We are raising funds to help relieve the financial burden they are facing so they can focus entirely on Camila - not on bills, missed work, travel, or the unknown road ahead,' read the GoFundMe description.

'Lets come together as a community and surround Camila and her family with love, strength, and support during this incredibly difficult time.'

As of Friday evening, more than $16,000 has been raised toward a $22,000 goal.
Keir Starmer gave the go-ahead tonight for the US to use British bases to strike Iranian targets blocking the Strait of Hormuz in what Kemi Badenoch called 'the mother of all U-turns'.

The Prime Minister deepened UK involvement in the war hours after Donald Trump branded Nato allies as 'cowards' for not helping protect the vital shipping lane.

Following the President's latest tirade, Downing Street said RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean could now be used by the US to reopen the Strait.

No 10 had previously allowed American forces to use the bases for 'defensive' attacks on Iranian missile sites that would put British lives or interests at risk.

Tonight the Ministry of Defence also confirmed the RAF is flying 'defensive air patrols' over Jordan, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain to protect Middle East allies.

Tory leader Mrs Badenoch called Sir Keir's announcement the 'mother of all U-turns'.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge added: 'After weeks of dither and finger-pointing, the Prime Minister has again changed his mind and performed another screeching U-turn.'

MPs warned Sir Keir tonight was dragging the UK further into the war without letting Parliament have a say.

Keir Starmer gave the go-ahead on Friday for the US to use British bases to strike Iranian targets blocking the Strait of Hormuz

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: 'This is a reckless act of escalation that endangers us all. No discussion. No debate. What a disgrace. How on earth can the Prime Minister still pretend we are not involved?'

A US intelligence assessment concluded Iran has the capability to keep the strait closed for up to six months, CNN reported.

The new agreement means the US can now use the UK bases in 'defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz'.

A No 10 spokesman said: 'Ministers agreed that Iran's reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.'

Downing Street said Britain will still not be directly involved in the strikes and 'the principles behind the UK's approach to the conflict remain the same'.

In a post on Truth Social this afternoon, Mr Trump called Nato a 'paper tiger' without the US.

He vowed 'we will REMEMBER' how Western nations 'didn't want to join the fight' and refused to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

He added: 'Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military manoeuvre that is the single reason for the high oil prices.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called Sir Keir's announcement tonight the 'mother of all U-turns'

'So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!'

Outside the White House, he added the UK 'should have acted a lot faster' in allowing America to use British bases to strike missile sites targeting the Strait.

He said: 'I was a little surprised at the UK to be honest  they should have acted a lot faster.

'The relationship is so good but this has never happened before. They were really pretty much our first ally... they didn't want us to use the island (Diego Garcia) which for some reason they gave up rights to.'

His tirade came as Nato withdrew its advisory mission in Iraq, which removed 'all its personnel' from the Middle East.

Meanwhile, some 2,500 US Marines are set to arrive in the region in the coming days with two more such units to follow as Mr Trump is reportedly mulling a high stakes invasion of Kharg Island to force open the Strait.

The tiny territory, twice the size of Heathrow, sits 15 miles offshore from the mainland and is strategically vital as it processes 90 per cent of Tehran's crude oil exports.

Washington hopes that by seizing it they can force the new Supreme Leader to the negotiation table.

Donald Trump vowed on Truth Social this afternoon that the United States 'will REMEMBER' how Western nations 'didn't want to join the fight' and refused to help open the Strait of Hormuz

'We need about a month to weaken the Iranians more with strikes, take the island and then get them by the balls and use it for negotiations,' a US source told Axios news website.

However, seizing the island would not only cut off the vast majority of Iranian oil exports but could also provoke the regime to ignite a full-scale war against energy infrastructure across the Gulf and send crude prices soaring even further.

It could also risk the wrath of China which gets 13 per cent of its oil from Iran and there is no guarantee Iran would surrender.

Today, Tehran defiantly insisted that it will continue to deny its enemy their security in the Strait and will fight on.

'The soldiers of Islam are eagerly awaiting the American marines,' the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said.

'They are fully prepared to deliver a hard slap to the American warship deep in the theatre of war and to bring maritime surprises up close for the American marines to witness.'

IRGC spokesman General Ali Mohammad Naeini said: 'These people expect the war to continue until the enemy is completely exhausted.'

But hours later Naeini was reportedly killed in a strike. Saudi Arabia also gave its strongest hint yet that it may retaliate against Iran if the regime continues to strike critical infrastructure across the Gulf.

Despite calls to halt strikes on energy facilities, Iranian drones hit a Kuwaiti oil refinery today.

This came after Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu said a 'ground component' would be necessary to topple the Iranian regime as 'revolutions from the air' were not possible.

The US has not ruled out boots on the ground.

UK military planners have joined the US Central Command to look at options for getting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

But defence sources have stressed the situation was so dangerous, not many nations would be willing to put warships 'in the middle of that threat right now'.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: 'The Prime Minister had the Navy's only active minesweeper taken out of the Gulf a week before the war began. He dithered about sending a warship to help defend our base in Cyprus.

'And where we have been clear from the outset that we would have allowed our closest military ally to use our bases, Starmer has been all over the place.'

Other MPs warned Sir Keir was dragging the UK further into the war without giving Parliament a say.

Veteran Labour MP Jon Trickett said: 'It's impossible to reconcile the Government's stated objective to 'de-escalate the war' with the decision to allow US war planes to attack Iran from bases on UK territory.'

Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts said: 'There must be a vote in Parliament.'
A DOZEN convicted criminals, including eight sex offenders, have been stripped of their status as paramedics and banned from working in Ireland after the ambulance watchdog refused to renew their registrations, the Irish Daily Mail can reveal.

A root-and-branch HR review, sparked by reporting in this newspaper, lifted the lid on 13 criminals, who were actively working as paramedics in Ireland as recently as December.

A confidential brief and letter to the Health Minister detailed the concerning revelations that there are no obligations to tell the ambulance regulator of paramedics with convictions for violent offences.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has confirmed that of the 13 identified, 12 paramedics with criminal and sexual convictions are no longer on its register and cannot practise in Ireland any more.

It said: In relation to PHECC registrants who have been convicted of offences, while we cannot comment on specific details concerning individual cases, PHECC can confirm that there are no registrants on the PHECC register with a sexual assault conviction.

The PHECC told the Mail that once it is made aware of criminal convictions relating to a registrant, it refuses to renew their accreditation for the following year, meaning they can no longer work in Ireland.

All qualified paramedics working across the public, private, voluntary, and commercial sectors must register and renew their practice in Ireland with the PHECC, the agency established to regulate paramedicine.

Only one paramedic with a conviction remains, after it was determined their offence was unrelated to their professional practice.

It remains the case, however, that employers, paramedics, and service providers are in no way obligated to inform the PHECC when it is confirmed that they have convictions  meaning there could be many more criminals and sexual offenders working as paramedics who have not yet been identified.

The Mail can also reveal that a mass email was sent to all staff members across the National Ambulance Service (NAS) last Friday, after our exclusive report sparked understandable concern among the workforce.

National Ambulance Service (NAS) Director Robert Morton maintained that Garda vetting procedures are actively adhered to on a regular basis within the service.

They are required to take place once, before a person joins the workforce, with any subsequent vetting of an individual at the discretion of the health minister.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said it is practice to re-vet all staff engaged in relevant work with the public every three years.

Staff members may be re-vetted in instances where they are due to be promoted to a higher grade, she added.

Mr Morton wrote in his email that a number of former staff have been dismissed from the public service following revelations of criminal or sexual assault convictions.

Serious convictions against paramedics were brought to the attention of the regulator after a HR review at the National Ambulance Service (NAS), sparked after reporting by the Mail last year.

The NAS has said it takes any issues or allegations very seriously and withdraws privileges from practitioners permanently when wrongdoing accusations are upheld.

In those circumstances, NAS would notify the relevant regulator, a spokeswoman said.

The ambulance regulator notified Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill of its concerns

In a confidential brief to the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill last December the PHECC raised concerns over its inability to properly regulate the workforce. It said it cannot prevent paramedics removing themselves from the register after being subject to a complaint and is limited in its ability to conduct fitness-to-practice inquiries.

It was also revealed that there are no obligations on paramedics or employers to inform the regulator of criminal convictions, including for sexual offences.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said it is satisfied that no known sexual offenders remain on the active register, stating that the PHECC is best placed to provide updates to its register.

The PHECC did not respond to queries about when the paramedics with sexual assault convictions were removed from the register.

The statement provided to the Mail, which confirmed that sexual offenders are no longer active paramedics, was shared in the correspondence sent to all NAS staff last Friday.

Mr Morton said he contacted the PHECC after our reporting to seek assurances that no criminals were practising in the NAS.

He claimed the NAS has obligations to Garda vetting, children-first guidelines and the mandatory training required for all staff.

The Mail previously revealed a litany of claims of sexual assault at the NAS, including a secret report that found most female paramedic staff in the northeast encountered sexual harassment at work.

The PHECC said in a statement that it remains committed to protecting the public by regulating pre-hospital care in Ireland.

Work is under way between PHECC and the Department of Health to address gaps in legislation which reduce the regulators powers to conduct fitness-to-practice inquiries.

The PHECC said it was not authorised to reclassify a new division of specialist paramedics, established in 2019. This means the cohort are not authorised to administer advanced medicine by law.

It added that this placed an unfair burden on a single staff member in the NAS, responsible for oversight of the group, and limited the paramedics ability to carry out their roles.

The agency said the lack of oversight denies a cohort of patients timely, appropriate, and safer care in the community.

However, a HSE spokeswoman rejected this, claiming clinical practice levels do not always align with employment grades and that all paramedics remain subject to fitness-to-practise inquiries.
Residents in remote Northern Territory towns are bracing for the impact of a cyclone barrelling across the coast after hitting parts of Queensland overnight.

Narelle has been downgraded from a category four to a two as it moves through the Gulf of Carpentaria, and is expected to impact the eastern Top End late Saturday.

But the Bureau of Meteorology has warned residents from Nhulunbuy to Port McArthur, including Borroloola, Numbulwar, Alyangula and Gapuwiyak that Narelle will strengthen as it approaches.

Very destructive winds gusting up to 195km/h are forecast in some areas into Sunday while heavy rain could cause flash flooding.

'There are some key watch points for residents in the Cape York Peninsula today, and the first of those is the rivers, which are still raging, water flowing much higher than usual, spilling over the banks and across roads,' the bureau's senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

'This is likely isolating communities in the far north of Queensland and making it difficult to get out and assess the damage, reach remote locations and top up supplies.'

In an outback town where residents face the threat of a second round of major flooding, just as a big clean-up had hit full swing, sandbags are being stacked again.

Katherine has been shaking off the mud since suffering its worst floods in almost 30 years earlier in March.

Forecast wind gusts on Saturday afternoon, according to the ECMWF model

Queensland has been lashed with heavy rain leading to flash flooding (pictured)

Forecast accumulated rain during the next seven days as Narelle tracks over the Top End

Mayor Joanna Holden told AAP the town's population of 10,000 was taking the forecast seriously and preparations were under way, with sandbagging crews in action from Thursday.

Many properties that had water through them had been cleaned out but other clean-ups were on hold in case buildings flooded again.

The mayor was worried volunteers were becoming exhausted after two weeks of helping with the recovery.

'To have to go back again and potentially have to clean out the same places and see the same devastation, that takes its toll,' she said.

Chris Monk, manager of Katherine's Pine Tree Motel, told AAP many bookings had been cancelled and repair and maintenance efforts were on hold due to the new flooding threat.

His hotel had water through 10 rooms but he said there was no point putting in dehumidifiers 'only for them to get wet again'.

'I think everybody is prepared to go through it again,' he said.

'It's just one of those things. We have to face it.'

Narelle has been downgraded from a category four to a two as it moves through the Gulf of Carpentaria, and is expected to impact the eastern Top End late Saturday

On the Gulf of Carpentaria coast, the defence force has evacuated almost 150 people from the community of Numbulwar, with hundreds more to be flown out as Narelle approaches.

About 500 people made a Darwin high school gymnasium their new home as the cyclone impacts their community.

Residents in Narelle's sight were urged to stay indoors and wait for the storm to pass amid reports of lost roofs and fallen trees in the small township of Coen.

Downpours were expected in the far north Queensland region for up to 48 hours.
Controversial comedian Bill Maher was reportedly expected to win a prestigious prize at this year's Kennedy Center awards, before the White House intervened in a bizarre edition to the pair's yearslong feud.

Maher was reportedly offered the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which has a long history of honoring top names in comedy.

Sources told The Atlantic and CNN that Maher was tapped to win the award on Friday, but just hours later, the White House hit back at the news with a stunning denial.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the reports 'fake news,' adding, 'Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.'

Trump's Director of Communications, Steven Cheung, also responded to The Atlantic's report on X, writing: 'Literally FAKE NEWS.'

Three sources confirmed to The Atlantic that Maher was chosen for the award, but accounts varied as to whether he had accepted it.

One source said an official announcement was expected soon, while another said that Trump was aware Maher had been offered the prize and was supportive of it.

Another source told CNN that Maher was told he had been selected and was seriously considering it, but had not officially accepted the honor.

Donald Trump and Bill Maher have been publicly critical of one another over the years, frequently hurling insults. The two are pictured together above at the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2004

The White House denied that Bill Maher had been offered a prestigious award in comedy at the Kennedy Center. Trump is pictured above in front of the White House on Friday

Accounts differed as to whether Bill Maher had officially accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He is pictured above on his HBO show

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment.

The two have had a long and complicated relationship, often hurling public jabs but occasionally sharing friendly moments.

Maher attended a dinner at the White House in April 2025. He faced backlash at the time from the comedy community.

However, the civility did not last long as Trump lashed out at Maher on social media after the comedian criticized his administration.

Trump called Maher a 'highly overrated LIGHTWEIGHT' in February, and said their 2025 dinner was a waste of time.

'He came into the famed Oval Office much different than I thought he would be,' Trump wrote on social media.

'He was extremely nervous, had ZERO confidence in himself and, to soothe his nerves, immediately, within seconds, asked for a Vodka Tonic.'

The president added that Maher confessed he had never felt that nervous before, with Trump joking that the encounter was 'endearing.'

Maher addressed the infamous dinner on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, at the time calling the president 'gracious and measured,' adding that he was willing to 'listen and accept me as a possible friend.'

Donald Trump shared a series of posts on Truth Social saying he regretted inviting Bill Maher to the White House for dinner earlier this month

Maher hit back at the posts on his show, saying he did not suffer from 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'

His tune changed after Trump's social media rant earlier this year. Maher said last month that he did not suffer from 'Trump Derangement Syndrome,' accusing the president of having 'Bill Maher Derangement Syndrome.'

He joked that the dinner was like a bad date, telling his audience: 'I know how women feel nowa guy buys you dinner and then expects you to put out. I'm not that guy.'

Maher also revealed to CNN earlier this year that Trump often 'yells' at him via text for being a part of the 'lunatic left.'

The comedian's political beliefs have consistently come under scrutiny during his multi-decade career.

His show, Politically Incorrect, aired on Comedy Central in 1993, and he positioned himself as a controversial truth-teller at the time.

The show was taken off the air after Maher called the US government 'cowardly' following the September 11 attacks.

Maher attended a dinner last March at the White House alongside Trump, Kid Rock, and Dana White, pictured above

Kid Rock (left) coordinated the dinner. Maher said Trump was 'gracious,' but the president later admitted that he regretted hosting the comedian

Maher has identified as a center-left comedian and frequently addresses controversial topics on his show. He is pictured above at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Maher's politics now tend to lean center-left. In his 2024 book, What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, he told readers that his beliefs have remained consistent, but that the left has become more radical.

If Maher had been the recipient of this year's Mark Twain Prize, he would have joined the ranks of comedians like Conan O'Brien, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler and Carol Burnett.

O'Brien won the award in 2025 before the Kennedy Center was renamed to The Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the president cleaned house on the board of trustees.

The Kennedy family has frequently spoken out against the president taking over the center and vowed to eventually remove his name from the title.
A controversial squatter's rights activist who declared all landlords were 'morally reprehensible' has been slammed as a 'cry baby' by a property investor.

Jordan van den Lamb, who is also a candidate for Melbourne, warned it was only a matter of time before Aussies turned on landlords in a fiery rant.

Mr van den Lamb is known for his Instagram page 'Purple Pingers' and made headlines last year when he urged his followers to squat at 'vacant' properties.

In a recent debate on SBS program The Feed, panellists were asked to discuss the statement: 'Housing shouldn't be treated as an investment'.

Mr van den Lamb told the panel that investing in property was 'morally reprehensible' and that no one should make a profit off what others need to survive.

Buyer's agent Eddie Dilleen, who was also on the panel, disagreed and said if his family hadn't been able to rent a home, they would have lived on the streets.

He now owns over 180 properties, despite a humble beginning in Mount Druitt.

Mr Dilleen told the Daily Mail that socialists like Mr van den Lamb were 'cry babies' who weren't prepared to make sacrifices to crack the property market.

Mr van den Lamb (pictured) is known for his Instagram page 'Purple Pingers' and made headlines last year when he encouraged his followers to squat at 'vacant' properties

Buyers Agent Eddie Dilleen (pictured) hit back at Mr van den Lamb's claims and said Aussies simply needed to work hard and make sacrifices to get into the property market

'There was just so much complaining (by Mr van den Lamb),' Mr Dilleen said.

'They have all these ideas of how we should move to a communist kind of society where everyone gets given everything.'

Mr Dilleen said Mr van den Lamb and his socialist followers were in no position to offer advice on success.

'They have ideas about how the world should be, but if you can't even figure out how to succeed in your own life first, then what makes you think you would be able to figure out a way to change the world,' Mr Dilleen said.

'They need to stop crying and figure out how to get ahead in life. If you can't even figure out how to buy a home, why are you telling me how society should be.'

Mr Dilleen said the reason why Aussies struggled to crack the property market was that many weren't prepared to lower their standard of living for a deposit.

'People are buying designer bags and going on holidays. If you want to get out of renting, then you need to sacrifice for at least a couple of years,' he said.

'I know people who are still renting and paying $900-a-week. I told these friends years ago not to pay that much just because you want to live in a nice place.

Mr Dilleen (pictured) said the reason why Aussies struggled to crack the property market was that many weren't prepared to lower their standard of living for a deposit

'You might have to live in a share house and pay $300-a-week or a granny flat for $400-a-week.

'You need to be able to drop your lifestyle for a few years and put money away.

'At the end of the day, you only need a five per cent deposit to get into the property market. In Sydney, you can buy a unit for $600,000.

'That's only $30,000 for a deposit.'

However, Aussies who used the five per cent deposit scheme were recently warned they risk dangerously high debt levels and potential default if the costofliving crisis worsens and the cash rate continues to rise.

New APRA data revealed that loans with loantovalue ratios of 95 per cent or more rose from $3.3 billion to $5.4 billion in the December quarter.

The scheme now accounts for a record four per cent of new owner-occupier loans.

The surge coincided with the Albanese Government's October overhaul, which made the scheme available to all first-home buyers regardless of savings and income.

Mr Dilleen said Aussies weren't willing to lower their standards to save up for a house (stock)

It was introduced by the former Coalition government, but was limited in scope and aimed at lowincome individuals and couples.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver told the Daily Mail that the scheme is encouraging inexperienced buyers to take on debt they may not be able to manage.

'These buyers are getting in with much higher debt levels, and that risks more first-home owners running into trouble down the line,' he warned.

It comes as new data released by PropTrack showed home prices rose across every capital city in February, with the median price at $1,004,000.

The Daily Mail has contacted Mr van den Lamb for comment.
A Brazilian politician put on blackface while delivering a speech this week to protest a transgender lawmaker being selected to lead a women's rights commission.

Fabiana Bolsonaro, who is not related to former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, is a member of the Sao Paulo state's legislative assembly.

She staged the protest during a Wednesday plenary session after Erika Hilton - the first openly trans woman elected to Brazils National Congress - was chosen to chair the Commission for the Defense of Womens Rights.

During her time at the lectern, Bolsonaro rubbed dark foundation all over her face and arms, all while openly asking her colleagues if she had 'become black'.

She used the makeup stunt to prove that transgender women are not women when they alter their appearance to look more feminine.

Bolsonaro also said just as she doesn't live the struggles of black people, transgender women don't experience childbirth, breastfeeding or endometriosis, according to Brazilian news outlet G1.

According to Folha de Sao Paulo, another Brazilian newspaper, Bolsonaro's speech was interrupted by lawmaker Monica Seixas, a member of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL).

Seixas accused her colleague of transphobia and racism, then requested an immediate end to the session. Bolsonaro was allowed to keep speaking.

On Wednesday, Brazilian politician Fabiana Bolsonaro, who is not related to former President Jair Bolsonaro, put dark makeup on her face and arms to protest a transgender lawmaker being selected to lead a women's rights commission

Bolsonaro's stunt was a response to Federal Deputy Erika Hilton - the first openly trans woman elected to Brazil s National Congress - being chosen to chair the Commission for the Defense of Womens Rights

Deputy Ediane Maria, the PSOL leader in the Sao Paulo state government, called what Bolsonaro did a 'blatant crime'.

'It's been 137 years since slavery ended, and we have to witness a white woman, who rarely appears in the plenary to speak in favor of women, painting herself black to attack Erika Hilton,' she wrote on social media. 'We are taking the appropriate measures.'

Seixas filed a police report against Bolsonaro for racial discrimination, while other lawmakers filed a criminal complaint with federal prosecutors.

Bolsonaro denied putting on blackface and said what she did was out of respect for black people.

Brazil has laws against racism, leading some to say Bolsonaro could face prosecution - and there is precedent for investigating politicians over racist acts.

There is an open probe into Federal Deputy Bia Kicis for posting a video to social media in 2021 that depicted two former politicians with their faces digitally painted black.

Because Kicis enjoys parliamentary immunity as a sitting politician, the case against her has not gone anywhere.

For almost four years, Fabiana Bolsonaro has shared a last name with Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced last year to 27 years in prison after he was found guilty of orchestrating a coup to keep himself in power after losing the 2022 election.

A member of Sao Paulo state's legislative assembly, Bolsonaro argued that if she isn't black with all this makeup, then transgender women shouldn't be considered women when they alter their appearance

Brazil has laws against racism. Federal Deputy Bia Kicis (pictured) is currently under investigation for posting a video in 2021 that depicted two former politicians with their faces digitally painted black

Fabiana Bolsonaro holds up a picture of Jair Bolsonaro. She is not related to Bolsonaro but changed her last name to his in 2022 as a show of support. Her last name was previously Barroso

Ahead of that election, she changed her last name to Bolsonaro as a way to declare her support for him.

Previously, her name was Fabiana Barroso. She is the daughter of Adilson Barroso, a career politician who has been a sitting federal deputy since February 2023.

When she changed her last name, she simultaneously switched her race from 'white' to 'brown'. Unlike her protest this week, her change in racial identity wasn't necessarily a stunt to prove a point.

Brazil's government adopted a rule in 2021 that increases the amount of public funds a political party gets based on the total votes cast for candidates who identify as black or female.

This rule, which counts those specific votes double when calculating a party's share of federal funds, will remain in effect until 2030 to further incentivize parties to run diverse candidates.

Bolsonaro was far from the only one to switch how they identified to take advantage of this rule.

One report found that nine out of every 100 candidates who ran in the 2022 elections changed their self-declared ethnicity from what it was in 2020.
The Trump administration will lift sanctions on Iranian oil stranded at sea under a one month license, while the president looks to seize Iranian nuclear materials.

The pause, which applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end on April 19, comes as the White House tries to bring down soaring oil prices, though President Donald Trump did suggest he's considering winding down the strikes.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously suggested the move as a way to prevent China from being the sole beneficiary of Iranian oil, saying Beijing has been 'hoarding it on the cheap.'

'By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran,' he said on social media.

The authorization is limited to oil that is already in transit - which Bessent estimates at around 440 million barrels - and a ban remains on any new purchases or production.

'President Trump's pro-energy agenda has driven US oil and gas production to record levels, strengthening energy security and lowering fuel costs. Any short-term disruption now will ultimately translate into longer-term economic gains for Americans  because there is no prosperity without security,' he added.

He said that this new move, using the Iranian barrels, will 'keep the price down' for American consumers, who have been subject to hefty gas prices in recent weeks.

Trump administration Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (pictured) will lift sanctions on Iranian oil stranded at sea under a one-month license

Global fuel supplies have been under intense pressure because of Irans stranglehold on The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported

Despite the administration's claims that the move will lower oil prices in the US and around the world, some are skeptical.

Former Treasury official Daniel Tannebaum told the New York Times that he does 'not see a scenario where Iranian crude is going to be imported into the US.'

No Iranian oil has been meaningfully imported into the US since the 1979 revolution.

Obsidian Risk Advisors managing principal Brett Erickson told the Washington Post that the decision 'directly contradicts Trump's own statements that the United States is considering winding down this conflict.'

'You dont unsanction Iranian oil if youre winding down. This is the action of an administration that has no exit ramp and knows it. The word for that is desperation.'

Erickson added that he felt Europe's existing sanctions on European oil meant prices were 'unlikely to be impacted significantly.'

The Trump administration earlier eased sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments for 30 days as it looks for ways to boost global oil supplies during the Iran war.

The license has limits including a restriction on sales involving anyone in North Korea or Cuba.

Meanwhile, Trump is also looking to extract nuclear materials from Tehran as part of the war efforts.

Joint Special Operations Command forces would be deployed to the region in an effort to extract those resources, CBS News reported.

The White House said that the Pentagon's job was to make preparations when questioned about the plan.

Trump announced Friday that he is considering winding down the strikes on Iran and ending the war in the Middle East, as he gets one step closer to destroying Tehran's military capabilities.

On Friday, US Central Command posted yet another video of the US assault on Iranian soil.

They quoted CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, who said: 'Iran's capabilities are declining.'

Global fuel supplies have been under intense pressure because of Irans stranglehold on The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported.

The shutdown has affected Americans at the pump especially, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas at $3.91, according to AAA.

That's an increase of 25 percent from a year ago and a shock rise of 33 percent from one month ago, just before the start of the war.

Bessent's latest announcement, lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, brings the hope that prices for Americans at the gas station will be kept down while Epic Fury continues on.

The pause, which applies to Iranian oil loaded on ships as of Friday and is set to end on April 19, comes as the White House tries to bring down soaring oil prices.

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.

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.

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, Lloyd's 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 Lloyd's List Intelligence. LPG is used as a primary cooking fuel by millions of Indian households.

Oil prices have jumped more than 40 percent to above $100 per barrel since the Iran war began, and Iran has threatened it won't allow 'even a single liter of oil' destined for the US, and Israel and their allies to pass through.

Donald Trump has called for US forces to open a new front in Iran as jets pound Iranian ships in an all-out battle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The war in Iran will enter its fourth week on Saturday

Trump has called for US forces to open a new front in Iran as jets pound Iranian ships in an all-out battle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

However, The Wall Street Journal reported that it could take weeks for the US to clear out the strait to get it operating closer to normal again.

At the same time, the US has been striking Iranian bases and IRGC cruise missile batteries, taking out over 120 of the country's naval ships, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Thursday.

Iran has responded by using small, unmanned boats with explosives, projectiles and airborne drones to attack enemy ships.

It comes just after the US deployed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on underground missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.

But many of America's allies confirmed they would be unwilling to join Trump's proposed coalition to keep the strait secure.

Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready 'to contribute to' ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three 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'.

Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready 'to contribute to' ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire

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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, Germany and France made clear later Thursday that they were not talking about any immediate military help, but rather a potential multilateral initiative after a ceasefire.

Some American allies, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Denmark, have committed to helping keep the strait open.

If the US cannot keep the route open, in the face of Iranian counter-attacks, even that trickle of exports will dry up.

Not only is this crippling the economies of countries north of the Strait, such as Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, but it is depriving the whole world of oil and gas.

Overland transport is impossible on any scale. The pipelines do not exist and any convoy of tankers would be prey to Iranian drone strikes.

On Thursday, Iran hit the terminus of the only trans-Saudi Arabian pipeline at the Red Sea port of Yanbu, triggering Riyadhs threat to enter the war.

The UK did, however, allow Trump to use America's UK-based bombers to blast Iranian missile sites preventing oil and gas shipments using the strait.

The South Pars gas field in Iran after a strike in recent days

Downing Street gave the US the green light to use B-52s and other aircraft flying out of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to unlock the strategically important waterway amid spiraling fears of a major energy crisis.

In a statement the Government said that strikes were covered by its agreement with Trump to allow UK-based assets to be deployed in the 'collective self-defense of the region'.

European leaders have demanded the reopening of the strait 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 Thursday calling for the stabilization of energy shipments and 'de-escalation and maximum restraint' from warring parties.

Over 3,000 Iranians have been killed in the war in its first three weeks, 1,394 of those civilians including at least 210 children, American human rights group HRANA said on Thursday.

The latest figures reported by state media put the toll at 1,270 people. Iran's ambassador to the UN said on March 6 that at least 1,332 people had been killed since the war began. There has been no clarification of the discrepancy.

Around 1,021 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities. The World Health Organization and Lebanese health authorities said more than 100 of those killed were children.

Approximately 100 people from other nations - Iraq, Israel, the UAE, Kuwait, Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia - have died.

As of Saturday, 13 American soldiers have lost their lives in the conflict.
The teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was pictured driving an army tank during military training supervised by her father amid speculation that she become his successor.

The official Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday that Kim oversaw an offensive tactical drill involving tank units and infantry troops a day earlier and called for completing war preparations.

Videos and images released by state media showed Kim's daughter sticking her head out of of the driver's hatch of a moving, military green tank while her smiling father sits on top with three soldiers.

Kim's daughter, known as Ju Ae and believed to be around 13 years old, has been making increasingly frequent public appearances with her father in recent months.

North Korean state media has called her Kim's 'most beloved' or 'respected' child and published footage and photos indicating the two's closeness.

They recently fired pistols during a visit to a light munitions factory and watched a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems, and in September, the girl went to Beijing with her father.

There has been no official confirmation by the North of her name or age.

South Koreas spy agency assessed last month Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as his heir.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae boarding a tank during their visit to the Pyongyang Training Base

Kim's daughter, known as Ju Ae and believed to be around 13 years old, has been making increasingly frequent public appearances with her father in recent months

South Koreas spy agency assessed last month Kim Jong Un was close to designating his daughter as his heir

The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations since 1948

Some experts disagree with that assessment, citing Kim Jong Uns relatively young age and the extremely male-dominated nature of North Koreas power hierarchy.

Ju Ae is the only child of Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju.

The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations since 1948 - beginning with Kim II Sung, them Kim Jong II in 1994, followd by Kim Jong Un in 2011.

While Ju Ae appears to be the clear favourite in line for the succession, she does have a potential rival - her ambitious aunt, Kim's sister Kim Yo Jung.

Yo Jong, 38, is said to be planning to seize control for herself should the dictator die or become incapacitated.

She is well-respected within political and military ranks and is widely seen as the most powerful person in North Korea after Kim.

The North Korean training comes after Kim on Thursday supervised a drill of a new type of tank, which demonstrated superior offensive and defensive capabilities against drones and anti-tank missiles, according to KCNA.

Kim has in recent years pursued the modernisation of the country's conventional weapons, including tactical missiles, alongside the development of a strategic arsenal that includes long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.

It also comes as the U.S. and South Korea were engaged in their annual military exercises that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

The U.S. and South Korea wrapped up their 11-day computer-simulated command post exercise on Thursday, but they are still continuing field training.
An Iranian ballistic missile strike on a joint US-UK military base in the Chagos Islands has been condemned as 'reckless' by Britain's defence chiefs.

Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting Diego Garcia in what is thought to be the first strike ever made against the base.

The significant escalation in hostilities came just hours after Keir Starmer gave the green light for Donald Trump to use UK-based bombers threatening the Straits of Hormuz.

But the move prompted Tehran to warn the Prime Minister he had placed British lives 'in danger' by consenting to Trump's request to use B-52s and other aircraft flying out of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to blast Iranian missile sites in the strategically important waterway.

In a statement on Friday, the Government said that such strikes were covered by its agreement with Trump to allow UK-based assets to be deployed in the 'collective self-defence of the region'.

But Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi swiftly asserted that Iran would 'exercise its right to self-defence' if the UK joined US operations.

Posting on X, he said: 'Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.'

Then a short while later the missiles were launched from Tehran towards the base, The Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported.

Multiple US officials confirmed to the outlet that neither missile had struck the base. Two sources said one of the missiles failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship.

The action is a concerning development that comes at the start of the third week of the conflict and coincides with a strike by US and Israeli forces against the Natanz uranium-enrichment facility on Saturday morning. No radioactive leaks occurred and residents near the site were not at risk, Tasnim news agency reported.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman today described Iran's actions against the military base as a 'threat' to UK interests.

They said: 'Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

'RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region. This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.'

Reports of Iranian missiles targeting the Diego Garcia military base, pictured above, in the Indian Ocean surfaced on Friday evening

Donald Trump, pictured above speaking to reporters on Friday, accused the UK of being slow to lend the US their military base

Diego Garcia lies around 3,800km (2,360 miles) from Iran - undermining its previous assertion that its ballistic missiles can only reach 2,000 km (1,240 miles).

General Sir Richard Barrons, who headed the UK's Joint Forces Command between 2013 and 2016, said on Saturday that Iran's power may have been 'serially underestimated'.

The former forces chief was responding to questions over whether Trump was right to say the UK had done 'too little and too late' or whether opponents of the war were correct that the UK had been sucked into an American war.

'Both could be true. War generally does not follow a script and the enemy always gets a vote and, in this case, the enemy's vote, Iran, has been serially underestimated.

'We are where we are - this conflict and the way it has turned out now puts British interests and those of our allies at risk and ignoring it completely is no longer appropriate even if the decisions at the start of the conflict were very different.

'Iran and the UK have been at odds for a very long time. The Iranian regime regards the UK as an enemy and so if you are seen to participate in some fashion with this US-Israeli offensive action then they are clearly going to respond and we should not be surprised.'

General Sir Richard said the UK was helping the US to apply military force, adding: We have obligations to them and we may not have thought this was a good idea at the start and we may not have wanted to get involved but now in the way this has turned out, we are involved.

Asked about the US Presidents apparently contradictory comments last night about possibly ending the war or considering the use of ground troops, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that there had been a 'mismatch' between 'the objectives you would like to achieve and the means you are prepared to apply to it.

He added: They [US and Israel] have got to choose between now announcing victory or stopping or if those objectives really matter to them, they are going to have to escalate it because you cant do much more with air power so you are beginning to talk about potentially using troops.

Doubting there would be a full scale invasion of a country the size of Western Europe, he said: I dont think anyone really conceives of an invasion and occupation of Iran but they are going to be tempted perhaps to invade Kharg Island or blockade it or attack the praetorial of the Iranian order to remove the miliary threat.

Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US, having been used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East for years. It has a large airfield, major fuel storage facilities, radar installations and a deep-water port.

The US houses bombers, nuclear submarines and missile destroyers on the base

Its location makes it ideally suited for operations in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia

Diego Garcia is located on the Chagos Islands, which in recent months has proven to be a source of contention between the UK and US 'special relationship'.

The UK-US base plays a critical role in both countries' ability to deter their adversaries and transatlantic defence.

But last May, Labour signed over sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius in exchange for retaining full operational control of the base on an initial 99-year lease - a move that has been repeatedly blasted by Trump as 'a blight on our Great Ally' and 'an act of great stupidity'.

For its part, the UK has repeatedly said that the deal does not 'compromise' British national security. It has yet to be signed off, meaning the islands currently remain as British territory.

Unlike RAF Fairford, where plane enthusiasts have been able to document sightings of UK and US bombers, the remote location of Diego Garcia means it is not fully known what missions have been launched from the base.

However the US has been building up its war machine there for some time. Last April, Trump set an 'unprecedented' deployment of its heavy B-2 bombers to the Chagos Islands as tensions grew over nuclear talks with Iran.

Six stealth bombers flew into the US airbase on Diego Garcia from Missouri n what was said to have been the 'largest single deployment in US history'.

Trump had said previously that he was particularly keen to use Diego Garcia as well as RAF Fairford in Suffolk to 'eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime' in Tehran.

Prior to Iran's strike against the base, Trump had told reporters on Friday that the US was considering 'winding down' military action.

The president added in his remarks that the US military was 'getting very close' to meeting its objectives in the war.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the comments last month and claimed that Iran was 'certainly trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles,' adding that Tehran's nuclear capabilities were 'headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that can reach the continental US.'

Trump blasted the UK government while speaking to reporters outside the White House on Friday, accusing British leadership of a slow response to allow the US to use their bases.

'It's been a very late response from the UK. I'm surprised because the relationship is so good, but this has never happened before,' he said.

Trump said that the UK initially did not want to allow the US to use its island for the Diego Garcia base.

Six B-2 bombers seen on the apron of the US military base on Diego Garcia island, April 2, 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pictured above, previously told Parliament that the UK would 'protect out people in the region'

Starmer had previously only allowed British bases to be used by the US when targeting Iranian missile launchers attacking the UK and its allies, and not for defending traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Prime Minister has stood firm that the country would not be dragged into the war in Iran.

'We will protect our people in the region,' Starmer told Parliament earlier this week.

'We will take action to defend ourselves and our allies, and we will not be drawn into the wider war.'

The US and Israel have maintained that the main motivation for military action in Iran is to prevent the development of a nuclear weapon.

Trump accused the UK of not acting fast as military tensions escalated in the Middle East. The two are pictured above at a meeting in the UK last September

The Trump administration has projected confidence since the initial strikes, with the president declaring on Friday that he thinks 'we've won.'

He added that he did not want to negotiate a ceasefire because the US was 'literally obliterating the other side.'

Trump then accused Iran of 'clogging up' the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway on the north coast through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.

'The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated,' Trump later wrote on Truth Social.

The president called out allies within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as 'cowards' for 'complaining' about high oil prices while refusing to lend military support to the US.

Iran's strikes against Diego Garcia come as fears grew over the impact of the 'Trumpflation' spike in oil and gas prices that has been triggered by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

Brits were urged on Friday to consider working from home and use air fryers instead of ovens to reduce demand for energy, as the Cabinet 'condemned Iran's expansion of its targets to include international shipping', a No 10 spokeswoman said.

'They agreed that Iran's reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.

'They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.'

A fifth of global oil supplies are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut since the start of the war.

That has steadily pushed oil prices higher, before a sharp rise on Thursday to nearly $118 after Iran threatened 'full-scale economic war' before striking Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, which suffered 'extensive further damage'.

The chief executive of QatarEnergy said the attacks on gas facilities would take between three and five years to repair.

Drivers have already been feeling the effects at UK pumps, and experts estimate that energy bills could go up by more than a fifth when the cap next changes in July.

The Government had previously granted the US permission only for 'defensive' action - but when that decision was made, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Sir Keir's latest move as the 'mother of all U-turns' in a post on X.

The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party said granting further permission for the US to use British bases must first have a parliamentary vote.

The Prime Minister will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with the cost of living caused by the war, it is understood.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House and the Pentagon for comment.
The ban on this signage in the streets of downtown Mexico City caught the attention of younger generations. EL PAIS speaks with artists and apprentices, who have revived an essential profession in the urban landscape

Alina Kiliwas studio in northern Mexico City is a haven amidst the capitals hustle and bustle. She opens a can of blue paint, picks up one of her brushes and delicately begins to paint five letters on one of the taco shop-shaped piggy banks scattered across her table: SIGNS.

She notes that sign painting has experienced a resurgence in the countrys major cities. This is after the previous local government, which oversees the borough of Cuauhtemoc, decided to erase all street signs in mid-2022. Everyone started paying more attention. There was more work and there were more clients requesting signs in the style of traditional Mexican graphic art, she explains. Hand-painted signs have since ridden this wave, propelled by artists and new generations who have become interested in one of those small but essential trades that shape Mexicos urban landscape.

Several signs hang on the walls of Kiliwas studio, while a few others remain half-finished on her table. Ive noticed theres more interest now, because my social media following has increased since that event (the removal of the signs from the streets). There have also been many exhibitions focused on sign painting, something I couldnt even imagine before that [prohibition] happened, the 42-year-old artist says. Born in Mexico City, she studied design at university and, a few years later, began looking for sign-making workshops and courses. I remember, when I was very little, people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. And I would answer that I wanted to be a painter but what I really wanted was to paint signs, she recounts.

Kiliwa has become one of the best-known sign makers in the capital, with more than 65,000 followers on social media. She also offers courses on digital platforms like Domestika. She says that, generally, the people who come to her workshops are young people and design students: Maybe they dont do it to dedicate themselves to [the profession], but they do come to understand how its done. I think that also makes these new generations respect the craft.

Alina Kiliwa in her workshop, in Mexico City, on February 19. Nayeli Cruz

In recent years, these iconic signs have been the subject of various controversies in the capital. Perhaps the most notorious was the declaration of war that was made in May of 2022 by the former borough mayor of Cuauhtemoc, Sandra Cuevas (2021-2024), who sought to ensure that street vendors always keep their work areas clean. This decision resulted in the replacement of the signs with a coat of white paint. and the boroughs logo.

The signs returned to adorn businesses at the end of last year, under the new administration of Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, who declared that the attack on the signs was an attempt at cultural murder. And, in another development, the intense controversy  which originated in the vast capital city  sparked interest in the craft throughout the country. But the issue didnt end there: the Mexico City borough of Benito Juarez also banned signs on its streets in 2025. And, some time ago, the borough of Xochimilco experienced a similar phenomenon: some businesses were forced to display the maroon color thats characteristic of the ruling party, MORENA. This measure was criticized by local business owners and activists.

An artists beret and some math

Raul Angeles, 62, wears his beret at a slightly tilted angle. He looks like an inspired artist in the middle of creating his masterpiece. Born in Mexico City, he started in traditional sign painting 40 years ago. And, three years ago, he began teaching young people (and not-so-young people) at Pilares La Joya, one of the community centers set up by the Mexico City government in the south of the capital. He took the position after the crisis in the Cuauhtemoc borough. And, since then, nearly 300 students have passed through the center. I see the present as very encouraging. I see that many people are getting involved, giving it a try. I see a future for [the craft], he explains. Angeles also believes that people are starting to turn more toward handmade items.

In the room, there are about half-a-dozen students: four women, between 25 and 30-years-old, as well as a 62-year-old man. Andrea Cervantes, 28, asks her instructor a question. Angeles answers it by writing down a sum. Its part of his teaching method, which is based on graphic counting, letter and space classification and a little bit of math.

Cervantes came to the workshop after losing her job. She was outraged by the disappearance of signs in the borough. Many of us feel sad, because its part of Mexican identity. As a Mexican, you assume its something thats [common all over the world] but no, its something thats very much ours, she explains.

Raul Angeles Martinez in Mexico City, on February 27. Monica Gonzalez Islas Students in Raul Angeles' workshop at Pilares de La Joya in Mexico City. Monica Gonzalez Islas Some of the signs made by the students in the workshop. Monica Gonzalez Islas

A matchbox

Giovanni Bautista, 30, from the state of Oaxaca, drew inspiration for his signs from matchboxes. His father based his designs on the writing on trucks that passed by the wholesale market in Oaxaca de Juarez, the state capital. And he, in turn, drew inspiration from the legacy of his predecessors.

Bautista is the third generation to work in the family business. Rotulos Bautista  a workshop established 40 years ago  has been located in the municipality of Villa de Etla for the last two decades. Its about 12 miles from downtown Oaxaca. The workshop is still going strong. And Im fortunate to have grown up witnessing its evolution; [over the years], my father never abandoned hand-painted signs, he says.

His father was worried for a while, believing that his son would abandon the trade because of the opportunities offered by his graphic design studies. But Giovanni wanted to continue the practice: it was time to blend the fathers practical experience with the sons academic training: In 2018, we started doing workshops. I dont think there had ever been a workshop open to the public in Mexico that was taught by a sign painter and a designer, he says. For Bautista, part of the current boom in hand-painted lettering stems from an interest in the preservation of the craft: Its not like we invented it two years ago. Because of the removal of signs, it became fashionable [...] Its more of a nostalgic thing, a kind of resistance, preserving the style of lettering that, in Mexico, has long been an important part of the urban landscape.

Arturo Bautista in his workshop in the town of Etla, Oaxaca. Eva Lepiz

The scent of birria,a traditional stew

In the central streets of Mexico Citys Cuauhtemoc borough, some businesses still avoid discussing their signs: Since there are issues with the borough about that, we cant talk, they shrug.

One of those streets is perfumed by the meat being cooked in Los Toritos. Its one of the food stalls that had to remove its handmade signs four years ago. However, they put them back up after a brandy company proposed adding its name, along with some cheeky double entendres.

Moises Maynez, one of the owners of the family business, says that they already had the idea of adding color, making it pretty but then, [the brandy company] came by with the proposal. And we thought it was a great deal. He says that the stand didnt feel a major blow after removing the signs, but adds that, with the new colors, it definitely feels more vibrant. Its not the same to walk past the stall and just see a stainless steel sign; [its better] to see it with phrases. I feel that it really helps when the signs say what you sell, he acknowledges.

The brief bark of a small puppy seems to be the only thing capable of breaking the calm in Alina Kiliwas studio. She explains that sign painting appears in different forms, depending on the region of the country. And she adds that shes seen a general resurgence: Theres a [particular] style in Oaxaca, in Mexico, in Guadalajara I think that, in every part of the country, weve begun to see a revival of the craft, at least in the larger cities.

Kiliwa shows EL PAIS some of her works: piggy banks, signs for a wedding, as well as a mirror with an inscription that advertises a pork shop: Carnitas El Guero, Michoacan-style. Outside her studio, the city continues its hustle and bustle, oblivious to this colorful respite.
A California jury found Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter investors by making public statements casting doubt on his eventual $44 billion acquisition of the social media giant, contributing to a huge drop in the company's stock price.

A class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court against the world's richest man in 2022, just before he fully took control of Twitter.

The plaintiffs argued that they, along with countless other investors, were duped into selling their shares primarily because Musk tweeted that the Twitter deal was 'temporarily on hold' on May 13, 2022.

Musk was concerned there were many more spam or fake accounts on the platform than Twitter had publicly disclosed. He believed about five percent of all accounts were bots.

The plaintiffs argued that Musk made these statements to intentionally drive down the value of the shares so he could negotiate a lower purchase price.

On May 16, 2022, Musk publicly suggested that the deal price could change, saying during a Miami tech conference that it wouldn't be 'out of the question' to buy Twitter for less than the $44 billion that had already been agreed upon.

After nearly four days of deliberation, a nine-person jury in San Francisco found that Musk misled investors with his tweet saying the deal was 'temporarily on hold'.

At the same time, jurors did not agree with the plaintiffs that Musk orchestrated a deliberate fraud scheme.

Elon Musk (pictured entering federal court on March 4) was found liable by a California jury for misleading investors during the chaotic six-month period in 2022 when he acquired Twitter for $44 billion. The plaintiffs said Musk intentionally drove down the stock price with various public statements in order to negotiate a lower purchase price

Jurors said this tweet from Musk misled investors by saying the deal was 'temporarily on hold'. Total damages could swell to $2.5 billion, depending on how many investors sign on to the class action. Musk plans to appeal the verdict

The jury awarded damages that are expected to total around $2.5 billion, which will depend entirely on how many people file to be part of the class action, according to attorneys for the plaintiffs.

Musk is worth about $814 billion, with most of wealth tied up in shares of Tesla.

'It's an important victory, not just for investors of Twitter, but for the public markets,' said Mark Molumphy, an attorney for the plaintiffs. 'I think the jury's verdict sends a strong message that just because you're a rich and powerful person, you still have to obey the law, and no man is above the law.'

Musk's lawyers plan to appeal the case, citing separate unrelated cases in Texas and Delaware where Musk won appeals.

'We view todays verdict, where the jury found both for and against the plaintiffs and found no fraud scheme, as a bump in the road. And we look forward to vindication on appeal,' the legal team at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan said in a statement.

The Daily Mail approached Musk's lawyers for comment.

The nearly three-week trial in San Francisco federal court for the Northern District of California began on March 2 and featured testimony from former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and former CFO Ned Segal.

Musk also testified for more than day, during which he maintained that Twitter's leadership lied about the number of bots there were.

He also claimed that his decision to follow through on the deal in October 2022 provided a huge windfall for investors who held onto their shares.

Join the discussion Should billionaires be held to stricter standards when their actions impact ordinary investors?

The nearly three-week trial in San Francisco federal court for the Northern District of California began on March 2 and featured testimony from former Twitter executives who were integral in the deal, including former CEO Parag Agrawal

Musk also testified and maintained that Twitter executives lied about the number of bots on the platform, which he believed should have given him the right to walk away from the deal

'I cant control whether people sell their stock, but everyone who held the stock fared extremely well,' he said on the stand.

The plaintiffs argued that Musk engineered the chaotic six months it took for the deal to eventually go through.

It began in April 2022, when he signed a binding merger agreement to buy the company at a valuation of roughly $54.20 per share.

In July 2022, Musk officially sought to end the deal, prompting Twitter to sue him for breach of contract. On July 11, the stock sank to $32.65, roughly 40 percent lower than the offer price.

The trial for that case was set to kick off in October 2022, but Musk confirmed in his own testimony that his lawyers advised him 'there was no choice' but to buy Twitter at the original price.

So, on October 27, 2022, the deal closed, just before the court-ordered deadline. Musk has since overhauled Twitter, renaming it X, laying off thousands of employees and merging the company with his AI startup xAI.

Musk said he still believes the inflated user numbers on Twitter should have given him grounds to walk away from the deal. He also acknowledged that his tweet about the number of bots wasn't his 'wisest'.

'I am not sure I would call it incredibly stupid, but if it led to this trial, it probably qualifies as such,' he said.
A US Postal Service worker has been arrested after allegedly violently shoving a four-year-old Jewish boy to the ground in a shocking attack caught on camera.

The disturbing confrontation unfolded on Thursday evening in Monsey, in Rockland County, about 30 miles north of New York CIty, where surveillance footage saw the young child approaching a parked mail truck.

The mail man suddenly turned around and forcefully pushed the little boy backwards onto the pavement.

The boy fell over onto his back and can be seen scrambling to his feet moments later, picking up his yarmulke that was off during his fall, before walking away.

Authorities say the suspect, a 39-year-old man from Stony Point employed by the USPS was quickly identified and arrested the following day.

Ramapo Police Department charged him with endangering the welfare of a child and attempted assault in the third degree, both misdemeanors. He was later released and is expected to appear in court at a later date.

Video of the incident, first reported by The Monsey Scoop, captured the moment the situation escalated without warning.

The child had been standing nearby as the postman was placing letters into a communal mailbox.

A 39-year-old USPS worker was arrested after allegedly shoving a 4-year-old Jewish boy to the ground in Monsey, New York. Surveillance footage shows the child approaching a mail truck before being forcefully pushed onto the sidewalk

Last year, the town of Ramapo, Monsey, was named the safest place to live in America

Witness accounts and footage suggest the worker began yelling at children in the area before turning his attention to the boy, when suddenly the encounter turned physical.

The footage then shows the mail man forcefully shoving the child to the ground.

Monsey is a community with a large Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish population. Last year, the town of Ramapo of which Monsey is a part, was named the safest place to live in America.

Local officials reacted quickly as details of the incident emerged.

Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht confirmed he had personally reviewed the footage.

'I have viewed the video depicting an incident involving a physical attack on a small child,' Specht wrote on X. 'The content of this video is very disturbing. Ramapo Police have treated this matter with extreme seriousness and have now arrested the suspect.'

New York State Assemblyman Aron Wieder condemned the attack in stark terms.

'The attack on a 4-year-old in Monsey is appalling and deeply troubling, never acceptable under any circumstances,' Wieder said, thanking local officials and police for their response.

SHOCKING INCIDENT IN MONSEY: USPS Mail Carrier Assaults 4-Year-Old  Ramapo Police And Chaverim Of Rockland Investigating, Incident Caught On CCTV



READ STORY ON MONSEY SCOOP: https://t.co/TkVPs4yKOO pic.twitter.com/Y45hh12gyu  The Monsey Scoop (@TheMonseyScoop) March 20, 2026

Local politicians were outraged by the actions of the mailman that were caught on camera

State Senator Bill Weber echoed such anger, saying he had been inundated with concern from residents.

'I've heard from constituents who are deeply alarmed by the assault of a young child in the @TownOfRamapo. I share their concern and outrage,' Weber wrote.

'The suspect has been arrested by @Ramapo_PD. He must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'

Police say the suspect was taken into custody on Friday.

Authorities have not explained what caused the postal worker to target the child
Labour rebels are threatening to force a Commons vote to expose the party's deepening divisions over the Home Secretary's new immigration reforms.

Backbench critics of Shabana Mahmood say they want to make their voices heard against her plan to make migrants  including the millions already here  wait years longer before they can gain permanent residency in the UK.

Others are hoping to use arcane Parliamentary procedure to ensure there is a debate on related controversial proposals to make refugee status temporary.

But the Government is so far resisting the demands for another U-turn on the restrictions to settlement, after Angela Rayner criticised the policy, calling it 'un-British'.

As the infighting continued, a backbench Labour MP leading the rebellion claimed the 'whole basis for this policy is completely unfounded'.

Tony Vaughan disputed Ms Mahmood's claim that without tightening up the settlement requirements, huge numbers of low-skilled workers and their families who arrived in recent years will cost taxpayers 10billion.

He admitted there was no right to a vote on the matter, which will be introduced by technical changes to the Immigration Rules rather than legislation, but told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Parliament should be given a chance to have our say on it.'

Mr Vaughan, a barrister at Sir Keir Starmer's old legal chambers, said mooted transitional arrangements would be 'essentially a sticking plaster on a scheme that was flawed from the beginning'.

Angela Rayner, joins Rob Swain, General Manager at KFC UK&Ireland, in Manchester yesterday to take part in the Great British Spring Clean

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood arrives at 10 Downing Street for Cabinet on March 17

He said it would cost the Treasury if care workers leave the country, and highlighted a report by think-tank IPPR suggesting it will keep up to 90,000 children of foreign workers in poverty because their parents cannot claim benefits until they obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain.

'This is not a policy that can be trimmed around the edges. It is fundamentally flawed and should be abandoned,' Mr Vaughan told The Times.

Separately, Labour MP Stella Creasy has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for Ms Mahmood's new Immigration Rules, which make refugee status temporary, to be annulled. She told the Daily Mail that unless more MPs sign it, with 24 putting their names down so far, they will not get any chance to debate the proposals as they are being introduced through a Statutory Instrument rather than primary legislation.

'The Home Secretary has not put these proposals to Parliament for scrutiny.

'Because they refer not to border control but people already in our communities, many of us have concerns they will create more problems than they solve. Good Parliamentary scrutiny could solve that.'

Meanwhile Labour's former deputy leader Baroness Harman said that Ms Rayner  who yesterday joined a litter picking session as part of the Great British Spring Clean in Manchester  should not have publicly criticised the settlement policy without an alternative.

She said: 'To just wave it away as an issue and say it's un-British to exercise extra controls... What is she suggesting instead?

'It's just a negative intervention. It didn't have any proposals about what should be done. I just don't think she should be doing this.'

Last night a Government spokesman said: 'As announced in November, we are consulting to apply this change to those in the UK today but have not received settled status.

'We are currently reviewing the 200,000 responses and will outline our response in due course.'
It marked 125 years of the Royal Australian Navy

Warships have sailed through Sydney Harbour to display the strength of Australia and its allies.

The Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review saw 30 ships from 19 countries assemble in a display of 'sea power' on Saturday.

The maritime event marked 125 years since the foundation of the Royal Australian Navy.

A fleet review is a tradition where a reviewing officer inspects the amassed ships  typically when the vessels have been mobilised for war.

Since the 19th century, the event has been held for commemorative events and celebrations, including inviting other national navies to participate by sending vessels.

On Saturday, warships from allied countries, including Japan, the United States and Papua New Guinea, sailed into the harbour between 6am and midday.

The majority of ships were berthed or anchored, but one column proceeded past HMAS Leeuwin towards Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Defence Minister Richard Marles was in attendance, boarding HMAS Canberra.

Australian and allied warships entered Sydney Harbour on Saturday for the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review, which marks 125 years of the Royal Australian Navy

Sailors stand aboard HMAS Canberra, facing the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Defence Minister Richard Marles joined crews aboard HMAS Canberra

'It's a really exciting day to be here on Sydney Harbour,' Marles said in a video on social media.

'This is the biggest fleet review we've had here in more than a decade.

'All of this is part of Exercise Kakadu, which is our largest maritime exercise that we do every two years and in fact, when we do it, it's the biggest maritime exercise in the southern hemisphere.'

NSW Police deployed 245 officers attached to multiple commands and specialist units across Sydney to monitor public safety during the event.

Several police vessels accompanied the procession to ensure skippers and spectators remained safe among the larger navy ships.

Superintendent Rohan Cramsie, who was commander of the operation, praised the efforts of staff and the behaviour of crowds.

'I am incredibly happy with the respect and support spectators have shown throughout this event for our Royal Australian Navy service members as they celebrate this important milestone,' he said.

'With multiple crowds and vessels at vantage points across the harbour, police deployed a significant number of resources for public safety.

The US Navy's USS Fitzgerald was one of the allied vessels to sail into Sydney Harbour

Pictured, HMAS Canberra leads Japan's Kumano and other vessels into Sydney Harbour

'However, both community members on the land and water were well behaved throughout the celebration.'

Director-General of the Navy 125 Program, Captain Tony Raeside, also celebrated the success of the event.

'The support and cooperation of NSW Police and all NSW Government agencies was critical for the success of the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review,' he said.

'We thank all of the personnel who worked for the safety and security of this memorable event.'

The warships have docked in the harbour overnight and are scheduled to set sail on Sunday.

Marine exclusion zones will remain in place throughout the evening.
Pressure is mounting on Sarah Ferguson to testify in the US over her links to Jeffrey Epstein, although there has been no formal request for her to do so.

Files released by the Department of Justice in January revealed she remained in contact with the disgraced financier, including just 17 days before his release from a Florida jail for soliciting sex with minors.

US lawmakers have repeatedly called for Ferguson's former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to answer questions about his links to Epstein, and she is now facing calls to do the same.

Despite the renewed scrutiny, Ferguson, 66, has kept a low profile in recent months, fuelling speculation over whether she could be asked to give evidence.

Some insiders believe she will instead stay out of the spotlight and avoid appearing before any congressional committee in what insiders see as a final act of loyalty to Andrew.

Jonathan Coad, a media lawyer who has previously represented Ferguson in defamation and privacy cases, said there was 'no chance' she would travel to the US.

'Of course she won't, and if she were still my client, my very strong advice to her would be not to go,' he told the BBC.

'It would be a disaster for her, for her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie - and also for Andrew, as it would show him up for not going.'

Pressure is mounting on Sarah Ferguson to testify in the US over her links to Jeffrey Epstein. Pictured: Princess Beatrice of York, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie of York

US lawmakers have repeatedly called for Ferguson's former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to answer questions about his links to Epstein and she is now facing calls to do the same

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the House Oversight Committee investigating the handling of Epstein's prosecution, said he now believed she had 'information related to the investigation'.

He added that Ferguson should give sworn testimony to the committee.

There is no legal mechanism to compel Ferguson to testify in the US.

But Subramanyam said that lawmakers would be happy to work out terms that work for her as long as she was under oath.

Subramanyam's calls were echoed by Democratic Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, who urged anyone with information of wrongdoing by Epstein and his associates to cooperate in order to ensure justice for the survivors.

The family of prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre also said they 'strongly believed' the former Duchess of York should go to the US to answer questions.

Speculation about Ferguson's next move has sent the rumour mill into overdrive, with some claiming she's been offered six-figure sums from US networks for an interview.

There have also been whispers that Ferguson has been considering writing a tell-all memoir.

Earlier this month, Ferguson was snubbed for a 1.5million book deal in America as no one wanted to enable her to 'cash in on the Epstein scandal', according to Hollywood sources.

She had pitched the idea of a tell-all memoir to major US publishing houses looking for a deal 'in the region of $2million (1.49million)', but all of them have rejected her, the source said.

Following the revelations in the files, sources say Fergie has been looking to cross the pond to try to publish her side of the story in a new book.

Hollywood sources told The Sunday Express: 'She ended up with a string of rejections and zero response in a few cases.

'It seems no one is remotely interested in being seen to be enabling her to cash in on the Epstein scandal that has torn her family apart and ruined her ex-husband.'

It's a far cry from her previous foray in the States, where she has worked as a correspondent for NBC's Today show and appeared as the face of Weight Watchers in adverts.

Ferguson has a history in the publishing sphere as well as a prominent children's book author - most recently in 2024 with a kiddies' book called Flora And Fern, following her 2023 romance novel A Most Intriguing Lady.

In her numerous mentions in the Epstein files, it appears he had been financially supporting her for over a decade and a half.

Files released by the Department of Justice in January revealed she remained in contact with the disgraced financier, including just 17 days before his release from a Florida jail for soliciting sex with minors

Pictured: Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman in an image that appears in the Epstein Files

In one 2009 email, she is thought to have said to the paedophile financier: 'I urgently need 20,000 pounds ($27,521) for rent today.

'The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don't pay. Any brainwaves?'

The same year, emails suggest that the then-Duchess of York had been enthusiastically updating Epstein on opportunities for books and other brand deals opening up.

In one gushing message, she appears to say 'Just marry me' after a string of compliments to the paedophile who had been convicted of soliciting sex from a minor the year before.

Ferguson even seemed to reference her own children with Epstein, apparently talking of then-19-year-old Eugenie coming back from a 's****ing weekend' in 2010.

She is also believed to have introduced her then-22-year-old goddaughter to Epstein following his release from prison.

On her apparent failed book deal, one Sunday Express source said: 'Any notion she might have had about keeping her American dream alive now seems to have been killed off completely.

'Commercially, as the failed book deal shows, she has become a pariah.'
An Iranian man and a Romanian woman have been charged after attempting to enter Britain's Faslane nuclear naval base.

Sarsam Abutakir, 34, and Alina Valentina, 31, were in a vehicle when approaching a gate at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

The pair lacked the right passes to enter and were turned away, it has been reported - before being detained after 'acting suspiciously in the vicinity'.

They are now due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, March 23.

The naval base is the Royal Navy's headquarters in Scotland and is home to Britain's nuclear submarines including the Vanguard vessels armed with Trident missiles.

Police Scotland announced the pair had been arrested and charged as Iran escalated tensions by firing two ballistic missiles at a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean just hours after Keir Starmer gave the green light for Donald Trump to use UK-based bombers threatening the Straits of Hormuz.

The move prompted Tehran to warn the Prime Minister he had placed British lives 'in danger' by consenting to Trump's request to use B-52s and other aircraft flying out of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to blast Iranian missile sites in the strategically important waterway.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi swiftly asserted that Iran would 'exercise its right to self-defence' if the UK joined US operations.

An Iranian man, 34, and a Romanian woman, 31, have been charged after attempting to enter Britain's Faslane nuclear naval base

The naval base is the Royal Navy's headquarters in Scotland and is home to Britain's nuclear submarines including the Vanguard vessels armed with Trident missiles

Posting on X, he said: 'Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran. Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.'

HM Naval Base Clyde, commonly known as Faslane, is home to four Trident-armed ballistic missile submarines as well as the Navy's seven Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

The base, 25 miles north-west of Glasgow, hosts submarines powered by nuclear reactors.

A serious nuclear incident took place at the base early last year, it was revealed last August.

There was a Category A event at HMNB Clyde on Gare Loch in Faslane between January and April.

The Ministry of Defence defines a Category A incident as the most serious and those which carry an 'actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment'.

HM Naval Base Clyde is home to four Trident-armed ballistic missile submarines and the Navy's seven Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines, including HMS Ambush (pictured)

But the government department insisted the incident at HMNB Clyde did not pose a risk to the public nor result in any radiological impact to the environment.

It was revealed in a written parliamentary answer by defence procurement minister Maria Eagle after she was asked to provide the number of Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) at the Faslane and Coulport naval bases.

NSERs detail incidents at nuclear facilities and are categorised based on their safety significance and impact.

She disclosed that there had been a category A event at Faslane between January 1 and April 22 as well as two category B, seven category C and four category D incidents.

Ms Eagle added that there were five further events deemed 'below scale' and less serious.

The Faslane base is guarded by Ministry of Defence Police as well as Royal Marine Commandos from the 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected Donald Trump's claim Australia is not 'getting involved' in his efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The US President was asked his thoughts about some leaders' policy on the blockade of a key strategic route for 20 per cent of the world's oil supply.

The waterway was closed by Iran after the US and Israel launched strikes targeting the Supreme Leader at the end of February, prompting weeks of conflict.

'Mr President, you took issue with Australia, Japan and South Korea this week,' Sky News Washington correspondent Jonathan Kearsley said on Friday.

He asked Trump what action he wanted these countries to take.

'Well, they should get involved, and I was a little bit surprised that they said no, because we always say yes to them,' the US President said.

However, Albanese rejected these claims during a press conference on Saturday, stating that Australia had done what had been asked.

'The truth is that we have said yes to the request of the UAE for the E7 Wedgetail aircraft that's operating there with personnel,' he told reporters.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that he was 'surprised' Australia, Japan and South Korea had not been 'involved' in his military action in the Middle East

The Strait of Hormuz was closed by Iran after the US and Israel launched strikes on the country

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters Australia had done what it was asked

'In addition to that, we've sent AMRAAM (advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles) that (are) making a difference as well to intercept missiles or drones aimed at the UAE.

'So, we continue to provide the support we've been asked to support. We have done what we have been asked to do.'

Albanese also told reporters that Australia had signed a joint statement, coordinated by the British government, to ensure the Strait remains open.

The route has effectively remained closed since conflict erupted in the region, leaving tankers idle for weeks and forcing producers to halt pumping.

'We've signed up to the statement that's been issued,' Albanese said on Saturday.

'That speaks about the work that we're doing to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remain open. That's critical.'

The statement condemns recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the closure of the strait.

It said the 22 countries which signed the document, including New Zealand, Japan and Canada, were ready to help ensure safe passage of ships.

Albanese's statement comes as oil prices have soared and global supplies have been cut after the Strait of Hormuz was closed (pictured, petrol and diesel prices in NSW town of Narrabri)

Albanese's statement comes as oil prices have soared and global supplies have been cut after Iran closed the strait.

Rising demand has also placed increasing pressure on fuel supply chains.

Australia's consumer watchdog has granted an urgent interim authorisation to members of the Australian Institute of Petroleum allowing companies to discuss, exchange information about, and co-ordinate on the supply of fuel without risking a breach of competition laws.

But fuel suppliers are not allowed to share information about or reach an agreement on price.

Allowing major companies to co-ordinate raises a risk of harm to competition, which is why the authorisation comes with strict conditions, according to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb.

'We recognise how critical it is that industry is able to quickly and efficiently co-ordinate and respond to the supply chain disruptions we are experiencing,' she said.

Any company that broke the rules would be penalised, Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned on Saturday.

'It's really important the big players in the fuel markets don't treat this as a chance to disadvantage the independents who play a vital role, including in regional Australia,' he said.

'The government is working with industry and regulators to ensure Australians get a fair go at the pump and in the supply chain, and anyone breaking the rules must have the book thrown at them.'

The watchdog has also imposed conditions to the authorisation that aim to maintain independent fuel distribution.
Seventy-eight migrants have been rescued by the French coastguard after the engine of their small boat broke down while attempting to cross the Channel from Belgium.

The French maritime prefecture has confirmed it sent a number of vessels after reports of numerous boats holding migrants setting off to Britain were received.

On Saturday, the authority released a statement reading: 'Following an engine failure of the migrant boat, the (coastguard vessel) rescued 78 people, then disembarked them at the quay in Calais for care by the rescue services on land.'

'Determined to reach the United Kingdom, migrants who make the crossings aboard precarious boats refuse the assistance offered by French means and only accept it when faced with situations of extreme urgency.'

News of the failed crossing comes as 25 people were rescued on Thursday after embarking on small boats from Belgium and France.

A spokesperson for the French coastguard has since issued a warning urging others not to cross the waters, saying the maritime sector is a 'particularly dangerous area.'

This number, however, is small compared to successful crossings.

So far this year, a total of 3,863 migrants have come to Britain by small boat, according to official figures.

Migrants trying to reach Britain (pictured) wait on a beach shore in northern France on Wednesday

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On Thursday alone, 144 migrants arrived by two small boats, and on Friday, 116 entered by three vessels.

After failing to stem the surge in crossings, the Home Office confirmed on Friday that the UK's head of border security command will step down.

Martin Hewitt will leave the post of border security commander in March after 18 months in the job.

The Prime Minister appointed Mr Hewitt, a former senior police officer, shortly after taking office - tasking him with curbing the number of small boats crossing the Channel.

However, under Mr Hewitt's watch, crossings have continued at sky-high levels - with 58,910 people making the journey since then.

His tenure also saw the second-highest annual total of people crossing the Channel, with 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat last year.
Villagers near an RAF base have bemoaned their area becoming swamped with Iran war plane spotters who cause 'traffic chaos and wee everywhere'.

The airbase, currently hosting US bombers amid the conflict in the Middle East, has been a focal point for national and foreign plane enthusiasts.

Visitors camp outside RAF Fairford for days in their cars and caravans - using ladders to see over the screens that were installed to stop them from viewing the site.

But the constant influx of plane spotters is upsetting locals, who say they cause antisocial behaviour, 'clog up the roads' and use fields surrounding the base as a 'toilet'.

Locals say that hundreds of plane spotters travel through the village of Marston Meysey, on the border of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, every day - as it is within walking distance of the base.

The area has become increasingly popular with the spotters since USAF bombers began arriving at the base earlier this month.

Villager Dave James, 71, retired, said he sees hundreds of spotters every day and would like more police patrolling the area.

He added: 'We need something in place, to deter them to stay away from here.

Villagers near RAF Fairford have bemoaned their area becoming swamped with Iran war plane spotters who cause 'traffic chaos and wee everywhere'

Visitors camp outside RAF Fairford for days in their cars and caravans - using ladders to see over the screens that were installed to stop them from viewing the site

The area has become increasingly popular with the spotters since USAF bombers began arriving at the base earlier this month. Pictured: A USAF B-1B bomber at the airbase

'Why should we be overrun with them? These spotters, are they in favour of fuel and oil prices going up then? Which is what this [war] is causing.

'There's foreign cars, up the lane, one is from Netherlands so he's travelled all the way from Holland. They are treating it like a holiday.

'They are obviously in support of what's happening in Iran.

'If Donald Trump has started it that's why we've got this out here and so they must be supporting whatever Donald Trump is doing.

'I'd like to get all them spotters away from here - out of our community.'

Mr James said they were 'clogging up the roads'.

He added: 'The road is not very wide up through this village and we got people that don't have off street parking.

'If they are clogging our village up with their cars, people come home from work and they can't park outside their own property.'

He said that some plane spotters sit in fields around the airbase and 'don't care' who they belong to.

Mr James and his partner Chrissie have allotments along the public footpath to RAF Fairford and have had to put cones up to stop the public from parking there.

Mr James added: 'They don't care whose properties it is.

'The farmers are trying to grow grass for signage and they are trampolining it all day.

'It's a public footpath - they are up there with their chairs, they're all sat down.

'They screened off the fencing, but they got ladders so they're looking over the airfield still - so who's policing these signs?

'We seem to be a forgotten community out here. We shouldn't have to put up with the hassle of all those spotters I think.'

Kirsty Payne, 57, said the village has been 'absolutely swamped' with plane spotters

Dave James and his partner Chrissie have allotments along the public footpath to RAF Fairford and said they have had to put cones up to stop the public from parking there

Mrs James, 77, also retired, added: 'Some of the plane spotters get quite abusive and they block people's entrances.

'It wears you down a bit. It's a war for God's sake, it's not a pleasure. And they are leaving a mess as well.'

Charity worker Kirsty Payne, 57, said they have plane spotters coming in regularly, but ever since RAF Fairford has been used by the US they have been 'absolutely swamped' with them.

She said they have come along and 'parked everywhere', making it hard for ambulances and the school bus to get through the roads, adding that they have caused antisocial behaviour.

Ms Payne added: 'They have no facilities down there.

'We can't walk the dogs down there anymore, because there's toilet paper and human excrement in the bushes. They are weeing everywhere - they're there for hours and hours.

'There's people climbing up trees, everyone's on their stepladders.

'Wildlife and hedgerows will suffer from people urinating and defecating.

'They also leave rubbish behind which isn't great for the wildlife either.'

She added that not all plane spotters are to blame, but that a small minority is 'making it much worse' for the residents.

A plane spotter who did not want to be named that said: 'I'm here for the day, I'm at my car and I've got sandwiches.

'I love aircrafts so that's why I come here.'

Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: 'We recognise the concerns raised by residents about congestion, inconsiderate parking, and the potential impact on road safety.

'Responsibility for ensuring highway safety, maintaining emergency access, and responding to any immediate obstructions lies with the police.

'Over the weekend, officers issued warnings where appropriate, and our Civil Enforcement Officers were present to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to vehicles parked in contravention of existing restrictions, such as on double yellow lines. We will continue to monitor these areas as part of our routine enforcement work.

'Where no formal parking restrictions are in place, the council is not able to take enforcement action.

'However, we remain willing to work with the local community and parish councils to explore future options for managing parking pressures, should they wish to pursue new measures.

'Residents who encounter vehicles causing an active obstruction or posing a safety risk should report these directly to the police, who have the necessary powers to respond.'

Wiltshire Police said it has asked visitors to be 'mindful' if they come to the village. Pictured: Ground crew handle munitions at RAF Fairford on Saturday

Cllr Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: 'We have put temporary traffic management measures in place on roads around RAF Fairford, in response to requests by the police and RAF Fairford to address safety and access issues.

'A number of traffic cones have been installed along the verge and the shared pedestrian/cycleway on Whelford Road after vehicles were parking on the route, causing obstructions and raising safety and security concerns.

'In addition, a road closure has been introduced on Dunfield Road, so local residents can still access their properties at all times. All of the measures currently in place have been agreed following discussions with Gloucestershire Constabulary and RAF Fairford.

'The situation will continue to be kept under review, with the safety of residents, pedestrians, cyclists and road users remaining the priority.'

Wiltshire Police Inspector Scott Anger said: 'We have been working closely with colleagues from Gloucestershire Constabulary and the MOD, as well as engaging with the Marston Meysey Parish Council to address these concerns.

'We have been carrying out regular patrols to support the local community.

Insp Anger added: 'I was present in Marston Meysey on Thursday and engaged with some of the aircraft enthusiasts there. I saw that everyone was parked in a considerate manner and were well behaved.

'We appreciate that the warm weather has attracted more people and we are asking people to be mindful if they visit the village.

'It is worth bearing in mind that screens have now been put in place by the RAF, so the view is limited.'
In a landmark move for the UK publishing industry, a 'femgore' horror novel has become the first title to be pulled from British bookshops following allegations that over 75% of its content was generated by artificial intelligence.

One of the world's biggest publishing houses, Hachette, originally acquired the rights to Shy Girl after the title rose up on Amazon's sales chart following its self-published debut in February last year.

Upon acquisition, the publisher praised the work as a 'gory horror and razor-sharp revenge thriller,' noting they had collaborated closely with Mia Ballard to 'refine' what they then considered a brilliant debut.

The withdrawal of Shy Girl from stores has been triggered by allegations that the revenge thriller was largely the product of AI rather than a human author.

The book, Shy Girl by Mia Ballard, had been scheduled for release in the US this spring under Hachette's Orbit imprint.

However, the publisher confirmed it had halted publication after an internal review.

The title had sold just under 1,900 copies in the UK before the scandal broke, and it remained widely available across major retail platforms yesterday.

Hachette, one of the industry's 'Big Five' global publishers, is believed to be the first major house to ever withdraw a novel post-publication due to allegations of AI authorship.

Hachette Book Group withdrew Mia Ballard's horror book 'Shy Girl' after allegations circulated online that Ms Ballard relied heavily on artificial intelligence

Mia Ballard seen talking about her self-published debut book, Sugar

Whispers of the scandal first surfaced in online forums early this year, shortly after Hachette's November UK re-release of the novel.

A widely shared Reddit thread drew hundreds of comments, with many alleging that the prose resembled output from AI tools.

A YouTube video posted in January, titled 'I'm pretty sure this book is ai slop', drew more than 1.2 million views.

The founder of an AI detection program called Pangram, Max Spero, tested the full text and announced on social media that the results showed that Shy Girl was 78 per cent AI-generated.

Speaking to The New York Times, he stated he was 'very confident' that the book is 'largely AI-generated, or very heavily AI-assisted.'

The New York Times reports that Ms Ballard said she had hired an acquaintance to edit her original, self-published version, who had used the technology.

It reported Ballard saying: 'This controversy has changed my life in many ways and my mental health is at an all-time low and my name is ruined for something I didn't even personally do.' She told the newspaper that she was pursuing legal action.

Hachette originally described Ballard as a Northern California-based poet and fiction writer who lives with her partner and dog.

Originally self-published in February 2025, Shy Girl has almost 5,000 ratings on Goodreads with an average score of 3.51 stars.

The publisher describes her as 'passionate about writing stories focused on feminine rage' and has a deep-seated love for the horror genre.

At the time of the acquisition, Hachette spoke warmly of the collaboration, stating it had been 'such a pleasure to work with Mia on refining her brilliant novel.'

The industry is currently navigating a sharp double standard. While literary agents have begun flatly rejecting 'non-original' AI submissions to protect human authorship, publishing houses are simultaneously embracing the technology to streamline back-end operations like audio narration and translations.

Hachette has been contacted for a statement.
Ernest Higa, the American businessman who successfully launched Dominos Pizza in Japan in 1985, recognized the need to adapt to the countrys unique characteristics. He recommends delving deeper into the culture, the market, and consumer habits

A smaller pizza, a logo carved in wood, or a tatami floor are minor adjustments that, in Japan, allow global brands like Dominos Pizza, Starbucks, or Zara to conquer one of the worlds most demanding markets. Japanese diners are very prone to boredom, Ernest Higa  an American businessman who in 1985 managed to establish the aforementioned pizza chain in the country after convincing the U.S. headquarters to increase the topping options from 12 to 38 and abandon the practice of serving only Coca-Cola  explains to EL PAIS.

Higa also rejected the American maxim of bigger is better and, in keeping with a culture that promotes moderation  the saying Hara hachi bu me, isha iras [translated as: only filling your stomach to 80% keeps the doctor away]  reduced the size of the pizzas. After confirming that the Japanese eat with their eyes, he arranged ingredients familiar to the local palate, such as calamari, prawns, and teriyaki chicken, on the pizza in an aesthetically pleasing way. The success of the American franchise model is based on keeping the concept intact. But that doesnt always work in Japan, argues the successful pioneer of a novel dish whose main ingredient  cheese  was exotic on the daily menu at the time.

Starbucks, the American coffee chain that arrived in 1996 amid a strong coffee culture, encountered a very different scenario. In Japan, there were already specialty chains or retro-style boutique coffee shops that functioned as a third place, an alternative to the office and home where people could spend many consecutive hours working, reading, or listening to classical music.

The first Starbucks coffee shop outside the United States opened in Ginza, a central Tokyo district of upscale shops often compared to New Yorks Fifth Avenue. According to Noriko Suzuki, a spokesperson for Starbucks Japan, local employees receive training on coffee origin and production, the growing environment, and food pairings. An exam is held annually, and the top performers are rewarded with a prize reminiscent of martial arts mastery: a black apron.

Exterior of a Starbucks store in the Ninenzaka neighborhood of Kyoto. Cedida

To capitalize on the cultural significance of seasonal changes in Japan, Suzuki continues, seasonal products have been developed, such as the sakura latte (cherry latte) in spring, fresh seasonal fruit lattes in summer, and sweet potato lattes in autumn. Starbucks is also credited with popularizing matcha drinks worldwide. By stripping powdered green tea of its ritual function in the tea ceremony and blending it with other ingredients, the company created a new beverage category, and today any social media content tagged matcha latte generates thousands of views.

In an emblematic case of paying homage to Japanese culture, Starbucks installed a coffee shop in a centuries-old traditional house in 2017, commissioned a wooden version of its distinctive logo to be carved, and changed its color to brown to harmonize with the surroundings of the Ninenzaka neighborhood, next to the famous Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto.

Customers at the Starbucks in Kyoto, Japan, during its opening in 2017. Christopher Jue (Getty Images)

The deep connection with Japan that foreign brands forge through their third spaces has not gone unnoticed by fashion brands like Zara, which in October 2025 opened a store in the central Shinsaibashi district of Osaka (Japans second-largest city). This store features a Zacaffe cafe, its fourth location after Madrid, Nanjing (China), and Seoul (South Korea). Although Inditex maintains that the nearly 2,000 square meters of the Osaka store (its 64th in the country) only contain nods to Japanese culture, the Nara wood tiles, natural cobblestone flooring, and use of traditional noren curtains are part of a strategy to engage with the local culture. The tatami flooring in the womens section, an unusual luxury in a Western fashion store, invites customers to remove their shoes  the ultimate gesture of connection to the Japanese space, where the experience is paramount.

Tatami room in the Zara store in Osaka, Japan. Cedida

According to Higa, who now works as a consultant for other global brands, there are no set formulas for making a foreign concept work in Japan. He recommends delving into the market, the culture, and consumer habits, and cites the phrase think global, act local. He adds, however, that this maxim  attributed to Akio Morita, founder of Sony  would be further refined with the clarification: But dont become a native. Its crucial to remember that the reason for bringing a foreign brand to Japan is precisely its success in its home market. What must be maintained is just as important as what must be adapted, Higa concludes.

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Elon Musk has offered to pay the salaries of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during the ongoing partial government shutdown that is causing travel chaos nationwide.

I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country, Musk posted Saturday morning on X.

Wait times to pass security have stretched to more than two hours in some airports around the US after TSA workers pay was stopped, causing staffing shortages.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest in the world, lines reached up to 125 minutes on Saturday morning.

In Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport saw delays of up to 150 minutes, while New Yorks John F Kennedy International Airport topped 30 minutes.

TSA officers make about $50,000 per year on average, according to The New York Times. Musk, the richest man in the world, is valued at $814.3 billion.

The partial government shutdown stems from a congressional deadlock over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees TSA.

As of Saturday morning, at least 1,350 delays and 80 cancelations had been reported across the country, according to FlightAware.

Travelers wait in line at Terminal E at George Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas, as the partial government shutdown continues

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Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, offered to pay the salaries of TSA workers on Saturday morning

Democrats want changes to federal immigration enforcement, which President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have not agreed to.

About 50,000 TSA workers have been working without pay since February 14 because the DHS is currently shutdown.

At least 366 agents nationwide have quit their jobs, according to the agency.

Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver International Airport reported wait times of 30 minutes, while Dallas-Fort Worth saw delays of 24 minutes.

The DHS has also said that many TSA officers cannot pay their rent, afford gas or buy food because of the current shutdown.

Some were having to sleep at airports since they could not commute home, according to the agency, which said that 'Democrats must end this madness.'

To date, the Atlanta airport has had the highest average callout rate during the shutdown so far at 21.5 percent.

Other airports with high average TSA callout rates during the shutdown include JFK Airport at 21.4 percent, Houston Hobby at 21 percent and New Orleans at 16.5 percent, according to the DHS.

About 50,000 TSA workers have been working without pay since February 14 with the Department of Homeland Security shutdown

Wait times reached up to 125 minutes on Saturday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest in the world

Wait times to pass security have seen major delays across the nation US after TSA workers pay was stopped

Disruptions have also been reported in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Minneapolis, Miami, Salt Lake City and other airports on both coasts.

The travel madness is expected to continue as long as TSA workers do not get paid. Travelers are encouraged to check airport websites, as wait times will fluctuate.

A longtime TSA worker said some agents could not support their families, let alone get to work.

'Whether it's "I can't put gas in my car," "I have to take care of my children," "I have to pay my light bill so that my lights won't get cut off,"  those are the reasons that officers are not showing up,' Aaron Barker, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 554 in Atlanta, said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

'Officers are scared,' Barker added. 'They don't know what to do.'

Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that TSA workers are set to miss another payment on March 27.

'If a deal isn't cut, you're going to see what's happening today look like child's play,' Duffy told CNN on Friday. 'These are going to be good days compared to what's going to happen a week from now.'

Atlanta's airport has had the highest average callout rate during the shutdown so far at 21.5 percent

More than 1,300 delays and 430 cancelations had been reported nationwide, as of Saturday morning

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned earlier this week that the delays and travel chaos could still get worse, with TSA workers set to miss another paycheck on March 27

He said small airports could shut down unless a lawmakers reach a compromise to end the partial government shutdown.

TSA's acting deputy administrator, Adam Stahl, has also warned that entire airports could come to a halt.

'It's not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if call-out rates go up,' Stahl said.

'The reality of the situation is this is going to get worse before it gets better, if we don't see any sort of action,' he added.

A bill to fund the DHS failed to advance Friday in the Senate.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure on Saturday to fund only the TSA, as lawmakers hold a rare weekend session.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the DHS for comment on the shutdown and delays.
A dyslexic police officer who ordered colleagues to breathaylse his ex-boss after falsely accusing him of drink-driving has sued his force.

PC Lee Umpleby has taken Avon and Somerset Police to a tribunal over a disability discrimination claim after being moved to a desk job despite struggling with administrative tasks due to dyslexia and depression.

In May 2023 the dog handler followed Ministry of Defence Police Sgt Steve Knight's car for five miles on his way to work before telling traffic cops to breathaylse him.

The test was negative, however PC Umpleby told a misconduct hearing in June the following year he believed Sgt Knight was a 'bully' who he believed had drunk-driven previously.

He wept as he was cleared of misconduct, with the 2024 hearing ruling the police constable genuinely believed his line manager was over the limit.

PC Umpleby, who has been a police officer for 18 years, has now sued Avon and Somerset Police, with an employment judge ruling on January 27 this year that he is a 'disabled person' on the grounds of dyslexia under the Equality Act.

He told the tribunal he was suspended from his dog handler role in 2023 and assigned to carry out administrative duties from home.

The tribunal found there was significant evidence of his dyslexia, including a diagnostic assessment carried out by a psychologist at the request of his previous employer, Thames Valley Police, in 2008.

PC Lee Umpleby has taken Avon and Somerset Police to a tribunal for disability discrimination

It stated that PC Umpleby had a comprehension level 'above average and appropriate to his ability', however his spelling ability and rate of writing were 'below average'.

The psychologist's report said: 'Assessment of literacy levels indicated that, though demonstrating average spelling level, fewer than 2 per cent of peers of similar intellect would score as low or lower than he did...

'Lee is a friendly officer of superior overall intellect, who processes verbal and visual information much slower than average. His spelling skills are average but well below the level expected of someone of his ability.'

It added: 'Lee's difficulties will be most evident in situations where the quick assimilation and/or the recording of written information are important.'

The police constable had also provided evidence that he had been prevoiusly diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

He was signed off in May 2016 as unfit for work until July later that year due to anxiety and depression and started taking antidepressants.

For the same reasons he was signed off again from July to November.

PC Umpleby told the hearing his depression became unmanageable and that he needed to seek medical help, adding that his mental health issues were linked to events at work which he then left to join a taxi company 'for a period'.

He told the tribunal he was suspended from his dog handler role in 2023 and assigned to carry out administrative duties from home despite struggling with paperwork due to dyslexia and depression

In April 2020 he had his shotgun license renewed, telling the tribunal he had no mental health issues at the time preventing the renewal.

Despite his mental health issues PC Umpleby had never asked for reasonable adjustments previously as paperwork was limited in his role as a dog handler.

The tribunal heard that his need for reasonable adjustments arose when he was suspended from his dog handler role in 2023 and assigned to carry out administrative duties from home.

This involved more significantly more paperwork and large amounts of writing, including emails, reports and responses, and his dyslexia caused him difficulties in dealing with this.

He said he had no problem reacting quickly and appropriately when responding to immediate events in his role as a dog handler. However, throughout the whole of his career he had struggled with paperwork.

According to tribunal documents: 'The claimant was asked in cross-examination about an email from his trade union representative relating to the professional standards investigation which was part of the events leading to the claim.

'His Police Federation representative, Mark Loker, emailed the investigator, Jacob Bullus, on 23 September 2023 stating, in relation to the claimant, "I've just spoken to him and he's fine, no reasonable adjustments necessary."'

However PC Umpleby said he had not been copied into that email and had not seen it until it was disclosed during tribunal proceedings.

An employment judge has ruled that PC Umpleby's depression 'was a reaction to events' at work

He said he had not been asked about reasonable adjustments by Mr Loker and that his understanding was that he was being asked whether he was happy to be questioned by Mr Bullus, which he was.

He had not expected to have to provide written responses. If this had been made clear to him then he would have said that he wanted an interview by way of a reasonable adjustment, which the tribunal said it accepted.

The tribunal heard that PC Umpleby had experienced no further mental health issues until June 2023, after he ordered colleagues to breathaylse his ex-boss.

In medical records he submitted to the court, the dog handler was recorded as saying: 'I am a police officer and am being investigated for gross misconduct, I am innocent but have to go through this process to prove my innocence.

'This is causing a huge amount of stress and anxiety about returning to work. I feel I need some time off to cope with the situation. I need the note to run from the 19th of June for a duration of 28 days.'

PC Umpleby remained on sick leave and in December 2023 the reason for this was recorded as being a shoulder injury.

Later the same month there was a reference to him having depression and being under lot of stress at work.

In January 2024 he was recorded as having anxiety and depression and to taking antidepressants again, with his GP confirming in a letter in May the same year that he had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

The tribunal heard how the police constable experienced feelings of suppressed panic and exhaustion

According to tribunal documents: 'The claimant said in his written evidence that as a result of his depression he experienced feelings of suppressed panic and exhaustion.

'He said his depression affected his energy and concentration and exacerbated the difficulties he experienced dealing with written documents and his ability to cope with stress. The tribunal accepted this evidence.'

Employment judge D Gray-Jones said in their conclusion that PC Umpleby's dyslexia 'did not cause him difficulties when working as a dog handler, but it did cause him difficulties when he was assigned to administrative duties after he was suspended from his dog handler role in 2023'.

The judge also said the police constable's dyslexia on occassion had a 'substantial and adverse effect on the carrying out of a normal day to day activity'.

'That impairment has an effect on his ability to carry out normal day to day activities and that effect is substantial and adverse. The claimant's dyslexia is a life long condition.

'Accordingly, the yribunal finds that the claimant was disabled by reason of dyslexia at all times material to the claim.'

The judge also ruled that PC Umpleby's depression 'was a reaction to events' at work.

'The claimant's evidence in his disability impact statement was that when depressed he had difficulty concentrating, sleeping and copying with routine demands and experienced panic attacks...

'As a result of the claimant's depression he experienced feelings of suppressed panic and exhaustion.

'The depression affected his energy and concentration and exacerbated the difficulties he experienced dealing with written documents and his ability to cope with stress.'

The judge added: 'Accordingly, my conclusion in relation to the question of whether the claimant was disabled by reason of depression is that he had a mental impairment, namely depression. That impairment had a substantial and adverse effect upon his ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

'That effect was long-term. As such the Claimant was a disabled person by reason of depression from January 2024.'
Pauline Hanson has said the historic surge in One Nation votes during the South Australian election is 'just the start' of her party's political earthquake.

Labor was expected to easily win Saturday's election, but all eyes were on One Nation and whether it could meet polling expectations.

Of the state's 47 seats, the ALP had secured 30, the Liberals had 4, with 13 seats still in doubt.

Late on Saturday night, Electoral Commission figures showed statewide Labor had 37.8 per cent of the vote, One Nation had 21.7 per cent, the Liberals slipped to third on 19.1 per cent and the Greens were on 11.6 per cent.

One Nations Upper House lead candidate, former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, has secured his seat, with the party on track to claim two or possibly three seats in total.

In the lower house, the party has yet to lock in a seat, but it remains competitive in a handful of electorates still too close to call.

In the rural seat of MacKillop in the states southeast, One Nation currently holds a razorthin lead over the Liberals, ahead by just 225 votes.

The party is also ahead in Hammond, where candidate Robert Roylance is now favoured to win.

Pauline Hanson has said the historic surge in One Nation votes during the South Australian election is 'just the start'

Labor was expected to easily win Saturday's election, but all eyes were on One Nation

Re-elected Premier Peter Malinauskas (pictured) said he would work with Liberal leader Ashton Hurn and One Nation's Cory Bernardi over the next four years

Meanwhile, in Light, One Nation is sitting just behind Labor as counting is set to resume on Sunday.

'This is the start of it, and I'm going to go after Farrer and we're going to look at the state Victorian elections,' Hanson said to supporters on Saturday night.

'People are crying out for One Nation down there so there is a movement that is happening.

'It's not just a protest vote... you have no idea what the hell has happened in this country, there is a movement and there is an undercurrent and it is people saying we've had a gutful, we want our country back.'

'We don't know if we're going to have one, two, three seats. We're not sure,' she said.

Before polls closed, Adelaide University emeritus professor of politics Clem Macintyre said the rise of One Nation had the potential to create a watershed moment in Australian politics and signal the end of two-party politics at the federal level.

'If they do make a breakthrough, they're going to have to work hard to be a more serious and viable alternative government,' he told AAP.

'It's more frustration with the major parties... I think we can still say One Nation is a party of disaffected voters.'

Nadia Clancy MP on left at the Labor Party celebratory post election function

Hanson ended her speech to supporters with a parting message for newly re-elected Premier Peter Malinauskas.

'Guess what mate? I'm leaving you some landmines  they're called One Nation members of parliament,' she said.

'I suggest don't step on them because they will explode, and that's what we're here for  to ensure you get good representation, good government with a good opposition which you have not had in this state for a long time.'

Malinauskas and his family later arrived at a buzzing Labor headquarters to celebrate his party's success.

'Although this is the best result our party has ever achieved, it's very important that no one confuses tonight's result as adulation,' he said.

Malinauskas said it was a sign that his state government should 'work our guts out for the next four years'.

He also acknowledged Liberal leader Ashton Hurn and One Nation's Cory Bernardi, promising to work with them over the next four years.

'I say to both Ashton and Cory Bernardi, along with leaders of other political parties elected to the Parliament tonight, that my government stands ready to work with each and every one of you for as long as it is in the interests of South Australians,' he said.

In her concession speech, the Liberals' Ashton Hurn (pictured) said she would continue to lead her party over the next four years

In some seats, the Liberals slipped to fourth behind Labor, One Nation and Greens candidates.

Hurn, who stepped into the role 103 days before the election, said during her concession speech that she would continue to lead her party.

'It's been a pleasure to be your leader for this campaign and I'm looking forward to leading this party well into the future for the next four years and making sure that we continue to climb back bigger and better,' she said.

'Whilst the voters didn't give us the nod this time, we'll keep fighting to earn their respect into the future.

'The voters never get it wrong and they've sent us a clear message and it's up to us now to heed that advice and to look forward with a true sense of optimism, because like you, I do see an optimism in South Australia.'
Do you know anything? Email w.martinezcachero@dailymail.com

The American student who drowned on spring break in Spain may have been drugged before meeting his fate, a new report claims.

James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, a junior at the University of Alabama, was visiting friends studying abroad in Barcelona.

He never made it home from beachfront nightclub Shoko after being separated from his friends around 3am on Wednesday.

Gracey's body was found by police divers in about 12ft of water in front of Port Olympic about 6pm on Thursday.

Investigators have not ruled out that he could have been drugged, a source told Fox News Digital.

Gracey is believed to have walked toward the water on his own and fallen in while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both, the insider said.

Police arrested a man who had stolen Gracey's phone but they do not think the individual, who had a history of thefts, had any direct contact with the student, per the source.

The man is believed to have found the phone on the street before pocketing it.

Jimmy Gracey, 20, was a junior at the University of Alabama who was visiting friends studying abroad in Barcelona

Police believe that when Gracey left the nightclub, he walked towards some rocks (circled) that stuck out of the nearby beach and may have fallen into the sea

Dive teams recovered Gracey's body from the water on Thursday

Gracey's body is pictured after being brought ashore by search teams

Gracey's wallet was found intact, with cash, credit cards and ID inside.

However, several 'loose ends' still needed to be sorted out by police, according to the insider.

Autopsy and toxicology results are still pending, and they are not expected to be completed until next Thursday.

Gracey's disappearance was brought to light when his mother Therese issued an urgent plea for help in the search for him earlier this week on Facebook.

'The police have his phone but he never made it back to his Airbnb,' Therese wrote.

She pleaded with anyone who may have seen him to come forward and contact her.

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.'

Gracey's body was found by Catalonia police divers in about 12ft of water in front of Port Olympic about 6pm on Thursday

Gracey is from the Elmhurst suburb of Chicago, Illinois. He was part of the Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa

The distance from Shoko to Gracey's tourist apartment was roughly 3km (1.8 miles). He never made it back from the seaside club

Catalan regional police patrol deployed marine and underwater search teams in Barcelona's Olympic port to search for Gracey

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.

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's preliminary autopsy report recorded an initial finding of accidental death, a Spanish judicial source previously told the Daily Mail.

The initial death finding is followed by a full autopsy, though this typically confirms the finding of the first report.

'The relevant arrangements have been made with the victims relatives, who are in Barcelona,' police said in an earlier statement.

Catalan law enforcement were assisted by a sighting of Gracey walking towards the sea on the beach adjacent to the nightclub, then again on the breakwater.

'A witness who happened to be passing saw him leave the nightclub, saw him heading towards this rocky outcrop,' a Mossos d'Esquadra source earlier told the Daily Mail. 'From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Catalan regional police force and the Gracey family for further comment.
A retired Air Force general known in UFO circles has gone missing during a hike in New Mexico, just months after a former colleague disappeared in a nearly identical case.

US Major General William Neil McCasland, 68, was last seen on the morning of February 27 as he left his Albuquerque home with only a backpack, wallet and .38-caliber revolver for a trail run, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.

Sources previously told The New York Post that McCasland was a 'gatekeeper' and 'participant' in the UFO community.

His disappearance has only fueled speculation around the disappearance of 60-year-old Monica Reza, who had worked on a rocket project overseen by McCasland, who also went missing in June 2025.

In a chillingly similar case, Reza was last seen hiking in a California forest with a colleague, smiling and waving moments before she 'vanished off the face of the earth,' according to NewsNation.

For months, authorities and volunteers have combed the area using every resource at their disposal, but the aerospace engineer remains missing without a trace.

At a recent press conference, Sheriff John Allen said a Silver Alert was issued for McCasland after reports of a 'mental fog' in the months before his disappearance, adding that he had no other known health problems.

Yet despite an intensive search involving drones, helicopters, ground crews and K-9 units, the avid outdoorsman - and any trace of his belongings - also remains missing.

US Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland (pictured), 68, who was in the UFO community, went missing in February after leaving on a hike near his New Mexico home

Months before, 60-year-old Monica Reza (pictured), who had worked on a rocket project overseen by McCasland as an aerospace scientist, also went missing during a hike

McCasland's disappearance came days after President Trump pledged to release files on UFOs and extraterrestrial life

'Let me be straight. We've had a lot of tips, and we will go through every tip. But there are some tips with some outlandish theories, conspiracy theories,' the sheriff said.

'We will look into everything, but we are trying as a law enforcement agency and entity,' he added.

The general's wife, Susan McCasland, posted on Facebook to set the record straight amid what she described as 'misinformation' about her husband's disappearance.

'It is true that Neil had a brief association with the UFO community,' she wrote. 'This connection is not a reason for someone to abduct Neil.

'Though at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership. However, no sightings of a mothership hovering above the Sandia Mountains have been reported.'

Just nine months ago, Reza - known professionally as Monica Jacinto at Aerojet Rocketdyne as a material scientist - was last seen hiking on the popular Mount Waterman Trail in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles.

Like McCasland, she loved hiking. She was just 30ft behind the man she was with when she vanished on what was described as a 'normal day,' according to NewsNation.

'He turned around, next thing you know, she was just completely gone,' the outlet reported.

McCasland's wife Susan (both pictured) shared that her husband's UFO ties 'is not a reason for someone to abduct Neil'

In June 2025, Reza (pictured) was hiking 30 feet behind a companion on a Los Angeles trail when she 'vanished off the face of the earth'

'Rescue teams spent days looking for her, but actually never recovered her body.'

Reza worked for Aerojet Rocketdyne, a high-profile company funded for years by NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory, according to SpaceNews.

In the 1990s, she engineered a nickel-based superalloy that could survive extreme oxygen environments without added weight - technology that helped create the AR1 engine, set to replace Russian RD-180 engines on United Launch Alliance rockets.

Her patented invention brought her into McCasland's sphere, as he oversaw the Air Force group that funded early-2000s research on advanced materials for reusable spacecraft and weapons systems.

McCasland's Air Force biography reveals he oversaw advanced materials as director of the Space Vehicle Directorate's materials wing and commanded the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base from 2001 to 2004.

His roles ultimately had a direct connection to Reza's highly successful research.

The general had also led research at Ohio's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which Marik Von Rennenkampff, a former Obama-era national security analyst, described as 'where all the super-secret research happens,' CNN reported.

On the day he vanished, McCasland spoke with a repair person at his home at 10am, while his wife left around an hour later for a medical appointment, the sheriff's office said.

Reza (pictured) worked for Aerojet Rocketdyne, funded for years by NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory, and created a nickel-based superalloy for rockets

McCasland (pictured) oversaw the Air Force group that funded Reza's early-2000s research

McCasland also led research at Ohio's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (pictured)

She returned at noon to find her husband gone, though his phone, prescription glasses and smartwatch were still there.

'His wearable devices and taking his phone were common practice with him. That is out of the norm,' Deputy Kyle Woods said during a press conference.

The sheriff revealed that authorities had gone door to door at 700 homes, including those near his Quail Run Court residence, trying to find him.

Search teams combed the areas McCasland often hiked, including Elena Gallegos and Domingo Baca Canyon, with dogs and horse units investigating mysterious odors.

Days later, authorities discovered a US Air Force sweatshirt about a mile and a half from his home. While it hasn't been confirmed as McCasland's, no blood was found on it.

Lt Woods said there has been no indication of foul play, nor any evidence from his electronic devices suggesting unusual circumstances.

Authorities mentioned McCasland's reported 'mental fog' but added that they would not provide further details regarding any mental health issues.

'There's no indication, and we are not putting forward that Mr McCasland was disoriented or confused,' Woods said.

Sheriff John Allen said a Silver Alert was issued for McCasland (pictured) after reports of a 'mental fog' in the months before

McCasland (pictured) disappeared without his phone, prescription glasses and smartwatch

This photo shared on Facebook was taken of Reza in the hours before she went missing

'Arguably, he would still be the most intelligent person in the room that any of us would be in. Highly intelligent, highly capable,' he added.

Still, the deputy acknowledged the grim reality: 'We are many weeks in, and if he were to have gone into the mountains, the likelihood of surviving this time frame would be very low.'

Police said they are chasing every lead, but warned that countless 'rabbit holes' have made their work far more challenging.

The overlap in timing, combined with the bizarrely similar details of both cases, has ignited a storm of online theories trying to connect them.

McCasland's mysterious disappearance also comes just six days after President Donald Trump pledged to release long-awaited files on UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart described him as 'a man with some of the most sensitive secrets of the United States head,' according to an interview on NewsNation.

'The timing is screechingly relevant,' he said. 'The fact that General Neil McCasland has disappeared off the face of the earth is a grave national security crisis for the United States of America.'

But the sheriffs office has maintained that there is no evidence of criminal activity, including kidnapping.

Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart described McCasland (pictured) as 'a man with some of the most sensitive secrets of the United States head'

McCasland's wife (both pictured) said her husband worked in the UFO community after retirement, offering unpaid expertise on military, technical and scientific matters

Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer shared on X that she suspects McCasland (pictured) may have died by suicide

'Some of the tips coming in, I don't want to say that they are wasting our time because we would never say that, but they are tedious to go through,' Sheriff Allen said.

McCasland's wife clarified on social media that her husband did not have dementia and 'was not confused or disoriented.'

'It is true that when Neil was in the Air Force, he had access to some highly classified programs and information,' she wrote, adding that he had retired almost 13 years ago.

'It seems quite unlikely that he was taken to extract very dated secrets from him,' she added.

She revealed that his ties to the UFO world came via Tom DeLonge, ex-frontman of Blink-182 and founder of To The Stars.

She said her husband willingly worked with DeLonge after retiring, offering unpaid expertise on military, technical and scientific matters to bring authenticity to his books and media projects.

'After the Russians hacked John Podesta's emails, there was less contact with Tom and the community pushing for release of UFO information,' she said.

'Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt.'

Authorities and volunteers combed the area using every resource at their disposal (pictured), but Reza remains missing

Reza's (pictured) technology helped create the AR1 engine, set to replace Russian RD-180 engines on United Launch Alliance rockets

Pictured above is an image shared on Facebook showing volunteers in the search for Reza

Meanwhile, retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer shared on X that she suspects McCasland may have died by suicide.

'Not that I believe the premise, but what I do believe is that likely, General McCasland took his life,' Coffindaffer wrote.

'He retired over a decade ago,' she added. 'I don't believe his military background has anything to do with his disappearance. His health may have. We don't know his medical condition, but was it grievous?'
Scots actress Lucy Halliday has said she feels a responsibility stepping into her new role in the spin off show for hugely popular drama The Handmaids Tale.

However, the actress said she was able to lean on the experience and knowledge of the production team, including Hollywood star Elizabeth Moss.

Ms Halliday, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, spoke at the Series Mania festival in Lille, France, as the hotly anticipated show The Testaments celebrated its world premiere.

She attended the star-studded event with US co-star Chase Infiniti, 25, who arrived following her attendance at the Oscars.

Based on the books by Margaret Atwood, The Testaments follows new convert Daisy  played by Ms Halliday - as she navigates the dangers within an elite school for 'future wives' where obedience is demanded.

Ms Halliday, 21, has been attending press events to promote her part in Scots actor James McAvoys directorial debut California Schemin.

However, during interviews she repeatedly stated she was sworn to secrecy around her part in The Testaments.

Lucy Halliday, 21, said she has been sworn to secrecy around her part in the new series The Testaments

Speaking on the stage in Lille, she finally spoke about her part in the drama.

When asked how she and co-star Ms Infinti brought their own voices into the dystopian drama, Ms Halliday said: We had such strong source material ready, and weve both been fans of The Handmaids Tale. Weve seen the show and read the books.

Then we had Ann, Warren Littlefield, Bruce Miller and Elisabeth Moss [who exec produces], all involved in the creation of the show.

We had so much to lean on to inform us of who our characters were. Bruce is so open and willing to have a conversation and would sit down with you and let you brainstorm what you thought the character should be or the thoughts that you had.

That really created a wonderful environment.

You felt a responsibility stepping into this world that already exists and is so loved, but I feel reassured, these people have trusted me and theyre giving me the space to step into that world.

I feel like we can do a good job because weve got so many people behind us and so much information that we can use. I really hope the audience thinks so too.

The Handmaid's Tale, which starred Moss as defiant character June, follows the lives of women living under a brutal theocracy in the fictional state of Gilead, which covers most of the former USA.

It was a ratings success with the series finale drawing 4.4 million viewers in its first seven days of being streamed.

Ms Infiniti, who plays Agnes in The Testaments, was in attendance at the Academy Awards last Sunday as One Battle After Another  the film she starred in with Leonardo DiCaprio  took home six trophies, including Best Picture.

Ms Infiniti was asked if wearing the distinctive robes and gowns that characters wear in the show to indicate their place in society helps to get into the role.

In response, she said: It definitely is. Its your first piece of armour in a way.

All of our costumes were made to fit us perfectly, but they can even be restrictive at times, which I think helped to get into the physicality of our roles.

For Agnes, it helped me figure out how she would walk [with] her nobility in this world.

Lucy has also said her robe would inform the way she moved. The costumes were the first step in finding our characters in a way.

Actress Ann Dowd surprisingly revealed that she loves her terrifying character Aunt Lydia, who she also played in The Handmaids Tale, saying the first rule of acting is do not judge the people they portray.

The Scottish actress in the trailer for The Handmaid's Tale spin-off

She said: I dont judge her and shes come to be a very dear friend of mine. Ive come to know her, shes come to know me and I couldnt be more grateful.

She added: Imagine knowing a character for this many years. How lucky can one be? Im entirely grateful.

Meanwhile, director Bruce Miller said: Handmaids Tale covered people who were at the bottom of Gilead and this show is about young women who are at the top of Gilead.

It also shows how, for women, the top and the bottom are very similar.

This is a story about that awakening and that rebellion among the younger women of Gilead  the ones who had grown up there.

Discussing how the show tries to bring humanity into such a dark plot, producer Warren Littlefield said: We live in a world thats a dark place. Hope comes from their strength and resilience.

These young women have an awakening in season one and they will come to fight it and lets hope they take it down.

 Series Mania runs until March 27. The Testaments will be broadcast in the UK from April 8 on Disney+.
The Trump Administration is taking on Harvard again in a new lawsuit, claiming the Massachusetts institution is failing to protect its Jewish and Israeli students.

The Justice Department filed the lawsuit on Friday against Harvard University, saying its leadership failed to address antisemitism on campus, creating grounds for the government to freeze existing grants and seek repayment for grants already paid.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, is another salvo in a protracted battle between the administration of President Donald Trump and the elite university.

'The United States cannot and will not tolerate these failures,' the Justice Department wrote in the lawsuit.

It asked the court to compel Harvard to comply with federal civil rights law and to help it 'recover billions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies awarded to a discriminatory institution.'

The lawsuit also asks a judge to require Harvard to call police to arrest protesters blocking parts of campus and to appoint an independent monitor, approved by the government, to ensure the university complies with court orders.

The Trump Administration accused the school of having a 'do nothing' approach, despite students reportedly saying they felt unsafe on campus and were concealing their yarmulkes, the lawsuit, viewed by the Daily Mail, said.

It said the school failed its students by remaining 'deliberately indifferent' to the hostility on campus and it refused to enforce its own task force's rules.

The Trump Administration filed a lawsuit on Friday against Harvard University, claiming it has failed to protect its Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitism

The school, run by President Alan M. Garber, disagree with the lawsuit, saying it 'cares deeply about members of our Jewish and Israeli community'

Harvard disputes the claims, saying in a statement on Friday: 'Harvard cares deeply about members of our Jewish and Israeli community and remains committed to ensuring they are embraced, respected, and can thrive on our campus.'

'Our actions illustrate this.

'Harvard has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism and actively enforces anti-harassment and anti-discrimination rules and policies on campus.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

The DOJ said Harvard is set to receive $2.6billion in federal grants this year from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Between October 2023 and February 2026, the school requested $953million in grant payments from HHS.

The Trump Administration's case has centered on allegations of discrimination against Harvard's Jewish and Israeli students during and after pro-Palestinian demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas war.

Officials concluded Harvard did not adequately address concerns about antisemitism that some students said kept them from going to class, the lawsuit said.

During protests of the war, Trump officials said, Harvard permitted students to demonstrate against Israel's actions in the school library and allowed a pro-Palestinian encampment to remain on campus for 20 days, 'in violation of university policy.'

A file photo shows people walking through Harvard Yard on the campus in Cambridge, Massachussetts

The DOJ, run by Pam Bondi, said Harvard is set to receive $2.6billion in federal grants this year. It also claimed the school has broken the law and is setting the ground to reseek the grants back

In its lawsuit, the Justice Department also accused Harvard of failing to discipline staff or students who protested or tacitly endorsed the demonstrations by canceling class or dismissing students early.

'Harvard University has failed to protect its Jewish students from harassment and has allowed discrimination to wreak havoc on its campus,' White House Regional Press Secretary Liz Huston told the Daily Mail.

Harvard, in turn, has said the government is violating its First Amendment rights, after it defied federal demands that it limit activism on campus and change some practices for hiring and enrollment.

'The tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution's ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions,' attorneys for Harvard said in a lawsuit over the funding freeze.

Despite their bitter dispute, Harvard and the Trump Administration have held some negotiations, and the two sides have reportedly been close to reaching an agreement on multiple occasions.

Last year, the government and Harvard were reportedly approaching a deal requiring Harvard to pay $500million to regain access to federal funding and end the investigations.

Several months later, Trump upped that figure to $1billion, saying Harvard has been 'behaving very badly.'

At the same time, the administration was taking steps in a civil rights investigation that could jeopardize all Harvard's federal funding.

Harvard and the Trump Administration has gone head-to-head many times, including in other lawsuits over funding

Last June, a federal task force said its investigation had found the university was a 'willful participant' in antisemitic harassment of Jewish students and faculty.

The task force threatened to refer the case to the Justice Department to file a civil rights lawsuit 'as soon as possible,' unless Harvard came into compliance.

When colleges are found in violation of federal civil rights law, they almost always reach compliance through voluntary agreements. Friday's lawsuit by the Justice Department points to an extraordinarily rare impasse.

Harvard has said it strongly disagrees with the government's civil rights finding and is committed to fighting bias.

Harvard President Alan M Garber says the school formed a task force to combat antisemitism. The university also hired a new provost and new deans and reformed its discipline policies to make them 'more consistent, fair and effective,' Garber has said.

Since he took office, Trump has targeted elite universities he believes are overrun by left-wing ideology and antisemitism. His administration has frozen billions of dollars in research grants, which colleges have come to rely on for scientific and medical research.

Several universities have reached agreements with the White House to restore funding. Some deals have included direct payments to the government, including $200 million from Columbia University. Brown University agreed to pay $50 million toward state workforce development groups.
Israel has warned major cities across the globe, including London, Paris and Berlin, could all be under threat from Iranian missiles after the regime launched a strike on a British military base in the Chagos Islands.

Two ballistic missiles were fired towards Diego Garcia, a base in the Indian Ocean jointly operated by the US and the UK, on Friday night.

Sources reported that one of the missiles failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship in what is believed to be the first ever strike on the military base.

The precise timing of the incident is as yet unknown, though the Government confirmed on Saturday that it took place before Keir Starmer gave the go-ahead to for Donald Trump to use UK-based bombers threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the Prime Minister of a 'cover up' on the details and questioned why the public were not told 'sooner'.

The IDF confirmed the Diego Garcia attack was the first time Iran had launched a long-range missile, capable of reaching a distance of around 4,000km, since the start of the war.

'The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin,' it added.

Hours after the strike, Iran declared it had 'missile dominance...over the skies of the occupied territories' and warned its 'new tactics and launch systems' would leave the US and Israel 'astonished'.

Diego Garcia lies around 3,800km (2,360 miles) from Iran - undermining the regime's previous assertion that its ballistic missiles could only reach 2,000 km (1,240 miles).

Analysts believe Tehran used intermediate range ballistic missiles - or even used a space launch vehicle to enable the weapons to reach Diego Garcia.

Iran's Simorgh space launch vehicle, for example, could offer greater range 'at the likely cost of terminal accuracy', said Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a defence think-tank.

Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore, added: 'Ballistic missiles are space rockets. They launch, they go really high up and they come down really fast. If you've got a space programme, you've got a ballistic missile programme.'

Experts have also suggested Iran could have used a space launch vehicle to enable its ballistic missiles to reach Diego Garcia. Pictured: A satellite carrier being launched from the Imam Khomeini spaceport in Semnan, December 2024

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The strike on Diego Garcia took place just seven days after Israeli forces struck Iran's main space research centre in Tehran, amid fears it was being used to 'develop satellite attack capabilities in space'.

Experts have warned that if Iran has greater military prowess, the missile threat could now extend well beyond the Middle East and within distance of most capital cities in Western Europe.

This includes Paris, which is 4,198km (2,609 miles) from Tehran, while London lies on the 'edge of vulnerability' at around 4,435km (2,750 miles).

The unnerving analysis comes as General Sir Richard Barrons, who headed the UK's Joint Forces Command between 2013 and 2016, said Iran's power may have been 'serially underestimated'.

The former forces chief was responding to questions over whether Trump was right to say the UK had done 'too little and too late' or whether opponents of the war were correct that the UK had been sucked into an American war.

He added: 'Both could be true. War generally does not follow a script and the enemy always gets a vote and, in this case, the enemy's vote, Iran, has been serially underestimated.

'We are where we are - this conflict and the way it has turned out now puts British interests and those of our allies at risk and ignoring it completely is no longer appropriate even if the decisions at the start of the conflict were very different.

'Iran and the UK have been at odds for a very long time. The Iranian regime regards the UK as an enemy and so if you are seen to participate in some fashion with this US-Israeli offensive action then they are clearly going to respond and we should not be surprised.'

General Sir Richard said the UK was helping the US to 'apply military force', adding: 'We have obligations to them and we may not have thought this was a good idea at the start and we may not have wanted to get involved but now in the way this has turned out, we are involved.'

Asked about the US President's apparently contradictory comments last night about possibly ending the war or considering the use of ground troops, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there had been a 'mismatch' between 'the objectives you would like to achieve and the means you are prepared to apply to it'.

He added: 'They [US and Israel] have got to choose between now announcing victory or stopping or if those objectives really matter to them, they are going to have to escalate it because you can't do much more with air power so you are beginning to talk about potentially using troops.'

Iran's use of intermediate ballistic missiles on a British military base in the Chagos Islands has escalated fears that major European capitals are now within reach of another attack. Pictured: Long-range Shahab-3 missile being launched

The Shahab has a range of at least 2,000 kilometres - 1,200 miles. But now Iran appears to be able to strike more distant targets

Join the discussion Do you think the UK should take stronger action in response to the escalating Iran conflict?

Doubting there would be a full scale invasion of 'a country the size of Western Europe', he said: 'I don't think anyone really conceives of an invasion and occupation of Iran but they are going to be tempted perhaps to invade Kharg Island or blockade it or attack the praetorial of the Iranian order to remove the military threat.'

Foreign affairs analyst Nawaf Al-Thani also reacted to the Diego Garcia strikes on social media, saying that a long-held assumption about Iran's missile capability 'has just collapsed'.

He added: 'For years, the accepted ceiling was around 2,000 kilometres. A ballistic missile reaching Diego Garcia suggests something in the neighbourhood of 4,000 kilometres, which pushes it out of the medium-range category and into the intermediate-range class (IRBM). That is a strategic leap.

'The real story is not whether the missile was intercepted. It is that Iran may have demonstrated reach far beyond what much of the world believed it possessed.

'Paris comes into range. London moves much closer to the edge of vulnerability depending on launch point and payload.

'This would mean the missile threat is no longer confined to the Gulf, Israel, or parts of South Asia. It would mean the radius of deterrence, defence, and fear has expanded dramatically.

'If confirmed, Diego Garcia was not just a target. It was a message.'

Just hours before the missiles were fired, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned Sir Keir had placed British lives 'in danger' by consenting to Trump's request to use B-52s and other aircraft flying out of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to blast Iranian missile sites blocking threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

Posting on X, he said: 'Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.

'Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.'

Friday night's action comes at the start of the third week of the conflict and coincides with a strike by US and Israeli forces against the Natanz uranium-enrichment facility on Saturday. No radioactive leaks occurred and residents near the site were not at risk, Tasnim news agency reported.

Joint forces also struck an ammunition airbase in the western Iranian city of Dezful, in Khuzestan province, as Israel pledged that attacks on Iran would 'significantly increase' in the coming days.

The US meanwhile reported that it has hit more than 8,000 military targets since the conflict began.

Defence experts have suggested the strike on Diego Garcia (pictured) is significant in that it marks the first time intermediate-range missiles have been deployed in the conflict

Six B-2 bombers seen on the apron of the US military base on Diego Garcia island, April 2, 2025

A Ministry of Defence spokesman today described Iran's actions against the military base as a 'threat' to UK interests.

They said: 'Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

'RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region. This Government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.'

The Government has not however confirmed the precise timing of the strike, with Ms Badenoch urging Sir Keir to 'come clean' over the details.

The Conservative leader told The Telegraph: 'Keir Starmer has dithered and delayed on the Iran conflict from the outset.

'Now we find out, from the media and not the Prime Minister, that the British base on Diego Garcia has been the target of Iranian missile attacks.

'The Prime Minister needs to immediately come clean about the details of this latest attack on British troops and explain why the public weren't informed sooner.'

Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US, having been used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East for years. It has a large airfield, major fuel storage facilities, radar installations and a deep-water port.

Prior to Iran's strike against the base, Trump had told reporters on Friday that the US was considering 'winding down' military action.

The president added in his remarks that the US military was 'getting very close' to meeting its objectives in the war.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the comments last month and claimed that Iran was 'certainly trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles', adding that Tehran's nuclear capabilities were 'headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that can reach the continental US'.

Trump blasted the UK Government while speaking to reporters outside the White House on Friday, accusing British leadership of a slow response to allow the US to use their bases.

'It's been a very late response from the UK. I'm surprised because the relationship is so good, but this has never happened before,' he said.

Trump said that the UK initially did not want to allow the US to use its island for the Diego Garcia base.

Sir Keir had previously only allowed British bases to be used by the US when targeting Iranian missile launchers attacking the UK and its allies, and not for defending traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Prime Minister has stood firm that the country would not be dragged into the war in Iran.

'We will protect our people in the region,' Sir Keir told Parliament earlier this week.

'We will take action to defend ourselves and our allies, and we will not be drawn into the wider war.'

The US and Israel have maintained that the main motivation for military action in Iran is to prevent the development of a nuclear weapon.

The Trump administration has projected confidence since the initial strikes, with the president declaring on Friday that he thinks 'we've won'.

The US houses bombers, nuclear submarines and missile destroyers on the base

He added that he did not want to negotiate a ceasefire because the US was 'literally obliterating the other side'.

Trump then accused Iran of 'clogging up' the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway on the north coast through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.

'The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it  The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated,' Trump later wrote on Truth Social.

The president called out allies within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) as 'cowards' for 'complaining' about high oil prices while refusing to lend military support to the US.

Iran's strikes against Diego Garcia come as fears grew over the impact of the 'Trumpflation' spike in oil and gas prices that has been triggered by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

Brits were urged on Friday to consider working from home and use air fryers instead of ovens to reduce demand for energy, as the Cabinet 'condemned Iran's expansion of its targets to include international shipping', a No10 spokeswoman said.

'They agreed that Iran's reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world,' they added.

'They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.'

A fifth of global oil supplies are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut since the start of the war.

That has steadily pushed oil prices higher, before a sharp rise on Thursday to nearly $118 after Iran threatened 'full-scale economic war' before striking Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, which suffered 'extensive further damage'.

The chief executive of QatarEnergy said the attacks on gas facilities would take between three and five years to repair.

Drivers have already been feeling the effects at UK pumps, and experts estimate that energy bills could go up by more than a fifth when the cap next changes in July.
A massive air strike by Israeli-US forces has hit an Iranian airbase, triggering a huge explosion which blew an ammunition store sky high.

The hit appears to have taken place at the Vahdati Air Base in the western Iranian city of Dezful, in Khuzestan province, on Saturday.

Video footage shows a huge ball of smoke rising above the edge of the city following an explosion.

A second fireball is then seen mushrooming into the sky, followed by a resulting shockwave that sent the person filming ducking for cover.

It comes as Israel's Defence Minister pledged that attacks on Iran would 'significantly increase' in the coming days, and the US said it has hit more than 8,000 military targets since the conflict began.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), said that the US military has so far struck over 8,000 military targets, including 130 Iranian vessels, in the past three weeks.

He said overnight forces had dropped multiple 5,000-pound bombs on a 'hardened' underground facility located along Iran's coast that it used to store anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile missile launchers and other equipment.

'We not only took out the facility, but also destroyed intelligence support sites and missile radar relays that were used to monitor ship movements,' Cooper said in video message posted on X.

The hit appears to have taken place at the Vahdati Air Base in the western Iranian city of Dezful, in Khuzestan province, on Saturday

Video footage shows a huge ball of smoke rising above the edge of the city following an explosion

'Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result, and we will not stop pursuing these targets,' he added.

Overnight, Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting the UK-US Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands, some 2,500 miles from Tehran.

Neither of the missiles hit the base, with one being shot down and the second failing in flight.

This marked a significant escalation in hostilities which came just hours after Sir Keir Starmer gave the green light for US President Donald Trump to use UK-based bombers threatening the Straits of Hormuz.

But the move prompted Tehran to warn the Prime Minister he had placed British lives 'in danger' by consenting to Trump's request to use B-52s and other aircraft flying out of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to blast Iranian missile sites in the strategically important waterway.

In a statement on Friday, the Government said that such strikes were covered by its agreement with Trump to allow UK-based assets to be deployed in the 'collective self-defence of the region'.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman today described Iran's actions against the military base as a 'threat' to UK interests.

They said: 'Iran's reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.

'RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region. This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.'

Prior to Iran's strike against the base, Trump had told reporters on Friday that the US was considering 'winding down' military action.

Reports of Iranian missiles targeting the Diego Garcia military base, pictured above, in the Indian Ocean surfaced on Friday evening

The president added in his remarks that the US military was 'getting very close' to meeting its objectives in the war, and hit out again at his allies for not getting involved in America's war.

Turning to Britain, he said the UK 'should have acted a lot faster', saying he was 'surprised by the delay'.

It comes after he called NATO allies 'cowards' this week and demanded assistance in ending Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane for the oil industry.

But hours after Trump's suggestion the US could step back from the conflict, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of further escalation.

He said: 'This week, the intensity of the strikes that the IDF and the US military will carry out against the Iranian terror regime and the infrastructure it relies on will significantly escalate.

'The IDF is strong and the Israeli homefront is strong, and we will not stop until all the war objectives are achieved.'

As the conflict entered its fourth week, Iran's state media said US-Israeli forces had attacked the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz enrichment complex on Saturday morning.

Technical experts found that no radioactive leaks had occurred and nearby residents were not at risk. Israel said it was unaware of such a strike.

Iran claimed on Saturday that its nuclear enrichment site (pictured on March 7) in Natanz, Ishfahan province, was struck by US-Israeli fire

Smoke rises after powerful explosions in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Saturday

Reports later indicated the attack was carried out by the US, using bunker buster bombs.

Israel also attacked Beirut, saying it was targeting Hezbollah as it steps up airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed Lebanese militia.

It said Saturday's attacks on Iran included Tehran, Karaj, west of the capital, and the central city of Isfahan.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the beginning of the conflict, according to the latest figures.

Before its strikes on Lebanon, the Israeli military said it had issued evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon and at least one million displaced since the start of the war.

Israel also announced it had conducted a targeted ground operation in the south of the country. Four Hezbollah militants were killed, one in a 'ground engagement' and three using tank fire, it said.

Air raid sirens in Israel warned of incoming missiles from early morning, sending millions to shelters as the blasts of interceptions rang out from above. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Israel's military said search and rescue teams were headed to impact sites in central Israel.

Overnight, Iran also continued to target US military bases across the Gulf region.
A surfer spoke out from his hospital bed after being attacked by a shark at a pristine California beach.

James Eastman, 39, was catching waves at Big River Beach in Mendocino on Wednesday after 5pm when a shark jumped on his board and tore into both of his legs.

'I felt something dragging me,' he told ABC News while recovering at the hospital.

Eastman swung by the beach inside Mendocino Headlands State Park for a quick surf before picking up his nine-month-old son from daycare.

'I saw the shark's head above the water. I thought of my wife and my kid and I was just like I cannot die. I cannot die right now,' he said.

Eastman forcefully shoved the shark away from him and batted it on the nose, hoping to deter the beast from a full-fledged attack.

Eventually, it let go, leaving Eastman with gaping wounds to both of his legs. Despite his injuries, he hung on to his board and paddled back to shore.

Three off-duty lifeguards who were surfing nearby rushed to his aid, providing medical care until first responders could arrive.

James Eastman, 39, spoke out from his hospital bed after a terrifying shark attack

Eastman is pictured with his wife Chloe, who worked at the emergency room where he was treated

Eastman was surfing at a California beach when the shark hopped up onto his board

The California State Lifeguards issued a statement after the terrifying accident, thanking the lifeguards for their 'heroic actions.'

'Three off-duty lifeguards assisted the victim out of the water and provided medical aid per their training,' it read.

'This incident highlights the importance of having ocean lifeguard programs and we thank our lifeguards for their quick, heroic actions.'

Eastman was taken to Adventist Hospital, where his wife was working in the Emergency Room.

'I'm in the middle of work in the ER and I just like dropped to the ground like, 'What?'' she said. 'It's my worst fear too.'

Eastman is an English teacher at Mendocino Community High School. He met his wife through their mutual love of surfing.

The couple got married just above the beach where he was attacked.

Eastman had swung by the beach for a surf before he was supposed to pick up his son from daycare

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A file photo of a Great White Shark. The species of shark that attacked Eastman is not known

The beautiful Big River Beach in Mendocino where the attack happened

Loved ones posted a GoFundMe to aid with the expenses brought on by his extensive medical treatment and physical therapy.

According to the fundraising page, Eastman has major tissue and muscle damage in both legs and cannot stand or walk.

'The next few months will be challenging and costly for them, being out of work while James recovers from surgery and works through physical therapy to get back on his feet...' it read.

'Anyone who knows James and Chloe would agree they are the most humble, generous, and selfless humans who deserve nothing but love and support during this unforeseen, difficult time.'

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife is leading the investigation into the attack, reported People.

Officials collected DNA samples to determine the exact species of the shark.

The couple met due to their love of surfing and got married just above the scene of the terrifying attack

California State Parks issued a 48-hour beach closure after the incident.

'State Parks would like to remind visitors that sharks are an important part of the coastal ecosystem and that interactions between people and sharks are rare,' the department said.

Shark attacks are relatively uncommon in California, with just 234 shark-related incidents reported since 1950.

Despite the terrifying run-in, Eastman is cautiously excited about returning to the waves.

'I love surfing so much and I would be very sad if I didn't surf again,' he said. 'As far as everything else is concerned, I was extremely lucky.'

The Daily Mail contacted Eastman and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife for comment.
Fiercely composed expression just short of a scowl, neatly trimmed silver hair and a steady delivery with the subtlest of Welsh lilts.

Huw Edwards' commendably dependable performances from behind a polished desk in the BBC studio were as sure as night followed day.

How jarring will it be, then, two years after his presence vanished from our living rooms, to see that intense glare staring back into the camera once again?

Promotional images for the upcoming drama about the newsreader's downfall indicate Martin Clunes has certainly captured Edwards' finely tuned manner.

Leaning earnestly forward, right arm bent over his notes with his left palm down on the desk  it is the pose of a man who carries the weight of history, and one Edwards worked hard to perfect, and Clunes worked equally hard to recapture.

The resulting controversial two-part drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, will bring a dramatized take on the former BBC news anchor back into our homes when it airs on Channel 5 on Tuesday - prompting many to question: is it too soon? Are the wounds still too raw, for his family, victims, community and once adoring public?

The real Edwards, of course, disappeared abruptly from our screens almost three years ago, making his final appearance presenting the News at One, on July 5 2023, before off-air accusations came to light about him paying a vulnerable young man to send him sexual images.

His downfall was swift, and cemented in September 2024, when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court to admit charges of making indecent images of children and was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Huw Edwards admitted charges of making indecent images of children in July 2024

The former BBC presenter is set to be played by Martin Clunes in the new series Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

The full sordid truth, when it was finally laid bare, was truly shocking, and not just for Vicky Flind, his wife of 30 years, and mother to their five children, who promptly left him.

During the police investigation, a number of WhatsApp messages was found on his phone including an exchange with a man later convicted of sex offences.

He'd offered Edwards sick images of someone described as 'young' to which Edwards responded with the damning words 'go on'.

Paedophile Alex Williams would go on to send Edwards 377 images via WhatsApp, including 41 indecent images of children, some showing a victim aged between seven and nine.

'Amazing,' came Huw's appreciative reply. There was no way back for him after that.

Despite the fact that his sentence was suspended and he was given remarkably few legal restrictions under the terms of his licence, the Daily Mail has learned that Edwards has been living a strict, reclusive existence since his tired and pale appearance in court, flanked by his legal team.

The 64-year-old retreated to the quiet Welsh village where his elderly mother, Aerona Protheroe, still lives after moving of the family home in Dulwich, in south east London.

During his days as Britain's top newsman, Edwards he would regularly immerse himself into village life there, during weekly trips to visit his mother and would often visit the local pub to share a pint with locals.

Staff said he had not shown his face on the premises since the scandal hit, however.

'He's not been in since the s**t hit the fan,' one told the Daily Mail.

'He used to come in once a week, or whenever he was back here to see his mum. He'd often bring her with him, and sometimes his wife and children.

Disgraced former BBC newsreader Edwards drinking champagne with his mother Aerona Protheroe

'He liked a pint and everyone was pleased to see him back then because he was a local celebrity. How little we knew.'

Edwards was previously in the habit of taking his mother for a stroll along the beach in Llanelli, before sitting and chatting on a bench in the town's Millennium Park.

The pair would later head to a nearby restaurant and drink tea. But even this ritual appears to have stopped.

'No one's got any time for him around here since it all came out about what he'd been up to all these years while pretending to be a church-going pillar of the community.

'I'm aware of the new film that's being released, but I think they could have waited a bit longer because it's all still so raw for a lot of people around here.

'Aerona is well-respected and I think it would have been better for her if they'd waited until she'd passed before putting it out, but I guess that's not how the film industry works.

'This has been awful for her. She's always been so proud of Huw and he's let her down as much as anyone. But she's the only one who's stood by him. That's a mother's love for you, I suppose.'

Edwards may now have grasped the fact that there is no path to redemption for the man who went from Britain's most respected newsreader - feted for the restrained and graceful way he announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II to the nation in September 2022, and his formidable anchoring of the King's coronation - to vilified sex offender.

But his ego prevented him from appreciating this sooner.

Last November, Edwards appeared to be gearing up for a comeback  posting a professional headshot in black and white, posed with a moody expression and a salt and pepper beard.

He also reactivated his account on Instagram  the same platform where he first engaged with Williams.

Edwards arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, in July 2024

The furious reaction to this activity was enough to extinguish any last flickers of hope that all was not over, however.

The stepfather of Huw's victim, whose story is to be told in the upcoming drama, said at the time: 'If he thinks he can just put up a picture of himself and it's going to change the way people think about him, he's wrong. He's scum.

'You can paint over cracks but you can never hide them. He is finished; he's a paedophile. Any time he raises his head it is an insult to his victims. He needs to realise this is it and disappear.'

Edwards swiftly deleted his Facebook page and scrubbed all content from his Instagram.

Only a detailed LinkedIn profile remains, documenting Edwards' path to become BBC's chief anchor during 39 years at the broadcaster.

Describing himself as 'journalist, broadcaster, author', the page makes no mention of the scandal, serving instead as a dusty shrine to a stellar media career that once was.

Despite his almost four decades at the BBC, Edwards' character was such that he made few close friends among his colleagues.

A former co-worker said: 'He didn't have that many friends in the industry before [the conviction.] He was 'one of the unloved', for obvious reasons.'

Even Clunes has acknowledged that while researching the role he discovered from former colleagues that Edwards 'was never fun to work with'.'

The corporation, which is sadly no stranger to such scandal, fought to salvage some honour by demanding that Edwards repay more than 200,000 he earned after his arrest, in November 2023, and April 2024, when he resigned.

BBC Chair Samir Shah wrote in a letter to staff in August 2024 saying that Edwards had 'behaved in bad faith' in continuing to take the money despite knowing what he had done,

Paedophile Alex Williams, who sent Edwards 377 images via WhatsApp, including 41 indecent images of children

More than a year-and-a-half on, however, and it appears the same stubbornness that led Edwards to believe he could mount a showbusiness comeback has not gone away.

The Daily Mail can reveal that he has failed to repay a single penny.

Edwards' suspended sentence will elapse in August, but almost nothing will change for the disgraced newsreader.

Though he will remain on the sex offenders register for another five years, the chief magistrate chose not to hand down a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

This means that Edwards has been able to live as he pleases, with no limitations on where he can go in the UK and no restrictions on his internet or phone use.

He has also been free to travel abroad, provided he gives police seven days' notice of his plans.

The expiry of his suspended sentence licence will happen without fanfare  there will be no email, letter or phonecall from the probation service.

Edwards should have simply made a note of the date during his probation induction, but will likely take little solace from it elapsing.

For the ire of the public will likely never have an expiry date.

The announcement of a film about such subject matter was naturally met with some controversy, but the makers of Power have defended claims it was too soon to dramatize Edwards' downfall.

Executive producer Sam Anstiss insisted it was the desire of the young man who disclosed how Edwards paid him thousands for sexual images of himself to tell his story that led to the decision to greenlight the show.

'The timing was right. [He] was ready to tell his story. There are really urgent themes in this drama around online safety,' she said.

The young man, who is not named but called Ryan in the drama, is played by Osian Morgan.

At the climax of the two-hour film, the real Ryan tells the audience in a statement he has got his life on track and overcome dependence on drugs.

'I chose to tell my story now for the first time so no one who has been silenced feels they are alone,' he says.

'I refuse to let Huw Edwards or what he did define who I am or the life I will lead.'

Edwards' own life could have been defined by any number of glittering achievements.

Rather, it will be the his own depravity and foolishness for which he will be remembered.

Additional reporting: Nic North
British forces joined the French Navy in a high-stakes operation to intercept and seize the MV Deyna, a sanctioned Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker suspected of flying a false flag in the Mediterranean.

The fleet of vessels is used to carry Russian oil and goods around the world to avoid sanctions put on Vladimir Putin's country following the invasion of Ukraine.

The French navy intercepted the Deyna, an oil tanker, in the Mediterranean.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Disrupting, deterring and degrading Russia's shadow fleet - and starving Putin's war machine of funds - is a priority for this Government and we will continue to take action alongside our allies.

'As threats increase and demands on defence rise, I am proud of the support our UK armed forces provided to this French operation, keeping Britain safe at home as we support Ukraine, deter Russia and deliver defensive operations in the Middle East.'

French President Emmanuel Macron said: 'The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia's war of aggression continues unabated.

'These vessels, which evade international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are profiteers of war. They line their pockets while helping finance Russia's war effort. We will not allow it.'

Patrol boat HMS Cutlass monitored the Deyna and supported the French operation with tracking and imagery capture near the Strait of Gibraltar.

A French Navy helicopter hovers over the Deyna vessel, which is supposed to be a member of the Russian shadow fleet, during an operation in the Western Mediterranean Sea

The Deyna is sanctioned by the UK and the European Union for its role in shipping Russian oil.

It is the latest sign of the UK's co-operation with allies in targeting sanctioned vessels.

In January, British forces assisted in the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera by the US.

Previously known as the Bella-1, the Russian-flagged vessel was captured by US forces aided by RAF aircraft and the British supply ship RFA Tideforce in the Atlantic.

Later that same month, Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Dagger helped the French seize another sanctioned ship, the Grinch, in the western Mediterranean, shadowing the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The UK has pushed for allies to carry out more seizures of 'shadow fleet' vessels, with the Defence Secretary and Attorney General meeting senior officials from other nations to discuss military and legal options earlier this month.

British forces have yet to board a sanctioned vessel themselves.

The Royal Navy and Labour have been widely criticised over their lack of preparedness for the conflict.

HMS Cutlass is 62ft patrol boat has a crew of six and is armed with three general-purpose machine guns

As of March 12, four of the UK's seven MCMV are now out of commission, and the other three are based in the UK in roles including protecting nuclear submarine bases. Even if one was to be redeployed to the Gulf, it would take five weeks to arrive.

HMS Bangor is currently in the UK, undergoing major structural repairs following a collision in Bahrain in early 2024. It is not expected to be ready until late April 2026.

Defence analyst Francis Tusa told the Times: 'When the Iran-Iraq tanker war broke out in the late 1980s, the USA turned to the UK for our mine countermeasures expertise, to counter the Iranian use of sea mines.

'From that time on, there have normally been four advanced mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) deployed in Bahrain, often backed up by a support vessel.

'The Royal Navy now does not have enough MCMVs to cover tasks like protection of the nuclear deterrent, and then to deploy to predictable threats such as in the Gulf.

'As a country, the UK is being found sadly wanting as regards naval capabilities.'

Significant backlash also followed reports that HMS Dragon was delayed by routine maintenance while the conflict within the Middle East escalated.

This was particularly pertinent after RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian drone fired from Lebanon, which raised major concerns about the standard of local air defences.
Prince Harry could fail in his high profile bid for taxpayer-funded security because the Home Office apparently fears a public backlash if it is granted.

The Prince has insisted that both he and wife Meghan and their children should all receive official police protection if they visit the UK.

The protection which is funded by the public purse for all senior royals was taken away from the couple when they decided to step down from their royal duties.

Harry has previously said that it is unsafe to bring his family to the UK without it being in place.

As a result, his children Archie, now 6, and Lilibet, now 4, have not seen their grandfather, the King, since February 2022 when they visited the UK as part of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Last year, Harry lost a legal bid to have his protection reconsidered, blaming the Royal Household in thinly veiled comments about him being the victim of 'a good old fashioned establishment stitch up.'

But despite the High Court loss, his direct appeal to then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper led to his request being assessed again anyway by the body which authorises security for senior royals, The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (commonly known as Ravec).

He had called on Ms Cooper to review the case 'very, very carefully' and added: 'I would ask the Prime Minister to step in.'

Prince Harry (left) could fail in his high profile bid for taxpayer-funded security because the Home Office apparently fears a public backlash if it is granted

As recently as last month, with police and security chiefs apparently agreeing that Harry must be protected, reinstatement of his protection looked assured with it expected to be rubber stamped within weeks.

But it has been reported today that senior civil servants on Ravec from the Home Office, the Cabinet Office and the Foreign Office are all against granting the protection, fearing the public's adverse reaction to the taxpayer having to foot the bill for the Sussexes' security.

While a final decision has yet to be made, a Home Office source told today's Telegraph that there had been a split on the board.

With the cost of any protection likely to run into millions should it be granted if and when the family visit the UK, the source said: 'There is nervousness among certain members of the committee who fear a public backlash.

'The political side believe there is too much political risk while the police and security chiefs believe that he absolutely must have it due to the extant threat.'

Since Harry and Meghan's departure from the UK in 2020, when the Metropolitan Police stopped providing security for the couple, they have been responsible for their own security which would include round the clock security at their estate in Montecito, California, and security for visits overseas.

Harry dramatically claimed in the couple's sensational tell all Oprah interview in 2021 that the Royal Family had cut them off financially when they quit the UK, meaning they would need to fund their own lifestyle in future.

But it has been the failure of UK authorities to guarantee official protection for the couple and their family when they come to or choose to come to the UK that has rankled with Harry the most.

Prince Harry and Meghan (pictured) were stripped of automatic taxpayer-funded police protection on their visits to Britain after they chose to quit royal duties

Security experts suggested at the time that their annual security bill for protection in and around their home alone which would be similar to that of a Hollywood star could easily top $3million. Overseas visits could also cost them much more in security.

On some overseas visits, including one to Colombia in 2024, their security costs have been met by the home country.

But the UK Government will be aware that even on that trip, authorities were criticised for spending an estimated $2million to cover the pair's security costs while many of the country's residents struggled with poverty.

Harry has argued that his threat level, which was last assessed in April 2019 when a full risk assessment deemed him such a high profile target because of his status and military background that he was put in the highest risk category, is still severe.

During his High Court action, which the Home Office successfully opposed, his lawyers argued that his 'manifestly inferior' security has put his life 'at stake'.

Currently, Harry's official UK security is decided on a case by case basis with Harry asked to inform the Met thirty days before arriving in the country in order to apply for a security review.

He has also cited recent threats he endured while in London from a female 'stalker' who managed to get close to him on two occasions within days of each other as evidence of the constant threat he faces.

She managed to enter a 'secure zone' at a children's charity event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, last September when he had been granted police protection for one day.

But it was when he was without police protection days later at Imperial College, London, that the same woman got within a 'stone's throw' of him and attempted to approach him.

She was allegedly only prevented from doing so by a member of Harry's private security team.

A government spokesperson said today: 'The UK government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security.'
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has endorsed a progressive candidate who until recently sported a tattoo with Nazi connotations, despite previously blasting Pete Hegseth's Christian ink as a threat.

Warren, 76, backed Graham Platner, 41, in the Democratic Senate primary in Maine, where he has come under fire over his ink resembling a symbol of Adolf Hitler's paramilitary Schutzstaffel.

The Democratic lawmaker said Platner, an oyster farmer and military veteran, would 'actually deliver change for working people in the Senate.'

Warren added that she was 'proud' to endorse Platner, though she had previously criticized Secretary of War Hegseth over his own tattoo referencing a Christian motto.

Ahead of Hegseth's confirmation last year, Warren said he had been removed from Joe Biden's 2020 inauguration over 'concerns' he was 'an insider threat.'

Warren wrote that questions had been raised over whether Hegseth's 'Deus vult' tattoo, which translates to God wills it, was a 'Christian expression associated with rightwing extremism.'

Warren was referencing a Reuters report from November 2024, which detailed how a National Guard master sergeant was worried about Hegseth's tattoos.

Hegseth's chest tattoo, which depicts the Jerusalem Cross, was also flagged in the report as part of those concerns.

Graham Platner, who wants to be the Democratic Party's nominee against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, has been criticized for a Nazi-linked tattoo

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed Platner this week and dismissed concerns about his past ink and online posts

Warren previously criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's tattoos

'We cannot have a defense secretary whose fellow service members feel concerned enough about to report as a potential insider threat,' Warren wrote.

During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth said the Jerusalem Cross was a 'Christian religious symbol.'

'In fact, interestingly, recently I attended briefly the memorial ceremony of former President Jimmy Carter, on the floor of our national cathedral, on the front page of his program was the very same Jerusalem Cross,' Hegseth said.

Warren went after Hegseth's tattoos in her 33page letter but took a different tone when asked about Platner's past.

'Look, he has apologized for that, and he's out there talking to the people of Maine every single day,' Warren told the HuffPost.

She said she was endorsing Platner because 'we need more people here in Washington who are less about go along to get along, and more about fighting to make the kind of changes that families need.'

Platner is running against Maine Governor Janet Mills, also a Democrat, for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins.

Collins' seat is crucial in the Democrats' efforts to take back control of the Senate.

Platner covered the tattoo in October with a different design. His campaign initially said he would remove the ink

Platner has said he got the tattoo during a night of drinking in Croatia and did not know about its links to Hitler's paramilitary Schutzstaffel

On Tuesday, Mills' campaign released an ad referencing Platner's tattoo. The video has been viewed more than 1 million times on X.

'The closer you look, the worse it gets,' the narrator said, as a magnifying glass appeared over a short clip of a shirtless Platner.

Platner claimed he got the tattoo during a night of drinking in Croatia and was unaware of its Nazi association. He covered the tattoo in October with a different design.

The initial ink resembled a specific symbol of Hitler's paramilitary SS during World War II.

The progressive candidate's campaign initially said he would remove the ink, but Platner said he chose to cover it up because of the limited options where he lives in rural Maine.

Mills' ad also took aim at Platner's old controversial social media posts dismissing sexual assault.

A narrator in the ad, whose voice sounds similar to Platner's, said the candidate once wrote on Reddit that women should 'not get so f***ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to.'

In another old post highlighted, Platner called for potential victims to 'act like an adult for f*cks sake.'

Women in the ad called his comments 'horrible', 'disqualifying' and 'disgusting.'

Warren said concerns had been raised over whether Hegseth's 'Deus volt' tattoo, which translates to God wills it, was a 'Christian expression associated with rightwing extremism'

Maine Governor Janet Mills, who is also running for the Democratic nomination to take on Collins, released an ad this week that referenced Platner's tattoo

Platner's past comments also included disparaging remarks towards the military and minorities, according to Politico.

In one post, he wrote: 'I can't tell you how many guys I know get disability of some form who have no need for it, and who will openly admit in closed circles they gamed it for the cash. Oddly enough, same dudes will turn around and b***h about welfare queens who live off the government.'

In another, Platner asked, 'Why don't black people tip? I work as a bartender and it always amazes me how solid this stereotype is.'

'Every now and again a black patron will leave a 15 - 20 percent tip, but usually it's between 0 - 5 percent,' he added. 'There's got to be a reason behind it, what is it?'

He also wrote that the US had 'just spent 12 years inconclusively fighting two prohibitively costly wars against guys whose main method of transport is flip flops.'

Platner apologized for his Reddit posts in October, claiming they were made after he left the Army in 2012 and was struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder and depression.

The progressive candidate said he 'still had the crude humor, the dark, dark feelings, the offensive language that really was a hallmark of the infantry when I was in it.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Warren's office and Platner's campaign for further comment.
Donald Trump has threatened to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to US airports as early as Monday as the partial government shutdown rages on.

TSA agents have been left without pay, causing airports across the country to devolve into chaos during peak spring break travel seasons.

In a heated social media post, the president threatened Democrats who refused to pass funding for ICE and end the shutdown, reinstating pay for TSA.

'The Radical Left Democrats have hurt so many people with their vicious and uncaring ways. What they have done to the Department of Homeland Security, our fantastic TSA Officers, and, most importantly, the great people of our Country, is an absolute disgrace,' he wrote.

'If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before! The Fascist Democrats will never protect America, but the Republicans will. Just like the Radical Left allowed millions of Criminals to pour into our Country through their ridiculous and dangerous Open Border Policy, the Republicans closed it all down, and we now have the Strongest Border in American History.

'Likewise, I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, GET READY. NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!'

Trump originally threatened to send ICE to airports earlier Saturday morning.

He wrote on Truth Social: 'If the Radical Left Democrats dont immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before.'

Trump threatened to send ICE agents to airports as TSA employees work without pay

Wait times at TSA across the country have reached up to two hours as employees work without pay

'Including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia, who have totally destroyed, with the approval of a corrupt Governor, Attorney General, and Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, the once Great State of Minnesota,' he added.

'I look forward to seeing ICE in action at our airports.'

KATU reported that there may be legal and logistical barriers to immigration agents taking on traditional airport screening roles.

The Senate is expected to vote on a measure reinstating funding to TSA on Saturday. It seems that if it fails to come to an agreement, Trump could release ICE onto airports nationwide.

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 14 after the Senate failed to agree on a new budget. The agency oversees both TSA and ICE.

Meanwhile, ICE agents are still being paid, reported the American Prospect.

Though department funding was cut, Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocated $175 billion to immigration and border patrol agencies.

On the Senate floor, Chuck Schumer said TSA needs to reopen as quickly as possible  but not under the terms Republicans are offering, which is to fund the entire Homeland Security department.

Democrats are looking to fund TSA while continuing negotiations on Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

TSA officials have stated that airports may have to shut down altogether amid the lengthy lapse in funding

Wait times to pass security have stretched to more than two hours in some airports around the US after TSA workers pay was stopped, causing staffing shortages.

Workers will be forced to continue working without pay until the Senate agrees on terms for reopening the government.

In the meantime, former head of DOGE Elon Musk has offered to pay the salaries of TSA workers during the funding impasse.

I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country, Musk posted on X this morning.

TSA officers make about $50,000 per year on average, according to The New York Times. Musk, the richest man in the world, is valued at $814.3 billion.

TSA's acting deputy administrator threatened that airports may have to shut down altogether if the chaos continues.

'It's not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if call-out rates go up,' Adam Stahl said.

Staffing shortages were caused by an ongoing partial government shutdown

Join the discussion Do you think the government shutdown is being handled responsibly?

A bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security failed to advance Friday in the Senate, meaning Stahl's prediction could come closer to reality soon.

'The reality of the situation is this is going to get worse before it gets better, if we don't see any sort of action,' Stahl said.

About 50,000 TSA workers have been working without pay for more than a month. Some can no longer afford to pay their rent, buy gas or food.

At least 366 agents nationwide have quit their jobs, DHS said.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the lines are so long that they have spilled beyond screening checkpoints and into the baggage claim area.

Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver International Airport reported wait times of 30 minutes, while Dallas-Fort Worth saw delays of 24 minutes.

The Daily Mail contacted the Department of Homeland Security for more information.
President Donald Trump rejoiced 'I'm glad he's dead' just minutes after it was announced former FBI director Robert Mueller had died at the age of 81.

Mueller died from unknown circumstances on Friday night, his family told The New York Times' Michael Schmidt.

'With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night. His family asks that their privacy be respected,' they said in a statement.

No more information surrounding his death has been released.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump celebrated the news of Mueller's passing, writing on Truth Social: 'Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!'

Trump has disliked Mueller since the latter was in charge of the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election, which the president won.

Trump labeled the investigation a 'witch hunt' and frequently attacked Mueller. The former FBI director spent two years investigating, concluding that Russia had interfered with the election to benefit Trump.

Mueller's team had not charged Trump for the collusion, but said he could not exonerate him either.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81. Mueller died from unknown circumstances on Friday night

President Donald Trump celebrated the news of Mueller's passing, writing on Truth Social: 'Good, Im glad hes dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!'

Trump was quick to react to the announcement Mueller died

Trump called the report 'total bulls**t' at the time.

His death comes after his family told The Times in September that the former government worker had Parkinson's Disease.

The revelation came after the House Oversight Committee had requested Mueller appeared before them to testify about the government's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

His family told The Times he was not well enough to do so.

A statement at the time said: 'Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the summer of 2021. He retired from the practice of law at the end of that year.

'He taught at his law school alma mater during the fall of both 2021 and 2022, and he retired at the end of 2022. His family asks that his privacy be respected.'

Mueller had been living in a memory care facility.

Last year, Mueller was scheduled to sit with the House Oversight Committee investigators regarding the FBI's work relating to Jeffrey Epstein.

Mueller served as the sixth director of the FBI from 2001 until 2013

Mueller with his wife Ann Cabell Standish in 2019

The committee was seeking information Mueller may know about Epstein from overseeing the FBI during the pedophile's 2005 Florida prostitution case, a matter in which the FBI eventually intervened.

Mueller served as the sixth director of the FBI from 2001 until 2013. He was the second-longest serving FBI director in history, behind J. Edgar Hoover.

He transformed the FBI into the nation's premier law enforcement agency and a terrorism-fighting force after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

At the FBI, Mueller set about almost immediately overhauling the bureaus mission to meet the law enforcement needs of the 21st century, beginning his 12-year tenure just one week before the September 11 attacks and serving across presidents of both political parties.

He was nominated by Republican President George W. Bush.

The cataclysmic event instantaneously switched the bureaus top priority from solving domestic crime to preventing terrorism, a shift that imposed an almost impossibly difficult standard on Mueller and the rest of the federal government: preventing 99 out of 100 terrorist plots wasnt good enough.

Mueller retired from the FBI in 2013. He had agreed to stay on after his 10-year term was up when President Barack Obama asked.

In an extraordinary vote of confidence, Congress, at the Obama Administrations request, approved a two-year extension for Mueller to remain at his post.

Mueller was appointed to the FBI under President George W. Bush

After several years in private practice, Mueller was asked by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to return to public service as special counsel in the Trump-Russia inquiry.

Mueller was born in New York City and grew up in a well-to-do suburb of Philadelphia.

He received a bachelors degree from Princeton University and a masters degree in international relations from New York University.

He then joined the Marines, serving for three years as an officer during the Vietnam War. He led a rifle platoon and was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and two Navy Commendation Medals.

Following his military service, Mueller earned a law degree from the University of Virginia.

Mueller became a federal prosecutor and relished the work of handling criminal cases.

He rose quickly through the ranks in US attorneys offices in San Francisco and Boston from 1976 to 1988.

Later, as head of the Justice Departments criminal division in Washington, he oversaw a range of high-profile prosecutions that chalked up victories against targets as varied as Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and New York crime boss John Gotti.

Join the discussion How do you feel about Trump publicly celebrating the death of his longtime rival?

In a mid-career switch that shocked colleagues, Mueller threw over a job at a prestigious Boston law firm to join the homicide division of the US attorneys office in the nations capital.

There, he immersed himself as a senior litigator in a bulging caseload of unsolved drug-related murders in a city rife with violence.

Mueller was driven by a career-long passion for the painstaking work of building successful criminal cases.

Even as head of the FBI, he would dig into the details of investigations, some of them major cases but others less so, sometimes surprising agents who suddenly found themselves on the phone with the director.

'The management books will tell you that as the head of an organization, you should focus on the vision,' Mueller once said.

But 'for me there were and are today those areas where one needs to be substantially personally involved,' especially in regard to 'the terrorist threat and the need to know and understand that threat to its roots.'

Two terrorist attacks occurred toward the end of Muellers watch: the Boston Marathon bombing and the Fort Hood shootings in Texas. Both weighed heavily on him, he acknowledged in an interview two weeks before his departure.

'You sit down with victims families, you see the pain they go through and you always wonder whether there isnt something more' that could have been done, he said.
Police and Army experts are to begin a dramatic new search to try and find the bodies of murdered Renee MacRae and her toddler son almost 50 years after their mystery disappearance shocked the nation.

A crack Army unit using high-tech drones will begin the painstaking search on on Monday on land which was once owned by William MacDowell - the 80-year-old who was convicted in 2022 of the premeditated executions of the tragic pair.

Specialist units from the Royal Engineers were called in after historic surveys of the site, which spans several acres, revealed evidence of disturbed ground dating back to the time of Renee and three-year-old Andrews disappearance.

A police forensics team have been primed to carry out digs at various points around MacDowells old property the following week, with relatives of the mother and son informed about the latest developments by officers.

Last night a source close to the police inquiry described the new probe as a very exciting development.

It is understood Dr Alastair Ruffell from Queens University in Belfast, an expert in geoforensic searches, will also be on site to help in the hunt for the bodies of Renee, 36 and Andrew, who were callously murdered by MacDowell in 1976.

MacDowell was only convicted of their killings in 2022 at the age of 80 and died less than five months into his prison sentence, going to his grave without revealing what he had done with his victims remains.

Renee MacRae and her young son Andrew were murdered in 1976

Police and the army will now search land previously owned by William MacDowell in Nairnside, near Inverness, in the hope of finally discovering their remains

The latest search will take place over two days in the Highlands, focussing on land near Inverness once owned by MacDowell when he lived in the area with his wife Rosemary. The couple later moved to Cumbria.

The murderer had been having an affair with Renee for several years and brutally killed her, and their toddler son, in a layby on the A9 near Dalmagarry, south of Inverness, on November 12, 1976.

Renee was separated from her husband Gordon, the boss of a successful Inverness building firm and had been seeing MacDowell, who worked as the company secretary. Within a year of the affair starting, she had fallen pregnant.

By the time their son Andrew was three years old, MacDowell convinced his lover he had found a job in Shetland and they would move there as a family, despite having no intention of doing so.

They had planned to spend the weekend before the move in a chalet in Perthshire, which would give MacDowell a chance to get to know his son.

But his claims were a ruse to lure the pair to their deaths, and they were never seen again.

Renees BMW car was found burnt out in the A9 layby, with a spot of her blood in the boot becoming the last known trace of the loving mother of two.

Renees sister Morag Govans, a retired nurse from Inverness, had urged MacDowell to reveal where her nephew and sister were upon his conviction, and said if he had any shred of decency he would explain what he had done with their bodies.

William and Rosemary MacDowell outside their home near Inverness in 1976

Members of the Royal Engineers have been called in to help in the search using drones

Police Scotlands Brian Geddes previously vowed never to give up the hunt for the mother and sons bodies, with the investigation focussing on a cottage where MacDowell had told a witness he hoped would never be found or he would be done for.

DS Geddes and his team were reviewing all information about the area around McDowells former home, including looking at old aerial images and photographs.

It is understood that historic surveys of the site, which spans several acres, have revealed previously disturbed ground dating back to the time of Renee and Andrews disappearance.

Now the armys Sappers have been tasked with helping to find the pairs remains and will launch a fleet of drones tomorrow and Tuesday to search the area before deciding on whether to break ground and start digging.

The Royal Engineers are specialist soldiers, trained for combat but with unique engineering skills. Those deployed to find the MacRaes are believed the have expertise in geospatial analysis and ground techniques  using maps and aerial footage of an area taken over time to spot potential differences in how the land and soil really looks compared to how it would be expected to look.

Since MacDowells conviction in 2022, officers have been investigating the soil on the farmland and analysing old aerial images of the site near MacDowells former home. It is these investigations that have led them to believe Renee and Andrew may be buried there, after detecting areas of potentially disturbed ground.

William and Rosemary MacDowell arrive at court in 2022

Neighbours living nearby the house have been warned to expect police activity and drones this week, with the potential for further activity next week depending on the results.

It is part of Operation Abermule, the latest investigation into the mother and sons murder, with similar probes launched in 1986, 2004 and 2018.

In 2019 teams drained Leanach quarry in Culloden as they believed evidence had been concealed there. Wheels from a pushchair, similar to the Silver Cross one Andrew had, were discovered along with bones, later confirmed to be animal remains.

More than 100,000 tonnes of earth, silt and other material was removed from the site and 5000 tonnes of the material was forensically searched but the mother and son were not found.

Detective Superintendent Brian Geddes said: Our investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae remains ongoing and officers continue to examine all available lines of investigation.
It was a most unlikely friendship, forged by unimaginable disaster.

When Noel, Countess of Rothes, and Able Seaman Thomas Jones boarded the Titanic in Southampton, on Wednesday, April 10, 1912, she headed to the luxurious first-class deck, he to the spartan crew quarters.

Edwardian society was such that in ordinary times their paths would never cross. But four nights later  when the unsinkable liner hit an iceberg and began to list  they found themselves manning a lifeboat in the darkness, doing their utmost to save their own lives and those of 25 others.

The mutual respect that formed that night never faded. For the rest of their lives, they exchanged letters and sent each other gifts.

Noel praised Joness noble work amid the panic and chaos of Lifeboat No 8. He recalled her courage under so heartrending circumstances.

Survivors rarely spoke of what had happened that night and the 1,496 people who died. Some suffered shock, what we would now call PTSD.

Others felt the numbers of dead paled in comparison with the First World War, which broke out two years after the sinking. Noel  my great-grandmother, who was known as Noel because she was born on Christmas Day but actually called Lucy Noel Martha Leslie  was no different. She would only occasionally say: Do remember that whatever you hear about the Titanic is not true.

But what she would have made of James Camerons 1997 film  in which she was played by British actress Rochelle Rose we will never know.

Pictured: the Countess of Rothes, who survived the Titanic and rowed dozens to safety

Pictured: Thomas Jones, the 5ft-tall Able Seaman who forged a relationship with aristocrat countess Noel on board lifeboat Number 8

After her death in 1956, her son and granddaughter found a box of her Titanic papers they had never seen.

Inside were newspaper cuttings from 1912 and a copy of the sworn statement she had made in Los Angeles a month after the disaster.

There were letters from the niece of the Spanish Prime Minister, the youngest passenger in Lifeboat No 8, who was just 22 years old and on honeymoon when she had to leave her husband behind on the ship, never to see him again. And there were letters from Thomas Jones.

The New York Herald, reporting on the departure of the Titanic, described the Countess as full of joyful expectation as the ship left dock. Her husband, Norman Evelyn Leslie, 19th Earl of Rothes, had travelled ahead, planning to buy a fruit farm in California.

In contrast to her alarmed portrayal in the film (she asks a passing steward: Excuse me, why have the engines stopped? I felt a shudder) the real Countess hardly noticed the moment the vast ship was cut open.

A slight jar and then a grating noise were all she was aware of. I turned on the light and noticed it was 11.46pm and I wondered at the sudden quiet.

On opening my cabin door, she recalled to an inquiry regarding the disaster, I saw the steward, and was informed that the ship had been in collision with ice.

As we wished to see the iceberg, we went on deck and walked to the forward part. The deck below was covered with ice, but we did not see the iceberg No one realised any danger.

The order came to get dressed and put on lifebelts. Noel poured some brandy for herself and her ladies maid and hurriedly dressed: Then no one seemed to know where the lifebelts were kept, and a strange man found ours for us  we tied on his for him  and all shook hands and told each other that it would not be long before we met again.

Able Seaman Jones, a Welshman who stood just 5ft 1in tall, was ordered by the ships Captain, Edward Smith, to command Lifeboat No 8, which was the fourth lifeboat to leave, at 1am.

It could take 65 passengers but left with just 27 on board: 23 women, plus another able seaman, Charles Pascoe, and two stewards.

If all 16 lifeboats plus the four collapsibles had been filled 1,178 passengers and crew would have been saved. In the event, just 712 survived. Why, Jones was later asked, hadnt more people come forward to board the lifeboat?

The night was so fine and the Titanic so large that they did not think it possible she could go down, he replied. Time and time again I heard Captain Smith appealing to them to board the lifeboats, but they did not, and the boats, in many cases, left half-full.

Even-numbered lifeboats were stored on the port side; uneven numbers on the starboard side.

Fewer passengers left from the port side as the officer in charge of boarding the lifeboats there seemed to interpret the exhortation women and children first as women and children only.

Roberta Maioni, Noels maid, recalled: I was not at all frightened. Everybody was saying as we left the ship that she was good for 12 hours yet. With no more ladies ready to leave, Jones was ordered to lower away.

As Noel recalled: We were lowered quietly to the water, and when we had pushed off from the Titanics side, I asked the seaman [Jones] if he would care to have me take the tiller, as I knew something about boats.

'We had no officer to take command of our boat, and the little seaman had to assume all the responsibility. He did it nobly, alternately cheering us with words of encouragement, then rowing doggedly.

There was a woman on my boat, Jones later told The Daily Telegraph. When I saw the way she was carrying herself I knew she was more of a man than any we had on board and I put her at the tiller.

Captain Smith instructed Jones to row toward the lights of a nearby ship, let the passengers board, then return.

An illustratoin of the wreckage of the Titanic on April 10, 1912, and a lifeboat rowing out amid the icebergs

I was sure, Jones said, that the ship, whose lights we could plainly see, would pick us up and that our lifeboats would be able to do double duty in ferrying passengers to the help that gleamed so near.

Those lights came from the steamship the SS Californian, about 12 miles north-north-west of Titanic: by far the closest ship.

For three hours, Noel recalled, we pulled steadily for the two masthead lights that showed brilliantly in the darkness.

She congratulated a passenger Mrs Smith for her sterling service in rowing five hours with Jones without taking a rest.

Really, she was magnificent, not only in her attitude but in the whole-souled way in which she worked. Mrs Pearson also rowed, and my maid, Roberta Maioni, rowed the last half of the night.

But as hard as they rowed, they did not get near the Californian. I pulled for the light, said Jones, and I found I could not get near the light.

Noel recalled: For a few minutes we saw the ships port light, then it vanished, and the masthead lights got dimmer on the horizon until they, too, disappeared.

The reason they couldnt get near the lights was that the Californians captain, Stanley Lord, made a fatal mistake.

His apprentice officer told the inquiry that he saw white rockets being fired to the south, and reported them to his captain, but his captain gave him no instructions.

According to the British Board of Trade rulebook, if there was any doubt about a rockets meaning, it had to be taken for a distress signal. That rule was ignored by the Californians captain.

What was more, the Marconi wireless operator was off shift when the Titanic began sending SOS messages. The wireless room was closed between 11pm and 8am, to allow the lone operator time to eat and sleep.

Jones heard Noel doing what she could to comfort the women on board, at least four of whom had had to leave their husbands behind on the ship.

She reassured them that their men would find places in later lifeboats  she had no idea there werent enough. At 2.20am, the Titanic sank. Those still on board were pitched into the icy water with only their lifebelts to protect them.

Noel wrote to her parents: The horror of it all can never be told... those fearful cries when she sank will never go out of my head.

As they had boarded Lifeboat No 8, the newly-wed husband of the young Spanish woman Maria-Josefa had asked Noel to take care of her: It was awful making her leave him, but ones only feeling was to prevent any panic or scene and obey the Captains orders.

Maria-Josefa then began screaming for him. It was too horrible, recalled Noel. I slipped down beside her to be of what comfort I could. Poor woman! Her sobs tore our hearts out and her moans were unspeakable in their sadness.

The most awful part, Noel continued, was seeing the rows of portholes vanishing one by one.

The cold was intense, and we were surrounded by icebergs that we expected would be on us at any moment. In this terrible blackness we rowed all night. Our hearts seemed chilled, but we hoped against hope that someone would pick us up.

Jones wanted to turn back in search of survivors in the water, as the boat could easily take more passengers. My great-grandmother also wanted to turn back.

But the other people in the boat were very strongly against it, Noel recalled, saying that the suction wave [caused by the Titanics sinking] would take us down and we would be swamped. I spoke to one of the other passengers and said I thought we ought to return.

She demurred  and asked me not to say anything more about it, as it might result in a panic in our boat if the others heard that I advocated returning.

The infamous liner docked in Southampton before it set sail for its fateful journey to America

The other fear was that when desperate people in the water struggled to board the boat, it would turn over, and the 27 on board would die. Both the Countess and Jones struggled with this.

In a letter to Jones, Noel later wrote: The dreadful regret I shall always have, and I know you share with me, is that we ought to have gone back to see whom we could pick up.

When the terrible sounds of people dying behind them stopped, the absolute silence seemed worse. In order to distract those in the boat, someone suggested they sing.

They sang through the rest of the night, every ballad, nursery rhyme, folk song, hymn  any song they could think of. It kept up our spirits, Jones recalled. We sang as we rowed, starting out with Pull For The Shore.

The Carpathia was bound from New York to Gibraltar and was some 58 miles away when its captain, Arthur Rostron, received the Titanics distress message. She arrived at the scene at 4am, an hour and 40 minutes after Titanic sank, too late to save anyone who hadnt found a place on a lifeboat.

Noel fainted as she was taken on board: I remember nothing after I was put into the swing and hauled up until I found myself on the dining-room sofa with the doctor pouring hot stuff down my throat.

She and Jones would exchange Christmas cards every year until Noels death.

Among the treasured items found in her Titanic box was a wooden roundel with a bronze number 8 embedded in the middle.

It was a gift Jones had made for her: when the ordeal of the night was over, he had removed the bronze 8 from the prow of the lifeboat, then mounted it on wood.

My lady, he wrote, when sending it to Noel, I beg to ask your acceptance of the number of my boat from which you were taken on board S/S Carpathia. In asking you to accept the same, I do so in respect of your courage under so terrifying circumstances.

She sent him a silver fob watch, engraved with the simple words April 15th 1912. From the Countess of Rothes.

At Christmas Noel would enclose 1 with her letter. According to the family, 1 (worth around 400 today) did Christmas. It paid for everything.

Nell, Joness daughter, once told me she remembered the letters he wrote to Noel and the replies he received, because he used to read them to her.

But when she told her school friends her father was writing to a Countess, they didnt believe her. She told me, with a smile, that, as a girl, she thought, everybody knew a Countess.

For her part, Noel would be haunted by a particular piece of music for the rest of her life.

It was the Barcarolle from The Tales Of Hoffmann  the last piece she heard the orchestra play on deck, before she retired to her cabin the night the ship went down.

l Adapted from The Aristocrat And The Able Seaman by Angela Young (The History Press, 14.99).

To order a copy for 13.49 (offer valid to March 28; UK P&P free on orders over 25) mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937
Hollywood star Jason Momoa was among thousands of Hawaiians forced to flee as a powerful storm battered the islands and caused dangerous, potentially fatal flooding.

Flooding across Oahu is the worst Hawaii has seen in more than 20 years, with rising waters forcing mass evacuations near the Wahiawa dam.

Momoa took to Instagram and revealed he fled the North Shore after losing power and was with his family.

'We're safe now but there's a lot of people who weren't, so sending all our love,' he said.

The Aquaman actor also shared footage of flooding near his father's home, calling the destruction 'crazy' and pleading with his followers to stay safe.

Hawaii officials have ordered more than 5,000 people to leave, warning that the 120-year-old structure is at risk of 'imminent failure.'

In less than 24 hours, water levels surged from 79ft to 84ft, just six feet below capacity. Up to 12 inches of rain has fallen on Hawaii.

According to the National Weather Service, most of Hawaii will remain under a flood watch through Sunday afternoon. This includes the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island.

Aquaman actor Jason Momoa revealed that he was forced to flee from the North Shore, as a massive storm continues to pummel Hawaii

A flooded neighborhood in Waialua on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Locals have been ordered to evacuate immediately

The entirety of Hawaii has been placed under a flood watch through Sunday

Maui is also under a flash flood warning until 9pm HST, a more serious threat level than a flood watch.

When the NWS issues a flood warning, it means flooding is imminent or already occurring. A flood watch simply means a conditions are favorable for a flood and that residents should be prepared.

The flood watch was canceled in Kauai County, which governs the island of Kauai and the neighboring islands of Niihau, Lehua and Kaula. A flash flood warning was canceled in Lanai.

Momoa said the dangerous weather forced him to cancel a music event planned for the weekend.

The actor, who was born in Honolulu, posted on Instagram ahead of the weekend that the past weeks had been 'heavy' for his home state.

'The storms, the flooding, the constant rain across Oahu have affected so many of our people especially those already facing hardship,' Momoa said.

He added: 'Seeing families displaced, communities struggling, and our unhoused neighbors hit the hardest'

Momoa encouraged locals to check in on neighbors ahead of a dangerous next few days.

'That's what aloha is,' Momoa wrote. 'It's showing up for each other when it matters most.'

Up to 12 inches of rain in parts of Oahu caused life-threatening flooding in communities including Haleiwa and Waialua.

Jason Momoa, pictured with his girlfriend Adria Arjona, said that recent weeks had been 'heavy' for his home state

All roads out of Waialua on northern Oahu were at risk of failure. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, is at 'imminent risk of failure'

There is still 'potential for heavy rain' that could impact the Wahiawa dam, Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency said Saturday morning

An alert posted by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency on Saturday morning had said there was still 'potential for heavy rain' threatening the Wahiawa dam.

Floodwaters, landslides and downed trees have made roads impassable, making it incredibly tough to move around.

All roads out of Waialua were at risk of failure, and officials have urged anyone still in place to leave before conditions get worse.

No deaths have been reported so far, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said Saturday afternoon on X.

Green reported 'a few serious injuries' but did not give more details.

More than 230 people have been rescued so far and no one remains unaccounted for.

About 10 people had been hospitalized with hypothermia.

'This is a major threat to our people and to our state,' Green said Friday.

More than 230 people have been rescued so far, according to Hawaii Gov Josh Green on Friday

The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said 131 were people placed into six evacuation shelters overnight

More than $1 billion in damage might be caused by the massive storm, which is the second Kona system to hit Hawaii this month

More than $1 billion in damage could be caused by the flooding as airports, homes, roads and schools get battered.

One hundred and thirty-one people were placed into six evacuation shelters overnight, according to the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said they were monitoring the 'severe flooding.'

'Our teams on the island are embedded and ready to support if needed to help safeguard lives and communities,' FEMA posted on X.

The Kona storm has also caused thousands in Hawaii to lose electricity.

About 6,400 customers in Oahu were without power as of Saturday, according to KHON2.

That included about 4,200 on the North Shore, which is where Momoa fled.

This is the second powerful storm system to hit Hawaii in two weeks, as a first Kona blasted the state from March 10 to March 16.
The oil is no longer visible, but its still there. Fish swim in the sea, but theyre no longer being caught. The water isnt stained, but it leaves a strange brown foam. While it looks like life is back to normal in the municipality of Pajapan, in southern Veracruz, the invisible threat of the oil spill that began almost two weeks ago and has affected 142 miles (230 km) of the Gulf of Mexico coast permeates every minute of its inhabitants days. Uncaught crabs and unsold shrimp paint a picture of the new reality for dozens of families who, faced with the pollution of the Laguna del Ostion (Oyster Lagoon), are struggling to survive an emergency that has left them without their main source of income. Its critical because I havent worked a single day since the pollution started, says Vicente Vargas, a 49-year-old fisherman with 14 years of experience in the trade.

Like him, many people lost their jobs overnight. When the first signs of the environmental tragedy surfaced, Emeterio Hernandez, a 69-year-old resident of the lagoon region, was at home when his son alerted him: He called me and said, Dad, theres trouble with the lagoon. Upon hearing this, Emeterio traveled to Jicacal, a town located at the intersection of the Laguna del Ostion and the Gulf of Mexico, where a large crowd had gathered. When I got to Jicacal, people were already there. I saw some Pemex workers coming, and they told me, Were inspecting the shoreline because theres been a spill, and I told them, You dont realize it, but the oil has already reached the lagoons mouth, he recounts.

Oil-covered waste is kept in sacks by fishermen in Laguna del Ostion and Playa Linda, in Veracruz state. Nayeli Cruz

Residents say the authorities informed them that fishing and the sale of seafood were prohibited until further notice. They told us that, for the time being, we cant eat fish from the sea or the lagoon because its contaminated. They did an inspection and found balls of tar, says Elena Martinez, a 42-year-old woman who sells seafood in the area. But the consequences of the oil spill in the lagoon have also been a blow to other businesses. Its affected everyone because the farmers are also complaining that theyre not getting any sales, and because of that, money isnt circulating here, says Vicente.

Although the smell of hydrocarbons doesnt reach the town of Pajapan, the consequences of the spill are already present. Ciriaca Martinez, a 51-year-old seafood vendor and single mother of a 16-year-old son, complains: We dont have money to buy food. Hermenegilda Bruno, 42, emphasizes the economic impact they are having to endure: There are mothers and widows who relied on selling fish for their livelihood. Now how are they going to support their children who go to school? We havent received any assistance. Aurelia Jauregui, 64, stresses: We dont have a fixed salary. This is how we make a living. We work when we catch fish; when we dont, we have nothing.

Fish and seafood vendors affected by the pollution of the lagoon and the sea. Nayeli Cruz

A few miles from town, residents wade through waters where tar slicks are visible. The characteristic smell accompanies visitors on a tour of the Laguna del Ostion. This site, which just two weeks ago sustained the Nahua communities settled around it, is now a latent threat to the health of the villages that, desperate due to government inaction, have carried out some cleanup work without protective equipment. We picked it up in our boots and with bags in our hands. Then we took it to higher ground [to another area near the lagoon] and left it there, recalls Vicente. The bags full of dried tar are still there, waiting for someone to dispose of them properly. He adds: This is so small [he points to traces of the hydrocarbon in the water], how am I supposed to pick it up? You cant clean it up. We collected the bigger pieces over there, but not these little ones.

Dr. Omar Arellano, an expert in Ecological Risks and Ecotoxicology at the School of Earth Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), warns of the dangers to which the residents are being exposed. All the people who have voluntarily participated in the cleanup are, in a way, also putting themselves at risk of exposure due to the volatility of the [oil] compounds. Not because they are flammable, but because they are inhaling benzene, benzene compounds, and anthracenes, which can cause neurotoxic problems and skin issues, he explains.

The cleanups, organized by the communities themselves to collect the crude oil that has seeped into their environment, have not been enough. At first glance, the lagoon appears undisturbed. But a closer look reveals that its water is already poisoned. I saw clearly that it wasnt going to clean up all at once. Where they collected it, I went on the third day and there was already quite a bit of tar by Jicacal, says Vicente. On Tenantitanapan beach, facing the Gulf, their initiative also seems to be ineffective. The oil no longer covers the surface of the sand, but it has settled on the seabed. One of the fishermen dips his hands in to show the black material hidden beneath these waters that, just seconds ago, appeared to be clean.

Evaristo Hernandez looks for contaminated waste in the Laguna del Ostion on March 13, 2026. Nayeli Cruz

There is no clarity on how much longer the fishing ban, which is putting them under economic pressure, will remain in place, but, in Dr. Arellanos opinion, the current situation is far from improving. The fishery isnt going to recover, and seafood, at least from the nearshore fisheries, wont be available for consumption anytime soon. People will have to wait several months or until the next fishing season, he asserts. Beyond the ban, the residents also point to the distrust generated by the lagoons pollution. Ciriaca recounts: Im selling a little bit of my shrimp right now. Everyone asks, Where did this shrimp come from? I tell them, It was frozen, Im not selling it from the lagoon, but they still dont buy it.

The residents frustration is palpable. The situation worsens with each passing day, and complaints against the authorities are piling up. The governor refuses to acknowledge the damage. We want her support, we want her to help us with something because if she doesnt help us, who can we turn to? [...] That spill is pure poison, Emeterio says, speaking out against the state government. Beside him, Vicente accuses the state-owned oil company Pemex: For them, their company is fine, right? But they screwed us over. The Veracruz government maintains that cleanups have been carried out and that it has supported all those affected. Pemex, through press releases, has disclaimed responsibility for the spill and claims to have offered assistance, despite not being responsible. Thus, while the official narrative presents the tragedy as being addressed, a different story unfolds in Pajapan.
She is a character whose desire for control is so chilling that her portrayal by Louise Fletcher won the US actress an Oscar.

Now Scots star Michelle Gomez, 58, is set to don the stiffly starched cap of the monstrous Nurse Ratched in a stage production of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.

Made famous by the 1975 film starring Jack Nicholson, adapted from Ken Keseys novel, the story centres on Randle P McMurphy, a renegade new patient at a psychiatric institution.

Frustrated by authority, he leads a revolt against draconian nemesis Nurse Ratched, with chilling consequences.

Glasgow-born Ms Gomez, who shot to fame in Channel 4 comedy series The Book Group in 2002, is also widely known for Doctor Who and comedy Green Wing.

And her casting seems apt, given her unsettling performance as the Queen of Hell in Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Scottish star Michelle Gomez, 58, in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina guise

Louise Fletcher and Jack Nicholson in the 1975 film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Discussing her new role, Ms Gomez said: Her character represents something called the combine, which is a societal oppression of people where they must fit into a box.

If you dont fit into that box, what do we do with you? Well, we judge you as being different and needing to go away.

Ms Fletcher, who died aged 88 in 2022, won an Academy Award for her unforgettable performance as the flint-hearted nurse in the film.

However, the stage adaptation at the Old Vic theatre in Londons West End has a fresh take on the story.

Director Clint Dyer has said his production is a searing exploration of colonialism and the social structures built to silence dissent.

He also believes the ongoing scandals over the actions of Americas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department mean there is no better time for such an approach.

Mr Dyer told Channel 4: Im casting the patients as African Americans. By adding the dimension of race I think the metaphor becomes really clear when you think about ICE and where America is right now and what it wants to do to its inhabitants.
Somewhere in the temperate waters of the Strait of Hormuz, small but deadly Iranian submarines lurk patiently  with Donald Trumps warships in their crosshairs.

Slipping through sonar blind spots, the Ghadir-class mini subs silently shadow their prey, despatch their underwater anti-ship cruise missiles or homing torpedoes, then simply vanish.

Not for nothing are they known as the Ghosts in the Gulf. One is said to have photographed an aircraft carrier up close during a surveillance mission before slinking away undetected.

Tehran has previously claimed that on several occasions the submarines caught US Navy vessels off guard by surfacing unexpectedly near them.

Adapted from a North Korean model, Ghadir inspires pride in Iranians  though submarines are far from the only deadly hardware in their naval arsenal.

From torpedo-firing speedboats and kamikaze drones to mines of every description and unmanned explosive-laden craft disguised as wooden fishing boats... enough fiendish weaponry for a 007 film awaits the US Navy in the worlds busiest oil shipping channel.

Certainly, enough to give the 2,000 marines on board USS Tripoli pause for thought. Next week, the 50,000-ton amphibious assault ship, en route from Japan, will enter the war zone and prepare for a confrontation that may yet decide the conflicts outcome.

Whether there is a part to play for Britain in the Battle of Hormuz remains to be seen.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards man their speedboats in the Persian Gulf off the port of Bandar Abbas (file photo)

Ghadir-class mini subs can silently shadow their prey, despatch their underwater anti-ship cruise missiles or homing torpedoes, then simply vanish

A boat firing a missile during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Gulf

Last week, Sir Keir Starmer offered UK bases as launchpads for US strikes to restore freedom of navigation to the strait, which Iran effectively closed, causing a surge in oil and gas prices.

Military sources claimed on Saturday night that nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson was in the region.

But so far the Royal Navy is said to be unwilling to send warships because the threat posed by Iran means the situation is too fluid. Our last ship in the region, the minehunter HMS Middleton, retired earlier this year.

How it will all unfold is unclear. The Iranians are said to be licking their lips at the prospect of an encounter in the strait. For Tehran has laid a trap, which President Trump risks sailing right into.

Just 24 miles wide at its narrowest point, Hormuz joins the Gulf with the rest of the world.

Bounded by Iran to the north and Oman to the south, it is the only route by which ships  including oil and gas tankers  can travel from the ports of Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the east coast of Saudi Arabia and most of the United Arab Emirates to the worlds energy markets.

To the Islamic regime, Hormuz represents its best opportunity for inflicting symbolic damage on the US. And Iran has much to avenge.

For one thing, it hasnt forgotten loss of the warship Iris Dena, torpedoed by a US submarine off the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the early days of the war.

Sinking a US ship in retaliation might seem unthinkable, but as one defence expert said, even if the Iranians hit just one and it required rescue, the result would be catastrophic for the image of Donald Trump in the American political theatre.

Irans blockade of Hormuz includes a threat to set on fire any vessels that dare cross it. Usually, about a fifth of global oil and gas passes through the narrow corridor connecting the Gulf with the Arabian Sea.

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But Irans General Sardar Jabbari says Tehran will now not let a single drop of oil leave the region.

In response to Irans threats, Mr Trump promised to grant tankers and other commercial ships a navy escort. As he has learned since making his pledge, that is easier said than done.

For though Irans regular navy suffered heavy losses in the first wave of US attacks, the countrys second navy run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which is responsible for the strait, is thought to be largely intact.

The rugged mountainous coastline to the east of the strait gives the Iranians a key advantage. They can dig into the hills and launch over-the-horizon strikes that are difficult to spot. And drones can be despatched undetected from anywhere.

Some of Irans deadly vessels are thought to be hiding in an underground cove on a tiny island in the strait.

The IRGCs navy specialises in asymmetric warfare: avoiding a more dominant opponents strengths and instead focusing on weaknesses using unconventional strategies and tactics.

A 2020 report by Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, outlined how this might play out in the strait.

It said: Iran could theoretically launch a coordinated attack involving explosives-laden remote-controlled boats and remotely operated underwater vehicles, swarming speedboats, semi-submersible torpedo boats, kamikaze [drones], midget attack submarines, and shore-based antiship missile and artillery fire.

Elsewhere the report says Irans network of islands, inlets and coves along the strait provide excellent hiding places and allow for staging precision mining operations, sneak missile and swarming attacks.

Iran has also bored tunnels into rocky islands from where boats can launch directly into shipping lanes.

Experts have also suggested Iran could have used a space launch vehicle to enable its ballistic missiles to reach Diego Garcia. Pictured: A satellite carrier being launched from the Imam Khomeini spaceport in Semnan, December 2024

It adds: Speedboats can rush out of covered locks and concrete pens, or can be launched from flatbed trucks under cover of darkness during high tide without any special accommodations.

'These capabilities can increase surprise and reduce transit time to the points of contact.

Other firepower at the IRGCs disposal includes armed replicas of the British-built Bladerunner 51, hailed as among the fastest speedboats in the world.

A senior IRGC commander said when it was launched: The Bladerunner is a British ship that holds the world speed record [80mph].

'We got a copy [on which] we made some changes so it can launch missiles and torpedoes.

The Washington Institute report says such fast-attack craft are essential in controlling the strait. The IRGC navy uses these boats for maritime patrol and ultimately swarming and sneaking missile attacks.

It adds: A key feature of the IRGCs rocket-firing swarm boats is their survivability, achieved by designing the boats to have a lower profile paired with high speed and manoeuvrability.

For a similar reason, Iran has been working on unmanned surface vessels since the late 1980s, specifically through the development and fielding of remote-controlled suicide drone boats packed with explosives.

Iran's use of intermediate ballistic missiles on a British military base in the Chagos Islands has escalated fears that major European capitals are now within reach of another attack. Pictured: Long-range Shahab-3 missile being launched

The Shahab has a range of at least 2,000 kilometres or 1,200 miles. But now Iran appears to be able to strike more distant targets

Iran has positioned no fewer than 1,500 of them, each armed with 500kg of explosives, along key Persian Gulf coastal areas.

'Originally designed to destroy warships, these drone boats have progressively been made more sophisticated with the provision of various sensors and data links.

The regime is estimated to have 17 submarines garrisoned at Bandar Abbas, which sits on the northern bend. US forces appear to have disabled only one of them since the attacks began last week.

That submarine  a 500-ton Fateh-class vessel with at least four 533mm torpedo tubes  was Irans most operational sub-surface boat, according to US military officials.

Whats left could still inflict significant damage. Sending ships to escort commercial vessels  as many as 80 tankers per day  will pitch US troops perilously close to Irans crude but lethal arsenal.

Ryan Ramsey, a former captain of the Royal Navy submarine HMS Turbulent, said: Having operated submarines in the Gulf region, the Iranian submarine force should be taken seriously.

As well as Ghadir-class, he said Iran also operated Russian-made Kilo-class submarines, which are larger, longer-range boats and have greater firepower.

In the confined waters of the region, even a small number of submarines can create real uncertainty for surface commanders, Mr Ramsey added.

That said, against capable anti-submarine forces the balance shifts. US submarines and maritime patrol assets are extremely proficient at finding and tracking these boats.

According to the report, the IRGC considers sea mines essential to what it calls its smart control of the Strait of Hormuz.

To that end, it is said to have acquired some of the worlds deadliest, including influence mines which rest on the seabed. Triggered not by physical contact, they instead use sensors to detect when a vessel is nearby.

Magnetic limpet mines are also favoured. The report says they are deployed by speedboats or divers, as demonstrated in 2019 when just south of the Strait of Hormuz, two transiting tankers were attacked by speeding boats attaching limpet mines to their target hulls.

Even if the US feels it could counter all Iranian threats, the operation would be enormously complex, expensive and would last as long as Iran chooses to keep threatening ships  something beyond Donald Trumps control.

Former Air Marshal Martin Sampson says the US appeared unprepared for the large combined land, sea and air operation needed to secure the strait.

He said the waterway would become a target-rich environment for Iranian forces, who could throw everything theyve got at warships carrying hundreds of sailors.

The Marine Expeditionary Unit on board the USS Tripoli could take part in an invasion of Irans Kharg Island, located 15 miles off its mainland. It is the countrys main oil export terminal and critical to its fragile economy.

The Tripoli could be joined by another amphibious assault ship the USS Boxer, which left San Diego earlier last week, bringing the number of marines units in the region to three.

Blockading or occupying the five-mile strip of land might give Washington leverage in talks to reopen the Strait and allow Mr Trump to end the war on his terms.

However, such an operation  which would leave US troops exposed to Iranian missiles and drones  would only be launched once Irans coastal military capabilities have been further degraded.

We need about a month to weaken the Iranians more with strikes, take the island and then get them by the balls and use it for negotiations, one source said.

Sascha Bruchmann, a military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said US marines could deploy from the Tripoli using Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which can transport squads of 20 troops to positions up to 400 miles away. They could land using smaller amphibious assault boats.

Another target is Qeshm Island in the strait. Its a bit like an unsinkable aircraft carrier, Mr Bruchmann told The Times.

Theres natural salt caverns and mines, which are used as underground storage facilities for the [drones] that now hold shipping hostage. So marines as fighters and as amphibious raiders, would be the ideal option to try to neutralise these facilities.

Other options include seizing the islands of Hormuz or Larak, where US forces could install counter-drone radar systems.

In short, the President faces an inescapable dilemma. Inaction risks global trade chaos, but taking action could entangle the US in a conflict with no obvious end in sight.
A USPS mailman faces a new charge after shoving a Jewish boy in an attack caught on camera, as police finally reveal his identity.

Gabriel Stan, 39, of Stony Point, New York, got handed a felony second-degree attempted assault charge on top of his two initial misdemeanor charges on Friday for his alleged attack on the four-year-old boy.

He was hit with the new charge due to the child's age being under seven, the Rampo Police Department said.

The disturbing confrontation unfolded on Thursday evening in Monsey, in Rockland County, about 30 miles north of New York City, where surveillance footage saw the young child approaching a parked mail truck.

The mailman suddenly turned around and forcefully pushed the little boy backwards onto the pavement, video showed.

The boy fell over onto his back and can be seen scrambling to his feet moments later, picking up his yarmulke, before walking away.

Authorities say the suspect was quickly identified and arrested the following day.

Ramapo Police Department charged him with endangering the welfare of a child and attempted assault in the third degree, both misdemeanors.

USPS worker, Gabriel Stan, 39, of Stony Point, was issued a felony charge on Friday, adding onto his two initial charges for allegedly shoving a four-year-old boy

Last year, the town of Ramapo, Monsey, was named the safest place to live in America

He was later released and is expected to appear in court at a later date. The Daily Mail has reached out to Stan for comment.

Video of the incident, first reported by The Monsey Scoop, captured the moment the situation escalated without warning.

The child had been standing nearby as the postman was placing letters into a communal mailbox.

Witness accounts and footage suggest the worker began yelling at children in the area before turning his attention to the boy, when suddenly the encounter turned physical.

The footage then shows the mailman forcefully shoving the child to the ground.

Monsey is a community with a large Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish population. Last year, the town of Ramapo, of which Monsey is a part, was named the safest place to live in America.

Local officials reacted quickly as details of the incident emerged.

Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht confirmed he had personally reviewed the footage.

SHOCKING INCIDENT IN MONSEY: USPS Mail Carrier Assaults 4-Year-Old  Ramapo Police And Chaverim Of Rockland Investigating, Incident Caught On CCTV



READ STORY ON MONSEY SCOOP: https://t.co/TkVPs4yKOO pic.twitter.com/Y45hh12gyu  The Monsey Scoop (@TheMonseyScoop) March 20, 2026

Local politicians were outraged by the actions of the mailman that were caught on camera

'I have viewed the video depicting an incident involving a physical attack on a small child,' Specht wrote on X. 'The content of this video is very disturbing. Ramapo Police have treated this matter with extreme seriousness and have now arrested the suspect.'

New York State Assemblyman Aron Wieder condemned the attack in stark terms.

'The attack on a four-year-old in Monsey is appalling and deeply troubling, never acceptable under any circumstances,' Wieder said, thanking local officials and police for their response.

State Senator Bill Weber echoed such anger, saying he had been inundated with concern from residents.

'I've heard from constituents who are deeply alarmed by the assault of a young child in the @TownOfRamapo. I share their concern and outrage,' Weber wrote.

'The suspect has been arrested by @Ramapo_PD. He must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'

Police say the suspect was taken into custody on Friday.

Authorities have not explained what caused the postal worker to target the child.
Downing Street officials have been ordered to hand over private messages on WhatsApp groups involving Peter Mandelson, as the investigation widens into his disastrous appointment as British ambassador to Washington.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced mounting pressure over allegations of a cover-up during the first release of the Mandelson files earlier this month. Personal email correspondence between Mandelson and former No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who played a key role in the appointment, were not made public.

Cat Little, the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, has written to officials involved in the decision to appoint Mandelson asking them to hand over any 'group chat' exchanges on 'private devices'.

However on Saturday night critics said the delay meant the most pertinent messages will have deleted automatically by now. It is against the law to 'conceal information with the intention of preventing its disclosure'  but this does not apply to chats which automatically clear after a set period of time.

Amid the ongoing police investigation, the Prime Minister has faced questions about why he did not interview Mandelson to assess the extent of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Instead he delegated the task to Mr McSweeney and Matthew Doyle  another Mandelson ally and director of communications at the time.

So far only 31 documents and messages relating to Mandelson's appointment and his dismissal nine months later have been made public  all from official email addresses and none involving Mr McSweeney.

And it has been reported Mr McSweeney used his personal email address during discussions with Mandelson before his appointment. Sir Keir agreed to release documents relating to the appointment only under intense pressure from MPs, with the process being overseen by the cross-party intelligence and security committee.

Personal email correspondence between Mandelson and former No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who played a key role in the appointment, were not made public

Peter Mandelson was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of a Met Police probe into whether he passed government information to Epstein

Tory front-bencher Alex Burghart has now written to sleaze watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus demanding an investigation into 'missing' correspondence.

Mandelson was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of a Met Police probe into whether he passed government information to Epstein. He has denied any wrongdoing.

In 2024 the Prime Minister received an official report showing Mandelson's relationship with Epstein carried on after his conviction. Sir Keir then tasked Mr McSweeney with asking Mandelson just three questions. Lord Doyle then looked at the responses and declared he was 'satisfied'.

There is no written record of Starmer's decision to appoint Mandelson, which was made in an un-minuted meeting.

Alex Burghart, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: 'Ministers sat on their hands while messages and emails were allowed to auto-delete.

'The Government continues frustrating Parliament's will by letting important evidence vanish. This looks like a deliberate cover-up of No 10's involvement in the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.'

Downing Street has rejected claims of a cover-up, but said that there are 'lessons to be learnt on the wider appointment process'.
Council workers in Leeds have been offered counselling in a safe space to deal with the stress of a visit by the Reform UK leader.

And tonight Nigel Farage, who is visiting the city next week as part of a local election campaign, called for those involved to be sacked, branding them pathetic, weak people.

Staff working at Labour-led Leeds City Council have been offered the safe space in which to talk if they feel upset about Mr Farages visit.

John Ebo, the councils head of human resources, said: No doubt you will have picked up in the news that Nigel Farage and Reform are holding an event/rally.

I am mindful such events impact on colleagues, and would ask that we enable safe space conversations for colleagues such as the Wellbeing network chats.

The email was forwarded to the councils Race Equality Staff Network, with an extra warning: Be vigilant if you are in the city centre that day.

Mr Farage, has vowed to tackle institutional Left-wing bias among the blob of the civil service, local authorities and schools.

He told The Mail on Sunday: These are pathetic, weak people who dont understand democracy. They should all be sacked.

Council workers in Leeds have been offered counselling in a safe space to deal with the stress of an upcoming visit by the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (picture)

Nigel Farage and Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick at a Reform UK press conference at New Haven Services in Buxton earlier this month

His remarks came as Robert Jenrick, Reforms Shadow Chancellor, uses an article in this paper to argue that the Labour Government is so scared of losing votes to the Greens that Zack Polanskis party is already effectively running the country.

Mr Jenrick writes: The Green Partys victory is already terrifying Labour MPs, and predictably driving Sir Keir Starmer even further away from the sane majority in this country.

For, despite his bumper ranks of MPs, many of whom owe their parliamentary careers to the Prime Minister, he remains in hock to his restive and Left-leaning backbenchers.

'In years past, the party used to rely on inner-city support, but it has long abandoned any pretence that it is the tribune of the working class.

'Today, just 15 per cent of working class voters want a Labour Government.

Alarm clock Britain  that silent majority of people who work for their money and love this country  is flocking to Reform.

'The hard-working, decent, patriotic people I know, many of whose forebears voted Labour for generations, have had it with them.

To plug the gaping hole in their traditional support, the party courts two cohorts of voters: Muslims and those reliant on the public sector, such as teachers, nurses and civil servants.

'And it is these two groups Polanski threatens to steal from Labour.

Leeds City Council said that as the emails were between staff they do not represent formal communications.
Nick Shirley, the right-wing influencer known for his provocative videos on the Somali community in Minnesota, went on Fox News to ask his followers to help him pay for private security amid alleged threats from leftists.

Shirley's operation has now moved to California, where he claims to have exposed more than $170 million in fraud in state-funded childcare and home healthcare programs.

Since he went viral in December for his video on Somali-run daycare centers, Shirley says he has been doxxed and threatened by his critics every time he shows up in another city to film videos.

After posting on X that it was 'time to raise money for security' once again, Shirley went on Kayleigh McEnany's show on Saturday to boost the online fundraiser.

'People try to dox my location live,' he said. 'It sucks because I'll go to a city, I'll be out filming... [then] some left-wing activist will take a photo, put me in a Reddit group chat. This happened to me in Baltimore. It just happened this last weekend in California.'

'They say, "run Nick Shirley out,"' he added. 'This has happened in multiple cities. I had money for security, after Minnesota that went down to pretty much nothing, so unfortunately I had to raise funds again to be able to go out and film these videos.'

'I used to be able to film these videos without security,' he continued.

'The last hospice video cost $15,000 to go film because I had to have private security for three days. So, I asked my fans and viewers if they could help me out with those security costs.'

Nick Shirley appeared on Kayleigh McEnany's Fox News show on Saturday to ask his fans to fundraise for his private security after alleged threats from leftists

Shirley first gained notoriety in December when he posted a video looking into various Somali-run daycare centers in Minneapolis. After his video, the Trump administration launched a major immigration enforcement operation in the city

The Daily Mail approached Shirley for further comment.

Shirleys video, which profiled Minneapolis daycare centers that appeared empty or displayed misspelled signage, racked up millions of views.

One daycare facility had a sign out front that read 'Quality Learing Center,' fueling accusations that public dollars were going to ill-equipped businesses.

The Quality Learning Center, the daycare's actual name, was set to receive $1.9 million from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in 2025, according to figures shared by the state House Republican Caucus.

Those figures also show that it has received about $10 million from CCAP since 2019.

This information, brought to the forefront by Shirley, caught the attention of the Trump administration.

Within days of Shirley's video being uploaded on December 26, federal agents began going door-to-door at various locations where supposed fraud was taking place.

In the beginning of January, Trump's Department of Health and Human Services also froze around $10 billion in federal funding that was going to child care and family assistance in five states, including Minnesota.

Shortly after Shirley's initial video in Minneapolis, the city also became a major focus for agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Thousands of these agents descended on the city to make arrests (Pictured: Federal agents take a woman into custody on January 13, 2026)

The heavy deployment led to widespread protests in the streets, even during subzero temperatures (Pictured: A demonstration in Minneapolis on March 1, 2026, led by indigenous activists)

The state had already been a nexus of fraud, with federal prosecutors alleging in November that Minnesota's government was scammed out of at least $1 billion in public funds for programs meant to feed children, assist the homeless and provide autism therapy.

So-called providers submitted false invoices to be reimbursed for services that were never provided, according to authorities.

Dozens have been charged as part of these fraud schemes, and at least 59 have been convicted so far. Many of those accused of the fraud are based within the state's Somali community.

Shortly after Shirley's initial video in Minneapolis, the city also became a major focus for agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

Thousands of federal agents affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security descended on the twin cities as part of Trump's mass deportation plan.

The heavy deployment led to widespread protests in the streets, even during subzero temperatures. Protests significantly ramped up after Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents.

Federal agents began withdrawing from Minneapolis in the beginning of February. Operation Metro Surge, the formal name of the crackdown, was officially ended by border czar Tom Homan on February 12.
A Western Sydney doctor involved in a failed attempt to extract ISIS brides and children from a Syrian detention camp says a newly formed 'brains trust' is quietly working on fresh plans to bring them home.

Dr Jamal Rifi, who travelled to Syria last month as part of an effort to repatriate 11 Australian women and their 23 children, said the push to return the families is far from over, despite the collapse of the initial mission and escalating conflict in the region.

Speaking from Lebanon this week, Dr Rifi said the families remain trapped at the alRoj camp in northeastern Syria, where thousands linked to the Islamic State are held in harsh conditions.

'They are in a waiting game,' he told The Sunday Telegraph.

'We have a plan A with about a 90 per cent chance of success, and plans B and C, which are riskier and more difficult. But their safety - getting them home - is our priority.'

Dr Rifi was one of four Australians who travelled to Damascus in February, carrying 35 passports in the hope of securing the group's release.

The mission failed, triggering a political storm in Australia. Days later, regional tensions intensified as the conflict between Israel, Hezbollah and other armed groups escalated, further narrowing options for extraction.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese swiftly ruled out government involvement, saying he had 'no sympathy' for women who travelled to ISIS territory during the height of the caliphate.

Dr Jamal Rifi (pictured) was one of four Australians who travelled to Damascus in February, carrying 35 passports in the hope of securing the group's release

A newly formed 'brains trust' is quietly working on fresh plans to bring the ISIS brides home to Australia reigniting a national political flashpoint

'They went there to support an organisation that sought to destroy our way of life,' he said at the time.

Dr Rifi said the crisis inside the camp is worsening, and he continues to provide remote medical support, including advising on a recent tooth extraction that required antibiotics.

He said neither the federal government nor Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had any involvement in February's attempt, adding: 'We knew they weren't offering help.'

Syrian airspace remains closed and Gulf transit routes have been disrupted, making any organised operation exceedingly difficult.

Dr Rifi, currently in his hometown of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, said the 'brains trust', a small advisory group with regional and logistical expertise, is assessing alternative pathways, though their feasibility depends on the war in the region.

Last month, the federal government confirmed families linked to ISIS may return to Australia 'by their own means' but will receive no assistance or official repatriation.

The policy was confirmed during a Senate estimates hearing on February 10.

Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson Jonathon Duniam condemned the policy as a 'gross neglect of national security', saying the government had left the return of 'a dangerous cohort' to third parties.

Western Sydney Dr Jamal Rifi said the families remain trapped at the alRoj camp in northeastern Syria (pictured) in harsh conditions

'For the sake of national security, the government must take control of this situation before it's too late,' he said.

For now, the women and children remain stranded - caught between war, geopolitics and a deeply divided Australia still debating whether they should ever be allowed to return.
The author of a landmark report into inequality in Britain is set to tell Keir Starmer that his government is failing to improve education for white working-class boys.

Lord Sewell was the chairman of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, a group set up by Boris Johnson to investigate whether Britain was a racist country following the Black Lives Matter protests in 2021.

The landmark review found children from many ethnic minorities do as well or better at school than white pupils, who often performed the lowest.

At the time, the Tory peer warned ministers should consider the needs of the white working class, saying his report had uncovered how 'stuck' such groups were.

Little appears to have changed since then, with the latest figures from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) showing that only one third of White pupils on free school meals achieving the minimum grade to pass GCSE English and Maths.

Meanwhile, this was achieved by over 80 per cent of Chinese pupils, and almost 70 per cent of Indian and Bangladeshi pupils, who were all also on free school meals.

The CSJ will host an event in Westminster later this week to mark the fifth anniversary of the report, where Lord Sewell is expected to reiterate his concerns.

He will state: 'Five years ago, we were told by the woke Left and liberal Right that the evidence on class and family was uncomfortable. Since then, this evidence has only hardened.'

'White working-class boys from the poorest homes are still stuck at the bottom of the class. Our warnings were not listened to,' he will add.

'If we are serious about opportunity, we have to stop arguing about language and start delivering change in the places that need it most.'

Lord Sewell was the chairman of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, a group set up by Boris Johnson to investigate whether Britain was a racist country

The landmark review found children from many ethnic minorities do as well or better at school than white pupils, who often performed the lowest (Stock image)

The CSJ's latest Lost Boys report from March last year found that only 35.9 per cent of white British pupils on free school meals achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths and English

This was 7 per cent lower than the overall average and the lowest of any group, with mixed white and black Caribbean pupils found to have pass rates of 36.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, 67.2 per cent of Bangladeshi pupils and 83.7 per cent of Chinese pupils on free school meals achieved the same grade.

Official government data from May also shows that white working-class children are falling behind their peers in all but 21 schools across the country.

It means only a tiny fraction of more than 3,400 secondary schools across England see such pupils doing as well as their peers.

The data also showed that the proportion of white working-class pupils getting grades 5 or above in English and maths GCSE was 18.6 per cent, substantially below the 45.9 per cent national average.

Mercy Muroki, a member of Lord Sewell's commission and CSJ development director, said: 'Family stability, class, and aspiration matter far more for children's life chances than many of the issues that dominated identity politics culture wars in 2020.

'Five years on from Sewell's report, the evidence is clear: family breakdown, deprivation and low expectations for young people, not ethnicity, are the main drivers of disadvantage in Britain.'

Boris Johnson commissioned the report in the wake the Black Lives Matter movement in 2021 Pictured: Black Lives Matter protest in central London, June 7, 2021

Lord Sewell's report sparked fury on the Left after it concluded Britain is a model to the world of a successful multi-ethnic society and found no evidence the UK is institutionally racist.

The report concluded that the success of many of Britain's ethnic minorities in education and, to a lesser extent, the economy 'should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries'.

It said that the aspirations and hard work of many ethnic minority communities had transformed UK society over the last 50 years into one offering far greater opportunities for all.

'Education is the single most emphatic success story of the British ethnic minority experience,' it concluded.
A nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine has arrived in the Arabian Sea  and with it the capacity to launch cruise missile attacks, military sources claim.

HMS Anson, which is fitted with Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, left port in Perth on March 6 and is believed to be taking up position in the deep waters of the northern Arabian Sea.

It would mean British forces have the capacity to launch attacks on Iran if the conflict escalates.

The news comes after Downing Street said on Friday that Sir Keir Starmer had agreed to allow the US to use British bases to launch strikes on Iranian sites that have been targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

Sir Keir had previously allowed US forces to use the bases only for defensive operations, to prevent Iran firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk.

However, he has now approved an expansion of the targets to help protect ships in the shipping channel on the basis of 'collective self-defence'.

HMS Anson, which has travelled 5,500 miles from the west coast of Australia to await orders, rises to just below the surface every 24 hours to allow it to communicate with the UK's military bunker at the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) in Northwood, London.

Defence sources said that at PJHQ, Lieutenant General Nick Perry, the chief of joint operations, would give the order to fire if authorised by the Prime Minister.

HMS Anson, which is fitted with Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, left port in Perth on March 6

HMS Anson would then rise close to the surface and dispatch a salvo of four missiles.

The state-of-the-art submarine, based at Faslane in Scotland, does not have a standard periscope and instead shows views of the surface on a huge television screen.

Its nuclear reactor means it will not need to be refuelled during its 25-year service, while its ability to purify water and air means it can circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing.

This, however, is limited by the fact that the vessel is only able to carry three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings.

A source said: 'Anson will be quietly lurking. The Prime Minister and Commander Maritime Operations will be told where she is and, of course, the Submarine Service  but her location won't be widely known.

'The Navy dashes submarines into place and can then leave them sitting there for weeks.

'If necessary, she will be running silently, so no showers, no flushing loos and many men washing in one sink of water. It gets very smelly.'

The Ministry of Defence declined to comment today on the location of HMS Anson.

A spokesman said: 'We won't provide running detail on specific operations or deployments.

'We keep our capability in the region under constant review.'
A oncetrusted Melbourne NDIS provider boss who brazenly rorted almost $300,000 from vulnerable clients has been jailed for three years.

Mumthaj Begam Kantara, 60, former director of Elite Smart Community Care in Campbellfield, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of dishonest conduct after issuing fraudulent payment claims for services never delivered between 2019 and 2022.

She targeted nonEnglishspeaking participants from Melbourne's Turkish and Arabicspeaking communities, pocketing $296,012 for services she never provided including social and recreational activities and respite care.

The family member of one of the participants said in a victim impact statement that Kantara's theft caused the participant 'significant stress' and made them feel a 'deep sense of betrayal'.

Judge John Kelly condemned her for exploiting vulnerable clients and depriving others of essential NDIS support, saying victims were left depressed, hurt and betrayed.

'You had countless opportunities to reflect on the damage you were doing but you persisted,' he said.

'You knew intimately the extent your clients would be hurt but you ploughed on.

'The taxpayer was the primary victim but your clients have had their lives upended and trust shattered.

Mumthaj Begam Kantara (pictured) was the director of Elite Smart Community Care

'I do not know what you did with the money you stole  greed seems the most likely explanation.

'You have not repaid a cent and you evidently propose not to.'

Kantara was sentenced to a maximum of three years' jail, but must serve at least 14 months before she can be released on recognisance of $5,000 and to be of good behaviour for three years.

Her sentencing is the second in a week amid a federal crackdown on NDIS crime.

Last week, Kim Michael Schubert received a threeyear sentence (nine months to serve) and was ordered to repay $40,000 after sharing participant details that enabled more than $190,000 in fraudulent claims.

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said criminals who target people with disability 'belong in prison,' highlighting ongoing taskforce operations with 660 investigations underway and almost 200 individuals and providers banned from the scheme.

'If you exploit people with a disability and try to defraud vulnerable people who speak English as a second language, you do not belong in the NDIS. You belong in prison,' she said.

'We're disrupting and removing dodgy providers from the NDIS because Australians with disability and taxpayers deserve better.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has banned almost 200 individuals and providers from the NDIS as a result of taskforce operations (stock image)

'If you steal from people with a disability and from the scheme designed to help them, then we will throw the book at you.'

The Fraud Fusion Taskforce has 660 investigations underway and has referred 59 people to court.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has banned almost 200 individuals and providers from the NDIS as a result of taskforce operations.
Householders and businesses are set to face fuel rationing despite the Government having a 5 billion war chest to combat the impact of the most rapidly escalating energy prices seen in a generation, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The Government will announce a wide range of measures in the Dail on Tuesday to assist households and industries hit the hardest by soaring oil prices as the Middle East war continues to rage.

Tanaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris will meet with Taoiseach Micheal Martin tomorrow night to agree on an initial crisis financial package before bringing it to Cabinet on Tuesday morning.

Tanaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris, pictured here in London earlier this week, will meet with Taoiseach Micheal Martin tomorrow night

The new fiscal measures will then be presented to the Dail and Seanad for ratification by means of financial resolution.

In the short term, the Government will announce a range of fiscal reliefs to ease the pain of soaring fuel prices on Tuesday. These will include:

Financial assistance through excise duty cuts for motorists hit by surging petrol and diesel prices at the pumps, which have been given EU-wide ratification;

Targeted supports for the elderly and most vulnerable in the form of fuel allowance increases;

Measures to support the haulage sector, which will be a combination of an excise duty cut and a diesel rebate;

Cuts to excise on home heating oil.

However, senior ministers last night said the Government is also preparing for a longer-term crisis, which may involve more financial interventions this year.

One Cabinet source told the MoS: Thank God we have a surplus  and a significant one. While, understandably, everyone is asking what can be done to help them pay bills in the short term, our job is to look at where this crisis is in six months or 12 months time.

The minister said Government leaders have a general surplus of about 5billion they can draw upon to combat the impact of the deepening economic crisis sparked by the US-Israeli invasion of Iran.

They added: There are two longer-term reserve facilities, but when we are asked next week how we are paying for this short-term package, we will say that its from our surplus. Its not limitless, but certainly we have 5billion.

We got lambasted for setting money aside. We got told: You know, its raining now, why not spend the rainy day [fund]? Why youre not doing more? This is why, they added.

The Government is confident it has the capacity to fund interventions over a sustained period.

A Cabinet source noted: This is the reason you run budget surpluses, so that if a shock comes to our economy, you have an ability to respond. If you look at what happened in Britain this week, borrowing costs significantly rose because Britain has a deficit. Our borrowing costs havent risen. Why? Because we have a surplus.

The Governments financial position was boosted further yesterday after one of the worlds largest credit rating agencies, S&P, upgraded Irelands rating from AA to AA+, putting the country within one notch of a triple-A rating for the first time since 2009.

The positive credit rating means the Coalition will be able to borrow at lower rates if required.

The Government is also planning more long-term measures in the event of the conflict dragging on.

Cabinet sources said these will include further interventions to help householders with rising energy bills. Large industrial energy users will face rationing or demand management measures, which occurred in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Ministers said they are also monitoring events in Asia, where some countries have closed schools for a day to save energy.

Sources indicated the Government may issue an advisory for companies to encourage more remote working.

In an indication of the scale of the global oil crisis, the Government is planning for the potential rationing of motor fuel.

Government sources noted there was a sizeable fall in motor traffic across the country this week as prices at the forecourts soared.

While some senior Government figures remained optimistic last night, stressing the initial measures are for the short term, several ministers admitted they are preparing for a long, drawn-out conflict in the Middle East.

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq

A Cabinet source said: Ultimately, we are preparing for a long disruption to energy supply, perhaps the greatest the Western world has ever experienced. Later this year, we could see demand management for energy, which would require companies to show energy conservation measures in return for subsidies.

Demand management measures for industry in Ireland followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and these are expected to be introduced again as early as next month.

The Government believes it will have to look at a whole range of fiscal options over the coming months. One minister told the MoS yesterday: The problem is so f***ing volatile; we use excise and other measures and then it just goes up again.

'This is a war, and events so far have been unpredicted, certainly by the US administration, so what happens with oil is unpredictable.

On one hand youve [US president] Donald Trump saying the war is going to be de-escalated this weekend but, on the other hand, only today Israels minister for defence, Israel Katz, has said that they are going to significantly escalate.

Donald Trump has suggested that the war is going to be de-escalated this weekend, but Israel, their parters in the attack on Iran, are sending out a very different message

Trump says a lot of things, but ending this conflict and the attendant chaos is beyond his control. Beginning a war is one thing but ending it is a whole other thing.

The US was of the mind that Irans missiles had 2,000km range and now theyve gone to 4,000km.

A minister involved in compiling the relief measures warned that householders will have to react to the changed reality.

They told the MoS: If the price is going to continue at a high level, and we dont see how it wont, then the whole of society is going to have to change how it operates. The gravity and scope of behavioural changes is going to be dictated by the length of the conflict.

The Government is observing what other countries are doing, including Asia, where they are sending children home from school one day a week. Companies will be encouraged to widen work- from-home policies.

Cabinet sources also warned that other sectors, including agriculture and construction, will be hit.

One minister said: The Government has an absolute understanding of how bad this is and it could well be a Covid-level crisis. But, like then, we have to bring the public along with us. Its incredibly serious. Its not just about price frustration. Its about the whole system in the world.

I mean, you look at fertiliser, you look at helium, you look at nitrogen all these products, a huge amount of them, are petroleum or gas-derived, they said.

The whole thing is mental and there is not much we can do to influence the conflict.

But, they added: We can act here financially.

Speaking about the longer-term effects of a prolonged conflict, the minister said: There is, understandably, a society-wide urge to know what the Government is going to do to help me now? But if youre doing our job, the bigger issue is actually what this looks like economically in three months, six months, 12 months time.

Simon Harris yesterday noted that the hit to oil supplies is of the order of 20 million barrels per day  making it the largest-ever shock to the global oil market.

The Tanaiste and Finance Minister added: At this point, there is no clarity regarding the depth and duration of the conflict  this means there is considerable uncertainty regarding the economic fallout from the shock to oil supplies. If the conflict continues for a prolonged period, the impact on the global economy will be real  Ireland could not be immune from such an outcome.

The Fine Gael leader said the intervention the Government will announce on Tuesday will strike an appropriate balance between providing help now and keeping some of our powder dry, adding, Nobody knows what the situation will be in a month from now, so we must remain nimble and flexible.
President Donald Trump issued a stark and escalating ultimatum to Iran on Saturday night, warning that the United States will 'obliterate' its power infrastructure within hours unless a critical global oil shipping route is immediately reopened.

In a dramatic post on Truth Social, Trump demanded action in 48 hours on the strategically-vital Strait of Hormuz - a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.

Trump faces increasing pressure to secure the strait as Iran's threats have effectively shut down the shipping lane, sending oil prices soaring.

'If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!' Trump wrote.

Iran's largest nuclear power facility is the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, located along the Persian Gulf.

The president's message, posted in all-caps, marks one of his most direct threats yet - explicitly naming civilian infrastructure as a target, warning how the country would be plunged into darkness.

The post comes just a day after Trump had talked about 'winding down' the war and suggests that a military escalation could be imminent if Tehran does not comply.

The warning follows as tensions in the region remain at a boiling point, with the Strait repeatedly disrupted by missile, drone and mine attacks during the ongoing conflict.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the US would 'hit and obliterate' Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened within 48 hours

In a Truth Social post, Trump warned Iran it has 48 hours to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face US strikes on its power infrastructure

The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is Iran's most prominent and largest nuclear power facility, located along the Persian Gulf

In response, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the country would defend itself against US attacks, adding it would target regional energy infrastructure and desalination plants.

'If the enemy attacks fuel and energy infrastructure, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted,' a post on Telegram translated from Farsi read.

Earlier on Saturday evening, Trump declared how he has 'blown Iran off the map' and crushed its military power 'weeks ahead of schedule'.

The sweeping claim comes even as his own administration signals a far more uncertain and contradictory reality on the ground.

In a fiery post, Trump lashed out at critics and insisted the war effort had already surpassed expectations.

'The United States has blown Iran off of the map, and yet their lightweight analyst, David Sanger, says that I haven't met my own goals. Yes I have, and weeks ahead of schedule!' Trump wrote.

He continued with a barrage of claims about the state of Iran's military.

'Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don't! We are weeks ahead of schedule.'

The plant is Irans only operational nuclear power station - a key piece of the countrys civilian energy infrastructure

Because it is a nuclear facility, any military strike on it would carry serious environmental and geopolitical risks

Trump made the explosive claim in a Saturday night post on X, declaring the US had 'blown Iran off of the map' and surpassed its military objectives 'weeks ahead of schedule'

The post also targeted David Sanger, the White House and National Security Correspondent for The New York Times, accusing the outlet of misrepresenting the success of the campaign.

But Trump's triumphant tone stands in sharp contrast to a series of mixed and sometimes conflicting signals emerging from his administration about the trajectory of the war with Iran which is now entering its fourth week.

Within hours on Friday, Trump suggested the US could soon begin winding down its military operations writing: 'We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.'

At the same time, however, his administration confirmed it is sending additional forces into the region including three more warships and roughly 2,500 Marines.

Similarly, the president has looked to have European and Asian countries come to the aide of the US in protecting the strait with their militaries, yet he has also complained the allies are dragging their feet about joining in a fight they had no part in starting.

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

US Central Command tweeted its near-daily update of missile strikes on Iranian targets

Video shared by US Central Command showed targeted missile strikes including strikes aimed at trucks carrying weapons

Moments later the truck is seen being blasted to bits

The videos appear to be released on an almost daily basis

Many of the videos show missiles hitting their targets

Currently the number of US personnel supporting the conflict is at around 50,000.

Any additional buildup has only served to raise fresh questions on whether the war is truly nearing an end - or expanding.

Trump's post comes as US Central Command shared another dramatic video on Saturday evening showing US missile strikes targeting weapons trucks, missile launchers and fighter jets being blown to bits.

'US forces remain centered on very clear military objectives in eliminating Iran's ability to project power against Americans, and against its neighbors,' Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander tweeted along with the video.

Compounding the uncertainty, the administration also made the unusual decision to ease some sanctions on Iranian oil, allowing previously restricted shipments already at sea to enter global markets.

The move was framed as an effort to ease pressure on soaring energy prices, even as the US continues military operations against Tehran.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the strategy's complexity in a post on X.

'At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap.'

He added that unlocking the supply would bring 'approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets,' though analysts note that amount represents only a few days' worth of global demand.

Apache helicopters have 'joined the fight on the southern flank' and said that some allies have used them to 'handle one-way attack drones'

American forces have sent low-flying A-10 Warthogs to shoot at Iranian ships and drones

Civilians look upon the remains of a residential and commercial building on Saturday in the Shahrak-e Gharb neighborhood of Tehran, Iran. The building was hit on March 16 amid US and Israeli attacks and resulted in several civilian deaths and missing persons

A plume of smoke rises from the site of a strike in Tehran on March 17, 2026

Iranian families gather behind the ruins of a building in Tehran

Trump posted a similar message online on Friday as he suggested the war would soon be 'winding down'

The economic fallout from the conflict has already been significant.

A combination of military strikes, disruption to key oil shipping routes, and instability around the Strait of Hormuz (through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passes) has rattled global markets.

US stocks fell sharply on Friday, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.5 percent, while fuel prices surged amid fears of prolonged disruption.

Trump himself has sent mixed messages on the critical waterway.

In one post, he suggested the US would step back from securing it writing: 'The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it - The United States does not!'

Yet in the same breath, he added that the US would assist if asked, 'but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated.'

Even within his own party, the contradictions have drawn scrutiny.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace openly questioned Trump's approach to the war

Smoke rises after powerful explosions as the Israeli army announced a new wave of attacks on Tehran, the capital of Iran, on Saturday

A mother and son walk near a building destroyed in a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday

Emergency workers stand near the remains of a residential and commercial building on Saturday in the Shahrak-e Gharb neighborhood of Tehran, Iran. The building was hit on March 16 amid US and Israeli strikes and resulted in several civilian deaths and missing persons

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace openly questioned Trump's approach posting to X on Saturday morning: 'Bombing Iran with one hand and buying Iran oil with the other.'

Despite Trump's insistence that Iran's military has been effectively destroyed, the administration has not declared an official end to hostilities and indeed continues to prepare for further escalation.

The Pentagon is said to be seeking an additional $200 billion from Congress to fund ongoing operations, a figure that underscores the scale and potential duration of the conflict.

Trump has ruled out deploying large numbers of ground troops, but officials have not excluded the possibility of special forces operations in a sign that the war's next phase remains uncertain.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Princess Beatrice scolded the late Queen at an Easter service on her 93rd birthday, a lip reader has claimed.

When Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Windsor's St George's Chapel for the Easter Service in April 2019, she was greeted by Zara Tindall, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Kate, The Princess of Wales, who all curtseyed.

Yet as she walked past her son and granddaughter at the entrance of the chapel, Beatrice, 37, failed to curtsey towards the Queen, while her son seemed to teasingly rebuke his mother for being 'difficult'.

The relationship between mother and son has been put under renewed scrutiny amid the unfolding scandal over Andrew's ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew was said to be the Queen's 'favourite' and she supported his appointment as UK trade envoy, despite opposition from his older brother Charles.

The exchange at Easter seemingly offers more proof that the former Duke felt comfortable enough in his standing with his mother to tease her in public in front of the cameras.

According to lip reading expert Nicola Hickling, as the Queen walked past her son into the chapel, he told her: 'Although it is your birthday, you can be quite difficult you know'.

'Beatrice appeared to giggle at Andrew's comment,' Ms Hickling added. 'Prince William was briefly seen sucking his teeth while watching the exchange.'

After the Princess Royal made a remark to her brother, Andrew apparently replied: 'She mustn't be so difficult, Anne.'

Princess Beatrice appeared to mutter quietly: 'So difficult.'

According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Princess Beatrice scolded the late Queen on her 93rd birthday, seemingly in jest

Ms Hickling told The Daily Mail that, as the Queen walked past Andrew, he said: 'Although it is your birthday, you can be quite difficult you know', followed by a 'giggle' from Beatrice

The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, then moved to the side while Anne appeared to issue a reply to Andrew's striking comments, the lip reader added.

Ms Hickling said that she believes the 'teasing' exchange between Andrew and Anne suggests a 'familiar sibling dynamic between them'.

She explained: 'Anne's glance towards her husband afterwards gives the impression this may be a well-known family trait.'

The interpretation of Andrew and Beatrice's comments towards Her Majesty comes as King Charles is said to be deliberately distancing himself from Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, amid the fallout from their parents' disgrace.

According to royal insiders, the princesses declined Charles's offer to receive assistance from senior advisers in a bid to help protect their reputation.

Meanwhile, Andrew's relationship with his brother has also fallen into disarray, with the King taking the decision to strip Andrew of his royal titles in October and is now said to be 'likely to discuss' his removal from the line of succession.

Yet in 2019, both Beatrice and Andrew shared a very close relationship with the then monarch, Queen Elizabeth.

Indeed, throughout her lifetime, Andrew was widely believed to be her favourite child who had 'never done anything wrong in her eyes'.

She remained fiercely protective of her second son throughout her life, even after Andrew was accused of sexual assault by late Epstein victim, Virginia Giuffre, in 2019.

'She mustn't be so difficult, Anne,' Andrew allegedly told his sister, before Princess Beatrice quietly echoed: 'So difficult'

While the former prince's public presence virtually diminished, Her Majesty 'stood by him, loyal to the end'.

Weeks after the Giuffre settlement, Andrew escorted the Queen to Prince Philip's memorial service at London's Westminster Abbey in March 2022.

'In her final days, she kept him close, shielding him as palace insiders continued to push for his total exile,' royal author Robert Jobson noted in his book The Windsor Legacy.

Confiding 'her support' for Andrew to a trusted aide, the monarch allegedly said: 'You have to remember, he is my son.'

Following her tragic death in September 2022, Andrew was said to have 'lost his strongest ally' while Charles wanted his brother to be 'cut adrift'.

And although Beatrice refused to curtsey for the late Queen on her 93rd birthday, the pair were also said to share an extremely close bond.

Body language expert Judi James previously told The Daily Mail: 'Beatrice clearly shuns the act of respectfully greeting the other royal women so studiously and emphatically, and stands upright and stares as her grandmother passes and walks into the church.

'It gives the impression that Andrew is performing some status leap-frogging to define his own "special role" in the family with a spot of non-verbal power play.'

Ms James noted that both Andrew and Beatrice's greeting towards the late Queen looked 'deliberately casual' as Andrew greeted his mother with 'a cocked head and puckered brows that suggest he's making an informal joke'.

'Beatrice smiles but the smile drops as the Queen passes,' she added.

Yet despite Beatrice failing to curtsey for her grandmother on this occasion, the late Queen shared such a close bond with the princess that she even loaned her a Sir Normal Hartnell gown as her wedding dress.

The vintage Norman Hartnell dress, remodelled by Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin, was worn by the late Queen for a state dinner in Rome in 1961, the 1962 Lawrence of Arabia premiere and the 1966 State Opening of Parliament.

Beatrice was said to have made a 'last minute request' to borrow her grandmother's gown for her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi after having a sudden 'change of heart' about her original wedding dress, according to insiders.

Meanwhile, Beatrice also wore the same tiara that the Queen had worn on her own wedding day to Philip in 1947  the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara.

Fashioned in 1919 from a necklace given to Queen Victoria, it is a treasured heirloom and was lent to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne on their wedding days.

On Beatrice's big day, the Queen was pictured beaming at her beloved granddaughter, with one friend later telling the Daily Mail that the princess often spoke fondly about her grandmother.

They added that it was 'clear' there was a 'strong bond' between the two royals, making the borrowed dress 'perfect'.

Despite calls for a streamlined or 'slimmed down' monarchy in the final years of Elizabeth's life, she routinely maintained a close bond with Beatrice, and felt strongly she and her sister should retain a key role in the Firm.

A senior member of the Queens court previously told The Mail on Sunday that, while she would publicly be seen to support Charles as he plans for the future, she was adamant that his hopes of sidelining Beatrice and Eugenie could prove impractical.

The Queen adores the girls and is keen for them to have some kind of a role, said the source. Charless vision for a streamlined family is all very well, but how can the Royal Family do everything it currently does with just five players?'
'Ageist' nursery rhymes should be confined to history lessons, according to one expert, because they spread negative views of old people.

Kirsty Ketley, a parenting specialist from Surrey, argues that modern versions should be introduced that reflect ageing 'more positively'.

Her claims follow a recent study that found more than half of traditional tales which reference age contain negative stereotypes.

'I Know an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly' suggests a possible decline of mental faculties, while 'Desperate Dan' hints at a lack of personal hygiene, the woke researchers claim.

Meanwhile, they even go so far as to argue that 'The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe' demonstrates a 'callous approach to parenting'.

Ms Ketley agreed with the findings, saying in an Instagram post: 'We absolutely should challenge stereotypes about ageing.

'Children do build their understanding of the world from these tiny repeated narratives. If old always equals useless or confused then that's going to shape their perception.

'So would it not make sense to bring in more modern rhymes that reflect ageing  and the modern world in general  a bit more positively? And just keep the more traditional ones as part of cultural history lessons?'

In an Instagram post, Ms Ketley said it makes sense to 'bring in more modern rhymes'. She also suggested keeping traditional tales 'as part of cultural history lessons'

In a recently published study, researchers argued that the old man who bumps his head in 'It's Raining, It's Pouring' is depicted as a physically debilitated character

For the study, published in the journal JMIR Aging, researchers from the National University of Singapore analysed 735 unique nursery rhymes. Of the ones which mentioned age, 59 per cent do so negatively, analysis found.

Nursery rhymes are 'powerful cultural artefacts capable of moulding thought processes', the scientists said. And to combat this, children should be given 'access to more accurate and nuanced stories about older adults', they claim.

Physically debilitated

The popular children's rhyme 'It's Raining, It's Pouring', references an old man who bumps his head and 'couldn't get up in the morning'.

This, the researchers argue, indicates he is a physically debilitated character.

Cognitively impaired

'I Know an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly' dates back decades and tells the story of an old woman who swallows a fly. She then goes on to swallow a spider to catch the fly, followed by a bird, then a cat, then a dog, followed by a goat, a cow and then a horse.

'The repetitive and nonsensical nature of her actions suggests a possible decline of her mental faculties,' the researchers wrote.

The repetitive and nonsensical actions of the 'old lady who swallowed a fly' suggests a possible decline of her mental faculties, the scientists said

'The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe' is a classic Mother Goose nursery rhyme about a povertystricken, overwhelmed mother with too many children, living in a giant shoe

Negative depictions of old people in nursery rhymes Physically debilitated: The older man in 'It's Raining, It's Pouring' Cognitively impaired: 'I Know an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly' and 'Old Mother Hubbard' Unhygienic: 'Desperate Dan' Unlikeable: 'The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe' Irresponsible: 'Old Mother Leary'

The rhyme 'Old Mother Hubbard' also spreads negative views about ageing people, the team said. In this rhyme, old age is 'insinuated as being a time of forgetfulness', because the character visits several shops but seemingly forgets to buy her dog food.

Unhygienic

'Old age is equated with unkemptness in 'Desperate Dan',' the team said. 'The character is classed as a 'scruffy old man'.

'The portrayal of him 'wash(ing) his face in a frying pan' and 'comb(ing) his hair with the leg of a chair' adds to the depiction of someone who neglects personal hygiene.'

They argue that this eccentric behaviour also suggests confusion and possibly cognitive decline or dementia.

Unlikeable

'The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe' is a classic Mother Goose nursery rhyme about a povertystricken, overwhelmed mother with too many children, living in a giant shoe.

The researchers argue that the part about giving them 'broth without any bread' and 'whipping them all soundly' emphasizes her callous approach to parenting.

The rhyme 'Old Mother Hubbard' also spreads negative views about ageing people, the team said, because she consistently forgets to buy food for her dog

'Old Mother Leary' is a rhyme about an Irish immigrant living in Chicago who was alleged to have started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 in an accident involving her cow

Irresponsible

'Old Mother Leary' is a rhyme about an Irish immigrant living in Chicago who was alleged to have started the Great Fire of 1871 in an accident involving her cow.

This rhyme 'portrays the protagonist as behaving impetuously', the scientists said, adding: 'Her wink as the fire breaks out implies she took pleasure in the ensuing chaos.'

'The presence of negative age stereotypes in more than half of the rhymes raises important concerns about their potential impact on children's beliefs,' they concluded.

Positive portrayals of getting old appeared in a third of the nursery rhymes, the team revealed.

Examples of positive age stereotypes included being wise, affectionate and jovial, while neutral portrayals framed ageing as a natural part of life.
It's time to rewrite the history textbooks  as a new study reveals that the biggest march in English history is a myth.

King Harold's legendary 200mile march to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 never happened, according to researchers from the University of East Anglia.

Instead, the journey was made largely by sea, they claim.

In their study, the experts reanalysed the AngloSaxon Chronicle  one of the earliest and most complete written records of English history.

Their analysis uncovered a 'misunderstanding' about Harold's fleet, which was said to have 'come home'.

While the Victorians interpreted this as meaning he dismissed his fleet before the Battle of Hastings, the experts now say this was not the case.

Professor Tom Licence, who led the study, said: 'Harold's campaign was not a desperate dash across England, it was a sophisticated landsea operation.

'The idea of a heroic march is a Victorian invention that has shaped our understanding, or misunderstanding, of 1066 for far too long.'

It's time to rewrite the history textbooks  as a new study reveals that the biggest march in English history is a myth

The AngloSaxon Chronicle was originally compiled around the late 9th century, with various anonymous scribes adding to it until the 12th century

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The AngloSaxon Chronicle was originally compiled around the late 9th century, with various anonymous scribes adding to it until the 12th century.

It serves as a key record of early English history, documenting significant events from the arrival of the Saxons through to the Norman Conquest.

Until now, it has been widely believe that the Chronicle implies that Harold dismissed his fleet in early September 1066.

This is said to have left him no choice but to rush his troops south from Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire on foot.

The Chronicle says the ships 'came home', which Victorian historians interpreted as meaning Harold disbanded his navy.

However, the new study claims that this interpretation is wrong.

Instead, Professor Licence says the ships returned to their home base in London, and remained operational throughout the year.

'I noticed multiple contemporary writers referring to Harold's fleet, while modern historians were dismissing those references or trying to explain them away,' Professor Licence explained.

The new study claims that the Victorian interpretation is wrong. Instead, Professor Licence claims the ships returned to their home base in London, and remained operational throughout the year

Key findings Harold never disbanded his fleet

The famous 200mile march is a Victorian invention

Harold used the fleet against Harald Hardrada

Harold attempted a naval pincer movement against Duke William

Evidence suggests a naval battle in early October 1066

'I checked the evidence for him having sent the fleet home and found that it was just a misunderstanding.

'I went looking in the sources for evidence of a forced march and found there wasn't any.'

Contemporary sources describe Harold sending hundreds of ships to block Duke William after the Norman landing.

Until now, these references have caused confusion, since it was assumed Harold had no fleet left.

Professor Licence explained: 'Harold's "missing" fleet was used to defend the south coast, then to support his campaign against Harald Hardrada, and finally to rush back south after the Battle of Stamford Bridge ready to face Duke William of Normandy.'

Overall, the findings challenge one of the bestknown narratives in English history.

'Harold was not a reactive, exhausted commander, he was a strategist using England's naval assets to wage a coordinated defence,' Professor Licence said.

'This reframes the events of 1066 and highlights a previously overlooked aspect of AngloSaxon maritime capability.'

James Norton portrayed King Harold in the 2025 BBC series, King & Conquerer

Roy Porter, English Heritage Senior Curator of Properties, who oversees Battle Abbey and the Hastings battlefield, says the findings are 'certain' to spark debate among historians.

He said: 'What we know about Harold's previous military campaigns fits with the idea that he used naval forces to transport soldiers, and threaten William, and there are references in accounts of the Norman invasion which also lend weight to that possibility.

'It's exciting to consider that Harold's response may have been far more sophisticated than previously understood, and William's awareness of this may have informed when he chose to fight.'
Nancy Guthrie's abductor conspired with up to four other accomplices, a former Pima County detective has claimed.

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother was abducted from her $1m Tucson, Arizona home in the early hours of February 1. No suspects have been named, and there have been no arrests in the over a month-long investigation.

Investigators have previously released surveillance footage that showed a masked man at Nancy's doorstep on the night she disappeared. The individual appeared armed and was observed tampering with a security camera mounted near the entrance.

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Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother was abducted from her $1 million Tucson, Arizona home in the early hours of February 1

Retired Pima County homicide detective Kurt Dabb believes the man in the footage worked with 'two to four accomplices'; however, they may have failed to notice the camera during their surveillance.

Dabb told Parade: 'I believe there are anywhere between two to four accomplices. The logistics of something of this magnitude is too much for one person to handle in my professional opinion based on the facts as I know them right now.'

He believes the group surveilled Nancy's house before the abduction, but it is possible they did not know about the doorbell camera.

'It's more than likely the home was canvassed prior, either by the kidnapper himself or an accomplice. Whether or not they knew a camera was there was a culmination of their reconnaissance,' Dabb said.

Abduction: A former Pima County detective believes Nancy's abductor conspired with up to four accomplices

One thing that Dabbs seems to be certain about is that he believes Nancy's abduction was not the result of a burglary gone wrong.

'Burglars don't go to burglarize a house with a full backpack. This was a kidnapping,' he said.

As investigators continue their desperate search for Nancy, it has emerged that footage of her riding in an Uber on the day she vanished has been turned over to the FBI.

The surveillance video shows Nancy in the rideshare car, on her way to her daughter Annie's house, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace reported.

The Uber driver gave police all the footage captured from inside their vehicle, the crime show revealed. The clip has not been released to the public.

Police received the footage during the early stages of their investigation and have since found 'nothing of substance' in connection with the ride.

Nancy's Uber driver was interviewed at length, but police determined the ride on January 31 was 'just a regular pick up and drop off.'

The footage has not been publicly shared.

Ongoing investigation: No suspects have been named, and there have been no arrests in the over a month-long investigation

Savannah and her close family have endured continual heartbreak amid a massive but so far fruitless search by the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI.

The Guthrie family has announced a $1million 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.
A former candidate on The Apprentice has branded Lord Sugar as 'rude and disrespectful' - insisting 'I could never work with someone like him'.

Amy Anzel competed on the BBC series in 2022, but fell short of winning the 250,000 investment prize.

The beauty brand owner was 'fired' after the sixth task and has plenty to say about her time in the boardroom.

In particular, she outlined an occasion where Lord Sugar, 78, 'screamed his head off' and revealed her overall opinion of the business titan.

Speaking to The Express, via OLBG.com, Amy explained how, Lord Sugar would wait in his Rolls Royce on filming days away from the boardroom.

She recalled one occasion where he was asked to leave the Rolls Royce, only for there to be a technical delay.

The Apprentice alum Amy Anzel - who appeared on the show in 2022 - sunk her claws into 'rude and disrespectful' Lord Sugar

Lord Sugar, 78, has been on The Apprentice since its launch in 2005 - and since 2011, the prize is a 250,000 investment from him into the winner's business

Amy said: 'I remember Lord Sugar screamed his head off because he had to wait and I thought, who treats people like that? So disrespectful.

'He could have instead pulled a producer aside in private to have a word. It was like he needed to be seen as this big jerk who had control over everything.

'I just thought, you do not treat people like that. I thought, what must it be like working with him? Pretty horrible.'

Continuing, Amy went on to describe how she ultimately felt about losing out on Lord Sugar's investment.

She shared: 'I do not think he is a very nice person.

'It was definitely a blessing in disguise that I did not win the investment. I could never work with someone like that.'

Amy was eliminated after her team lost on a tourism-based challenge in Wales, specifically the Snowdonia region.

Project manager Kathryn Burn brought her and Aaron Willis back into the boardroom because of their failure to sell a single tour ticket at full price in the task.

Speaking in the boardroom, Lord Sugar told her: 'You're avoiding the spotlight the way that Dracula avoids sunbathing,' while the other contestants tried not to laugh.

Join the discussion Have YOU ever worked with someone whose behaviour made you question staying in the job?

Lord Sugar is currently joined on the long-running programme by advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell

He also brought up the fact that Amy previously lived in Los Angeles and asked her was she was an LA Dodger because she didn't take on the Project Manager role.

Lord Sugar warned Kathryn it was 'dangerous' for her to have taken on Project Manager despite having little experience in sales or tourism, but he ultimately sent Amy packing after being critical of her refusal to put herself forward to lead any of the challenges to date - a move she felt was unfair.

He told Amy: 'You dodged the project management side of things, you've been here six weeks to show that you can do something, and you haven't shown me you can do something. And so it is with regret that you're fired. Thank you.'

In 2023, a year after her series hit screens, Amy called for the show to be axed - insisting it was on its 'last legs'.

Claiming the programme is now too repetitive, the former candidate said: 'I really think that this show has become so formulaic with carbon copies of boring candidates from the past.'

Of that year's series, she added to the Daily Star: 'This cast is boring. Why don't they cast more interesting characters?

'I really think this show - if it doesn't change what they've done in the past and make it new and exciting in some way - is on its last legs.

'They [the BBC] should just put it out of its misery and not renew it because it's just boring and samey.'

The Apprentice airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Davina McCall apologised for bad language on Comic Relief last night after Nick Mohammed swore while live on air.

The comedian, 45, had been attempting to complete a tense Rubik's Cube challenge on stage during Friday night's show.

He was joined by his The Celebrity Traitors co-star Joe Marler, 35, who was dressed in drag in a gold metallic dress and blonde wig, as he tried to solve eight Rubik's Cubes in one minute.

Nick could be heard saying 'oh f***' and 's***' as he struggled his way through the challenge while Joe tried to distract him with a water pistol and feather duster.

After the one minute timer was up it appeared Nick had failed to complete the challenge, however he turned around the cubes to show them arranged to spell out the word sorry - as an apology to Joe for his betrayal during The Celebrity Traitors at the final banishment.

Despite the moment happening minutes after the 9pm watershed, Davina stopped to say to the public: 'Before we go any further, we just wanted to apologise if anybody heard any bad language there.

Davina McCall apologised for bad language on Comic Relief last night after Nick Mohammed swore while live on air

The comedian, 45, had been attempting to complete a tense Rubik's Cube challenge on stage during Friday night's show

'It was a very high-stress situation.'

'Did I say Was it me?' a baffled Nick asked, as Davina replied: 'I'm not sure, lets not go over it again.'

Elsewhere during the show, it was revealed Greg James has raised an incredible 4million for Comic Relief from his mammoth 1000km bike challenge.

The Radio 1 Breakfast DJ, 40, cycled for eight days on a tandem bicycle, and has been surprised by family and friends along the way, including Prince William.

Speaking to host Davina McCall as the annual charity telethon returned to BBC 1, Greg said his fundraising 'snowballed' with Coldplay contributing a huge donation.

A host of celebrities joined in on the fun with a series of sketches and challenges for Take Yourself Funny for Money.

But it was Greg who had the audience chanting his name after the total raised by his challenge was confirmed live on air as a whopping 4,225,939.

He told Davina: 'I feel very happy to be here. I feel very confused because I woke up on the Scottish borders, cycled to Edinburgh and now I'm in Salford.'

Greg continued: 'I was shouted at in my ear, they said turn off the road into the car park and Prince William was standing there.

'It was top secret, he was there, I said, have you got your own bike? And he said, "no I'm getting on yours." I've never held on more tightly.

He was joined by his The Celebrity Traitors co-star Joe Marler, 35, who was dressed in drag in a gold metallic dress and blonde wig, as he tried to solve eight Rubik's Cubes in one minute

Nick could be heard saying 'oh f***' and 's***' as he struggled his way through the challenge while Joe tried to distract him with a water pistol and feather duster

Speaking to host Davina McCall as the annual charity telethon returned to BBC 1, Greg said his fundraising 'snowballed' with Coldplay contributing a huge donation (pictured with Prince William)

'Can you imagine what would've happened to me if he'd fallen off? It would've been the end, maybe of Comic Relief. It sort of just snowballed. Coldplay donated a hundred grand.

Seeing the faces of people at the top of a hill when you don't have anything left I your legs and you get to the top and see a whole primary school and there's farmers waiting.

'This thing has really captured people's imagination. It was a hard thing we did, but a fun thing.'

As the audience chanted, Greg added: 'Wow, I'm uncomfortable with this, please stop, I'm uncomfortable with this.

'I said when I finished today, I said, please, I've had too much praise for this now. It was a daft idea to raise money and awareness of these amazing charities that Comic Relief supports, and can I just say one thing?

'When you treat people like you're treating a minor celebrity that's riding a tandem past you, there's too much coming my way, put it somewhere else!'

Money raised by Red Nose Day goes towards organisations helping to tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health along with other causes in the UK and throughout the world.
It was a talent show that had its viewers hooked in 2008 as it searched to cast the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!

I'd Do Anything was presented by Graham Norton, with Andrew Lloyd Webber judging proceedings from his golden throne.

It was built on the success of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do.

With a star-studded panel of judges and new acting challenges every week, the talent show series launched the careers of its participants.

Despite its short run, huge names have emerged from it, including the winner of the series, Jodie Prenger, and 2026 Oscar winner Jessie Buckley.

Here, the Daily Mail takes a look at the varied fates of the cast.

I'd Do Anything was a talent show that had its viewers hooked in 2008 as it searched to cast the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver! (pictured: Jessie Buckley and Jodie Prenger)

Despite its short run, huge names have emerged from it, including the winner of the series, Jodie Prenger, and 2026 Oscar winner Jessie Buckley (pictured at the Oscars 2026)

Jessie Buckley

Jessie was the only runner-up of the series but has gone on to become a Hollywood star.

In 2018, she made her breakthrough in the musical film Wild Rose, in which she received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

She then earned nominations for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Lost Daughter (2021).

In 2021, she also received a Laurence Olivier Award for her role as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on the West End.

Other notable films and shows she starred in include War & Peace, Chernobyl, Women Talking and Fargo.

At the 2026 Oscars, Jessie made history as she became the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the ceremony.

The County Kerry-born actress lead a record-breaking night for female winners as she took home Best Actress for her work in Hamnet at the event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

In tribute to her home country, Buckley ended her speech in Gaelic by saying 'Go raibh maith agaibh, slan', which translates in English to 'Thank you very much, goodbye'.

Earlier during the awards season, she received her flowers at the Actor Awards (formerly known as SAG), the BAFTAs, the Critics' Choice Awards and the Golden Globes for her performance in the raw and emotional drama piece.

Jodie Prenger

Jodie came out victorious on the show, going on to star in Oliver! on the West End

After the show, she has managed to make a big name for herself

Jodie came out victorious on the show, going on to star in Oliver! on the West End.

Following this, she appeared in Spamalot, Tell Me On A Sunday and Fat Friends.

Her other theatre credits include Calamity Jane, Annie and One Man, Two Guvnors.

In 2022, she began playing Glenda Shuttleworth in ITVs Coronation Street, and she has also appeared in Waterloo Road and as a guest panellist on Loose Women.

The actress also starred as Helen in the National Theatre Production of A Taste of Honey, a performance inspired by watching early episodes of Coronation Street.

When she joined the cobbles four years ago, Jodie said it fulfilled her 'lifelong dream' of bagging a starring role in the soap.

She said her character will fit right into Corrie's tradition of 'Northern powerhouse women'.

Jodie added: 'Oh, she's a whirlwind. She's bold, she's funny and as for her choice in clothes, they'll be on the Paris catwalks next year. I see a lot of my nan in Glenda. My nan could play the part better than me, to be honest.'

Samantha Barks

Samantha Barks finished in third place on I'd Do Anything, but went on to make a big name for herself

In October 2025, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of the world premiere of the musical The Greatest Showman as Charity Barnum

Samantha Barks finished in third place on I'd Do Anything, but went on to make a big name for herself.

She took on Broadway, leading the world premiere of Pretty Woman and made her film debut in 2012, starring as Eponine in the Tom Hooper-directed Les Miserables.

The star played opposite Jonathan Bailey in the Disney Channel musical-comedy Groove High and was also a judge on ITVs Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream.

From 2021 to 2024, she starred as Elsa in the West End production of Frozen.

In October 2025, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of the world premiere of the musical The Greatest Showman as Charity Barnum.

Tara Bethan

Tara Bethan was voted out of the show after she performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Most recently, she was a judge on the talent search show Junior Eurovision: Chwilio am Seren, which aimed to find the next young Eurovision representative for Wales

Tara Bethan was voted out of the show after she performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

But that didn't stop her as she went on to do a UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

She also appeared in Bugsy Malone at the Queen's Theatre in London.

From 2011 to 2016, she landed a role in the Welsh language soap opera Pobol Y Cwm.

Most recently, she was a judge on the talent search show Junior Eurovision: Chwilio am Seren, which aimed to find the next young Eurovision representative for Wales.

Amy Booth-Steel

Despite being the first 'Nancy' to leave the competition, Amy Booth-Steel has gone on to become a successful stage actress

She played Queenie Hennessy in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and is currently starring as Lady Sloane in Paddington The Musical

Despite being the first 'Nancy' to leave the competition, Amy Booth-Steel has gone on to become a successful stage actress.

The following year, she landed a role in Sister Act, and played the role of Piper in The Light Princess.

She wrote and starred in a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe called #HonestAmy in 2019.

Her solo show chronicled her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

More recently, Amy played Queenie Hennessy in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and is currently starring as Lady Sloane in Paddington The Musical.

Francesca Jackson

Francesca Jackson was the fourth person to be eliminated on the BBC show

In 2021, she appeared in the West End production of Tina The Musical as Rhonda Graam

Francesca Jackson was the fourth person to be eliminated on the BBC show.

Since I'd Do Anything, she has been cast alongside Chesney Hawkes and Siobhan Dillon as Lucy in the musical Can't Smile Without You.

In 2009, she toured with Dreamboats and Petticoats playing the role of Sue.

The following year, she completed a run of A Little Night Music in Paris alongside Lambert Wilson, Leslie Caron and Greta Sacchi.

In 2021, she appeared in the West End production of Tina The Musical as Rhonda Graam.

Sarah Lark

Sarah Lark was a finalist on the show and was the sixth to be eliminated

From June 2012 to July 2015, she appeared in the musical Les Miserables in London

Sarah Lark was a finalist on the show and was the 6th to be eliminated.

After that, she went on to participate in the I'd Do Anything tours with Ashley Russell, Keisha Amponsa-Banson and Niamh Perry.

From June 2012 to July 2015, she appeared in the musical Les Miserables in London.

Ashley J Russell

Ashley J Russell has appeared in fan-favourite musicals across the world since appearing on the BBC show

In 2025, she featured in the world premiere of Wild Rose

Ashley J Russell has appeared in fan-favourite musicals across the world since appearing on the BBC show.

She was also part of the first workshops for the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies.

In 2025, she featured in the world premiere of Wild Rose.

Rachel Tucker

Rachel Tucker made it to the finals week, where she was the ninth to be eliminated

Most recently, she played the role of Myrtle Wilson in the West End production of The Great Gatsby in 2025

Rachel Tucker made it to the finals week, where she was the ninth to be eliminated.

After the show, she has played some iconic roles on stage, including Elphaba in Wicked.

She's also appeared in shows like Songs For a New World, We Will Rock You and John and Jen.

Most recently, she played the role of Myrtle Wilson in the West End production of The Great Gatsby in 2025.
They may have been two of Australia's most in-demand media personalities during their reign on KIIS FM.

But despite expectations that Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson would be inundated with lucrative television offers following their fallout with ARN, insiders say the reality has been far more subdued.

Sources close to the situation report a noticeable slowdown in opportunities coming their way, with Henderson in particular feeling it the most.

'People expected Jackie in particular to be flooded with offers. But that just hasn't happened,' one well-placed industry insider told Daily Mail Australia.

While there has been some behind-the-scenes interest in the duo, sources said networks and production companies are approaching with caution, wary of becoming entangled in the high-profile dispute.

An Australian TV producer echoed these sentiments, telling Daily Mail Australia that Henderson isn't even on executives' radars at the moment.

Despite expectations that Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson would be inundated with lucrative television offers following their fallout with ARN, insiders say the reality has been far more subdued

'Not to assume she would jump at the chance to be on these sorts of programs but it seems Jackie isn't even being discussed,' they said.

'No one wants to lock something in while this situation is still playing out.'

Henderson and Sandilands have both hired lawyers to deal with ARN over their terminated contracts, and a potential court case could drag on for months.

Insiders have predicted the duo are unlikely to announce any new projects until the matter is resolved.

'They won't be making any big moves anytime soon. Anything major will come after this ARN situation is settled,' the producer said.

Behind the scenes, executives are reportedly adopting a 'wait and see' approach.

'We are holding off on formal offers until there is more clarity regarding the legal proceedings.'

The unexpected pause marks a rare moment of uncertainty for the radio giants, who have built their careers on commanding headlines and securing major deals across multiple platforms.

Sources close to the situation report a noticeable slowdown in opportunities coming their way - with Henderson in particular feeling it the worst

The unexpected pause marks a rare moment of uncertainty for the radio giants, who have built their careers on commanding headlines and securing major deals across multiple platforms

And while their long-term appeal remains undeniable, insiders say timing is everything.

'Once this is behind them, they'll have options,' the TV producer said.

'But right now, it's about staying focused and riding this out.'

'The general industry consensus is that Kyle and Jackie won't be offered the same sorts of opportunities and the likelihood of them appearing on a show together at this stage seems improbable,' they noted.

It comes as rumours that Sandilands plans to buy ARN after being sacked continue to gain 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 told 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.

It comes as rumours that Sandilands plans to buy ARN after being sacked continue to gain traction

'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.'

The end of The Kyle and Jackie O Show was announced on Wednesday when Sandilands 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.'

Sandilands continued: 'My lawyers told them last week this would be invalid. And guess what? It is.'

ARN announced last month that Henderson's $100 million contract had been terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following his harsh onair comments that left her in tears.
Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

DAEJEON, South Korea, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A large-scale fire broke out Friday at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon in South Korea, leaving 55 people injured and 14 others missing, local fire authorities confirmed.

Fire officials on site told Xinhua that, at around 10:30 p.m. local time, an initial structural safety diagnosis was completed, and rescue teams had entered the building from the second floor to begin search operations.

Earlier, entry had been delayed due to concerns over possible collapse. Rescue workers were observed using cranes and drones to assess the structural stability of the damaged buildings in order to determine whether nighttime search operations can be carried out.

The blaze started at about 1:17 p.m. local time (0417 GMT) at the factory, located about 140 km southeast of Seoul. At the time of the incident, around 170 employees were inside the facility, of whom 101 had been evacuated.

The number of injured has risen to 55, including 24 in serious condition and 31 with minor injuries. Some victims suffered from smoke inhalation, while others were injured after jumping from the burning building.

Less than an hour after the fire was reported, the National Fire Agency issued a nationwide mobilization order, dispatching firefighting resources from across the country. About 90 fire trucks and equipment, along with some 200 firefighters, have been deployed, while helicopters from the Korea Forest Service were also mobilized to help contain the blaze.

The factory consists of two prefabricated buildings connected by a walkway. One building has been destroyed, and flames have spread to the other. Authorities said approximately 200 kg of sodium was stored inside the facility, raising concerns over possible explosions.

The Chinese embassy in South Korea told Xinhua that, as of now, there have been no reports of Chinese nationals among the injured or missing in the fire. 

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Can)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Can)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)

Ambulances are on standby near the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Can)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Can)

Rescuers work at the site of a fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on March 20, 2026. A large-scale fire broke out on Friday in South Korea's automotive parts manufacturing factory, leaving 53 injured and 14 others missing, according to Yonhap news agency. (Xinhua/Zhu Hui)
Robert Irwin appears to be stepping out on his own.

Off the back of Robert's mammoth US Dancing with the Stars win, the Wildlife Warrior, 22, is currently filming a spin-off of the hit reality series, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, in Brisbane.

Production on the anticipated Disney/BBC series, which Robert will host, is now well underway after two weeks of shooting.

However, there is one person who has been curiously absent from proceedings thus far  Robert's mother, Terri Irwin.

Industry insiders have revealed that while Robert has been busy fronting the Big Brother-style competition series, Terri, 61, has not appeared on set  a stark contrast to her usual hands-on support.

'It's definitely been noticed,' one source close to production told Daily Mail.

Off the back of Robert Irwin's mammoth US Dancing with the Stars win, the Wildlife Warrior, 22, is currently filming a spin-off of the hit reality series, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, in Brisbane

Terri has long been a constant presence in Robert's television career.

During his stint on Dancing with the Stars in the US, she was frequently spotted backstage and in the audience cheering him on.

And while filming I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Australia, eliminated contestants often remarked on the 'bizarre' but endearing reality of Terri being on set almost daily.

But this time around, things appear to be different.

'Terri hasn't been around during filming at all,' the insider added. 'It's quite a change from what people are used to.'

The shift has sparked speculation that Robert is embracing a more independent chapter in his career.

Meanwhile, Robert's former Dancing with the Stars partner, Witney Carson, is also expected to be a part of the production, with her arrival in Australia imminent.

Her involvement is expected to bring a touch of international polish to the series, with the pair already sharing a strong on-screen connection from their previous stint together.

Join the discussion Is Robert Irwin better off forging his own path without his mother Terri by his side this time?

However, there is one person who has been curiously absent from proceedings thus far  Robert's mother, Terri Irwin

Industry insiders have revealed that while Robert has been busy fronting the Big Brother-style competition series, Terri, 61, has not appeared on set  a stark contrast to her usual hands-on support

Despite Terri's absence from set, sources say the Irwin family's legacy won't be missing entirely.

While Terri may be missing from set  so far  another insider confirmed that part of the series will be filmed at Australia Zoo.

'There's every chance Terri will appear in some capacity tied to that. Just not in the day-to-day filming environment,' they said.

Production on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is currently taking place in Brisbane and is expected to continue over the coming weeks.

The series is set to blend high-stakes competition with behind-the-scenes access, as contestants live and train together in a format reminiscent of Big Brother.

Daily Mail understands that Robert only signed off as host shortly before filming began two weeks ago, with the blessing of his mother.

And while the spotlight is firmly on Robert, one thing is clear  this time, he's doing it on his own.
Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian woman with dwarfism accused of lying about her age and 'tormenting' her adoptive parents, is suing Disney.

Grace was portrayed by Imogen Faith Reid in 2025's Hulu series Good American Family, starring Ellen Pompeo as her mother Kristine Barnett.

Now Grace, estimated to be 24 years old, is going after Disney and Hulu for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to TMZ.

She's arguing in a lawsuit that the show painted her as 'deceptive, dangerous, manipulative, dishonest, not truly a child, and responsible for acts of abuse, violence, or attempted violence.'

Despite the show's disclaimer that some events were fictionalized, Grace believes it isn't enough to protect the company, she said in documents seen by the site, as it's unclear which parts were real and which were made up.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Disney and Hulu to request comment.

Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian woman with dwarfism accused of lying about her age and 'tormenting' her adoptive parents, is suing Disney

Grace was portrayed by Imogen Faith Reid in 2025's Hulu series Good American Family, starring Ellen Pompeo as her mother Kristine Barnett

TMZ reported that Grace filed the lawsuit without a lawyer and is seeking unspecified damages.

Grace also stated in her filing, per the news outlet, that Disney purposely or haphazardly framed the series to highlight the accusations against her.

She claims it was only later that the company revealed details about her being abused as a child.

The first four episodes of the miniseries follow Kristine, who believes a 22-year-old infiltrated her family while claiming she was only six.

The second half envisions the events from Grace's perspective - a victim of cruelty who is mistreated and abandoned.

When Kristine and husband Michael Barnett decided to adopt a six-year-old girl in 2010 in the hope of expanding their family, they felt nothing but 'overwhelming love' for their new daughter.

Grace had already been adopted once before, just two years prior, but the parents rescinded their rights, citing her disruptive behavior.

Kristine and Michael decided to raise her alongside their three biological sons in New Hampshire.

The following years saw a shocking breakdown in the relationship, with Kristine and Michael accusing the adoptee of pretending to be a child and lying about her real age, even claiming she tried to kill them. After seeking advice from a family physician, they fought to have her birth date changed from 2003 to 1989, claiming she was an adult when they adopted her.

Grace has denied all accusations against her, and the couple was charged with neglect after moving to Canada and allegedly leaving her at an apartment in Lafayette. They were eventually acquitted of the charges.

Join the discussion How should stories based on real people handle the balance between truth and creative license?

The limited series starred Ellen Pompeo as Grace's adoptive mom Kristine Barnett

Grace, estimated to be 24 years old, is going after Disney and Hulu for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress

L-R Jerod Haynes, Imogen Reid, and Christina Hendricks in a scene from Good American Family

For years, Grace was defended by Bishop Antwon and Cynthia Mans, who eventually became her third set of adoptive parents in June 2023.

In January 2024 she insisted she was doing 'okay' after her latest adoptive family said they were 'done' with her in the finale of her documentary The Confessions Of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.

She wrote on a GoFundMe page at the time that she had moved out and was trying to raise money for spinal surgery.

'I recently moved out and I'm saving money to get my own house so I can have a personal place of my own,' she shared. 'I am wanting to start my own photography business to create a fun and awesome way to have fun and do what I love which is taking pictures and creating memories for myself and other people!'

She also explained that the spinal surgery she wants to have done isn't covered by her medical insurance and costs 'in excess of $500,000.'

'I have a type of dwarfism called Diastrophic Dysplasia  a form of dwarfism that has many serious issues which often require surgery,' she wrote. 'The first treatment I need is to have my spine corrected as if I leave it too long it could lead to paralysis and incontinence.'
She is the model who defined an era and outlasted it  and now Kate Moss has blended two of its most iconic muses.

The British supermodel, 52, mixed the bombshell glamour of Marilyn Monroe with the effortless cool of French New Wave siren Brigitte Bardot in a striking new shoot for Edward Ennifuls EE72.

Reuniting with long-time collaborator Nick Knight for the magazines third issue, Ms Moss flickered between old Hollywood decadence and Sixties Parisian edge.

In one image, Ms Moss perched barefoot atop a gleaming gold piano in a sleek black Gucci dress, with her tousled blonde hair falling across her face in a pose that evoked old Hollywood decadence.

Another photograph saw her wearing an off-the-shoulder jersey dress by Schiaparelli, accessorised with a platinum, gold, and diamond ring from Tiffany & Co.

Kate Moss, 52, mixed the bombshell glamour of Marilyn Monroe with the effortless cool of French New Wave siren Brigitte Bardot in a striking new shoot for Edward Ennifuls EE72

Reuniting with long-time collaborator Nick Knight for the magazines third issue, Ms Moss flickered between old Hollywood decadence and Sixties Parisian edge

Her softly sculpted waves and smouldering gaze completed the cinematic look.

The collaboration marks yet another chapter in her enduring creative partnership with Knight, who has previously likened her cultural reach to that of a Hollywood blockbuster, describing her as an incredibly good model and very, very rare talent.

Meanwhile, make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, 53, said: Kate is the face of a generation. Shes magnetic, shes a style icon, but her influence transcends beauty and fashion  she is a tastemaker who has truly shaped culture.

Kate has such a unique magnetism on set  theres a magic that happens when shes in front of the camera. The way she moves, the way she morphs into character, its truly something to behold. She has the most powerful authenticity  theres only one Kate.

It comes just weeks after Ms Moss returned to the Gucci catwalk to close the fashion houses autumn/winter 2026 show in Milan, wearing a floor-length black sequined gown with a plunging open back.

In a nod to her nineties heyday, the look revealed a flash of a visible whale tail G-string.

The moment marked a full-circle moment for the supermodel, who famously walked in Tom Fords debut Gucci collection in 1995, and this time joined a star-studded line-up including Karlie Kloss, 33, Emily Ratajkowski, 34, and Irina Shayk, 40.

The model appears to be ageing backwards after ditching her years of hard partying.

Nowadays, Kate has regular juice fasts, and favours the week-long juice-only programme at wellness LifeCo resort in Turkey  she's visited every year for the past decade.

Kate is the proud owner of wellness business, Cosmoss which sells a range of own-brand teas, skincare products and a book of 150 'positive messages'.

In one image, Ms Moss perched barefoot atop a gleaming gold piano in a sleek black Gucci dress, with her tousled blonde hair falling across her face in a pose that evoked old Hollywood decadence

Another photograph saw her wearing an off-the-shoulder jersey dress by Schiaparelli, accessorised with a platinum, gold, and diamond ring from Tiffany & Co

Her softly sculpted waves and smouldering gaze completed the cinematic look

The collaboration marks yet another chapter in her enduring creative partnership with Knight, who has previously likened her cultural reach to that of a Hollywood blockbuster'

Knight described her as an incredibly good model and very, very rare talent

Meanwhile, make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, 53, said: Kate is the face of a generation. Shes magnetic, shes a style icon, but her influence transcends beauty and fashion.'

She has a 4,000 Cadillac Pilates reformer machine at home, and a personal trainer, Hortense Suleyman.

A magazine source said: 'The brand is late on the bandwagon  candles, serums and perfume are all quite middle-aged. But she's been having lots of meetings with people and Cosmoss is stocked in Harrods. I know she has great hopes for it.'

Over the years, Kate has given an insight into how she stays looking so good, revealing her tips and tricks for maintaining her youthful look.

She told Net-A-Porter: 'I stay hydrated on the flight and try to eat only light foods. I find adapting to the new time zone as soon as I arrive is helpful, so I try to stay up until my usual bedtime.'
Dina Broadhurst's latest romance is once again the talk of Sydney's elite.

The 50-year-old 'nude artist' turned heads on Friday night, stepping out with her younger new flame at a luxury Prada party - her first public appearance with a partner since splitting from appliances heir John Winning.

Daily Mail can reveal her new beau is Danny Tchalaby, a dashing German entrepreneur who bears a striking resemblance to another of her ex boyfriends, model Kengi Meert.

The brunette hunk has a lucrative career, making his money through angel investment syndicate Mavericks Founders, which he founded in 2015.

Dina and Danny appeared loved-up as they stepped out for the exclusive event in Sydney CBD, holding hands as they giggled together.

The socialite was a show-stopper on the night, putting on a very leggy display for her new man as she poured her figure into a baby blue satin mini dress.

Dina Broadhurst, 50, has once again stunned Sydney high society with her impeccable taste in men

The 'nude artist' made an entrance on Friday night as she showed off her latest romantic conquest at a luxury Prada party in the Sydney CBD store

Dina's new man Danny Tchalaby bears a striking resemblance to her ex, Kengi Meert (pictured)

Her frock featured white lace detailing with hip-high splits on both sides, framing her slim pins. The ensemble was complemented beautifully by a silver metallic Prada clutch.

Leaving her straight brunette locks down to frame her face, Dina accessorised her cheeky look with a pair of white pumps from Ferragamo worth $1,490.

Meanwhile, her hunky eye candy kept things casual but chic in a black AVANTIQUE graphic tee and trendy Suez Studio Keffiyeh Meander Trousers.

Danny keeps a low profile online, with completely locked-down social media and barely a trace of his name to be found.

But before he was a full-time angel investor - someone who makes early investments in start-up companies - the German entrepreneur worked as an advisor at SKEDit.

According to one online profile, he still does some work for the communication management platform.

For about a year in 2023, he also worked in venture growth for business consultant Hoxton Projects, and was the co-founder and CEO at Datra from 2017 to 2019.

However, it seems Danny got his start in tech as he began as an 'entrepreneur in residence' at Pulilab in 2012 after he graduated from EBS Business School.

Join the discussion What do you think motivates high-profile women like Dina to seek out much younger partners?

Like Kengi, the brunette hunk hails from Germany, making his money through angel investment syndicate Mavericks Founders, which he founded in 2015

Dina and Danny appeared to be loved-up as they stepped out for the exclusive event in Sydney, holding hands as they giggled together

The socialite was a show-stopper on the night, putting on a very leggy display for her new man as she poured her figure into a baby blue satin mini dress

Her frock featured white lace detailing with hip-high splits on either side to frame her slim pins, pairing beautifully with her silver metallic Prada clutch

The private university can be found in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany, where he studied before working as a business analyst and then moving on to Budapest.

After a year, it seems he moved back to Germany to work at Deutsche Bank as a financial technology advisor for a little over four years.

It's unclear exactly how long Dina and Danny have been seeing each other, but he first appeared on the Sydney elite radar in February.

At the time, Dina was courting whispers about her love life after her on-again-off-again partner John 'Herman' Winning Jr deleted his Instagram.

Dina had also stopped posting the appliance company CEO on her own socials, with their last photo online together appearing back in January.

'Herman', as he is widely known, is the son of appliances mogul John Winning Sr, whose family is worth an estimated $700 million.

John took over as CEO of Winning Appliances in 2011 at the age of 22, spearheading its expansion into Australia's largest online appliance retailer.

The company was founded in 1906 by his great-grandfather, Richard William Winning, and remains a powerhouse in the kitchen and laundry appliance sector.

Leaving her straight brunette locks down to frame her face, Dina accessorised her cheeky look with a pair of white pumps from Ferragamo worth $1,490

Meanwhile, her hunky eye candy kept things casual but chic in a black AVANTIQUE graphic tee and trendy Suez Studio Keffiyeh Meander Trousers

Danny keeps a low profile online, with completely locked-down social media and barely a trace of his name to be found

But before he was a full-time angel investor - someone who makes early investments in start-up companies - the German entrepreneur worked as an advisor at SKEDit

According to one online profile, he still does some work for a communication management platform

In 2023, Danny worked in venture growth for business consultant Hoxton Projects, and was the co-founder and CEO at Datra from 2017 to 2019

However, it seems Danny got his start in tech as he began as an 'entrepreneur in residence' at Pulilab in 2012 after he graduated from EBS Business School

He began dating Dina back in March 2024.

They soon confirmed their romance when they attended a rave in California together, with Dina 'soft-launching' him by featuring him in one of her social media posts.

At the time, the pair were said to be 'smitten' with each other.

But by the end of 2024, the couple had called it quits.

Initially, it was reported Dina had dumped John, with sources claiming she had realised her lifestyle was not compatible with his.

However, subsequent reports said it was the other way around, and Dina had been left heartbroken.

'[Dina] doesn't know what went wrong. They were going so strong, then he broke it off,' a source said at the time.

In August 2025, Dina announced the couple were back on again.

The private university Danny attended can be found in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany, where he studied before working as a business analyst and then moving on to Budapest

It's unclear exactly how long Dina and Danny have been seeing each other, but he first appeared on the Sydney elite radar in February

At the time, Dina was courting whispers about the state of her love life after her on-again-off-again partner John 'Herman' Winning Jr deleted his Instagram. Pictured together in January

Dina shared an image of herself and Danny enjoying a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney this week - at the time, his identity was still unknown

'I'm in a relationship,' she told Stellar magazine. 'After spending some time apart, we've reconnected with a much deeper bond. And we're happier than ever.'

However, last month Dina shared an Instagram Story of Danny, marking a soft launch of their relationship.

At the time, Danny was just a mystery man sitting opposite her as they dined at a restaurant, hiding his face behind a phone.

However, another photo shared to her Instagram account this week put Daily Mail on the path to unveiling his identity.

Dina shared an image of the pair enjoying a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney.

In the photo, the socialite put on a cheeky display as she captured their silhouettes while she stood between his legs.

Dina may have hoped she kept Danny's identity a secret in the image, but there was no mistaking his distinctive features.

Their arrival at the exclusive Prada event on Friday night just proved our suspicions.
Chuck Norris is set to make a posthumous appearance in his final action film following his passing.

Prior to his death, the famed actor filmed scenes for an action comedy movie titled Zombie Plane about a year and a half ago at his ranch in Texas.

Norris died at the age of 86 on Thursday morning following a sudden medical emergency in Hawaii, his family confirmed the following day.

'It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,' his family shared in a statement, per TMZ.

'While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.'

In his last movie role, Norris  who became a Hollywood outsider due to his unapologetic political views  played the head of a spy agency made up of celebrities.

Chuck Norris will be making a posthumous appearance in an action film set to premiere sometime next year

The movie is currently in the editing phase and is set to premiere sometime next year, with the late Hollywood legend making his final silver screen appearance, the film's producer Shaked Berenson told the outlet on Friday.

The producer revealed that Norris was one of many celebrities in the movie who had cameo roles meant to poke fun at their on-screen personas.

Berenson said he is processing the loss and praised the actor as a 'pure joy to work with and a total pro,' per the outlet.

The producer also added that his 'lovely' family were also on the set while they filmed at Norris's ranch.

He said that the famous Chuck Norris memes became a topic of conversation, at one point, and revealed that the actor 'got a kick out of them.'

Berenson told the outlet that the silver screen star 'could laugh at himself,' and that ability 'was perfect for the tone of the film' they were working on together.

Following his passing, Norris's family paid tribute to Norris as a 'devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.'

'He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved,' their statement said.

Norris died at the age of 86 on Thursday morning following a sudden medical emergency in Hawaii , his family confirmed the following day; pictured in 1993 Walker, Texas Ranger still

Prior to his death, the famed actor reportedly filmed scenes for an action comedy movie titled Zombie Plane about a year and a half ago at his ranch in Texas; pictured in August 2012

In his last movie role, Norris played the head of a spy agency made up of celebrities; pictured in 2012 The Expendables 2 still

'Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.'

Norris was best known for action roles, including Walker, Texas Ranger and The Delta Force in the 1980s, before he became a cult figure on social media in his later years.

The actor was a renowned martial artist and fitness guru.

Earlier this month, he had celebrated his birthday by sharing a video of himself staying fit in a training session.

The star captioned the clip: 'I don't age. I level up. I'm 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I'm 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 you'll ever know. God Bless, Chuck Norris.'

Norris had largely stayed out of acting roles in his later years but made minor cameos in action flicks, including The Expendables 2.

In the decades after his action movie success, Norris became a well-known meme on social media, where people would parody his tough-guy image in jokes.

The produce of the movie said he is processing the loss and praised the Norris as a 'pure joy to work with and a total pro'; pictured in July 1985 portrait

The producer added that his 'lovely' family were also on the set while they filmed at Norris's ranch; pictured in August 2012

Norris was born in Oklahoma in 1940 and served in the US Air Force from 1958 to 1962.

He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989 and became a cult-like figure in the fitness and action industries.

His first wife, Dianne Holecheck, passed away in December 2025, nearly four decades following their divorce.

The pair were previously married for 30 years, tying the knot in 1958 and welcoming two children: Mike, now an actor, and NASCAR champion Eric Norris.

Norris and Holecheck separated in 1988.

In 1998, he married his second wife Gena O'Kelley, and the couple welcomed twins, Dakota and Danilee, together in 2001.

He also had a daughter in 1962 in an extramarital relationship.

He is survived by his family members.
Kendra Duggar was arrested on Friday as husband Joseph Duggar faces additional charges after he was accused of sexual activity with a nine-year-old girl.

The 27-year-old was taken into custody in the state of Arkansas for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor as well as false imprisonment.

She was charged with four counts of child endangerment and four charges of false imprisonment. She was released late on Friday after making her $1,470 bond, and will appear in court on Monday.

It comes two days after her husband, 31, was arrested in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals.

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued on Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was not there.

However, according to the Washington County Detention Center, she has since been arrested.

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Kendra and Joseph Duggar, but did not immediately hear back.

Kendra Duggar, 27, was arrested on Friday as husband Joseph Duggar, 31, faces additional charges after he was accused of sexual activity with a nine-year-old girl

She was taken into custody in the state of Arkansas for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor as well as false imprisonment, per TMZ; her March 20 mugshot seen above

Kendra and Duggar married in 2017 and the pair are parents to four children.

Earlier this week on Wednesday, 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.

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 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 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ.

Duggar and Kendra's new charges in Arkansas are reportedly not related to his case in the state of Florida.

He is being held in Arkansas as he awaits extradition back to Florida.

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued on Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was not there

It comes two days after her husband was arrested in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals; his March 18 mugshot seen above

The 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ; Duggar seen above top far right

Family members have since broken silence on his arrest, such as brother Josh - who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography.

His attorney told the Daily Mail: 'Josh understands the stigma of being accused.

'He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.'

The attorney said that the brothers 'are not in frequent communication' but Josh 'hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time.'

His sister Jill has also spoken out by uploading a post to her family blog which she shares with husband Derick Dillard.

'We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill's brother's [Joseph Duggar's] arrest,' the message read.

'We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph's arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.'

They added, 'We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.

Family members have since broken silence on his arrest , such as brother Josh - who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography; Josh's 2021 mugshot seen above

Jill and Derick also sent love to Kendra and her four children in the post shared on Thursday, just one day before her arrest

'We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.'

Jill and Derick also sent love to Kendra and her four children while praying 'that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.'

The post was uploaded on Thursday, just one day before Kendra's arrest for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment.

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.

Joseph Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,' BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued

'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's 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 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.

Duggar's confession to the girl's father and a detective was included in an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which was obtained by People.

BCSO Criminal Investigator Chase Norris had then 'requested the detective and victim's father call the defendant.'

During the phone call, Duggar 'admitted his actions' and confessed that he 'touched the victim over her clothing,' per the affidavit.

At the time, the TV personality had 'admitted his intentions were not pure.'

His cousin Amy Duggar also recently broke her silence to share she was 'utterly shocked' but 'not surprised' over his arrest.

She said in a statement to People on Friday: 'In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry.'

Amy added, 'My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust.

'The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.'

She said in a statement to People on Friday: 'In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry'

And while she was 'utterly shocked' over the allegations, Amy expressed that she is 'not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.'

Amy told the outlet that she has 'worked hard to break cycles in both my extended family and my immediate family.'

She sent prayers to the alleged victim while adding, 'Recognizing that we do not yet know the full picture, I am also praying for Joseph's wife, Kendra, as she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children.

'I'm praying for eyes to be opened and above all, I pray that justice will be served to the fullest.'

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.
Rebecca Gayheart appeared to be in good spirits after grabbing lunch with her late husband Eric Dane's co-star on Friday.

The actress, 54, was spotted with a smile on her face after meeting up with Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, 56, in Beverly Hills.

Pompeo was being a supportive friend as she and Gayheart were spotted together for the first time since Dane's death last month  and just one day after the the widow shared a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband.

Gayheart seemed to be staying positive as she was seen walking into the parking garage after their lunch date.

For their casual get-together, she wore dramatically oversized red glasses and a wide-brimmed hat, which she later took off her while grabbing something from her purse.

She dressed for comfort in an oversized sweatshirt with her sleeves rolled up and straight-leg track pants.

Rebecca Gayheart, 54, seemed to be in good spirits after grabbing lunch with Ellen Pompeo, 56, on Friday

For their outing, Pompeo was also seen strolling into the parking area separately in a chic jumpsuit paired with a luxurious Hermes handbag in tow.

This comes one month after Dane died at the age of 53 on February 19 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

He previously starred as Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan for 145 episodes of Grey's Anatomy and starred alongside Pompeo's Dr. Meredith Grey for six seasons of the ongoing ABC medical drama.

Less than a year ago, he had announced his diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, to raise awareness and support efforts in finding a cure for the rapid, progressive neurodegenerative disease.

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.

Gayheart and the beloved TV star had been married since 2004 and welcomed two daughters together during their marriage.

They are parents to Billie, 16, and 14-year-old Georgia  both of whom the actress stepped out with on Tuesday for their family's first public appearance following his death.

She continued to support him amid his decline, even as both of them continued to date other people.

To meet up with her late husband's ex-costar, she wore dramatically oversized red glasses and a wide-brimmed hat, which she later took off her while grabbing something from her purse

This comes one month after Dane died at the age of 53 on February 19 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); pictured in June 2025

He starred as Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan for 145 episodes of Grey's Anatomy alongside Pompeo's Dr. Meredith Grey; They are seen in a still

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; pictured in June 2017

Earlier this week, the actress stepped out with their daughters Billie, 16, and 14-year-old Georgia on Tuesday for their family's first public appearance following his death

Earlier this week, she shared a series of photos with her late husband and their children while reflecting on their time together.

Alongside the family portraits, which she shared on the one-month anniversary of his death, she wrote: 'There are no words. All our love forever  your girls.'

The day before, she and their daughters made a red carpet appearance at the premiere of The Drama, starring Dane's Euphoria costar Zendaya opposite Robert Pattinson.

In the wake of Dane's passing, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson was among the flood of donors to a GoFundMe set up by Gayheart's friends to help financially support her and her daughters.

Earlier this week, it was announced that a public memorial service will be held for Dane in Los Angeles.

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.'
Louise Minchin has revealed she was urgently rushed to hospital with frostbite after being forced to quit a very extreme adventure challenge.

The presenter, 57, was participating in the Inuvik Weekend Warrior Fat Bike Challenge in a bid to raise money for The Duke of Edinburghs Award, where she attempted to cycle 300 miles in three days in the Arctic Circle.

But on Friday night the BBC star took to her Instagram and told fans her and athlete Mimi Anderson, 61, were forced to quit the challenge to seek medical care.

'ICE BIKE UPDATE,' she began her caption.

'We did around 140k in temperatures as low as -40 degrees. When we got to this point both of us knew we were very dangerously cold.

'The combination of the temperature and wind meant despite having prepared as much as we could have it was a huge risk to go on.

Louise Minchin has revealed she was urgently rushed to hospital with frostbite after being forced to quit a very extreme adventure challenge

The British journalist and presenter was participating in the Inuvik Weekend Warrior Fat Bike Challenge in a bid to raise money for The Duke of Edinburghs Award, where she attempted to cycle 300 miles in three days in the Arctic Circle (seen in 2023)

'Turns out we were right to stop. We both have frost bite and are being looked after incredibly well looked after. At the moment we remain in good spirits.

'Louise and Mimi x,' Louise signed off finishing.

Fans and other stars rushed to support Louise in the comments section, with fellow celebrities flooding with caring messages.

Greg Rutherford wrote: 'Bloody hell Lou! Be safe ,' while Helen Skelton congratulated her: 'What an achievement so far!'

Gaby Roslin penned: 'Oh my word. Please take good care of yourself. ,' and Sally Nugen echoed: 'Take care love xx'.

Louise is no stranger to gruelling physical challenges and was last year featured on Gladiators' Celebrity Special.

Taking on the iconic Collision challenge, Louise was tasked with carrying balls across a bridge, while four Gladiators swung across in an attempt to stop her.

While Louise successfully managed to earn eight points, she did take a hit to the face, leaving her with a slightly bloody nose.

Fans and other stars rushed to support Louise in the comments section, with fellow celebrities flooding with caring messages

Speaking to host Bradley Walsh after the challenge, she asked: 'Am I bleeding?' and he responded: 'You got a little graze. It was for your suffering.'

It seemed that Louise was slow to recover from the hit, as while leaving the arena, she took another tumble.

Louise previously shared insight into filming and revealed she'd been left injured after getting kicked in the face: 'I don't know who cut my nose but there was blood'.

'When they're fighting you, you can't feel the pain. But being tackled by them is like hitting a brick wall. I just had these extra-ordinarily powerful legs kicking out at me. Honestly, they're units!'.
It would seem Dina Broadhurst wasn't the only beauty to step out with a new man on Friday night at a luxury Prada party in Sydney's CBD.

Western Australian model Rebecca Jobson arrived on the high-society scene with her own fresh romance, though she tried to keep things under wraps.

Daily Mail understands the former Australia's Next Top Model star is now seeing wealthy businessman Charles Hinckfuss after her split from husband Taj Burrow.

Rumours emerged in January that Rebecca, 36, and Taj, 47, had split, just months after they declared their love for one another on a romantic Maldives getaway.

The Yallingup surf king is believed to have quietly parted ways with his model wife and the mother of his two children, shocking the tight-knit South West scene.

It now seems the speculation has been confirmed after Rebecca was recently spotted getting loved-up with Charles, 41, who owns the furniture company MCM House.

Western Australian model Rebecca Jobson, 36, arrived at a Prada event on Friday night with a new man, although she tried to keep things under wraps as she posed with Pip Edwards

Daily Mail understands the former Australia's Next Top Model star is now seeing wealthy businessman Charles Hinckfuss, 41, pictured (right) at the Prada event with Steve Cordony

The pair made sure they didn't take photos together while at the event, with Rebecca posing with P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards instead.

However, our spies tell us the couple have struck up a relatively new relationship off the back of the model's split from her husband of seven years.

Daily Mail also understands Rebecca, a Perth girl, has been spending more and more time in Sydney of late, where Charles is based.

Charles, who goes by 'Chugga' to his close friends, was once called Sydney's most eligible bachelor and has a history of being linked to beautiful models.

He was spotted getting close with Victoria's Secret model Elyse Taylor during a holiday in Noosa in January 2024.

Charles has also been known to rub shoulders with model Montana Cox, partying with the Top Model and her ex-boyfriend Jamie Valmorbida on a yacht in 2015.

Hes also believed to be close friends with millionaire chicken heir Johnny Ingham, having attended his European wedding to Rey Vakili in 2023.

Charles, who originally hails from Melbourne, has a sister named Lucy who was once married to Icebergs restaurateur Maurice Terzini.

Join the discussion Does celebrity relationship drama reflect real-life struggles or is it all just for show?

The pair made sure they didn't take photos together while at the event, with Rebecca posing with P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards instead

It comes off the back of Rebecca's split from husband Taj Burrow, just months after they declared their love for one another on a romantic Maldives getaway

Daily Mail has reached out to Rebecca and Charles for comment.

Whispers of trouble in paradise between Rebecca and Taj began when the model, who shot to fame in 2008, reverted to her maiden name - Jobson - on social media.

When asked about her name change and the rumours surrounding her marriage split, Rebecca made no denials but politely declined to comment.

'No thank you,' she told Daily Mail.

The couple, who married twice, first tied the knot in an intimate elopement in late 2018, after Taj proposed with a Burger Ring.

They arranged the ceremony quickly in order to include Rebecca's mother, who was terminally ill.

They would later stage a star-studded knees-up in the Margaret River wine region in February 2019, with friends flying in from around the globe for the lavish celebration at Caves Road Collective (then known as Black Brewing Co.) in Wilyabrup, WA.

The guest list included Grammy-nominated DJ Fisher and his wife Chloe, nightclub wrangler Shane Moran, and fellow Top Model alum Montana Cox.

Charles, who goes by 'Chugga' to his close friends, was once called Sydney's most eligible bachelor and has a history of being linked to beautiful models

Rebecca announced the wedding on Instagram with gushing words and a gallery of dreamy photos.

'My heart is so full,' she wrote at the time. 'I can't believe how lucky I am to have struck gold like this. So thankful for all of these special, special humans.'

The couple went public with their romance in 2014, before welcoming their first child the following year.

They now share two children, Arabella Rose and two-year-old Robbie Lou, and were seen as one of WA's most popular couples.

More recently, Rebecca ramped up her travel, appearing in photos with socialite Jade Yarborough, AFL WAG Jessie Murphy and interior designer Chloe Matters.

The former Bondi model, who is originally from Wollongong, has also been building her empire as the founder of the gender-neutral clothing label Moda Mitsu.
MAPUTO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The 26th Chinese medical team in Mozambique on Saturday provided free medical services and donated supplies to children at the Orfanato AACOSIDA orphanage in Matola, a city on the outskirts of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.

Chen Jialei, head of the 26th Chinese medical team, said the team donated food and school supplies and conducted basic health check-ups for the children. Team members also played with the children, engaging in activities such as skipping rope and traditional Chinese games.

"We hope these activities will help the children improve their health awareness and enjoy a happy weekend," Chen said.

He said that 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, as well as the 50th anniversary of medical assistance from China's Sichuan Province to Mozambique. At this important juncture, the medical team has been carrying out a series of outreach programs, including free clinics and visits to communities, schools, and enterprises, to further deepen friendship between China and Mozambique.

Tomissane Macamo, a long-serving representative of the orphanage, said the institution currently hosts around 80 resident children, along with more than 20 additional children who attend during the day.

He praised the initiative of the Chinese medical team, noting that access to professional medical services is crucial for the well-being of the children. "For us, having specialists come here to assess our health conditions and provide advice is very important," he said.

China has been dispatching medical teams to Mozambique since 1976. The current team is the 26th batch, composed of doctors from multiple disciplines, including orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesiology, medical cosmetology, and traditional Chinese medicine, among others. 
Nicholas Brendon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Alyson Hannigan was among the first to pay tribute to him in the wake of his shock death.

Brendon died in his sleep at age 54, his family said on Friday in a statement shared on social media.

Shortly after, Hannigan, 51, took to Instagram to post a photo of their characters sharing an emotional embrace in a scene from the late 90s horror series.

'My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers,' she wrote. 'I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP.'

Brendon was known for playing Xander Harris in Buffy, and later for his performance as Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds.

Another Buffy alum, Emma Caulfield, 52, took to Instagram Stories to write, 'My heart is heavy. I cant put into words just yet how this has hit me. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you,' according to Page Six. The post has since been deleted.

Nicholas Brendon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Alyson Hannigan was among the first to pay tribute to him in the wake of his shock death

Hannigan, 51, took to Instagram to post a photo of their characters sharing an emotional embrace in a scene from the late 90s horror series

'My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers,' she wrote. 'I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP'

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the title character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shared her own heartbreaking tribute to Brendon.

Gellar, 48, reacted to the news of his death by posting a 1998 photo of the two of them together along with a message memorializing both him and his character.

She started by quoting one of Xander's famous lines: 'Theyll never know how tough it is to be the one who isnt chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobodys watching me.'

Gellar then added her own message in reference to the quotation: 'I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.'

'We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,' his family's announcement read.

Four of his family members posed with him in a group photo they shared alongside the note.

His loved ones praised him for his passion for art and his 'enthusiastic talent' as they shared photos of him acting as well as some of his paintings.

'Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years,' the post read.

'In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art,' it continued. 'Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.'

His family described the multi-hyphenate artist as 'passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create.'

'Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

'Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support,' the message concluded.

The statement was edited  an earlier version published hours prior suggested that Brendon was going through treatment at the time of his death.





Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the title character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shared her own heartbreaking tribute to Brendon along with a picture of them from 1998

Emma Caulfield, who played Brendon's love interest in the series, also posted a tribute on her Instagram Story

L-R Emma Caulfield, Brendon, Hannigan, James Marsters, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg in 2001

Brendon was known for playing Xander Harris in Buffy; pictured with co-stars Hannigan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Charisma Carpenter

Brendon passed 'in his sleep of natural causes', his loved ones said in an statement on Friday; The actor pictured in 2017

Per The Hollywood Reporter, his family previously wrote: 'While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.'

In 2023 the actor revealed he suffered a heartattack and was subsequently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, per the outlet.

He also once opened up about addiction, explaining it played a role in his health battles, which included cauda equina syndrome.

Due to the condition  the compression of a collection of nerve roots located at the bottom of the spinal cord, per the Cleveland Clinic  he was required to undergo multiple corrective spinal surgeries over the years.

Late last year Brendon also underwent knee surgery, according to a November 2025 Facebook post.
Barry Keoghan has opened up about how online bullying has affected him.

The 33-year-old Peaky Blinders star appeared on SiriusXMs The Morning Mash Up on Friday, where he reflected on the 'nasty side' of social media.

'I think I removed myself from online, but Im still a curious human being that wants to go on and, if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you want to see how it was received. And its not nice,' he explained in an audio clip.

'Theres a lot of hate online. Its a lot of abuse of how I look,' Keoghan added.

The Irish actor said he's shied away from the public eye due to vitriolic comments from trolls.

'I say this being absolute pure and honest to you: Its becoming a problem,' he went on. 'So yeah, I dont have to hide away because I am hiding away. I dont have to go to places because I actually dont go to places because of these things. But when that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem because then you dont even want to be on screen anymore.'

Barry Keoghan, 33, has opened up about how online bullying has affected him and caused him to reconsider his movie star career; pictured on March 14

The father-of-one is also upset that his three-year-old son Brando will read harsh comments about him when hes older.

'It is disappointing for the fans, but its also disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older,' Keoghan stated.

In 2024 Keoghan deactivated his Instagram account in the wake of speculation about his split from Sabrina Carpenter.

Taking to X, he hit back at the 'lies, hatred' and 'disgusting commentary' and explained why he quit Instagram.

'I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don't respond to,' he wrote in a lengthy statement.

'I have to respond now because it's getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed,' Keoghan asserted.

'I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received  no person should ever have to read them.

'Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine,' he wrote.

Join the discussion Has social media gone too far in targeting celebrities, and what real harm does it cause?

The Peaky Blinders star appeared on SiriusXMs The Morning Mash Up, where he reflected on the 'nasty side' of social media; pictured March 15

'Theres a lot of hate online. Its a lot of abuse of how I look,' Keoghan said; Pictured March 17

'I say this being absolute pure and honest to you: Its becoming a problem,' he said; pictured March 10

In 2024 Keoghan deactivated his Instagram account in the wake of speculation, accusations, and criticism about his split from Sabrina Carpenter; pictured in May 2024

The Saltburn actor lamented that people on the internet had been 'dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for.'

The message continued: 'Talking about how I was a heroine baby and how I grew up and dragging my dear mother into it also. Knocking on my granny's door.'

A protective parent, Keoghan shared that he is focused on fatherhood, and added that he wants his son, from his prior relationship with Alyson Sandro Kierans, to be able to look up to him.

'Sitting outside my baby boy's house intimidating them. That's crossing a line. Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,' he declared.

'I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what,' he said.

He wrote in conclusion, 'I need you to remember he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all. Thank u x.'
Bella Hadid flaunted her tiny waist in a stylish look as she joined close pals for dinner in West Hollywood on Friday.

The 29-year-old supermodel - who recently put on a sizzling display at a Revolve event - was spotted arriving to the exclusive, members-only Bird Streets Club for a lowkey night out.

The star turned heads wearing a sleeveless, orange top that clung to her frame and was zipped up at the front.

Hadid additionally slipped into a pair of blue jeans as well as closed-toed, dark brown heels.

Her locks were swept up into a chic up do, allowing her bangs to gently fall onto her forehead.

The Beauty actress accessorized the look with a pair of gold earrings as well as a bracelet on her right wrist and flashy rings.

Bella Hadid, 29, flaunted her tiny waist in a stylish look as she joined close pals for dinner in West Hollywood on Friday

The supermodel was spotted arriving to the exclusive, members-only Bird Streets Club for a lowkey night out

The media personality easily carried a tan purse over her shoulder to hold items she needed for the excursion.

Hadid was seen stepping out of a large vehicle and held hands with one of her friends as they strolled towards the restaurant and social club.

A warm blush was added to her cheekbones while a nude-colored, glossy tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

Just days earlier, the star wowed as she made an appearance at the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscars party in Beverly Hills over the past weekend.

She made a statement in an ivory Prada top which was paired with a matching maxi skirt and scarf that draped around her neck.

Her hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, preventing any loose strands from falling onto her face.

Hadid further glammed up the ensemble with a pair of mini earrings and a few rings on each of her hands.

Last month in February, the model walked the runway for Prada during Milan Fashion Week.

'It will always mean high fashion to me,' Hadid said of the luxurious brand during an interview with Vogue earlier this month.

The media personality was also named Prada's first global beauty ambassador earlier this month.

The star turned heads wearing a sleeveless, orange top that clung to her frame and was zipped up at the front

The media personality easily carried a tan purse over her shoulder to hold items she needed for the excursion

She has been keeping busy and while attending a number of events around the globe, the model spends time in Texas after partially relocating to the state.

'But spending time in Texas has shown me so many different kinds of cowgirls. It's so fun,' the star also told Vogue.

'Some of them have their hair blown out under their cowboy hat with a full face of makeup on and diamonds, others like to have their hair in a messy ponytail and just spend all their time with their horses.'

Hadid then shared, 'I think that I'm right in the middle of both of those.'

She also recently took on the role of Ruby in Ryan Murphy's series The Beauty which premiered back in January.

The actress revealed the important 'lesson' that she learned while working on set of the show.

'The entire set taught me how to release control and the obsession with perfectionism.'

Hadid explained, 'My comfort zone is when I'm in control, but I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone, let loose, and let go.

'Being beautiful or perfect was the lowest thing on this list at the end of a day on set, and that was a really big learning lesson for me. I will have that for the rest of my life.'

Just days earlier, the star wowed as she made an appearance at the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscars party in Beverly Hills over the past weekend

Along with modeling, Hadid recently shared that she wants to continue her passion for acting in the future; seen earlier this month in L.A.

Along with modeling, Hadid has shared that she wants to continue her passion for acting in the future.

'I would love to keep continuing acting after this. This is a dream of mine,' she told The Hollywood Reporter in January.

'I've brought my art side and my creativity to modeling, but at the end of the day, I love being able to move, and I love film and acting in general.'

The star added, 'I love actors because they can be different characters for so many different people.'

That same month, Hadid reportedly split from cowboy boyfriend Adan Banuelos after two years together.
Joseph Duggar's convicted brother Josh has shared that he 'sympathizes' with his sibling just days after his arrest for alleged sexual abuse of a minor.

The 31-year-old TV personality  who is known for starring on the TLC series 19 Kids And Counting  was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals.

Josh is currently serving a 12-year sentence for possessing child pornography and previously admitted he was 'deeply saddened' over his younger brother's arrest this week.

His attorney, Beau Brindley, told People in an article published on Friday that the two Duggar siblings 'have not been particularly close for some time, but their familial bond remains strong.

'Josh sympathizes with the suffering that the public spectacle of criminal accusations creates.'

The former reality star, 38, understands 'the pain of false public accusation himself' and 'has seen how the media sensationalizes his family's private struggles,' Brindley told the outlet.

Joseph Duggar's convicted brother Josh has shared that he 'sympathizes' with his sibling just days after his arrest for alleged sexual abuse of a minor; Josh seen above in 2014 in NYC

'Josh sympathizes with the suffering that the public spectacle of criminal accusations creates,' his attorney said; Duggar's March 18 mugshot seen above

Josh 'cannot speak' on whether his younger brother is guilty or innocent over the allegations against him.

But 'he can say no one deserves to have their lowest moments broadcast for the world for the sake of clicks and online comments.'

His attorney also told the Daily Mail earlier this week that, 'Josh understands the stigma of being accused.

'He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.'

The attorney said that the brothers 'are not in frequent communication' but Josh 'hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time.'

Josh is a convicted sex offender who is serving a 12-year prison sentence which began in 2022. His earliest possible release is October 2032.

Other family members have since spoken out on Duggar's arrest.

His sister Jill uploaded a post to her family blog which she shares with husband Derick Dillard.

His attorney also told the Daily Mail earlier this week that, 'Josh understands the stigma of being accused'; Duggar seen above

Josh is currently serving a 12-year sentence for possessing child pornography and his earliest possible release is October 2032; Josh's 2021 mugshot seen above

'We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill's brother's [Joseph Duggar's] arrest,' the message read.

'We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph's arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.'

They added, 'We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.

'We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.'

Jill and Derick also sent love to his wife Kendra and her four children while praying 'that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.'

His cousin Amy Duggar also recently broke her silence to share she was 'utterly shocked' but 'not surprised' over his arrest in a statement to People on Friday.

Amy said she is 'sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry' over the allegations and added her 'thoughts are with the victim.'

She further expressed that she is 'not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.'

Amy said she is 'sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry' over the allegations and added her 'thoughts are with the victim'

Duggar's wife Kendra was also arrested on Friday as her husband faces additional charges after he was accused of sexual activity with a nine-year-old girl; Duggar and Kendra seen above

Amy told the outlet that she has 'worked hard to break cycles in both my extended family and my immediate family.'

Duggar's wife Kendra was also arrested on Friday as her husband faces additional charges after he was accused of sexual activity with a nine-year-old girl.

The 27-year-old was taken into custody in the state of Arkansas for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor as well as false imprisonment.

She was charged with four counts of child endangerment and four charges of false imprisonment. She was released late on Friday after making her $1,470 bond, and will appear in court on Monday.

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued on Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was not there.

However, according to the Washington County Detention Center, she has since been arrested.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Kendra and Joseph Duggar, but did not immediately hear back.

The pair married in 2017 and are parents to four children.

On Wednesday, 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.

She was charged with four counts of child endangerment and four charges of false imprisonment. She was released late on Friday after making her $1,470 bond, and will appear in court on Monday

Earlier this week on Wednesday, 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; seen far upper right

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 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 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ.

Duggar and Kendra's new charges in Arkansas are reportedly not related to his case in the state of Florida.

He is being held in Arkansas as he awaits extradition back to Florida.

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.

The 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ; seen with wife Kendra above

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 victim's 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 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.

Duggar's confession to the girl's father and a detective was included in an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which was obtained by People; seen with wife Kendra above

Duggar's confession to the girl's father and a detective was included in an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which was obtained by People.

BCSO Criminal Investigator Chase Norris had then 'requested the detective and victim's father call the defendant.'

During the phone call, Duggar 'admitted his actions' and confessed that he 'touched the victim over her clothing,' per the affidavit.

At the time, the TV personality had 'admitted his intentions were not pure.'
Paddy Doherty has pleaded with his fans for 'prayers' after he revealed his wife has been admitted to hospital in a clip shared to Instagram on Friday.

The Celebrity Big Brother star, 67, walked through the corridors of the hospital as he explained that his wife Roseanne had pneumonia.

As he made his way outside and thanked staff on the medical ward, the former boxer updated his viewers, revealing they were 'putting drips on her'.

He continued: 'But thank god, because she couldn't be in a better place than a hospital. She's getting attention, she's getting looked after'.

He then praised the hospital as 'the greatest place in the world' before he was captured saying hello to fans in the car park.

Paddy ended his clip with the words: 'Be lucky, be safe and god bless you all' and he captioned the post: 'Prayers for my wife'.

Celebrity Big Brother star Paddy Doherty, 67, has pleaded with his fans for 'prayers' after he revealed his wife has been admitted to hospital in a clip shared to Instagram on Friday

His followers were quick to show support as one wrote: 'I have it Paddy very hard to shake but god bless your beautiful wife'; 'Prayers for your Wife Paddy. Get well soon Roseanne'.

In March 2019 Paddy had a five-and-a-half-hour operation to treat his prostate cancer after suffering excruciating pains when he urinated and passing blood.

He had his first operation at Manchester Royal Infirmary and said at the time how he had considered taking his own life because of the pain from the cancer.

Doherty is a British former bare-knuckle boxer who rose to national fame when he featured on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, a Channel 4 documentary about travellers.

He then won the eighth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 after beating Kerry Katona in the final.

Other housemates that series included Jedward and Amy Childs.

Paddy also appeared with another housemate, Sally Bercow, on the Channel 5 documentary When Paddy Met Sally which saw them stay at each other's homes.

Back in 2022, he was rushed to hospital after having a heart attack - a year after suffering Covid complications.

He shared a video to his social media in hospital as he updated fans on his condition before vowing to give up drinking and embark on a healthier lifestyle after turning to booze to cope with his mother's dementia.

He said in the clip: 'My heart I think... I had a heart attack last night. My breathing keeps being difficult. It's like a horse sitting on your chest.'

The star also claimed that he had been stuck in a corridor at the hospital in Chester for two days as the unit didn't have the facilities to move him to a ward, before thanking NHS staff for looking after him.

He explained that he suspected the heart attack was caused by his drinking, saying: 'You know what it is? It's just all the stress with my brother Martin [McDonagh], and my mother with the dementia.

The TV star explained that his wife Roseanne had pneumonia (pictured in 2011)

'Maybe I couldn't handle it. And then I went on the beer, I went to drink. It's no good. I was trapped in my own world. I couldn't deal with me and I couldn't deal with my mother in a home. I used to drink just to get drunk. Really my nerves are f***ed up.'

Paddy's mum Elizabeth, known as Queenie, died in April 2018 less than a year after her husband of 60 years Simon passed away.

Paddy was later quick to reassure fans he was doing alright in a separate hospital video, saying: 'I wouldn't say I'm great, but I'm getting there' before saying he would be 'be back' and was trying to stay positive.

'I will be back stronger,' the visibly breathless star added.
Jordan Brook has revealed he has viral meningitis and encephalitis as he said the swelling on his brain is 'getting worse' in a health update from his hospital bed.

The TOWIE star, 31, revealed last Sunday that he was admitted to hospital over the weekend and has 'swelling of the brain'.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Jordan revealed he had been diagnosed with a viral form of meningitis, inflammation of the brain/spinal cord lining. This is a different type of meningitis to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis B in Kent.

However he has also been diagnosed with encephalitis, a rare, serious, and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain.

Jordan shared a video from his hospital bed where he explained the swelling on his brain is 'getting worse' and said: 'We're not out of the woods yet, but we're getting there.'

In the clip, he said: 'This is the first time I've really been able to speak strong enough about what's going on. There's been a lot of speculation as to why I'm here and what's going on, and there's a few comments and people saying things, but this is my diagnosis that I got yesterday.

Jordan Brook has revealed he has viral meningitis and encephalitis as he said the swelling on his brain is 'getting worse' in a health update from his hospital bed

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Jordan revealed he had been diagnosed with a viral form on meningitis, inflammation of the brain/spinal cord lining

WHAT IS ENCEPHALITIS? Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed (swollen). It can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital. Anyone can be affected, but the very young and very old are most at risk. Encephalitis sometimes starts off with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and headache, but these don't always occur. More serious symptoms develop over hours, days or weeks, including: confusion or disorientation, seizures (fits), changes in personality and behaviour or loss of consciousness. Dial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else has these more serious symptoms. It's not always clear what causes encephalitis, but it can be caused by viral infections. Several common viruses can spread to the brain and cause encephalitis in rare cases, including the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores and genital herpes) and the chickenpox virus. Source: NHS

'I've been diagnosed with not one, but two going in viruses that are attacking similar part of my body. I've got viral meningitis and encephalitis together. That's the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it. So this isn't something small or minor.

'I've had CT scans, MRI scans, lumbar punctures. We've got round the clock care since I've been in this hospital. I'm on IV drips, everything, antiviral, pain management, physio, seizure monitoring as I have minor seizure risk at the minute.

'But unfortunately, the swelling on my brain is getting worse with it's really, really tough, even the simple day to day activities and normal things aren't easy right now.'

He warned fans and friends not to listen to people commenting conspiracies regarding his condition, as he said: 'Be conscious of some things that people are writing and commenting.

'This isn't like a joke, or people are writing that I'm a lot worse than I am, and there's big C words being dropped and things like that. It isn't that, but the swelling on my brain is really bad, pumped to my meds, my steroids, to try and get the swelling down.

'I don't know how much longer I'm going to be.'

He turned his attention to his pregnant girlfriend Sophie Kasaei, as he continued: 'My focus right now is simple. I need to get healthy.

'My Soph has been amazing, and she's growing my precious baby boy. I just want to be a young, healthy dad, home for my family, with my baby, that's the goal.

'This won't beat me. I will get out of this.'

He added: 'Thank you as I said to anyone who is thinking of me and please be kind to Soph and support Soph and anybody else in the same boat.'

Clarifying his diagnosis, Jordan captioned the video: 'My diagnosis - First time I've been strong enough to speak on this. Not one, but two viruses  viral meningitis and encephalitis.

However he has also been diagnosed with encephalitis, a rare, serious, and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain

Jordan turned his attention to his pregnant girlfriend Sophie Kasaei, as he continued: 'My focus right now is simple. I need to get healthy' (Pictured together)

Sophie revealed on Friday that she could now visit Jordan in hospital after it was revealed he isn't 'contagious'

'This isn't minor. Scans, treatment, and still a long road ahead. Be careful what you read  not everything being said is true.

'Right now my focus is simple: Get healthy and get home to my family. Grateful for the doctors, my family, and everyone supporting me.

'Life can throw curveballs when you least expect it. I will not beat - JB .'

Earlier this week, Jordan took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of himself lying in bed.

Alongside it, he wrote: 'Another day in paradise. Praying for a better one or some sort of miracle.'

He didn't go into any further detail about his condition at the time.

Sophie revealed on Friday that she could now visit Jordan in hospital after it was revealed he isn't 'contagious'.

She wrote: 'As hard as this is I am finally allowed to see my Jords as there's nothing contagious. His strength is just amazing and we will get through this as a family. Thank you for all your well wishes we are all praying for a more positive day.'
Joseph Duggar's wife Kendra was released from jail Friday, following her arrest on accusations of false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Her husband, a 31-year-old father of four, was himself arrested Wednesday in Tontitown, Arkansas in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her genitals and underwear.

Kendra, 27, was then taken into custody Friday in Tontitown and charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, as well as four charges of second-degree false imprisonment. Joseph is now also facing the same charges.

However it has emerged that she was let out of Washington County Detention Center at 6:19pm Friday, having posted $1,470 bond.

Her release came about an hour and a half after her booking, which took place at 4:56pm, according to the Washington County sheriff's office.

Kendra was glimpsed in the passenger seat of a black SUV being driven away from the facility, where another woman apparently picked her up.

Joseph Duggar's wife Kendra was released from jail Friday, following her arrest on accusations of false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor; the couple are pictured

She was taken into custody in the state of Arkansas for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor as well as false imprisonment, per TMZ; her March 20 mugshot seen above

Kendra was glimpsed in the passenger seat of a black SUV being driven away from the facility, where another woman apparently picked her up

That woman was seen carrying a non-disposable water bottle, papers and what may have been Kendra's belongings in a plastic bag to the vehicle.

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was absent. According to the Washington County Detention Center, she was later arrested.

Kendra and Duggar married in 2017 and the pair are parents to four children.

Earlier this week on Wednesday, 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.

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 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 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ.

That other woman was seen carrying a non-disposable water bottle, papers and what may have been Kendra's belongings in a plastic bag to the vehicle

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued on Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was not there

It comes two days after her husband was arrested in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals; his March 18 mugshot seen above

The 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ; Duggar seen above top far right

Duggar and Kendra's new charges in Arkansas are reportedly not related to his case in the state of Florida.

He is being held in Arkansas as he awaits extradition back to Florida.

Family members have since broken silence on his arrest, such as brother Josh - who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography.

His attorney told the Daily Mail: 'Josh understands the stigma of being accused.

'He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.'

The attorney said that the brothers 'are not in frequent communication' but Josh 'hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time.'

His sister Jill has also spoken out by uploading a post to her family blog which she shares with husband Derick Dillard.

'We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill's brother's [Joseph Duggar's] arrest,' the message read.

'We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph's arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.'

They added, 'We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.

Family members have since broken silence on his arrest , such as brother Josh - who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography; Josh's 2021 mugshot seen above

Jill and Derick also sent love to Kendra and her four children in the post shared on Thursday, just one day before her arrest

'We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.'

Jill and Derick also sent love to Kendra and her four children while praying 'that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.'

The post was uploaded on Thursday, just one day before Kendra's arrest for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment.

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.

Joseph Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,' BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued

'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's 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 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.

Duggar's confession to the girl's father and a detective was included in an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which was obtained by People.

BCSO Criminal Investigator Chase Norris had then 'requested the detective and victim's father call the defendant.'

During the phone call, Duggar 'admitted his actions' and confessed that he 'touched the victim over her clothing,' per the affidavit.

At the time, the TV personality had 'admitted his intentions were not pure.'

His cousin Amy Duggar also recently broke her silence to share she was 'utterly shocked' but 'not surprised' over his arrest.

She said in a statement to People on Friday: 'In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry.'

Amy added, 'My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust.

'The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.'

She said in a statement to People on Friday: 'In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry'

And while she was 'utterly shocked' over the allegations, Amy expressed that she is 'not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.'

Amy told the outlet that she has 'worked hard to break cycles in both my extended family and my immediate family.'

She sent prayers to the alleged victim while adding, 'Recognizing that we do not yet know the full picture, I am also praying for Joseph's wife, Kendra, as she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children.

'I'm praying for eyes to be opened and above all, I pray that justice will be served to the fullest.'

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.
Deborah Sheridan-Taylor looked unrecognisable after unveiling a brand-new career - 27 years after her dramatic on-screen death.

The EastEnders star is well-known for starring as Saskia Duncan on the BBC soap from December 1998 to February 1999.

Her short-lived but memorable time on the series concluded when her character brutally killed by Steve Owen (played by Martin Kemp).

It determined a crucial plot twist involving the wrongful framing of Matthew Rose (Joe Absolom), with her storyline still considered one of the most epic deaths on the soap.

Yet almost 30 years on from that iconic exit, it seems the London-born actress, 57, has reinvented herself.

Deborah now works as a personal stylist and image consultant, as well as interior designer and even owns her own company.

Deborah Sheridan-Taylor looked unrecognisable after unveiling a brand-new career - 27 years after her dramatic on-screen death

The EastEnders star is well-known for starring as Saskia Duncan on the BBC soap from December 1998 to February 1999, where she appeared for 14 episodes (seen)

Swapping soap tragedies for new beginnings, Deborah now works as a personal stylist and image consultant, as well as interior designer and even owns her own company

Her namesake company, named after her, is called DST Designs, and goes by @dstdesigns on Instagram - where her bio reads: 'STYLIST IMAGE CONSULTANT EVENTS.'

Previously, the soap star has also took off with her interior design passion and appeared on Channel 4's property show Grand Designs back in 2014, where she showed how she transformed her London pad.

One of her most recent social media posts highlighted how her brand is all about 'Refresh. Reconfigure. Reimagine.'

'What if I told you that your wardrobe is already full of possibilities?,' she wrote.

'In this Outfit Building session, I took my clients existing pieces and completely transformed how she sees and wears them -

'This client has been working with me for about four years now, everything she is wearing has been bought through me, either firsthand or we also shop Preloved for wardrobe enrichment.

'Switching up colour combinations, original thinking, accessories and silhouettes.

'The result? She described it as a whole new wardrobe! without buying a single new item.;

Deborah concluded: 'This is the power of strategic styling. If your wardrobe feels uninspired, lets redefine it together.'
Saks Fifth Avenue has been a temple of luxury on Manhattans Fifth Avenue for more than a century - dressing generations of affluent shoppers in Chanel bags, Prada gowns, and six-figure jewels from Tiffany & Co.

But the 102-year-old retail icon is now fighting for survival after a stunning collapse that experts say was triggered by a single decision many insiders warned was reckless.

Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after missing a crucial interest payment, the culmination of a risky $2.7 billion bet to buy rival luxury department store Neiman Marcus.

The company sits at the center of a luxury retail empire controlling Saks Fifth Avenue and its Saks Off 5TH outlet chain, as well as Neiman Marcus and the ultra-exclusive Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Retail insiders say the warning signs were obvious from the start.

'I don't know anyone with deep financial expertise in luxury retail who thought this deal structure made sense,' Steve Dennis, a retail strategy consultant and former senior executive at Neiman Marcus, told the Daily Mail.

'Not the merger itself - that part was logical - but the structure. That's what puzzled everyone.'

The deal saddled Saks Global with billions in debt just as luxury spending slowed and department stores were already struggling to compete with brands selling directly to shoppers through their own boutiques and websites.

Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after missing a crucial interest payment

The 102-year-old retail icon is fighting for survival after a stunning collapse that experts say was triggered by a single decision many insiders warned was reckless (pictured: models pose in holiday dresses from Saks Fifth Avenue)

As cash pressures mounted, the problems quickly snowballed. Luxury brands began reducing shipments. Shelves grew thinner. Sales slid.

Without fresh inventory, Saks - once famous for its lavish displays of designer fashion - struggled to keep stores stocked with the labels shoppers expected.

Too much debt

Daniel Gielchinsky, founder of DGIM Law, said the seeds of collapse were planted the moment the Neiman Marcus deal was completed in December 2024.

'Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 mainly because of too much debt from buying Neiman Marcus, combined with weaker sales and cash-flow problems,' he said.

Saks bought Neiman Marcus for roughly $2.7 billion, largely financed through borrowed money. The deal left Saks Global carrying between $3 billion and $4.7 billion in debt, along with interest payments it struggled to sustain.

Integration costs, restructuring expenses and leadership upheaval added further strain.

By early 2026, long-time CEO Marc Metrick had departed and former Neiman Marcus Group leader Geoffroy van Raemdonck took over on January 13, following a brief interim period under executive chairman Richard Baker.

Saks bought Neiman Marcus for roughly $2.7 billion, largely financed through borrowed money

Saks Fifth Avenue has been a temple of luxury on Manhattans Fifth Avenue for more than a century

The leadership reshuffle unfolded amid growing rumors that bankruptcy was looming.

By late 2025, Saks missed a $100 million-plus interest payment - a key trigger in the collapse. Cash shortages made it difficult to pay vendors and maintain inventory.

At the same time, revenue fell roughly 10 to 13 percent, Gielchinsky said, reflecting both weaker luxury spending and the companys growing operational struggles.

But he stressed that the core issue was the companys heavy debt burden, explaining that Saks borrowed too much money. When sales slowed, it no longer had enough cash coming in to keep up with its payments, making the debt difficult to manage.

Retail strategist Carol Spieckerman echoed that view.

'The $2.7 billion Neiman Marcus acquisition was supposed to create an upscale fashion powerhouse - "safety in numbers" portfolio building,' she said.

'Instead, it was an over-aggressive, over-leveraged boondoggle that saddled the company with crushing debt just as luxury spending was cooling.'

She added: 'Buying your struggling competitor doesn't make you stronger - it makes you twice as vulnerable when the market turns.'

As cash pressures mounted, the problems quickly snowballed. Luxury brands began reducing shipments. Shelves grew thinner. Sales slid

Retail strategist Carol Spieckerman

In short, experts say luxury shoppers did not disappear - Saks financial cushion did.

Have we lost luxury?

'There's definitely still demand for luxury,' Dennis said.

He noted that just a year earlier, the combined companies were generating roughly $8 billion in sales. 'The sharp drop was largely due to product shortages,' he explained.

The bigger structural challenge, he said, is brand disintermediation - the process of removing wholesalers, retailers, or brokers from the supply chain, allowing producers to sell directly to consumer.

Luxury vendors have expanded their own e-commerce platforms and opened standalone boutiques - often in the same malls as department store anchors.

'For example, at NorthPark Center in Dallas - once one of Neiman Marcus's top locations - there were maybe three vendor standalone stores years ago. Now there are 25 or 30. That's happening everywhere,' Dennis said.

Amazon has also long sought a foothold in fashion and luxury, though many top brands resist selling through the platform. Saks opened a storefront on Amazon with limited traction.

Saks Global ended up carrying between $3 billion and $4.7 billion in debt, along with interest payments it struggled to sustain

'At Amazon's scale, this is financially manageable,' Dennis said. 'But it's still surprising that sophisticated companies would commit hundreds of millions to a deal that many industry observers immediately questioned.'

Chapter 11 - not liquidation

Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing it to continue operating while restructuring debt.

Alex Hennick of AD Hennick & Associates explained: 'Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which is essentially a company reorganization rather than a liquidation.'

'Chapter 11 will allow the company to continue operating, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, while it restructures its debts under court supervision. This allows Saks to renegotiate debts with landlords, suppliers, lenders, etc.'

He added: 'The ultimate goal isn't to shut down, but to restructure, stabilize and emerge stronger.'

Stores remain open while lenders and creditors negotiate behind the scenes.

Neil Saunders of GlobalData said 'bankruptcy was always a likely destination' for Saks, arguing management was 'too short-sighted' to act sooner.

Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing it to continue operating while restructuring debt

Neil Saunders of GlobalData

'They hoped they'd have enough time to turn the business around or extract value before bankruptcy - but extremely poor sales made things unravel faster than anyone anticipated.'

A bet that backfired (this section could be cut?)

Hennick said the speed of Saks' unraveling reflected the scale of the acquisition.

'Saks Global unraveled quickly after acquiring Neiman Marcus, a deal valued at roughly $2.7 billion and heavily financed with debt of about $2.2 billion.'

'The acquisition was highly leveraged, meaning interest payments were substantial just as sales growth softened, promotions increased, and margins tightened across department stores,' he said.

'Ultimately, these factors pushed Saks Global into Chapter 11, allowing it to restructure its balance sheet and stabilize the business.'

Jeanel Alvarado, Founder & CEO of RetailBoss, put it bluntly.

'The rapid collapse of Saks Global after Neiman Marcus acquisition suggests that economies of scale may not apply in luxury retail the same way they do in other sectors, where bigger typically means more stable.'

Chapter 11 will allow Saks to restructure its balance sheet and stabilize the business

'Saks used $2.2 billion in bonds to acquire Neiman Marcus. When you layer massive debt onto already struggling operations, you eliminate any margin for error. After funding the acquisition, Saks didn't have enough money to pay vendors. When vendors stopped shipping inventory, it led to a ripple effect on cash flow.'

By the second quarter of 2025, the combined company had amassed roughly $4.7 billion in debt. When more than $100 million in interest payments came due at the end of December 2025, Saks missed them - triggering the filing.

'Even a $244 million 'catch-up payment' to vendors couldn't restore confidence,' Alvarado said.

Much of the debt was backed by inventory. As merchandise levels dropped, collateral shrank.

'With less liquidity, they couldn't pay vendors according to agreed terms,' she explained.

Billions owed

Court filings show Saks listed approximately $3.4 billion in funded debt at filing.

Among its largest unsecured creditors are Chanel ($136 million owed), Kering ($60 million), LVMH, Brunello Cucinelli, Burberry and others.

Court filings show Saks listed approximately $3.4 billion in funded debt at filing

Spieckerman said Saks shifted to 90-day payment terms before halting payments to some suppliers.

'It's asking a lot to expect smaller brands to hang in there without being paid, especially when they're already squeezed by tariffs,' she said.

Alvarado warned of severe fallout.

'The creditor documents reveal roughly $720 million dollars owed to the 30 largest unsecured creditors.'

Joining the aforementioned companies are Richemont, Zegna, Burberry, Capri Holdings, Mayhoola's Valentino, Christian Louboutin, as well as major beauty and advertising partners like Estee Lauder, Beiersdorf, Puig, Meta, and Google.

Smaller vendors not listed among the top 30 may be especially vulnerable.

'A $2 million unpaid invoice won't sink Chanel, but it could destroy a smaller manufacturer,' Alvarado said.

Dennis agreed. 'Large brands like Chanel can absorb financial hits and rely on their own stores. Smaller brands often can't.'

Vendors include brand such as Richemont, Zegna, Burberry, Capri Holdings, Mayhoola's Valentino, Christian Louboutin (pictured: The Radio City Rockettes perform during the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show)

'For many niche brands, wholesale partnerships with Saks and Neiman Marcus are vital. Some may not survive if they take significant write-offs in bankruptcy,' he continued.

'That's problematic because multi-brand department stores need differentiation beyond just mega-brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. If too many niche brands disappear, Saks loses both volume and uniqueness.'

Real estate and survival

One potential lifeline is real estate. Saks operates prime properties, including Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and Beverly Hills.

Alvarado said the company will likely get rid of its shops.

'Retail real estate often holds more value than the operating business. Saks operates in prime locations across major shopping markets. Those properties can be sold, leased back, or leveraged for additional financing. The bankruptcy process will likely include real estate monetization as part of the restructuring plan.'

What bankruptcy means for suppliers

Hennick said: 'For unpaid vendors, bankruptcy means accepting reduced payment over extended timelines.'

One potential lifeline is real estate. Saks operates prime properties, including Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and Beverly Hills (pictured: The Radio City Rockettes perform during the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show)

Chapter 11 pauses debt collection, and most vendors rank behind secured lenders.

'The risk of additional unpaid invoices must be weighed against the value of maintaining the relationship,' he explained.

Will Saks survive?

Most experts expect Saks to emerge smaller.

'Saks Global can emerge from bankruptcy as a smaller, more focused luxury retailer,' Alvarado said.

According to Alvarado, luxury demand is growing into 2026. The brand still has value, and prime locations help. Success depends on winning back luxury shoppers.

Dennis said Saks will likely need to close roughly 10 more full-line stores. Then, 'the key question is whether they'll generate enough cash flow to invest in stores and technology long term.'

'Many of their stores need major renovations... Meanwhile, competitors like Louis Vuitton and Prada have stunning new standalone stores. To compete effectively, Saks will need significant capital investment. The open question is whether they'll have enough cash flow to fund that.'

Most experts expect Saks to emerge smaller. Experts say luxury demand is growing into 2026. The brand still has value, and prime locations help

They must also attract younger shoppers - 'something neither brand has done particularly well in recent years.'

The restructuring is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Saunders said, 'the real lesson here is that retail businesses need to be run as retailers rather than as financial playthings.'

'Saks Global did not fail because department stores are broken. It failed because it broke its own business model.'

For now, stores remain open and operations continue as restructuring unfolds.

As Spieckerman put it: 'Saks' bankruptcy is the canary in the coal mine for luxury department stores.'

Saks may be the first major domino to fall - but the pressures facing traditional luxury department stores are industry-wide. In high fashion, even iconic names are not immune to financial gravity.
A Southwest Airlines employee has sparked fresh fury after offering a baffling explanation for why passengers are no longer allowed to swap seats freely under the carriers controversial new assigned seating system.

In a Reddit post that quickly blew up on the Southwest forum, a user claimed an employee told them the airlines ban on moving seats is tied to safety and aircraft balance.

It prompted hundreds of incredulous responses from travelers who accused the company of hiding a money grab behind technical jargon.

The original post claimed that before the aircrafts arrival, crew members would run the calculations 'through our software and it would tell us where the center of gravity fell.

'Someone going from a middle seat to the window seat in the same aisle cant unbalance the center of gravity,' one Reddit user posted.

'This is a gaslighting explanation cloaked in a little bit of aviation terminology,' another wrote.

In recent weeks, passengers have described increasingly strict - and sometimes baffling - enforcement of the new rules, even on near-empty flights.

One traveler said a flight attendant ordered passengers back to their assigned seats before takeoff - despite rows of empty seats - warning the plane would not depart otherwise.

Southwest original changed their seating policy in January, with assigned seats remaining in effect as of March 2026

Others say the policy is being used to push upgrades.

One parent claimed their daughter was placed on standby despite checking in exactly 24 hours before departure - only to find dozens of seats still available if they paid extra. 'It felt like extortion,' they wrote.

Southwest rolled out assigned seating earlier this year, marking a dramatic shift from its long-standing open seating model where passengers boarded in groups and chose any open seat.

The change, first announced last summer, brings Southwest in line with rivals like Delta, American and United.

Passengers paying more for extra-legroom or preferred seats board first, while basic fare travelers are assigned later boarding groups - spread across eight tiers.

The overhaul replaces Southwest's previous system, in which passengers were assigned a boarding group - A, B or C - and a number based on check-in time.

Travelers then lined up at numbered gate poles and selected any open seat upon boarding. Group A (160) typically secured aisle or window seats, making the 24-hour check-in mark - or paying for early boarding - crucial for a better spot.

Southwest claimed the changes reflect 'customer demand' and are part of an 'elevated travel experience' that includes premium seating options.

Southwest is one of the biggest airlines in the US, along with United, Delta and American Airlines

In early March, Southwest customers received an email confirming the airline is still 'refining how boarding groups are assigned' due to a lack of overhead bin space.

'Well keep listening to feedback and keep you updated as we roll out additional enhancements,' the email continues.

In May 2025, Southwest sparked more backlash when it began charging customers for checked bags, ending their signature 'bags fly free' policy.

Customers now paying $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second one. A third checked bag comes in at a whopping $150.

A report out in 2023 showed how airlines including Delta, United and American pocketed a staggering $33.3 billion from just baggage fees last year - a sharp 15 percent rise from $29 billion in 2022.

In February last year, bosses said they were cutting 15 percent of its corporate staff, the first layoffs since it was founded in Texas in 1971.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Southwest for a comment.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is considering "winding down" the U.S. military strikes against Iran, claiming the United States is "getting very close to" meeting its objectives. #XinhuaNews
Americas economy is holding up well despite surging oil prices - for now - but alarm bells are ringing on Wall Street.

Iran has closed off a key oil export route, disrupting global crude supplies and making everything from gasoline to airline tickets much, much more expensive.

A survey published this week found that many experts see the wars impact on the economy as limited as long as oil prices dont stay too high for too long.

The Wall Street Journal polled economists to see how high oil prices would have to rise - and how long they'd have to stay elevated - to push the US economy towards recession.

They said that oil would have to stay around $138 a barrel for about three months to push the US economy towards a recession.

So far, the Iran war has lasted almost three weeks and US oil prices have been hovering around $95 - compared to an average price of $65 in February.

I think that if oil were to hold above $100 for the next three months, wed likely see very challenging economic conditions in the US, Tim Rezvan, managing director oil & gas equity research at KeyBanc Capital Markets, told the Daily Mail.

Rezvan emphasized that even if the war were to end in a week, the lasting economic damage from higher oil prices could pose long-term challenges for the US economy

Gasoline prices at a Chevron gas station in Bellevue, Wash., on Friday, March 13

Higher oil prices raise the cost of countless goods across the entire economy

The Wall Street Journal asked 50 economists for their estimates on recession and oil prices on March 16-18.

Their answers ranged from four weeks to 55 weeks - or an average estimate of 14 weeks - that oil prices would have to stay elevated to bump the US towards recession.

When asked how high oil prices would need to go to lift the probability of a US recession, responses ranged from $90 a barrel to $200 - with an average estimate of $138.

According to oil market expert Dan Doyle, founder of Reliance Well Services and Arena Resources, domestic US oil production will not save us.

The longer the war goes on, the greater the recessionary risk, Doyle told the Daily Mail

Economist Robert Fry said oil would need to be at $125 for eight weeks for the economy to be headed for recession.

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 Wall Street Journal. If it isnt, oil prices will go much higher, and I will put a recession in my forecast.

The economists see the probability of a US recession in the next 12 months at 32 percent - thats up modestly from the 27 percent probability in the January survey.

Join the discussion How should the US handle soaring oil prices if conflict in the Middle East threatens our economy?

The Dubai skyline as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport on March 16

Iranians set fire to flags of the United States at Enghelab Square on March 17, in Tehran

As the Iran war enters its third week, the Strait of Hormuz is basically closed, with maritime traffic down roughly 95 percent from prewar levels.

Even if the US navy escorted crude oil tankers through the strait, only a limited resumption of traffic would be possible.

Earlier this week, Israel bombed Irans South Pars gas field and Iran responded by inflicting severe damage on a key natural gas export facility in Qatar.

But experts suggest that these escalating attacks might just have jolted all parties to the conflict into stepping back for a moment and considering the destructive potential of the war.
After McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski posted a video barely biting into the new Big Arch burger, it quickly went viral - sparking a wave of copycat moments from other fast food executives.

But the burger's price varies by state, and depending on where you are, it might not seem so funny.

Take Juneau, Alaska: For a whopping $11.49, customers will receive the half-pound, double-patty burger smothered in white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, sesame and poppy seed bun and the coveted Big Arch sauce.

An analysis from NeoMan Studios, reported by Time Out, shows the viral burger's cost differs widely by location - meaning customers in some areas can end up paying more than 50 percent more than others.

From the cheapest to the most expensive locales, customers could pay up to a 74 percent difference, a gap totaling $5.53.

The wide price gaps are largely driven by regional cost differences - such as transportation, labor, and local pricing strategies - with Alaska ranking as the most expensive, averaging $10.32 per burger.

In second place is Washington, sitting at a lofty $10.19, while Maine follows close behind at $10.03 and Hawaii sits at $10.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The Big Arch burger at McDonald's is priced differently across states, with customers paying up to a 74 percent difference - a gap of as much as $5.53

After McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski posted a video barely biting into the new Big Arch burger, it quickly went viral - sparking a wave of copycat moments from other fast food executives

Rounding out the top five is Arizona, which is a few cents lower at $9.96.

Across state lines, cities such as Milwaukee, Lexington and Fort Worth can get their Big Arch for a steal, going for less than $7.70.

The cheapest state average can be found in Oklahoma, where the burger costs customers around $8.05.

Other states near the bottom of the list include Idaho, West Virginia, Indiana, Texas and Arkansas.

'We'd seen a lot of speculation about the price of the burger online, with fast food fans using the burger price in Canada, France, and the UK (where the burger was tested previously) as a reference point,' NeoMam research and outreach specialist Taylor Tomita told Food & Wine.

The Big Arch is McDonald's biggest burger ever, clocking in at 1020 calories and 53g of protein in the US. A Big Arch Meal, with a medium Coke and medium fries, is 1610 calories.

The burger was tested in Canada, the UK, Portugal, Germany and France - where bosses say it proved a hit - before finally launching in the US more than two years later in 2026.

Then came the viral video - which propelled the burger to a level of virality McDonald's hadn't seen since it launched the repulsive-looking purple 'Grimace Shake' - at Kempczinski's expense.

The highest price at a single location can be found in Lewiston, Maine, where one Big Arch burger will set you back $12.99

Not all customers were thrilled with the burger's quality, with one Reddit user saying it was 'greasy'

Kempczinski shared the video last month while introducing the oversized sandwich, prompting viewers to tease the CEO for taking a tiny bite of the burger before appearing to grimace, with one claiming that the performance showed he 'definitely doesn't eat at McDonald's'.

Since then, a wave of CEOs from other fast food companies, such as Burger King, joined in on the mockery.

The burger's rollout hasn't been entirely received well by customers, with some branding it as greasy, overpriced and underwhelming.

One Reddit user who spent $14 on the burger at a San Diego location delivered a blunt assessment: 'Greasy.'

Another wrote: 'There's just nothing special about it, which is depressing because they clearly tried to make it special and failed.'
NEW YORK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued a general license temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea for 30 days to address the supply shortage amid shipping interruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The general license, issued by the department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, authorized the delivery and sales of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on vessels as of Friday.

Transactions for safe docking and anchoring of relevant vessels, preservation of health or safety of crew members, emergency repairs or environmental protection as well as various services were also allowed.

Notably, transactions authorized by this general license include the importation into the United States of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian origin.

"This temporary, short-term authorization is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in an X post on Friday.

Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system, said Bessent.

Washington has already eased sanctions on Russian and Venezuelan oil in addition to the coordinated release of emergency oil reserves under the umbrella of the International Energy Agency.

The ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has lasted three weeks, severely disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as oil shipments through the strait have fallen to less than 10 percent of pre-conflict levels. 
Nazrin Abdul



Iran has indicated that Japanese vessels will be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a shift towards what appears to be a selective blockade of the strategic waterway, AzerNEWS reports via Aljazeera.

We have not closed the strait. In our opinion, the strait is open. It is closed only to ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Kyodo News late on Friday.

Araghchi added that Tehran is in discussions with relevant parties to ensure safe transit. We are talking to them to find a way to pass safely. We are ready to provide them with safe passage. All they need to do is contact us to discuss how this route will be, he said, according to an English transcript shared on his Telegram account.

Japan, which sources more than 90 per cent of its crude oil imports from the Middle East, remains heavily dependent on shipments passing through the strait. However, the waterway has effectively been closed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February.

The latest remarks suggest that Tehran may be attempting to differentiate between countries it considers hostile and those with which it is willing to maintain energy and trade flows, a move that could further fragment global oil markets and complicate maritime logistics in one of the worlds most critical energy corridors.
BAGHDAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi National Intelligence Service said on Saturday that its headquarters in Baghdad was targeted by a "terrorist attack," resulting in the death of an officer. 
Raphael Nomo Etoga cuts traditional Obom fabric to make a hat at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga presents the traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga presents the traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga presents clothing designed and made by himself with traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga presents a pair of shoes designed and made by himself with traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga makes a hat with traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga decorates clothing made from traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga presents clothing designed and made by himself with traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Raphael Nomo Etoga presents the traditional Obom fabric at his workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 18, 2026. Obom is a traditional fabric made from specific tree species by the Ekang people in Cameroon. The craft of making it is a significant part of the country's cultural heritage. Today, young Cameroonian designers are incorporating Obom into modern fashion designs. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)
By Xinhua Writers Ren Jun, You Zhixin

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- With China adopting its new development blueprint for the next five years, multinational companies and global investors are seeing tangible opportunities across key sectors in the world's second-largest economy and expressing willingness to expand their presence in the Chinese market.

Through systematic planning and phased adjustments, the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development turns long-term strategic goals into practical actions, ensuring continuity while allowing for flexibility, said Jiang Ying, chair of Deloitte China.

The blueprint carries significant implications for global finance and investment.

The innovation momentum shown by Chinese companies in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-end manufacturing, semiconductors and new energy is reshaping global investors' perception of Chinese assets, said Janice Hu, China country head of UBS AG and chairperson of UBS Securities.

Chinese assets are gradually shifting from being a mere "portfolio option" to a "strategic imperative," Hu said, adding that this creates a historic opportunity for foreign financial institutions with global asset allocation capabilities to take part in China's high-quality development.

As cross-border investment and financing become easier, foreign financial institutions will have more room to leverage their cross-border strengths, drive product innovation, and strengthen business coordination.

Executives at foreign firms in China say that the country's clear planning, well-defined goals and a strong drive for innovation make it an attractive investment destination and a gateway to higher levels of the industrial value chain.

Zhao Mingqi, CEO of Global Logistics Properties (GLP) China, said the company has developed a model for converting upgraded logistics parks into computing power centers and is steadily increasing investment in and operation of AI computing power centers in China to better serve industries such as finance and the internet.

For Budweiser, the Chinese government's push to boost consumption, a key pillar of domestic demand, has strengthened its confidence in China's consumer goods sector.

The blueprint provides structural certainty about the future direction of China's economy. That long-term certainty allows the company to invest confidently in offline experiential platforms that align with China's priorities in service consumption, culture-tourism integration and urban vitality, said Konnie Zhu, vice president of corporate affairs at Budweiser China.

By acting as a catalyst for real-world social engagement, the company aims to help turn policy priorities on quality of life into vibrant consumption scenarios and stronger community connections, contributing to a more dynamic and sustainable domestic market, Zhu said.

For many, the outline reinforces the message that China remains a stable anchor for the global economy.

Bill Winters, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, captured the sentiment, describing China's economy as "stable, predictable, dynamic and forward-looking." In a world full of uncertainty, he noted, "stability is a very good thing." 
TOKYO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran is seeking "not a ceasefire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war," according to Kyodo News.

In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi described the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as "an illegal, unprovoked act of aggression," calling on the international community to take a stand against the attacks.

The foreign minister noted that while several countries are attempting to mediate an end to the conflict, Iran has rejected calls for a temporary truce, insisting that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks as well as compensation for the damage inflicted during the conflict.

Araghchi added that while diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the United States has yet to demonstrate its readiness for a genuine resolution.

The report also noted that Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments, and that negotiations with Japan on the issue are ongoing. 
BAMAKO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces said on Saturday that its air force had carried out a successful strike against an armed terrorist group northwest of the city of Kidal.

According to a statement issued by the army, the operation was conducted on Friday as part of efforts to secure a logistical convoy.

The statement said reconnaissance had detected the armed group riding motorcycles and attempting to conceal itself in preparation for an ambush on the convoy.

A precision strike was then launched to neutralize the group, it said, adding that about 10 terrorists were killed and their equipment was completely destroyed.

The Malian army said that it remains vigilant and will continue its counterterrorism operations across the national territory. 
An Assembly Committee described the publication of a report relating to Historical Clerical Child Abuse (HCCA) as "long overdue" and has urged The Executive Office (TEO) to release it without delay.

The Committee for the Executive Office has appealed to the First and deputy First Minister to issue the findings, following evidence received from Amnesty International UK.

The organisation told the Committee the report represents, "the most comprehensive piece of work done yet" on clerical child abuse in Northern Ireland.

The Chair of the Executive Office Committee, Paula Bradshaw MLA said: An Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) was set up 10 years ago by the Northern Ireland Executive to investigate areas which fell outside the terms of reference of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry  one of which was Historical Clerical Child Abuse.

We heard firsthand from representatives of the Interfaith Clerical Abuse Survivors and The Dromore Group who spoke to members at our meeting on Wednesday, March 11.

The Committee is very concerned that we have yet to see the report - and alongside the IDWG, victim and survivor groups and Amnesty International UK, were calling on TEO to publish the research and recommendations in full," said Ms Bradshaw.

The IDWG conducted research in 2016 to examine the extent and systemic nature of this type of abuse in the North.

The research was made up of three separate projects: one looked at the stories of survivors of abuse in faith settings while another focused on historical records. A third examined safeguarding policies and practices in the faith sector. Three separate research reports were produced at this stage.

In July 2025, the research findings were combined into one report for Ministers - including recommendations on possible future actions. In November last year Ministers met with the IDWGs Independent Chair, to hear their views.

The Chair continued: The last update we received indicated that Ministers had discussed the report - but decided they needed more time to consider a recommendation to hold a Public Inquiry.

Earlier this month the deputy First Minister was asked in the Assembly Chamber for an update on the actions arising from the research into HCCA and on the publication of the report.

Although she said she was considering it, she stated the report was not necessarily for publication but to inform the process.

As a Committee, and on behalf of all survivors of Historical Clerical Child Abuse, we are calling for the immediate publication of this report so that its findings and recommendations can be properly considered and next steps agreed.
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BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A global research team has used a new technique to capture minute-scale structural changes in farmland soil, revealing how farming practices influence soil water dynamics.

The team, led by the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, employed distributed fiber-optic sensing, installed across an experimental farm at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom, to achieve continuous, high-resolution monitoring of soil.

By detecting tiny ground vibrations generated by natural and human activities, the researchers tracked how water moves through soil every single minute.

The findings, published on Friday in the journal Science, address a long-standing challenge in regenerative agriculture -- assessing the impact of tillage on soil structure without disturbing it.

The results show that healthy soil contains a natural internal "plumbing" network composed of microscopic pores and channels that allow water to infiltrate deeply into the ground, where it becomes available to plant roots.

In fields subjected to frequent plowing or heavy tractor traffic, however, this pore network becomes severely disrupted. As a result, rainfall tends to pool near the surface in heavily cultivated soil. Because the water stays shallow, it evaporates rapidly under sunlight, leaving deeper soil layers dry.

In contrast, undisturbed soils act as effective natural filters, rapidly absorbing water and storing it in deeper layers where plants can access it during dry periods.

To explain these observations, the researchers developed a dynamic capillary stress model. "Rather than a simple collection of particles, soil is a porous medium in which the structure functions like capillary vessels within the water cycle," said Shi Qibin, a researcher at the institute.

The findings highlight the need to reconsider how agricultural land is managed. Excessive tillage and soil compaction from heavy machinery do not simply rearrange soil particles. Instead, they break the invisible mechanical bonds that allow soil to breathe, circulate water and maintain ecological stability.

Preserving these natural structures will be critical in helping crops adapt to the increasingly extreme weather conditions caused by climate change.

By bridging seismology and agricultural science, this study offers a new perspective on the relationship between plants and soil. This emerging approach uses distributed fiber-optic sensing to assess the health of soil water systems without physically disturbing the land.

By "listening" to the Earth in this way, scientists and farmers may soon be able to assess the condition of agricultural soils in real time and develop more resilient strategies for sustainable food production.

The research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Washington (UW), Rice University, Harper Adams University, the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Purdue University and University of Exeter. 
Its nonsense to say that only certain unionist candidates can win seats, TUV leader Jim Allister has said.

At his partys conference on Saturday Mr Allister criticised the DUP and UUP, as unionist aiders and abettors in the Executive and vowed that with more MLAs he would present a political landscape changed forever.

The 2022 Assembly Election saw Sinn Fein become the largest party at Stormont for the first time, facilitating Michelle ONeill to become the first nationalist First Minister.

On Friday the DUP announced their West Belfast candidate for next years Assembly Election, councillor Frank McCoubrey, with signs saying only Frank can win.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has previously expressed his support for co-operation between unionist parties, stating his hope that other political leaders will see that the opportunity to win for unionism is greater than any individual party.

Speaking to the Press Association after his conference speech at the Royal Hotel Cookstown, Mr Allister said no seat belongs to any party, they belong to the people.

Its nonsense in a PR (proportional representation) election to say that only a certain candidate can win, he said.

The beauty of PR, in a sense, is that you can afford the luxury of choice provided, something weve always advocated, you use your preferences totally within the unionist family.

There are eight to 10 unionist MLAs in Stormont today who wouldnt be there but for TUV transfers, we have delivered on that in past elections, and all of unionism needs to deliver on transfers.

Its not about party advantage, its about obtaining the maximum unionist voice, and I want to see a unionist representing west Belfast, its been neglected, but its up to the electorate of west Belfast not Gavin Robinson, not the DUP, not Jim Allister, to decide who that will be.

And they will do that in a PR election, making their choice and using their transfers to ensure the unionist quota thats there is brought out and elects a unionist.

Asked if he would commit to not running a candidate in any seat, he said: The question of standing down is irrelevant to a PR election, you want to maximise the vote of the PR election.

That means providing choice with the caveat that people then use their transfers, so its not about standing down, its about standing up for unionism and getting the biggest possible vote for unionism.

In his speech Mr Allister referred to the post-Brexit trade arrangements in Northern Ireland, previously the protocol and now the Windsor Framework, which he said were building Irish unity before our eyes, while unionist aiders and abettors in the Executive look the other way.

He referred to the DUP leader as Gave-in Gavin, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as First Minister Michelle ONeills support act and bridesmaid, DUP education minister Paul Givan as Paul Give In, and UUP health minister Mike Nesbitt as heading for the exit Mike.

There were shouts of shame and sell outs as the TUV leader spoke of his problems with the DUP.

Leave the protocol and the dopes in Stormont in place and we will be sleepwalked out of the United Kingdom, all under the dishonest pretence of fighting for the union, while all the time destroying it, he said.

The powersharing institutions were not operational for around two years as a result of the DUPs boycott in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Referring to the TUVs single MLA, Mr Allister said: Give me more Timothy Gastons in Stormont and Ill give you a political landscape changed forever.

Give the TUV the clout and there will be no implementation of the protocol through Stormont, because we are clear there should be no Executive as long as there is a protocol.

To have an Executive you must implement the protocol, to have an Executive you must therefore implement your own destruction, to have an Executive you must widen and increase the Irish Sea border.

He added: The choice is pandering to Sinn Fein or facing down Sinn Fein.

The choice is partnering with Sinn Fein or divorcing Sinn Fein.

When will the DUP have had enough of Sinn Feins unfaithfulness to Northern Ireland, their desertion of good government and their unreasonable behaviour in lauding the murder of our people?

Reform UK MP Danny Kruger and Mr Gaston also spoke at the conference.

A LucidTalk poll from January 2026, puts the TUV at 11%, the UUP at 13%, and the DUP at 19%.

Of the nationalist parties, Sinn Fein are leading at 25%, with the SDLP at 11%.
The next time your AI chatbot answers a question, thank helium. Not the balloon gas, but what is responsible for every chip fab, every MRI machine, and every semiconductor clean room on Earth. On March 2, Iranian drone strikes hit Qatars Ras Laffan facility, the worlds largest helium production base. A follow-up missile strike on March 19 finished the job. In one stroke, roughly a third of the planets helium supply went dark. And unlike oil, unlike gas, unlike almost every other industrial input, nobody can make more.

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Helium is the only element that escapes Earths atmosphere permanently. It accumulates over billions of years in the same geological reservoirs as natural gas and is recovered as a byproduct during LNG liquefaction. When Qatars LNG production stopped, helium extraction stopped automatically. There is no workaround. You cannot produce helium without producing LNG.

Qatar produced roughly 63 million cubic metres of helium in 2025, between 30 and 36 percent of global supply from a total of approximately 190 million cubic metres. That share is now gone. The semiconductor industry is where this gets alarming. South Korea imports 64.7 percent of its helium from Qatar. SK Hynix and Samsung, the two companies that manufacture the high-bandwidth memory inside every AI accelerator, every data centre GPU, and every cloud computing cluster, depend on helium to cool silicon wafers, carry gases through deposition and etching tools, and maintain the precise temperature environments required for extreme ultraviolet lithography. Without helium, the fabrication process degrades. Without enough of it, it stops.

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SK Hynix and Samsung currently hold two to three months of inventory. That is not a buffer. It is a countdown. If Ras Laffan remains offline beyond that window, South Korean memory production faces rationing and the AI hardware supply chain, from HBM3E memory stacks to advanced logic chips, faces a shortage with no short-term fix.

Spot helium prices have roughly doubled since the crisis began. Industry consultant Phil Kornbluth, the most cited voice in the helium market, has stated plainly: the world cannot compensate for losing a third of its supply. A major industrial gas supplier has already begun assessing customers a helium surcharge. Contract prices could approach $2,000 per thousand cubic feet if the disruption holds.

The United States and private reserves offer partial relief, and Canadas Rocky Mountain deposits are drawing renewed investor interest. But none of this replaces 63 million cubic metres in weeks. Japans Iwatani has already begun drawing on US federal reserves.

The Hormuz crisis has now claimed oil, nitrogen, sulfur, and medicine. Helium is the eighth layer. The countdown on chip supply has started, and the clock is not waiting for a ceasefire.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus in Digit Test Labs: A flagship that sticks to its formula
The energy shock as a result of the war in Iran highlights the importance of running budget surpluses in good times, Simon Harris has said.

The Tanaiste and Finance Minister said the Government will be taking measures on Tuesday to reduce prices at the petrol pump and support those most at risk of fuel poverty.

Energy and fuel prices have risen across the world as a result of the US and Israels war in Iran which has entered its fourth week.

Sinn Fein has called on the Government to scrap plans to increase carbon tax on home heating oil on May 1, and to reduce the cost of fuels through emergency legislation on mineral oil taxes.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Harris said he is conscious of the fact that people are really feeling financial pressure, and indeed financial anxiety due to the rising prices.

At this point, there is no clarity regarding the depth and duration of the conflict  this means there is considerable uncertainty regarding the economic fallout from the shock to oil supplies, he said

If the conflict continues for a prolonged period, the impact on the global economy will be real  Ireland could not be immune from such an outcome.

It is important to stress that we, in Ireland, are approaching this global economic challenge from a position of relative strength  we are running a significant budgetary surplus which gives us the fiscal capacity to respond.

In the past, we have often been criticised for running these budget surpluses and asked why we do not spend all available resources.

The current situation highlights why it is so important to run budget surpluses in good times  this common-sense approach to budgetary policy allows us to build up fiscal buffers and gives us the capacity to intervene when an economic shock arises.

One important side effect from the energy price shock has been the increase in sovereign borrowing costs, with these reaching near two-decade highs in some countries; our favourable fiscal position thankfully means that we are not in this space.

The interventions we will announce on Tuesday strike an appropriate balance between providing help now and keeping some of our powder dry  nobody knows what the situation will be in a month from now, so we must remain nimble and flexible in our response.

For this reason, I believe that any measures introduced initially should be for a short, defined period, with the option to renew, revise or adjust them as circumstances evolve; this approach is in line with that which some other EU member states are taking.

I have asked my officials to finalise a macroeconomic analysis covering a range of potential scenarios arising from this conflict.

Mr Harris also said he expects the Irish economy to grow albeit at a slower pace than previously envisaged and he will attend a meeting with European counterpoints next week to assess the situation collectively.

This current conflict is a sharp reminder to the world, including Ireland, that we must accelerate our transition towards energy independence, and I will be discussing this with government colleagues in the days ahead, he said.

Mr Harris concluded: Finally, I want to stress that Ireland, and the Irish economy, will get through this  I have no doubt about that.

That said, the sooner we see a de-escalation of the conflict the better for both humanity and for the living standards of everyone.
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.

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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.
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.

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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.
TEHRAN/ABU DHABI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned on Saturday of possible strikes on the UAE's Ras Al-Khaimah in case of recurrent attacks from its territory against southern Iranian islands.

"As we had announced before and proved in practice, we will attack the origin of any invasion against our territory and national sovereignty," Zolfaghari said.

Ras Al Khaimah is an industrial port city and the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

"We warn the UAE that in case the country becomes the origin of a repeated invasion against the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf, Iran's powerful armed forces will deliver crushing blows to Ras Al-Khaimah," he added.

Also on Saturday, a total of 22 countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), jointly condemned Iranian attacks on regional commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure amid escalating regional tensions.

In a joint statement, the UAE, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia expressed deep concern over the situation.

The statement warned that the recent developments, including the "de facto closure" of the Strait of Hormuz, pose serious risks to global trade and energy security.

"We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz," the statement said, urging compliance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defense systems on Saturday intercepted three ballistic missiles and eight drones launched toward the country from Iran.

Since the start of the attacks, UAE air defenses have dealt with a total of 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 drones, according to the ministry.

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 by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. 
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.

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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.
News that histopathology services for primary care surgical procedures at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (OLOL), Drogheda have been reinstated, following months of concern among patients, GPs, and community healthcare providers, has been welcomed today by Louth Fine Gael TD, Paula Butterly.

Deputy Butterly welcomed the news saying, Id like to acknowledge the crucial role of my colleague Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health, her close engagement and timely intervention were central to achieving this outcome.

The Fine Gael TD explained that the restoration of this "essential diagnostic service marks a significant step forward in ensuring safe, timely, and equitable access to skin surgery and biopsy services in the community".

Histopathological examination is a core component of bestpractice surgical care, allowing for prompt diagnosis of conditions including skin cancer and enabling GPs to continue providing highquality minor surgical procedures close to patients homes.

Deputy Butterly acknowledged the efforts of the community GPs, and welcomed the hospitals decision as an important victory for patient safety, fairness, and common sense.

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This is a very positive development for patients across the region. The reinstatement of histopathology access ensures that appropriately trained GPs can continue delivering safe, timely procedures in the community. It reduces pressure on already stretched hospital waiting lists and ensures patients receive care in the right place at the right time.

The return of the service also aligns with national healthcare policy, Deputy Butterly added, including the principles of Slaintecare and the HSEs strategic commitment to strengthening diagnostic support for primary and community care.

Deputy Butterly noted that the decision helps prevent avoidable delays in diagnosis, reduces unnecessary referrals to secondary care, and supports efficient use of health service resources.

Withdrawing this service was neither safe nor sustainable. I am pleased that patient welfare has been prioritised and that GPs can once again rely on timely histopathology reporting to support highquality care.
Is there a book in you, specifically a memoir that captures a thread or a theme in your life?

Writing a book may sound ambitious, but poet David McLoghlin says the participants on his writing courses dont all wish to get published.

They simply have a story to tell, they want to be heard, and they enjoy the collaborative effort at workshops where writing craft is taught and company is guaranteed.

David is returning to Hollyhill Library in April, where he will give a course on life writing/memoir.

He is an award-winning poet whose most recent collection, Crash Centre, published by Salmon Poetry in 2024, was shortlisted for the 2025 Pigott Prize.

David describes himself as a freelance teaching writer, poet, and creative non-fiction writer. Originally from Dublin and now living in Ballincollig with his American wife and child, he has an MFA in creative writing from New York University, where he has also taught.

He currently facilitates creative writing classes with the Heritage Council, Poetry Irelands Writers in Schools Programme, and the Centre for Fiction in New York.

Cork is full of poets and other kinds of writers, says David. There is a great literary scene here.

Theres a real community of writers from classes and workshops where people share their writing and get feedback.

Anyone can come to my course at Hollyhill Library. It tends to be beginners but anyone can benefit from it. There will be up to 12 people on the course.

At the course, there will be generative writing exercises, a craft-of-memoir component, and an opportunity for the students to share any writing done during the 90-minute long classes.

Creative non-fiction is popular at the moment. Its like fiction in the sense that scenes are very important, said David. The reader should feel they are actually there in the room.

Im also teaching voice, so people can make sense of the past.

There will be a class about trying to write an impactful scene in life writing. Another class will cultivate the reflective voice.

In cinema, people talk about the through line, what you choose to write about from your life. Our lives can be chaotic and messy. You have to tease out a narrative thread in a piece of writing.

We all have many experiences, but what is it that we want to talk about?

Is there a tendency towards the confessional in this type of writing?

Yeah, people are writing about personal experience, replied David. It could be happy, sad, funny or poetic. It all depends on what people feel like sharing.

In the past, peoples first novel would often be seen as autobiographical but then, at a certain point, memoir has started to become a genre with a lot of focus on it.

It goes back to New Journalism, an American literary movement in the 1960s and 1970s with proponents such as Tom Wolfe and Joan Didion.

In the New Journalism, the narrator becomes a character in the story being told, explained David, Im very interested in that. It has given birth to creative non-fiction.

Asked who his favourite creative non-fiction writers are, David cites American author and civil rights activist, James Baldwin, mentioning his collection of essays, Notes Of A Native Son.

He also likes the work of Albanian writer, Lea Ypi, whose book, Free, is about making sense of the end of communism in her country.

While there might be a perception that writing classes are geared towards garnering elusive publishing deals, David says this isnt necessarily the case.

A lot of people just want to do classes, he said. Theyre very good for you because theres the therapeutic element and the literary aspect. I do classes for both reasons.

I want to be published, but I also want to write because its good for me. Even if people were never to publish anything, I think its important for peoples mental health to make sense of their lives.

Some people are interested in genealogy and telling a family story. I wrote a memoir about living in the US. It wasnt published, said David.

His collection, Crash Centre, is about being a survivor of sexual abuse. He was abused at secondary school and has written about what happens when grooming, gaslighting, and abuse masquerade as trust in a relationship between a teenage boy and a charismatic literary monk.

Crash Centre, a book of poetry by David McLoghlin shortlisted for an award last year

The book explores questions about mentorship and betrayal, trauma, memory and erasure as well as paths to recovery.

Was it difficult to write?

In a sense, it was. I think poetry is a very good genre to write about traumatic events because of the imagery and the craft of it, said David.

The first draft is all emotion and is raw. But as you edit it, the poet takes over from the person who experienced the abuse. In a sense, that protects you or it creates a container for the trauma.

Asked if he worries about AI taking over peoples jobs, David says he does but he doesnt really use it himself.

I think AI could have a huge impact and benefits for many different spheres such as medicine, but there are always going to be good books written by people.

Thats reassuring for everyone who appreciates the written word and not the material of some bot.

The four-week course in Life Writing/Memoir takes place at Hollyhill Library on April 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 12.30pm to 2pm. To book, contact Hollyhill Library on 021 4924945 or hollyhill_library@corkcity.ie.
Only 500 public lighting poles in Cork city have been replaced, at a cost of 10,000 each, and the city council has said that at the current rate, it will take more than 20 years to replace 11,500.

Labour councillor Peter Horgan asked, at a recent council meeting, how many public lighting poles across the city needed to be repaired, the overall cost of such repairs, and how long it would take.

John Stapleton, the councils director of local area development and operations, said: The 2021 Public Lighting Strategy for Cork city identified the need to replace a total of 11,500 public lighting columns, due to structural deterioration, electrical cable non-compliance, etc.

Just 4% of these have been replaced.

Mr Stapleton said that Phase 1 requires Cork City Council to replace 1,000 of the highest-risk columns.

To date, 479 columns have been fully replaced and energised, and 179 columns are scheduled for civil works completion in Q2 2026.

The remaining 342 columns will be progressed when funding is available, he said.

In parallel, work has also begun on Phase 2, which focuses on the 5,000 worst-affected columns citywide.

Average cost

To date, the average cost per column replacement is 10,000, which includes column replacement, replacement of associated cabling, ducting, and reinstatement works.

This means that 4.8m has been spent on replacing poles so far, but 115m will need to be spent to replace all poles identified in the 2021 council strategy.

Based on delivery, the indicative programme for each estate is four to six weeks per estate for civil and electrical works, but ESB energisation and de-energisation works are currently subject to a nine-month lead time, following completion of civil and electrical works.

Mr Stapleton added that the decommissioning and removal of old columns occur after ESB works are finalised.

These programme durations reflect the significant national pressures on ESB Networks scheduling, combined with the scale and complexity of citywide public lighting upgrades.

Mr Horgan asked at the meeting when the council expects all the poles to be fixed, and Mr Stapleton said: Each light is coming in at around 10,000. Its not just the light head, its the digging up of the road, ducting, cabling, reinstating footpaths after.

There isnt a straight answer, because it is subject to the available funding. At the current rate, its going to take more than 20 years to replace them all.

If we can source additional funding, and we certainly will be trying to do that, that programme will accelerate.

Public safety

Mr Horgan told The Echo: It is a matter of public safety that we have the public lighting across our city up to scratch. To hear that it could take over two decades to repair all the lighting columns is dispiriting, but it appears that if we can unlock significant funding, it will speed up the process.

Ring-fencing a national lighting fund for Cork city must now be the work we look towards, and it is something I will engage on with my colleagues in the Oireachtas.
The Department of Education is refusing to open up playing pitches at the countrys largest school campus, because they claim the pitches are in a vulnerable flood plain, even though not a puddle has been seen on the land during one of the wettest periods in recent history.

More than two years after approximately 1,500 students moved into the three-school campus in Carrigtwohill, they still havent been able to kick a ball.

Thats despite the department being obliged to construct the pitches as part of planning conditions laid down by Cork County Council.

The local authority wrote to the department, insisting that it open up the pitches, after angry councillors highlighted the issue.

The councillors said it was extremely unfair on the students and that the situation flew in the face of a sporting and healthy lifestyle.

Negative reply

The authority received a negative reply from the department, which again said that the flood plain prevented the opening of the pitches.

Carrigtwohill-based Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry, who owns a farm close to the school, said the excuse offered by the department was absolutely ridiculous.

With all the wet weather weve been having in recent months, there still wasnt a drop of water to be seen in the field designated for the pitches, Mr Barry said.

So, I cant see the excuse. Anyway, if there was a big flood there it would be gone in a couple of days, and the students could use the pitches again, if they had them.

Mr Barry said the department had reneged on its commitment and he believes that Hildegarde Naughton, the youth and education minister, hasnt been informed by her officials of the real situation.

He said that he could never remember the 3.5 acres earmarked for the pitches being flooded. They didnt even flood during Storm Babet in October 2023, he said. Then, damage worth multi-millions of euro was caused to properties all over East Cork.

Planning obligations

The council is again writing to the Department of Education, pointing out its planning obligations, along with Mr Barrys local knowledge, and urging it to rectify the situation.

In the meantime, Mr Barry said that he would also be seeking a personal meeting with Ms Naughton to press her to overrule her officials and open up the much-needed pitches, adding he hopes she shows some sense on the issue.

Its been most frustrating for the parents committee and board members involved in the long process of planning, fundraising, and bringing the campus to fruition to not have this green open area available to the campus, Fianna Fail councillor Sheila OCallaghan said.
BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Just a few years ago, only a handful of patients would walk into the sleep clinic at Huimin County People's Hospital in Binzhou, east China's Shandong Province. Today, that number has tripled, with annual visits rising from around 200 to 600.

"It's not that suddenly more people can't sleep," said Yin Jianfeng, the clinic director. "It's that more people are willing to come for help."

The rising footfall reflects both the widespread nature of sleep problems in China and the rising public awareness of sleep health -- a challenge brought into focus as the country marks World Sleep Day on Saturday.

PRESSING DEMAND

According to a survey published in 2025, Chinese people aged 18 and above sleep an average of 7.06 to 7.18 hours, while 48.5 percent report experiencing sleep problems, a share that rises with age.

The survey, conducted by the Chinese Sleep Research Society and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, showed that on average, Chinese adults fall asleep at 11:15 p.m. and wake at 6:38 a.m.

Among younger people, late sleep has become the norm, with around half not falling asleep until after midnight.

High-pressure professionals, people with chronic illnesses, and those with mental health conditions are among the groups most at risk of insomnia.

Huang Zhili, a professor at Fudan University and chairman of the Chinese Sleep Research Society, pointed out that the rise in insomnia is closely linked to China's rapid industrial and digital development, which has brought intensified competition, heavier workloads, and a growing reliance on electronic devices.

Excessive screen use can disrupt sleep through light and noise stimulation, while constant exposure to information may also heighten anxiety.

Huang also warned that sleep disorders are increasingly affecting younger people, whose sleep problems are often associated with smartphone overuse, academic pressure and parental expectations.

BEYOND BIG CITIES

At Shanghai's Huashan Hospital, sleep services have been offered for more than two decades, and its sleep disorders center is now a top choice for patients.

For Professor Yu Huan from the hospital's neurology department, the surge in demand is unmistakable. Her outpatient hours, once limited to half a day, now stretch from the afternoon to as late as 10 p.m.

"Patient visits to sleep clinics are exploding," Yu said, attributing the trend to both fast-paced lifestyles and growing public awareness of health.

To meet the growing demand and bring sleep services closer to more people, China has stepped up efforts to expand sleep clinics beyond major cities.

In February 2025, Chinese health authorities moved to mandate that each prefecture-level city must have at least one hospital providing sleep clinic services by the end of the year.

By the end of December 2025, outpatient visits to sleep clinics nationwide had risen by 39 percent from a year earlier, making it easier for more patients to access professional care closer to home.

Some regions are going further. In Shandong, sleep clinics have been extended to the county level to improve accessibility. As of October 2025, more than 300 medical institutions across the province had set up such services.

"As sleep clinics become more widespread, the stereotype surrounding psychiatric hospitals is gradually broken. Many patients no longer suffer from sleep disorders in silence. They start to seek help," said Li Xirong, director of the sleep medicine center of Shandong Mental Health Center.

BEYOND SLEEPING PILLS

As sleep services expand, there is growing recognition that treating sleep disorders requires more than medication alone.

Li said many patients used to have a common misconception that sleeping pills are the only way to treat insomnia.

"Using sleeping pills to fall asleep is like getting a false sleep," Li said, noting that long-term reliance on medication not only fails to address underlying sleep issues but may also harm the body.

Non-drug therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and device-based treatments such as CPAP machines or transcranial magnetic stimulation, are increasingly used in clinics.

Regular exercise, meditation, and mindfulness practices are also encouraged as part of a holistic approach to better sleep.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, herbal remedies, and tui-na massage, is also being incorporated to address sleep problems and promote overall balance.

Established in 2006, the sleep clinic at Guang'anmen Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences now handles close to 100,000 outpatient visits each year, with patients with insomnia accounting for around 60 to 70 percent of the total.

"The advantage of the TCM lies in its individualized approach," said Hong Lan, a senior doctor from the clinic.

"It not only focuses on helping patients fall asleep, but also emphasizes overall body and mind balance," said Hong. 
A night of music at a busy rural watering hole known simply as The Pub went on too long, according to the district court where the operating company was prosecuted for allowing customers to remain on the premises outside of the licensed trading hours.

Garda Trish OSullivan told Macroom District Court that a garda patrol was passing The Pub at Carriganima on the Macroom-Millstreet road in the early hours of August 24, 2025. The lights were on and gardai entered through the unlocked front door at 1.45am.

Inside, 10 people had drinks, many of which looked freshly poured.

The customers were asked to leave, and it was noted that no licence was on display.

Patrick Goold, defending, said the operating company that was being prosecuted  El Tercer Lugar Ltd  did not have any previous convictions, though the company nominee Matthew Neville did have a conviction for a breach of licence in 2024.

Mr Goold said there had been music at The Pub that night. The band were packing up, and a number of customers were waiting for lifts and taxis home when the gardai arrived.

Mr Goold said his client apologised and accepted that the customers should not have still been on the premises at that hour.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she noted that running a rural pub could be challenging and it seemed to be an orderly situation. She accepted the apology.

The company was convicted and fined 250, and allowed four months to pay.
On St Patricks Day, Bishop Fintan Gavin reflected on Irelands enduring spiritual heritage during a special mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne in Cork city.

The celebration was attended by civic and international representatives, including the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Fergal Dennehy, accompanied by Lady Mayoress, Karen Brennan; Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie OSullivan; and, the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry.

In his homily, Bishop Gavin emphasised that St Patrick brought more than christianity to Ireland, saying that the faith introduced by Patrick helped to shape the values that became part of Irish identity  a sense of community, care for the vulnerable, hospitality to the stranger, and an awareness of god in everyday life.

The bishop also pointed to a significant milestone for the city this year, the centenary of the Cork Eucharistic Procession, first held in 1926, saying: Cork has a particular reason to celebrate that living tradition of faith this year.

Reflecting

Reflecting on times of challenge, Bishop Gavin said the people of Cork had historically turned to the Eucharist, gathering in prayer and expressing their faith publicly.

He added: This year we will mark that centenary when we gather once again for the Eucharistic Procession through the city on Sunday, June 7, the Feast of Corpus Christi, renewing that public witness of faith and unity in Cork.

Looking ahead to the celebrations, Bishop Gavin also announced that the diocese will host the relics of Carlo Acutis, recently recognised as the first millennial saint by Pope Leo XIV.

Saint Carlo Acutis famously described the Eucharist as the highway to heaven, and Bishop Gavin said this insight continues to resonate today.

Patrick in the fifth century, and Saint Carlo Acutis in our own time, both remind us of the same truth, he said, that an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist has the power to transform lives.
Funeral details have been announced for Oleksandr Zhyvytskyi, a 31-year-old Ukrainian man who died on Monday evening following a stabbing incident near his home in Cork city centre.

Mr Zhyvytskyi was attacked just metres from his home in Camden Court on Carroll's Quay in the Lower John St and Knapps Square area.

He had left his home to get food in the nearby Shandon St area, but was stabbed as he walked the short distance home. Mr Zhyvytskyi returned to his apartment, where his wife raised the alarm, but despite paramedics working to save his life, he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Zhyvytskyi is survived by his wife Viktoriya, and their young daughter.

In a moving tribute on Rip.ie, Viktoriya wrote that her husbands family will carry him in their hearts forever.

You were my everything, my soulmate, my strength, my safe place, she wrote.

She wrote that he was a "loving and devoted father to our baby girl".

"She will grow up knowing how deeply she was loved by you. Thank you for every moment, every memory, every piece of love you gave us.

Mr Zhyvytskyi will repose at Coughlans Funeral Home, Shandon Street, on Monday, March 23, from 10am, with family in attendance at 5pm and prayers at 6pm.

Requiem Mass on Tuesday, March 24, at midday in the North Cathedral, and funeral afterwards to St Catherines Cemetery, Kilcully.

On Thursday evening, a 42-year-old man accused of murdering Mr Zhyvytskyi by allegedly stabbing him in the chest was brought before Cork District Court.

Detective Garda Kevin Motherway gave evidence of arresting Jonathan Hennessy, of 15 Dr Patrick OSullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, Co Cork, and charging him at 4.25pm on Thursday with murder.

Mr Hennessy was remanded in custody to appear again by video link before Cork District Court on March 25.
Sarah Slater

The family of a Wexford woman killed in a hit-and-run incident in the Dominican Republic are calling on the government to assist them in bringing those involved to justice.

Claire Cullen, from Riverchapel, Gorey, travelled abroad to attend her brothers wedding last November when the fatal incident occurred. She is survived by her husband Ronan and their three children.

Cullen has been described locally as being an accomplished hairdresser with her own home salon called Eden Hair Design.

The case was raised in the Dail this week by Fine Gael Gorey-based TD Brian Brennan, who described Cullens death as a tragic case and outlined the devastating impact on her family.

Brennan stressed that the familys focus now is on justice.

He said that as the Cullen family are based here in Ireland, they are seeking assurances from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Government that all possible efforts will be made to assist them in their pursuit of justice.

He added that the situation represents every familys worst nightmare and outlined that securing accountability for those responsible is what Cullens family deserves.

Brennan also acknowledged the efforts made to return Ms Cullen home, saying her family appreciated the support of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, the Irish Consulate and the Department of Foreign Affairs during the repatriation process.

He described the mother as an extremely kind, popular and a talented young woman.

A fundraising campaign has been set up to help Cullens family to cover legal costs as they attempt to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice.

The deceased woman's sister-in-law, Helen Cullen, detailed how the Wexford woman died instantly, and the driver fled the scene without offering any help to Claire or her family.

She said: Our family is completely heartbroken. We are doing everything we can to support her husband, Ronan (my brother) and their boys during this devastating time.

Legal fees should be the last thing any family has to worry about, but unfortunately, we must pursue a legal case in the hope of securing some justice for Claire, Ronan and the boys.

To date, more than 35,000 has been raised.
Gordon Deegan

Irish Hollywood star Saoirse Ronan has secured the planning green light on the second attempt for "a long term home for a young and growing family near the village of Ballydehob in west Cork.

This follows Cork County Council granting planning permission to Ronans Slaney Productions UC to demolish her existing 125 sq metre two-storey dwelling on site at Foilnamuck, Ballydehob, County Cork and replace it with a "high quality" single-storey 320 sq metre farmhouse-style home.

Star of Brooklyn and Little Women, Ronan purchased the coastal property 3km from Ballydehob for 650,000 in 2020.

The planning permission comes almost 18 months after the council in October 2024 refused planning permission for a separate application, concluding that the proposal would not fit appropriately into the rural coastal and high-value landscape and would seriously detract from the visual amenities of the area.

Ronans Slaney Productions UC did not appeal the decision to An Coimiusiun Pleanala and instead lodged revised house plans with the Council in December.

A report by Clancy Moore Architects, lodged with the application, stated that its brief from its client was for a dwelling designed in sympathy with the surrounding landscape which could act as a long term home for a young and growing family.

In July 2024, the second youngest four-time Oscar-nominated actor in movie history, Ronan married her long-time partner and star of Apple TVs Slow Horses, Jack Lowden.

The couple last year became parents with the birth of their first child.

Ahead of revised plans lodged in December for the 2.6 acre site, a council planners report records that the architect for the home, Andrew Clancy at a pre-planning meeting with the council last August stated that it was not intention for the new dwelling to be used as a second holiday home and stated that the applicant has to live somewhere.

Advancing the case for the demolition of the existing home, which was only built in the 1990s, a Clancy Moore report states that the dwelling is fundamentally unsuitable for continued use due to multiple critical deficiencies.

The report states that the house fails to meet current building regulations regarding ventilation, fire safety, escape routes, and accessibility, while floor-to-ceiling heights are insufficient for habitable spaces.

The council granted planning permission after Ronan and her design team relocated the planned home to a lower site on the sloping field and moved it closer to the site of the existing home, reducing its visual impact.

Attaching 15 conditions to the permission, the council concluded that the scheme "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area".

Clancy Moore reduced the size of the home to 320 sq metres "to further minimise both the visual and environmental impact" of the revised proposal.

Clancy Moore stated that the house is designed to blend harmoniously with the landscape, matching the height and form of surrounding buildings while retaining its own distinct character.

A 15-page planning report lodged with the application, planning consultants, McCutcheon Halley stated that the proposed house has been designed to meet our clients unique requirements and aspirations whilst keeping proportions limited to a traditional rural building

The report states that the proposed living space at the home has been around a central courtyard and the overall design approach is akin to a collection of rural buildings found in a traditional farmyard.

The family living spaces consist of three bedrooms and an open space living area, which extends to the covered terrace.

The home includes an office and library space, which, the report states, facilitates separation of workspaces from family life.

The report states that the result will be a dwelling that provides a modern living space in an unimposing structure.

The McCutcheon Halley report states that the proposed development will provide a high-quality, energy-efficient home on the site that will integrate into the surrounding landscape.

The Council planners report concluded that the justification for the demolition of the dwelling is accepted.

The planners report stated that the other fundamental change from the turned down proposal is that the proposed home is no longer to be sited in the open sloping green field with a tiny exception of the proposed structure.
While other tech companies have been laying off employees year after year, OpenAI is doing the opposite. According to a report from the Financial Times, the AI giant is looking to expand its workforce to 8,000 employees by the end of 2026, nearly doubling staff from its current headcount of 4,500.

The FT reported that the new hires will be across several departments, including product development, engineering, research and sales. OpenAI's hiring spree will also include "specialists" for "technical ambassadorship," or employees tasked with helping businesses better utilize its AI tools, according to the report. As the FT noted, OpenAI is likely trying to amp up the competition against Anthropic and its Claude AI chatbot. According to the AI Index from Ramp, a fintech startup that manages corporate expenses, businesses are now 70 percent more likely to go with Anthropic when buying AI services for the first time as opposed to OpenAI.

OpenAI made waves in February when it announced a contract with the Department of Defense to use its AI models, following a public fallout between Anthropic and the federal agency. On top of the government contract, OpenAI is also in "advanced talks" with private equity firms like Brookfield Asset Management to deploy its AI tools across a firms' portfolio of companies, according to Reuters.
CONAKRY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Legislative and municipal elections in Guinea will be held on May 24 across the country, said a presidential decree published on Friday.

The decree calls on voters in all relevant constituencies to cast their ballots in both elections.

Polling stations will be open nationwide from 0700 GMT to 1830 GMT.

In accordance with Article 79 of Guinea's Electoral Code, voting will be conducted using a single ballot, the decree said. 
Apple already announced a lot of new devices in 2026 and weve been busy reviewing them all. In this installment of our bi-weekly roundup, we revisit the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and more, in addition to the regular Galaxy S26 and Dell XPS 16. Theres even more than those gadget to catch up on, so sit back, relax and cozy up to some fresh reviews.

Apple MacBook Neo

Apple 90 100 Expert Score MacBook Neo The MacBook Neo is the best $599 laptop weve ever seen. The only downside is youre stuck with low storage and 8GB of RAM. Pros $599!

Premium design

Surprisingly bright screen

Decent performance

Excellent keyboard and trackpad Cons Only 8GB of RAM

Maxes out with 512GB storage

Only two USB-C ports $599 at Apple

The main attraction for Apples early device deluge was the $599 MacBook Neo. The company is finally giving us something weve been begging for: a low-cost Mac laptop thats good enough for most people. It's a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads just fine, all the while looking like one of the company's more expensive notebooks, senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. Most importantly, it delivers more speed, a brighter screen and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.

Apple iPhone 17e

Apple / Engadget 80 100 Expert Score iPhone 17e The iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem. Pros Improved Portrait photography

MagSafe and faster wireless charging are welcome

A19 is a solid processor

Pretty new pink color Cons Display is outdated

Single camera setup is limiting $599 at Apple

The MacBook Neo wasnt the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also debuted the iPhone 17e, which is also $599 and offers an economical choice for iOS devotees. The name iPhone carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem, managing editor Cherlynn Low said.

The rest of the new Apple gear

The remainder of the new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added the M4 to the iPad Air, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside the MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in the MacBook Pro,. Our staff maintains that those two laptops are among the best choices in their respective categories.

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We also tested Apples claims on the Studio Display XDR, where we discovered the high price could be worth it for pros who need supreme color accuracy and high brightness.

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung/Engadget 80 100 Expert Score Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsungs smallest flagship phone is a solid if safe addition to the Galaxy series. However, its far too similar to its predecessors. Pros Bigger battery

A flagship phone that isn't huge

More AI assistant options Cons Too similar to last year's S25

Cameras could be improved

Perplexity integration is limited $899 at Samsung

The Galaxy S26 Ultra may get the bulk of the attention in Samsungs 2026 lineup thus far, but the regular S26 is capable in its own right. However, its time for bigger updates on this model. There's nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you could pick up last year's S25 and get an experience that's 99 percent the same for $99 less, UK bureau chief Mat Smith said.

Dell XPS 16 (2026)

Dell / Engadget 86 100 Expert Score Dell XPS 16 (2026) The XPS 16 has nearly everything you want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and it's a worthy flagbearer for one of the most iconic notebook lines of all time. Pros Exquisite design

Ample performance

Beautiful OLED display

Solid battery life Cons A bit pricey

Keyboard needs tuning

No SD card reader $1,900 at Dell

Dell pulled a 180 after nixing its XPS brand last year. Enter the XPS 16. Thankfully, the first devices after the fiasco show an expected return to form, albeit with one issue. My one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboards we got on models from the early 2020s, senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. Though as long as the company can release updated software to fix the ghosting issues I've encountered, what's on there now is more than good enough.

But wait, theres more

If portable projectors are more your speed, contributing reporter Steve Dent put the Soundcore Nebula P1i through its paces. Mat also spent some time with the Nothing Phone 4a Pro, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset weve tested this year. Lastly, Sam used an upgraded version of Belkins Switch 2 charging case to keep his gaming handheld safe and topped up in transit.
Joseph Duggar and Kendra Duggar are both now facing serious legal trouble after new charges were filed in Arkansas, police confirmed Friday.

According to the Tontitown Police Department, the couple has each been charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment.

Authorities said arrest warrants were issued as part of an ongoing investigation.

Kendra, 27, was taken into custody and later released after posting bond, while Joseph, 31, remains held at the Washington County Detention Center. He is also facing a separate case out of Florida.

According to PageSix, Police stressed that the Arkansas charges are "unrelated" to Joseph's Florida case.

However, they confirmed that the local investigation began after the allegations in Florida came to light.

Joseph was first arrested earlier in the week on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a child under 12. Authorities said the accusations stem from a 2020 family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida.

In a statement, police said, "The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap."

The report added that during the trip, he allegedly touched the child inappropriately and continued behavior that made her uncomfortable.

Joseph Duggar's Mugshot Released After He's Arrested for Allegedly 'Molesting Girl, 9'  As Reality Show Fans Beg Wife Kendra to 'Run' From 'Sick' Husband https://t.co/tJZaDMLy9m pic.twitter.com/3EMUsFCEnQ  Radar Online (@radar_online) March 19, 2026

Joseph Duggar Waives Extradition Hearing

The victim, who said she was 9 years old at the time, told investigators that the incidents happened more than once. She also said Joseph later apologized and stopped.

According to authorities, the situation came to light after the victim's father confronted Joseph earlier this month. Police said Joseph admitted his actions to both the father and investigators.

Joseph has since appeared in court virtually and waived his right to an extradition hearing. He is expected to be transferred to Florida to face those charges, US Magazine reported.

Meanwhile, the Arkansas case involving both Joseph and Kendra remains active. Officials have not shared further details, saying the investigation is still ongoing.

The couple, who married in 2017, share four children. Their family has not released an official statement about the new charges.

Reactions from extended family members have begun to surface. Amy Duggar said she was "sickened" by the situation, adding, "My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe."
Paris Hilton and Carter Reum are setting the record straight after a viral video sparked rumors about their marriage.

The couple faced online speculation after a clip from the 2024 Grammys showed Paris slightly turning her head away as Carter leaned in for a kiss on the red carpet. The moment quickly spread online, with some social media users claiming it showed tension between the two.

Carter responded directly to the rumors on March 19, making it clear that their relationship is strong.

"Rest assured my wife @parishilton is my one in a trillion and we're the happiest and best couple," he wrote in an Instagram comment.

According to People, he also explained what really happened in the viral moment. "I just love giving my wife a kiss and she just hates her makeup being smudged on a red carpet," Carter said, adding, "It's not that deep everyone, and yes she loves me to death."

Authorities of the situation online had pointed to the clip as supposed "proof" of emotional strain, but Carter pushed back, calling those claims overblown. His response aimed to calm fans and stop the spread of false assumptions.

Paris Hiltons husband Carter Reum addressed allegations that his marriage to the 'Simple Life' alum is on the rocks. https://t.co/p1NW4YdSJX pic.twitter.com/S4hBUGuRNg  E! News (@enews) March 20, 2026

Paris Hilton Calls Carter Reum Her 'Safe Place'

The couple, both 45, have been together for several years and share two young children, Phoenix, 3, and London, 2. They first met in their 20s but reconnected in 2019 during a Thanksgiving gathering. Their relationship quickly grew stronger, leading to an engagement in February 2021 and a wedding later that year.

Paris has often spoken openly about how much Carter means to her. In past statements, she described him as someone who truly understands her beyond her public image.

"I was looking for my equal," she shared, explaining that she wanted a partner who loved her for who she really is, E!News reported.

She has also credited Carter with helping her feel safe and supported after years of dealing with trust issues. Calling him "the man of my dreams," Paris said she finally found the kind of love she had been searching for.

More recently, she described their life together as "magical," saying, "Carter is my home, my safe place."

The pair even renewed their commitment in a special way when Carter proposed to Paris again during a family trip, with their children present.
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BAGHDAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraq has commenced the gradual resumption of Iranian gas imports to stabilize its national grid after a temporary suspension caused by an attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, the Ministry of Electricity said Saturday.

The ministry's spokesperson, Ahmed Musa, told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the flow of Iranian gas to Iraq resumed at a rate of five million cubic meters per day to reinforce its national power system.

Musa said that Iraqi power plants were recently affected by the suspension of Iranian gas imports following the attacks on the South Pars gas field, prompting the electricity and oil ministries to use domestic gas and gas oil to maintain capacity.

With the return of Iranian supply, Iraq's national grid stabilized its production at 14,000 megawatts, Musa said, adding the ministry remains on schedule to prepare for peak summer demand.

On Wednesday, Musa told INA that Iranian gas flows to Iraq had completely stopped, noting that "the loss of 3,100 MW will certainly affect the system."

The disruption follows reports from Israeli media earlier Wednesday that the Israeli air force struck a major natural gas facility in Iran's southern city of Bushehr.

Iraq, long plagued by chronic power shortages, remains heavily reliant on Iranian gas for its grid. Meanwhile, the government is pursuing projects to capture associated gas for self-sufficiency.

The resumption of energy supplies comes amid heightened regional tensions following the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began on Feb. 28, which has repeatedly disrupted energy infrastructure and transit routes across the Middle East. 
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 59F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 31F. N winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph.
New cattle TB cases have fallen across Great Britain, but more than 11,000 animals were still slaughtered last year, underlining the ongoing impact on farm businesses.

Defra figures published on 18 March show there were 567 new herd incidents in the 12 months to December 2025, a 5% decrease compared with the previous year.

At the same time, 11,257 cattle were culled as part of TB control measures, down 13.6% from 13,033 the year before, but still representing a significant loss for affected farms.

The figures come as efforts continue to control the spread of bovine TB across high-risk areas, with the disease remaining a major challenge for the livestock sector.

While the long-term trend in new TB incidents is broadly downward, periodic increases highlight how difficult the disease remains to eradicate.

Despite the fall in new cases, the impact on individual farms remains considerable, with herd breakdowns affecting productivity, movement and long-term planning.

Increased use of high-sensitivity testing, including gamma testing, has led to more infected animals being identified and removed from herds.

Alongside this, stricter interpretation of skin tests and the removal of inconclusive reactors are helping to detect infection earlier and reduce the risk of further spread.

While these measures can lead to higher short-term slaughter numbers, they are intended to reduce infection rates and prevent recurring breakdowns over time.

Defra said the use of additional testing alongside standard methods helps to identify and address infection more comprehensively, supporting longer-term disease control.

Monthly slaughter numbers can fluctuate, with peaks expected as testing regimes identify previously undetected cases.

The figures underline the continued challenge of controlling bovine TB, with thousands of cattle still being culled each year as part of efforts to protect herd health and limit the spread of disease.
Fudan University and FDSM leadership attending the event included Kui Su, Director of the International Students Office of Fudan University; Professor Xiongwen Lu, Dean of FDSM; Professor Ming Zheng, Associate Dean of FDSM; Professor Cheng Zhang, Assistant Dean of FDSM; Professor Liyin Jin, Assistant Dean of FDSM; Professor Rong Huang, Assistant Dean of FDSM, and distinguished guests from all sectors. Neng Cao, Director of Fudan MBA Program, presided over the launch event.

Dean Xiongwen Lu delivered a keynote speech titled "From Following to Leading: China's Answer to the Mission of Business Schools."

He noted that for the past 40 years, the discourse and knowledge framework of global management education have been dominated by Western business schools. Looking ahead, Chinese management education should adopt a more open and confident global stance, transitioning from a "knowledge receiver" to a "knowledge constructor," and from an "experience learner" to a "system exporter." By utilizing Chinese business practices, the globalization experience of Chinese enterprises, and Chinese-style management innovation as core content, a new era of management education, one that is diverse, globally-oriented, and leading future business transformation, will begin.

Dean Lu emphasized that the Fudan Global MBA Program marks a milestone for Chinese management thinking, practice and education to participate in the new round of international educational competition and advance the globalization of China's business education. Its core philosophy is to enable young global talents to gain in-depth insights into advanced industries, technologies and business practices in China and Asia, and draw experience and inspiration therefrom. Against the rapid development of the Internet, AI and the Internet of Things, the program will adopt a hybrid online-offline teaching model to expose students to top-tier curricula and research achievements. Through classroom learning, extracurricular practice and cross-cultural interaction, students will not only sharpen their professional skills but also cultivate a global vision and build comprehensive competence integrating theory and practice. More importantly, this will foster broader consensus among all parties and inject new momentum into the global economy. He sincerely invited all sectors of society to join this global cooperation journey and turn this vision into reality together.

Neng Cao, Director of Fudan MBA Program, introduced the detailed curriculum of the Fudan Global MBA Program in a presentation titled "Blossoming: The Global MBA for a New Era."

He stated that the Fudan Global MBA Program aims to cultivate a new generation of global management talent with a deep understanding of Chinese culture, business wisdom, and global governance logic. This will promote the international dissemination of management thoughts with independent intellectual property rights, contributing "Chinese wisdom" to the development of global management science and elevating the voice and influence of Chinese management education on the global stage.

Centering on the "Fudan Global MBA" brand, the program integrates five value pillars: "China & World, Technology & Management, Culture & Business, Digital Intelligence & On-site Experience, and Academy & Industry." Students will have a unique learning experience encompassing educational, experiential, career, cultural and resource value through four distinctive learning scenarios:

Digital Knowledge Learning: Supported by digital technologies, the program integrates and develops core courses covering AI, Chinese industries, Chinese economy and Oriental management. It enables customized and modular learning, breaking the time and physical constraints of traditional classrooms to better suit global and part-time students across regions.

Supported by digital technologies, the program integrates and develops core courses covering AI, Chinese industries, Chinese economy and Oriental management. It enables customized and modular learning, breaking the time and physical constraints of traditional classrooms to better suit global and part-time students across regions. Immersive Industry and Talent Connection: Implementing asynchronous collaboration, digital twin campuses, and VR/AR technology to foster immersive links between students, complemented by offline activities to strengthen intuitive understanding of Chinese business and culture.

Implementing asynchronous collaboration, digital twin campuses, and VR/AR technology to foster immersive links between students, complemented by offline activities to strengthen intuitive understanding of Chinese business and culture. Action Learning for Real-world Problems: Leveraging 20 years of Fudan MBA Action Learning experience, the program focuses on three project types: "Globalizing Chinese Enterprises," "Foreign Enterprises Entering the Chinese Market," and "Business Challenges of Local Enterprises." Students of this program will collaborate closely with Fudan MBA students to solve real business problems, sparking multi-perspective thinking and creating potential career opportunities. For student entrepreneurs, their projects will be included in a pre-admission communication and management process for Practical Achievements from the application stage, enabling precise resource matching to empower their entrepreneurial success.

Leveraging 20 years of Fudan MBA Action Learning experience, the program focuses on three project types: "Globalizing Chinese Enterprises," "Foreign Enterprises Entering the Chinese Market," and "Business Challenges of Local Enterprises." Students of this program will collaborate closely with Fudan MBA students to solve real business problems, sparking multi-perspective thinking and creating potential career opportunities. For student entrepreneurs, their projects will be included in a pre-admission communication and management process for from the application stage, enabling precise resource matching to empower their entrepreneurial success. Lifelong Learning and Career Services: Graduates will enjoy lifelong digital updates for knowledge and career development services, including AI-matched recruitment information for Chinese enterprises overseas and foreign enterprises in China.

Neng Cao noted that the program is primarily designed for international students, featuring a part-time model, English-taught curriculum, and a 2-year duration.

The official Fudan Global MBA logo was also unveiled at the event by the attending leadership.

Since its re-establishment in 1985, FDSM has been rooted in Chinese business practices, engaged with cutting-edge global ideas, and implemented a proactive internationalization strategy of "going global and bringing in". It has established extensive exchanges and partnerships with 116 renowned universities and research institutions across 32 countries and regions, including the United States, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and Hong Kong of China.

In 2009, FDSM received EQUIS accreditation from EFMD and successfully completed five-year re-accreditation in 2012, 2017 and 2023. Meanwhile, FDSM earned AACSB accreditation in 2010, followed by five-year re-accreditation in 2015 and 2020, and a six-year re-accreditation in 2025.

In the Financial Times Global EMBA 2025 Rankings, FDSM achieved its highest-ever result, with its programs ranking among the global top tier in overall and category-specific rankings. Four participating programs entered the global top 25, making FDSM the world's only business school with four programs simultaneously ranked in the global top 25. Additionally, Fudan MBA Program remained in the global top 30 in the Financial Times Global MBA 2026 Rankings.

Official Links

Fudan Global MBA Program: https://www.fdsm.fudan.edu.cn/globalmba/index.html

https://www.fdsm.fudan.edu.cn/globalmba/index.html Fudan University School of Management:https://www.fdsm.fudan.edu.cn/en/main.htm

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2939368/image1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/major-launch-fudan-university-school-of-management-unveils-the-global-mba-program-302721381.html
Nazrin Abdul



A US-Israeli air strike has targeted Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, with state media reporting that there has been no leakage of radioactive material and no immediate danger to nearby residents.

AzerNEWS reports via Aljazeera that the strike comes amid a widening conflict across the region, with continued military activity involving the United States and Israel against Iran and its allies.

Separately, drone strikes triggered a large fire near a US military complex in Baghdad, Iraq. The facility has come under repeated attack since the outbreak of hostilities between US and Israeli forces and Iran.

US President Donald Trump said he does not support a ceasefire with Iran, signalling a continuation of military operations. You know you dont do a ceasefire when youre literally obliterating the other side, he told reporters.

Strikes by US and Israeli forces have continued across Iran and Lebanon, even as millions of Muslims in the Middle East marked the Eid al-Fitr holiday. At the same time, Iran is celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

The latest developments underline the intensifying pace of the conflict, with military actions continuing despite major religious and cultural observances across the region.
CAIRO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Saturday condemned the Israeli attacks on military infrastructure in southern Syria.

The Israeli attacks constitute a continuous violation of the sovereignty of Syria and jeopardize the Arab country's stability and the safety of its people, Aboul-Gheit said in a statement.

The statement added that the Israeli violations aim to drag the whole region into conflicts, impacting international and regional peace and security.

Aboul-Gheit called on the UN Security Council to take its role to stop the Israeli incursion into Syrian territories.

On Friday, the Israeli military struck military infrastructure sites in southwestern Syria overnight in response to the attacks against the residents of a Druze city in the southern Sweida province. 
NAIROBI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The National Police Service in Kenya said on Saturday that a multi-agency security operation has been launched across parts of the northern region to tackle banditry and recover illegal firearms following an increase in cattle rustling.

National Police Service spokesman Michael Muchiri Nyaga said the multi-agency deployment will help restore stability following violent attacks in parts of Meru County, Isiolo County, Samburu County and Laikipia County.

"Cattle have been stolen, lives have been lost, and injuries have been reported. This is totally unacceptable and must be eradicated," Nyaga said in a statement.

He said the multi-agency team has been mandated to recover stolen cattle, mop up illegal firearms and ammunition, and arrest those behind the attacks, including suspected financiers of banditry networks.

The operation, which will focus on suspected hotspots, involves a large contingent of security personnel supported by aerial surveillance and air support to track criminal groups operating in the region.

Nyaga called on residents in the affected areas to cooperate fully with security forces and share information that could help bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said the police remain committed to eliminating all forms of criminality while ensuring the safety of residents in the affected counties.

Clashes between rival cattle-herding pastoralists in the region are common in Kenya's northern region, with herders often carrying guns to protect their animals, but the recent fighting has been unusually intense. 
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.
This photo taken on March 21, 2026 shows destroyed buildings in Israeli airstrikes in the town of Mashgharah in the western Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel at dawn on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel subsequently launched what it described as an "offensive military campaign" against the group, including heavy airstrikes targeting Beirut's southern suburbs and areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that it killed several Hezbollah members during a ground operation in southern Lebanon overnight.

According to the statement, IDF troops identified and engaged several armed Hezbollah militants, killing one of them.

It added that they directed an airstrike against other militants who fired at IDF troops. Subsequently, three more were killed in tank fire, according to the Israeli army.

The Israeli army also said its air force struck several Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut.

No injuries were reported among the Israeli troops, it said.

Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel at dawn on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel subsequently launched what it described as an "offensive military campaign" against the group, including heavy airstrikes targeting Beirut's southern suburbs and areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. 

This photo taken on March 21, 2026 shows destroyed buildings in Israeli airstrikes in the town of Mashgharah in the western Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel at dawn on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel subsequently launched what it described as an "offensive military campaign" against the group, including heavy airstrikes targeting Beirut's southern suburbs and areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 21, 2026 shows destroyed buildings in Israeli airstrikes in the town of Mashgharah in the western Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel at dawn on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel subsequently launched what it described as an "offensive military campaign" against the group, including heavy airstrikes targeting Beirut's southern suburbs and areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)
Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on India's National Investigation Agency detaining Ukrainian and US citizens on charges of being implicated in terrorist activities

20 March 2026 18:35

414-20-03-2026

The Indian media report that six Ukrainian citizens and one US citizen were detained and taken into custody at international airports in New Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata by India's National Investigation Agency on March 13.

Allegedly, these individuals have illegally crossed the border from the Indian state of Mizoram into Myanmar and established contacts with the local armed ethnic groups with the aim of supplying them with EU-manufactured drones, and training them in drone assembly and repair, and in conducting electronic warfare. The publications quoted the NIA as saying that these armed groups maintain ties with insurgents in northeastern India.

The reaction of the Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi was quite revealing as it reportedly sought to conceal the incident and to keep its citizens' questionable activities, which were clearly designed to destabilise the situation in the region, under wraps. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry chose to remain silent on its citizens' violation of India's counter-terrorism legislation and wasted no time baselessly accusing "certain Indian and Russian news agencies" of deliberately falsifying the facts.

The incident clearly shows that Zelensky's neo-Nazi regime has a core exporter of instability worldwide.

Russia has repeatedly issued warnings about the risks associated with the large-scale militarisation of Ukraine by NATO and the EU. Weapons supplied to it are inadequately accounted for and may surface anywhere. Today, Kiev is a major supplier of weaponry and military technologies to the global black market, including military product supplies to Latin American drug cartels and training terrorists in Africa. As we can see, the Western-created Ukrainian tentacled network is reaching as far as regional conflicts in the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Just days ago, Zelensky brazenly boasted that several hundred Ukrainian fighters had been "deployed" to the Persian Gulf area to take part in the ongoing conflict as "instructors" and specialised "experts" in using unmanned aerial vehicles. Sure enough, enforcing international oversight over Ukraine's military technology exports is out of the question.

All of that is the result of lax policies pursued by Western sponsors of Zelensky's regime. Today's Ukraine is undermining regional and global security and stability and is an extremely destructive factor in international politics.

Once again, we urge the World Majority to take a good look at destabilising activities of the agonising Kiev regime which Western countries use as leverage against Russia and other countries around the world.

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Contracts

Contracts for March 19, 2026

NAVY

Blue Steel Marine LLC,* Talofofo, Guam, is awarded a $249,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N4044626D2001) for general ship repair of Military Sealift Command vessels. This action represents a rolling admission to a previously awarded multiple-award contract. Work will be performed in Guam and is expected to be completed by November 2027. This contract includes a five-year ordering period. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,500 (minimum guarantee) will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be provided on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was a HUBZone set-aside, solicited via the Government Point of Entry website, with two proposals received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

Commdex LLC,* Smyrna, Georgia, is awarded a $34,946,592 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of low altitude radio communication system communication towers at Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Twentynine Palms, California. All work will be performed in Twentynine Palms, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2030. Fiscal 2024 military construction (Navy) funds in the amount of $34,946,592 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire in September 2028. This contract was competitively procured via the SAM.gov contract opportunities website with two offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-26-C-0013).

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $16,921,471 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-23-C-5123) for software development, integration, test, and evaluation in support of current configurations of the AEGIS combat system. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by December 2026. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,460,680 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a $10,187,443 firm-fixed-price modification (P00002) to a previously issued order (N0001925F0029) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0014). This order adds scope to procure 40 support equipment requirement data, two detailed functional description document packages, 11 support equipment tools, and logistics support in support of the Depot Stand-Up Phase II for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System Ford Class. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (96%); Tupelo, Mississippi (2%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in September 2027. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,187,443 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.

Northrup Grumman Systems Corp., Magna, Utah, is being awarded a $9,894,043 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0003026C2038). The contract provides for services to complete capital maintenance projects and related capital maintenance studies. Projects completed as part of this effort are limited to non-severable improvements, repair, or modifications of Navy-owned land, buildings, and support utilities. Work will be performed in Magna, Utah. Work is expected to be completed April 1, 2030. Fiscal 2024 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $34,344; fiscal 2025 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $196,872; and fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,662,827, will be obligated on this award. Fiscal 2024 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $34,344 will expire at the end of this fiscal year. This contract was awarded as a sole source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Goodwill Industries of South Florida, Miami, Florida (SPE1C1-26-D-N009, $102,974,306); and Peckham Vocational Industries,** Lansing, Michigan (SPE1C1-26-D-N008, $50,235,465), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE1C1-24-R-0060 for various types of combat uniform coats and trousers. These are five-year contracts with no option periods. The ordering period end date is March 18, 2031. Using military services are Army, Air Force, and Space Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

EnerSys Energy Products Inc., Warrensburg, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $33,491,674 firm-fixed-price contract for storage batteries and a battery assembly. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a three-year base contract with two one-year option periods. The performance completion date is March 18, 2029. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-26-D-0013).

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Inc., Wewahitchka, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $10,552,433 modification (P00224) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-10-C-8253) with no option periods for phase two construction of primary utility corridor at Tyndall Air Force Base. This is a firm-fixed-price, economic-price-adjustment contract. The performance completion date is May 31, 2061. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 Air Force military construction funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

AIR FORCE

Raytheon Co., managed by Collins Aerospace Mission Secured Solutions, McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a $73,992,158 modification (P00004) to a previously awarded contract (FA2385-24-C-B037) for the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet program. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $125,746,781 from $51,754,623. Work will be performed at McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 29, 2028. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $15,143,264; and Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,143,264, are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $22,812,425 firm-fixed-price modification (P00015) to a previously awarded contract (FA8682-24-C-B001) for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile large lot procurement. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $9,653,637,070 from $9,630,824,645. Work will be performed at Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 29, 2029. Fiscal 2025 missiles procurement funds in the amount of $22,812,425 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

JAR Assets LLC, Mandeville, Louisiana (HTC71121CW001/ P00018), was awarded a $12,448,000 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract. Exercising this option provides continued transportation of bulk jet fuel by tug and barge for the Defense Logistics Agency-Energy. Work will be performed in the Gulf of Mexico, and Lower Mississippi River, their connecting waterways and tributaries, and at inland ports and points along the Gulf Coast Region. The option period of performance is from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Defense Working Capital Funds for fiscal 2026 are being used for this modification award. The total cumulative face value of this contract is $58,387,000. The U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded an unpriced change order modification (P00132) with a not-to-exceed amount of $9,236,215, to contract W58RGZ-16-C-0023, for multi-purpose display obsolescence and strap pack assembly outboard bolt improvement in support of the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4,819,061,070. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2027. Payment-in-kind will be used as payment for this modification. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

*Small business

**Mandatory source

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4438916/

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This undated photo shows snow finches resting on a nest in a spruce tree in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Huang Yaoman

LHASA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- When I first arrived in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, for work, I would often hear a story: in northern Xizang's Nagqu, anyone who managed to successfully grow a tree would be rewarded 200,000 yuan (about 29,000 U.S. dollars).

At the time, I did not take it seriously. I even joked -- if that were true, wouldn't people there all be millionaires by now? It was not until I set foot on this land, often described as a "no-go zone for life," that I began to understand what the story really meant.

Nagqu sits at an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, making it the highest prefecture-level city in China. For years, it was the only city without trees. Award-winning author Ma Lihua once wrote in her travel notes that "Nagqu Town has everything, except a tree."

I have been to several counties in Nagqu. The altitude left me with pounding headaches and sleepless nights. Even in summer, a heavy down jacket was not enough to fully ward off the cold. The wind, carrying sand and grit, howled day and night, as if determined to strip the land of any sign of life. It became clearer why people once thought that trees simply could not survive in this environment.

And yet, as my car entered downtown Nagqu, the view surprised me. Along the roads, young trees swayed in the wind but did not fall. Parks and sidewalks across Nagqu are dotted with alpine willow, spruce and sea buckthorn -- shorter than trees in the lowlands, but undeniably green. Against the vast, muted landscape, that green felt almost improbable.

"Don't be fooled by their size," Tashi, who has worked in Nagqu for 22 years, told me. "Every one of these trees represents decades of effort." I asked him whether altitude alone made it so difficult for trees to grow. He shook his head. "The altitude is the least of it," he said. "There are many obstacles, including the cold, the frozen ground and the wind."

Tashi took me to one of the seedling bases. He bent down and pointed to a spruce branch -- about 20 centimeters long, saying: "That's a whole year's growth." He explained that the average annual temperature here is below zero degrees Celsius and the permafrost can extend several meters underground. Plants have a growing season of only about 80 days a year -- too short to store enough nutrients. The soil is rocky and poor, making it hard for roots to take hold. Plus, the wind can dry out any moisture that the seedlings manage to hold onto in no time.

Tashi told me that since 1998, they have introduced saplings from cold places like Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. Most did not survive. "It's hard to describe how it feels," Tashi said. "You planted them with hope, and then you watched them slowly die."

For more than two decades, people in Nagqu have been trying and failing, again and again.

Things began to change in 2017. Researchers and local workers started to experiment with different methods: monitoring climate data, testing tree species, and adjusting how seedlings were protected from cold and sun. Gradually, they found ways to help trees adapt to the plateau environment.

At the same time, Nagqu established trial planting bases, where saplings could be grown in controlled conditions before being gradually introduced to the outdoors. "It's like altitude sickness for people," Tashi said. "Trees have to adapt too." Seedlings are first raised in greenhouses, where they are protected and carefully tended before being transplanted outdoors.

Today, thousands of seedlings raised indoors have been transplanted across the city. Over 100,000 trees have been planted in trial projects, and more than 60,000 seedlings cultivated. Nagqu is no longer a city without trees.

Tashi has witnessed this change firsthand. He told me about a small moment last summer. A snow finch built a nest in a spruce tree outside his office building. One day, a chick fell to the ground, and he picked it up and carefully placed it back in the nest. "There used to be nothing here," he said with a smile. "No birds. Not even a proper branch. Now, things have changed."

When I left Nagqu, the wind was still howling. Yet the trees lining the road stood tall and unwavering. For the first time, they seemed to truly belong there. 

A staff member of the forestry and grassland bureau of Nagqu prunes saplings at a seedling base in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Staff members of the forestry and grassland bureau of Nagqu check the growth of trees planted in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)
Contracts

Contracts for March 20, 2026

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory (USU/SDL), Logan, Utah, has been awarded a $414,000,000 contract modification to a previously awarded sole-source University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) for technical and analytical support to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). MDA must provide a highly integrated and effective Missile Defense System to defend the homeland, regional interests, allies, and deployed forces against ballistic missile threats of all ranges and in all phases of flight. MDA requires continued access to the unique and specialized knowledge, expertise, and often proprietary data resident with USU/SDL for the development of complex and highly technical systems engineering and integration products. The objective of this cost-plus-fixed-fee contract is to provide technical and analytical support for MDA related USU/SDL core competencies in accordance with the Department of Defense UARC Engagement Guide. In this modification (P00020), the ordering period is extended to 22 November 2031, and the ceiling is increased to $714,000,000 by $414,000,000. Work will be performed in Logan, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 22 2031. This contract permits other than full and open competition for this effort using 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(3)(B) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.103-3(b)(2). MDA, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0854-22-D-0001).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

US Foods Inc., doing business as US Foods - Los Angeles, La Mirada, California, has been awarded a maximum $137,113,715 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food and beverage items. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 322-day bridge contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Arizona, with a Feb. 6, 2027, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-26-D-3013).

JCB Inc., Pooler, Georgia, has been awarded an estimated $22,322,809 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for tire and wheel assemblies. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The performance completion date is March 18, 2031. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-26-D-0022).

ARMY

Aerovironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded a $117,306,232 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement and delivery of P550 Long Range Reconnaissance systems. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 23, 2026. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-F-0238).

The SURVICE Engineering Company LLC, Belcamp, Maryland, was awarded a $19,163,162 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of tactical resupply vehicles with ancillary support, trainer boxes, program and engineering support, and logistics services and spares/repairs. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 17, 2028. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-F-0223). (Awarded March 19, 2026).

Aerovironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded a $17,583,318 firm-fixed-price contract to procure Red Dragon, battery chargers, ground control stations, launchers, critical part kit materials, training materials, and field service representative support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 8, 2026. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-F-0206). (Awarded March 12, 2026).

Sandhills Utility Services LLC,* Fort Liberty, North Carolina, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for microgrid and back-up power construction. The amount of this action is $15,925,307, with a total cumulative face value of $17,940,700. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 1, 2028. Fiscal 2026 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $15,925,307 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, is the contracting activity (W912QR-26-C-A020).

NAVY

Amee Bay LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N42158-26-D-S001); AMP United LLC,* Dover, New Hampshire (N42158-26-D-S002); Delphinus Engineering Inc.,* Newtown Square, Pennsylvania (N42158-26-D-S003); Get It Industrial Marine LLC,* Portsmouth, Virginia (N42158-26-D-0004); Glotech Inc.,* Rockville, Maryland (N42158-26-D-S005); Mid Atlantic Engineering Technical Services Inc.,* Chesapeake, Virginia (N42158-26-D-S006); Mills Marine & Ship Repair LLC,* Suffolk, Virginia (N42158-26-D-S007); Orbis Sibro Inc., doing business as Orbis,* Charleston, South Carolina (N42158-26-D-S008); Owl International Inc., doing business as Global a 1st Flagship Co.,* Irvine, California (N42158-26-D-S009); Q.E.D. Systems Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N32253-26-D-S010); and Tecnico Corp.,* Chesapeake, Virginia (N42158-26-D-S011), were awarded a combined $114,021,616 firm-fixed-price level-of-effort, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement involving specific supply of production touch labor to support the repair, maintenance and alterations requirements for U.S. Navy waterborne vessels, surface ships and submarines at any location under Norfolk Naval Shipyard Naval Support Activity and Lead Maintenance Activity cognizance. Each awardee will be awarded $1,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at the task order level upon contract award. These contracts bring a cumulative value of $114,021,616 over a five-year ordering period to the eleven vendors combined. Work will be performed in the state of Virginia and is expected to be completed by March 2031. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $11,000 will be obligated at the task order level after award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the task order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the SAM.gov website, with 13 offers received. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded March 4, 2026).

Vertex Modernization and Sustainment LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, was awarded $87,077,655 for a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the repair of SUU-79 pylons used on the F/A-18 aircraft. The contract does not contain an option provision. All work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by January 2029. Fiscal 2026 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $12,006,400 will be obligated at the time of award to fund delivery order (N00383-26-F-EP00) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subsequent delivery orders under the contract will be funded with appropriate fiscal year working capital funds (Navy) at the time of their issuance and those funds will not expire at the end of the applicable fiscal year. The requirement was competitively procured through the System for Award Management website (Sam.gov) as an unrestricted, competitive procurement with three offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-26-D-0005).

Huntington-Ingalls Industries-Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a not-to-exceed $19,334,820 fixed-price incentive, unpriced change order modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-18-C-2406) for high temperature superconducting degaussing system in support of Engineering Change Proposal 2724 on the future USS Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by October 2028. Fiscal 2026 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,754,542 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY

Dawson CMS LLC, Fairfax, Virginia, was awarded a fixed-price contract bridge (HT001524C0005 P00011) with a value of $13,029,886 to support the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Market Technology Integration Office (MTIO) and provide program management support services in support of the DHA, MTIO, and other organizations. Services include, but are not limited to, the following areas: program management, technical support services, subject matter expert services, information system security, network administration, systems administration, and help desk support services. This support enables the MTIO to properly support the 48 sites that have staffed facilities worldwide. This contract was a direct 8(a) acquisition. This is a 12-month bridge to the base contract. Location of performance is worldwide with a March 28, 2027, performance completion date. The base year is funded with fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $13,029,886. The Defense Health Agency, Enterprise Medical Services Contracting Division, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Feb. 27, 2026).

U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

Phoenix Air Group Inc., Cartersville, Georgia (HTC71126CE123), was awarded an $11,880,350 firm-fixed-price contract with time-and-materials for reimbursable expenses. This contract provides dedicated passenger air charter services to support U.S. Africa Command operations. Work will be performed in Stuttgart, Germany. The period of performance is from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Operations and maintenance funds for fiscal 2026 are being used for this award. The total cumulative face value of this contract is $11,880,350. The U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4440056/

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March 20, 2026

Release

JIATF-401, in Support of Interagency Task Force, Emphasizes Zero-Tolerance Policy, Cracks Down on Drones in Restricted Airspace

In support of The White House Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty, the DOJ, DHS, FAA, and DOW warn that any individual or group found operating an unauthorized drone within designated restricted airspace will face severe consequences.

"As drone use continues to grow, we are stepping up enforcement, and drone pilots are expected to follow FAA regulations just like any other pilot," said FAA Chief Counsel Liam McKenna. "Those who choose to ignore the rules will face serious consequences, including substantial fines, revocation of their airman certificate, and even criminal penalties."

To enforce this zero-tolerance policy, our military and law enforcement agencies are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to detect unauthorized drone activity, often before it becomes a visible threat. This technology allows authorities to not only detect an unauthorized drone but also to quickly and precisely locate the operator. "If you fly an illegal drone, you will be caught," Director of JIATF-401, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross added. "We have highly trained personnel and sophisticated tools to safely and effectively mitigate any drone threat. This is a true whole-of-government effort, and our number one priority is the safety of the American public."

Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Penalties for flying a drone in a restricted zone can include significant fines upwards of $100,000, federal criminal charges, imprisonment, and the confiscation of the drone. The SAFER SKIES Act authorizes state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement to detect, disable, or seize any drone that poses a credible security threat to public safety.

Members of The Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty are also calling on the public to be partners in safety. "We are counting on the public to be our eyes and ears," Executive Director of DHS's Program Executive Office for Drones and Counter-UAS Steven Willoughby, stated. "If you see something, say something. Please report any suspicious activity, including drone use, to the nearest law enforcement officer or by calling 911."

These extensive security measures are in place to ensure that public events and critical facilities can operate safely and without disruption. JIATF-401 and the DOW are urging everyone to cooperate with security personnel and respect all airspace restrictions to avoid facing penalties.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4438373/

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March 20, 2026

Release

Joint Statement Reaffirming a Shared Commitment to Defense Industrial Resilience

The following text was jointly agreed upon by the 16 members of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR): the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom following the 2nd Annual PIPIR Plenary meeting.

We, the National Armaments Directors and senior government officials of the member nations of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR), convened for our 2nd Annual Plenary meeting, virtually, on March 18, 2026, to reaffirm our commitment to accelerating defense industrial cooperation.

We reaffirmed the PIPIR Statement of Core Vision and Terms of Reference, discussed the collective challenges and opportunities to defense industrial cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and endorsed the 2026 roadmap for PIPIR workstream initiatives.

We also endorsed the accession of Thailand and the United Kingdom to PIPIR, welcoming them as the 15th and 16th members, respectively, to join our Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic partnership. Collectively, we are committed to strengthening defense industrial resilience to promote the continued regional security, economic security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

We discussed current capacity shortfalls and resilience challenges in the global defense industrial base that impede our ability to meet combined operational needs but acknowledged positive momentum through PIPIR in addressing barriers to increased armaments cooperation. We further reaffirmed our commitment to exploring avenues across the Partnership to strengthen defense industrial base integration to de-risk supply chains, expand forward sustainment capacity, remove policy and regulatory impediments to cooperation, and accelerate production of key systems and components.

We discussed the significant progress that has been achieved through PIPIR since its establishment, recalling the announcement of two marquee initiatives by the U.S. Secretary of War at the Shangri-La Dialogue in May 2025, including the development of a forward repair capability for P-8 radar systems in Australia and the development of standards for small unmanned aerial systems across the Indo-Pacific. We agreed to the following next steps for these marquee initiatives:

Expanding the scope of the regional sustainment hub in Australia to support additional P-8 operators in the Indo-Pacific, a project recently announced at the Shangri-La Dialogue in May 2025.

Endorsing four Statements of Intent to foster cooperation on small unmanned aerial systems' battery and small motor development through executing an industry survey and sharing results among participants, pursuing reciprocal standards and a common procurement policy, and identifying efforts towards a future battery project.

We agreed that PIPIR continues to make tangible progress toward addressing barriers and accelerating defense industrial collaboration to promote a stronger, more resilient, more integrated, defense industrial base. We also reaffirmed the importance of multilateral frameworks such as PIPIR to help facilitate the rapid delivery of relevant capabilities to our combined defense forces. In doing so, we took measure of the progress made since our last plenary on these efforts:

Building on the success of the Multinational Armaments Resilience Seminar, the first Indo-Pacific focused multinational armaments cooperation course, to be executed on a yearly basis, and co-hosted by the Department of War's Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies and rotating PIPIR members.

Continuing our campaign of learning through multiple industrial base-focused subject-matter expert exchanges, tabletop exercises, and collaborative learning events.

We also discussed and endorsed several new lines of effort that will strengthen the Partnership by creating more opportunities for collaboration and will advance defense industrial resilience in the Indo-Pacific and globally:

Committing to a project that will explore feasibility and opportunity to establish a forward-deployed F100/F110 engine repair hub in Japan, which, will support regional sustainment for F-15 and F-16 platforms operated by the United States Air Force and partner nations.

Progressing the effort to establish a CH-47 Chinook T-55 engine repair hub in the Republic of Korea, a project recently announced at the US-ROK Logistics Cooperations Committee in July 2025.

Establishment of a new Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) production initiative between the US and Japan, chaired by Japan.

Expanding energetics and munitions development by assessing the potential for interest and funding for the 30mm-by-173mm ammunition load, assemble, and pack line effort with the Philippines.

Supporting regional co-production opportunities by exploring modular UAV projects across many mission sets.

Instituting new tools and techniques, such as a project development guide, that provides a methodology to identify and assess future collaborations resulting in enhanced project efficiency and efficacy, information sharing, and transparency among governments, industry partners, and stakeholders.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4439861/

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March 20, 2026

Release

Readout of Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby's Meeting With Gulf Cooperation Council Partners

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell provided the following readout:

On March 19, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby had the privilege of meeting with ambassadors and defense attaches from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to align on Operation Epic Fury. During the engagement, held at the Department of War, Under Secretary Colby emphasized the value of our partnerships with GCC countries. He also highlighted the critical role that our partners and their respective capabilities, including layered air and missile defenses, have played in defending against Iran's indiscriminate attacks throughout the region. Finally, the Under Secretary underscored the department's intent to maintain close, continuing cooperation with our GCC partners as we sustain efforts to defend against Iranian threats, including with respect to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4439924/

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Foreign Minister Baiba Braze on a visit to Oslo: Cooperation between Latvia and Norway in the economy, technology, and defence is growing stronger

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 20.03.2026

On 19 March 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, during a working visit to Oslo, in the Kingdom of Norway, opened the first Latvian-Norwegian Drone Forum, which brought together more than 20 Latvian and 40 Norwegian drone manufacturers. The Minister also delivered a speech at the international Construction Days conference, the largest construction industry event in Norway, which was attended by Latvian companies UPB, We Build Parks, and Compor.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze:

"Norway is a reliable and important trade partner for Latvia and the eighth-largest foreign investor in Latvia. We wish to deepen cooperation in the economy, technology, and the defence industry, particularly in the field of drone technology. This is essential not only for strengthening national military capabilities but also for regional cooperation and the security of supply chains. Moreover, Latvia's defence industry is demonstrating rapid maturity and potential - in 2025, we secured approximately 50% more funding from the European Commission and the European Defence Fund than in 2024. This demonstrates our ability to lead cross-border consortia and strengthen our position in European supply chains."

The first Latvian-Norwegian Drone Forum was organized by the Latvian Embassy in Oslo, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), Military Technology, Drones & Robotics Association and the Norwegian Defence Industry Association. The Minister invited Norwegian representatives to participate in the international Drone Summit in Riga on 27 May. The Minister of Defence of Latvia, Andris Spruds, and the Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, Kaspars Pudans, also participated in the forum.

"Latvia and Norway have great potential for cooperation in the construction and infrastructure sectors - both in high-readiness military infrastructure projects and in energy efficiency, sustainable construction and timber construction technologies. The presence of Latvian companies - UPB, Tenax Panel, We Build Parks, Northproject, CLT Profi and others - in Norway demonstrates our professionalism and capacity to work under demanding conditions.

The construction sector is part of comprehensive defence - for example, the construction of military infrastructure within NATO requires specific equipment, skills, certification, and more. Innovation and technological development in this industry have been driven by the geopolitical realities.

Close cooperation in construction and infrastructure development contributes to the resilience and security of the Baltic and Nordic region, including by ensuring a faster response in times of crisis," noted Baibe Braze.

In Oslo's historic centre, Baiba Braze visited the Qvarteret building rehabilitation project carried out by the Latvian construction company UPB. UPB is one of the largest Latvian companies operating successfully in the Nordic market and delivering large-scale construction projects.

At the Norwegian Business School, one of the largest business schools in Europe, Baiba Braze met with the school's Vice-Rector Dr Thomas Hoholm, Associate Professor Janis Berzins and students, including those from Latvia, and discussed cooperation among the Baltic Sea region countries and Latvia's achievements in the fields of renewable energy, drone, space, 5G/6G, AI and quantum technologies.

The Minister gave interviews to the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK and Norway's leading construction news portal bygg.no.

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13th MEU Forms Complete Marine Air-Ground Task Force

US Marine Corps News

20 Mar 2026 | Capt. Mark McDonough PEO Land Systems

CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES -- The 13th MEU Command Element welcomed Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/4, which will serve as the Ground Combat Element; Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 13, which will serve as the Logistics Combat Element; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 (Reinforced) and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, which together form the Aviation Combat Element. VMFA-211 will provide a full squadron of F-35B Lightning II aircraft, significantly expanding the aviation capabilities of the unit.

Together, these units form a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), enabling command and control of ground, aviation, and logistics capabilities and forming a single, rapidly deployable force capable of executing a wide range of missions from the sea.

As the Ground Combat Element, BLT 2/4, provides the infantry forces of the MEU and serves as the principal ground maneuver element of the MAGTF.

The Aviation Combat Element, comprised of VMM-364 (Rein.) and VMFA-211, provides the MEU with a full spectrum of Marine Corps aviation capabilities in support of MAGTF operations.

CLB-13, the Logistics Combat Element, provides a broad range of sustainment capabilities that allow the MEU to operate and sustain itself in any environment.

"The strength of The Fighting 13th has always been its Marines and Sailors," said Sgt. Maj. Gerald Furnari, the senior enlisted advisor of the 13th MEU. "Every generation that serves in this unit adds to its legacy, and today's team stands ready to answer the nation's call."

The composite of the MEU marks the beginning of an intensive training cycle during which the command, ground, aviation, and logistics elements will train together before deploying aboard U.S. Navy amphibious ships as part of an Amphibious Ready Group.

The 13th MEU was established at Camp Pendleton on Feb. 1, 1985, as the 13th Marine Amphibious Unit, and was redesignated as the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit on Feb. 5, 1988. Known as "The Fighting 13th," the unit has deployed around the world in support of combat operations, crisis response missions, and humanitarian assistance efforts.

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Trump faces growing political trilemma three weeks into Iran war

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:33, March 20, 2026

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Nearly three weeks into the war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has found himself squeezed between three different sources of pressure: political allies, business leaders and even his own MAGA ("Make America Great Again") base -- each with its own expectations and demands.

The president has issued contradictory statements regarding the targets, scale and duration of military action against Iran, reflecting his attempts to appeal to different constituencies. The inability to reconcile these competing pressures has left him caught in an "impossible trinity."

CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS

Reviewing Trump's recent statements on the prospects of the war with Iran, his rhetoric has veered between ending the war and pressing on.

On Sunday, he said that the United States had "essentially defeated Iran," yet denied being ready to declare victory. On Monday, he stated that the war will not end this week, "but it'll be soon." On Tuesday, he said, "We're not ready to leave yet, but we will be leaving in the near future."

Analysts say that such contradictory statements are no coincidence.

David Smith, an American politics and foreign policy analyst from the Australian think tank U.S. Studies Centre, suggested that Trump's comments were likely politically motivated rather than an accurate portrayal of the status of the war.

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua: "To the hawks, he says that the U.S. will not leave the war prematurely ... To the business community, he says that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened soon ... To the MAGA base, he says the war has already been won."

THE TRILEMMA

The three groups mentioned by Ramsey represent the three key forces influencing decision-making in the White House, each hoping the duration and scale of U.S. military action against Iran will align with their own agendas.

U.S. media and analysts point to Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton as the leading figures among the pro-war "hawks." They support U.S. military action against Iran alongside Israel, advocate firmly for preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and call on Trump to completely destroy Iran's military capabilities or even overthrow its current regime.

Graham has argued that a nuclear-capable Iran would pose a threat to the United States and must be neutralized. The senator from South Carolina has framed military action against Iran as "necessary and long justified" to ensure Iran "never goes back to the nuclear business."

The view has been echoed by conservative commentator and podcaster Mark Levin, a highly influential figure in the MAGA movement. Levin, one of the operation's fiercest defenders, often argues that the war is a necessary defensive measure to prevent a nuclear threat to the United States.

Meanwhile, some White House officials are voicing concerns about the war and its potential consequences, including senior advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department and the National Economic Council, as well as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

According to Reuters, these figures have warned Trump that the war-driven spike in oil prices could have political consequences detrimental to the Republican Party.

Even one of Trump's key advisors has called for an exit from the conflict. White House crypto and AI czar David Sacks recently said the United States ought to "declare victory and get out" of the war.

Economists, such as Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi, have also warned that high energy prices driven by the war with Iran could push the United States into a recession.

Current polls show that while most MAGA supporters back Trump's decision to take military action against Iran, they do not want U.S. ground troops drawn into a prolonged Middle East war. They prefer to see the United States pursue so-called "peace through strength" and secure a quick victory before withdrawing with dignity.

Trump's previously contradictory statements appear to be aimed at appeasing these three forces. However, analysts note that Trump can't satisfy all three at once, leaving him trapped in an "impossible trinity."

RIFT IN MAGA

Recent polls show that a significant portion of MAGA supporters continue to back Trump's military actions against Iran, yet several key MAGA opinion leaders have publicly voiced their opposition or concerns, including conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson, media personality Megyn Kelly and Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Carlson, a conservative podcaster with millions of followers and considerable influence within the MAGA base, has strongly opposed the war, saying that it is "Israel's war" and does not serve U.S. strategic interests.

Kelly has said that U.S. service members died for Iran or Israel rather than America.

The sentiment has been echoed by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who publicly criticized Trump, calling the war on Iran "a complete betrayal" of his campaign promises of "no more foreign wars, no more regime change."

Analysts believe that MAGA voters' support for military action against Iran is currently based on their personal loyalty to Trump and the expectation that the United States will achieve a quick and decisive victory. However, if the conflict drags on and economic costs rise, anti-war sentiment within the MAGA movement is likely to grow rapidly.

There are deep anxieties over regional stability as Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint responsible for about 20 percent of global oil flows, have raised fears of severe oil supply disruptions. Such disruptions could drive energy prices sharply higher, squeezing American household budgets and potentially undermining the Republican Party's prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.

"Trump has betrayed his MAGA base by going to war after promising to avoid foreign adventurism," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

"He has not put forward a consistent rationale for the war and every day has a different explanation. All of that is creating big political problems for himself. The longer the war goes on, the more difficult it will be for him."

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Navy missile frigate 'scanned' by Chinese fire control radar

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

March 20, 2026, 1:56 pm Updated on March 20, 2026, 6:21 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy's (PN) Naval Defense Command (NDC) announced that one of its guided missile frigates, the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6), was reportedly scanned by a "fire control radar" (FCR) of a Chinese corvette in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on March 7.

"While underway at (the vicinity of) Sabina Shoal within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army)-Navy ship with bow number 622 Jiangkai class corvette aimed its FCR towards BRP Miguel Malvar, exercising freedom of navigation and adhering to international law of order in the WPS," the NDC said in a Facebook post Thursday night.

It added that China's use of a targeting radar against a PN vessel was an "alarming and escalatory act."

The NDC said the behavior reflected a pattern of coercion that endangers lives, disrupts lawful operations, and challenges the sovereignty of coastal states.

The incident took place as the ship was steaming toward Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales after attending the 3rd International Fleet Review and Multilateral Navy Exercise, which took place Feb. 18 to 26 in India.

On its way to the port, the Filipino ship detected "emissions" coming from the Chinese corvette that indicated that it was targeting its FCR towards BRP Miguel Malvar.

It prompted the BRP Miguel Malvar to issue a radio challenge and told the Chinese ship to leave the area to avoid misunderstanding.

No other escalatory actions took place afterwards, although the Chinese corvette tailed BRP Miguel Malvar for a few hours before leaving.

Alarming, provocative

As this developed, a ranking Navy official also on Friday said the Chinese warship's FCR scanning of BRP Miguel Malvar was an "alarming and provocative action that created unnecessary risk and could have led to misinterpretation and misunderstanding at sea."

In a message to the Philippine News Agency Friday, PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the incident highlights the needs of all nations to act with restraint and professionalism.

"BRP Miguel Malvar immediately issued a radio challenge in accordance with standard procedures in the WPS and directed the foreign vessel to cease such unprofessional and dangerous behavior. The PLA Navy vessel eventually stowed its fire control radar, indicating that it heeded the radio challenge and backed down from that particular action," he added.

At the time of the incident, the PN official said the BRP Miguel Malvar was conducting a maritime sovereignty patrol with the vicinity of Sabina Shoal.

Despite the incident, Trinidad reiterated that ships and aircraft of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to conduct lawful maritime patrols and sovereignty patrols within its exclusive economic zone, consistent with international law and the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

"We remain firm in protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS, while advocating for the peaceful and rules-based resolution of disputes," he added. (PNA)

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Army in better position to thwart external threats

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

March 20, 2026, 1:38 pm

MANILA -- With the communist insurgency threat on the wane, Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said the Army is now in a better position to carry out missions against external threats.

"As a result, our major units, while sustaining internal security gains, are now better postured for territorial defenses, guided by a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC)," Nafarrete said in a speech late Thursday.

"Every unit stands ready to defend the nation against external threats and actions that undermine our peace and stability."

The CADC is the strategic shift of the Philippine military where it is now tasked to defend all the country's territories, including the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

The shift to the CADC is highlighted by the ongoing modernization and acquisition of equipment that will allow the Army to beef up the country's credible deterrence posture, Nafarrete said.

"Beyond combat readiness, we have further strengthened our humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities through intensified training, meaningful bilateral engagements and the unwavering dedication of both the regular and reserve forces," he said.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced that it had neutralized 413 New People's Army (NPA) members and their supporters during operations from Jan. 1 to March 5.

Out of the 413 neutralized NPA members and their allies, 398 opted to surrender while nine were killed.

Neutralized in military parlance means surrender, capture or killing of enemy troops. (PNA)

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US aircraft losses soar as F-35 hit for first time by Iran

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 10:48 AM

A report says at least 16 US military aircraft have been lost since the start of the American-Israeli aggression against Iran, including 10 Reaper strike drones destroyed and a half-dozen other planes badly damaged.

Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the issue, reported that Iranian defenses have so far brought down the uncrewed Reapers, with at least nine being destroyed in the air, and one was hit at an airfield in Jordan by a ballistic missile.

The other two Reapers were reportedly lost to accidents.

The report claimed that the most serious losses were due accidents, including three US F-15s purportedly downed by "friendly fire" in Kuwait, and a KC-135 tanker destroyed during a refueling operation.

That's while the Islamic Resistance in Iraq last week said that its fighters managed to intercept a strategic KC-135 aircraft belonging to the US military in the skies over Western Iraq, adding that they downed the aircraft using an "appropriate weapon."

All six crew members on the tanker were killed.

According to Bloomberg, an Iranian missile attack has damaged five other KC-135s while parked at an airfield in Saudi Arabia.

Bloomberg referred to the emergency landing of a US F-35 stealth jet was forced to make at an airbase in West Asia on Thursday, without citing the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as saying that it has successfully hit the aircraft in Iran's airspace.

This is the first time the jets have been struck since their introduction about 10 years ago.

'Collapse of US arrogance'

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf said striking an F35 fighter jet shows the "collapse" of the US military's supposed invincibility and arrogance, calling it the first time such a symbol has been struck and marking a major breakdown of that perceived order.

"Iran operates the infrared-guided 358 surface-to-air missile, which has a small, mobile launcher. They can hit targets at altitudes up to 25,000 feet and, because they have no radars, aircraft will have no warning they are being tracked," the report said, highlighting that "They were a threat to US planes in last year's campaign over Yemen."

The number of aircraft losses is much higher than those recorded during the last large-scale air campaign that the US was involved with, the military intervention in Libya in 2011, where only three combat losses were reported over four months. One of them was a US Navy drone.

The report confirmed that Iran's air defenses "has remained elusive", despite the US and Israeli aerial attacks, adding that such active air defenses will thwart any US attempts to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz:

"The Reaper shootdowns also illustrate one of the difficulties of trying to open the Strait of Hormuz: any active air defenses will greatly complicate those efforts."

The US operates 225 Reapers, according to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, and several of them were shot down by Yemen last year.

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.

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.

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NEW DELHI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on regional developments, local media reported.

In a post on social media platform X, Modi wrote that he spoke to Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz greetings. The two leaders expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.

During their conversation, Modi reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure. He also appreciated Iran's continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.

The prime minister also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains, according to the post. 
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, Philippine forces conduct Maritime Cooperative Activity

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

NEWS | March 20, 2026

By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

MANILA BAY -- The combined forces of the Philippines and the United States conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, March 20, 2026. This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

As the fourth MCA of 2026, these regular at-sea events strengthen the interoperability of our respective military doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures. This MCA focused on key maritime communication drills and interoperability.

MCAs are conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety, navigational rights, and freedoms of all nations.

Participating units included Philippine Navy Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG 15), Philippine Coast Guard BRP Gabriela Silang (OBV 8301), Armed Forces of the Philippine aircraft including a C-208B utility aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircrafts, a Sokol Search and Rescue helicopter, and U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19). This marks Blue Ridge's first participation in an MCA.

Prior to the MCA, Blue Ridge conducted a port visit to Manila where U.S. 7th Fleet and the Philippine Navy Fleet conducted subject matter expert exchanges and leadership calls. While in port, USS Blue Ridge hosted Philippine civilian and military leadership as well as ambassadors throughout the region during an evening reception.

The U.S., along with our allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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USS Blue Ridge departs Manila, Philippines

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

NEWS | March 20, 2026

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jeremy Graham, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Public Affairs

MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet departed Manila, Philippines following a planned port visit March 16-20, 2026.

During the visit, U.S. 7th Fleet and Blue Ridge hosted U.S. and Philippine military and government distinguished visitors aboard the U.S. Navy's oldest operational warship. U.S. Embassy of Philippines Charge d'Affairs Y. Robert Ewing served to keynote the evening.

"Thank you to the people of Manila for the warm welcome to your beautiful country," said Capt. Louis F. Catalina IV, Commanding Officer of USS Blue Ridge. "Our Sailors are grateful for the hospitality shown during our visit and for the opportunity to experience Filipino culture. Engagements like this strengthen the enduring partnership between our nations and reinforce our shared commitment to peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

During the visit, Vice Adm. Pat J. Hannifin, Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, met with Armed Forces of the Philippines to include: Vice Adm. Jose Maria Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Fleet Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy; Rear Adm. Anthony C. Orbe, Fleet Commander of Philippine Navy; and Adm. Ronnie Gavan, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard. The meetings reinforced the strong high-end military to military partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines and served to drive the relationship forward as Balikatan 2026 approaches.

Hannifin also paid his respects to 16,859 military members laid to rest at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Hannifin presented a wreath to honor the largest number of WWII fallen of any American Battlefield Monument.

During the port visit, the crew explored the country's rich culture through sightseeing, providing service members the opportunity to authentically experience a new culture.

The U.S. Navy shares a longstanding alliance with the Philippines with the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951. The U.S.-Philippine alliance is critical for advancing our shared interest and upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, which bolsters deterrence, signals unwavering resolve, and aligns our collective efforts to preserve regional stability.

U.S. 7th Fleet, embarked aboard Blue Ridge, commands the world's largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with Allies and partners.

The Blue Ridge and U.S. 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities.

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Treasury Sanctions Global Network Diverting Funds to Benefit Hizballah

U.S. Department of the Treasury

March 20, 2026

Network Amassed Over $100 Million from Hizballah Financial Schemes

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating a network of 16 individuals and entities led by Hizballah financier and former public investment official Alaa Hassan Hamieh (Alaa Hamieh). Alaa Hamieh oversees a network of companies, controlled through family members and close associates, that launder and raise funds for Hizballah's finance team. These individuals and companieslocated in Lebanon, Syria, Poland, Slovenia, Qatar, and Canadahave been involved in numerous economic projects and are estimated to have enabled the diversion of over $100 million since 2020. This network represents a critical source of funding for Hizballah, which continues to embrace violence despite calls to disarm.

"Iran is the head of the snake when it comes to global terrorism, and its proxies, such as Hizballah, carry out Tehran's mission to sow chaos and destruction beyond its borders," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Hizballah continues to divert funds that rightfully belong to the Lebanese people to finance its terrorist operations. This action targets key actors within its global financial network that sustain its militant activities."

Today's action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority, Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. The U.S. Department of State designated Hizballah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 31, 2001, and previously as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act on October 8, 1997.

ALAA HAMIEH and the hizballah finance team

Hizballah funds both its militant wing and social programs through a wide array of revenue generation and sanctions evasion schemes, many of which are coordinated through the group's finance team. Hizballah has used its influence in Lebanon's government to divert funds for the group's own benefit. Since the United States designated Hizballah finance team member Muhammad Al-Bazzal in 2018, the ownership of several companies and subsidiaries previously owned by him have been transferred to close family members and associates in name only, while he has maintained operational control. Most of these family members and associates are active participants within Hizballah's finance team and hold positions in more than one company.

Employing similar methods to obfuscate his true ownership, Alaa Hamieh owns, directly or indirectly, multiple Hizballah-associated companies, several of which are used for procurement or money laundering. These companies include: Lebanon-based Seven Seas SAL Offshore, Seven Seas Group S.A.R.L., and Calllync S.A.L. Offshore; Poland-based Calllync Spolka Z Organiczona Odpowiedzialnoscia (Calllync S.p. Z.O.O.); and Slovenia-based Calllync Telekomunikacijske Storitve D.O.O. (Calllync D.O.O.). Through his brother, Muhammad Hasan Hamieh (Muhammad Hamieh), Alaa Hamieh tracks the funds associated with these projects, many of which are operated in collaboration with Hizballah finance team members Muhammad Al-Bazzal, his U.S.-designated brother Rashid Al-Bazzal, and U.S.-designated Hizballah finance team official Ali Qasir.

ALAA HAMIEH's abuse of the lebanese economy

In early 2025, Hizballah, through Alaa Hamieh's now-former position as the Vice President of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), was involved with the disbursement of funds from a trade agreement between Iraq and Lebanon to support the reconstruction of Lebanon. According to the agreement, IDAL would have the authority to be the sole executor on the Lebanese side to choose who would qualify for the deal. Alaa Hamieh personally received millions of U.S. dollars for Hizballah-associated projects under this agreement, while working closely with Hizballah financier Muhammad Al-Bazzal. As of December 2025, Alaa Hamieh is no longer affiliated with IDAL following IDAL's appointment of a new board of directors.

Alaa Hamieh and Lebanese national Hamdan Ali Al Lakis (Al Lakis) set up a money exchange where Alaa Hamieh collects the majority of the profits, while Al Lakis manages the company's day-to-day operations. This setup allows Alaa Hamieh to have total access to the money exchange business and avoid the apparent conflict of interest with his former government job with IDAL. Through Al Lakis, Alaa Hamieh and his brother Muhammad Hamieh have full control of the money exchange to support their business needs, while hiding from government oversight.

Alaa Hamieh is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Hizballah. Muhammad Hamieh and Al Lakis are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Alaa Hassan Hamieh.

ALAA HAMIEH's proxy business network

Syrian gray-arms dealer Bahaa Addin Hashem (Hashem) co-owns several companies with Alaa Hamieh. Hashem collaborates with Muhammad Al-Bazzal and the Hizballah finance team, including his role as an employee of previously designated Hizballah finance team enterprise G.M. Farm. Additionally, Hashem is the registered owner of Slovenia-based Calllync D.O.O. Hizballah member Mohamad Jamil Salami (Salami) is another member of Alaa Hamieh's network who sent at least $50,000 to Alaa Hamieh, was involved in a weapons systems company, and other telecommunications projects. In early 2024, Salami was involved in a sanctions evasion scheme to deliver equipment to an Iranian telecommunications company operating in Syria under the Al-Assad regime. Qatar-based Raoof Fadel (Fadel) is involved in numerous projects with Alaa Hamieh and the Hizballah finance team, including with Hizballah finance team members Muhammad Al-Bazzal and Rashid Al-Bazzal. Fadel is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Hizballah-associated Seven Seas for International Trading and Logistics, which is the Canadian branch of Alaa Hamieh's similarly named Lebanese companies.

Hashem, Salami, and Fadel are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Hizballah. Calllync D.O.O. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hashem. Seven Seas for International Trading and Logistics is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Fadel.

Mohamad Hasan Wehbe owns and operates Lebanon-based Seven Seas SAL Offshore and Seven Seas Group S.A.R.L, which are used by Alaa Hamieh for procurement and money laundering in collaboration with other companies controlled by Alaa Hamieh, such as Calllync S.A.L. Offshore. Alaa Hamieh's nephew, Daniel Hamieh, co-owns Poland-based Calllync S.p. Z.O.O. with Alaa Hamieh, which has sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to a company affiliated with the Hizballah finance team.

Lebanon-based Hala Muhammad Tarshishi (Tarshishi), Alaa Hamieh's secretary, is a proxy for one of his companies and conducts financial transactions related to his business. Maya Boustany (Boustany) is another Alaa Hamieh associate, who in addition to her role as Chief Operating Officer of one of Alaa Hamieh's companies, acted as a proxy for the Hizballah finance team to set up a front company in Iraq.

Mohamad Hasan Wehbe, Daniel Hamieh, and Boustany are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Alaa Hassan Hamieh. Tarshishi and Calllync S.A.L. Offshore are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Alaa Hamieh.

Calllync S.p. Z.O.O. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Daniel Hamieh. Seven Seas SAL Offshore and Seven Seas Group S.A.R.L are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mohamad Hasan Wehbe.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to FinCEN's whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000.

Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.

Click here for more information on the persons designated today.

###

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Trump Considers 'Winding Down' War, Even As Reports Grow Of New Ground Troops

By RFE/RL March 21, 2026

US President Donald Trump said he is considering "winding down" military efforts in the Middle East, even as reports grow of thousands of US ground forces heading toward the region as the war with Iran enters its fourth week.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump posted on Truth Social on March 20.

In the post, he listed the main US goals in the war -- including degrading Iran's military and preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Trump also suggested it will be up to other countries that utilize the Strait of Hormuz - now effetely shut down by Iran - to secure shipping in the crucial waterway and help put a cap on soaring oil prices that threaten to roil the world economy.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not [use it]!" he said.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them," he added.

Trump's latest comments appear to be somewhat contradictory to recent remarks in which he suggested that, while Iran's military and leadership were mostly destroyed by US-Israeli air strikes, there was still work to be done.

Earlier on March 20, Trump said he sees no reason to seek a cease-fire in the war and again urged other countries -- including China -- to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

"Look, we can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a cease-fire," Trump told reporters. "You know, you don't do a cease-fire when you're literally obliterating the other side."

Authorization For Iranian Oil Purchases

Separately, the US Treasury Department on March 20 issued a 30-day authorization for the delivery and sale of previously sanctioned Iranian crude oil and petroleum products currently "stranded" on vessels.

However, Iranian oil ministry spokesman Saman Ghodousi wrote on Xthat Iran did not have any surplus oil stranded on vessels, rejecting US remarks that the action would free up some 140 million barrels for the world market.

Washington had previously granted a 30-day allowance for purchase of sanctioned Russian oil that was also stranded at sea to bolster global supplies.

Ground Troops On The Way?

The remarks come as a growing number of media outlets report -- citing unnamed US officials -- that thousands of additional US ground troops are on their way to the region, a move seen as giving the United States additional options in the war with Iran.

Trump on March 19 denied to reporters he was about to deploy more troops, although he appeared to keep the door open: "I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops. We will do whatever is necessary."

Reuters cited three US officials as saying 2,500 Marines, along with the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, and accompanying warships would deploy to the region, although they did not say what their role would be.

CBS, citing sources, reported that the Pentagon is preparing to send the famed 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East

Newsmax, meanwhile, reported that the US military has already accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors to potentially help reinforce its forces fighting against Iran.

Citing three officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the agency reported that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were deploying ahead of schedule from the West Coast of the United States.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Pentagon is sending three warships and thousands of additional Marines to the Middle East, citing unnamed US officials.

"Roughly 2,200 to 2,500 Marines from the California-based USS Boxer amphibious ready group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are heading to the US Central Command, responsible for all American forces in the Middle East," the Journal cited officials as saying.

The forces would be in addition to an earlier deployment of Marines, due to arrive this week in the region. The Pentagon sent the 5,000-strong, Japan-based USS Tripoli and 31st MEU to the Middle East, adding to the approximately 50,000 troops already stationed in the region, the Journal reported.

The US administration has considered the possibility of deploying ground forces to Kharg Island, the hub for 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with the matter and three US officials.

One of the officials said such an operation would be quite risky, given that Iran has the ability to strike the island with missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian forces targeted the strategically important US-UK military base on the tiny island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean but did not hit the site in the most ambitious strike geographically by the Islamic republic.

The report said two ballistic missiles were fired, with one failing to reach the island and the other being fired at by a US warship, although it wasn't clear if the US interceptor struck the missile.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, AFP, dpa, and The Wall Street Journal

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-winding-down-war-iran- israel-oil-sanctions/33711926.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Target Iran -- Order of Battle

UPDATE -- 14 March 2026: Operation Epic Fury commenced in late February 2026. The force posture described in this document -- compiled 18 February 2026 during the pre-war buildup -- has transitioned from a deterrence and coercion posture to an active combat posture. The dual-carrier force (USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford) operated on station in the North Arabian Sea conducting daily strike operations. A third carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, operated in the eastern Mediterranean as theater reserve. ARG Tripoli (LHA-7 Tripoli, 31st MEU, with USS New Orleans LPD 18 and USS San Diego LPD 22; escorts USS Robert Smalls CG 62 and USS Rafael Peralta DDG 115) deployed to the Middle East as of 13 March 2026 (Stars and Stripes). See Iran War 2026 and the daily operational report index for current campaign status. Table 8 below reflects the updated order of battle as of 14 March 2026. Tables 1-7 preserve the 18 February 2026 pre-war baseline for historical comparison.

This consolidated order of battle reflects the disposition of United States forces associated with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Turkey, and functionally related support from Diego Garcia as of 18 February 2026. The force posture reflects a period of acute crisis with Iran, characterized by a massive air and naval buildup, two carrier strike groups converging on the Middle East, large-scale fighter deployments to forward bases in Jordan and elsewhere, an ongoing diplomatic track (second round of U.S.-Iran talks concluded in Geneva on 18 February with agreement on "guiding principles" and a two-week window for Iran to present detailed proposals), and the first direct military engagement between U.S. and Iranian forces since Operation Midnight Hammer (June 2025) -- an F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone in the Arabian Sea on 3 February. Naval, air, and ground forces are distributed across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and key land bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey, with additional support from Diego Garcia. The tempo and scale of the buildup significantly exceed the January 2026 baseline, with indicators consistent with preparations for sustained combat operations rather than deterrence signaling alone.

Latest Developments (February 2026)

The most significant force-posture change since January is the redeployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) carrier strike group from the Caribbean to the Middle East. The Ford CSG -- already deployed since 24 June 2025 (nearly eight months at sea) -- was redirected on approximately 12-13 February. The strike group was observed crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean on 17 February 2026. The Ford CSG comprises the carrier (with embarked Carrier Air Wing 8, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets of VFA-31, VFA-37, VFA-87, and VFA-213; EA-18G Growlers of VAQ-142; E-2D Hawkeyes of VAW-124; and HSC-9/HSM-70 helicopters) and at least five Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Mahan (DDG-72), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), USS Stockdale (DDG-106), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116). Open-source analysts estimated the Ford could reach a position within operational strike range of Iran by approximately 20-22 February, depending on transit speed through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal into the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. More conservative estimates place arrival in the Arabian Sea/CENTCOM area at end of February to early March. The deployment gave the United States a dual-carrier posture in the Middle East theater for the first time since the brief Nimitz/Carl Vinson overlap following Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025.

Simultaneously, a large-scale surge of land-based combat aircraft deployed to the region in mid-February. On 16 February, 18 F-35A Lightning IIs of the 48th Fighter Wing (495th Fighter Squadron) departed RAF Lakenheath supported by at least six KC-135 tankers, tracked flying south over France and Italy toward Jordan. The fighters were reportedly bound for Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB). According to open-source tracking by Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK), the arrival of these aircraft brought the aggregate combat aircraft complement at MSAB to approximately 24 F-15Es, 30 F-35As, 6 EA-18G Growlers, and 12 A-10Cs -- approximately 72 combat aircraft at a single forward base. Separately, open-source intelligence accounts reported on 17 February that approximately 48 additional USAF fighters (12 F-16s from Aviano, 12 F-16s from Spangdahlem, 12 F-16s from McEntire Joint Base, and 12 F-22s from Langley Air Force Base) were either airborne or preparing to deploy toward the Middle East. Flight-tracking data from the same period showed a massive USAF tanker and transport surge (22+ tankers, 13+ transports, 1+ AWACS airborne simultaneously), consistent with a large-scale force-flow operation. Two E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft also deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska to RAF Mildenhall.

On 3 February, an F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone that "aggressively approached" the carrier in the Arabian Sea, approximately 500 miles (800 km) from Iran's southern coast. The same day, two IRGC small boats and a Mohajer drone harassed the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Imperative in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to board and seize the vessel; USS McFaul responded with USAF air cover. These incidents constituted the first direct U.S.-Iranian military engagement since Operation Midnight Hammer.

The second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Geneva on 18 February 2026, mediated by Oman, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner leading the American delegation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described agreement on "guiding principles" and said Iran would return in approximately two weeks with detailed proposals. The talks occurred against a backdrop of maximal military pressure: Khamenei warned that U.S. warships could be "sent to the seabed," while the IRGC conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz and parts of the strait were temporarily closed. Axios reported that any U.S. military operation would likely be a weeks-long campaign rather than a single strike. Senator Lindsey Graham stated in Tel Aviv on 16 February that a decision on Iran was "into weeks, not months."

Additional indicators include: a USAF emergency sole-source contract issued on 10 February for accelerated production of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, suggesting stockpile replenishment after expenditure of approximately 14 MOPs during Operation Midnight Hammer; USAF WC-135R atmospheric-monitoring aircraft operating off Egypt and Libya (consistent with nuclear-related intelligence collection); the Wall Street Journal reported that USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), in pre-deployment certification exercises off Virginia, was also being prepared for possible deployment; and the United Kingdom has positioned RAF Typhoon fighters in Qatar, additional F-35s forward, and has the Tomahawk-armed submarine HMS Anson within range.

Important limitations

No comprehensive, authoritative, and current order of battle listing every U.S. system, exact quantity, location, and parent unit in CENTCOM and Turkey is publicly available. Special operations forces, intelligence assets, and some air and naval elements are either classified or only referenced in vague aggregate form. The underlying sources provide partial snapshots -- individual press releases, photos with captions, fleet trackers, and media reports on specific deployments. Large portions of the actual posture remain classified or unreported; therefore, all figures should be treated as approximate. Where multiple sources or passages provide differing counts or characterizations, this ORBAT presents a single best estimate as "probably" while preserving alternative values or interpretations as "possibly." As of 18 February 2026, any listing can only be an approximate, non-exhaustive synthesis and should not be treated as a full, real-time ORBAT.

Key posture changes and activity during the period late January through 18 February 2026 include: redeployment of USS Gerald R. Ford CSG from the Caribbean to the Middle East (redirected ~12-13 February, observed transiting Strait of Gibraltar 17 February, en route via Mediterranean/Suez to Arabian Sea, estimated on station end of February to early March); F-35C shootdown of Iranian Shahed-139 drone approaching USS Abraham Lincoln in Arabian Sea (3 February); deployment of 18 F-35A fighters from RAF Lakenheath to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan (16 February), bringing aggregate combat aircraft at MSAB to ~72 (24 F-15E, 30 F-35A, 6 EA-18G, 12 A-10C); reports of 48 additional USAF fighters (F-16s and F-22s from multiple CONUS and EUCOM bases) deploying toward the theater (17 February); massive tanker/transport surge (22+ tankers, 13+ transports, 1+ AWACS simultaneously airborne); deployment of 2 E-3 AWACS from Elmendorf AFB to RAF Mildenhall; second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Geneva (18 February) with agreement on "guiding principles" but no breakthrough; emergency sole-source contract for GBU-57 MOP production (10 February); and continued U.S. presence in Syria (~900-1,000 troops) and Iraq (consolidated toward Erbil area).

Analytic summary

The force posture as of 18 February 2026 represents a qualitative escalation from the January baseline. The theater is transitioning from a single-carrier deterrence posture to a dual-carrier strike posture, with the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG on station in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald R. Ford CSG in rapid transit through the Mediterranean, estimated to arrive on station between late February and early March. Once the Ford arrives, the United States would have approximately 130-145 carrier-based aircraft (including two distinct F-35 variants -- the F-35C aboard Lincoln and the F/A-18E/F/EA-18G air wing aboard Ford), plus eight or more Arleigh Burke-class destroyers between the two strike groups and independent units already in the Persian Gulf, in addition to the massive land-based air concentration. The combined naval posture (two CVNs, ~8 DDGs, 3 LCS, 1 ESB, logistics ships, plus an Ohio-class SSGN reportedly in the eastern Mediterranean) is the largest U.S. naval presence in the CENTCOM area since the 2003 Iraq War.

The land-based air buildup is equally significant. Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan has emerged as the primary forward strike hub, with approximately 72 combat aircraft (24 F-15E, 30 F-35A, 6 EA-18G, 12 A-10C) -- a concentration comparable to a small air force. The addition of 48 fighters from EUCOM and CONUS bases (F-16s and F-22s, reported 17 February) suggests the total land-based combat aircraft in theater could approach or exceed 150-200, though precise numbers across all undisclosed locations remain unknown. The deployment of E-3 AWACS to RAF Mildenhall, the massive tanker surge, and the emergency GBU-57 MOP procurement contract all point toward preparations for sustained large-scale air operations rather than a one-off strike.

Ford CSG arrival estimate and its significance as a readiness indicator: The Ford transited the Strait of Gibraltar on 17 February. The transit from Gibraltar through the Mediterranean to the Suez Canal is approximately 1,700-1,900 nautical miles (roughly 2-3 days at sustained speed). Suez Canal transit requires approximately 12-16 hours. From Suez through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and into the Arabian Sea is approximately 2,500-3,000 nautical miles (roughly 3-5 days at speed). Under optimistic assumptions (no extended Mediterranean operations, prompt Suez transit), the Ford could reach the Arabian Sea by approximately 24-27 February. Under more conservative assumptions (operational stops, slower transit, or operations in the eastern Mediterranean before proceeding), arrival could extend to the first week of March. Some analysts have estimated the Ford could be within strike range of Iran (defined more broadly to include the eastern Mediterranean as a Tomahawk/aircraft launch position) as early as 20 February. The arrival of the second carrier is the single most significant remaining indicator of readiness for sustained combat operations: a dual-carrier posture provides the sortie generation rate, redundancy, and operational depth required for a weeks-long air campaign, as opposed to the single-night or few-day strikes exemplified by Operation Midnight Hammer. Combined with the 72-aircraft concentration at MSAB, the tanker/AWACS surge, and the MOP procurement urgency, the Ford's arrival would complete the positioning of forces for a major air campaign against Iranian nuclear, military, and infrastructure targets.

At the same time, the force posture is only partially visible. Special operations forces, intelligence platforms, submarine forces, and some air and naval assets are only hinted at or not mentioned at all in public reporting. The presence of an Ohio-class SSGN (carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles) has been reported but not confirmed by official sources. The United Kingdom's forward positioning of Typhoons, F-35s, and HMS Anson within range adds a coalition dimension. Where counts differ, this ORBAT has presented "probably" values as best estimates while preserving "possibly" alternatives in the tables and notes.

The total U.S. presence in CENTCOM and Turkey probably numbers in the tens of thousands (approximately 11,000 at Al Udeid, 10,000 ARCENT in Kuwait, 2,500-3,400 CJTF-OIR in Iraq and Syria, plus personnel at Incirlik and other sites, not counting afloat naval forces on two carrier strike groups and independent surface combatants). The diplomatic track (Geneva agreement on "guiding principles," two-week window for Iranian counterproposals) provides a narrow opening, but the force posture being assembled is consistent with a decision to be ready for combat operations on very short notice regardless of diplomatic outcome. Senator Graham's characterization -- "into weeks, not months" -- and the Axios report of a planned "weeks-long campaign" align with the military indicators.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 20 March 2026 - Day 1486

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Ukraine has renewed its attacks on the Kerch Strait crossing which links mainland Russia to Crimea with attempted strikes on the two remaining rail roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) ferries and port Kavkaz overnight on 13/14 March 2026. Drone footage shows the bridge superstructure of one RO-RO vessel on fire. It is likely the vessels were hit at an anchorage away from the shore. Previous Ukrainian attacks have used missiles directed at the vessels in port, destroying another rail RO-RO, the CONRO TRADER in August 2024.

The virtually identical rail RO-RO vessels SLAVYANIN and AVANGARD are used by Russia to move rail and vehicle loads carrying explosive stores across the strait and serve as general redundancy for the Crimean bridge. Russia has operated strict security protocols on the bridge following repeated Ukrainian attacks since October 2022, preventing certain loads and vehicle types from using it. The removal of even a single ferry will almost certainly reduce Russia's flexibility in transporting fuel, munitions, and equipment across the Kerch Strait, likely forcing some loads back onto the Crimean bridge.

The French Ministere des Armees et des Anciens combattants reported that territorial gains remain stable.

It also reported that, over the previous 24 hours, the FAFR have targeted the oblasts of Chernihiv [A], Sumy [B], Kharkiv [C], Donetsk [D], Dnipropetrovsk [E], Zaporizhzhia [F], Kherson [G], Mykolaiv [H], and Odesa [I]. The FAFR continue to maintain targeting efforts on residential areas and energy infrastructure. In total, 147 drones (including 70 Geran-2 drones) have targeted Ukraine. The Ukrainian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 128 drones, for an interception rate of 87%. The Russian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 162 drones (up to Moscow).

Over the previous 24 hours, the FAU have targeted long-range artillery systems in the Donetsk oblast [J] and energy facilities in the Krasnodar Krai [K]. The Russian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 162 drones (up to Moscow).

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 146 combat clashes.

The defense forces continue to stop the Russian enemy, destroy personnel and deplete the Russian invaders' combat potential by creating a systematic fire effect.

The Russian opponent made 58 aviacijnih strikes - dropped 163 controlled air bombs. In addition, used 5285 kamikaze drones and carried out 2856 shells on settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions today, the Defense Forces repelled seven Russian assaults, in addition, the Russian enemy launched five air strikes, dropped 13 controlled bombs, carried out 94 shells to positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including 13 - with the use of reactive salvage systems.

In the South-Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces six times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Vovchansky Khutory, Vovchansk, Ohrimivka, Prylipka, Zelene and Staritsa.

In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian enemy twice attacked towards the settlements of Novoplatonivka and Kurilivka.

In the Lymans komu direction from the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy did not perform active actions.

In the Slovak direction, the Russian opponent tried to advance six times in the area of Rai-Oleksandrivka, Yampol and Platonivka. So far, one confrontation is being sharpened.

In the Kramators komu direction today active offensive actions of the Russian enemy is not recorded.

In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian occupiers today 18 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders near Konstyantinivka, Pleshiyivka, Illinivka, Rusynoy Yara and Sofiyivka.

The Defense Forces have repelled 28 Russian assault actions in the Pokrovsky direction in the areas of settlements Rodinske, Bilitske, Mirnograd, Kotline, Udaachne, Novomykolaivka, Novopavlivka, Filia. One battle is not over yet.

According to preliminary estimates, today 87 Russian occupants were eliminated and 28 wounded in this direction; one heavy fire-throwing system, two car units and ten special equipment units were destroyed, three car units and one special equipment unit were damaged, two Russian infantry shelters. Destroyed or suppressed 282 BPLA of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian occupiers twice tried to improve their position by attacking in the areas of Ternovy and Kalinovsky. In addition, the settlement Pokrovsk suffered an aviation strike.

In the direction of Gulyaipils komu, there were 19 Russian attacks in the areas of Dobropilla, Zaliznychnogo, Zelenogo, Staroukrainka, Varvarivka and Lugivsky. The Russian enemy launched air strikes in the areas of the settlements Girke, Gulyajpilske, Novoselivka, Dolinka, Kopani, Trudove. So far, two clashes are ongoing.

In the Orihivs komu direction, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the stepnogirs k area. Airstrikes were hit by the settlement of Komishuvakh.

In the direction of pridniprovsk, one battle occurred. Olgivka settlement suffered airstrikes.

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that from 14 to 20 March 2026, in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities in the Russian Federation, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a massive and six group strikes, which hit enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, fuel and power facilities, transport and airfield infrastructure used for the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, production, storage, and preparation for launch sites of long-range attack unmanned aerial vehicles as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries.

Over the past week, as a result of the decisive actions of units of the Sever Group of Forces took control over Sopych in Sumy region.

Five mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault brigade, one air assault brigade of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade were hit.

In total, the enemy lost more than 1,655 troops, eight armoured fighting vehicles, 76 motor vehicles, 10 field artillery guns, eight electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and 47 ammunition and materiel depots in the Sever Group's area of responsibility.

Over the past week, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have liberated Aleksandrovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.

Four mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade were hit.

The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,250 troops, 30 armoured fighting vehicles, 157 motor vehicles, 15 field artillery guns, four electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and 23 ammunition depots.

As a result of active offensive actions, units of the Yuzhnaya Group of Forces liberated the settlements of Kaleniki and Fedorovka Vtoraya in the Donetsk People's Republic.

Russian troops engaged five mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and one marine brigade.

Over the past week, the AFU troops have lost more than 1,110 troops and 28 armoured fighting vehicles in the Yuzhnaya Group's area of responsibility.

Moreover, 86 motor vehicles, 21 field artillery guns, six electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, as well as 47 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Pavlovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.

Four mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, one airmobile brigade, one air assault brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and three national guard brigades have been hit.

In total, the enemy has lost more than 2,125 troops, two tanks, 57 armoured fighting vehicles, 113 motor vehicles, 18 field artillery guns, and 11 electronic warfare stations.

Over the past week, the Vostok Group of Forces advanced to the depths of the enemy's defence. The Group's units inflicted damage on formations of two mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, two assault brigades, six assault regiments of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one national guard brigade.

The AFU losses, in the Vostok Group's area of responsibility, amounted to more than 1,900 troops, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, 63 motor vehicles, and nine artillery guns. Six ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised.

Over the past week, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Strikes were delivered at units of two mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade.

In total, in this direction, the AFU lost up to 400 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 78 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, 25 electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and 17 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots.

Over the past week, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have destroyed three MLRS projectiles, including one HIMARS launcher and one U.S.-made MLRS launcher, as well as one Grad MLRS.

Air defence systems shot down 40 guided aerial bombs, 12 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, two Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 2,615 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 125,225 unmanned aerial vehicles, 652 anti-aircraft missile systems, 28,366 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,690 MLRS combat vehicles, 33,961 field artillery guns and mortars, and 57,328 units of support military vehicles.

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Missile Defense Agency, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Complete Successful ASEV Integration Testing

26-NEWS-0002

March 20, 2026

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in partnership with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), successfully conducted the first live target tracking exercise using the SPY-7 radar during Japan Flight Test Experiment Aegis Weapon System (JFTX)-01, which took place March 17 and 19 off the East Coast of the United States.

JFTX-01 is a critical milestone supporting the integration of Japan's Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) Shipset 1.

The developmental test included two separate events, with a live target being launched for each tracking event. The SPY-7 radar, integrated with the Aegis Weapon System, tracked the targets, ending with virtual target engagements. Together the two test events provided different data collection sets as part of ASEV's integration testing.

"JFTX-01 is a significant milestone in the longstanding cooperation between Japan and the U.S., and in the combined development and integration efforts for the ASEV program," said Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA director. "Once complete, ASEV will provide Japan with the latest Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities and significantly bolster their defense against regional missile threats."

MDA led test efforts for JFTX-01, which provided Japan crucial data on the search, detection, identification, tracking and target engagement capabilities of their current Aegis baseline and the SPY-7. JFTX-01 served as a key risk reduction event. Following completion of the integration testing, to include JFTX-01, ASEV Shipset 1 equipment will be delivered to Japan.

The SPY-7 radar uses scaled equipment and software derived from the MDA's advanced Long Range Discrimination Radar located in Clear, Alaska. ASEV is a Foreign Military Sales case with Japan.

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Naval partners sail together

By Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi

20 March 2026

In the warm waters of the Top End, three ships proved the word friendship cannot be written without partners or naval vessels.

Two of the Royal Australian Navy's patrol boats, HMA Ships Cape Pillar and Cape Solander, joined the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ship (RMIS) Jelmae for a formation sail in Darwin.

With just metres between metal and shallow water, every order during a formation sail has to be exact. A single misjudgement could force a costly correction - or worse.

The impressive formation departure was not the only noteworthy moment of the day. Cape Pillar's navigating officer Lieutenant Leroy Lidbetter served on the bridge of Jelmae as her pilot for the entry and departure into HMAS Coonawarra's basin area.

"Stepping onto Jelmae's bridge was a reminder for me that good seamanship and mariner skills are a universal language among friends," Lieutenant Lidbetter said.

"Sure, we come from different nations and experiences, but when operating at sea together, trust and clear communication is everything."

Following the departure from Darwin Harbour, the three ships participated in a series of officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres, demonstrating a shared ability to manoeuvre in close proximity to one another with precision.

Lieutenant Lidbetter remained on Jelmae for the serials, assisting her bridge team and learning skills from his Marshall Islands counterparts - a unique opportunity to share skills and opportunities with one another.

Commanding Officer Cape Pillar Lieutenant Commander Ben Couch said the opportunity to sail with the international ship was a privilege.

"Working together with partners like the Marshall Islands is essential for a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region," Lieutenant Commander Couch said.

"It was a pleasure to sail in company with RMIS Jelmae. Her ship's company are fine mariners.

"While this was the final Guardian-class patrol boat delivered through the Pacific Maritime Security Program,RMIS Jelmae demonstrated the outstanding capability that is underpinned by enduring regional coordination and cooperation."

For the crew of Jelmae, the visit marked another step in deepening maritime cooperation with Australia, strengthening their ability to patrol and protect their Pacific waters.

The skills sharing underpins a 30-year commitment between Australia and her Pacific partners, which saw the delivery of Jelmae as the 23rd vessel to the Republic of the Marshall Islands under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

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Press release on the Russian-Brazilian inter-ministerial consultations on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation

20 March 2026 15:19

410-20-03-2026

The consultations on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation were held on March 19 in Brasilia at the level of the Heads of the relevant MFA Departments of Russia and Brazil.

The sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the overall situation in the area of international security and global stability. The sides compared positions on various aspects regarding the functioning of international organizations and multilateral fora related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. The sides had a focused discussion of a range of current agenda issues concerning implementation of the relevant treaties and conventions, first and foremost in light of the upcoming Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (New York, 27 April - 22 May).

The sides expressed mutual commitment to continue and further deepen bilateral dialogue in this sphere.

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Minister Anand meets with United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Global Affairs Canada

Readout

March 19, 2026 - London, United Kingdom - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday met the Honourable Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in London, United Kingdom, during a 2-day visit.

The Ministers discussed their deep concern over the evolving conflict in the Middle East, along with its impact on global energy markets and energy security. The Ministers agreed to continue engaging with Allies and partners to support de-escalation and prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the crisis. The Ministers also exchanged perspectives on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as opportunities to grow trade and investment.

Minister Anand reaffirmed Canada's commitment to working with the United Kingdom on actively advancing opportunities highlighted in the June 15, 2025, Canada-UK Joint Statement, to deepen the bilateral relationship, particularly with respect to expanding trade and investment and strengthening defence and security collaboration.

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JERUSALEM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the intensity of strikes on the Iranian government and the country's infrastructure by the United States and Israel will increase "significantly" in the coming week.

Speaking to senior military commanders during a situation assessment, Katz noted that the war will not stop until all its goals are achieved.

Katz said the attacks will continue "until all security threats to Israel and U.S. interests in the region are removed."

He added that Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps is leading "missile firing against the Israeli home front and countries in the region."

Shortly before Katz made the announcement, fragments from an Iranian missile hit an empty kindergarten in Rishon Lezion in central Israel. Israeli army spokesman Nadav Shoshani posted a video of the kindergarten building on the social media platform X. No casualties were reported as the facility was empty at the time.

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 by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. 
Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi visits Poland to champion Canada's defence-sector commercialization and nuclear cooperation

Global Affairs Canada

News release

March 20, 2026 - Warsaw, Poland - Global Affairs Canada

This week, Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State (International Development), travelled to Poland to advance Canada's defence export efforts and promote Canada's nuclear sector at the Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum international conference.

This year's forum focused on energy security, infrastructure resilience and the role of nuclear energy in building stable economies and communities.

In Warsaw, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi visited Canada's embassy for Canada-Poland Defence Industry Day, where he spoke about the growing momentum of the Canada-Poland Strategic Partnership, announced in August 2025 by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk. At this event, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi celebrated Export Development Canada's (EDC's) efforts to strengthen Canada-Poland cooperation in the defence and aerospace sectors. At the event, an EDC representative announced:

a $1-billion letter of interest to explore financing for the Government of Poland's procurement of defence and aerospace capabilities from Canadian suppliers

new representation in Warsaw, opening later this year, as part of its broader European strategy to increase on-the-ground support for Canadian exporters and investors, particularly in priority areas such as energy transition and security-related industries.

Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi also showed support for Canadian companies operating in Poland, encouraging deeper business-to-business ties, while attending a reception co-hosted by Catherine Godin, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Poland, and the Polish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

During his three days in Poland, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi met with several senior government officials: Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Government Plenipotentiary for SAFE; Micha Baranowski, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology; Konrad Goota, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of State Assets; Krzysztof Galos, Chief Geologist and Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Climate and Environment; Wojciech Wrochna, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure and Secretary of State, Ministry of Energy; as well as Polish parliamentarians. During these meetings, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi advocated for strengthened collaboration with Poland in sectors of shared interest, notably, nuclear energy, defence and aerospace, and explored defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Quotes

"Canada is proud to collaborate with Poland as it strengthens its energy security and defence capabilities and remains committed to working with Poland to promote long-term stability, job creation and economic growth for both countries. Canada's nuclear and defence industries deliver safe, reliable and innovative solutions, and we look forward to deepening our partnerships across Europe in these sectors." - Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State (International Development)

Quick facts

The Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum (BNEF) is an international platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience dedicated to the development of nuclear energy in the Baltic Sea region and Central Europe. The BNEF brings together representatives of public administration, industry, international institutions, and academia, creating a space for dialogue on the future of low-emission energy.

In October 2022, Canada and Poland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, paving the way for even closer collaboration in the years ahead.

On January 28, 2025, Canada and Poland signed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement enabling transfer of nuclear technology.

Poland, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union in 2025, is a rising economic partner for Canada.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 20, 2026

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: March 20, 2026 19:37

At the invitation of Deputy President of Kenya Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile and Vice President of Seychelles Sebastien Pillay, Vice President Han Zheng will visit Kenya, South Africa and Seychelles from March 22 to 30.

People's Daily: To follow up on Vice President Han Zheng's visit to Kenya, South Africa and Seychelles, could you share with us the background, arrangement and China's expectation of the visit?

Lin Jian: China and Kenya form a community with a shared future in the new era. China and South Africa are all-around strategic cooperative partners in the new era. China and Seychelles are strategic partners. In recent years, especially since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of Kenya, South Africa and Seychelles, China's relations with the three countries have achieved considerable progress, political mutual trust has been consolidated, practical cooperation has produced fruitful results in various fields, people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been enhanced, and sound communication and coordination has been maintained in regional and international affairs.

This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan as well as the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. This visit is an important high-level interaction between China and African countries. During the visit, Vice President Han Zheng will have in-depth exchanges of views with relevant parties on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. While in South Africa, he and Deputy President Paul Shipokosa Mashatile of South Africa will co-chair the ninth plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission. Through the visit, China looks forward to forging greater synergy between the 15th Five-Year Plan and development strategies of other countries, enhancing political mutual trust with the three countries, expanding practical cooperation in various fields, and promoting the building of the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Reuters: Talks between the Chinese military with the European Union and NATO are set to take place next week, according to reports. What are China's expectations of these consultations?

Lin Jian: I'd refer you to competent authorities.

China News Service: On March 19 in Nepal, the Election Commission presented the final report of the House of Representatives elections held on March 5 to President Ramchandra Paudel. According to the official election results, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won 182 seats in the 275-member parliament and has emerged as the largest force in Nepal's House of Representatives. Can I have your comment on that?

Lin Jian: China congratulates Nepal over the conclusion of its federal parliament elections and congratulates the Rastriya Swatantra Party on becoming the largest party in Nepal's House of Representatives. China supports Nepal in following the development path befitting its own national conditions and wishes Nepal every success in advancing the country's political agenda.

China has long been Nepal's friend and close neighbor, and will as always support the country in defending independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as its effort of realizing unity, stability and prosperity. China stands ready to work with Nepal to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity.

PTI: India has appointed Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, widely regarded as a seasoned China hand, as new Ambassador to China. How does China view his appointment?

Lin Jian: Diplomatic envoys are important bridges for friendly cooperation and relations between countries. China welcomes the appointment of the new Indian ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami, stands ready to provide him with facilitation as he carries out his duty in China, and looks forward to his positive role in promoting the continuous improvement and growth of China-India ties.

Kyodo News: It's reported that the Japanese prime minister and the U.S. president in their meeting underlined the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. What is China's comment?

Lin Jian: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese. To maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, one should unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism. China is firmly resolved in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Antara: Today and tomorrow, millions of Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the month of Ramadan. Does the Ministry have any message for Muslim communities in countries, especially those in the Middle East, who are facing hardship due to the ongoing conflict there?

Lin Jian: The Middle East conflict continues to escalate and expand. It has not only dealt a blow to regional peace and stability, but also had a direct impact on energy, finance, trade and shipping worldwide. It undermines countries' shared interests. History and reality have shown us time and again that the use of force is not a solution and armed conflicts will only create new hatred. Parties to the conflict need to cease military operations as soon as possible and prevent the situation from worsening. China will continue its mediation effort for an end to the fighting and for the early return of peace and stability to the Middle East.

Shenzhen TV: The 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva concluded in Switzerland a few days ago. Innovation outcomes of various areas and industries from 35 countries and regions were displayed in over 1,000 invention projects. The Chinese delegation won 90 gold medals. International media has taken note that China's 15th Five-Year Plan puts innovation and scientific and technological self-reliance and strength at the core of the new development blueprint, which they refer to as a "plan to win the future." What is your comment?

Lin Jian: Today's world is witnessing unprecedented dynamism in scientific and technological innovation, which has become a key driver for improving production efficiency, increasing supply capacity and unleashing growth potential. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development makes special planning on accelerating high-standard scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, and taking the lead in developing new-quality productive forces. It will provide an inexhaustible source of new driving forces for high-quality development and Chinese modernization.

Technology will win the future. We are ready to collaborate with the rest of the world in this endeavor. From artificial intelligence to quantum technology, and from biomanufacturing to green energy, China has been investing in frontier science and technology, and is committed to delivering the benefit of technology to all and empowering all. Our mega-sized market will provide diverse application scenarios for global industrial innovation, and we are willing to work with all countries to explore the infinite possibilities of creating a better world through science and technology.

AFP: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday that Washington might lift sanctions on Iranian oil that has already been shipped. How does the Foreign Ministry view the current situation in the global oil market, including the potential lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iran?

Lin Jian: China is always against illicit unilateral sanctions. We are gravely concerned over the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. All parties should immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the situation, and prevent regional turmoil from causing a greater impact on global economy. Energy security is of vital importance to world economy, and all parties have the responsibility to keep energy supply stable and unimpeded.

AFP: Three employees of the U.S. firm called Super Micro Computer have been charged in the United States for diverting Nvidia AI chips to China in violation of export controls. Does the Foreign Ministry have further details or comments on this case?

Lin Jian: I'm not familiar with that.

Nippon TV: At this morning's Japan-U.S. summit, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi said Japan has been consistently open to dialogue with China. Do you have any comment on this?

Lin Jian: China has made clear its just position on this issue more than once. True dialogue is built on the basis of respecting each other and honoring the agreements made. If anyone just talks about the need for dialogue on the one hand, while on the other, keeps stoking confrontation, then this so-called "dialogue" is apparently unacceptable. If the Japanese side truly wants to improve its relations with China, it needs to abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and its own commitments, retract the erroneous remarks on Taiwan at an early date, seriously reflect on and correct its wrongdoings, and take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations.

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KCNA Commentary on Expanded Japanese Munitions Industry

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The militarist entity of Japan, which has completely removed its veil of "exclusive defense", is openly coming out to the world.

Recently, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Restoration Party of Japan reportedly submitted to the prime minister a proposal on lifting in a principled way the ban on the export of all its weapons and equipment including lethal weapons.

The details of the proposal call for removing the five principles of the past that have limited Japan's equipment export to "disaster relief, transportation, guard, surveillance and clearing".

It is reported that if the proposal is formally passed through the prime minister, an issue of revising the system of arms export will be discussed even in the spring this year.

If this turns into a reality, Japan will be allowed to export fighters, escort ships, submarines and other lethal weapons and equipment to the countries with which it has signed an agreement on the export of "defense equipment" and the transfer of technology.

Japan has so far concluded the agreement with 17 countries and several Asia-Pacific countries are among them.

What should not be overlooked is that Japan is trying to remove the brake that it set as the principle not to transfer even non-lethal equipment to the dispute parties in the past.

This will legally allow Japan to export and support the lethal weapons to the "fellow country" where armed conflict broke out.

Militarist Japan's intention has become far too emboldened.

Dangerous and sinister intention is behind Japan's attempt to openly export the offensive lethal weapons to the countries with which it has signed the agreement on the export of the "defense equipment" and the transfer of technology.

Japan is drastically increasing its military expenditure every year and getting hell-bent on the development and introduction of various kinds of offensive weapons.

Based on this, the Japanese munitions industry, which has been limited to the delivery of military equipment to the "Self-Defense Forces", is expanding day by day to demand a new outlet and, thereby, is trying to advance to the hot spots of the world to meet its demand.

At the same time, Japan is trying to verify and confirm in a versatile way the advantages and disadvantages of its military hardware including the ability to operate in real war and the lethal effect in different parts of the world and rapidly increase the preemptive attack capability of the island country by rapidly updating the weapon systems.

Japan's moves to export massive offensive lethal weapons are a grave challenge to global peace and security.

This will certainly cause a serious arms race among the countries in the surrounding region, escalate the geopolitical crisis and, furthermore, make the world situation more unstable.

It is the intention of Japan to turn its economy into the one based on huge munitions industry as soon as possible and accelerate the militarization by relying on it and, at the same time, create a favorable environment for reinvasion by creating an imbalance of strength in the region and the world.

Japan should clearly understand. The road of reinvasion, which the war criminal state is trying to open up as a new outlet for arms export, will lead it to the irreversible ruin. -0-

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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (March 19, 2026)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

March 20, 2026

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good evening, friends. Let's begin our conversation.

The floor is open. We start from here.

Vinayak Dixit, RT India: Sir, Vinayak Dixit from RT India. Ukraine has called the arrest of six of its nationals as politically motivated. They have also rejected the claim that they were in fact involved in promoting terror activities in India and they have called for their immediate release. What is your response on this?

Another question, sir, how is India balancing its ties with Israel considering it also has a 10-year interest in the Chabahar port in Iran? Also, has India talked to Israel about its interest in the Chabahar port since the recent round of hostilities has begun?

Sidhant, WION: Hi sir, Sidhant from WION. How does India assess the situation in Afghanistan? We have seen the Indian reaction over Pakistani airstrikes on a Kabul hospital, but overall in terms of regional stability?

Keshav Padmanabhan, ThePrint: Sir, thank you. Keshav Padmanabhan from ThePrint. Just on the arrest of the six Ukrainian nationals, the Ukrainian Mission here has called for consular access. I just wanted to understand whether India has received such a request and whether it is considering and will follow the procedures to give them the consular access. The second question is with regards to our neighborhood and the West Asian crisis. Can you give us a sense of how much energy India has sent to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and what are sort of discussions with regards to that? Thank you.

Akhilesh Suman, DD News: Sir, main Akhilesh Suman hoon DD News se. Actually, Strait of Hormuz ke chalte poori duniya mein problem hai. Global South ke kin-kin deshon ne humse madad ki maang ki hai, aur humne kin-kin deshon ko madad diya hai abhi tak?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD News. Due to the Strait of Hormuz situation, there is a problem across the world. Which countries of the Global South have sought our help, and which countries have we provided assistance to so far?

Krishan Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express: Sir, Krishan Mohan Sharma Bharat Express se. Tulsi Gabbard ka ek bayaan hai ki Pakistan is a nuclear threat. Ispe humne pehle bhi chinta zahir ki hai aur jis tareeqe ki baatein aa rahi hain ispe Bharat ka kya reaction hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Krishan Mohan Sharma from Bharat Express. Tulsi Gabbard has made a statement that Pakistan is a nuclear threat. We have expressed concern about this earlier as well, and in light of the kind of statements now coming out, what is India's reaction to this?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, let me first take these questions. First, your question. Obviously, you all know about the case and we are also aware of the case. As you know that this is a legal matter, the relevant GOI agencies are investigating it presently. We had a related question from Keshav as to whether we have received consular access request. Yes, we have received consular access request, and these will be addressed keeping in mind the legal requirements that are involved in this particular case.

Your second question regarding Chabahar, I had commented and remarked on this particular issue earlier as well. So, I would repeat what I had said before. The US side has given a guidance extending the conditional sanctions waiver for Chabahar port until 26th of April 2026. The government remains engaged with all concerned in order to address the implications of these developments. So, that is what we have.

On the ongoing crisis in West Asia, we have made several statements as to where we stand, what is our position, how we look at it. We have called for restraint, we have called for de-escalation, we have called for dialogue and diplomacy so that there can be early end to this particular conflict. So, that is where we are on the West Asia crisis.

Sidhant, your question regarding ... over the last several days or so we have seen strikes from Pakistan into Afghanistan. We have condemned these strikes because they have targeted civilian infrastructure, and they have caused a lot of misery to people. You would have seen our statement. We once again unequivocally condemn these barbaric airstrikes from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Obviously, it vitiates the atmosphere in the region, and it is not helpful at all.

Keshav, on your consular access bit, I just responded. About energy, we have received requests from several of our neighbouring countries, and I had spoken about it earlier as well. We have received requests from Bangladesh, from Sri Lanka, from Maldives and some other neighbouring countries. As I had indicated earlier, India has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh since 2007 through various modes of transportation. We are continuing to assist Bangladesh and our other neighbours even currently. This is being done factoring in our own requirement, our refining capacity, and our diesel availability.

Akhilesh ji, kin-kin deshon se madad ki maang aayi hai ... Maine kaha, Bangladesh se, Sri Lanka se, Maldives se humare paas anurodh aaya hai ki hum unki madad karein. Bahut saare deshon ke saath humari pehle se hi, urja ke kshetra mein, sajhedari chal rahi hai. Toh woh sajhedari chal rahi hai, aur abhi ke pariprekshya mein unhone maanga hai madad. Us pe hum log ... Bangladesh ka jaise bataya maine ki unki poorti ki ja rahi hai, aur anya deshon ka jo bhi anurodh hai usko hum log examine kar rahe hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Akhilesh ji, on which countries have requested assistance... As I mentioned, we have received requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives asking for our help. We already have ongoing partnerships with many countries in the energy sector. Those partnerships are continuing, and in the current context, they have sought assistance. As I said regarding Bangladesh, their requirements are being met, and we are examining the requests received from other countries as well.

Krishan Mohan ji, aapka sawaal, kuch bayaan jo aaya America, uske taraf se. Dekhiye, jahan tak Pakistan ka sawaal hai, unka ek itihas raha hai. Clandestine nuclear proliferation ka itihas raha hai. Aur is prakar ke bayaan se woh fir jag-zahir ho jata hai ki kis prakar ka khatra yeh duniya ko ... inke clandestine nuclear operations ke karan, kis prakar ka khatra duniya ke samne aata hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Krishan Mohan ji, regarding your question about the statement that has come from the United Stateslook, as far as Pakistan is concerned, it has a certain history. It has a history of clandestine nuclear proliferation, and statements like these once again make it evident what kind of threat their actions pose to the world. Due to their clandestine nuclear operations, the kind of danger that emerges before the global community becomes clear.

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. My question is regarding the recent meeting between our National Security Advisor and US Ambassador to India yesterday. Could you share the topics that were discussed and how much was West Asia situation discussed as well?

Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. I have two questions. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE had spoken with Dr. Jaishankar. What was the nature of conversation? Were they asking for India's opinion or were they asking them to join the discussions that they have? And secondly, the Finnish President also in an interview said that India could get involved and arrive at a ceasefire. So, has India been trying to reach that situation where they can talk to both parties?

William, CNA: Good afternoon, sir. This is William from CNA Taiwan. My question is due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, energy supplies are experiencing shortage and LPG, CNG prices are getting very high and even you can't buy it in some areas. So, may I ask what measures the Indian government is taking to face this issue? Thank you.

Megha, NewsX: Good evening, sir. Megha from NewsX. There are reports that are floating that seven oil tankers that were bound for China at this point of time are on their way to dock in India. And these all carry Russian crude. Could you affirm if this information is correct? And also in the Ukrainian Embassy readout, they have said that the proceedings of the NIA were initiated after information was provided by Russia. Could you shed more light into this?

Jessica, Doordarshan: Hi sir, this is Jessica for Doordarshan Network. Recently, there was a Reuters report which had cited four Indian sources stating that India will hold off on signing a trade deal with US for several months. Is that correct, and any comments on that?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Ayushi, first to your question regarding conversation between National Security Advisor and the Ambassador of the United States. These are normal conversations that keep happening. Both sides discussed issues of bilateral importance. Obviously, all the issues that are in the gamut of the bilateral arena are discussed in these issues.

Yeshi on your question, yes, External Affairs Minister has spoken to his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates. He has been speaking to several other Foreign Ministers, including in GCC and West Asia, and they have exchanged perspectives on the developments that are happening there. You know our position, where we stand on the West Asia conflict. 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.

Again, on the question regarding the Finnish President, we have been talking to all sides. Today also, our Prime Minister spoke to the Sultan of Oman. He also spoke to the President of France, as also 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 is our priority, how we should go forward.

On William, on energy supply. Yes, you know, it has been a matter of concern as you know that energy shipping routes have been impacted. On ours, here in India, the Ministry of Petroleum, every day we have daily press briefings on this particular aspect. Supply of LPG is a matter of concern. Therefore, we are prioritising domestic consumption, domestic consumers first. Their needs will be taken care of, and then we'll see how we deal with how we supply LPG to commercial establishments. But that is a matter of concern because of a shortage of supply.

We had two tankers which came in recently. Those two tankers have given us more supply in the pipeline. And hopefully, we are also trying to diversify our sources, looking for LPG supply from other parts of the world. So hopefully, we are at it, we are working and we'll do our best to secure our energy security needs.

Megha, see, we buy oil from across the world. So, if there are tankers coming from X part of the world or Y part of the world, it is normal. We'll have many more tankers coming because we are buying energy. We are buying oil. We are buying crude oil from various parts of the world, and we have diversified options in this regard, and this will continue. I saw that there was a lot of news about one particular vessel, but we are buying from various sources including Russia. So, I don't see why it should become such big news. There are several vessels which will be docking and it's a continuous process.

On the Ukrainian Embassy issue, I just said that this is a legal matter. It is under investigation presently, and we'll see how we take it forward. Consular access has been requested. We will look into it as per the legal requirements that are there in the case.

Jessica, your question regarding Reuters. See, we saw the report. It is not accurate. Both India and the United States remain in close touch on all trade matters. So, that is where it is. It's not an accurate reflection of where we are on that particular issue.

Santosh Thakur, Navbharat: Sir, main Santosh Thakur, Navbharat se. Mere do sawal hain. Ek toh sir aapne kaha ki gas bhi hum jo hai kai anya deshon se bhi kharidne ke liye prayas kar rahe hain. Toh kin-kin deshon se kar rahe hain sir, kya Russia bhi usme shamil hai? Ek. Aur doosra sir ye abhi jo Iran aur jo uske aas paas ke yuddh grast prabhavit kshetra hain, wahan pe sir bhartiya jo hain, kitne bhartiya fanse hue hain ya aur kin-kin pradeshon ke hain agar uska koi sankhya ho toh? Thank you.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Santosh Thakur from Navbharat. I have two questions. First, sir, you mentioned that we are making efforts to purchase gas from several other countries as well. Which countries are we engaging withdoes Russia also figure among them?

Second, sir, regarding the current war-affected regions in and around Iran, how many Indians are stranded there? And if possible, could you share which regions they belong to? Thank you.

Dheeraj: Sir, energy infrastructure pe jo hamle hue Paschim Asia mein uske baad sankat ye lagatar badhta ja raha hai. Toh jo hamare aur bhi dusre jagahon se import karte hain LNG, toh kin-kin deshon se hum vikalp talash rahe hain? Iske alawa LPG mein kahan-kahan se vikalp talash rahe hain?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, after the attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, the crisis seems to be continuously intensifying. In this context, for the LNG that we import from other regions, which countries are we exploring as alternative sources? Additionally, for LPG, from which places are we looking for alternatives?

Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu: Suhasini Haidar from The Hindu. I just see that you've put out a statement on attacks against energy infrastructure in West Asia. This was started by Israeli strikes on the South Pars gas field. I wanted to ask if there's a shift in the Indian government's thinking given that in the last two weeks, three weeks of this war, India has consistently condemned Iran's attacks, but not any attacks by US and Israel. The fact that the latest statement does not name any country, is that now India's position?

My second question is that it's been a week since Prime Minister Modi spoke to the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and they had discussed and then I think External Affairs Minister spoke to his counterpart discussing the possibility of a BRICS statement on West Asia. You've been referring to it in some of your press conferences and the Multi-Ministerial as well. My question is, a week into this effort to find a BRICS statement, has India failed in producing consensus within the BRICS countries? I ask this because on March 4th, the SCO actually put out a statement. BRICS has had no statement so far. And if you could tell us where those negotiations are.

Sandra, DW: Good evening. Sandra from DW. I have a question regarding the Indian seafarers being the backbone of the maritime workforce. Thousands of them stuck on vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz. What is India doing to secure their safety, or to have them disembark and maybe return home via a different route?

Reza, Hindustan Times: Reza from Hindustan Times. Given the fact that Qatar accounts for almost 40% of our LNG requirements, is there any view on the latest attack and how that could possibly impact supplies to us? And there are reports that a large number of girl students from Kashmir are currently in Azerbaijan. Could we have any updates on what is being done, what is the process now for them to return from both Azerbaijan and Armenia, the people who have gone from Iran?

Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi: Sir, namaskar main Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi se. Sir, West Asia mein conflict shuru hone ke baad se Bharatiya Videsh Mantralaya ne ek control room banaya tha dootawason ke star par bhi aur nai Delhi mein bhi. Toh ismein ab tak koi andaja ya aankda hai ki kitne anurodh prapt hue aur kinko suljhaya gaya kitne muddon ko?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, greetings, I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. Sir, after the conflict began in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs had set up a control room, both at the embassy level and in New Delhi. So far, is there any estimate or data on how many requests have been received and how many issues have been resolved?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, first question, Santosh ji, gas ki baat. Kya hum Russia se LPG khareed rahe hain? LPG hum sabhi jagah se hum khareedne ki koshish kar rahe hain jahan uplabdh hai. Toh agar usmein Russia uplabdh hoga toh wahan bhi jayenge kyunki sthiti is prakar ki hai abhi ki humko sunishchit yeh karna hai ki hamare log ka jo indhan ka jo unki zarooratein hain unki pura ho, woh pura ho. Kin-kin deshon se kar rahe hain, main yeh bata sakta hoon ki bahut sare deshon se kar rahe hain. Ab unmein kaun-kaun sa desh hai woh beora hamare paas nahi hai. In sab jankari ke liye Ministry of Petroleum aapko zyada behtar bata payega. Lekin main yeh keh sakta hoon ki hum log chah rahe hain ki hamare vikalp bahut sare hon.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Okay. So, first questionSantosh jiregarding gas. Are we purchasing LPG from Russia? We are trying to procure LPG from all possible sources where it is available. So, if Russia is available as a source, we will go there as well, because the current situation is such that we must ensure that the fuel needs of our people are met.

As for which countries specifically we are sourcing from, I can say that we are engaging with many countries. However, I do not have the exact details of which specific countries are included. For that detailed information, the Ministry of Petroleum would be better placed to respond. But I can say that we are trying to ensure we have multiple options available.

Doosra hai Iran mein kitne Bharatiya the. Dekhiye, hamara anumaan yeh tha, kuch log embassy ke saath rajdutawas ke saath register nahi karte hain apne aap ko, toh hamara anumaan tha ki 9,000 ek log hain. Unmein se kai ek sare students jo the woh wapas aa gaye the hamla shuru hone se pehle. Aur abhi haal mein kareeban 882 jo Bharatiya nagrik, usmein student bhi hain, usmein kuch wahan par vyavasay karne wale log bhi hain, aur jo yahan se teerthyatri gaye the woh bhi hain. 882 log Azerbaijan aur Armenia ke raaste wapas aane wale hain, kuch toh aa gaye hain. 284 jo teerthyatri gaye the usmein se 280 log wapas laut gaye hain. Woh Armenia ke raaste aaye hain, teen char aur hain woh bhi aa jayenge ek do din mein. Armenia ke raaste 772, 772 us land border se par karke Armenia gaye aur wahan se woh log aa rahe hain. Kuch log aa chuke hain, kuch log aane wale dinon mein aayenge. Azerbaijan ke raaste jo hai, wahan thodi si wahan gatividhi thoda dheema hai, toh wahan kareeban 110 Bharatiya nagrik Azerbaijan mein hain aur usmein se kuch log aa gaye hain aur kuch log aane wale hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Second, regarding how many Indians were in Iran. Some individuals do not register themselves with the embassy. Our estimate was around 9,000 people. Among them, many students had already returned before the attacks began. Recently, around 882 Indian nationalsincluding students, businesspersons, and pilgrimshave been in the process of returning via Azerbaijan and Armenia. Some have already returned. Out of 284 pilgrims, 280 have already come back via Armenia, and the remaining three or four are expected to return within a day or two. Through Armenia, about 772 people crossed the land border and are returning from theresome have already arrived, while others will arrive in the coming days. Via Azerbaijan, the movement has been relatively slower. Around 110 Indian nationals are currently in Azerbaijan; some have already returned, while others are expected to return soon.

Neeraj jaisa ki maine bataya ki urja sthiti ko behtar karne ke liye jo bhi vikalp hamare samne honge, yeh hamara policy raha hai, niti raha hai, hum us vikalp ke raaste jaa ke aur apni urja suraksha ko aur majboot karenge.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Neeraj, as I mentioned, our policy has been that whatever options are available to improve the energy situation, we will pursue those options and further strengthen our energy security.

Suhasini, your question regarding India's position. See, we have put out a statement on the attacks that have happened. Right from the very beginning, we have said that avoidance of targeting ... we have called for avoiding targeting of civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure across the region.

And as we have said in our statement, 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. So, this is our position on the recent energy attacks.

On your question regarding BRICS statement. See, BRICS membership and SCO membership are two different categories. So, if you look at who are the members, you will get an answer as to why we are having issues with developing a consensus in that regard.

On Sandra, your question on seafarers. We have a large community of seafarers, possibly the largest in the world. 90% of our seafaring community workers, they serve global commercial shipping. We have, as you would have followed the briefing being done in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, we have 22 ships. On those 22 ships, we have 611 seafarers. In addition, we also have seafarers across the region. We are in touch with their companies. We are also trying our best how best we can support them in terms of essentials, so on and so forth. Several seafarers have also come back. For example, the 15 seafarers, some of whom were injured, who were housed in Basra, they have come back to India or will be arriving in India shortly. Similarly, seafarers from other parts of that region have also been coming back. We have a dedicated control room in the Ministry of Shipping, the DG of Shipping, where all these questions of the families and all their concerns are being addressed.

Reza, your question regarding LNG. Yes, now with the latest attacks, our LNG supply is going to be impacted, and it has been impacted because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But we are in discussion with several countries, we are in touch with all these stakeholders there to see how best we can secure our energy needs and there can be unimpeded transit for our cargo.

Girl students. Yes ... we have a large number of students, including girl students from Kashmir who are studying medical education in Iran. We are trying our best. We had issued an advisory in which we had told everybody that before you reach the Azerbaijan border, please get in touch with the embassy so that they can help you in crossing over the border. What happens is that you reach the Iranian border, Iranian border is easy to cross, but you get stuck on the Azeri side. So therefore, it is important that all Indian nationals who desire to cross, make the land border crossing, they first get in touch with our embassy so that the conduct is smooth. I understand that there are some difficulties in terms of smooth flow because there are a lot of people who want to cross the border, but we are helping them. Also with several other necessities that they have. And hopefully, over the next few days, all of them will be coming back home.

Neeraj yahan par hum logon ne 4 March se hi, Somwar se, humne control room ek niyantran kaksh yahan banaya tha Videsh Mantralaya mein abhi bhi chal raha hai. Chuki bahut sare mushkilat jo the yahan par hamare samuday ke woh lagbhag lagbhag hal ho gaya hai, jo log fanse hue, tourist log jo fanse hue the, parivar ke log jo bahar fanse hue the. Kareeban 2,60,000 yatri Bharatiya nagrik pichle kuch dinon mein yeh conflict ke shuruaat ke baad se wapas Bharat aa gaye hain. Pichle kuch dinon mein maine dekha hai hum logon ne dekha hai ki jo phone calls aate hain aur jo emails aate hain usmein kafi girawat aayi hai. Toh yeh sthiti hai yahan par. Iske alawa hamare sare dootawas mein jo Gulf ke deshon mein hain, Iran mein hain, Israel mein bhi hain, sab jagah 24/7 chaubiso ghanta wahan par helpline chal raha hai taki hum log wahan par rehte hue hamare jo nagrik hain unka hum madad kar sakein.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Neeraj, as I mentioned, starting from Monday, 4th March, we set up a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs, and it is still operational. Most of the difficulties faced by our community have now largely been resolved, whether it was tourists stranded there or family members stuck abroad.

Around 260,000 Indian nationals have returned to India in the past few days since the beginning of the conflict. Recently, we have observed a significant decline in the number of phone calls and emails received, indicating an improvement in the situation. Additionally, all our embassies in the Gulf countries, as well as in Iran and Israel, are running 24/7 helplines so that we can assist our citizens residing there.

Dhairya Maheshwari, Sputnik: Sir, Dhairya Maheshwari, Sputnik. Sir, there has been the resignation of the National Counter-Terrorism Center Chief Joe Kent who claimed that Iran posed no imminent threat. In a press conference this month, IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi also rejected the justification that Iran was weeks away from developing a nuclear weapon. In India's assessment, how do you see the situation? Was Iran close to building a nuclear weapon, which has been the basis of US-Israeli strikes?

Kallol, The Hindu: Kallol, from The Hindu, Sir. Sir, regarding the arrest of six Ukrainians and an American who were arrested by the NIA. Foreigners visiting Mizoram must obtain a Protected Area Permit. So, did they violate the Indian laws by not obtaining the permit?

Sidhant, CNN News 18: Sir, thank you so much. I'm Sidhant from CNN News 18. Sir, other than the statement made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, there is this 2026 US Intel Community Assessment, and if I quote what that report says, "it says that Pakistan is into advanced or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that can strike the homeland", unquote. Does this assessment of US Intel community bother us? What is our assessment and are we going to be talking to the Americans directly about this particular assessment of their community? Since the military leadership in Pakistan is cosying up with the administration in the United States. Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, Dhairya, first to your question. I really have no comments on that.

Kallol, see there are certain restricted area permits areas which are restricted in India, and there are certain protected areas. So, for those areas, you need a permission to travel there and whether they were in possession of this particular permission or not, it is now in the court, it will be presented and thereafter we will come to know. But I would refer you to what the NIA has had to say. I haven't gone into the technical details of it, but I understand that they may be wanting of certain documents for travelling to that part of India.

Siddhant, on your question, see, Pakistan's clandestine history of nuclear proliferation is for everybody to see, and everybody understands that and the risks that it poses to the international community. So, there is nothing new in it, it's just that this has been yet again highlighted. As far as this assessment that you've talked about, internal assessment, security assessment of the United States, on our side, we are closely working with the US government on counternarcotics issues. We have a shared objective here to how we deal with this menace. We have a working group and through this working group, we have an institutional dialogue mechanism to address the shared common challenge that we have. On Pakistan, the less I speak, the better. It the kind of things that they do poses a challenge to several people across the world.

With that, we come to the close of this press briefing. Thank you very much.

New Delhi

March 19, 2026

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MSMEs and start-ups are safeguarding national interests by strengthening defence capabilities & contributing to self-reliance vision: Raksha Rajya Mantri at National Defence Industries Conclave 2026

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 20 MAR 2026 6:35PM by PIB Delhi

The National Defence Industries Conclave (NDIC) 2026, organised by the Department of Defence Production (DDP) on the theme 'Advanced Manufacturing Technologies', concluded at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on March 20, 2026, after two days of extensive discussions on advanced manufacturing technologies and industry participation in defence production. The conclave brought together MSMEs, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private defence companies, innovators, policymakers and academia to deliberate on strengthening India's defence manufacturing ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies.

The valedictory session was graced by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth. In his address, Raksha Rajya Mantri highlighted the critical role of MSMEs, start-ups & innovators in strengthening India's industrial base and contributing to the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence. He also commended them for strengthening the capabilities of the defence forces, thereby safeguarding the nation from different kinds of threats.

Shri Sanjay Seth described the MSMEs and start-ups as the brand ambassadors of innovation, who are playing a central role in making India a global defence manufacturing hub and Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Extending the Government's full support in this endeavour, he expressed confidence of achieving the target of Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence exports and Rs 03 lakh crore worth of defence production by 2030.

Raksha Rajya Mantri listed out the number of steps taken by the Government to increase the participation of the private sector, especially MSMEs and start-ups. He stated that the all-time high allocation of Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2026-27 provides an opportunity to the MSMEs and start-ups to make the nation self-reliant.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar gave a broad overview of the discussions and sessions organised as part of the two-day conclave. He stated that these sessions provided a platform for MSMEs to engage directly with DPSUs, industry leaders and policymakers, helping identify opportunities for collaboration, technology development and supply-chain integration.

The Secretary (DP) emphasised that the conclave facilitated extensive interaction between government, industry and academia, helping identify technology gaps, capability requirements and opportunities for collaboration across the defence manufacturing value chain. He added that the discussions reinforced the importance of innovation, advanced manufacturing and MSME participation in strengthening India's defence production capabilities and enhancing global competitiveness.

Technical Discussions

Over the course of two days, the conclave hosted multiple thematic and domain sessions covering key areas of defence manufacturing including:

Artillery guns, small arms and infantry weapons

Defence metallurgy, special alloys and precision manufacturing

Advanced materials and defence composites

Naval platforms and shipbuilding technologies

Armoured vehicles and logistics platforms

Ammunitions, explosives and propellants

Missile systems and air defence technologies

Defence Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and lifecycle support

Several iDEX and DRDO-led sessions focused on emerging technologies such as:

Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Guidance, Control and Navigation Systems

Propulsion and Mobility Technologies

Advanced Materials and Composites

Semiconductor Manufacturing for Defence Systems

Industry Exhibition

The exhibition organised alongside the conclave served as an important platform for showcasing the capabilities of India's defence manufacturing ecosystem. It featured stalls from 20 large defence companies, along with 24 participation from Indian and international companies demonstrating advanced manufacturing technologies in areas such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing and smart materials. The exhibition also showcased initiatives of the Department of Defence Production and its associated organisations, highlighting policy reforms and innovation platforms aimed at strengthening India's indigenous defence industrial base.

The NDIC 2026 marks another significant step towards advancing the Government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence and building a robust, globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem.

***

VK/Savvy

(Release ID: 2243124)

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 20 March 2026

Berne, 20.03.2026 -- On 20 March, the Federal Council examined the implications of applying the principle of neutrality to exports to the states involved in the Iran conflict. The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict. Existing licences and exports of other goods will now be regularly reviewed by an interdepartmental group of experts, particularly with regard to their compatibility with neutrality.

Following its meeting on 13 March regarding the applicability of neutrality to the war between the USA/Israel and Iran, and its decisions of 14 March on specific overflight requests, the Federal Council on 20 March addressed the issue of goods exports to the countries involved in the conflict.

Exports of war materiel to the USA cannot currently be authorised. As the USA is involved in an international armed conflict, the exclusion grounds under Article 22a para. 2 let. a of the War Materiel Act are met. Since the escalation of the conflict on 28 February, no new licences have been issued for exports of war materiel to the USA. No definitive licences for the export of war materiel to Israel have been granted for a number of years. The same applies to Iran. Existing licences have been determined to be of no relevance to the war at present and can therefore continue to be used. Nevertheless, an interdepartmental expert group (EAER, FDFA and DDPS) will regularly review developments in exports of the goods in question to the USA and assess whether any action is required under neutrality law.

Exports of dual-use and specific military goods subject to the Goods Control Act, as well as of non-controlled goods that are nevertheless affected by sanctions against Iran, will also be regularly reviewed by the expert group from now on. A restrictive approach is already in place with regard to Israel.
Taiwan has no plan to help secure Strait of Hormuz: Minister

ROC Central News Agency

03/20/2026 08:41 PM

Taipei, March 20 (CNA) Taiwan's defense minister said Friday that the country's military has not considered sending troops to assist in the defense of the Strait of Hormuz, currently blocked by Iranian forces, amid calls for Taiwan to do so.

Since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Iranian forces have taken military action against fuel tankers passing through the strait, through which around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transits, sending global oil and LNG prices soaring.

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump has asked the U.S.' allies to send ships to help secure the strait. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan expressed their readiness to "contribute to appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the strait.

At a legislative meeting on Friday, opposition Kuomintang Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin () asked Defense Minister Wellington Koo () how Taiwan would respond if Trump asked it to help defend the strait.

Hsu cited Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank CEO Yaita Akio and former Pentagon official Tony Hu (), who have recommended that the Taiwanese government proactively signal to Trump its willingness to send troops to the strait to help secure it, thereby furthering bilateral ties.

Koo replied that the ministry "has not considered such an operation."

"The mission of the armed forces is to defend Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. Our entire focus is on the escalating gray zone harassment and potential military threats," Koo said.

Koo noted that China has been prosecuting "high-intensity gray zone harassment" -- coercive actions short of an all-out war -- against Taiwan, by sending at least five ships to its vicinity daily.

The military will prioritize the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region and continue gathering intelligence on enemy movements, he said.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/ASG

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Statement by Commissioner Tzitzikostas on the IMO decision on the Strait of Hormuz

European Commission

Statement

Mar 20, 2026

Brussels

The EU welcomes the adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Council decision, strongly condemning the threats and attacks by Iran against vessels which affect innocent civilian seafarers.

The EU echoes IMO Council's demands to cease any actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

At its meeting on 19 March, the European Council recalled the need to safeguard regional airspace and ensure maritime security and respect for the freedom of navigation, and condemned any acts that threaten navigation or prevent vessels from entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected.

The EU also reiterates its call for the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

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Iran claims strike on F-35 as US wavers over ground troop deployment; Washington appears to be sliding into very scenario it has sought to avoid: expert

Global Times

By Wang Qi Published: Mar 20, 2026 11:30 PM

As the US-Israeli war against Iran approaches its fourth week, an unexpected progress has emerged on the battlefield. Despite a US senior official claiming that Iran's air defense has been flattened, Iranian military said it has damaged a US F-35 fighter jet, with the US side downplaying the attack.

While President Donald Trump recently ruled out sending ground troops to Iran, Israel's push for escalation and Iran's staunch resistance are steadily raising the risk that the US will ultimately be bogged down in a protracted, costly quagmire.

On Friday, Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue, met with Iranian Ambassador to China Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, where the two sides exchanged views on the current tense situation in the Middle East, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"History and reality have shown us time and again that the use of force is not a solution and armed conflicts will only create new hatred... China will continue its mediation effort for an end to the fighting and for the early return of peace and stability to the Middle East," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Striking at arrogance

In a statement, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday said that it struck and "seriously damaged" a US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran with its air defense systems at around 2.50 am early Thursday, according to the Anadolu Agency.

IRGC claimed that the operation came "following the successful interception of more than 125 US-Israeli drones," adding that the incident "reflects significant and targeted improvements in the country's integrated air defense systems."

Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency posted a video on X on the same day purporting to show an F-35 being targeted and struck by an Iranian air defense system.

Without confirming if the F-35 was struck by Iran, Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said the F-35 was "flying a combat mission over Iran" when it was forced to make an emergency landing, according to CNN. Hawkins added that the aircraft landed safely and the incident is under investigation.

Before CENTCOM's statement, citing two sources familiar with the matter, CNN first reported the F-35 strike on Thursday, saying that the incident "would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft" in the war that started in late February. The media outlet said the aircraft costs upwards of $100 million.

In an X post on Friday, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that a hit to the US' F-35 fighter jet is "the moment of collapse of an order" as the F-35 "was not just a fighter jet but a statue of the US military's invincibility and arrogance."

Before the F-35 incident, on Thursday morning, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US is "winning decisively" and that Iran's air defenses have been "flattened", according to CNN. Earlier this month, Hegseth claimed that the US had achieved "total air dominance" in the war.

"US and Israeli air forces appear to have been overly confident, believing that Iran no longer possesses meaningful air defense or missile interception capabilities. However, the F-35 incident demonstrates that the US and Israel have not achieved complete air superiority over the Iranian battlefield," Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times.

"Iran's air defense systems have indeed suffered significant damage from US and Israeli strikes. However, through combat engagements and resistance efforts, its air defense capabilities, at least in certain localized areas, have been partially rebuilt or even upgraded," said Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East affairs expert with Lanzhou University.

"This indicates that Iran is not entirely devoid of counterstrike or defensive options," Zhu added.

According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, Iran has developed air defense systems that can use passive infrared sensors rather than radar to target aircraft.

"The F-35 stealth fighter is not truly 'invisible' in an absolute sense," said Song, "While it excels at evading radar detection, it remains vulnerable to other detection methods, such as electro-optical and infrared-guided sensor systems."

Iran already possesses anti-stealth capabilities, including weapons and sensors equipped with infrared and electro-optical detection technologies, which can effectively detect and counter the F-35 fighter jet, Song noted.

At least 16 US military aircraft have been lost since the start of the war, including 10 Reaper strike drones hit by Iranian fire and a half-dozen other planes badly damaged in attacks or accidents, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.

Wavering on ground troops

The latest F-35 incident came amid concerns of further escalation as the war's intensity grows.

On Friday, IRGC announced the execution of the 67th wave of its retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency. IRGC stated that it struck key US positions, including the Ali al-Salem base, which houses drone and airspace command centers, aircraft maintenance facilities, and the US-led coalition's operations center. The strike also targeted early-warning radar systems and missile defense installations at the Al-Wafa base.

IRGC on Friday confirmed that spokesperson General Ali Mohammad Naeini has been killed in an Israeli-US missile attack. IRGC warns that the war will continue until the "enemy is completely exhausted," per Al Jazeera.

The death of the IRGC spokesperson came after the killing of Iran's top security chief Ali Larijani and Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib earlier this week, which is making a political resolution to the conflict increasingly difficult.

Meanwhile, the White House is showing a wavering attitude over the issue of troop deployment.

Sources told Axios on Friday that the Trump administration is considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island, which processes 90 percent of Iran's crude oil exports, to pressure the country to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But the media outlet also warned that the operation could "put US troops more directly in the line of fire."

However, Trump on Thursday claimed that he had no plans to commit ground forces, according to the NYT, after sources told Reuters on Wednesday that the US administration is considering deploying thousands of US troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East.

"I'm not putting troops anywhere," Trump told media, "If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you."

Hours after Trump's remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran is being "decimated", adding that meaningful regime change will require a "ground component", according to CNBC.

According to Song, Kharg Island is easy to attack but difficult to defend, and it lacks the feasibility for thorough occupation and control. "Any attempt to seize and occupy Kharg Island would trigger fierce retaliatory strikes from Iran, resulting in heavy losses for US forces," Song noted.

On Thursday, the Pentagon asked for $200 billion, almost a quarter of the US' entire annual defense budget, in funding for the war, the New York Times said, citing US officials.

"As Israel continues to pull the US deeper into the conflict and Iran sustains its fierce and prolonged resistance, the prospect of the US deploying ground troops is becoming increasingly likely," Zhu said.

"However, any decision to commit ground forces would sharply elevate the risk of the war descending into a protracted, resource-draining quagmire, while driving military casualties and financial expenditures to dramatically higher levels," Zhu added, "The US seems to be gradually sliding into the very situation it had tried to avoid."

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Chinese FM responds US Treasury Secretary Bessent's claims that US may lift sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2026 04:10 PM

Energy security is vital to the world economy, and all parties have a responsibility to ensure stable energy supply, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday in response to a question about US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's claims in a media interview that the US government may lift sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in order to increase market supply.

Bessent told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" program "In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140 million barrels," Reuters reported.

In response to a question regarding the matter at the press conference on Friday, Lin said that China has consistently opposed illegal unilateral sanctions. He added that China is deeply concerned about the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and that all parties should immediately cease military operations, avoid further escalation, and prevent instability in the region from having a greater impact on global economic development.

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VIENNA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief on Saturday underscored the military restraint needed to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident after a new attack on Iran's nuclear facility.

The IAEA said on social media that it was informed by Iran of the attack on its Natanz nuclear site earlier on Saturday. The agency is investigating the situation and has received no reports of an increase in off-site radiation levels.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for military restraint to avoid further disastrous damage.

According to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the United States and Israel carried out an attack on the Natanz uranium-enrichment facility on Saturday morning. No radioactive leaks have been reported, and residents near the site were not at risk.

Iran's nuclear facilities have been struck several times since the Israeli-U.S. joint force started its attack on the Mideast country on Feb. 28. Last week, on Tuesday evening, an attack hit the premises of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant on the southern coast along the Persian Gulf. The Iranian authority said it was the third strike in proximity to Iranian nuclear facilities after Natanz and Isfahan and urged the IAEA to condemn such attacks, warning of "very grave and serious situation." 
55 enemy targets go up in smoke as IRGC unleashes 70th wave of Op. True Promise 4

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 11:14 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the execution of the 70th wave of its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, saying the latest phase targeted more than 55 locations occupied by the US and the Israeli regime across the region.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC described the opening moments of the latest phase as marked by "loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke" throughout the targeted areas.

It said the timing of the strikes, on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reflects "a different dawn of a new regional order for Muslims."

According to the statement, five US military installations were targeted during the operation, namely al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia, al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates, Ali al-Salem in Kuwait, Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The Corps said the strikes were carried out using Qiam and Emad missile systems alongside attack drones, describing this stage of the reprisal as part of a broader strategy of "gradual attrition."

Surprising enemy in occupied territories

The statement added that operations by the IRGC's Aerospace Force concentrated on strategic zones in the occupied port of Haifa and the city of Tel Aviv. Among the locations mentioned were Hadera, Kiryat Ono, Savion, and Ben Ami.

It said Khorramshahr-4 and multi-warhead Qadr missile systems were deployed, resulting in impacts "beyond the enemy's estimates," and contributing to worsening conditions in the occupied territories.

Warning of intensified response

The Corps reiterated its stance on retaliatory escalation, stating, "It is necessary at this stage of the war to once again remind that the IRGC, in its offensive strategy, will target the origin of any aggression against the Islamic Republic's territory and national sovereignty with strikes beyond previous ones."

The statement concluded by emphasizing that Iran's Armed Forces, including the Corps, have prepared for this stage of the confrontation.

Operation True Promise 4 was launched shortly after the latest round of unlawful attacks by Tel Aviv and Washington against the Islamic Republic late last month.

US military positions throughout the region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have been subjected to sustained counterstrikes.

The retaliation has also struck sensitive and strategic locations across the occupied territories, including those lying in Tel Aviv, the holy occupied city of al-Quds, Haifa, Be'er Sheva, considered a technological hub, and the Negev Desert.

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'Crushing blow' awaits UAE if it aids another attack on Iranian islands: Top military command

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 9:59 PM

Iran's highest operational command unit has warned the United Arab Emirates against allowing its soil to be used again as a launch pad for aggression targeting the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf.

The warning was issued on Friday by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's highest operational command unit that coordinates operations between the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

In a statement, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, "As we have previously announced, and demonstrated in practice, we will strike the origin of any aggression against our territory and national sovereignty."

"We warn the United Arab Emirates that if any further aggression originates from its territory against the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf, Iran's powerful Armed Forces will subject Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE to heavy and crushing strikes," he added.

The official was referring to an industrial port city, which serves as the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

The comments came amid Iran's ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 against the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

The reprisal has struck key American military facilities across the region, including those lying in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan.

Tehran has underlined its right to reprisal in line with the international law, while urging states across the region to prevent their respective territories from being used as launch pads for attacks on the Iranian soil.

Also on Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the Islamic Republic would show "ZERO restraint" if its infrastructure was attacked.

"We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: ZERO restraint if our infrastructure is attacked," he wrote.

"We are men and women of principles. Iranians do not sneak attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond," the top diplomat added, referring to the US's current attacks and its joining an Israeli war on Iran last June, both of which came amid diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington.

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UN chief affirms Iran's undeniable right to self-defense amid foreign aggression

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 9:31 PM

The UN secretary-general has affirmed Iran's undeniable right to self-defense against foreign aggression, amid the latest unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

Antonio Guterres made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday.

The UN chief stressed the need to prevent the escalation of tensions and to reduce their humanitarian and security consequences in the region.

The comments came more than three weeks into the unlawful attacks that have targeted Iran's military and civilian infrastructures alike, leading to the martyrdom of numerous people, including the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and senior commanders as well as hundreds of women and children.

According to Iran's Red Crescent Society, the atrocities have damaged more than 70,000 civilian targets such as residential areas, business centers, schools, and vital infrastructures.

The Islamic Republic has retaliated by targeting sensitive and strategic Israeli and American assets throughout the region, including those lying in the regional countries cooperating with the aggressors.

Tehran has underlined its right to reprisal in line with international law, while urging states across the region to prevent their respective territories from being used as launch pads for attacks on Iranian soil.

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IRGC targets Israeli military industries, US bases in 69th wave of Op. True Promise 4

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 8:33 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the execution of the 69th wave its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, targeting a range of Israeli military-linked industries as well as US military facilities in the region.

According to a statement released by the IRGC's Public Relations Office on Friday, the latest wave focused on targets in the heart of the occupied territories, including Tel Aviv, Acre, and the Haifa Bay area.

The statement said the latest phase struck combat support companies and military-linked industries, therefore, spanning military, telecommunications, and radar sectors.

The IRGC also reported strikes on US military installations in the region, identifying the targets as the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait and the al-Kharj base, a facility used for fuel storage and provision of fuel to US F-16 and F-35 warplanes.

The 69th wave was carried out "successfully" using a combination of missile systems, including the strategic Qadr missile systems, Kheibar Shekan missiles, medium-range Zolfaghar missiles, and Qiam missiles, besides deploying attack drones.

The Corps' statement concluded by citing remarks made by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei in his latest message addressed to the nation.

"The enemy is not dealing only with missiles, drones, torpedoes, and military matters; Iran's frontline is far greater than the enemy's narrow and limited perception."

Operation True Promise 4 was launched shortly after the latest round of unlawful attacks by Tel Aviv and Washington against the Islamic Republic late last month.

The retaliation has struck sensitive and strategic locations across the occupied territories, including those lying in the city of Tel Aviv, the holy occupied city of al-Quds, the occupied port of Haifa, Be'er Sheva, considered a technological hub, and the Negev Desert.

US military positions throughout the region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have also been subjected to sustained counterstrikes.

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True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on Mar. 20

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 7:59 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 Friday, March 20, 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 70 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 March 20:

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC):

The 66th wave of Operation "True Promise 4" was executed in memory of the master of martyrs of resistance, Hajj Qassem Soleimani, as well as his companions including Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis under the blessed code "Ya Zahra (AS)" against targets in the heart and south of the occupied territories, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Al Dhafra base and bases of the terrorist US military in the region.

In this wave, solid and liquid-fueled missile systems, ultra-powerful, precision-guided, and multi-warhead missiles, including Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, as well as medium-range Qiam, Zulfiqar, and suicide drones were used.

Wave 67 of Operation True Promise 4, under the blessed code name "Ya Sahib Al-Zaman Adrikni" (O Imam of the Time, help me), and dedicated to the martyr spokesperson of the IRGC, Brigadier General Dr. Ali Mohammad Naeini and his martyred brother, targeted American radar equipment in the region, and the military infrastructure of the Israeli regime with a barrage of heavy missiles and a swarm of drones.

Wave 68 of Operation True Promise 4 saw IRGC Navy and Aerospace forces jointly strike 25 targets in Haifa and Tel Aviv with Khorramshahr missiles, while drones and cruise missiles hit US bases, destroying Patriot system equipment.

In this operational wave, the "Ali Al-Salem" base, the drone command of the Aerospace Force, aircraft repair and maintenance hangars, equipment warehouses, helicopter support, the coalition forces' operations center commanded by the Americans, and early warning missile radars at the "Al-Wafa" base were accurately targeted by long-range and medium-range solid and liquid fuel systems.

Additionally, satellite, radar, and air defense centers of the Zionist regime in the center, south, and north of the occupied territories were effectively targeted.

Wave 69 of Operation True Promise 4 was executed against the combat support companies, combat-military industries, and telecommunications and radar industries of the Israeli regime in "Tel Aviv", Akka, and Haifa Bay.

It also targeted American military bases in the region, including Ali Al-Salem base and Al-Kharj base, which serves as a storage site for refuelers and fuel supplies for the American F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, using strategic Qadr and Kheibar-Shekan missile systems, Zulfiqar and Qiam medium-range missiles, and attack drones.

Iranian Army:

The location of the strategic aerial refueling aircraft of the Israeli military, stationed at "Ben Gurion" airport, the ministry of "internal security" in occupied Al-Quds, and Channel 13 television station in "Tel Aviv" were once again targeted by drones.

Hezbollah:

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Hermon" site with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Khirbet al-Kusayf, southwest of the town of Al-Taybeh, with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers on the Al-Muhaisibat hill, south of the Taybeh project, with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the park of the border town of Maroun Al-Ras with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Margaliot" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Al-Malikiyah" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles on Al-Khazzan hill in the border village of Odeissah with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in Baydar al-Faq'ani in the town of Al-Taybeh with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the border town of Jdeidet Mays al-Jabal with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters detonated explosive devices against an Israeli military D9 military bulldozer in the Taybeh project and against a gathering of regime soldiers in the Al-Zaqqaq neighborhood in Aitaroun.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Shlomi" settlement with a rocket barrage

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Yiftah" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the city of Khiam with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Shomera" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in the context of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Ya'ara" barracks with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in the context of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in occupied northern Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Hanita" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Baranit" barracks (headquarters of the 91st Division) with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Netu'a" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in occupied northern Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Yir'on" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning that the Islamic Resistance directed to a number of settlements in occupied northern Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Shlomi" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a positioning of Israeli soldiers at Jabal Warda in the border town of Markaba with appropriate weapons.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Tefen" base east of the occupied city of Akka with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of regime soldiers at the southern outskirts of the town of Alma Al-Shaab with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers on the Qaba Heights on the southeastern outskirts of the town of Markaba with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the southern outskirts of the town of Al-Dhayra with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at Khallet Warda in the town of Aita Al-Shaab with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Nahariya" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the newly established site in Jabal Al-Bat in the border town of Aitaroun with an attack drone.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Mahfay Alon" base, southwest of the occupied city of Safad, with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers south of the border town of Maroun Al-Ras.

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Global arrogance and Zionism fear axis of resistance: Senior IRGC Commander

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 7:13 PM

Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, Commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), has stated that the determination of the Axis of Resistance has fostered unprecedented unity among Muslims and instilled deep fear in global arrogance and international Zionism.

General Qaani made the remarks in a message released on Friday, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr, which is the celebration marking the end of the blessed month of Ramadan.

He emphasized that the resistance front, armed with immense capabilities and guided by wisdom, has decisively entered the arena to confront the criminal United States and the child-killing Zionist regime of Israel.

The senior commander praised the vital contributions of the resistance front in defending the Islamic Republic against the ongoing war of aggression launched by the US and Israel on February 28, 2026.

He highlighted the resistance front's highly successful and impactful operations to date, vowing that even greater achievements and surprises would soon be revealed.

"The resistance front... will display more wonders very soon," the commander emphasized.

General Qaani described the Axis of Resistance as a profound source of unity and pride for the entire Muslim world, crediting its members with generating widespread solidarity.

"It is through your steadfastness that the Muslim world will free itself from the sedation imposed by American-Zionist dominance," he stated.

The message comes amid intensified US-Israeli coordinated aggression against Iran, including strikes on energy infrastructure such as the South Pars gas fields, even as diplomatic channels remained open and with the implicit or explicit support of certain regional states.

Senior Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that any intentional attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime on Iran's civilian populations or essential infrastructure represent a clear and flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, constituting an undisputed war crime and will not be tolerated.

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Iran to show 'ZERO restraint' if its infrastructure attacked: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 5:29 PM

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the Islamic Republic will show "ZERO restraint" if its infrastructure is attacked.

"We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: ZERO restraint if our infrastructure is attacked," Araghchi wrote in a post on X on Friday.

"We are men and women of principles. Iranians do not sneak attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond," he added.

The warning came as 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.

Earlier this week, the invading coalition targeted Iran's main gas field, South Pars, in a major escalation. Tehran swiftly responded by targeting Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facility, warning that it will not tolerate attacks on its vital infrastructure.

The US-Israeli attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The attacks were launched as Iran and the US had held three rounds of indirect negotiations in the Omani capital of Muscat and the Swiss city of Geneva and planned to open technical talks in Vienna, Austria.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missiles and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases in regional countries.

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Operation True Promise 4: IRGC strikes US bases, Israeli military targets

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 4:19 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully carried out the 68th wave of retaliatory missile strikes targeting sites in Occupied Palestine and US bases in the region as part of Operation True Promise 4, deploying advanced missile systems and drones.

The IRGC said in a statement on Friday that the operation was jointly conducted by the elite force's Navy and aerospace unit as a tribute to the martyrs of media and the martyred IRGC spokesperson, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini.

It added that the retaliatory assault employed multi-warhead missiles such as Qadr and Khorramshahr 4, which hit 25 targets in Haifa and Tel Aviv in the occupied territories after disrupting Israel's multifaceted and missile systems.

The aerospace drone unit also attacked several US bases in the region by firing tens of UAVs.

The IRGC Navy conducted strikes against 6 logistical sites belonging to the American terrorists in Al-Ahad base by firing cruise missiles and drones, which completely destroyed some equipment of Patriot radar systems. The air logistics of terrorists in the Isa Air Base in southern Bahrain were heavily damaged.

"The IRGC Navy has informed the ships present in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman to report any maritime suspicious case on channel 16 to one of the IRGC Navy stations for immediate investigation and control," the statement read.

The statement emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz remains completely closed to American-Israeli terrorists and their allies as per an order by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

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Full text of Leader of the Islamic Revolution's New Year message

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 3:57 PM

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a message to mark the New Year in the Iranian calendar, as well as Eid al-Fitr, amid the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against the country.

What follows is the full text of the message as provided by his office:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

- Transformer of hearts and sights,

- Director of nights and days,

- Transformer of situations and circumstances,

Transform our circumstances to the best of circumstances!

This year, the spring of spirituality and the spring of nature - i.e., the auspicious Eid-al-Fitr and the age-old Eid of Nowruz - have coincided, and I congratulate each and every one of the people of the nation on these two religious and national holidays. I also congratulate all Muslims of the world on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr.

It is also necessary to congratulate everyone regarding the remarkable victories of Islam's fighters and to express my condolences and sympathy to all the families and survivors of the honorable martyrs of the second imposed war, the January Coup, the third imposed war, the security and border martyrs, and the anonymous martyred soldiers [martyrs of intelligence forces].

Below I present my remarks on the occasion of the upcoming 1405 year.

First, I will give a brief overview of some of the important events of the past year. In the past year, our dear people have experienced three military and security wars. The first war was the June war, when the Zionist enemy, with the special help of the United States and in the midst of negotiations, martyred some of the country's best commanders and prominent scientists and subsequently about 1,000 of our fellow citizens. Because of a gross miscalculation, the enemy thought that after a day or two, it would be the people who would overthrow the Islamic system. But with the vigilance of you, the people, the unparalleled bravery of Islam's fighters, and the many sacrifices, the indications of desperation and destitution soon appeared in it [the Zionist enemy], to the point that it saved itself from the edge of the abyss through mediation and resorting to cessation of fighting.

The second war was the January Coup, when the United States and the Zionist regime, thinking that the Iranian people were implementing the enemy's vision due to the economic problems imposed by them, used their mercenaries to create countless disasters and martyred more of our dear fellow citizens than in the previous war and caused a lot of damage.

The third war is the war that we are now in the middle of, and on the first day of which, with tearful eyes and sad and broken hearts, we bade farewell to the kind father of the Ummah, our great Leader - may God make his respected position exalted - while hastening with great enthusiasm at the head of a caravan of martyrs on a celestial journey to a place that had been considered for him in the shadow of God's mercy and in proximity to purified lights and among the righteous and martyrs. Also, from that day onwards, we gradually and sorrowfully bode farewell to the other martyrs of this war, including the children of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, the brave and oppressed stars of the Destroyer Dena, the martyred commanders and fighters of the IRGC, the army, the security and police forces, and the Popular Mobilization Force (the Basij), the anonymous soldiers [martyrs of intelligence forces], the brave border guards, and the rest of the nation, young and old, who passed in front of us in a caravan of light. This war took place after the enemy was disappointed with a significant popular movement in its favor, and with the illusion that if it martyred the head of the establishment and a number of influential military figures, it would create fear and despair in you, our dear people, and cause you to leave the arena, and in this way, it would realize the dream of dominating Iran and then disintegrating it. But in this holy month, you combined fasting with jihad and provided a vast defense line, as wide as the country, and strong fortifications, as numerous as the squares, neighborhoods, and mosques. And in this way, you dealt him a confusing blow, so much so that he began to utter numerous contradictory words and many absurdities, which is a sign of lack of mindfulness and the existence of cognitive weakness.

You had already suppressed the coup on January 12 [22nd of Dey], and on February 11 [22nd of Bahman], you once again showed your opposition to global arrogance and your tirelessness, and on March 12, which coincided with Quds Day, you made him realize that he was not only dealing with missiles, drones, torpedoes, and military affairs and that Iran's front line is much bigger than his [the enemies'] humble and small mentality. I would like to thank each and every one of the dear people for creating this great epic, as well as the brave, honest and popular president and other officials who were present among the people in this ceremony, immaculate and without formalities.

This kind of action and making it visible can be in itself a very desirable thing that increasingly strengthens the cohesion between the nation and the rulers. At present, as a result of the incredible unity created among you, fellow citizens - despite all the differences of religious, intellectual, cultural and political origins - a breakdown is brought about in the enemy. This should be considered as a special blessing from the Almighty and Exalted Allah, for which we should be very grateful in words and in heart as well as in action. One of the inviolable rules is that whenever a blessing is thanked for, its root becomes stronger or enhanced in proportion to the amount of thanksgiving, and more favors are sent to the thankful person. What is needed for the time being in the position of practical gratitude is that we consider this great blessing as merely a mercy from the Almighty and make good use of it as much as possible. In this way, this cohesion will definitely become more and more resolute, and your enemies will become more disgraced and subdued. These were a review of some of the important events of the year 1404.

But now that we are on the verge of the year 1405, we are facing a few matters. One is that we bid farewell to our dear guest, the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH, forever: The month in which your hearts turned to the transcendent world on the Night of Qadr and you called upon the merciful God, and His Holiness directed His mercy to you. You asked our lord [Imam Mahdi], may Allah hasten his noble reappearance, and His God for triumph, victory, well-being, and all kinds of blessings, and you must have received the same or better than what was your heart's desire, God willing. At the same time as this farewell, which the more knowledge human beings have, the more bitter and sad it will be, we press the happy and full moon of Shawwal al-Mukarram in our warm arms and await the reception of gifts from the Blessed and Transcendent Allah with fear and hope. I hope that after that daily and nightly conscientious presence of you, the dear nation, and the creation of the epic of Quds Day, the Almighty will not treat us except with His generosity, forbearance, forgiveness, and great grace to which you and I have become accustomed. And especially we hope that soon with the good news of the general relief in the matter of the general appearance of our lord [Imam Mahdi], his eminence, the supreme guardian appointed by Allah, He will fill the blessed heart of his holiness with joy, from which all kinds of blessings will descend upon the people of this world, by His grace and generosity.

Another thing we are facing is the important occasion of the age-old Eid of Nowruz. It is an Eid that brings with it a gift of nature, of renewal, freshness, and life, and it has a perfect occasion with joy and happiness.

On the one hand, for the general public, this is the first year that our martyred Leader and other noble martyrs are not among us. In particular, the hearts of the families and survivors of the martyrs are grieving for their loved ones.

At the same time, for my part and as a simple citizen who has a few martyrs in my circle, I think that while we are mourning and our hearts are a nest of sorrow and grief for all the martyrs, we would become very happy that in these days, our newlywed brides and grooms start their life together. And God willing, the prayers of our martyred leader and other noble martyrs of this war will be with these dear ones. And I recommend that the public should have their usual [New Year] visits of these days, of course, while respecting the survivors of the martyrs and respecting their well-being, and perhaps the people of any neighborhood will start their New Year's meetings by honoring the martyrs of the same place, which can be made possible with the necessary coordination. Of course, the period [of mourning] that the honorable government set for the tragedy of the martyrdom of our dear Leader remains in place, and observing and preserving it is considered an aspect of the greatness of this system and the country.

After these words, there are other brief remarks.

First of all, I must especially thank those who - in addition to being present in squares, neighborhoods, and mosques - highlight their social role with increasing effort. Among them are some production units, both public and private, and including some service guilds, and especially people who provide all kinds of useful services to the people for free without their jobs requiring them, and praise be to God, there is an abundance of this kind.

Secondly, one of the enemy's courses of action is his media operations, which in these days, in particular, intends to undermine national unity and consequently national security by targeting the minds and souls of some among the people. We must be careful lest this sinister intention be realized as a result of negligence and by our own hands. Therefore, my advice to our country's domestic media, with all the intellectual, political, and cultural differences they may have, is to seriously refrain from focusing on weaknesses. Otherwise, it is possible for the enemy to reach its goal.

Thirdly, one of the enemy's hopes is to take advantage of the economic and managerial weaknesses that have been formed over a long time. Over various years, our martyred Leader - may Allah elevate his position - had focused the main theme and slogan of the year on the economy. In the opinion of this humble person, providing people's livelihood and improving the living and welfare infrastructures and creating wealth for the general public should be considered as a focal point and a kind of defense and even significant progress against the economic war waged by the enemy.

I am gracious that I have had the chance to hear the words of our dear people from all walks of life. During one period, for instance, I would ride along with you in a taxi - arranged at my request - through the streets of Tehran, with an anonymous group, listening to your conversations. I regarded this method of sampling as superior to many opinion polls. In many cases, my understandings were in line with yours, which were often expressed as various criticisms regarding economic and managerial matters. In the process, I learned a great deal from you, and I continue to seek new knowledge. Recently, during the days before and after the 19th of Ramadan, I again learned things from many of you who were present in the public squares. I hope I am never deprived of this blessing. Following things thus learned and heard, along with other studies, efforts have been made to formulate an effective and expert-tested remedyone that is as comprehensive as possible. Thank God, this has been realized to an acceptable degree, and soon it will be ready for implementation by officials of great resolve, with the cooperation of all segments of the nation, God willing. Finally, in this section, drawing inspiration from our great martyred Leader, I announce this year's slogan as: "Resistance Economy in light of National Unity and National Security."

Fourth and last, what I stated in the first statement regarding the system's stance and policy on engagement with neighboring countries is a serious and genuine matter. Beyond the element of neighborliness, we recognize other spiritual elements - foremost among them our shared devotion to the noble religion of Islam, as well as the presence of holy shrines and sacred sites in some of these countries, the residence and employment of many Iranians in others, shared ethnicity or language, and common strategic interests, particularly in confronting the front of arroganceeach of which alone can serve to strengthen amicable relations. Among them, I consider our eastern neighbors to be very close to us. For a long time, I have known Pakistan to be a country that was especially beloved by our martyred Leader, a sentiment that was evident in the emotion in his voice during Friday prayer sermons over the devastating floods that threatened the lives of our religious brothers there. For various reasons, I have always held this view myself and have not refrained from expressing it in various meetings. Here, I would like to urge that our two brotherly countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, establish better relations with each other - if only for the sake of divine pleasure and to avoid division among Muslims - and for my part, I am ready to take the necessary steps.

I should also remark that the attacks against Turkey and Oman - both of which have good relations with ustargeting certain locations in these countries, were in no way carried out by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic or the other forces of the Resistance Front. This is a ploy by the Zionist enemy, employing the false flag tactic to create discord between the Islamic Republic and its neighbors, and it may also occur in some other countries. I have already mentioned the rest of the points related to this matter.

I hope, with the prayers of our lord [Imam Mahdi] - may Allah hasten his relief - and with the Almighty's attention, this year will be a good year full of triumph and all kinds of spiritual and material relief for our nation, our neighbors, and Muslim nations, and especially for the elements of the Resistance Front; and a year not so for the enemies of Islam and humanity. "And We desired to show favor to those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts from them that of which they were apprehensive (Holy Quran 28:6)." Indeed, God the Almighty has spoken the truth; His noble Messenger (pbuh) has spoken the truth; and we are among those who bear witness to that.

May God's greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.

Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei

Esfand 29, 1404 [March 20, 2026]

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Iran's Parliament speaker calls on Muslims to unite against US-Israeli plots

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 3:00 PM

Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has called on Muslims worldwide to unite against US and Israeli plots to create divisions among them and dominate the West Asian region and "wipe them from the earth."

In a message on Friday, Qalibaf congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, and stressed that any division among Muslims only serves the interests of "our common enemies."

"From today, we must strive to build a new security order in this region based on fraternity among us, not on trust in the enemies of Islam or obedience to their dictates," he added.

In an apparent reference to the US military bases in the region, Qalibaf said Washington promises to protect the host Arab countries, but it only brings "war and insecurity "to the region.

He stressed that any Muslim who relies on America, which is the main supporter of Israel's genocide in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, actually has no helper.

"You know that anyone clothed by America is in fact naked," Qalibaf said, noting that Washington doesn't abide by any agreement or commitment.

"Therefore, let us be aware and united," he stated.

Noting that the same coalition, namely the US and Israel, which has committed a genocide in Gaza, is now killing the people of Iran, Qalibaf wondered.

"Is it acceptable that the land of a Muslim country hosts this coalition?"

Qalibaf urged some rulers of Muslim countries, who openly or secretly cooperate with "these criminals", to "choose the path of truth before it is too late," prioritizing collaboration with Islamic countries over friendship with their enemies.

He noted that Iran's attack on US interests and bases in neighboring countries in retaliation for their use by the aggressors as a launchpad for attacks on civilians in Iran was "inevitable."

"The solution is to take our destiny into our own hands; otherwise, America and Israel will turn all our cities into Gaza. They see each of usShia and Sunni, adult and child, military and civilianas Amalekites. And you know that they believe Amalekites must be exterminated and wiped from the earth," Qalibaf noted.

He stressed that no retaliatory Iranian attack will be carried out against the host countries if they stop the US from attacking Iran from their territories.

"If Muslim countries, through brotherhood and cooperation, take control of the region's destiny without foreign interference, lasting security will be established for all Muslim nations," the parliament speaker stressed.

"Through bilateral and multilateral security and economic agreements, we can establish a new order in the region, so that all the region's countries benefit from stable and reliable security," he said, emphasizing that the region's benefits "must belong exclusively to its own people."

"Today is the time for action. Today is the time for brotherhood," he reiterated.

The US and Israel started the latest round of aerial aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missiles and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases and interests in regional countries.

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DHAKA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr with religious fervor and gaiety on Saturday, with worshippers shaking hands and doing the customary hugging after the prayers.

Since Saturday morning, Muslims in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country flocked to open places and masjids to offer special prayers of the Eid, which marks the end of the month-long fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

The main Eid congregation in Dhaka was held at the national Eidgah (an open ground for Eid prayers).

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, among other dignitaries, participated in the prayer.

Long lines of worshippers had also been seen since morning in front of Dhaka's many masjids, including the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Like previous years, the South Asian country's largest Eid congregation was held at Sholakia in Kishoreganj district, some 117 km northeast of Dhaka, with hundreds of thousands of participants offering prayers. 
'Resistance Economy in Light of National Unity, Security': Leader announces slogan of New Year

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 2:59 PM

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a message on the occasion of the Persian calendar New Year.

In a message on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated both the Eid of Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, which have coincided this year, to the Iranian nation and to the Muslims worldwide.

"It is also necessary to congratulate everyone regarding the remarkable victories of Islam's fighters," he said, also expressing condolences to all the families and survivors of the honorable martyrs of the US-Israeli aggression, as well as those of the January foreign-backed unrests.

Three wars in one year

In the first section of the message, he provided an overview of the important events of the past year.

"In the past year, our dear people have experienced three military and security wars," he said.

"The first war was the June war, when the Zionist enemy, with the special help of the United States and in the midst of negotiations, martyred some of the country's best commanders and prominent scientists and subsequently about 1,000 of our fellow citizens," Ayatollah Khamenei added.

"Because of a gross miscalculation, the enemy thought that after a day or two, it would be the people who would overthrow the Islamic system," he noted, adding that however, the "vigilance" of the Iranian nation and "bravery" of Islam's fighters foiled the Zionist plots.

The message categorized the "January Coup" as the nation's "second war," referring to the foreign-backed riots.

The Leader stated that the United States and the Zionist regime operated under the assumption that the Iranian populace was aligning with the enemy's vision due to imposed economic pressures.

These adversaries "used their mercenaries to create countless disasters and martyred more of our dear fellow citizens than in the previous war and caused a lot of damage," added Ayatollah Khamenei.

Transitioning to the current and ongoing conflict, which he designated as the "third war," the Leader recounted its tragic beginning.

"On the first day of which, with tearful eyes and sad and broken hearts, we bade farewell to the kind father of the Ummah, our great Leader," he said, referring to the US-Israeli assassination of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on February 28.

The Leader spoke of bidding farewell to numerous other casualties of the US-Israeli terrorist aggression, specifically mentioning the children of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab and the "brave and oppressed stars of the Dena Destroyer."

The enemy's goal is to disintegrate Iran

The address further analyzed the strategic intent behind the current war. The Leader asserted it was launched after the enemy failed to rally a significant popular movement in its favor.

The enemy, Ayatollah Khamenei explained, operated under "the illusion that if it martyred the head of the establishment and a number of influential military figures, it would create fear and despair in you, our dear people, and cause you to leave the arena."

Ultimately, he warned, their goal was realizing "the dream of dominating Iran and then disintegrating it."

People dealt a 'confusing blow' to enemy

Despite these challenges, the Leader praised the public's response during the holy month. He noted that citizens "combined fasting with jihad and provided a vast defense line, as wide as the country," establishing strong fortifications throughout squares, neighborhoods, and mosques.

This widespread mobilization, the Leader noted, dealt the adversary "a confusing blow." As a result, he observed that the enemy "began to utter numerous contradictory words and many absurdities, which is a sign of lack of mindfulness and the existence of cognitive weakness."

Enemy facing more than drones and missiles

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the nation's recent triumphs over internal and external threats, emphasizing that the strength of the Iranian people far exceeds the military calculations of their adversaries.

Reflecting on the events of the past year, the Leader noted that the public had already suppressed a coup attempt on January 12. He further observed that the demonstrations on February 11 and March 12the latter coinciding with Quds Dayserved as a powerful display of "opposition to global arrogance and your tirelessness."

During these events, he stated, the enemy was made to realize that they were "not only dealing with missiles, drones, torpedoes, and military affairs."

He emphasized that "Iran's front line is much bigger than his [the enemies'] humble and small mentality."

The Leader expressed his gratitude to the citizens for "creating this great epic," while also commending the "brave, honest and popular president and other officials" for their presence among the people "immaculate and without formalities."

He also hailed the "incredible unity" currently witnessed among the Iranian people. The Leader noted that this cohesion exists "despite all the differences of religious, intellectual, cultural and political origins" and has resulted in a "breakdown" within the enemy's camp.

He described this unity as a "special blessing from the Almighty."

Turning to national security, the Leader issued a warning regarding "media operations" conducted by adversaries. He stated that these efforts intend to "undermine national unity and consequently national security by targeting the minds and souls of some among the people."

He urged domestic media outlets, regardless of political or intellectual differences, to "refrain from focusing on weaknesses," warning that negligence in this area could allow the enemy to reach its goals.

People's livelihood a 'focal point'

Ayatollah Khamenei also addressed the "economic war" facing the country. He noted that the late martyred Leader had consistently focused on the economy as the "slogan of the year."

To counter the enemy's exploitation of "economic and managerial weaknesses," the Leader asserted that "providing people's livelihood and improving the living and welfare infrastructures and creating wealth for the general public should be considered as a focal point and a kind of defense and even significant progress against the economic war waged by the enemy."

New Year slogan and economic strategy

Ayatollah Khamenei said that his understanding of the nation's challenges is rooted in direct engagement with citizens. He shared an anecdote about his personal efforts to hear the "words of our dear people from all walks of life," stating, "During one period, for instance, I would ride along with you in a taxi - arranged at my request - through the streets of Tehran, with an anonymous group, listening to your conversations."

He noted that he regarded this method as "superior to many opinion polls" and found that his own understandings often aligned with public criticisms regarding "economic and managerial matters."

Based on these insights and expert studies, the Leader announced the formulation of a new "expert-tested remedy" for the country's challenges. Formally designating the theme for the new year, he declared: "Resistance Economy in light of National Unity and National Security."

On relation with neighbors

Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized a "serious and genuine" policy of engagement with neighboring nations.

The Leader identified several "spiritual elements" that strengthen these ties, including a shared devotion to Islam, sacred sites, shared ethnicity, and "common strategic interests, particularly in confronting the front of arrogance."

He specifically highlighted the importance of eastern neighbors, noting that "I consider our eastern neighbors to be very close to us."

He made a specific appeal for regional harmony, urging that "our two brotherly countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, establish better relations with each other - if only for the sake of divine pleasure and to avoid division among Muslims."

He added that he is personally "ready to take the necessary steps" to facilitate this improvement.

Leader warns of 'false flag' operations

Addressing recent security developments, the Leader clearly rejected Iran's involvement in strikes against Oman and Turkey. He said that "the attacks against Turkey and Oman - both of which have good relations with ustargeting certain locations in these countries, were in no way carried out by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic or the other forces of the Resistance Front."

"This is a ploy by the Zionist enemy, employing the false flag tactic to create discord between the Islamic Republic and its neighbors, and it may also occur in some other countries," he highlighted.

The message concluded with a prayer for the upcoming year, expressing hope for "triumph and all kinds of spiritual and material relief" for the nation, its neighbors, and the Resistance Front. The Leader closed the address by quoting the Holy Quran (28:6):

"And We desired to show favor to those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts from them that of which they were apprehensive."

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Assassination of Iranian officials, commanders exposes enemies' desperation: Spox

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 1:06 PM

The spokesperson for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says the US and Israel are conducting acts of terror against the country's officials and commanders, not because of the enemies' power but out of their desperation.

"Assassination of the country's officials and authorities, as well as a number of commanders of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, does not show the enemy's power but is rooted in its desperation and malice," Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said on Friday.

He added that Iranian officials are living like people, unlike the criminal Israeli and American officials who are hiding in shelters and underground facilities due to their lack of ability in the face of the resistance of the brave Iranian nation.

The commander emphasized that the "cowardly" US and Israeli officials and commanders, along with malicious pilots and troops, are under surveillance of the Iranian Armed Forces, who are "firmly determined to continue crushing attacks against enemies."

Shekarchi further said that based on information available to Iran, recreational areas, tourist destinations and leisure centers around the world would no longer be safe for enemies.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of unlawful military aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country. The attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several Iranian civilians, including women and children, as well as military commanders.

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 in regional countries.

Shekarchi's remarks came on the same day that Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the martyrdom of its spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini in terrorist US-Israeli strikes.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, Minister of Intelligence Esmaeil Khatib and Head of the Basij Organization Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani Farsani, along with several of his comrades, were also assassinated in US-Israel strikes earlier this week.

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Iran FM warns UK counterpart over support for US-Israeli aggression

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 11:29 AM

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed the stance of the United Kingdom over the US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, warning that any kind of support for the war will only heighten tensions.

In a phone conversation with his British counterpart Yvette Cooper, Araghchi noted that Iran came under military attack for the second time while it was engaged in negotiations with the United States over the nuclear issue.

He noted that the US-Israeli aggression, which has martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, several senior officials and hundreds of civilians, violates all international principles and norms.

Araghchi slammed the UK for allowing the US to use it military bases. "These actions will certainly be regarded as participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between our two countries," he said.

"At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend our sovereignty and independence," he added.

Iran's top diplomat warned that any assistance or support provided to the aggressors in the illegal war against Iran will only escalate tensions and "make the circumstance more complex".

Araghchi also called on UK officials to refrain from any cooperation with the US and the Israeli regime, including providing platforms for "terrorist" TV channels supporting hostile actions against Iranians.

He also strongly criticized the UK and some other countries over their failure to condemn the "dangerous and reckless" attack on the South Pars gas field, while instead condemning Iran's retaliatory strikes on US-linked facilities in the region.

Pointing out Iran's inherent right to selfdefense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Araghchi said Iran has respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries.

"But, unfortunately, US bases are located in these countries and have been used to attack us, and these countries have failed to meet their international responsibility to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Iran."

He stressed that the only way to restore normal conditions to the region and the Strait of Hormuz is an end to the aggression, stressing that "any cessation of hostilities must be accompanied by guarantees preventing the repetition of such aggression."

For her part, the UK foreign secretary emphasized the need to stop the war and reduce tensions in the region, expressing concern about the political and economic consequences of the war at the regional and global levels.

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.

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.

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IRGC announces spokesman's martyrdom in terrorist US-Israeli strikes

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 10:22 AM

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the martyrdom of its spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, in terrorist US-Israeli strikes.

In a statement released on Friday, the IRGC expressed condolences and congratulations to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian people, military commanders, and media personnel over the martyrdom of Naeini in a "cowardly" crime by the aggressor regimes on the dawn of the last day of the holy month of Ramadan.

It said that Naeini's "conscientiously" services over the past four decades in the IRGC, especially during the 1980s' Iraqi-imposed war and Iran's retaliatory True Promise operations, turned him into a prominent figure in the history of sacrifice and jihad (endeavor for the sake of God).

"His evolutionary viewpoints and efficient patterns in the field of 'soft war' will guide the IRGC forces and officers of the cognitive war in their fight against arrogant powers," it added.

IRGC also vowed to continue the "hopeful and rigid" path of the brave and faithful commander in its battle against criminals.

The IRGC further pledged not to allow any disruption in the popular force's soft and spiritual power and the fading of its glorious sound in the hearts of the faithful.

Naeini was the spokesperson for the IRGC over the past two years. He also served as the deputy for the IRGC's Public Relations Department.

The criminal US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

The Iranian Armed Forces have responded by launching almost daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied lands as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

They have conducted their retaliatory strikes based on the principle of "eye for an eye," inflicting heavy losses on the enemies.

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'Victory is near': IRGC strikes US bases, Israeli military infrastructure in new missile barrage

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 9:57 AM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched the 67th wave of its Operation True Promise 4, targeting US military bases and Israeli military infrastructure in the region.

The operation, conducted during the final days of Ramadan on Friday, was dedicated to the martyred IRGC spokesperson, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, and his fallen brother.

The IRGC stated that it struck key US positions, including the Ali al-Salem base, which houses drone and airspace command centers, aircraft maintenance facilities, and the US-led coalition's operations center.

The strike also targeted early-warning radar systems and missile defense installations at the Al-Wafa base. Additionally, Iranian forces hit Israeli radar, satellite, and missile defense centers across the occupied Palestinian territories.

"With the help of God, we opened the gates of fire and pain on US military positions and Israeli infrastructure, launching a barrage of heavy missiles and a downpour of drones," the IRGC said in its statement.

The IRGC also issued a warning, stating, "The fate of the tyrant Saddam awaits Trump and the criminal Netanyahu," referring to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

The statement emphasized that the operations are part of Iran's broader strategy of resistance, declaring, "Our going into battle is not a defeat. God has closed the path to defeat for us, and victory is near."

Meanwhile, Israeli officials confirmed that Iran's missile strike on the Bazan refinery in Haifa on Thursday caused significant damage to the power infrastructure supplying the facility.

The operator of the Haifa refineries announced on Friday that the attack targeted the electricity infrastructure that supports operations at the refinery.

ied lands as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

They have conducted their retaliatory strikes based on the principle of "eye for an eye," inflicting heavy losses on the enemies.

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Leader hails martyred intel minister, calls for increased efforts to protect Iran

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 9:36 AM

New Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a message of condolence to President Masoud Pezeshkian following the US-Israeli assassination of Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib.

In his message on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed sympathy to Pezeshkian, the government, the Ministry of Intelligence, and Khatib's family. He praised Khatib as a dedicated public servant and a martyr who had served Iran with distinction.

"I extend my condolences to you, the esteemed government, and especially to the family of the late Hojatoleslam Seyed Ismail Khatib, who dedicated his life to the service of the Islamic Republic," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the officials in the Ministry of Intelligence to work even harder to ensure the country's security in the face of both domestic and foreign threats.

"Certainly, his absence must be compensated by the increased efforts of other officials and employees of that sensitive ministry, ensuring that security is taken away from internal and external enemies and granted to all compatriots," he wrote.

"I ask the Almighty for the continued success of you and your colleagues, and for the elevation of the rank of that dear martyr."

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Houthi: Zionist plan to create 'Greater Israel' behind war on Iran

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 9:18 AM

Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, has condemned the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran, asserting that it seeks to reshape the political landscape of West Asia and create a so-called "Greater Israel."

In a statement on Thursday night, Houthi expressed support for Tehran's right to self-defense, describing the Islamic Republic as a model of an independent Muslim nation.

Houthi praised Iran for its role in supporting the resistance movement and offering various forms of assistance.

"Iran has shown itself as a beacon of resistance against the enemy," he said, describing the Islamic Republic as a model of an independent, free Muslim state that does not bow to Israel or the United States.

"Iran has provided an example of supporting the path of jihad resistance against enemies and has backed it in every form," he added.

"Iran has also presented a model of an independent Islamic civilization, one that neither surrenders to America nor to the Israeli regime," Houthi continued.

"Iran has built its identity as a free, independent Islamic country that does not bow down to its enemies and does not make alliances with them," he said, highlighting Iran's refusal to compromise on its principles.

Regarding the current US-Israeli aggression against Iran, Houthi noted that the Zionist regime is rushing to complete its expansionist plans.

"The Zionists want to eliminate Iran because it stands as the biggest obstacle to their ambitions in the region," he said, adding that the US and Israel see Iran as a major threat to their regional hegemony.

"The primary goal of the Zionist aggression against Iran is to restructure West Asia and establish a 'Greater Israel'," he said.

He also highlighted that the aggression targets not only Iran but the entire region, setting the stage for the implementation of Israel's territorial expansion plans.

The Yemeni leader criticized the United States for relying on military bases in Arab countries to launch strikes on Iran, praising Iran's "wise, responsible" response to the "unjust, unjustified" aggression.

Houthi further stressed Iran's right to retaliate against these bases and the interests of aggressor nations in the region.

He pointed out that several Arab and Islamic countries have provided airspace to Israel and participated in the US-Israeli campaign in various ways.

"Iran's position is legitimate self-defense and defense of the nation, and it deserves praise and encouragement," he added.

Meanwhile, Houthi noted that many Americans are aware that there is no political or security justification for the US to engage in a war against Iran.

"The war was waged under Zionist pressure," Houthi said, suggesting that the recent public release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal was used as leverage to push US President Donald Trump into military aggression against Iran.

A recent survey indicated that a majority of American voters believe the aggression against Iran was partly intended to divert attention from the Epstein scandal, with 52% of respondents agreeing that the attacks were motivated by this factor.

The survey also noted that some commentators have rebranded the operation, named "Operation Epic Fury," as "Operation Epstein Fury."

In his remarks, Houthi also warned that the scope of aggression may widen, citing ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon in violation of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

"Israel has neither adhered to agreements nor to the guarantees given in Lebanon, continuing its killing, destruction, and crimes against the Lebanese people and Hezbollah," Houthi said.

He urged solidarity across the Muslim world to thwart what he described as the "most dangerous conspiracy" against the Ummah.

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Israel pushed US to make 'grave miscalculation' of waging war on Iran: Oman

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 8:51 AM

The Omani foreign minister says Israel pushed the United States to make the "grave miscalculation" of waging an illegal aggression against Iran when a nuclear deal was within reach.

Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated the latest US-Iran negotiations aimed at resolving the latter's nuclear issue, wrote in an article published by The Economist that twice in the past nine months the two sides had been "on the verge of a real deal," which was derailed by the Tel Aviv regime.

"So it was a shock but not a surprise when on February 28thjust a few hours after the latest and most substantive talksIsrael and America again launched an unlawful military strike against the peace that had briefly appeared really possible," he said.

The top Omani diplomat also noted that Washington has "lost control of its own foreign policy," saying Israel persuaded the US to unleash the war on the false basis that the Iranian government would offer an "unconditional surrender" after the assassination of former Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

"The American administration's greatest miscalculation, of course, was allowing itself to be drawn into this war in the first place," he added. "This is not America's war, and there is no likely scenario in which both Israel and America will get what they want from it."

Meanwhile, Busaidi described as a "catastrophe" the war and its wider impact on the Persian Gulf region, where the effects of Iran's retaliatory strikes are being felt most acutely.

He further stressed that the Arab countries, which had placed their trust in American security cooperation, now experience that collaboration as an acute vulnerability, threatening their present security and future prosperity.

The Omani foreign minister also called for an end to the conflict and a return to bilateral negotiations.

"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. But the path away from war, hard though it may be for both parties to follow it, may have to lie through precisely this resumption. The parties need an incentive to summon the necessary courage to engage once again," he said.

Last Thursday, Busaidi emphasized that "illegal" military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran breach international law.

The criminal US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

The Iranian Armed Forces have responded by launching almost daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israelioccupied lands as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

They have conducted their retaliatory strikes based on the principle of "eye for an eye," inflicting heavy losses on the enemies.

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Iran Attacks Oil Infrastructure In Gulf As Trump Weighs Troop Deployments, Says 'Nobody To Talk To' In Iran

By RFE/RL March 20, 2026 01:17 CET Updated March 20, 2026

Iran continues to attack oil infrastructure in the Gulf region amid reports that President Donald Trump is weighing the deployment of US troops to bolster operations in the Middle East.

On March 20, Tehran's forces carried out a new round of drone strikes on the region's energy facilities, hitting an oil refinery in Kuwait.

The attack followed a flurry of incidents across the region after Iran vowed to retaliate for an earlier Israeli attack on its major South Pars gas field.

While no casualties were reported, the official Kuwait News Agency said that several refinery units were shut down after the attack caused fires at some of them.

Separately, Iran fired a volley of missiles toward Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which reportedly intercepted at least four ballistic missiles and 26 drones.

As countries across the Middle East are entering Norouz, the Persian New Year, the war is about to enter its fourth week.

A written Norouz statement attributed to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, declared the new year the "year of the resistance economy in the spirit of national unity and security."

Iran has dealt its enemies a "dizzying blow," said the statement, which was read out on state TV on March 20. It added that "due to the particular unity that has been created between you, our compatriots -- despite all the differences in religious, intellectual, cultural, and political origins -- the enemy has been defeated."

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public or issued a video or audio statement since his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a wave of US-Israeli air strikes at the start of the war on February 28. The longtime former supreme leader is one of numerous top Iranian political, military, and security figures who have been killed.

"Their leaders are all gone," Trump said at a White House event on March 20. He added, "We want to talk to them and there's nobody to talk to. We have nobody to talk to -- and, you know what, we like it that way."

Later in the day, Trump said that "from a military standpoint," Iran is "finished" and that "we can have dialogue, but I don't want to do a cease-fire. You know, you don't do a cease-fire when you're literally obliterating the other side."

US officials have said Mojtaba Khamenei is injured, and Trump earlier this week questioned whether he remained alive.

Adding to the impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial corridor for oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to global markets, attacks on energy facilities across the region mark the most significant recent development in the conflict, spiking oil and gas prices and disrupting global supplies.

Britain on March 20 gave the US the green light to use its bases to strike Iranian missile sites that are launching attacks on ships in the strait.

Ministers meeting to discuss the war and Iran's blockage of the waterway "confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defense of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz," the British government said in a statement.

Britain and other Western nations have voiced concern about being drawn into the war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially rejected a US request to use UK bases for strikes on Iran, saying he needed to be sure that any military action was legal.

Later on March 20, Trump told reporters, "It's been a very late response from the UK."

Opening the Strait of Hormuz would be a "simple military maneuver" and "relatively safe, but you need a lot of help in the sense that you need ships," he said, adding that "it would be nice" if nations "including China" would get involved.

Is US Sending More Troops?

Multiple US news outlets, citing sources, are reporting that Trump is considering sending thousands of additional US ground troops to the Middle East, a move seen as giving the United States additional options in the war against Iran.

The reports came as Trump himself on March 19 denied he was about to deploy more troops to the region, although appearing to keep the door open: "I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops. We will do whatever is necessary."

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters there was no decision made on the matter, as Trump was keeping "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.

Reuters, citing four sources, including two US officials, said additional troops would give Trump more options, including the means to safeguard passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Such an operation would be carried out mainly by air and naval forces, the sources said, but it would also require deploying US troops to Iran's shoreline.

The US administration has also considered the possibility of deploying ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with the matter and three US officials.

One of the officials said such an operation would be quite risky, given that Iran has the ability to strike the island with missiles and drones.

Nikita Smagin, an expert on Iranian foreign and domestic policies, told Current Time that, despite widespread speculation, a ground operation in the Iran conflict seemed unlikely for now.

"Of course, a ground operation seems like a natural next step to many in the current situation if you truly want to bring about a change in power," he said on March 20. "However, it's clear that this is a very complex scenario and, for now, it's probably not worth pursuing."

"Even with limited capabilities, Iran is still capable of causing serious destruction and can quite effectively block the Strait of Hormuz," Smagin added.

Accelerated Deployment

Newsmax, meanwhile, reported that the US military has already accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors to potentially help reinforce its forces fighting against Iran.

Citing three officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the agency reported that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were deploying ahead of schedule from the West Coast of the United States.

Newsmax reported there are 2,500 Marines in the deployment, bringing the total to about 4,000 service members aboard three amphibious vessels. They house F-35 fighter jets, missiles, and amphibious vehicles capable of launching from ships for a land assault.

The administration has discussed the possibility of deploying US forces to secure Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium, one of the people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Politico also reportedthat the Pentagon is considering sending more troops to the Middle East.

Citing two people familiar with the talks, it reported that the size and scope of additional deployments are still evolving.

Major Risks Involved

Sending ground forces would carry significant risk, both politically and on the ground.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on March 19 found that 65 percent of Americans believe Trump will order troops into a large-scale ground war in Iran, with just 7 percent expressing support for the idea.

Even without ground forces involved in the fighting, 13 US troops have been killed so far in the war, with about 200 injured, the US military said, although many of the injuries have been minor.

Democrats in Congress would be certain to oppose the idea of deploying additional ground troops to the war theater, and even many in Trump's Republican Party have expressed opposition to further "boots on the ground."

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, Newsmax, and Politico

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-troops-marines- iran-middle-east-kharg-hormuz/33711127.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the missile strike against the port of Bandar Anzali

20 March 2026 13:21

408-20-03-2026

It is with a growing sense of concern that we are witnessing the expanding geography of the missile and bomb strikes by Israel and the United States in Iran. The US-Israeli coalition continues pouring fuel on the flames of the war they have unleashed in the Middle East, which could cause this war to spread even further.

On March 18, a bomb attack was carried out against the Iranian port of Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea. That major Caspian port is an important trade and logistics hub that is actively used in Russian-Iranian trade, including for food deliveries. The strike has affected the economic interests of Russia and the other Caspian states that maintain transport communications with Iran via that port.

The regional countries and the international community have always regarded the Caspian Sea as a safe zone of peace and cooperation. The aggressors' reckless and irresponsible actions pose a threat of dragging Caspian states into an armed conflict.

We once again firmly call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and resuming efforts to achieve a political settlement of the situation in the Middle East, which is increasingly affecting neighbouring regions.

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MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The attack on the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran, constitutes an outrageous violation of international law, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Saturday.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported that Israel and the United States had targeted the Natanz uranium enrichment complex earlier on Saturday, with no leaks reported.

"Despite well-publicized claims that Iran's nuclear program had been 'completely destroyed' in the U.S. airstrikes as early as June last year, the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, which is under IAEA safeguards, came under attack again," Zakharova said.

"This is an outrageous violation of international law, the UN Charter, the IAEA Statute, and relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA General Conference," she said in a statement.

She stressed that the United States and Israel continued to launch massive strikes against Iranian military, civilian and nuclear facilities, disregarding both civilian casualties and potential radiological and environmental consequences.

Moscow urges the international community, including the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to give an unbiased and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions that pose real risks of a catastrophe across the entire Middle East and are explicitly aimed at further undermining peace, stability and security in the region, she said. 
Iran Proposes Creating Middle East Security Structure With All Regional States - President

Sputnik News

20260320

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran proposes creating a Middle East security structure with the participation of regional countries, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday.

"We are ready to resolve all problems with you. In order to ensure peace in the region, we propose to create a security structure in the Middle East, which will include Islamic countries, in order to ensure peace, stability and security," Pezeshkian said in an address on the occasion of the Iranian New Year.

Middle Eastern countries do not need the presence of "outsiders," the president said.

Pezeshkian said that the United States and Israel had no reason to assassinate late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

"They killed our leader and our commanders without any reason or logic," Pezeshkian said in a speech marking the upcoming Iranian New Year.

 Sputnik

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Iran Strikes West Jerusalem, Haifa - IRGC

Sputnik News

20260320

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Iranian military struck targets in West Jerusalem and Haifa on Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said.

"During the 66th phase of Operation True Promise 4, targets in West Jerusalem, Haifa in the region were successfully hit," the IRGC said in a statement quoted by Iranian news agency YJC.

Missiles used in the attack included Kheibar Shekan, Zolfaghar and Qadr, along with drones, the elite Iranian force said.

Iran has been striking Israeli territory and US military targets in the Middle East in response to a joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel on February 28. The first day of military action saw Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed and a girls' school in southern Iran bombed. Iran puts the death toll at over 1,300.

The US and Israel initially claimed their "preemptive" attack was necessary to counter the perceived threat coming from Iran's nuclear program, but they soon made it clear that they want to see a change of power in Iran.

 Sputnik

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"We have mobilized all our resources for the establishment of peace"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

20.03.2026

Speaking at the Eid al-Fitr gathering with citizens in Rize, President Erdogan said: "The attacks on Iran that began on February 28 with Israel's provocations have further deteriorated the instability in our region. 1,000 people have died in Israel's attacks on Lebanon since March 2. The number of forcibly displaced people has surpassed 1 million. As Turkiye, we have mobilized all our resources for the establishment of peace and the resumption of dialogue and diplomacy."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered remarks during the Eid al-Fitr gathering with citizens in Rize.

"The Netanyahu terrorism continues to pose a threat to regional and global peace. The attacks on Iran that began on February 28 with Israel's provocations have further deteriorated the instability in our region. 1,000 people have died in Israel's attacks on Lebanon since March 2. The number of forcibly displaced people has surpassed 1 million. As Turkiye, we have mobilized all our resources for the establishment of peace and the resumption of dialogue and diplomacy," President Erdogan said.

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NATO withdraws troops from Iraq after US war against Iran triggers strong retaliation

Iran Press TV

Friday, 20 March 2026 9:45 PM

In a significant development underscoring Iraq's volatile security landscape, the NATO military alliance has reportedly withdrawn its advisory mission from the Arab country, relocating several hundred personnel to Europe.

The move, completed on Friday, follows a series of retaliatory attacks attributed to Iraqi resistance groups targeting US military bases and assets mainly in northern Iraq.

The decision to pull the mission, known as the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), marks a strategic repositioning for the controversial military alliance known for war crimes in Iraq.

While the mission's mandate remains active, its operational hub has now been transferred to NATO's Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, according to reports

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's top commander overseeing the mission, confirmed the departure of the last contingent of personnel on Friday.

"The safety of our personnel is paramount," Grynkewich said. "We remain committed to our Iraqi partners, but we will continue this essential work from a secure location."

The NATO Mission Iraq was established in 2018 as a non-combat advisory and capacity-building initiative. Its core objective was to assist Iraq's national security apparatus, but it has been involved in crimes against ordinary Iraqis and in facilitating American and Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In recent weeks, a series of drone and rocket attacks have targeted bases hosting US forces, carried out by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq in retaliation for the American-Israeli war of aggression against Iran and the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The aggression, which came in the middle of Tehran-Washington nuclear talks, has claimed nearly 1,300 lives, most of them ordinary civilians, including children and women.

US President Donald Trump has been unhappy with his NATO allies over their refusal to join his ill-fated anti-Iran naval coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

NATO member countries have so far refused to join the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran.

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Iraq Pulled Into Iran War As Tehran Expands The Battlefield

By Frud Bezhan March 20, 2026

Since the United States and Israel launched their bombing campaign against Iran, Tehran has expanded the battlefield across the Middle East.

That includes in Iran's western neighbor, Iraq, where Tehran's proxy forces have carried out almost daily attacks against US targets, including diplomatic and military facilities, triggering retaliatory American air strikes.

Iran itself has carried out waves of missile and drone strikes in Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region in the north, where Iranian Kurdish opposition groups operate camps and offices.

The intensifying violence has threatened to destabilize Iraq, a Shi'ite-majority country of some 46 million people that is still recovering from years of insecurity following the US-led invasion in 2003 and the long conflict it set off.

"The chances of Iraq being pulled deeper into the Iran war are extremely high," said Colin Clarke, executive director of the Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank.

"That's partly a result of Tehran's influence, especially over the past two decades, where the regime has become in many ways inextricably linked with Iraqi militias."

'Existential War'

When Israel and the United States conducted a bombing campaign in Iran in June 2025, Tehran's proxies in Iraq largely stood on the sidelines.

But the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Shi'ite, Iran-backed armed groups, immediately joined the fray this time.

Unlike the 12-day warlast June, Iran views the current conflict as a war for survival, experts say, with Tehran using the full force of its own military capabilities and the asymmetric abilities of its proxies across the Middle East to hit back at the United States and Israel.

"The main sponsor and supporter of those groups in Iraq -- the Iranian regime -- is in an existential war right now and it is a 'now or never' moment for them," said Farzin Nadimi, an Iran defense specialist at the Washington Institute.

Some of the Iran-backed groups that form the Islamic Resistance in Iraq also belong to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of mostly pro-Iranian militias that has nominally been a part of the Iraqi army since 2016.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which rose to prominence in recent years, has launched scores of attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria since Israel began its war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The attacks by the Iraqi groups have triggered deadly US air strikes.

Tit-For-Tat Attacks

Since the start of latest US-Israeli air campaign on Iran on February 28, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out regular drone and rocket attacks on the sprawling US Embassy compound in Baghdad.

An American diplomatic and logistics center near Baghdad International Airport, which houses US troops, has also been repeatedly targeted.

Pro-Iranian groups are also suspected of firing drones toward a major US military base and consulate complex in Irbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Kataib Hizballah, one of the most powerful members of the PMF and a US-designated terrorist group, issued a statement on March 17 demanding that every "foreign soldier" leave Iraq, where around 2,000 US military personnel are stationed.

The United States has responded by targeting PMF command centers and leaders in Iraq.

The PMF said two of its fighters were killed in two separate air strikes on March 19 near the northern city of Mosul. The group blamed the attacks on the United States and Israel.

A day earlier, the alliance said three of its fighters were killed in a suspected US air strike on a PMF command center in Anbar Province, near the border with Syria. Six PMF fighters were killed in the same area on March 16, the group said.

One the same day, reports said a strike targeted the residence of Abu Ala al-Walai, the leader of Kataib Seyyed al-Shuhada, one of the largest pro-Iranian armed groups in the PMF. Local media reported the deaths of six people, but it was unclear if Walai was among them.

Kataib Hizballah announced on March 16 that a senior commander and spokesman for the group, Abu Ali al-Askari, was killed in Baghdad, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

Despite the US attacks, the Iranian-backed Iraqi militias retain significant fighting capabilities, according to experts.

"It's uncertain how the supply chains of Iranian weapons have been impacted" by the ongoing war, Clarke said. "But this remains a wild card for Tehran, a tripwire it can use to increase or decrease pressure."

Meanwhile, Iran continues to fire drones and missiles on Iraq's Kurdish region, home to around a dozen Iranian Kurdish opposition groups who have been waging a low-level insurgency against Tehran for years.

Iranian attacks increased after reports emerged of the United States possibly supplying weapons to the Iranian Kurdish groups and supporting potential cross-border ground attacks in western Iran.

Strength Of Proxies

The PMF is made up of dozens of militias. Besides Kataib Hizballah and Kataib Seyyed al-Shuhada, prominent groups in the umbrella include Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat al-Nujaba, and the Badr Organization.

The strength of each group within the PMF varies widely, with some containing as few as 100 members and others, such as Kataib Hizballah, boasting around 10,000 fighters.

Several militias within the PMF operate as Iran's proxies, experts say, while others are more independent.

The sway Iran held over the PMF has eroded since the 2020 killing by the United States of powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who headedthe Quds Force -- theforeign arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of Iran's armed forces.

The Quds Force oversees Iran's so-called axis of resistance, its loose network of proxies and militant groups against archfoes Israel and the United States. The axis includes the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah -- regarded as a terrorist organization by both Israel and the United States -- and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-iraq-islamic- resistance-pmf-militias/33710902.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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FM Sa'ar hosts French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot in Jerusalem

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

FM Sa'ar: I proposed that France and the EU designate the 'Hezbollah' organization in its entirety as a terrorist organization. The complete delegitimization of Hezbollah is required, as this Iranian proxy has been operating militarily against Israel for decades while steadily ruining Lebanon and its future.

Type: Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy, Terrorism

Secondary topic: Hezbollah

Publish Date: 20.03.2026

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar today (Friday, 20 March 2026) hosted French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot in Jerusalem.

FM Sa'ar: "I listened to his impressions from his visit to Lebanon, and we discussed at length the war against Iran, Hezbollah, and other issues.

I presented to him the scope of attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory (over 2,500) since March 2nd, including from areas south of the Litani River, about which the Lebanese government and army had boasted just two and a half months ago that they had achieved "operational control."

Unfortunately, the Lebanese government and its army are not taking any meaningful action against Hezbollah, neither militarily nor in other aspects.

During the meeting, I also proposed that France and the EU designate the 'Hezbollah' organization in its entirety as a terrorist organization, not only its military wing, as several European countries already did. The complete delegitimization of Hezbollah is required, as this Iranian proxy has been operating militarily against Israel for decades while steadily ruining Lebanon and its future.

I also presented Israel's precise operations against Hezbollah operatives, while making efforts to minimize harm to the civilian population as much as possible.

Israel will continue to defend itself and its citizens and will act decisively against all those who seek its elimination."

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Telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

March 20, 2026

15:55

During the telephone conversation, Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the successful referendum on the Republic's new Constitution. The voting results have demonstrated people's trust in the policy of dynamic socioeconomic development pursued by the President of Kazakhstan.

Both presidents reaffirmed their readiness to further boost Russian-Kazakhstani relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance.

The discussion also touched on the schedule of forthcoming contacts, including in light of Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union.

The President of Russia also sent a congratulatory message to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

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Spokesperson's Press Briefing (March 17, 2026)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date: 2026-03-17

Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Park Il

March 17, 2026 14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today's briefing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun will visit France from March 25 to 27 following an invitation from France, which holds the G7 Presidency, to attend the expanded session of the first G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting of 2026.

Through its participation in the meeting, the Republic of Korea will strengthen the ROK-G7 partnership and enhance its standing as a responsible global power.

The agendas of the expanded session are global governance reform, reconstruction, and cross-cutting threats. The Republic of Korea will participate constructively in these discussions.

Meanwhile, Minister Cho will also have bilateral meetings with key participants in the meeting, including foreign ministers from other countries, and exchange opinions on bilateral relations, substantive cooperation, and regional issues.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)

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Europe Undermining Itself by Rejecting Russian Energy Resources - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20260320

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia should and will do what corresponds to its interests and benefits in terms of the energy issue, Peskov said.

"Russia must and will do what best suits its interests and its benefits," Peskov told reporters, commenting on a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding Russian gas purchases.

If alternative markets will be recognized as more attractive for Russian energy resources, then Russia will completely focus on them, Peskov added.

"It is already obvious that, of course, European voters will not continue to vote for these people. It is even clear now," the spokesperson said, adding that Europeans continue to harm their voters by continuing pursuing the policy of abandoning Russian energy resources.

Demand for fertilizers is growing, and Russia is one of the few countries capable of providing a growing supply on the market, Peskov said.

"The demand for fertilizers is growing. Russia is one of the few countries that is able to provide a growing supply in the market," Peskov told reporters.

Europe is still provoking the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine instead of a policy aimed at seeking peace, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"There is also no answer to the question of why they [European countries] are still pursuing a policy aimed at provoking the further continuation of this conflict [in Ukraine], and why they are not pursuing a policy aimed at ... contributing to the search for a peaceful settlement," Peskov told reporters.

Moscow has no answer why Europe allowed its actual direct involvement of in the Ukrainian conflict, the official added.

Moscow hopes to continue the trilateral talks on Ukraine in the near future, Peskov said.

"This pause is temporary, and we hope that it is temporary. I mean the continuation of the trilateral format," Peskov told reporters.

Russia will not participate in the contacts between Ukraine and the United States, which were stated by Volodymyr Zelensky, Peskov said.

Ukraine must unconditionally stop energy blackmail, including of European countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"[Ukraine] must also unconditionally stop the energy blackmail of other countries, including EU member states," Peskov told reporters when asked if Russia is ready to agree to an energy truce with Ukraine.

On Thursday, Peskov said that Kiev's attempts to attack compressor stations with drones pose a threat to critical infrastructure and international energy routes.

Earlier in the day, The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported that Ukraine's situation is deteriorating amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including due to the fact that the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran are depleting stocks of military equipment that Europe bought from Washington for Kiev.

 Sputnik

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No: 53, 20 March 2026, Regarding Israel's Attack in Southern Syria

Republic of Turkey - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Israel's recent attack targeting military infrastructure in southern Syria constitutes a dangerous escalation and we strongly condemn it.

We call upon the international community to assume its responsibility to ensure the cessation of Israeli attacks, which violate international law and Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In this context, we underline the importance of the implementation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.

Turkiye, as it has done so far, will continue to stand in solidarity with the Syrian Government and people in their efforts to establish lasting stability and security in Syria on the basis of its territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty.

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